Investigation of a chain drive for an automotive continuously variable transmission

The focus of the research was an investigation of the factors which affect the operation of a chain drive for an automotive continuously variable transmission. Although the metal v-chain design which was examined had link members which transmitted both the axial clamping load and the circumferential tension, the analytical methods developed and the resulting design guidelines can be applied to many v-chain designs. The analysis was prompted by the reliability, durability, and transmitted power improvements required for a practical metal v-chain drive in a conventional automobile.; The analytical investigation of the chain included an examination of the tensile force distribution in the straight section of chain between the driving and driven pulleys, the tension and axial force distribution in the chain section in contact with the pulleys, and the discrete contacts at the link and sheave interfaces.; The effects of variations of the chain's parameters on the load distribution and the resulting stresses in the components of the chain were examined. An analytical method which estimates the load distribution in the links of the straight chain section between the pulleys was developed. The analysis included probabilistic techniques for evaluating variations in the parameter values.; The wear and failure rates of a v-chain are affected by the load distribution and the relative motion of the chain links in contact with the sheaves. An analytical method was developed to estimate the tension and axial force distributions in the rows of links in the chain section in contact with the sheaves. The analysis method included the deflections of the sheaves and the links. The radial and circumferential relative motion between the links and the sheaves are considered.; There are a discrete number of contact locations between the chain and the conical sheaves. An analytical method for examining the contacts is presented in the thesis.