Automotive V Belts rely on the engagement of teeth on the belt from kaolijack's blog

The steel pushing Rubber V Belt continuously variable transmission (CVT) is now commercially available in the automobiles of a number of manufacturers but to date it has not led to a significant reduction in fuel consumption. To develop its full potential it is necessary to have a good mathematical model of the system. A number of models have been described in recent years but all make use of a Coulomb friction model for the shear connection between the belt and the pulleys. This paper proposes a friction model based on elastohydrodynamic theory. It is shown that there is good agreement between measured and calculated slip values for the transmission which justifies use of the model.

All power transmission belts are either friction drive or positive drive. Friction drive belts rely on the friction between the belt and pulley to transmit power. They require tension to maintain the right amount of friction. Flat belts are the purest form of friction drive while V-belts have a friction multiplying effect because of wedging action on the pulley.

Positive drive or synchronous Automotive V Belts rely on the engagement of teeth on the belt with grooves on the pulley. There is no slip with this belt except for ratcheting or tooth jumping.