V-Belts – What is it Really?

The V-belt is a type of belt that also performs an entirely different function. This is a talk about what these belts are, how they work with other types of engines and the maintenance costs associated with them.

acoplamientos mecánicos are seen primarily in automotive and industrial applications, however they can be found on any engine powering any machine. Like most belts, the V-belt transfers power from one pulley to another via a fixed belt or chain drive.

What is a V-belt?

A V-belt is pretty much what the name suggests, however it does not run in a “V” shape or orientation.

The belt rides on top of two pulleys for the most part, with a smaller section riding along each of their angled surfaces. It will wrap over the leading and trailing pulley to maintain correct orientation. The angle helps keep the belt aligned while it travels around the smaller angled surface.

Belt guides help to keep the belt on each pulley, including some that do not run in a single direction such as ‘S’ type guides. These guides are often found on the backside of the smaller angled surface and allow for the belt to transfer power in either direction.

The angle of these pulleys is what helps keep the belt on and allows it to operate without slipping. The following picture shows a type of V-belt with this angle in a bit more detail.

What does a V-belt do and what is it used for?

The primary function of a V-belt is to transfer power from one pulley to another. The pulleys are fixed in place, with the belt and pulleys being allowed to move freely along them without any obstruction or interference.

When the belt wraps around the smaller angled surface, this angle allows the belt to plow through small gaps and holes toward the center of either pulley. It will also transfer energy from the larger angled surface to the smaller angled surface when wrapping around.

The V-shape allows for each pulley to be positioned in a parallel orientation where they are moving at the same speed, even though the belt varies in distance between them.

Why are V-belts important to cars?

V-belts are used in nearly every automotive application and may actually be more common than belts that run in a straight line. Most automotive engines use a belt to transfer power from the crankshaft to an accessory, such as the alternator or water pump.

These belts are often more durable, strong and less prone to stretch than other belts. This is due to its straight line orientation and the way in which it transfers power around the pulleys.

V-belts have also been used in industrial applications for quite some time, however they have become far more popular in recent years due to their longevity and dependability.