Belt and chain drives

This chapter examines belt and chain drives. The chain transmission is the most common transmission method, with a simple structure, easy maintenance, and cheap price, but it has quite a few disadvantages, such as the fact that chain wear will elongate it and need to be adjusted, maintenance is required during use, the noise is obviously too great, and motion inertia is large. The belt transmission is more common in cars, especially the toothed belt. The belt transmission has many advantages, such as stable transmission, low noise, maintenance-free nature, long life, and small motion inertia (toothed belt). There is almost no maintenance in the later stage, but this type of belt does not resist stones and dust like chains. In this chapter we discuss belt and chain selection, and share the belt and chain selection process from the aspects of belt and chain charts and tables, to help in understanding belts and chains correctly. Examples and solved/unsolved problems for selection of belt and chain size are also presented. This chapter can be used as a teaching tool for courses on machine design for mechanical and industrial engineering and materials engineering majors in colleges and universities, and can also be used as a reference for scientific and technical personnel engaged in scientific and engineering calculations.