Low modulus belt for automotive applications

• US 6,832,968 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2001
• Issued: 12/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC (Dayco Products LLC)
• Original Assignee: Dayco Products LLC
• Inventors: Swope, Jay D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bucci, David A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCANULTY, TIMOTHY P
• Application Number:
  US09/848,132
• Publication Number:
  US 20020165058A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,328 Days
• Field of Search: 474/149, 474/237, 474/260, 474/263
• US Class Current: 474/263
• CPC Class Codes: F16G 5/20 with a contact surface of special shape, e.g. toothed
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 7/02 with belts; with V-belts

Abstract

The invention provides a low modulus drive belt for an automotive accessory drive system that allows for relatively high elongation during installation and that maintains a relatively high percentage of its install tension throughout the useful life of the belt. The invention also provides an automotive accessory drive system that utilizes such a belt and a method for constructing such a belt. One embodiment of the invention is directed to an accessory drive system for an automobile that includes: (a) a drive pulley; (b) an accessory pulley operatively coupled to an accessory drive shaft; and (c) an endless drive belt engaged between the drive pulley and the accessory pulley, where the drive belt includes an endless band of rubber composite material having a plurality of circumferentially extending an axially aligned polyamide 6.6 twisted cords formed therewithin.

Claims

1. A multiple-pulley accessory drive system for an automobile, comprising:

a drive pulley driven by an automobile engine;

at least one accessory pulley operatively coupled to an accessory drive shaft, the drive pulley and accessory pulley having a nominal drive length therebetween; and

an endless drive belt engaged between the drive pulley and the accessory pulley, the drive belt including an endless band of rubber composite material having a plurality of circumferentially extending and axially aligned cords formed therewithin;

wherein the endless drive belt has a tensile modulus in the range of approximately 7000 N/mm/mm (1575 lbf/in/in) to approximately 10,000 N/mm/mm (2250 lbf/in/in).

2. The multiple-pulley accessory drive system of claim 1, wherein the circumferential length of the endless drive belt, before installation on the pulleys, is approximately 2% to approximately 3% lower than the nominal drive length of the accessory drive system.

3. The multiple-pulley accessory drive system of claim 2, wherein the circumferential length of the endless drive belt, before installation on the pulleys, is approximately 2% to approximately 2.3% lower than the nominal drive length of the accessory drive system.

4. The multiple-pulley accessory drive system of claim 3, wherein the cords are polyamide twisted cords.

5. The multiple-pulley accessory drive system of claim 1, wherein the operational torque of the accessory drive system is less than, or equal to approximately 2.7 N-m (2 ft-lb).

6. The multiple-pulley accessory drive system of claim 5, wherein the accessory is an automotive water pump and the accessory pulley is operatively coupled to a drive shaft of the water pump.

7. The multiple-pulley accessory drive system of claim 6, wherein the accessory drive system is a two-pulley accessory drive system.

8. The multiple-pulley accessory drive system of claim 1, wherein the endless drive belt has a tensile modulus of approximately 7,800 N/mm/mm (1750 lbf/in/in) to approximately 8,500 N/mm/mm (1910 lbf/in/in).

9. The multiple-pulley accessory drive system of claim 8, wherein the circumferential length of the endless drive belt, before installation on the pulleys, is approximately 2% to approximately 3% lower than the nominal drive length of the accessory drive system.

10. The multiple-pulley accessory drive system of claim 9, wherein the circumferential length of the endless drive belt, before installation on the pulleys, is approximately 2% to approximately 2.3% lower than the nominal drive length of the accessory drive system.

11. The multiple-pulley accessory drive system of claim 10, wherein the cords are polyamide twisted cords.

12. A two-pulley accessory drive system for an automobile, comprising:

a drive pulley;

an accessory pulley operatively coupled to an accessory drive shaft, the drive pulley and accessory pulley having a nominal drive length therebetween; and

an endless drive belt engaged between the drive pulley and the accessory pulley, the drive belt including an endless band of rubber composite material having a plurality of circumferentially extending and axially aligned cords formed therewithin;

wherein the endless drive belt has a tensile modulus of approximately 8500 N/mm/mm (1910 lbf/in/in); and

wherein the circumferential length of the endless drive belt, before installation on the pulleys, is approximately 2.2% to approximately 2.3% lower than the nominal drive length between the drive pulley and the accessory pulley.

13. The two-pulley accessory drive system of claim 12, wherein the cords are polyamide 6.6 twisted cords.