Abstract: A continuously variable transmission, provided with two adjustable pulleys, each pulley comprising a pair of mutually displaceable essentially frusto-conical pulley sheaves having a radial dimension provided on a pulley shaft, each sheave having a sheave face, whereby the sheave faces of a pulley are mutually oriented at a pulley angle, and with an endless flexible belt for transmitting torque comprising two lateral side faces, which are mutually oriented at a belt angle (alpha) such that the flexible belt tapers radially inwardly and which are intended for interacting with the sheave faces of a pulley under the influence of a clamping force to be exerted on the flexible belt by the sheaves. The belt angle is marginally, but notionally, larger than the pulley angle (beta) of at least one pulley for at least a substantial part of the radial dimension of the pulley sheaves.

Abstract: A belt for a continuously variable transmission includes a metal ring assembly and a plurality of metal elements formed of a carbon steel and supported on the metal ring assembly. A recess of the metal element at which stress concentrates, namely, undercut portions of a root of a neck, a root of an engaging projection, and recesses of an element body, are removed. The carbon concentration in the removed portions is lower than that in the other potions, thereby enhancing the toughness, fatigue strength, and impact strength while maintaining, at a high level, the surface hardness of portions at which stress does not concentrate, thereby obtaining a wear resistant belt.

Abstract: Provided is a belt-drive continuously variable transmission which comprises a pair of drive pulley and driven pulley, and a belt engaged with the pulleys. The belt includes an endless carrier and a plurality of transverse elements closely arranged on the carrier. Each transverse element has an edge and rotatable about the edge in the longitudinal direction of the belt and converging side faces for contact with contact surfaces of the pulleys. Each of the side faces is curved toward each of the contact surfaces in such a manner as to have, when each of the transverse elements is observed in a plan view, such a circular arc that is of a predetermined radius R and has a center located on a straight line perpendicular to each of the contact surfaces and extending through a point at which the edge and each of the contact surfaces meet.

Abstract: A transmission belt for a continuously variable transmission includes, transverse elements (5) and an endless carrier (9) for keeping together the transverse elements (5), each transverse element (5) provided with a rocking edge (12) showing a curvature for allowing neighbouring transverse elements (5) to mutually tilt about an substantially axially oriented contact line (7) over a tilting angle (?), so that a part of the belt may pass along a longitudinally bent trajectory, the curvature of the rocking edge (12) defined such that it notionally displaces the contact line (7) in dependence on the tilting angle (?,?).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a CVT belt having two multi-ribbed belts. Each belt is engaged in an opposing slot in a transversely mounted clip. Each belt is retained in each slot by a flat belt which is sandwiched into each slot with the multi-ribbed belt.

Abstract: A transverse element for a drive belt for a continuously variable transmission is disclosed. The drive belt comprises two endless carriers, wherein transverse elements are continuously arranged along the entire length of the carriers. The transverse elements are on both sides provided with recesses for at least partially receiving the carriers. A portion of the inner surface of a recess constitutes a supporting surface for supporting a carrier. The supporting surface is connected to a side surface of a neck portion of the transverse element, through a lower transition region. The neck portion comprises the portion of the transverse element being situated between the recesses. The neck portion tapers in the direction of the supporting surfaces.

Abstract: In a metal belt for a continuously variable transmission, when a laterally inner end of a metal ring assembly abuts a neck, a laterally outer end of the metal ring assembly is positioned at a location displaced toward the neck from a laterally outer end of an ear. When the metal belt is transported as an independent item or even when assembled to the continuously variable transmission, contact with another article with the laterally outer end of the metal ring assembly is prohibited by a laterally outer end of the ear to prevent damage to the metal ring assembly and the metal ring assembly from falling off of the ring slot. In addition, the entire widthwise region of the metal ring assembly is opposite to the lower ear face, so that a sufficient amount of oil is retained on the opposite surface, to enhance a metal element-cooling effect.

Abstract: In a belt for a continuously variable transmission, a first line on a lower edge of an element body of a metal element is determined, and a second line straightforwardly connecting a lower end of a V-face to which a load is applied from a V-groove in a pulley and an inner end of a saddle surface is determined, so that when a downward load is applied from a metal ring assembly to an outer end of the saddle surface, the folding-resistant strength of the element body is uniform laterally. The position of the recess is determined in the vicinity of a point of intersection of the first and second lines. The lower edge of the element body is defined by the first line inside the recess and by the second line outside the recess. The durability of the metal element can be enhanced by devising the shape of the lower edge of the element body of the metal element in this manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a belt for use in a continuously variable transmission, in particular for automotive application, comprising at least one set (7) of nested metal rings, the set interacting with transverse elements (3) provided slidably along the set, and the rings of the set being accommodated with small mutual play between each pair of adjacent rings, characterized in, that for at least the majority of said pairs of adjacent rings the nominal value of said play is zero.

Abstract: Continuously variable transmission, in particular for application in four wheeled motorised vehicles, comprising a set pulleys (4,5), each pulley (4,5) comprising two discs (15,16) arranged relatively axially moveable on a central pulley shaft (14) for clamping a transmission belt (1), which belt (1) comprises a continuous array of transverse elements (3) each having lateral pulley contact surfaces (6) for contacting the belt contact surface (29) of each of the pulley discs (15,16), and being provided slideably on an endless tensile means (2) of the belt (1), each pulley (4,5) having a mechanical stiffness as incorporated in the transmission and a stiffness related feature of a pulley (4,5) when expressed as a parameter Sag that indicates an amount of radial displacement of the belt (1) between the discs (15,16) of the pulley (14) in said transmission, occurring in response to imposing a maximum amount of the said axial force Fax during operation of the transmission, relative to a radial position of the belt

Abstract: A drive belt (1) includes at least one continuous band (22) engaged with a number of (plate-like) transverse elements (30) such that the elements (30) may slide freely along a longitudinal direction (L) of the continuous band (22), whereby the elements (30) are provided with a taper (31) allowing mutual rotation of adjacent transverse elements (30) about a transversely oriented axis (32) thereby defining a minimum radius of curvature (RMIN) at which the drive belt (1) may be bent in its longitudinal direction (L) and whereby the continuous band (22) is provided with an internal residual stress distribution conforming to a longitudinally bent posture having a pre-bending radius (RPB), characterized in that, the pre-bending radius (RPB) of the at least one continuous band (22) is considerably larger than twice the minimum radius of curvature (RMIN).

Abstract: A continuously variable, conical disk transmission including a torque-transmitting member in the form of a plate-link chain or a thrust link band. The chain includes plate links that are interconnected by pairs of rocker members that extend transversely relative to the chain movement direction. The thrust link band includes a number of thrust links that are in face-to-back contact and that extend transversely relative to the band movement direction. Each of the rocker members and the thrust links have ends that contact surfaces of the conical disks of the transmission for transmitting torque between the sets of disks. The ends of the rocker members and of the thrust links have a carbon-nitrided outer layer having a thickness of at least about 50 &mgr;m for increased durability. The surfaces of the conical disks that are contacted by the chain or the thrust link band can also be similarly treated.

Abstract: An element for use in an annular metal belt (1) is disclosed. The annular metal belt (1) transmits torque between two pulleys each having a V-shaped groove. The element has a flank capable of making frictional contact with the V-shaped groove for transmission of torque. A plurality of threads are disposed on the flank substantially in parallel to one another. The threads has a slight height relative to a dimension of the flank, and the top section of each thread is substantially planar.

Abstract: In a belt type continuously variable transmission that comprises a variable width drive pulley 5, a variable width driven pulley 8, and a metal V belt 7, which is disposed around the drive and driven pulleys 5 and 8, the contour of the surfaces (V faces 11) in contact with the metal V belt 7 in the cross-sectional view through the axes of the drive and driven pulleys 5 and 8 is an arc that has a first radius of curvature rp and is convex to the metal V belt 7, and the contour of the surfaces (V faces 46) in contact with these two pulleys 5 and 8 in the cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the metal V belt 7 is an arc that has a second radius of curvature re and is convex to the drive and driven pulleys 5 and 8.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a CVT belt having two multi-ribbed belts. Each belt is engaged in an opposing slot in a transversely mounted clip. Each belt is retained in each slot by a flat belt which is sandwiched into each slot with the multi-ribbed belt.

Abstract: Driving belt provided with an enclosed tension element (2) and also with metal transverse elements (1) accommodated so as to be movable in a longitudinal direction along the tension element (2), which transverse elements are each designed with a body part (10), a head part (12) and a neck part (11) between the latter two parts, on either side of the neck part (11) between the body part (10) and the head part (12) two axially oriented openings (17) being present, in each of which openings a part of the tension element (2) is accommodated, the body part (10) being provided on either side with contact surfaces (13) oriented substantially in an axial direction and diverging from each other in the radial direction, and with a substantially axially oriented tilting line (14) and in which an upper limit (16) of an opening (17) formed by the head part (12) extends in the axial direction at least to an imaginary line (18), which extends from the radially lower limit (19) to the radially upper limit (16) of the respect

Abstract: The invention comprises a CVT belt having two multi-ribbed belts. Each belt is engaged in an opposing slot in a transversely mounted clip. Each belt is retained in each slot by a flat belt which is sandwiched into each slot with the multi-ribbed belt.

Abstract: A composite driving belt provided with a carrier and a plurality of transverse elements assembled slidably thereon, the carrier including one or more bands, preferably composed of a plurality of endless metal bands disposed radially around each other, each element being provided with a radially outward directed carrier contact plane for contacting a radial inner contact plane of the carrier while in operation, wherein the contact plane of both the carrier and the element have a non profiled surface. In particular the roughness and shape of the relevant contacting faces of a belt are adapted to achieve a hydrodynamic lubricating condition, while the lubricating oil is defined to meet the requirements of an improved efficiency push belt.

Abstract: In a belt for a continuously variable transmission, a first clearance CLNH is defined between a projection and a recess formed on front and rear surfaces of a metal element, and a second clearance CLy is defined between an upper surface of a metal ring assembly and a lower ear surface of the metal element. By setting a relation, CLY>CLNH ensures, that when the metal element has been pitched, the projection and the recess can be first brought into contact with each other, thereby preventing a reduction in durability of the metal ring assembly. If the thickness of the metal ring assembly is represented by TL, and the vertical opening of the ring slot is represented by D, when the value of D/TL exceeds 11/8, the power transmitting efficiency is reduced. Therefore, the reduction in power transmitting efficiency can be prevented while maintaining durability of metal ring assembly by setting D/TL at a smaller value than 11/8.

Abstract: A transverse element for a push belt for a continuously variable transmission comprises a supporting surface for supporting a carrier of the push belt, and a pulley sheave contact surface for contacting pulley sheaves of the continuously variable transmission. A curved transition surface is connected to the supporting surface, whereas a distance surface is located between this transition surface and the pulley sheave contact surface. The distance surface is positioned lower than the supporting surface. When the transverse element collides with a relatively large collision element like another transverse element, protrusions may be developed exclusively on the distance surface. These protrusions are not capable of inflicting damage on a carrier which is to be laid on the supporting surface, because these protrusions do not protrude beyond the level of the supporting surface.

Abstract: A pushing block for the CVT belt has a hyper-eutectoid structure overall and exhibiting a structure in which spheroidal cementite having an area percentage of 0.4% or more are dispersed in a matrix of a martensite.

Abstract: Belt (3) for use in a continuous variable transmission, comprising an endless carrier (4) for taking op tensile forces within said belt (3), and a plurality of transverse elements (5) provided moveable in the longitudinal direction along said carrier (4), which elements (5) are provided with at least one saddle surface (8) for contacting the carrier (4), which saddle surface (8) defines an ultimate mutual position of the said carrier (4) and the said elements (5) relative to each other within the belt (3) in radial direction, with a tapered lower element part including a rocking edge (9) and with an upper element part (10, 11) extending radially beyond the carrier (4), at least when the carrier (4) and the saddle surface (8) are in mutual contact.

Abstract: The present invention is a transverse element for a drive belt for a continuously variable transmission. The drive belt includes two endless carriers, wherein transverse elements are continuously arranged along the entire length of the carriers. The transverse elements are on both sides provided with recesses for at least partially receiving the carriers. Furthermore, the transverse elements include supporting surfaces for supporting the carriers, as well as pulley sheave contact surfaces for the purpose of contact between the transverse elements and pulley sheaves of the continuously variable transmission. A convex transition region which has two parts having different curvature radii is situated between a supporting surface and a pulley sheave contact surface, wherein a first curvature radius of a first part at the side of the supporting surface is larger than a second curvature radius of a second part at the side of the pulley sheave contact surface.

Abstract: Protrusions formed on an inner peripheral surface of at least an innermost metal ring of a belt for a continuously variable transmission are initially worn. An average contact width w of the protrusions, measured in a direction perpendicular to a direction of travel of the metal ring, is equal to or less than 16 &mgr;m. The development of pitching at a top of the protrusion in a depthwise direction is inhibited. Shallow pitching is eliminated due to the contact between the protrusion and a metal element, which prevents the generation of cracks. When the metal ring and the metal element are conformed to each other, the average Hertz's surface pressure is lowered, whereby the pitching is difficult to occur. Also, the top of the protrusion is worn, leading to an improved surface roughness, whereby the lubrication is enhanced, resulting in an enhancement of metal ring durability.

Abstract: A free-state diameter, upon cutting each metal ring, is set so that when the ratio of a continuously variable transmission is a value in a TOP state and a metal ring receives a severe load, a corrected amplitude of a stress on an outer peripheral surface of the metal ring calculated from an amplitude and a middle value of the stress on the outer peripheral surface of the metal ring is equal to a corrected amplitude of a stress on an inner peripheral surface of the metal ring calculated from an amplitude and a middle value of the stress on the inner peripheral surface of the metal ring. Therefore, an appropriate free-state diameter is set in consideration of a stress based on a tensile load of the metal ring and a stress based on the bending load of the metal ring.

Abstract: Belt (3) for use in a continuous variable transmission, comprising an endless carrier (4) for taking op tensile forces within said belt (3), and a plurality of transverse elements (5) provided moveable in the longitudinal direction along, said carrier (4), which elements (5) are provided with at least one saddle surface (8) for contacting the carrier (4), which saddle surface (8) defines an ultimate mutual position of the said carrier (4) and the said elements (5) relative to each other within the belt (3) in radial direction, with a tapered lower element part including a rocking edge (9) and with an upper element part (10, 11; 14) extending radially above the said rocking edge (9) and beyond the carrier (4), at least when the carrier (4) and the saddle surface (8) are in mutual contact.

Abstract: Belt for use in a continuous variable transmission, including an endless carrier for taking up tensile forces within the belt, and a plurality of transverse elements provided moveable in the longitudinal direction along the carrier, the elements provided with at least one saddle surface for contacting the carrier, the saddle surface defining an ultimate mutual position of the carrier and the elements relative to each other within the belt in a radial direction, with a tapered lower element part including a rocking edge and with an upper element part extending radially above the rocking edge and beyond the carrier, at least when the carrier and the saddle surface are in mutual contact.

Abstract: An element includes a body having a thin region in its substantially half lower portion and a head joined to the body by a neck. When the element is blanked out of a metal sheet, an excess amount of metal produced by pressing the substantially half lower portion of the body under a pressing load applied by a forming punch and a counter load applied by a counterpunch flows from the body into the metal sheet positioned on opposite side of the neck, and a metal flow is produced into laterally spaced ends of the neck. After the metal flows have occurred, the element is fully blanked out of the metal sheet by the forming punch. In the element, the head has relatively thick laterally spaced ends, and the head and the body have respective thicknesses equal to or smaller than the thickness of the head. The body includes a substantially half upper portion exclusive of the thin region, and has laterally spaced side end regions positioned on opposite side of a lower region of the neck.

Abstract: A composite driving belt provided with a carrier and a plurality of transverse elements assembled slidably thereon, the carrier including one or more bands, preferably composed of a plurality of endless metal bands disposed radially around each other, each element being provided with a radially outward directed carrier contact plane for contacting a radial inner contact plane of the carrier while in operation, wherein the contact plane of both the carrier and the element have a non profiled surface. In particular the roughness and shape of the relevant contacting faces of a belt are adapted to achieve a hydrodynamic lubricating condition, while the lubricating oil is defined to meet the requirements of an improved efficiency push belt.

Abstract: In a heavy duty power transmission V-belt B formed by engaging tension members 1 and 1 with a plurality of blocks 10, 10, . . . , to prevent as much as possible each block 10 from producing failure at the high-speed running of the belt, a fitting part 12 of each block 10 has an indent 22 formed by upwardly recessing a portion of a resin part 17 located between an upper ridge 14 and an innermost abutment surface 20 of the fitting part 12. Thereby, no edge exists between the innermost abutment surface 20 and the upper ridge 14 so that stress can be distributed. This prevents the occurrence of a crack in the resin part 17 due to stress concentration on the edge, the occurrence of a crack in a reinforcement 18 of each block 10 beginning at the leading end of the crack in the resin part 17, and in turn the fracture of an upper beam 18a of the reinforcement 18, thereby providing enhanced resistance against failure of the block 10.

Abstract: Notched areas are provided on the outer periphery of a flat plate in the coining process to allow material of said plate flow more easily toward the periphery during the coining process. Use of flat plate provides a more economical way of making elements with accurate size and dimensions for continuously variable transmission belt.

Abstract: A continuously-variable-ratio transmission belt includes a beltlike continuity element having a body made of elastomeric material and in turn having inner teeth and outer teeth and a number of threadlike longitudinal inserts embedded inside the body; and a number of separate friction blocks which are made of plastic material, are co-molded onto the continuity element so as to each incorporate one tooth of the inner teeth and one tooth of the outer teeth, and are each defined by two lateral surfaces converging inwards of the belt and cooperating with respective sides of a groove of a trapezoidal-grooved pulley.

Abstract: A metal belt, comprising a metal band (18) passed around a drive pulley (12) and a driven pulley (15) and a plurality of elements (19) disposed laminatedly in the extending direction of the band; each element being formed of wire material and further comprising a body part (31) in contact with the pulley, vertically installed parts (32) erected from both sides of the body part, and a pair of hook parts (33) which extended from the vertically installed parts and disposed opposedly to each other, wherein an opening part (34) is formed with the body part and both hook parts and, because the band (18) is inserted into the opening part (34) of each element so as to prevent the element from falling down from the band, a falling prevention body (20) is disposed in the opening part overlappingly with the band (18).

Abstract: A driving belt for use in a continuously variable transmission includes two V-shaped pulleys. The driving belt includes a carrier of two endless band packages lying side by side, on which transverse elements are disposed. Each transverse element includes two recesses positioned opposite each other for receiving the band packages, so that a part of the transverse element is positioned between the band packages. Each recess includes an inside surface facing towards the band package, wherein the portion of the inside surface that is formed by the aforesaid part of the transverse element includes an acute angle, near the underside of the band packages, with the plane in which the band packages lie.

Abstract: In a belt for a continuously variable transmission, the relationship of &thgr;NH<&thgr;Y is established between the following two angles: (i) an angle &thgr;Y formed between a straight line drawn from a lower end of one of left and right pulley-abutment faces of a metal element to an outer end of the other of the left and right lower ear surfaces and a straight line drawn from a point of the intersection of a straight line drawn downwards from the point with an outer peripheral surface of a metal ring assembly to the point; and (ii) an angle &thgr;NH formed between a tangent line drawn from the point onto a projection and a tangent line drawn from the point onto a recess of the metal element.

Abstract: A belt type continuously variable transmission includes a drive pulley having a fixed pulley half and a movable pulley half; a driven pulley having a fixed pulley half and a movable pulley half; and a metal belt. The metal belt includes a metal ring assembly having a plurality of endless metal rings laminated on one another and a plurality of metal elements supported on the metal ring assembly. The metal belt is wound around the drive pulley and the driven pulley. The movable pulley half of the drive pulley has a flexural stiffness higher than that of the fixed pulley half of the drive pulley, wherein it is difficult for the edges of the metal ring assembly to contact the metal elements and a V-face of the drive pulley.

Abstract: Within the scope of the method for compensating angular misalignments for the variator of a continuously variable belt-drive transmission having cone pulleys disposed in pairs and one pushing linked band as torque transmitting belt-drive element, the fixed cone pulley of a variator side is designed with a curved outline, a pushing link displacement path being calculated with reference to a crowned pushing link flank outline and then the pushing link displacement path to the other side of the variator is calculated so that the displacement path is free of angular misalignment.

Abstract: The device for assembling a push V-belt for a continuously variable automatic transmission wherein the push V-belt consists of a plurality of push elements (1) movably interconnected that form an endless belt and of two ring sets (2, 2′) has a centering ring (3) for lodging the first ring set (2) and fixing the individual push elements (1) and a circular ring (4) upon the lodged push V-belt and externally partly surrounding it, the ring having an inner outline adapted to the appertaining outer outline of the push V-belt so that a radial force acts upon each individual push element (1) in direction to the axle that traverses perpendicularly to the radial plane the central point of the circle formed by the push V-belt.

Abstract: A body having a thin region in substantially a half lower portion and a head joined to the body by a neck. When the element is blanked out of a metal sheet, an excess amount of metal produced by pressing the substantially half lower portion of the body flows from the body into the metal sheet positioned on an opposite side of the neck and a metal flow is produced into laterally spaced ends of the neck. The head has relatively thick laterally spaced ends and the head and the body have respective thicknesses equal to or smaller than the thickness of the head. The laterally spaced side end regions of the body have a thickness smaller than a thickness of the lower region of the neck in the substantially half upper portion of the body.

Abstract: A flexible drive ring CVT belt comprises a flexible drive ring having a plurality of adjacent ring segments. The segments comprise metallic or non-metallic material sufficient to bear a compressive load imposed by CVT sheaves. The segments are interlocked along a longitudinal axis and are preloaded in the assembled position by an elastomeric member. A tensile member or belt bears on an outer circumferential bearing surface formed by the interlocked segments. The tensile member is moveable along a longitudinal axis relative to the flexible drive ring on the circumferential bearing surface. The segments further comprise opposing inclined surfaces for engaging sheave surfaces on a pulley.

Abstract: An endless metal belt with reduced friction and increased durability comprises a pair of layered ring structures (31) each formed by superposing a plurality of thin metal rings in layers so as to be slidable relative to each other, and a plurality of metal blocks (32) arranged along the length of the pair of layered ring structures (31) and supported on the pair of layered ring structures (31) so as to be slidable relative to the pair of layered ring structures (31), and the inner circumferences of the thin metal rings excluding the innermost thin metal ring (R1) are provided with oil retaining grooves (34), and the inner circumference in sliding contact with saddle surfaces (324) of the metal blocks (32) of the innermost thin metal ring (R1) is a flat, smooth surface (35) not provided with any oil retaining grooves and having a small surface roughness.

Abstract: A belt for a continuously variable transmission is provided, which is comprised of metal ring assemblies each having a plurality of endless metal rings laminated one on another, and a plurality of metal elements each having ring slots into which the metal ring assemblies are fitted, and the belt is wound around a drive pulley and a driven pulley to transmit a driving force between the pulleys. When the belt leaves the driven pulley, the metal element falls forward in the direction of advancement with respect to the metal ring assembly. For this reason, a rear end of a saddle surface of the ring slot in the direction of advancement is brought into strong abutment against an inner circumferential surface of the metal ring assembly to produce a concentrated stress, thereby shortening the life of the metal ring assembly. In order to prevent this, the radius of curvature of the rear end of the saddle surface in the direction of advancement is larger than that of its front end to reduce the concentrated stress.

Abstract: To prevent undesirable displacement of the metal elements of a metal ring assembly of a continuously variable transmission in order to enhance the durability of the metal ring assembly, the metal elements are designed to meet the equation B/2=A+L and t=1.5A, where A is a distance between a rocking edge and a saddle surface of a metal element; B is a distance between the saddle surface and a lower end of a pulley abutment surface; L is a distance between the rocking edge and a frictional force application point of the pulley abutment surface; t is the thickness of the metal element; and the distances A and B are set so that a relation, 2≦B/A≦5, is established.

Abstract: A drive belt for use in a continuously variable transmission has an endless carrier and a plurality of elements. The endless carrier has a plurality of endless metal belts with plank-shaped cross sectional shapes laminated together in both radial and axial directions to form ring aggregates. The ring aggregates reduce the rigidity of the endless carrier in the axial direction and increase the allowable axial deflection endless. Thus, when off-centering occurs, the entire V-belt does not become slanted with respect to a line perpendicular to the rotational axes of the pulleys and the V-shaped blocks can be prevented from becoming tilted with respect to the pulley. As a result, the durability of the pulleys and V-shaped blocks can be improved. The entire V-belt becomes slanted when off-centering occurs in a V-belt continuously variable transmission.

Abstract: A belt for a continuously variable transmission includes a metal ring assembly formed of a plurality of endless metal rings laminated one on another, and a large number of metal elements each having a ring slot into which the metal ring assembly is fitted. In the belt, a crowning radius of the metal ring in a free state is set smaller than a crowning radius of a saddle face of the ring slot supporting the innermost metal ring. Thus, the metal ring assembly can be centered to a central portion of the saddle face, whereby a difference between a tensile stress at a central portion of an outer peripheral surface of the metal ring and a tensile stress at opposite ends of the outer peripheral surface can be reduced in an area where the metal belt is wound around a pulley, thereby preventing a reduction in durability.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission belt, including a metal ring assembly including a plurality of metal rings, and a plurality of metal elements which are retained by the metal ring assembly and each has a saddle surface contacted with an inner circumferential surface of the metal ring assembly. The saddle surface includes opposed end peripheries spaced from each other in a traveling direction of the belt and a curved portion located at each of the opposed end peripheries. The curved portion has a range length extending in the traveling direction of the belt and a radius of curvature larger than the range length. The metal element is produced by a method including subjecting a metal sheet to presswork to form a workpiece, subjecting the workpiece to heat treatment and deburring and then to preliminary beveling and subsequent beveling.

Abstract: The invention comprises a CVT belt having two multi-ribbed belts. Each belt is engaged in an opposing slot in a transversely mounted clip. Each belt is retained in each slot by a flat belt which is sandwiched into each slot with the multi-ribbed belt.

Abstract: A V-belt transmits rotational movements between at least two belt pulleys and includes at least one endless load carrier and a plurality of transverse blocks mounted thereon. The load carrier is fitted into slots which extend from at least one inclined lateral surface of a block toward the center region thereof. The load carrier has a contact surface which faces a boundary surface of the slot in the block. The contact surface and the boundary surface are provided with convex and/or concave sections. To minimize losses and increase efficiency, the pressing force is reduced where the slide movement occurs. A contact region is assumed between the stretched state of the V-belt up to the state corresponding to the smallest running radius. In the entire contact region, a continuously changeable curvature or a composite of at least three sections of constant curvature is realized in such a manner that the curvature from the center of the contact region to the outer region increases.

Abstract: A V-face of a metal element is prevented from being inclined due to a load from a pulley by increasing the height Hs of an upper non-contact portion of the V-face of the metal element. For example, when the height of the V-face is represented by Hv (mm), and the height of the upper non-contact portion of the V-face is represented by Hs (mm), the height Hv of the V-face and the height Hs of the upper non-contact portion are set so that a relationship −0.5265Hv+2.768≦Hs≦−0.5934Hv+3.524 is established.

Abstract: In a power transmission ring, a plastic ring is provided with first and second tapered raceway surfaces on one and the other of lateral surfaces thereof, the first and second tapered raceway surfaces conforming to first and second power transmission surfaces of first and second sheaves, respectively. A metallic ring is provided with first and second tapered surfaces on one and the other of lateral surfaces thereof in parallel relation with the first and second raceway surfaces, respectively, and unified with the plastic ring.