Abstract: A process for assembling a belt for a continuously variable transmission, comprising the following steps: preparing standard elements, first adjusting elements and second adjusting elements respectively having a thickness of 1.5 mm, 1.6 mm and 1.4 mm; measuring an initial clearance &agr;i generated upon closely assembling only the standard elements to a metal ring assembly; if the initial clearance &agr;i<0.8 mm, using a predetermined number of the first adjusting elements, thereby making a clearance between the elements smaller than 0.1 mm; if the initial clearance &agr;i≧0.8 mm, using a predetermined number of the second adjusting elements, thereby making the clearance between the elements smaller than 0.1 mm. Thus, the number of the adjusting elements required for adjusting the clearance between the elements can be suppressed to seven or less.

Abstract: A belt for a continuously variable transmission including a plurality of metal ring assemblies and a plurality of metal elements is provided, wherein a main surface of each of the plurality of metal elements is formed at its three portions with contact faces for transmitting a pushing force in the fore-and-aft direction, and the radial position of the centroid of the contact faces is set between a center line in a thickness direction of the metal ring assembly fitted into the ring slot of the metal element and a line along a radial outer edge of the ring slot. With this structure, a compressed-side chord of the metal belt can assume a straight shape or a slightly outwardly warped shape, and it is possible to elongate the life of the metal ring assemblies to reduce noise and vibration, and to enhance the power transmitting efficiency.

Abstract: In a belt continuously variable transmission constructed such that a block-type belt in which a plurality of blocks are fixedly engaged with a pair of tension members is wound between driving and driven pulleys of variable diameter each having a V-section pulley groove with a predetermined wedge angle &agr;, even if oil mist adheres to the surfaces of the pulley grooves and contact surfaces of the blocks, its transmission power is prevented from being reduced. This can be attained by setting the wedge angle &agr; at a value equal to or less than 20°. By increasing the apparent friction coefficient &mgr;′ between each pulley and each block of the belt, the transmission can retain a high transmission power, and concurrently the friction coefficient &mgr; between each pulley and each block can be reduced to the level to which the friction coefficient &mgr; is decreased due to oil-mist adhesion.

Abstract: A power transmission belt having a load carrying band with a length, and a plurality of blocks attached to the load carrying band at preselected, spaced intervals along the length of the load carrying band. The plurality of blocks have a thickness (t), measured in a direction along the length of the load carrying band, and a width (W), measured in a direction transversely to the length of the load carrying band. Each of the plurality of blocks is made from synthetic resin material and has no shape-determining insert therein. The synthetic resin material is made from a synthetic resin having a bending modulus of 15 to 20 GPa. The ratio of t/W is from 0.11 to 0.20.

Abstract: A power transmission system for transmitting power between sprockets mounted on rotating members. The system includes a chain comprising a plurality of transverse elements maintained in a stack by a carrier received in slots in each transverse element. Power is transmitted along the chain by contact between the principal faces of the transverse elements. The transverse elements include a plurality of load bearing elements which are configured to engage the teeth of the sprockets and to provide power transmission therewith. The chain extends along a run from a driving sprocket to a driven sprocket and moves along the run from the driving sprocket to the driven sprocket. An antibuckling guide is positioned along the run to prevent deflection of the chain perpendicular to the run.

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. The setting of 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 which may otherwise occur by the lower ear surface coming into contact with the upper surface 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 {fraction (11/8)}, the power transmitting efficiency is reduced. Therefore, the reduction in power transmitting efficiency can be prevented by setting D/TL at a smaller value than {fraction (11/8)}.

Abstract: An endless belt for power transmitting according to the present invention is a tension-type belt of links forming a chain, and has high power transmitting efficiency although it can be produced with relatively low cost. With this endless belt, the respective blocks and pins start to contact sheave sides in order near the pitch line and the pitch of biting into the sheave is made smaller so as to reduce noise. Even if the respective blocks are inclined when the endless belt bites into pulley, each block contacts the sheave sides only at projecting outer end faces formed extending over a limited area corresponding to the divided pin near the pitch line (P-P). Therefore, a total of four parts, the projecting outer end faces of the first and second blocks and a pair of the divided pins, abut the sheave side in order, in one pitch of the link chain, so as to make the biting pitch smaller and decrease polygon effects.

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: 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: An endless metal belt (15) is formed by layering thin metal rings (30) in thicknesses to form tow layered ring structures (31) and fitting the two layered ring structures in slots (32a) formed in opposite side parts of each of metal blocks (32), extending on the opposite sides of a neck part (32e) of the metal block. The endless metal belt is extended between drive and driven pulleys (6, 11) respectively having variable effective diameters to change speed change ratio.

Abstract: A belt fabric which is provided at a part of a power transmission belt on which frictional forces act is formed by dipping into a rubber solution prepared by dissolving a non cross-linked hydrogenated nitrile rubber composition, mixed with a polyethylene powder having a molecular weight in excess of 1 million and an organic peroxide as a cross-linking agent, in a solvent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive belt (1) comprising 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 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 said at least one continuous band (22) is considerably larger than twice the said minimum radius of curvature (RMIN).

Abstract: A block type CVT belt having at least one endless load carrier. Each load carrier having tensile members. A plurality of blocks are transversely engaged with the load carrier in a lengthwise direction of the load carrier. The center of gravity of each block is asymmetrically located in each block. Each block having a thermoset or thermoplastic over-molding on a metallic reinforcing body. Each block having at least one slot for receiving the load carrier. Each slot having a complex radius between a central pillar and an upper arm and lower arm in order to avoid stress risers. Each load carrier is slightly compressed in each slot to reduce block skew.

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. Said 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: The link belt for power transmission for a continuously variable transmission, with individual links (2) and a ring package (3, 5), which holds the links (2) together, contains an additional, outer ring package (4) for the purpose of absorbing the radial forces generated on the links (2) is provided, which is arranged around the link belt (1) and is mounted such that it can no longer rotate along with the link belt (1), however is still able to follow the strip's adjusting movement, wherein the ring package (5) ensures that the links are guided and held together.

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: In a metal belt-type continuously variable transmission, the radius of winding a metal belt around a drive pulley is increased to change the shift ratio i by applying a larger first axial thrust to the drive pulley and a smaller second axial thrust to a driven pulley during upshifting. In a region B where the relationship between a first axial thrust and the gear shifting speed dR/ds defined as a value obtained by differentiating the radius R of winding of the metal belt around the drive pulley by an amount s of tangential movement of the metal belt is maintained substantially linearly, the first axial thrust is subjected to a feedforward control based on a target gear shifting speed dR/ds. In regions A and C where the relationship between the first axial thrust and the gear shifting speed dR/ds is not maintained substantially linearly, the first axial thrust is subjected to a feedback control, so that the gear shifting speed dR/ds is equal to the target gear shifting speed dR/ds.

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: 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: Drive belt for a continuously variable transmission, in particular for motor vehicles, includes at least one continuous band slidably supported by a number of cross elements each having two principle faces oriented substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the drive belt, the cross elements having a width B and a specific weight &rgr;. The parameters of the width B and the specific weight &rgr; satisfy the expression B2·&rgr;≦10.

Abstract: A compression belt for a CVT having multiple variable pulleys comprises a plurality of interconnected load blocks, each having a unitary construction and a crowned strut edge for contacting and mechanically linking the pulleys of the CVT, wherein the radius of the crown is determined by the maximum allowable contact stress of the material from which the strut is manufactured, and the radius is located such that the contact point of the strut with the pulley remains close to the rocking radius of the strut.

Abstract: A drive belt for a transmission realizing a continuously adjustable transmission ratio comprising at least one continuous band having a part, which, when in a longitudinally stretched state, shows a curvature in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the drive belt (1), said curvature being of a generally arc-like shape having a stretched band radius RSB, associated with a number of cross elements, each having a contact face for interacting with a principal face of the continuous band and provided with a transverse convex curvature of a generally arc-like shape having a face radius RS. The inverse value of the face radius RS minus the inverse value (1/RSB) of the stretched band radius RSB is notionally larger than −5 m−1, preferably larger than −3.5 m−1.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a V-block of a metal belt type continuously variable transmission is provided. The V-block is formed by punching a V-block press material with a main punch and a counter punch. The V-block press material has a sectional view including an outer portion of about uniform width and a tapered inner portion with a slant gently inclined toward an innermost end of the material from a place distant from a rocking edge by a predetermined distance inward. The main punch and the counter punch have front shapes of the substantially same as that of the V-block, and either punch facing the rocking edge has a slant starting at a place corresponding to the rocking edge and extending inward rising gradually.

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: An endless metal belt comprises a pair of layered ring structures (31) each formed by superposing a plurality of thin metal rings (R1, R2, . . . and Rn) 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). The inner circumferences of the thin metal rings (R2, R3, . . . Rn) 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: The invention relates to a metal push belt (1) for application in a continuous variable transmission, comprising at least one endless tensile means (2), and transverse elements being provided freely moveable in the endless direction of the tensile means (2), the tensile means being produced of steel, containing non-metallic inclusions of predetermined sizes as observed in the micro-structure of a material section, in accordance with a specified diameter Dcircle of a circle relating to the surface occupation of such an inclusion observed in such micro structure, in which the steel is produced in a constitution having a nominal inclusion size distribution with diameters ranging up to 30 &mgr;m, the inclusion diameter range between 10 &mgr;m and 30 &mgr;m being less than 20% of the total number of inclusions per square unit of sliced material counted by inclusions having a size larger than 2 &mgr;m.

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 transmission belt for a continuously variable transmission, comprising transverse elements (5) and an endless carrier (9) for keeping together the transverse elements (5), each transverse element (5) is 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 (&agr;), so that a part of the belt may pass along a longitudinally bent trajectory, According to the invention the curvature of the rocking edge (12) is defined such that it notionally displaces the contact line (7) in dependence on the tilting angle (&agr;, &bgr;).

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite driving belt provided with a carrier and a plurality of transverse elements assembled slidably thereon, the carrier comprising 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 said 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: An inverted tooth chain which transmits power through compression. The chain has two kinds of elements, connected together by pins: inner sprocket-engaging blocks, and outer force-transmitting guide links. The ends of the sprocket-engaging blocks are connected by pins to adjoining guide links. A retaining band, preferably made of a number of laminated steel bands, runs over the backs of the sprocket-engaging blocks, and is held in place by pins running across the chain between the tops of the guide links. The sprocket engaging blocks have teeth extending inward to engage the mating teeth of sprockets, and the outward facing backs of the blocks are preferably curved and crowned to form a surface for the steel bands to center themselves as they run. The guide links are shaped to transfer the load from link to link through flat end surfaces, and are extended outward so that the pairs of guide links form rails within which the steel bands are contained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite driving belt provided with a carrier and a plurality of transverse elements assembled slidably thereon, the carrier comprising 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 said carrier while in operation, wherein the contacting plane of the transverse element is shaped by an substantially flat surface, while the inner contacting face of the carrier contacting the contact plane the element has a profiled surface, the combined roughness Ra′ of both surfaces being more than 0.6 &mgr;m, preferably over 0.75 &mgr;m.

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: Clearance Cs during a no-load stop and allowable value Cto of total clearance Ct obtained as a sum of clearance Ch occurring due to Hertzian stress are stipulated to a value less than height h of male coupling 28 along with an allowable value &sgr;hmo of the maximum Hertzian stress acting on rocking edge 26 being stipulated to a value less than an upper limit value &sgr;ho of the Hertzian stress that satisfies the opposing pitching lifespan. The radius of curvature R of the rocking edge is set within a range that satisfies R1≦R≦R2 for the radius of curvature R1 determined in correspondence with the allowable value &sgr;hmo of the maximum Hertzian stress and the radius of curvature R2 determined in correspondence with the allowable value Cto of the clearance between the total elements.

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: Each of metal elements 32 includes an element body portion 34 and an element head portion 36 on radially inner and outer sides of left and right ring slots 35 into which metal ring assemblies 31 are fitted, respectively. The metal elements 32 can be brought into contact with one another at inner contact surfaces 38 and outer contact surfaces 39 each of which are formed on the element body portion 34 and the element head portion 36, respectively.

Abstract: The invention comprises a flexible drive ring CVT belt. It 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 belt may comprise any belt known in the art, for example a multi-ribbed power transmission belt. 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: In a belt for a continuously variable transmission including a large number of metal elements carried on metal ring assemblies each of which is comprised of a plurality of endless metal rings laminated one on another, the amplitude &sgr;a1 of a total stress on the inner circumferential surface of the innermost metal ring is larger than the amplitude &sgr;an of a total stress on the inner circumferential surfaces of the other metal rings, and a maximum value of a tensile stress on the inner circumferential surface of the innermost metal ring is larger than a maximum value of a tensile stress on the inner circumferential surfaces of the other metal rings. Therefore, a compressive residual stress is applied to the inner circumferential surface of the innermost metal ring used under the severest condition, and the middle value &sgr;m1 of the amplitude &sgr;a1 of the stress on the innermost metal ring is brought close or equal to 0.

Abstract: A chain-belt transmission with a continuously variable transmission ratio has input and output shafts, each carrying a pair of conical disks, with a chain belt running in a loop around the disk pairs and transmitting torque from the input to the output shaft. The friction surfaces of the conical disks and the end surfaces of the force-transfer elements of the chain belt have contour shapes that provide greater resistance to wear and thereby increase the operating life of the transmission.

Abstract: In a section near a rocking edge of each of metal elements used in a metal belt for a continuously variable transmission, a pair of protrusions are formed at laterally opposite ends of a front main surface opposed to a preceding metal element, and flat surface portions are formed on a rear main surface opposed to a succeeding metal element. The metal elements can be wound in a correct attitude around a pulley without being yawed by the contact of the protrusions and the flat surface portions with each other, whereby they can be prevented from being damaged. Further the metal elements contacting with each other in a chord section of the metal belt can slide laterally. Thus, a misalignment between a drive pulley and a driven pulley can be absorbed.

Abstract: An endless loop transmission chain balances the differences in moments and stresses on its inner and outer links. The chain is comprised of a plurality of links that are pivotally connected in stacks and in overlapping series. The links are fashioned with holes perpendicular to the link faces, and the links are either “robust” or “thin”. Robust links may be made of material of greater tensile strength, they may be formed by mating at least two thin links, and/or they may be made of thicker material. A plurality of pins serially connects and stacks the links. The pins fit though the holes in each link perpendicular to the link face. Robust and thin links are alternated in stacks in a pattern that balances link tension when the chain is under tension. Fewer links carry the tension between any set of adjacent pins. When it is used in a transmission, this chain has at least 10% higher torque-carrying capacity than the prior art.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission having a metal belt and pulleys is provided to effectively lubricate the pulley contact surfaces of a metal element of the belt of the transmission with lubricating oil supplied via a rotary shaft of the pulley. This makes it hard for a contaminant present in the lubricating oil to adhere to the metal element. When the saddle surface of the metal element is taken as a reference, the height h1 to the inner end in the radial direction of a pulley contact surface is set to be smaller than the height h2 to the inner end in the radial direction of the lateral middle part of an element main body. The inner end in the radial direction of the middle part of the element main body protrudes inwards in the radial direction by a distance d from the inner end in the radial direction of the opposite ends thereof.

Abstract: An endless loop transmission chain balances the differences in moments and stresses on its inner and outer links. The chain is comprised of a plurality of links that are pivotally connected in stacks and in overlapping series. The links are fashioned with holes perpendicular to the link faces, and the links are either “robust” or “thin”. Robust links may be made of material of greater tensile strength, they may be formed by mating at least two thin links, and/or they may be made of thicker material. A plurality of pins serially connects and stacks the links. The pins fit though the holes in each link perpendicular to the link face. Robust and thin links are alternated in stacks in a pattern that balances link tension when the chain is under tension. Fewer links carry the tension between any set of adjacent pins. When it is used in a transmission, this chain has at least 10% higher torque-carrying capacity than the prior art.

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.

Abstract: A belt for continuously variable transmission, wherein the relationship between the thickness of the metal ring assembly and the groove width of the ring slot is established so that a limit rolling angle &agr; defined as a rolling angle of the metal elements provided when a radially outer peripheral surface of the metal ring assembly contacts a radially outer edge of the ring slot in the metal element is in a range of 0.7°<&agr;<2.5°. The upper limit value 2.5° of the angle &agr; is set as a rolling angle at which the driving force transmitting efficiency is a predetermined value or more, and the lower limit value 0.7° of the angle &agr; is set as a rolling angle generated following the deformation of a V-face due to an axial thrust on a drive or driven pulley.

Abstract: Processed fiber for bonding to a rubber composition. The processed fiber consists of unprocessed fiber treated with a) a first processing liquid having at least one of an isocyanate compound and an epoxy compound, b) a second processing liquid having RFL that includes at least one rubber latex selected from acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber latex and hydrogenated nitrile rubber latex, and c) a third processing liquid having rubber paste including acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber composition dissolved in a solvent and an isocyanate compound. The weight ratio of the isocyanate compound to the acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber composition is from 1/1 to 1/3. The third processing liquid has a solid content of from 3-7%.

Abstract: A driving belt for use in a continuously variable transmission comprising two V-shaped pulleys. The driving belt comprises a carrier consisting 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 said 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: A process for assembling a belt for a continuously variable transmission, comprising the following steps: preparing standard elements, first adjusting elements and second adjusting elements respectively having a thickness of 1.5 mm, 1.6 mm and 1.4 mm; measuring an initial clearance &agr;i generated upon closely assembling only the standard elements to a metal ring assembly; if the initial clearance &agr;i<0.8 mm, using a predetermined number of the first adjusting elements, thereby making a clearance between the elements smaller than 0.1 mm; if the initial clearance &agr;i≧0.8 mm, using a predetermined number of the second adjusting elements, thereby making the clearance between the elements smaller than 0.1 mm. Thus, the number of the adjusting elements required for adjusting the clearance between the elements can be suppressed to seven or less.

Abstract: A metal belt for a continuously variable transmission includes many metal elements assembled to an endless metal ring assembly, and is wound around drive and driven pulleys to transmit a driving force. A retainer comprising an endless resilient member deformable radially is disposed between a lower face of an ear of a ring slot in the metal element and a radially outer peripheral surface of the metal ring assembly. When the metal elements are inclined in such a manner that they are fallen forwards in the vicinity of an exit portion of the driven pulley, the metal ring assembly is prevented from strongly interfering with a lower face of the ear and a saddle face by a buffering action provided when the retainer is deformed radially, thereby preventing the wear of the metal belt to enhance its durability without increasing the processing cost for the metal elements.

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 metal belt includes a pair of metal rings and a plurality of metal elements supported along the metal rings. Each metal ring includes a plurality of endless metal bands that are stacked on each other. Each metal element includes a nose portion and a corresponding hole and is constructed to satisfy a relationship that L&agr;/L&bgr;>0.8 such that L&agr;is a lateral distance between the center of the nose portion and a contact point P&agr; defined when the metal element pivots about its nose portion to form point contact between one of the pair of lobes and a corresponding one of the pair of metal rings and L&bgr; is a lateral distance between the center of the nose portion and a contact point P&bgr; defined when the metal element pivots about its nose portion to form point contact between the other metal ring and the body portion.