Loss of efficiency in flat belt quarter-turn drive system

Abstract

In the flat belt quarter-turn drive systems, the drive efficiency loss is a noteworthy problem. However, many factors can lead to a loss of efficiency, such as large load, insufficient tension, and belt misalignment, but in the flat belt quarter-turn drive system, because of its special design principles, the belt misalignment becomes a very important factor. To address this issue, a set of flat belt quarter-turn drive devices and test systems are designed and built. To further study the causes of efficiency loss, a series of tests are carried out with the slip rate as the index and the belt misalignment, braking torque, motor speed, and pre-tension as the experimental factors. In the process of research, the OFAT experimental method and quaternary quadratic rotation orthogonal test are adopted. Through response surface analysis and variance analysis, the significance of these four factors on slip rate and the complex association is proved. Using the response surface plots, it is possible to estimate the extent of the speed loss of the flat belt quarter-turn drive under the range of operating conditions considered in this study.