Rs. Beikmann et al., NONLINEAR COUPLED VIBRATION RESPONSE OF SERPENTINE BELT DRIVE SYSTEMS, Journal of vibration and acoustics, 118(4), 1996, pp. 567-574
This theoretical and experimental study identifies a key nonlinear mec
hanism that promotes strongly coupled dynamics of serpentine belt driv
e systems. Attention is focused on a prototypical three-pulley system
that contains the essential features of automotive serpentine drives h
aving automatic( spring-loaded) tensioners. A theoretical model is pre
sented that describes pulley and tensioner arm rotations, and longitud
inal and transverse belt vibration response. A recent investigation de
monstrates that infinitesimal belt stretching creates a linear mechani
sm that couples transverse belt vibration to tensioner arm rotation. H
ere, it is further demonstrated that finite belt stretching creates a
nonlinear mechanism that may lead to strong coupling between pulley/te
nsioner arm rotation and transverse belt vibration, in the presence of
an internal resonance. Theoretical and experimental results confirm t
he existence of this nonlinear coupling mechanism. In particular, it i
s shown that very large transverse belt vibrations can result from sma
ll resonant torque pulses applied to the crankshaft or accessory pulle
ys. These large amplitude transverse vibrations are particularly sensi
tive to seemingly small changes in the rotational mode characteristics
.