ABSTRACT

An Analysis of Traction Drive 
Torsional Stiffness

An analysis of the tangential compliance of elastic bodies in concentrated contact is applied to traction drive elements to determine their torsional stiffness.  Both static loading and rotating conditions are considered.  The effects of several design variables are shown.  The theoretical torsional stiffness of a fixed ratio multiroller traction drive is computed and compared to experimental values.  The analysis shows that the torsional compliance of the traction contacts themselves is a relatively small portion of the overall drive system compliance.  Comparison is also made to theoretical gear mesh stiffness.