Top 7 Basic Functions of Belts and Pulleys in Modern Engine Designs

Functions of Belts and Pulleys

When considering the awesome benefits of the modern engine’s design in terms of temperature control, faulty parts signals, automatic speed adjustments, etc., which had increased the modern internal combustion engine’s usability, durability, reliability, and easier repair and maintenance, one would like to know the technicality behind such technology.

Belts and pulleys have been part of a mechanical device believed to aid machines in gaining the mechanical advantage in conveying loads within a specified system.

Before the development of hydraulic cranes, the initial models of cranes were basically relying on pulleys though not connected with belts, they were usually connected with steel rope.

The application of belts and pulleys and the application in terms of lifting loads were carefully written in most physics textbooks.

Imagine a single belt with multiple functions like the one shown in the image above, such is the simplicity of modern engine design.

Some manufacturers of automobile engines had been looking for ways to minimize the cost of production and simplify their designs so that their products can be affordable and user-friendly.

A design like this has been discovered in vehicle engines with few automated mechanisms.

However, this design may not be restricted to vehicle engines alone, rather it can be extended to industrial engines which are believed that some manufacturers have had such design in their industrial machines.

Functions of Belts and Pulleys in Modern Engine Designs

Let us that a good analysis of the functions this belt is performing in the engine by conveying the rotational motion of the engine’s crankshaft to over 6 pulleys;

1. The belt is connected to the engine’s fuel pump through a pulley which aids the pump to function with the motion of the crankshaft.
2. The belt is connected to the pulley of the alternator, which aids in easy ignition of the engine.
3. The belt is connected to the pulley of the timer crank, which actuates the opening and closing of the inlet and outlet manifold.
4. The belt is connected to the pulley of the battery charger, which aids the battery of the engine to be charged when the engine is in an operational state.
5. The belt is connected to the pulley of the water pump that aids the circulation of water from the radiator to the internal parts of the engine.
6. In some designs, the belt is also connected to the pulley of the radiator fan.
7. The belt is assisted by some pulleys which act as support for tensioning of the belt to all the pulleys.

The above functions are embedded in just one single belt.

The benefits this will offer are;

Easy identification of faults, the simplicity of design, less frequency of changing belts connected within two pulleys as in the case with engines with multiple belts, less cost of buying more belts, etc.