What is the difference between synchronous belt drive and chain drive

What is the difference between synchronous belt drive and chain drive? In the eyes of many people, this doesn't seem to make much difference, which is a mistaken view. As long as you observe carefully, you can still see the difference. Synchronous belt drive has more advantages than chain drive. The synchronous belt pulley has the characteristics of smooth transmission, high transmission efficiency, and good product heat resistance.

Characteristics and Applications of Synchronous Belt Transmission
Synchronous belt transmission is generally composed of a driving wheel, a driven wheel, and a transmission belt tightly fitted to two wheels.

Working principle: By using intermediate flexible parts (belts), rotational motion and power are transmitted between the main and driven shafts through friction (or meshing).

Composition: The synchronous belt (synchronous toothed belt) is made of steel wire as the tensile body, wrapped with polyurethane or rubber.

Structural features: The cross-section is rectangular, with a circular transmission belt with equidistant transverse teeth on the surface, and the synchronous belt wheel surface is also made into corresponding tooth shapes.

Transmission characteristics: Transmission is achieved through the meshing between the synchronous belt teeth and the synchronous belt wheel teeth, without relative sliding between the two, and the circumferential speed is synchronized, hence it is called synchronous belt transmission.

Advantages: 1. Constant transmission ratio; 2. Compact structure; 3. Due to its thin and lightweight nature, as well as high tensile strength, the belt speed can reach 40 m/s, the transmission ratio can reach 10, and the transmitted power can reach 200 KW; 4. High efficiency, up to 0.98.

The characteristics and applications of chain transmission
Composition: Sprocket, circular chain
Function: The meshing between the chain and sprocket teeth relies on the same direction transmission between parallel axes.
Features: Compared to belt drive
1. Chain wheel drive has no elastic sliding or slipping, and can maintain accurate average transmission ratio; 2. The required tension is small, and the pressure acting on the shaft is small, which can reduce the friction loss of the bearing; 3. Compact structure; 4. Able to work in harsh environments such as high temperatures and oil stains; Compared with the transmission gear, the manufacturing and installation accuracy is lower, and the transmission structure is simple when the center distance is large;
Disadvantages: Instantaneous speed and instantaneous transmission ratio are not constant, resulting in poor smoothness of transmission and some impact and noise.
Application: Widely used in mining machinery, agricultural machinery, petroleum machinery, machine tools, and motorcycles.
Scope of work: Transmission ratio: i ≤ 8; Center distance: a ≤ 5-6 m; Transmission power: P ≤ 100 KW; Circular velocity: v ≤ 15 m/s; Transmission efficiency: η ≈ 0.95~0.98