Abstract
In order to characterize the power transmitting state of continuously variable transmissions (CVT) using metal V-belts, mean coefficients of friction between blocks and pulleys, and between blocks and rings are introduced. The present approach is primarily based on the classical Euler's equation for conventional V-belts. An existence of idle and active arcs is taken into consideration by adjusting the coefficients of friction since the power is assumed to be transmitted through all the contact arcs of the belt. The mean coefficients of friction experimentally estimated have some universal trends with respect to transmitted power, torque tatio, speed ratio and so on. The mean coefficients of friction would be applicable for not only characterizing the power transmitting state but also designing CVT using metal V-belts.