Transverse segments (10) for a drive belt (6) for a belt-and-pulley-type continuously variable transmission include a row of these transverse segments (10) mounted on a stack (9) of several, mutually nested rings. The transverse segments (10) are provided with a protrusion (40) that protrudes from a front surface (11) thereof and with a corresponding cavity (41) that is provided in a back surface (12) thereof. An offset is provided between the protrusion (40) and the cavity (41) in the radial direction of the drive belt (6), such that in the row of transverse segments (10) in the drive belt (6) these will be inclined backwards by the forced insertion of the protrusion (40) into the cavity (41).

The invention relates to a method for producing a belt- or band-shaped component made of elastomer material, which is driven to run around under tensile stress and which has an electronic circuit or electronic device installed in the component, the component having tension members or cords which are arranged in the longitudinal direction, wherein, during the fabrication and before the vulcanization of the component blank, planar intermediate plies or strips made of material which cannot be crosslinked by vulcanization are inserted into the blank structure in subregions of the blank, wherein, after the fabrication, the blank is completely vulcanized to form the component and, where appropriate, cut or trimmed, and wherein the intermediate plies or strips are then removed from the component through correspondingly incorporated or method-intrinsically formed openings, and an electronic circuit or electronic device is introduced into the thus resulting planar empty space or interspace in the component.

Transverse segments (10) for a drive belt (6) for a belt-and-pulley-type continuously variable transmission include a row of these transverse segments (10) mounted on a stack (9) of several, mutually nested rings. The transverse segments (10) are provided with a protrusion (40) that protrudes from a front surface (11) thereof and with a corresponding cavity (41) that is provided in a back surface (12) thereof. An offset is provided between the protrusion (40) and the cavity (41) in the radial direction of the drive belt (6), such that in the row of transverse segments (10) in the drive belt (6) these will be inclined backwards by the forced insertion of the protrusion (40) into the cavity (41).

A system and method capable of detecting damage in a belt before catastrophic failure of the belt occurs. The system includes a belt having at least a first conductive component and/or at least a first dielectric component, and one or more pulleys to which the belt is mounted. At least a first of the pulleys has at least one conductive component that, in combination with the first conductive component or the first dielectric component of the belt, defines an electrical element. At least a portion of the electrical element is located within the belt so as to be physically responsive to transitory and permanent distortions of the belt resulting from extrinsic and/or intrinsic sources. Electrical potential is applied through the electrical element so as to generate an electrical signal from the electrical element corresponding to a physical response of the belt to a transitory and/or permanent distortion.

A friction transmission belt has a rubber layer forming a pulley contacting portion. The rubber layer is made of a rubber composition containing a crosslinked rubber component and crosslinked polyolefin particles. Examples of the crosslinked polyolefin particles can contain ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin particles having an average molecular weight of 500,000 or more.

The invention relates to a method for producing a belt- or band-shaped component made of elastomer material, which is driven to run around under tensile stress and which has an electronic circuit or electronic device installed in the component, the component having tension members or cords which are arranged in the longitudinal direction, wherein, during the fabrication and before the vulcanization of the component blank, planar intermediate plies or strips made of material which cannot be crosslinked by vulcanization are inserted into the blank structure in subregions of the blank, wherein, after the fabrication, the blank is completely vulcanized to form the component and, where appropriate, cut or trimmed, and wherein the intermediate plies or strips are then removed from the component through correspondingly incorporated or method-intrinsically formed openings, and an electronic circuit or electronic device is introduced into the thus resulting planar empty space or interspace in the component.

A friction transmission belt has a rubber layer forming a pulley contacting portion. The rubber layer is made of a rubber composition containing a crosslinked rubber component and crosslinked polyolefin particles. Examples of the crosslinked polyolefin particles can contain ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin particles having an average molecular weight of 500,000 or more.

A system and method capable of detecting damage in a belt before catastrophic failure of the belt occurs. The system includes a belt having at least a first conductive component and/or at least a first dielectric component, and one or more pulleys to which the belt is mounted. At least a first of the pulleys has at least one conductive component that, in combination with the first conductive component or the first dielectric component of the belt, defines an electrical element. At least a portion of the electrical element is located within the belt so as to be physically responsive to transitory and permanent distortions of the belt resulting from extrinsic and/or intrinsic sources. Electrical potential is applied through the electrical element so as to generate an electrical signal from the electrical element corresponding to a physical response of the belt to a transitory and/or permanent distortion.