The conventional design method of V-belt transmission is a selective design based on the criterion that belt transmission does not slip as well as it has the enough fatigue life. However

as with the design parameters of transmission are random variables and obey the normal distribution rule approximately

it is difficult to achieve optimum design results. By introducing the design parameters in V-belt transmission design as random variables and defining sufficient fatigue life

no-sliding reliability

the diameter and angle of contact of the small belt wheel

and the center distance as constraints

the mathematical model for optimization design of V-belt transmission was established based on the design theory

the optimization design of V-belt transmission was realized by using the MATLAB Optimization Toolbox.The optimized transmission scheme showed that the method of optimization design was feasible.