Abstract: Conical friction element is a novel friction structure, being capable of improving the torque transfer capability of friction element. In order to reduce the drag power loss of strap transfer mechanism, taking three-cone friction element as example and considering the effects of surface tension and surface structure, a drag torque analysis model was established for conical friction element. The influences of lubricating oil viscosity, friction element separation gap, lubricating oil flow rate and conical structure parameters on drag torque of the conical friction pairs were studied based on numerical analysis method. The results show that the drag torque is increased until reaching maximum value and then decreased afterwards with the relative rotating speed. The effects of viscosity-temperature characteristics of lubricating oil, lubricating oil flow rate, friction element separation gap and cone angle on the drag torque are significant. Unequal cone angle structure can reduce the drag torque of conical friction element.