A dynamics study of asymmetric forced-steering bogies. (March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yan, Shi; Ma, Weihua
• Is Part Of: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Volume 232:Number 3(2018)
• Page Start: 774
• Page End: 782
• Publication Date: 2018-03
• Subjects: Asymmetry -- forced-steering -- bogies; Railroads -- Periodicals; Personal rapid transit -- Periodicals; 625.1
• DOI: 10.1177/0954409717693127
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-4097

Abstract

In this paper, the design concept of a new type of asymmetric forced-steering bogie has been proposed. This bogie is supposed to produce a better curving performance than the self-steering bogies and is well suited for mounting on locomotives that have limited bottom space. Schemes A and B, the only feasible schemes for vehicles with two bogies, were adopted and compared with the self-steering bogies. SIMPACK, the dynamics simulation software, was used to establish the dynamics models of the locomotives. The lead wheel angle of attack, lead wheel lateral force, lead wheel wear power, and the total vehicle wear power were compared and analyzed when the three different bogies negotiate the curves. The results showed that the performance of the locomotives is closely related to the layout of the front and rear asymmetric forced-steering bogies; in scheme A, where the front and rear bogies are antisymmetrically placed, curve negotiation performance was excellent and notably superior to the self-steering bogies – especially on curves that have small and medium radius. Under the traction condition, the total vehicle wear power in scheme A can be reduced by up to 24.6% compared to the locomotives of the self-steering bogies. An experiment on an S-shaped curve has proved that the angle of attack and total vehicle wear power of all the three schemes retained the symmetrical dynamics performance.