Rail Vehicle Running Gear Steering Actuator for Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Running gears with independent wheels for rail vehicles experience undesired differential wear due to uncontrolled positioning relative to the track, leading to uneven contact between wheel flanges and rails, which is not effectively counterbalanced by passive centring systems.
Innovation Solution
A running gear with independent wheel assemblies and a wheel flange contact detection unit, combined with a controller and steering actuators, that detects and mitigates contact between the wheel flange and rail by adjusting the position of the wheel assemblies to minimize differential wear, using sensors like transverse accelerometers and axial load cells to determine contact and control the actuators accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a passive centring mechanism is used to counteract yaw oscillations, then yaw oscillations are reduced, but differential wear of wheel flanges occurs due to uncontrolled positioning relative to the track
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where sensors detect the position of wheel flanges relative to the rail head, and this information is fed back to a controller that actuates steering mechanisms to adjust wheel position. This closed-loop feedback system continuously monitors and corrects positioning to prevent differential wear while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the running gear to self-regulate its positioning by using its own sensors and actuators to detect and correct flange-rail contact conditions. The wheel assemblies automatically adjust their positions based on real-time feedback, eliminating the need for external intervention to prevent differential wear.
2Stability of the object's composition
If independent wheels are used to eliminate hunting oscillations, then hunting oscillations are abolished, but uncontrolled positioning leads to differential wear of wheel flanges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a feedback control system to independent wheel assemblies, where sensors monitor flange position and rail contact conditions, and actuators adjust wheel positioning based on this feedback. This resolves the uncontrolled positioning issue while preserving the hunting oscillation elimination benefits of independent wheels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the positioning of independent wheel assemblies in real-time based on operating conditions. The steering actuators continuously modify wheel positions to maintain optimal contact with the rail head, preventing differential wear while preserving the stability advantages of independent wheel design.
3Device complexity
If wheel flange contact with rail is allowed to occur, then the running gear maintains simple structure, but differential wear occurs and track stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sensors that continuously monitor wheel flange position and rail contact conditions, providing feedback to a control system that actuates steering mechanisms. This feedback loop enables the system to prevent harmful flange-rail contact while maintaining relatively simple overall structure through intelligent control rather than complex mechanical design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively reduces differential wear of wheel flanges by detecting and responding to contact events, ensuring balanced wear patterns and improved track stability, regardless of the wheels' power status.
Implementation Method 1
a transverse accelerometer for detecting a transverse acceleration of the bearing assembly of a respective one of the two independent first and second wheel assemblies in a transverse direction parallel to the revolution axis of said respective one of the two independent first and second wheel assemblies
Implementation Method 2
an axial load cell for detecting an axial load of a respective one of the two independent first and second wheel assemblies in a transverse direction parallel to the revolution axis of said respective one of the two independent first and second wheel assemblies
Data Source
AI summary
A running gear for a rail vehicle includes first and second independent wheel assemblies on opposite sides of a longitudinal vertical median plane of the running gear, each having an independent wheel and a bearing assembly for guiding the wheel about a revolution axis fixed relative to the bearing assembly. In a reference position of the running gear, the revolution axes of the first and second wheel assemblies are coaxial and perpendicular to the longitudinal vertical median plane. The running gear further includes one or more steering actuators for moving the bearing assembly of at least one of the two wheel assemblies away from the reference position in a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal vertical median plane, a wheel flange contact detection unit for detecting a contact between a flange of the wheel with a rail, and a controller for controlling the one or more steering actuators.