Vibration of a Truck with Independently Rotating Wheels Running at High Speeds. Fundamental Study on the Effects of Guiding Forms and Guide-Spring Stiffness.

Trucks with independently rotating wheels are applicable for speedup on railways. However, the truck has no steering function in itself, so that it needs some additional guiding mechanism for steering. This paper deals with fundamental analyses of the vibration characteristics of such a truck with independently rotating wheels, which has guide-wheels to provide the steering function. Running stability and forced vibration excited by guide-rail irregularities are examined numerically. Effects of guiding forms, such as a front & rear side guide and a front side one, and of guide-spring stiffness on the kinematic characteristics are clarified, and an allowable stiffness range of the guide spring is specified for the expected operation speed of 400km/h.