Effect of vehicle vibration environment of high-speed train on dynamic performance of axle box bearing

TLDR

The study develops a comprehensive 3‑D vehicle–track coupled dynamics model that incorporates the traction drive system and axle box bearing. The model captures dynamic interactions among the axle box bearing, wheelset, bogie frame, gears, and track irregularities, accounting for time‑varying mesh stiffness, bearing stiffness, gaps, and track irregularities, and evaluates responses through numerical simulations. Results show that traction drive dynamics and track irregularities markedly affect axle box bearing interactions, underscoring the need to account for gear‑meshing and track‑irregularity excitations.

Abstract

In this study, we developed a comprehensive three-dimensional vehicle–track coupled dynamics model considering the traction drive system and axle box bearing. In this model, dynamic interactions between the axle box bearing and other components, such as the wheelset and bogie frame, are considered based on a detailed analysis of the structural properties and working mechanism of the axle box bearing. A few complicated dynamic excitations, such as the time-varying mesh stiffness of gears, time-varying stiffness of bearing, bearing gaps and track irregularities, are considered. Then, the dynamic responses of the vehicle–track system are demonstrated via numerical simulations based on the established dynamics model. The results indicate that the traction drive system and track irregularities can significantly influence the dynamic interactions of the axle box bearing. The necessity of considering the excitation caused by gear meshing and track irregularities when assessing the dynamic performance of the axle box bearing is demonstrated.