Model of the UIC link suspension for freight wagons

Summary The paper presents a model of the UIC link suspension for freight wagons with emphasis on its longitudinal and lateral characteristics, which influence the lateral dynamics of the vehicle. The functioning of the suspension in the horizontal plane is realised by a number of technical (pivoted) pendulums composing linkages. The main feature of the joints of linkages is internal rolling/sliding in the presence of dry friction. The dissipation of energy by dry friction in the joints is the only source of damping, which influences the lateral dynamics of the vehicle. After detailed modelling of the technical pendulum, phenomenological models of the suspension are built, which reproduce the characteristics of the suspension using simple elements. A three-parameter model with one dry-friction slider and two linear springs reproduces the lateral characteristic of the suspension. A nine-parameter model with four dry-friction sliders and five springs reproduces the longitudinal characteristic. The models, using a method of non-smooth mechanics, may be directly implemented to vehicle/track dynamic simulations.Professor Hans True of TU Denmark for stressing the importance of the problem of the UIC suspension modelling for successful upgrading of freight wagons.