Pre-load on the guiding/stabilizing wheels and the critical lateral force of a straddle-type monorail vehicle

Abstract

The anti-overturning ability of a straddle-type monorail vehicle is influenced by the contact status between the guiding and stabilizing wheels and the track beam; therefore, an initial pre-load is required for the stabilizing and guiding wheels to enhance the anti-overturning ability of the straddle-type monorail vehicle. Determining the reasonable pre-load for the stabilizing and guiding wheels is a significant problem in the operation of a straddle-type monorail vehicle. D’Alembert’s principle has been adopted to transform the dynamic problem that straddle-type monorail vehicle runs on curve segment to the statics problem. The formula describing the relationship between the critical lateral force of the vehicle and the pre-load of the stabilizing wheels is derived from the lateral roll equation of the straddle monorail vehicle and is verified using the multibody dynamics software UM. Subsequently, the reasonable pre-load for the stabilizing wheels is analyzed from the perspectives of comfort and safety based on the formula of critical lateral force. Finally, the maximum and minimum speed limits on a curve for a straddle-type monorail vehicle are discussed based on the aforementioned analysis.