A Simulation Investigation on the Influence of the Small Radius Curved Track on Contact Characteristics Within Axle‐Box Bearings of Urban Rail Vehicles

Abstract In this paper, to study the influence of the small radius curved track on contact characteristics within axle‐box bearings adopting the double‐row cylindrical roller bearing, a rigid‐flex coupling bearing‐vehicle‐track spatial dynamic model of an urban rail vehicle is developed. The model's feasibility is verified through field tests and theoretical comparisons, and it is then employed to simulate a typical small radius curved track condition with a radius of 350 m. Contact forces of the roller‐raceway and the roller‐rib, as well as slip ratios of the roller and the cage within four axle‐box bearings of the front bogie, are analyzed. Results indicate that the influence of curved track conditions on contact forces and slip ratios of the axle‐box bearing on the left side of the front wheelset (i.e., wheelset 1) is highly significant, especially in the transition curve section. The maximum contact forces and slip ratios increase by approximately threefold compared to the tangent section.