Identification and application of pantograph-catenary contact force under high-speed operating conditions

Abstract The load boundary condition of pantographs under high-speed operation is crucial for ensuring the accuracy of structural strength assessments and maintaining operational safety. Thus, a novel approach to identifying P-C contact force based on measurement data under high-speed operating conditions is proposed in this paper. The dynamic load calibration process and the transfer coefficient equivalent value are defined. The mapping relationship between the transfer coefficient and the loading position is established. Subsequently, the bench calibration experiments and field line measurements are carried out on the high-speed train pantograph. The experimental results are discussed in detail, and indicate that this proposed approach achieves satisfactory identification accuracy. The mechanical mechanism of the single-arm structure and line operating conditions jointly determine that the transfer coefficients of the pantograph exhibit two characteristics: fixed values and range values. Within the range, different transfer coefficients correspond to different loading positions. The identification approach not only obtains the P-C contact force amplitude, but also identifies the loading position. Finally, a strength simulation is performed on the high-speed pantograph model. This work offers a new solution for amplitude reconstruction of P-C contact force under high-speed operating conditions, and reasonable guidance for the loading position of the finite element simulation model. The findings contribute to assessing the service life of high-speed train pantographs.