Prediction of ride quality of a Maglev vehicle using a full vehicle multi-body dynamic model

You are here: Homepage > Search

Prediction of ride quality of a Maglev vehicle using a full vehicle multi-body dynamic model

Han, H.S. / Yim, B.H. / Lee, N.J. / Kim, Y.J.

The use of full vehicle multi-body dynamic model for EMS-type Maglev vehicles was proposed to accurately predict ride quality, with the aim of establishing cost-effective guideway and suspension system design requirements. The guideway irregularities related to guideway construction tolerances and rigidity were quantitatively defined and used as disturbances to the Maglev-vehicle UTM-02. Using the dynamic model, the effects of the guideway construction tolerances and rigidity, the levitation control system gains, and the suspension damping on ride quality were studied by evaluating the UIC index. From the simulation studies, though the UTM-02 was not optimised for speed greater than 100 km/h, the mid-span deflection limit needs to be less than L/3000 if the target ride quality is N < 2.0 at a speed of 100 km/h. However, guiderail deflection and surface roughness are not significant factors at a speed of 100 km/h. One way to enhance ride quality is to increase the levitation control gains, particularly k₂ for the electromagnet vertical velocity. It was noted that the UIC comfort indexes are different at different positions, even on the same car. From this, we can conclude that the full vehicle model provides a more realistic simulation than simplified models. This approach would be applied to the reduction of Maglev system costs while meeting ride quality.