Solution approach:

In this vehicle, two parallel push-pull rods are used to connect the bogie and the vehicle body. This design solution is generally unfavourable for an optimum radial position of the bogie during cornering. The increased torsional rigidity between the car body and the running gear leads to high constraining forces when negotiating tight bends and thus increases wear on the wheel and rail. The solution we propose is simple and cost-effective. A soft bushing, a so-called window bushing, is installed in the longitudinal drive to reduce the constraining forces. This bushing has been used in the ICE3 lemniscate for over 20 years and is now being investigated for this application as part of an autonomous measurement campaign to determine any potential for improvement.

The measurement setup was designed in such a way that the vehicle could resume normal passenger operation after a short set-up time. The measurement technology was installed on the bogie and, above all, on the roof. In total, the measurement campaign comprised more than 50 measurement channels, ran over a period of more than 40 days and provided measurement data for a distance of more than 8,300 kilometres. The entire measurement was carried out exclusively via remote maintenance and with the help of our ACQUA measurement software.

Result:

It can be shown that the soft bushings reduce the longitudinal forces by up to 50%, especially when driving through narrow curves. The wheel alignment between the bogie and the vehicle body only changes marginally. With these measurement results, we were able to provide our customer with a solid database for implementing measures to optimise wear and reduce costs.