Influence of the Shock Absorbers Type Change at Stress of the Trolleybus Chassis

Abstract

ŠKODA VÝZKUM cooperated on the development of the NEOPLAN DMA low-floor articulated trolleybus intended for the Boston city (the United States). Multibody models and finite element models of the trolleybus were utilized in the stage of the vehicle design. The multibody models of the trolleybus were created in the alaska simulation tool and the simulations were especially aimed at determining forces acting in the trolleybus suspension elements and radius rods. At the end of the stage of computer modelling and testing the trolleybus prototype a decision to change the type of shock absorbers used in the axles´ suspension was made. The impact of this change on forces acting in the trolleybus suspension elements (i.e. in air springs and shock absorbers) and radius rods on the trolleybus chassis when running on an uneven test track was investigated using multibody simulations. Time histories of the forces calculated utilising multibody models were used as input data of the trolleybus finite element models. Stress in the critical places of the trolleybus body structure was determined utilizing the finite element models.