Research on Non-hyperelastic Mechanical Model of EMU Rubber Spring Based on Experimental Data

Abstract

The dynamic mechanical properties of rubber spring have great influence on the vehicle dynamic performance, so the accurate description of the mechanical properties of rubber spring has always been the focus of the train dynamics. Among the mechanical properties of rubber springs, the study of non-hyperelastic properties are the most difficult and complex. Therefore, this paper mainly studies non-hyperelastic forces. Based on the experimental data of rubber springs, an elliptic analysis model is derived to describe the non-hyperelastic properties of rubber springs. On the basis of this model, a modified model based on time change and a modified model based on displacement change are also proposed. The results show that the ellipse analysis model is simple, but the error of calculation is large; the calculation precision of time correction model is high, but the calculation process is complex; the displacement correction model is between the previous two models, with both accuracy and convenience. Compared with other models, the displacement correction model has great advantages, which can improve the accuracy of the calculation of train dynamics. It is suggested to adopt the rubber spring displacement correction model in engineering application.

A Full Range Experimental Study of Amplitude- and Frequency-Dependent Characteristics of Rubber Springs

“…Rubber springs (also known as rubber-to-metal parts) are widely used in vehicles for suspension or flexible connections between two components because of their excellent anti-vibration and noise reduction performance [ 1 ] compared to parts composed of traditional polymers [ 2 ]. The dynamic property of rubber springs is one of the most concerning aspects for vehicle system designers [ 3 ], as an optimized design cannot be achieved without a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic characteristics of rubber springs [ 4 , 5 ]. However, because of the special microstructure of carbon-filled rubber, the dynamic characteristic of rubber springs is complicated, which strongly correlates to the Payne effect [ 6 , 7 , 8 ] (sometimes known as the Fletcher–Gent effect), and is not well understood [ 9 ].…”

“…In a vehicle system, rubber springs sometimes work with a high frequency and a small amplitude; at other times they work with a low frequency and a large amplitude, e.g., the primary suspensions of high-speed trains, in which the dynamic behavior of the vehicle system shows considerable differences [ 3 , 26 ] because of the amplitude- and frequency-dependent characteristics of rubber springs. Therefore, an amplitude- and frequency-dependent model is necessary for vehicle dynamic simulation; a comprehensive experimental study of different types of rubber springs is the foundation for understanding their dynamic characteristics.…”