Numerical simulation of impact response for pantograph slide plate

Area of Science:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Railway Engineering
• Materials Science

Background:

• Pantograph slide plates are critical for train operation and stable power supply.
• These components face mechanical impacts due to complex operating environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the mechanical behavior of pantograph slide plates under impact.
• To compare the performance of wide and narrow slide plate models.

Main Methods:

• Finite element method (FEM) was employed to simulate impact scenarios.
• Two distinct slide plate models (wide and narrow) were constructed and analyzed.

Main Results:

• Slide plates exhibit rapid initial deformation followed by gradual stress stabilization.
• High-impact forces significantly increase vibration frequency and amplitude.
• Wide slide plates demonstrate lower stress levels compared to narrow ones.
• Narrow slide plates are more sensitive and unstable, particularly at high speeds.

Conclusions:

• The wide slide plate design offers superior stability and lower stress under impact.
• Narrow slide plates are more susceptible to external factors like track irregularities and airflow disturbances at high speeds.
• Findings provide crucial data for optimizing pantograph slide plate design for enhanced train performance and safety.