ASSESSMENT OF BRAKING PERFORMANCE OF NON-AUTONOMOUS MOTOR-CAR ROLLING STOCK BASED ON THE METHOD OF ACCOUNTING FOR DESIGN PERFORMANCE OF BRAKING MECHANISMS

<jats:p>The study objective is to develop a method for assessing the design perfection of a braking mechanism as the basis for assessing the braking efficiency of non autonomous motor-car rolling stock. To implement this method, the maximum deviation of the average values of the normal force of the axial braking mechanisms from the average value of the normal forces in the wheelset, as well as the stability and dispersion coefficients of normal forces in braking mechanisms of wheelsets, are considered as quantitative criteria. To assess the braking efficiency, modeling was carried out of braking cars equipped with braking mechanisms with standard and improved clamping mechanisms on a curved section of the track. The simulation results showed that during braking on curved sections, brake shoes with standard clamping mechanisms came into contact with the surfaces of the brake discs at their edges, while the improved design of the clamping mechanism eliminated this drawback. Significant normal forces arose at the edges of the shoes in contact with the disc surfaces, whereas the remaining area of the shoe did not participate in braking process. The proposed design of the clamping mechanism demonstrated a reduction in the magnitude of normal forces, deviations from the average values of normal forces of the wheelset, and an increase in the stability and dispersion coefficients of normal forces compared to standard clamping mechanisms.</jats:p>