Issues of Developing Equal-Strength Two-Layer Spherical Rubber-Metal Hinges

Development of equal-strength two-layer spherical rubber­metal hinges (RMH), described in the paper, is associated with the problem that with an equal thickness of the layers of rubber bushings and an equal opening angle, there is a significant difference in their radial stiffness and relative deformation of the rubber. With hinge dimensions corresponding to those of the hinges used in the undercarriage of locomotives, there is a difference in relative deformation of inner and outer bushings by about 1,5 times. As a result, it is proposed to determine the load capacity of spherical two-layer RMH by the value of relative deformation of the rubber of the most loaded bushing. Also, studies have been carried out on the possibilities of creating a uniformly deformable design of a spherical two-layer RMH.

To determine the characteristics of a spherical rubber-metal hinge, applied digital computer modelling based on the finite element method. A proposed parametrised geometric model of a spherical two-layer RMH and a finite element model of an elastic bushing offer the ratio of radial stiffnesses of outer and inner bushings, which is close to the preliminarily determined one, based on the equations of the theory of elasticity in displacements in a spherical coordinate system.

It has been established that to achieve uniform elasticity by changing the opening angle, the opening angle of the outer reinforcement of RMH should be approximately 1,5 times less than the opening angle of the inner one. This makes it possible to reduce the width of outer reinforcement of RMH by 25 % but raises the problem of strength and rigidity of outer edges of intermediate reinforcement. Also, equal elasticity of hinge bushings can be achieved due to their different thicknesses, while to achieve non-uniform stiffness of bushings within ± 5 %, it is required to ensure that deviation of the intermediate cage diameter during hinge manufacture is less than ± 0,1 %.

The obtained research results prove the practical possibility of creating an equally strong (with equal bushing rigidity) spherical two-layer RMH. The issue of searching for a compromise design of RMS, acceptable from the point of view of loading of the intermediate cage and of the requirements for manufacturing accuracy, requires further study.

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