Prediction of coupling effect between pantograph and tunnel resulting from car body vibration using an aerodynamic and multi-body dynamic coupling approach

An aerodynamic and multi-body dynamic coupling method is proposed and verified to evaluate the coupling effect between a pantograph on a high-speed train and the tunnel resulting from the train's vibration. The unevenness of the catenary, posture changes of the car body, track irregularities, tunnel effect and the interactions between the air and rods are considered. The influence and the evolution of the car body's vibration on the service characteristics and responses of the pantograph are described and quantified from multiple perspectives, including the time-domain characteristics of the aerodynamic lift of the panhead, the contact force between the pantograph and catenary, the vertical displacement and vertical acceleration of the contact strip, the frequency-domain characteristics, and the phase diagram of the contact strip. New insights are obtained into the action mechanisms of the car body vibration on the coupling effect between the pantograph and tunnel.