In recent years, the handling volume of 40-ft ocean high-cube containers has increased in logistics in Japan. In Japan, the height of 40-ft ocean high-cube containers limits the number of sections where they can be transported by rail. To solve this problem, it is necessary to develop a new freight car with a cargo bed height of 700 mm, which is 300 mm lower than a conventional freight car (cargo bed height: 1000 mm) currently in use. For this purpose, a new carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) model secondary suspension spring with a lowered spring height has been developed to expand the possibilities of lowered bed height.
Previous research has shown that the CFRP model secondary suspension is effective as a space- saving spring and have nonlinear spring characteristics. This report, the performance model bogie with a lowered bed height with the CFRP model secondary suspension attached was evaluated using a three-dimensional vibration table. As a result, the CFRP model secondary suspension was found to have better vibration dampening than coil springs.
