Simulation and Control Design for Mechatronic Pantographs

Abstract

New pantograph concepts require an integrated development environment for its design process. The set up of dynamic models and the simulation of the interaction between pantographs and catenaries are essential to evaluate enhanced mechatronic design concepts. The introduced simulation environment enables investigations on new approaches for the complete system as well as for single components. For verification tasks, a detailed simulation model of the pantograph was set up directly according its design data. Different control concepts were adjusted using a specialized analysis program for control units. In particular, the co-simulation between a standard MBS and a specific catenary simulation program made a more precise prediction of the dynamic behaviour possible. First proposals of mechatronic concepts for certain components of a present high performance pantograph demonstrated the efficiency of the realized CAE-concept.