Research on the Mechanism of Different Resilient Wheel Structures Affecting Noise

In response to the vibration and noise issues of metro vehicles, this article uses a resilient wheel. The finite element method (FEM) and the boundary element method (BEM) were employed to establish the vehicle-track coupled rolling contact model and the acoustic boundary element model. The reliability of the acoustic boundary element model was verified by comparing simulation results with field measurement data. The effects of different structures on wheel-rail forces and noise were investigated. Compared with a standard wheel, the resilient wheel significantly reduces vibration and noise. The influence of rubber with or without clearances on resilient wheel vibration and noise was further analyzed. Results show that in the 2000–5000 Hz frequency band, the resilient wheel reduces wheel noise by 6–10 dB(A), rail noise by approximately 5 dB(A), and total wheel-rail rolling noise by 5–8 dB(A). The physical mechanisms underlying the vibration and noise reduction performance of the resilient wheel are elucidated, and high-frequency operating noise is examined.