A study on optimal braking control using adhesion coefficient

Abstract

The brake systems of the rolling stocks are generally consisted of electrical and mechanical brake systems. Because of its inherent structure of the each brake system, the electrical brake system is mainly used at the high speed range while the mechanical brake system is used at the relatively lower speed range. It is desirable for the rolling stocks to apply the entire electrical brake system. However, since the brake force from electric brake system is not enough to stop the rolling stock within the legal stop distance. Therefore, the mechanical brake system is indispensable to rolling stocks. In general, the vast majority of the world trains are equipped with mechanical braking systems which use compressed air as the force to push block on to wheels or pads on to discs. These mechanical systems are known as air brake or pneumatic brakes. For the air brake system, basically huge scale air compressor is equipped and the long pipe line is complexively connected. Since mass of these air brake components, it is difficult to be a light weight equipment and the long pipe line raise the maintenance problem. In order to overcome these problems of air brake system, the hydraulic brake system is proposed in this research. The hydraulic brake system makes the whole weight of brake equipment be light and large braking force can be applied. Therefore, in this research, the optimal control using adhesion coefficient to apply the hydraulic brake system is reviewed.