Reliability assurance features of modern railway axlebox assemblies

Abstract

The axlebox assembly is one of the critical components of a wagon for ensuring overall reliability. According to long-term statistical data, it ranks second, after the braking system, in terms of the number of failures during operation. This directly affects the actual need for unscheduled uncoupling and repairs of freight wagons. To assess the actual reliability of axleboxes, the ‘failure tree’ method was proposed. Failure analysis consists of sequences and combinations of undesirable events. Thus, the ‘failure tree’ is a multi-level graph of causal relationships obtained by tracing dangerous situations in reverse order to identify possible causes of their occurrence. Based on the study results, the structural function of the axlebox assembly in operation was determined, and reliability indicators were calculated using a mathematical model. According to calculations, the actual service life of axleboxes on freight wagons (operating time to failure) is no more than 3 years. This requires adjusting the maintenance and repair schedules for the axleboxes of operating freight wagons.