NEW TECHNOLOGY TO REDUCE MAINTENANCE COST IN KOREA

초록

In order to reduce the railway maintenance cost, KRRI (Korea Railway Research Institute) has provided new solution to KNR (Korea National Railway, Operator) in 2000. In the railway workshop, there were a few checkpoints to replace wheel such as surface damage level and diminution level of wheel diameter. As we know, the main reason of difference of couplers height is caused by different wheel diameter from difference vehicle. Every maintenance period, the repairman in workshop carefully investigates wheel condition and makes final decision to change wheel or not. If the difference of couplers height two connected vehicles does not meet basic requirement of maintenance guide of workshop. The repairman has to replace wheels. Even though the wheels can be used more and more. Since KRRI took this research project from KNR, KRRI had approached various ways to solve the problem. In the beginning of project, KRRI had a plan to design and manufacture a height adjustable coupler but it takes a lot of time or budget to buy patented technology from abroad. So, KRRI decided to invent new instrucment to control couplers height. This technology was applied for patent by KRRI (Patented Number, KR-10-2000-66011). It will provide very effective and economical solution to railway operator The new axel box is divided in the AB(Axel Box) and the ABH(Axel Box Holder). The height of couplers can be controlled by the HAB(Height Adjust Block). This is basic idea of the technology."