This study introduces a novel tip-tilt-piston aligner based on aligned folded beam flexure. It was designed to enhance precision positioning by minimizing parasitic motion. Through finite element analysis, we compared this aligner with a traditional folded beam flexure-based mechanism, revealing a remarkable 135% increase in translational stiffness and superior rotational stiffness ratios. These advancements are expected to reduce parasitic motion arising from actuator misalignment and external disturbances, ultimately elevating positioning accuracy. The aligner’s suitability as a guiding device was affirmed and optimal actuator placement positions were determined. This research provides valuable insights into precision positioning mechanism design, underscoring the role of flexure geometry and precise actuator placement in minimizing parasitic motion for improved accuracy.

The magnetorheological material changes its characteristics according to the external magnetic field. Magnetorheological elastomer existing in the solid phase has micrometer-sized magnetically responsive particles inside. When a magnetic field is applied by a permanent magnet or electromagnet nearby, it can exhibit stiffness that changes according to the strength of the magnetic field. Many previous studies focused on verifying the variability of the material"s characteristics. However, this study newly proposed a variable stiffness joint for the suspension system of railway vehicles using a magnetorheological elastomer, as a basic study of magnetorheological elastomer for a mechanical component. Based on the characteristics test of the magnetorheological elastomer, the variable joint was designed to have the same structure as the conventional guide arm joint of a railway vehicle. Particularly, to overcome the low magnetic field strength, which may be a problem in the previous research, and to implement uniform magnetic field distribution, the electromagnet was designed to make direct contact with the magnetorheological elastomer. A mathematical model was established and a finite element method verified the model, resulting in an average magnetic flux density of 300 mT, which means 30% stiffness change at 15% shear strain.

Conventional railroad vehicles, that run on a line with high frequency of sharp curves, have problems such as wheel noise and wear, from insufficient passive steering. To solve this problem, real-time curvature measurement technology must be developed for realizing active steering. In this study, we propose a uniaxial curvature measurement sensor considering applicability to actual railroad vehicles, and analyze its validity in terms of active steering control. Required characteristics of the curvature sensor according to steering control performance, were determined through railroad vehicle dynamics simulations, and actual vehicle driving information. Measurement range of curvature radius is 200 m to 600 m; measurement accuracy is ±3%, and measurement bandwidth is 0.85 Hz. Effectiveness of the developed curvature sensor was analyzed based on behavior of the car body, the bogie and its installation on the vehicle, and curvature of the track was measured in real time on an actual urban railroad vehicle. As a result of the field test, curvature measurement error was obtained within 3%, validating the feasibility of active steering control for the next generation railroad vehicles.