Flexicoil suspension

The Flexicoil suspension is a wear-resistant and maintenance- free suspension which is used in railway vehicles. It is installed as a secondary spring between the bogie and carriage or locomotive body. They are mainly used in modern passenger cars, when an air suspension is not required because it is cheaper than the air suspension in both the acquisition as in maintenance.

The springs are at the bottom and top of a spherical Gummikalotte that can accommodate a portion of the horizontal forces. These domes, however, are fixed to the box ( top) and the bogie frame (bottom) of the vehicles connected. The Flexicoil spring is therefore twisted when cornering and moved from its vertical axis. This helps the two bogies to align evenly under the car body. The vertical forces are completely absorbed by the steel springs.

Because the spring has a relatively soft characteristic, hydraulic vertical damper must be mounted for vibration damping, and at higher speeds than 160 km / h and the longitudinal damper. Lateral damping is not normally required.

For passenger cars, the springs are the only mechanical connection between bogie and body. The pivot pin is normally engaged with a rubber-metal bearing Lemniskatenjoches of which transmitted through the two Lemniskatenlenker the forces on the bogie frame.

The bogies of the locomotives are usually additionally provided with a Tiefanlenkung or other traction transmission.