• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.275-282
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• 2018

Mountain trams are an environmental-friendly transportation system that run wirelessly on an embedded track constructed on previous mountain roads, and can run despite the frozen road. On the other hand, there is some difficulty on sharp and steep tracks. In this study, after possible technical problems were defined in mountain trams running on a sharp and steep track, the design solutions for the interface structure of bogie and carbody were proposed. In addition, a prototype was made and its performance was tested to verify the solutions. Because the difference in the distance of the inner and outer rails on a sharp curve is severe enough to interrupt running, independent rotating wheels with different angular speeds were developed and applied. To prevent derailment due to the large attack angle and lateral force caused by the previous vehicle of 2bogie-and-1carbody on the sharp curve, a vehicle with 1bogie-and-1carbody was designed and applied. A prototype vehicle of 1bogie-and-1carbody with independent rotating wheels was made to improve the performance during the test running on a small track. A coupler was designed to absorb the large rotations of 3 degrees-of-freedom between the carbodies of a mountain tram running on the steep curved track. After a small scale prototype was made, the performance was verified by a function test.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.268-275
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• 2020

In domestic mountain resort areas, a catenary system cannot be installed for the protection of the natural environment and view. Therefore, mountain trams must be operated wireless. In this study, a local ground pantograph, which supplies electricity to the battery on board, was developed for this purpose, and its performance was verified by tests. The system is installed on ground at stops or repair shops. While a bogie goes to the pantograph, the arms and collection shoes are raised by a spring force to make contact with the collection bar under the bogie so electric power can be supplied to the battery. Because it is a local ground type, it does not require a roof pantograph and catenary system. The system enables the mountain tram to run wireless. In addition, there is no separation and arc because it collects current while standing at stops or shops. The system has a long life because moving contact, which generates wear and damage to shoes, is avoided. The insulation resistance was above the criteria of 10 ㏁, and there was no abnormal temperature increase when a current of 335A was supplied for one hour.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.493-501
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• 2016

In this study, core technologies of a traction system on a mountain tram operating on the track of mountain road full of sharp curves and steep gradients were developed. In domestic mountain resort areas, sometimes the transportation service is not provided in winter because of ice and heavy snow on roads, so a mountain railway service independent of the climate and geographic conditions is needed. A traction system was designed taking into account of the power of a traction motor to climb the gradient of 120 ‰, which is common in domestic mountainous areas. and power transmission system was designed to consider the installation space for the traction system. In addition, a reduction gear and a propeller shaft were developed. An elastic pinion was developed and applied to the rack & pinion bogie system for steep gradient so that noise and vibration generated by contact between the steel gears could be reduced. Impact comparison tests showed that the vibration level of the elastic pinion is one-third lower than that of previous steel pinion. Independent rotating wheels and axles were developed for the bogie system to operate on the sharp curve of a 10 meter radius. In addition, the band braking system was developed to enhance the braking force during running on the steep gradient. A test for the braking force showed it exerts the required braking force. The performance of the developed core components were verified by the tests and finally they were applied to the bogie system running on the track of steep gradient and sharp curve.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.503-510
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• 2020

Eco-friendly mountain railways operate on concrete rack tracks embedded on existing sharp curved and steep roads to preserve the environment in mountainous areas. Owing to the narrow roads, single lines are inevitable, and many branches are required. In branches, previous switchers and heating devices cannot be applied, because of the limited spacing for the rack and the slow removal of thick ice. To solve these problems, a switch and a heating device have been developed. The switcher changes the line by moving the block of concrete track with hydraulic actuators. The lack of discontinuity reduces the derailment risk and makes locking simple. The heating device uses high frequency induction coils to increase the efficiency and melt the thick ice rapidly. The prototype switcher and heating device were produced and operated to prove their performance. The heating device yielded a 10 times greater efficiency than the previous one. The switcher and heating device are the essential core technologies for the operation of mountain trams in winter and contribute to the spread of mountain railways to domestic or foreign resort areas by enhancing safety and efficiency. In addition, they can provide transportation rights to local residents in poor winter traffic, and bring about tourism and local economic growth.