Abstract: An inverse idea for rational design of railway wheel profiles is presented. A method with the target of rolling radii difference function or contact angle differences function is presented. By this method, profiles of wheels can be educed with good coherence to the target functions which play important roles in the dynamics of railway vehicles. The method based on the rolling radii difference function is suitable for the design of wheel tread profiles for rigid wheelsets considering varied stabilities and steering abilities. The method based on the contact angle differences function is suitable for the design of wheel tread profiles for independently rotating wheels considering varied gravity stiffness. A computer program based on this method is developed and is validated by way of examples.

Key words: Contact angle difference function, Railway vehicles, Rolling radii difference function, Wheel profiles design