Radführung

Radführung (wheel guidance) is the set of mechanisms and features that constrain a wheel’s motion so that it follows a prescribed path relative to its supporting structure. The concept covers geometric constraints, contact surfaces, and guiding elements that limit unwanted lateral or yaw movement and ensure stable rotation.

In rail transport, Radführung is primarily achieved through the interaction of wheel profiles, gauge, and rails. The wheel’s conical profile and the fixed distance between rails guide the wheelset along the track, while the wheel flange provides extra guidance in curves or when the track geometry is imperfect. Vehicle dynamics and bogie design, including steering features and damping, help reduce hunting motion and improve lateral stability at speed.

Beyond rails, Radführung appears in various machines and vehicles where wheels or wheel-like elements must stay on a defined path. This can involve guide wheels or flanged rollers in conveyor and material-handling systems, as well as guided or articulated wheel arrangements in robotics or special transport machines. In each case, guiding surfaces, bearings, linkages, or rail-like structures constrain movement to prevent derangement and to maintain alignment with the intended trajectory.

Key design considerations include wear and fatigue of guiding surfaces, contact stresses, appropriate clearances to avoid jamming, and a balance between stiffness and compliance to accommodate irregularities. Rigorous design aims to maximize reliability and safety while minimizing friction, noise, and energy losses. The term is common in German engineering literature, especially in rail engineering and machinery design, to describe how wheels are kept on their intended path.