Mechanical Properties of High-Speed Turnout Switching and Locking Device

In order to optimize the design of high-speed switching and locking device, a lateral force calculation model for switching and locking device was established according to the wheel-rail system coupled dynamics using the finite element method. Taking the external locking device of 60 kg/m rail No.18 turnout in passenger dedicated line as an example, the influences of some main factors, including the speed through turnout, scant displacement of switch rail, and the gap between point switch and block, on the mechanical properties of switching and locking device were analyzed. The computational results show that the speed through turnout has significant effect on the mechanical properties of locking hook; when the speed through the turnout was 250 km/h, the lateral force and displacement was at maximum; a certain scant displacement of switch rail is favorable for the force of locking hook; as the gap between point switch and jacking block increases, the force of locking hook increases almost linearly, and the gap should be avoided to the greatest extent during the operation of turnout.