Simulation analysis of high-speed turnout point rail switching force considering influence of external locking device

This study simulates the complete switching process of a turnout and presents an accurate method for calculating the turnout switching force. By establishing an analysis model for the turnout switching of high-speed turnout elastic flexible single-leg point rail No.18 while considering the effects of external locking devices, the actual switching force time-history curve is obtained. Simultaneously, the model is validated with experimental data from the field. Based on this model, the effects of different factors on the switching force of the point rail are calculated and analyzed. The research results show that the external locking device optimizes the stress state of the locking lever, and the switching force acting on the locking lever is much smaller than that on the point rail web. Foreign matter clearly increases the switching force, which is not conducive to the locking of the point rail. When the foreign matter size reaches 3 mm, the switching force of the point rail increases sharply, which causes the switching force to exceed the limit. Overall, the point rail switching force is proportional to the start time difference of each traction point; therefore, the maximum action time difference should be controlled within 0.7 s.