Control and safety technology / Switch locks
With their movable tongue rails, points enable uninterrupted switching between individual tracks.
Our point locking systems ensure that points are set securely and that the tongue rail is in full contact when trains are running over them.
Find out more about our point locking systems:
EWOS angle lever locking device
Thanks to its modular design, the EWOS angle-lever locking device enables customized solutions in which the existing infrastructure can continue to be used largely unchanged. Depending on the customer-specific infrastructure, the EWOS is compatible with a variety of rail combinations and switch designs.
The EWOS is designed to ensure safe and smooth switching of the switch blades and to reliably secure them in their end position. The position of the adjacent blade is maintained in such a way that there is a sufficiently large passage for the wheel flange and a form-fitting locking of the blade and stock rail is ensured. The system is approved by the German Federal Railway Authority for speeds of up to 120 km/h.
The EWOS is a low-maintenance and lubrication-free point locking system that is based on the principle of realizing the functional movements by rolling movements. This differs from the operating principle of point locks whose setting movement results in a higher sliding friction of the components among themselves and are therefore more subject to wear and tear or require more lubrication. The EWOS can be used for inspection periods of up to two years. The sliding movement over the rollers ensures an optimal transfer of the actuating force of the drive to the closure components, thus protecting the drive system used. The EWOS is a closure system that can be driven up from the blunt side of the switch without causing damage to the switch. In addition, the system self-regulates the temperature-related length displacement between the tongue and cheek rail by ± 25 mm.
The use of high-quality, non-rusting steel alloys and a corrosion coating on the other components make the EWOS resistant to weather conditions and ensure a long service life for the components and the entire system.
Due to its design, the EWOS is suitable for use in turnouts with concrete, wooden, steel and plastic sleepers, as well as in closure sleepers and slab tracks.
VCL clamp lock
Except for the locking plates on the tongue lock, the VCL clamp lock is identical in design to the EVZ standard lock of Deutsche Bahn AG. This means that all other components and assemblies are identical and can be exchanged or combined with each other. Thus, the VCL system also guarantees users who already have the EVZ closure in use no additional storage costs for spare parts, no additional training requirements for maintenance personnel and a long-term secure supply of the locking system and its spare parts.
Based on the specification for point locks of Deutsche Bahn AG and a weak-point analysis of the design of already approved lock types, the following key points were implemented:
- Defined tensioning of all screw connections.
- Reliable securing of all screw connections without influencing their
- required prestressing.
- Enlargement of the contact area of the locking clamp screw on the tongue foot
- by means of a flanged sleeve.
- Redundant securing of all connections with the safety-determining
- functions.
- Defined securing of the wedge by means of form-fitting horizontal tensioning of the
- tongue block at the tongue foot.
- Cost-effective replacement of wear parts, especially of friction partners such as
- slide rod/locking piece.
The VCL clamp lock impresses with its slim design and user-friendly installation and maintenance. Depending on the customer-specific infrastructure, the VCL is compatible with a variety of rail combinations and switch designs. The VCL clamp lock's modular design enables customized solutions in which the existing infrastructure can remain largely unchanged.
The VCL has the task of ensuring that the switch blades are switched safely and smoothly and of reliably securing them in their end position. The switch blade is held in position in such a way that there is a sufficiently large groove for the wheel flange and a form-fitting locking of the switch blade and stock rail is ensured. Like the EVZ closure, the VCL closure can be driven over at speeds of up to 300 km/h.
The VCL is a low-maintenance and low-lubrication point locking system that is based on the principle of creating a form-fit between the slide rod, locking piece and locking clamp in a vertical direction on the adjacent tongue and holding the displaced tongue in its position in a force-locked manner.
At least one of the locking components is made of a special metal alloy that significantly reduces sliding friction during the setting process and can extend the regular lubrication interval to up to 12 months thanks to its good sliding properties. In addition, the smooth setting process protects the drive system used.
The VCL can be driven up from the blunt side of the turnout without damaging the system.
In addition, the system compensates for temperature-related length displacement between the tongue and the stock rail by ± 35 mm in a self-regulating manner.
Eccentrically mounted locking clips allow the length of the clips to be adjusted by ± 4 mm on each side of the switch, enabling operational wear to be corrected without the need to replace components.
With its forged components and the highest quality standards for all individual parts, the VCL guarantees maximum operational reliability.
