Switch drive device and method for switching a railway switch

Abstract

The invention relates to a switch drive device (2) for switching a railway switch (1), comprising at least one adjusting slide (5) for connection to at least one movable part of the railway switch (1), such as a switch tongue (4), and comprising at least one drive motor (7) connected to the adjusting slide (5) and designed to move the adjusting slide (5). In order to optimize the switch drive device (2), the invention provides that the switch drive device (2) comprises at least one motor controller (8) connected to the drive motor (7) and controlling the drive motor (7), by means of which a maximum torque of the drive motor (7) and thus a maximum actuating force of the adjusting slide (5) can be adjusted. The invention also relates to a method for switching a railway switch.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to a switch drive device for switching a railway switch, with at least one adjusting slide for connection to at least one movable part of the railway switch, such as a switch tongue, and with at least one drive motor connected to the adjusting slide, which is designed to move the adjusting slide.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for switching a railway switch, in which a control slide is moved by means of a drive motor. Technical background

[0003] Arrangements and methods of the above-mentioned type are known from the prior art. Switch operating devices, or switch drives for short, are used to switch railway switches in railway systems. When switching or switching a railway switch, the control slide of the switch operating device is moved, thereby switching, for example, one or two switch blades of the railway switch connected to the control slide. A control force acts on the respective switch blade and a connecting rod. To prevent damage to the switch blades or the rods, limiting the control force is advantageous and generally common practice. Overall, a switch operating device must meet high quality requirements and operate reliably.Due to the large number of structurally necessary components, some of which are subject to wear and tear and require at least some maintenance, the costs for purchasing and operating conventional point drive systems are considerable. The control slide of the point drive assembly is designed to be connected to a moving part of the railway switch. Such moving parts can be the aforementioned switch blades or, alternatively, a movable frog, for example. Summary of the invention

[0004] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a switch drive device and a method of the type mentioned at the outset, by means of which the known arrangements and methods can be improved and structurally simplified.

[0005] According to the invention, the object for the switch drive device mentioned at the outset is achieved in that the switch drive device comprises at least one motor controller connected to the drive motor and controlling the drive motor, by means of which a maximum torque of the drive motor and thus a maximum actuating force of the control slide is adjustable.

[0006] For the method mentioned above, the object is achieved according to the invention in that a maximum torque of the drive motor and thus a maximum actuating force of the control slide is set by means of a motor controller connected to the drive motor.

[0007] The solution according to the invention has the advantage that the actuating force of the point drive device can be easily adjusted by limiting the torque of the drive motor. In particular, the torque of the drive motor is electrically adjusted and upper limited via the motor controller according to the invention. The motor controller can be parameterized, for example, via its software so that the torque of the drive motor is adjusted via the electrical control of the motor controller. Limiting the torque of the drive motor also limits the resulting actuating force of the control slide. This eliminates the need for a mechanical limitation of the actuating force within the point drive device, for example by means of an actuating force coupling in the drive train. The point drive device according to the invention can therefore be designed with a simpler structure than known point drive devices.Furthermore, components and weight, for example, for the mechanical actuating force coupling, can be saved. The motor controller, which is lightweight and now available at a lower cost than the mechanical actuating force coupling, implements the limitation of the maximum actuating force of the switch drive device according to the invention. Bending of the switch blade or other components in the drive train of the railway switch can be prevented because excessive actuating force of the actuating slide is eliminated.

[0008] When commissioning the switch drive system according to the invention, the railway switch can be adjusted very quickly and thus time-savingly using the motor controller, thus reducing commissioning costs. Eliminating the need to adjust the mechanical actuating force coupling during assembly reduces the necessary adjustment and testing times.

[0009] The motor controller allows the maximum torque of the drive motor to be parameterized differently depending on the application, so that a single variant of the inventive point drive system can be used for a wide variety of applications. This reduces the number of variants required by the manufacturer and also reduces the spare parts inventory required by the operator of the railway system. Furthermore, the size or volume, and thus the weight, of the point drive system can be reduced because fewer mechanical components are required. This naturally also reduces the manufacturing effort and thus the production costs of the inventive point drive system. The motor controller can be easily configured via its software during commissioning, thus reducing the time required for commissioning.Since changes to the parameterized values ​​of the motor controller are impossible during operation of the point drive system, the reliability of the point drive system according to the invention is increased during operation. If mechanical components of the point drive system change during operation, this can be quickly compensated for by easily re-parameterizing the motor controller, for example, by adjusting the maximum torque of the drive motor. It may even be possible to design the point drive system according to the invention to be completely maintenance-free over its lifetime.

[0010] The motor controller can be designed, in particular, to limit the power of the drive motor. This has the advantage that the torque of the drive motor can be very easily controlled and adjusted via the power limitation.

[0011] The switch drive device according to the invention can be used for moving moving parts of railway switches, such as switch blades or movable frogs. Furthermore, the switch drive device can also be used in derailment devices, in which moving parts also need to be moved. Embodiments of the invention

[0012] The invention can be further developed by advantageous embodiments as described below.

[0013] To minimize wear on the switch drive system, the drive motor can be designed as a brushless DC motor. DC motors with brush-based power transmission via carbon brushes are often subject to wear. Therefore, the brushless DC motor with a rotating field offers a very good option for eliminating this wear and providing a maintenance-free drive motor over its entire service life. Alternatively, other DC or AC motors can of course also be used according to the invention, such as the aforementioned brush-based DC motor.

[0014] Furthermore, the switch drive device can comprise at least one ball screw drive arranged in the drive train between the drive motor and the control slide, and the drive motor can be coupled essentially directly to a threaded spindle of the ball screw drive. This has the advantage that no transmission, such as a chain drive or gear drive, is required between the drive motor and the threaded spindle, thus further reducing the number of components and simplifying the design.

[0015] To adjust the switching speed of the railway switch, the motor controller can be configured to change the speed of the drive motor. For a railway switch with only one switch drive, a minimum and maximum switching time must be observed. These switching times can vary depending on environmental influences, such as temperature. For a railway switch with multiple switch drive units, the starting times of the individual switch drive units must be adapted to the design of the railway switch in relation to the fixed switching times of the switch drive units. This minimizes or prevents bending of the switch tongue. With the switch drive unit according to the invention in this configuration, the speed of the drive motor can be adjusted very easily. This is a major advantage over the previous state of the art.In the state of the art, for example in the case of a railway switch with only one point drive, a distinction is made between so-called high-speed and low-speed motors depending on the switching speed to be achieved, which must be manufactured as different variants. These variants are implemented using DC or AC motors, for example. The speed of the motors is not controlled and results from the boundary conditions such as voltage and temperature. A voltage drop is caused, among other things, by the distance to the control element, which is usually a signal box, and therefore only becomes apparent from the application. In the case of a railway switch with several point drive devices, the starting time is set in the state of the art so that the point drive device with the greatest travel distance starts up first.This is followed by all other switch drive devices to prevent or minimize bending of the switch tongue. With the solutions proposed by the invention, the switch drive devices can be very easily parameterized and adjusted during commissioning.

[0016] To optimize the evaluation capabilities of the switch drive system, the motor controller can be configured to count the number of switch rotations. The number of switch rotations, for example, is a maintenance criterion and must therefore be recorded.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the motor controller can be designed such that the drive motor rotates at different speeds during one revolution of the railway switch, in particular according to a predetermined speed curve. In this way, a changeover curve or a course of the speed curve can be controlled. This has the advantage that the operation of the switch drive device can be carried out in a more material-saving and time-saving manner. The cycle of the railway switch refers to the changeover between the two switch positions, i.e. the movement of the switch blades between the two end positions in contact with the stock rails. Due to the free programmability and parameterization of the motor controller, any movement curves can be implemented for the switch drive device during the cycle. These can also be adapted and updated without great effort after commissioning, for example during maintenance.When a railway switch is switched, the switch blades are moved against the stock rails. In the prior art, this results in an abrupt interruption of the linear movement. This sudden interruption of the linear movement also affects the switch drive device, which may be subjected to high mechanical stress and have a negative impact. The solution according to the invention in this embodiment avoids this mechanical stress. The switch of the railway switch can be implemented in a distance- and / or time-controlled manner. The distance control can be determined via the counted revolutions of the drive motor and the conversion ratio resulting for the linear movement. The switch drive device according to the invention therefore no longer moves abruptly to an end position, but can reduce the speed of the switch or the rotational speed even before the end position is reached.This allows the switch tongues to run smoothly onto the stock rails.

[0018] To improve the diagnostic capabilities of the point drive device according to the invention, the motor controller can be designed to determine voltage values, current consumption values, and / or speed values ​​of the drive motor, particularly during one revolution of the railway switch. The signal box of the railway system and its control unit often do not have any diagnostic capabilities for the point drive device and the railway switch. However, a diagnostic function, for example, based on power consumption, is desirable. The diagnostic capability directly in the point drive device made possible with this design is very advantageous. Current and voltage can be evaluated directly in the motor controller and, if necessary, forwarded directly, for example, to a diagnostic center of the railway system. The resulting speed can also be converted into a power consumption.

[0019] Furthermore, the motor controller can be configured to move the drive motor to predetermined positions, with the predetermined positions representing the end positions of the control slide. This has the advantage that mechanical or electrical end stops can be dispensed with in the switch drive device according to the invention. This further reduces component costs. Furthermore, the end positions can be moved to smoothly and with less wear on the material, thus reducing wear on the switch drive device.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment, the point drive device can comprise at least one monitoring device, and the monitoring device can be connected to the motor controller. This has the advantage that the motor controller can also be used for control tasks in connection with the monitoring device, and no additional control system is required for the monitoring device. The point drive device according to the invention can thus be designed particularly simply. The monitoring device can, for example, comprise a limit switch or limit sensor, which detects, for example, the end position of a test slide. In the known point drive arrangements of the prior art, the monitoring device is wired to the control element in the interlocking system and detected there.Due to this embodiment of the invention, this control task can be carried out directly in the switch drive device, so that no additional cabling to the signal box is necessary.

[0021] In order to offer a wide range of possible applications, the motor controller can be designed for both DC and AC voltage supply.

[0022] For easy commissioning and maintenance of the switch drive device according to the invention, the motor controller can have at least one maintenance interface by means of which a software of the motor controller can be parameterized.

[0023] Furthermore, the motor controller can have at least one communication interface, which enables communication during operation, particularly of diagnostic data and / or control signals. This has the advantage that, for example, diagnostic data can be transmitted directly from the switch drive system to a higher-level diagnostic center. Until now, diagnostic data transmission from the switch was generally not possible; it could only take place in the interlocking system. The communication interface offers new possibilities for data transmission.

[0024] To improve the diagnostic capabilities of the switch drive device and the railway switch, the motor controller can comprise at least one diagnostic device designed to process operating values ​​of the drive motor and / or sensor values ​​of a sensor device. The diagnostic device can, for example, record or process the aforementioned operating values ​​of the drive motor, such as voltage values, current consumption values, and / or speed values, in order to derive a diagnosis for the condition of the switch drive device or the railway switch. Sensor values ​​of the sensor device, such as temperature, humidity, and / or air pressure, can also be taken into account. Furthermore, the motor controller can be designed to change the maximum torque of the drive motor, taking into account the operating values ​​and / or sensor values ​​processed by the diagnostic device.For example, the condition determined by the diagnostic device can lead to an increase in the maximum torque. The integrated diagnostic device allows the drive motor control to be adjusted immediately. This is particularly advantageous. The diagnostic device is preferably implemented within the motor controller's software.

[0025] Finally, the invention also relates to a railway switch for a railway system with at least one switch drive device for switching the railway switch. In order to improve known railway switches, the invention provides that the switch drive device is designed according to one of the aforementioned embodiments. Exemplary embodiments of the drawings

[0026] In the following, the invention is explained with reference to the accompanying drawings and the embodiments shown therein.

[0027] They show: Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a switch drive device according to the invention in a first exemplary embodiment; Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a railway switch according to the invention with the switch drive device from Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a further exemplary embodiment of a switch drive device according to the invention. Detailed description of the implementation examples

[0028] First, the invention will be described with reference to the exemplary embodiment in the Figures 1 and 2 described.

[0029] A railway switch 1 is part of a railway system (not shown in detail) and comprises a switch drive device 2, stock rails 3, and switch blades 4. During operation, the switch drive device 2 moves the switch blades 4 back and forth between the stock rails 3 by means of a driven control slide 5. In order to check the end positions of the railway switch 1, in which one of the switch blades 4 rests against one of the stock rails 3, the railway switch 1 comprises two test slides 6, which are each connected to one of the two switch blades 4 independently of the control slide 5. The control slide 5 of the switch drive device 2 can generally be connected to a movable part of the railway switch 1. As an alternative to the switch blades 4, the movable part could also be a movable frog or a derailment device in another embodiment.The railway installation also comprises at least one signal box 16 which controls the switch drive device 2.

[0030] The switch drive device 2 according to the invention, which is described in detail in Figure 1 is described below.

[0031] The switch drive device 2 comprises a drive motor 7, a motor controller 8, a drive gear 9, a ball screw drive 10, a driver device 11, several control slides 12, limit switches 13 and the previously mentioned control slides 5 and test slides 6. As in Figure 1 The control slide 5 and the test slide 6 are each relatively short and are each extended, for example, with connected extension rods up to the switch tongues 4. In Figure 2 This is not shown further, as it is irrelevant for the function of railway switch 1.

[0032] In order to move the control slide 5 during operation of the switch drive device 2, the latter is driven by the drive motor 7. In the exemplary embodiment, the drive force is Figure 1 from the drive motor 7 via the drive gear 9, the ball screw 10 and the driver device 11 to the adjusting slide 5. In the exemplary embodiment in Figure 1A rotational movement performed by the drive motor 7 is transmitted via the drive gear 9 to the ball screw 10, which converts it into a linear movement and transmits this to the adjusting slide 5 via the driver device 11. The drive gear 9 can be designed, for example, as a chain drive or gear drive, which transmits the rotational movement to a spindle 14 of the ball screw 10. The ball screw 10 comprises, as usual, a nut 15 in addition to the spindle 14. The spindle 14 is laterally mounted so that, in a known manner, its rotational movement is converted into a linear movement of the nut 15 connected to the driver device 11. The driver device 11 serves to transmit the linear movement from the nut 15 to the adjusting slide 5.The transmission of the drive energy from the drive motor 7 to the control slide 5 is to be regarded here only as an example and could of course also take place via other gear configurations in the drive train between the drive motor 7 and the control slide 5.

[0033] According to the invention, the drive motor 7 is controlled by the motor controller 8, which are electrically connected to each other. The motor controller 8 is connected to a power source (not shown) for the switch drive device 2. The power supply can provide a direct current or an alternating current, whereby in the exemplary embodiment in the Figures 1 and 2 a direct current is supplied. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the Figures 1 and 2 the current is provided in particular by the signal box 16, which represents the control part of the switch drive device 2.

[0034] The drive motor 7 is in the exemplary embodiment in the Figures 1 and 2 It is designed as a brushless DC motor that generates a rotating field instead of transmitting current via carbon brushes. This has the advantage that, without carbon brushes, there is less wear on the drive motor and it therefore requires less maintenance. Alternatively, other DC or AC motors can also be used as the drive motor.

[0035] The motor controller 8 controls the drive motor 7 via the connecting line 17 shown as an example. Additional lines may also be present. The motor controller 8 regulates the speed and position as well as the power and thus the torque of the drive motor 7. The maximum torque of the drive motor 7 can be set and limited via corresponding parameters in the software of the motor controller 8. The motor controller 8 thus represents an electrical actuating force coupling, since the motor controller 8 limits the actuating force of the actuating slide 5 to the switch tongue 4 and the entire railway switch 1. Previous mechanical actuating force couplings in the drive train of the switch drive devices, which were common in the prior art, are therefore superfluous in the switch drive device according to the invention.The switch drive device according to the invention can be adjusted and tested particularly quickly during assembly because adjustment of the previously required mechanical actuating force coupling is no longer necessary. Furthermore, the switch drive device 2 according to the invention is characterized by its lower weight compared to prior art arrangements because the mechanical actuating force coupling is eliminated.

[0036] The motor controller 8 further regulates the current speed of the drive motor 7 when switching the railway switch 1. This speed control enables the motor controller 8 to adjust the switching speed of the railway switch 1. This allows the switching speed of the railway switch 1 to be changed, for example, depending on external influences such as air pressure and / or temperature. To detect external influences, the switch drive device 2 according to the invention comprises, in the exemplary embodiment in Figure 1 a sensor device 18, which is connected to the motor controller 8 and through which a temperature or air pressure measurement is carried out and corresponding values ​​are transmitted to the motor controller 8. The switch drive device 2 according to the invention can, of course, also be designed without a sensor device 18. The sensor device 18 can also be connected to a diagnostic device 22 of the motor controller 8, which is described in more detail below.

[0037] The position of the drive motor 7 is also continuously monitored by the motor controller 8 according to the invention. This also allows a movement of the control slide 5 caused by the drive motor 8 to be monitored. This is done by counting and recording the rotations of the drive motor 7. For this purpose, the drive motor 7 comprises, for example, an incremental encoder that continuously reports the position of the drive motor 7 back to the motor controller 8. This makes it possible for the switch drive device 2 according to the invention to move the control slide 5 to predetermined positions, which can also be end positions. When approaching the end positions, a movement curve can also be followed, allowing the system to move slowly to the end positions, for example. The movement can also be time-controlled, or a time control can be integrated additionally.In this way, a gentle start of the switch tongues 4 against the stock rails 3 can be achieved by the switch drive device 2 reducing the speed of the changeover before the end position is reached.

[0038] With the switch drive device 2 according to the invention in the embodiment in Figure 1the speed of the drive motor 7 can be adjusted very easily. This means that the point drive device 2 can be very easily parameterized and adjusted during commissioning. Furthermore, the motor controller 8 is designed such that the drive motor 7 rotates at different speeds during one revolution of the railway switch 1, in particular according to a predetermined speed curve, e.g., corresponding to the above-mentioned movement curve. In this way, a changeover curve or the course of the speed curve can be regulated. This has the advantage that the operation of the point drive device 2 can be carried out in a more material-saving and time-saving manner. Due to the free programmability and parameterization of the motor controller 8, any movement curves can be implemented for the point drive device 2. These can also be adapted and updated without great effort after commissioning, for example, during maintenance.When switching the railway switch 1, the switch blades 4 are moved against the stock rails 3. In the prior art, this results in a sudden interruption of the linear movement. With the switch drive assembly 2 according to the invention, this can be achieved. Figure 1 The resulting mechanical stress is avoided. The switch drive device 2 according to the invention reduces the speed of the switchover or the speed of the drive motor 7 even before the end position is reached. This ensures a smooth approach of the switch blades 4 to the stock rails 3.

[0039] A diagnosis of the state of the switch drive device 2 and also of the railway switch 1 is also possible by the motor controller 8 according to the invention. For this purpose, the motor controller 8 in the exemplary embodiment in Figure 1the diagnostic device 22. The motor controller 8 determines parameters such as voltage, current consumption and speed, which are evaluated in the diagnostic device 22 and from which, for example, a power curve of the drive motor 7 is determined, which can be used for diagnosis. For example, the determined current and voltage values ​​can be evaluated directly in the motor controller 8 using the diagnostic device 22. Alternatively or additionally, the diagnostic device can also process the sensor data from the sensor device 18 for diagnosis. If the diagnostic device 22 has determined incipient wear from the values, for example from a changed power curve, this can be implemented in the motor controller 8 directly to increase the maximum torque of the drive motor 7. This increase can, for example, counteract the incipient wear.At the same time, the diagnosis can of course also be used to plan or request maintenance.

[0040] In order to transmit the diagnostic results determined by the diagnostic device 22, the motor controller 8 comprises a communication interface 19, by means of which the diagnostic data is transmitted, for example, to the interlocking system 16. The communication interface 19 can be designed, for example, as an Ethernet interface or as a wireless radio interface, which transmits the diagnostic data wirelessly to the interlocking system 16. Alternatively, the diagnostic data can also be transmitted to another location, such as a diagnostic center or a control center 24, where it can be evaluated and used, for example, for predictive maintenance. Furthermore, the motor controller 8 comprises Figure 1also a maintenance interface 20, by means of which the software of the motor controller 8 can be parameterized, for example, during commissioning. Using the maintenance interface 20, for example, the necessary parameters can be adjusted and set very quickly during commissioning of the switch drive device 2, so that commissioning can be completed quickly and at low costs. In the embodiment in Figure 1 The motor controller 8 is also designed to count the number of switches of the railway switch 1. The number of switch revolutions is, for example, a criterion for maintenance and it is therefore advantageous to record and transmit this information.

[0041] The switch drive device 2 according to the invention has the advantage that it operates essentially maintenance-free, since the maintenance-intensive actuating force coupling required in the prior art is no longer required. Furthermore, the Figure 1used brushless DC motor as drive motor 7 maintenance-free.

[0042] Finally, the switch drive device 2 also comprises a housing 21 in which the components are arranged.

[0043] The various locking slides 12 of the switch drive device 2 serve in particular to control predetermined positions of the control slide 5 and the test slide 6, e.g. their end positions. The switch drive device 2 has several limit switches 13 for querying these predetermined positions. In the switch drive device 2 according to the invention in the exemplary embodiment in Figure 1These limit switches 13 are connected directly to the motor controller 8, in particular to a control device 23, for signaling purposes. The control device 23 of the motor controller 8 is designed for additional control tasks in addition to controlling the drive motor 7. This allows the electrical signals from the limit switches 13 to be processed by the control device 23 of the motor controller 8. This has the advantage that the determined predetermined positions of the control slide 5 or test slide 6 can be checked directly in the motor controller 8 and, if necessary, measures can be taken immediately. Since the control device 23 is part of the motor controller 8, the signals can also be used to control the drive motor 7. This eliminates the need to transmit signals to a remote location such as the signal box 16, thus saving time and material.If, for example, a signal from a limit switch 13 is missing and thus a predetermined position is not reached, the motor controller 8 can, for example, report a fault and stop the drive motor 7.

[0044] The control device 23 and the diagnostic device 22 are in the embodiment in Figure 1 both are designed within the software of the motor controller 8.

[0045] The implementation of the motor controller 8 enables, on the one hand, improved control or regulation of the drive motor 7, and on the other hand, the motor controller 8 can also perform additional tasks, for example, the above-described diagnostic data acquisition by the diagnostic device 22 or signal evaluation by the control device 23. For this purpose, the motor controller 8 has at least one microcontroller (not shown) that carries out these tasks using appropriately programmed software. By means of the motor controller 8, an independent adjustment of the operating parameters of the drive motor 7 is also possible, for example in response to the evaluation of the diagnostic device 22, as described above. If, for example, the sensor device 18 detects a temperature below a limit value, the motor controller 8 can increase the power and thus the torque of the drive motor 7.Experience has shown that the reduced temperature can lead to stiffness of the drive motor 7 and possibly also of other components such as the ball screw 10. Increasing the torque can counteract this.

[0046] In the following, the further exemplary embodiment of the switch drive device 2 according to the invention is described in Figure 3 For the sake of simplicity, only the differences to the exemplary embodiment in Figure 1 The same reference numerals denote the same components. Just as in the embodiment in Figure 1 can also be the embodiment in Figure 3 as part of the Figure 2 shown railway switch 1.

[0047] In contrast to the embodiment in Figure 1The switch drive arrangement 2 in Figure 3 comprises a drive motor 7 mounted essentially directly on the spindle 15 of the ball screw 10. This has the advantage that no drive gear 9 is required as in the embodiment shown. Figure 1 This makes the design in Figure 3 structurally simpler and with less mass and can possibly be manufactured more quickly and cost-effectively.

Claims

1. Switch drive device (2) for switching a railway switch (1), with at least one adjusting slide (5) for connection to at least one movable part of the railway switch (1), such as a switch tongue (4), and with at least one drive motor (7) connected to the adjusting slide (5) and designed to move the adjusting slide (5), characterized in that the switch drive device (2) comprises at least one motor controller (8) connected to the drive motor (7) and controlling the drive motor (7), by means of which a maximum torque of the drive motor (7) and thereby a maximum actuating force of the actuating slide (5) is adjustable.

2. Switch drive device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive motor (7) is designed as a brushless DC motor.

3. Switch drive device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in thatthe switch drive device (2) comprises at least one ball screw drive (10) arranged in the drive train between the drive motor (7) and the adjusting slide (5), and the drive motor (7) is coupled substantially directly to the threaded spindle (14) of the ball screw drive (10).

4. Switch drive device (2) according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the motor controller (8) is designed to change the speed of the drive motor (7).

5. Switch drive device (2) according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the motor controller (8) is designed to count the changes of the railway switch (1).

6. Switch drive device (2) according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the motor controller (8) is designed such that the drive motor (7) rotates at different speeds, in particular according to a predetermined speed curve, during one revolution of the railway switch (1).

7. Switch drive device (2) according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the motor controller (8) is designed to determine voltage values, current consumption values ​​and / or speed values ​​of the drive motor (7), in particular during one revolution of the railway switch (1).

8. Switch drive device (2) according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the motor controller (8) is designed to move to predetermined positions of the drive motor (7), wherein the predetermined positions represent end positions of the adjusting slide (5).

9. Switch drive device (2) according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the switch drive device (2) comprises at least one monitoring device and the monitoring device is connected to the motor controller (8).

10. Switch drive device (2) according to one of the above claims, characterized in thatthe motor controller (8) has at least one maintenance interface by means of which software of the motor controller (8) can be parameterized.

11. Switch drive device (2) according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the motor controller (8) has at least one communication interface by means of which communication during operation, in particular of diagnostic data and / or control signals, is possible.

12. Switch drive device (2) according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the motor controller (8) comprises at least one diagnostic device (22) which is designed to process operating values ​​of the drive motor (7) and / or sensor values ​​of a sensor device (18).

13. Switch drive device (2) according to claim 12, characterized in thatthe motor controller (8) is designed to change the maximum torque of the drive motor (7) taking into account the operating values ​​and / or sensor values ​​processed by the diagnostic device (22).

14. Railway switch (1) for a railway installation, with at least one switch drive device (2) for switching the railway switch (1), characterized in that the switch drive device (2) is designed according to one of claims 1 to 13.

15. Method for switching a railway switch (1), in which a control slide (5) is moved by means of a drive motor (7), characterized in that a maximum torque of the drive motor (7) and thereby a maximum actuating force of the adjusting slide (5) is set by means of a motor controller (8) connected to the drive motor (7).

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