Operating machine buckets with improved digging and payload performance
By improving the bucket structure to make the outlet and bottom plane angled, and combining the lip and adapter design, the efficiency problem of existing buckets under hard digging conditions has been solved, and the penetration and loading efficiency of the bucket has been improved.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CATERPILLAR GLOBAL MINING EQUIPMENT LLC
- Filing Date
- 2021-12-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-26
AI Technical Summary
Existing buckets struggle to effectively penetrate and efficiently fill dump trucks under hard digging conditions, especially in high-wear applications such as oil sands.
A bucket structure was designed, including a front cavity wall, a rear cavity wall, a top cavity wall, a bottom cavity wall, and a side cavity wall. The outlet plane is at an angle relative to the inlet plane, the bottom plane is at an angle relative to the top plane, and the outlet plane is perpendicular to the bottom plane. A lip and an adapter are combined to improve digging efficiency.
It achieves more efficient digging and loading performance under hard digging conditions, reduces the number of rounds, and improves the bucket's penetration ability and material filling efficiency.
Smart Images
Figure CN116615591B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This disclosure generally relates to a working machine, and more particularly to a bucket for a working machine. Background Technology
[0002] Excavator buckets, or digging buckets, are used in construction to excavate soil material from horizontal or vertical surfaces. Buckets can be mounted to working machines such as electric cable shovels or excavators via mounting brackets. A typical electric cable shovel has a boom, a bucket handle pivotally connected to the midpoint of the boom, and a bucket pivotally connected to one end of the bucket handle. The cable extends on a pulley at the distal end of the boom and terminates at the end of the bucket handle that supports the bucket. The cable is wound in and out of a lifting drum powered by an electric, hydraulic, and / or mechanical motor to selectively raise and lower the bucket. Buckets are typically equipped with sharp teeth to provide digging action on the surface being worked on and also include a cavity for collecting the soil material to be removed. Once the soil material is received in the bucket, it is typically unloaded into a dump truck, onto a conveyor, or simply onto a stockpile.
[0003] The complex performance characteristics of a bucket are determined by the environment in which an electric cable shovel operates. For example, assuming hard excavation conditions are found in Devonian geology, oil sands have proven to be particularly detrimental to bucket performance. Current buckets cannot penetrate well, sustain for long periods, or fill dump trucks with relatively few passes.
[0004] U.S. Patent 5,063,694 describes a digging bucket for use with a power shovel, which is made of steel plate and formed to have a separable bottom body member. The plate members forming the side cavity walls and bottom cavity walls of the bottom body member are reinforced by longitudinal and transverse ribs.
[0005] While effective, improved bucket designs are still needed for operating machines used in high-wear applications such as construction and mining. Summary of the Invention
[0006] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a bucket for a working machine is disclosed. The bucket may have: a front cavity wall forming an inlet defining a vertical inlet plane; a rear cavity wall opposite the front cavity wall forming an outlet defining an outlet plane; a top cavity wall extending between the front and rear cavity walls, defining a horizontal top plane; a bottom cavity wall opposite the top cavity wall defining a bottom plane; and two side cavity walls connecting the top and bottom cavity walls. The two side cavity walls may also extend between the front and rear cavity walls. The outlet plane may be angled relative to the inlet plane, the bottom plane may be angled relative to the top plane, and the outlet plane is perpendicular to the bottom plane.
[0007] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a working machine is disclosed. The working machine may include: a base supported on the ground; a rotating frame connected to the base, the rotating frame being rotatable about an axis; a boom pivotally connected to the rotating frame; a boom handle pivotally connected to the boom; and a bucket coupled to the boom handle. The bucket may have: a front cavity wall forming an inlet defining a vertical inlet plane; a rear cavity wall opposite the front cavity wall forming an outlet defining an outlet plane; a top cavity wall extending between the front and rear cavity walls, defining a horizontal top plane; a bottom cavity wall opposite the top cavity wall defining a bottom plane; and two side cavity walls connecting the top and bottom cavity walls. The two side cavity walls may also extend between the front and rear cavity walls. The outlet plane may be at an angle relative to the inlet plane, the bottom plane may be at an angle relative to the top plane, and the outlet plane is perpendicular to the bottom plane.
[0008] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a method of manufacturing a bucket is disclosed. The method may include: providing a front cavity wall defining an inlet, the inlet itself defining a vertical inlet plane; positioning a rear cavity wall defining an outlet opposite the front cavity wall; and extending a top cavity wall defining a horizontal top plane between the front cavity wall and the rear cavity wall. The method may further include extending a bottom cavity wall before connecting two side cavity walls between the top cavity wall and the bottom cavity wall, the bottom cavity wall defining a bottom plane and opposite the top cavity wall. The two side cavity walls may also extend between the front cavity wall and the rear cavity wall. An outlet plane may be angled relative to the inlet plane, the bottom plane may be angled relative to the top plane, and the outlet plane may be perpendicular to the bottom plane. The method further includes connecting a lip to the bottom surface of each of the two side cavity walls and the front surface of the bottom cavity wall, the lip extending outward from the inlet in a direction away from the outlet, and the lip having an inner surface that may define a lip plane, the lip plane being parallel to the horizontal top plane.
[0009] These and other aspects and features of this disclosure will be more readily understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description
[0010] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a working machine with a bucket.
[0011] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of an exemplary bucket according to this disclosure.
[0012] Figure 3 Based on this disclosure Figure 2 Left side view of the bucket.
[0013] Figure 4 Based on this disclosure Figure 2 Rear view of the bucket.
[0014] Figure 5 Based on this disclosure Figure 2 Front view of the bucket.
[0015] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of a series of steps that may be involved in the manufacture of a bucket according to aspects of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation
[0016] refer to Figure 1 The bucket 1 is attached to the working machine 2. The working machine 2 can be a stationary or mobile machine that performs several types of operations associated with industries such as mining, construction, agriculture, transportation, or any other industry known in the art. For example, the working machine 2 can be an earthmoving machine, such as an electric rope shovel (as shown), or a backhoe excavator, excavator, bulldozer, loader, motorized grader, or any other earthmoving machine. The working machine 2 can include a boom stalk 4 and a bucket 1 (e.g., a digging bucket, etc.) supported by a boom 6. The bucket 1 is coupled to the boom stalk 4 and moves together with the boom stalk 4 in more than one direction. The bucket 1 is configured to hold soil and other materials loaded into the bucket 1 by the action of the boom stalk 4. The boom stalk 4 is configured to apply force to the bucket 1, pushing the bucket 1 into the surface 8 (in Figure 3 (as shown in the diagram) (i.e., a pile of materials such as topsoil, ore, or other soil materials that will be mined or moved and are collectively referred to as "mining materials"). The force of the boom handle 4 forces the bucket 1 into the pile of materials, thereby digging into the surface 8 and filling the bucket 1 with mining materials.
[0017] The working machine may also include a rotating frame 9 connected to and supported by a base 10. The rotating frame 9 is rotatable relative to the base 10 about an axis (not shown) via a rotating assembly 11. The base is supported on a ground 12. The rotating frame may also include a compartment 13, and a boom 6 is pivotally connected to the rotating frame 9. A boom handle 4 may also be pivotally connected to the boom.
[0018] Although the present disclosure is illustrated and described by way of example with reference to the working machine 2, the present disclosure is also applicable to use with any machine or vehicle (e.g., an excavator) including a bucket or digging bucket for excavating and / or transporting materials, all of which are intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0019] refer to Figure 2-5The image shows a bucket 1 according to an exemplary embodiment. The bucket 1 includes a front cavity wall 14 and a rear cavity wall 16. The front cavity wall 14 defines an inlet 18 through which the bucket 1 is filled, and the rear cavity wall 16 defines an outlet 20 through which the bucket 1 is emptied. The inlet 16 and the outlet 20 define a cavity 21. Figure 3 As best shown, the bucket 1 also includes: a top cavity wall 22 defining a substantially horizontal top plane 23; and a bottom cavity wall 24 opposite the top cavity wall 22, defining a bottom plane 25. In one exemplary embodiment, the bottom cavity wall 24 may be a grid or lattice frame and includes a replaceable liner. The top cavity wall 22 extends between the front cavity wall 14 and the rear cavity wall 16, and the bottom cavity wall 24 may extend from the rear cavity wall 16 in a direction toward the inlet 18 or the inlet plane 26. In another exemplary embodiment, the bottom cavity wall 24 extends from the rear cavity wall 16 to a lip 27 (discussed below). Inlet 18 (as in...) Figure 3 (shown in its side profile) defines a substantially vertical inlet plane 26, and an outlet 20 defines an outlet plane 28. A first side cavity wall 29 and an opposing second side cavity wall 30 connect between the top cavity wall 22 and the bottom cavity wall 24, and extend between the front cavity wall 14 and the rear cavity wall 16.
[0020] In one exemplary embodiment, cavity 21 is defined by inlet 18 and outlet 20, and is further defined by front cavity wall 14, rear cavity wall 16, top cavity wall 22, bottom cavity wall 24, and first side cavity wall 29 and second side cavity wall 30. In another exemplary embodiment, in Figure 3 In the side profile of the bucket 1 shown, cavity 21 is defined by a top plane 23, a bottom plane 25, an inlet plane 26, and an outlet plane 28. In this embodiment, the side profile shape of cavity 21 can be a quadrilateral without parallel sides, because the inlet plane 26 is not parallel to the outlet plane 28, and the top plane 23 is not parallel to the bottom plane 24. Additionally, in this embodiment, the bottom plane 25 is perpendicular to the outlet plane 28.
[0021] The inlet 18 can have a width greater than its height, thus forming a substantially rectangular shape with rounded corners. Similarly, the outlet can have a width greater than its height, thus forming a substantially rectangular shape with rounded corners. The inlet 18 can have a width-to-height ratio of 1.8-2.2, and the outlet can have a width-to-height ratio of 2.1-2.6. A width-to-length ratio between 1.3 and 1.7 can exist between the top plane 23 and the inlet plane 26. The difference in width-to-height ratio between the inlets and outlets 18, 20, together with the bottom plane angled at 5-10 degrees (discussed below), gives the cavity 21 formed between the inlet 18 and the outlet 20 a funnel shape.
[0022] like Figure 3As shown, the bucket 1 is depicted in an exemplary digging configuration. A digging configuration refers to the configuration where the boom handle 4 is configured to apply force to the bucket 1, thereby pushing the bucket 1 into the surface 8. In this configuration, the top plane 23 is substantially parallel to the ground surface 12. The bottom plane 25 is angled relative to the top plane 23. In an exemplary embodiment, the bottom plane is angled at 5-10 degrees relative to the top plane and angled downwards in the direction toward the inlet plane 26 or inlet 14.
[0023] Furthermore, the inlet plane 26 defined by the front cavity wall 14 may be substantially vertical and perpendicular to the top cavity wall 22 or the top plane 23. The outlet plane 28 defined by the rear cavity wall 16 extends from the top cavity wall 22 to the bottom cavity wall 24 and may be angled relative to the inlet plane 26 or the front cavity wall 14, which extends from the top cavity wall 22, in a direction away from the inlet plane 26. The outlet plane 28 is perpendicular to the bottom plane 25.
[0024] like Figures 2 to 3 As shown, the bucket may further include a lip 27, which is connected to the bottom surfaces 32, 33 of each of the first sidewall 29 and the second sidewall 30, and the front surface 35 of the bottom wall 24. The lip 37 may extend outward in a direction away from the outlet 20 and has an inner surface 36 defining a lip plane 37. The lip plane 37 is arranged substantially parallel to the top plane 23. Figure 3 In the excavation configuration shown, the lip plane 37 may be substantially parallel to the ground surface 12. The lip may include a plurality of adapters 39, each of which is configured to retain the piercing excavation teeth 40. In one exemplary embodiment, the number of adapters including the plurality of adapters is between 7 and 10, but any number of adapters suitable for excavation operations may be used. The lip 27 may also include two lip protectors 41 on opposite ends of the lip 37, which are attached to the lip 27 and may engage with the anterior cavity wall 14 and extend away from the inlet 18.
[0025] Figure 3 As best shown, a plurality of adapters 39 define an adapter plane 42. In one exemplary embodiment, the adapter plane 42 is oriented upward, at an angle of 5-15 degrees relative to the lip plane 37, and away from the inlet 18. In another exemplary embodiment, the plurality of adapters 39 may be mounted in reverse to define an adapter plane (not shown) oriented downward, at an angle of 5-15 degrees relative to the lip plane 37, and away from the inlet 18.
[0026] like Figure 1-2As shown, the bucket 1 may also include a reinforcing section 44. This reinforcing section 44 may be relatively thick, for example, 1 to 18 inches, and is an extension of or attached to the top cavity wall 22, thereby allowing for greater structural support of the bucket 1. On the top of the bucket 1, a first set of mounting brackets 46 and a second set of mounting brackets 47 may be connected to the top surface 45 of the reinforcing section 44 or the top cavity wall 22. The first set of mounting brackets 46 is for connection to the boom handle 4, and the second set of mounting brackets 47 is for connection to the boom rod 48. The boom rod 48 is configured to pivot the bucket 1 relative to the boom handle 4, and the boom handle 4 is configured to pivot relative to the boom 6. The boom handle 4 and the boom 6 are configured to lift the bucket 1 from... Figure 3 The digging configuration shown is moved to the unloading configuration (not shown), in which the bucket rotates so that the top plane 23 is substantially perpendicular to the ground 12. In this configuration, the rear door 50 of the bucket 1 will open, and any mining material located in the cavity 21 can flow out of the outlet 20.
[0027] like Figure 5 As shown, the rear door 50 can be pivotally mounted to the bucket 1 via a door bracket 51, which is attached to the top surface 45 or reinforcing section 44 of the top cavity wall 22. The rear door 50 is configured to move from a closed position to an open position to open the outlet 20, and from an open position to a closed position to close the outlet 20. When in the closed position, the rear door 50 also defines a rear door plane 52. When in the closed position, the rear door plane is angled relative to the inlet plane 26.
[0028] The rear door may also include a latching mechanism 53 (such as...) Figure 5 As shown in the diagram, the latching mechanism is configured to lock the rear door when in the closed position. The latching mechanism 53 can be unlocked by a pull cord 54, or a hydraulic cable (not shown), or an electrically operated latching mechanism with wires (not shown) to allow the rear door 50 to move to the open position. The latching mechanism 53 can extend through a hole (not shown) through the rear door 50 and can be at least partially accommodated within the cavity 21. To protect the latching mechanism 53, the latching mechanism 53 may also include a protective cover 55, such as... Figure 4 As best shown in the diagram. The protective cover 55 may have a bottom surface 56 that defines a latching mechanism plane 57, and the latching mechanism plane 57 may be substantially parallel to the bottom plane 25.
[0029] Industrial applicability
[0030] In general, the teachings of this disclosure can be applied to many industries, including but not limited to electric rope shovels. More specifically, the teachings of this disclosure can be applied to any industry that uses a bucket or shovel in digging operations, such as, but not limited to, mining, excavation, agriculture, construction, etc.
[0031] Now go to Figure 6 Continue to refer to Figure 1-5 A flowchart illustrating an exemplary process 100 for manufacturing a bucket 1 is disclosed. At block 100, a front cavity wall 14 defining an inlet 18 and an inlet 18 defining a substantially vertical inlet plane 26 are provided. At block 104, a rear cavity wall 16 is positioned opposite the front cavity wall 14, the rear cavity wall 16 may define an outlet 20, and the outlet 20 may define an outlet plane 28. In block 106, a top cavity wall 22 then extends between the front cavity wall 14 and the rear cavity wall 16. The top cavity wall may define a substantially horizontal top plane. In block 108, a bottom cavity wall 24 opposite the top cavity wall 22 then extends from the rear cavity wall 16 toward the inlet 18 and also defines a bottom plane 25. The method may then include connecting two side cavity walls 29, 30 between the top cavity wall 22 and the bottom cavity wall 24 at block 110, the two cavity walls 29, 30 also extending between the front cavity wall 14 and the rear cavity wall 16.
[0032] In the bucket 1 obtained by process 100, the outlet plane 28 may be angled relative to the inlet plane 26 of the bucket, and the bottom plane 25 may be angled relative to the top plane 23. Furthermore, the outlet plane 28 may be perpendicular to the bottom plane 25 of the bucket, thereby creating a quadrilateral side profile without parallel sides, which allows for better digging without dragging the bottom of the bucket 1 when the top plane 23 is positioned parallel to the ground 12.
[0033] The inlet 18 of the bucket 1 can also have a width wider than its height, allowing for more efficient pass loading during digging operations. Similarly, the outlet 20 can have a width wider than its height, a greater width-to-height ratio, and a tapered bottom angled downwards and extending from the outlet 20 toward the inlet 18, creating a funnel-shaped cavity 21 that allows for more efficient pass loading. More efficient pass loading can include 3-5 pass loadings for a 400-ton truck.
[0034] As shown in box 112, the process of manufacturing bucket 1 may further include attaching lip 27 to the bottom surfaces 32, 33 of the sidewalls 29, 30 and the front surface 35 of the bottom wall 24. Lip 27 may define a lip plane 37 that is arranged substantially parallel to the top plane 23 of bucket 1 during digging operations. To improve the efficiency of bucket 1 and allow for more efficient round loading, lip 27 may also include a plurality of adapters 39 angled upward relative to lip plane 37. These angled adapters allow for more efficient digging action because each adapter includes a piercing digging tooth 40 that cuts into the ore material as bucket 1 rotates upward and passes through the ore material during digging action, as it points in the direction of travel of bucket 1 during this maneuvering action.
[0035] Although the foregoing text has described in detail many different embodiments, it should be understood that the legitimate scope of protection is defined by the wording of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The detailed descriptions are to be interpreted as exemplary only, and not every possible embodiment is described, as describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Many alternative embodiments can be implemented using present technology or technology developed after the date of this patent application, which still fall within the scope of the claims defining the scope of protection.
Claims
1. A bucket (1) having an inlet (18) and an outlet (20) defining a cavity (21), the bucket (1) comprising: An anterior cavity wall (14) defines the inlet (18), which defines a substantially vertical inlet plane (26). A rear cavity wall (16) opposite the front cavity wall (14) defines the outlet (20), the outlet (20) defines an outlet plane (28), and the outlet plane (28) is angled relative to the inlet plane (26); A top cavity wall (22) defines a substantially horizontal top plane (23) that extends between the front cavity wall (14) and the rear cavity wall (16); A bottom cavity wall (24) opposite the top cavity wall (22), the entire bottom cavity wall being in the same plane, the bottom cavity wall (24) defining a bottom plane (25) and extending from the rear cavity wall (16) toward the inlet plane (26), the bottom plane (25) being angled relative to the top plane (23), and the outlet plane (28) being perpendicular to the bottom plane (25); and Two side cavity walls (29, 30) are connected between the top cavity wall (22) and the bottom cavity wall (24) and extend between the front cavity wall (14) and the rear cavity wall (16), wherein the bottom plane forms an angle downward toward the inlet plane such that the height of the inlet is greater than the height of the outlet, thereby giving the cavity a funnel shape as the cavity extends from the inlet to the outlet.
2. The bucket (1) according to claim 1, wherein the bottom plane (25) is angled downwards at 5-10 degrees relative to the top plane (23) toward the inlet plane (26).
3. The bucket (1) according to claim 1 further includes a lip (27) connected to the bottom surface (32, 33) of each of the two side walls and the front surface (35) of the bottom wall, and extending outward in a direction away from the outlet (20), the lip having an inner surface (36) defining a lip plane (37) arranged substantially parallel to the substantially horizontal top plane (23).
4. The bucket (1) according to claim 3, wherein the lip (27) further comprises a plurality of adapters (39), each of the plurality of adapters (39) being configured to retain the piercing digging teeth (40), the adapters defining an adapter plane (42), and the adapter plane (42) being angled at 5-15 degrees relative to the lip plane (37).
5. The bucket (1) according to claim 1 further includes a rear door (50) pivotally mounted by a door bracket (51) attached to the top cavity wall (22), the rear door (50) being configured to move from a closed position to an open position to open the outlet (20) and from an open position to a closed position to close the outlet (20), the rear door defining a rear door plane (52) in the closed position, and the rear door plane (52) being angled relative to the substantially vertical inlet plane (26) in the closed position.
6. The bucket (1) according to claim 1, wherein the outlet (20) has a width-to-height ratio of 2.1-2.
6.
7. The bucket (1) according to claim 6, wherein the inlet (18) has a width-to-height ratio of 1.8 to 2.2, such that the cavity (21) formed between the inlet (18) and the outlet (20) is funnel-shaped.
8. A working machine (2), comprising: A base (10) configured to be supported on a ground (12); A rotating frame (9) is connected to the base (10) and is rotatable about an axis; boom (6), which is pivotally connected to the rotating frame (9); Boom handle (4), which is pivotally connected to the boom (6); and The bucket (1) according to claim 3 is connected to the boom handle (4).
9. The working machine (2) according to claim 8, wherein the substantially horizontal top plane (23) and the lip plane (37) are configured to be parallel to the ground (12) during the excavation operation.
10. A method for manufacturing a bucket (1), the method comprising: A front cavity wall (14) provides a defined inlet (18), the inlet (18) defining a substantially vertical inlet plane (26). The rear cavity wall (16) is positioned opposite the front cavity wall (14), the rear cavity wall defining the outlet (20), and the outlet defining the outlet plane (28). The top cavity wall (22) that defines a substantially horizontal top plane (23) extends between the front cavity wall (14) and the rear cavity wall (16); A bottom cavity wall (24) opposite to the top cavity wall (22) extends from the rear cavity wall (16) toward the inlet (18), the entire bottom cavity wall lying in the same plane, and the bottom cavity wall (24) defining a bottom plane (25); and Two side walls (29, 30) are connected between the top cavity wall (22) and the bottom cavity wall (24), and the two side walls also extend between the front cavity wall (14) and the rear cavity wall (16), wherein the outlet plane (28) is angled relative to the inlet plane (26), the bottom plane (25) is angled relative to the top plane (23), and the outlet plane (28) is perpendicular to the bottom plane (25), wherein the bottom plane forms an angle downward toward the inlet plane such that the height of the inlet is greater than the height of the outlet, thereby giving the cavity a funnel shape as the cavity extends from the inlet to the outlet; as well as A lip (27) is connected to the bottom surface (32, 33) of each of the two side cavity walls and the front surface (35) of the bottom cavity wall. The lip extends outward from the inlet (18) in a direction away from the outlet (20), and the lip (27) has an inner surface (36) defining a lip plane (37) arranged substantially parallel to the substantially horizontal top plane (23).