Excavator Bucket Back Plate Geometry for Lower Penetration Force

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing buckets for construction machines face a trade-off between reaction force and loading capacity, with increased loading capacity often leading to higher reaction forces when penetrating the ground.

Innovation Solution

The bucket design features a back plate with specific angles and curvatures, coupled with side cutters, spill prevention plates, and reinforced support structures to minimize reaction force while enhancing loading capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the loading capacity of the bucket is increased, then the working capacity per hour is improved, but the reaction force generated when the bucket penetrates the ground increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking capacity per hourVSAvoidreaction force
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The back plate is designed with a curved portion having a specific radius of curvature (R1 between 300-500mm) that creates a rounded transition between the first and second planar portions. This curvature allows the bucket to penetrate the ground more smoothly by distributing the reaction force over a larger area and reducing stress concentration, thereby enabling increased loading capacity without proportionally increasing the reaction force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention optimizes specific geometric parameters including the radius of curvature (R1) of the curved portion, the angles (θ1 and θ2) of the planar portions, and the dimensions of the first and second planar portions. By carefully controlling these parameters within specific ranges, the bucket achieves an optimal balance between loading capacity and reaction force, allowing the cutting edge to penetrate ground effectively while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the bucket penetrates the ground with high force, then the excavation performance is improved, but the reaction force increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexcavation performanceVSAvoidreaction force
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The curved portion with radius R1 creates a gradual transition that allows the bucket to penetrate ground more efficiently. The curvature enables the cutting edge to roll into the ground rather than striking it abruptly, improving excavation performance while distributing the reaction force to minimize peak values.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The back plate is designed with different geometric characteristics in different regions: the curved portion for smooth penetration, the first planar portion with angle θ1 for cutting efficiency, and the second planar portion with angle θ2 for structural support. This localized optimization of geometric properties allows the bucket to achieve high excavation performance while managing reaction forces through strategically designed structural features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3739128B1bucket
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 HD HYUNDAI INFRACORE CO LTD
  • EP3739128B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3739128B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a bucket installed at a construction machine, the bucket including a back plate including a first planar portion relatively adjacent to an excavation target, a second planar portion disposed such that an intersection angle with respect to the first planar portion becomes a first set angle, a curved portion connecting one end portion of the first planar portion and one end portion of the second planar portion, and a third planar portion bent from another end portion of the second planar portion to extend therefrom and disposed such that an intersection angle with respect to the first planar portion becomes a second set angle that is less than the first set angle; and side plates respectively formed on opposite sides of the back plate so as to define a loading space, together with the back plate.