Excavator Bucket Cross-Sectional Shape for Capacity and Boom Clearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Typical buckets in working vehicles face issues during shoveling and excavation due to objects getting stuck in the middle, limiting capacity and causing interference with adjacent structures, which hampers smooth operation and workload efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The bucket design features a larger radius at the innermost section with an inclined portion near the opening, allowing objects to slide in and increasing capacity without upward dimension changes, and includes a bulging upper portion to compensate for reduced lower capacity, ensuring stable operation and preventing interference with adjacent structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of stationary object

If the bucket radius is increased to increase deep-side bucket capacity, then the bucket capacity is improved, but the bucket interferes with the boom in traveling position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebucket capacityVSAvoidinterference with boom
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bucket cross-sectional shape is changed from a typical design to one featuring a prominent curve at the innermost portion. This dimensional redesign allows the bucket to achieve increased capacity through strategic shaping rather than uniform expansion, preventing interference with the boom while maintaining or enhancing volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The curve is positioned specifically at the innermost portion of the bucket with a predetermined radius, creating a localized feature that optimizes capacity without affecting other areas. This local quality enhancement allows the bucket to accommodate more material near the rear without increasing overall dimensions that would cause interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the bucket position is shifted forward to prevent interference with the boom, then the interference is reduced, but the bucket depth is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference with boomVSAvoidbucket depth
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of shifting the bucket forward which would reduce depth, the invention modifies the cross-sectional shape by adding a prominent curve at the innermost portion. This dimensional change allows the bucket to maintain its position while achieving increased capacity through optimized shaping of the material-containing space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Volume of stationary object

If objects are pushed deep into the bucket, then the bucket capacity is utilized, but objects block the entry for following objects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebucket capacity utilizationVSAvoidsmooth shoveling work
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A prominent curve with a predetermined radius is formed at the innermost portion of the bucket. This curved surface facilitates smooth movement of objects into the bucket by preventing sharp edges or angles that would cause blocking. The curvature allows objects to roll or slide smoothly into position without interlocking or jamming.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The radius of the curve at the innermost portion is specifically predetermined to optimize both capacity and flow characteristics. By carefully selecting this geometric parameter, the bucket achieves a balance between maximizing volume and ensuring that objects can continuously enter without being blocked by previously placed material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2990539B1Wheel loader with bucket
Publication Date: 2018.12.26 KOMATSU LTD
  • EP2990539B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2990539B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2990539B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A bucket (32) with a linear lower front edge (43F) includes: a first straight portion (43) horizontally extending from the lower front edge (43F) toward an innermost of the bucket; an inclined portion (44) continuous with a rear edge (43B) of the first straight portion (43), the inclined portion (44) further extending toward the innermost of the bucket while being inclined upward; a curve (45) continuous with a rear edge (44B) of the inclined portion (44) at a lower edge (45L) of the curve (45), the curve (45) having a predetermined bucket radius (R); a second straight portion (46) continuous with an upper edge (45U) of the curve (45), the second straight portion (46) being inclined upward toward a bucket opening; and a third straight portion (48) bent at a bent portion (47) toward the bucket opening relative to a front edge (46F) of the second straight portion (46), the third straight portion (48) further extending toward the bucket opening.