Dragline Bucket End Wall Configuration for Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dragline buckets have a reduced volume due to their curved end wall design, which limits the amount of material they can carry, thereby reducing productivity in mining and earthmoving operations.
Innovation Solution
The dragline bucket features a base member with a unique end wall configuration, including a first portion connected to the base member at a specific angle, a second portion perpendicular to the base member, and a third portion between the first and second portions, which collectively form a tight wall profile, increasing the bucket's volume and capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the end wall of the dragline bucket is designed with a curved profile, then the structural integrity and ease of manufacture are improved, but the volume of the bucket is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The end wall is segmented into multiple portions (first portion at an angle, second portion perpendicular to base, third portion between them) rather than using a single curved surface. This segmentation allows each portion to be manufactured separately with simpler geometry while achieving the desired volume increase when assembled together.
Solution Approach 2:
The end wall design transitions from a two-dimensional curved surface to a three-dimensional multi-faceted structure with portions extending at different angles and orientations. This dimensional complexity enables increased bucket volume while maintaining manufacturability of individual flat or simple-curved surfaces.
2Productivity
If the end wall is designed with a curved profile, then the structural integrity is improved, but the productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the end wall into multiple functional portions with different orientations, the design maximizes the material receiving space within the bucket while maintaining structural strength. The segmented approach creates optimal angles for material retention without requiring excessive curvature that would reduce capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The design changes the geometric parameters of the end wall from a simple curved profile to a multi-faceted structure with specific angles (first portion at an angle to base, second portion perpendicular to base). These parameter changes optimize both material capacity and structural integrity simultaneously.
3Device complexity
If the end wall uses a simple curved design, then the device complexity is reduced, but the struck capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The end wall is divided into three distinct portions that can be manufactured and assembled separately, reducing the complexity of manufacturing each individual component while achieving the cumulative volume effect needed for high struck capacity. Each portion is simpler than a complete curved surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-port ion end wall design utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement with portions at different angles and orientations, creating increased volume efficiency without requiring excessively complex curved geometries. This dimensional approach optimizes struck capacity within manufacturing constraints.
Data Source
AI summary
A dragline bucket includes a base member defining a first end, a second end, and a third end. The dragline bucket also includes a first side wall, a second side wall, and an end wall extending from the base member proximate to the third end of the base member such that the end wall is connected to each of the first side wall and the second side wall. The end wall includes a first portion connected to the base member such that a first angle is defined between the base member and the first portion. The end wall also includes a second portion extending from the first portion. The second portion is substantially perpendicular to the base member. The end wall further includes a third portion extending from the second portion such that a second angle is defined between the second portion and the first portion.