Earthmoving Bucket Corner With Low-Stress GET Engagement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing earth moving equipment bucket corners and ground engaging tools (GETs) face premature failure due to high stresses and deformation, leading to increased maintenance and reduced efficiency, and traditional welding methods weaken the bucket structure.

Innovation Solution

The bucket corner design features parallel contact surfaces and a boss configuration that minimizes reaction forces, ensuring a secure fit and reduced stress on the GET connectors, with optional chamfers and transition zones for smooth integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional welding methods are used to attach GETs to bucket corners, then strong connection is achieved, but the bucket structure is weakened and productivity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the bucket corner protection system into separate components: a bucket corner component and a GET component, which can be independently manufactured and replaced. This segmentation eliminates the need for welding operations while maintaining structural integrity through mechanical engagement features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediary mechanical connection system between the bucket corner and GET, using features such as recesses, protrusions, and engagement surfaces that transmit forces without requiring direct welding. This intermediary mechanism preserves the strength connection while avoiding the detrimental effects of welding on the bucket structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If mechanical fasteners are used to connect GETs to bucket corners, then welding is reduced, but high stresses cause deformation and premature failure

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by designing specific engagement surfaces and geometric features (recesses, protrusions, angled surfaces) at critical stress points. These localized features are engineered to distribute and manage high stresses, preventing deformation while maintaining reliable mechanical connection without welding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If complex shapes are used for bucket corners and GETs, then functional requirements are met, but manufacturing precision is difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional adaptabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention utilizes parameter changes by specifying precise angular relationships (such as the 45-degree angle between the side upright portion and floor portion) and dimensional tolerances for engagement surfaces. These controlled parameter specifications enable complex functional shapes to be manufactured with consistent precision across different production batches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4198211B1An earth moving equipment bucket corner
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 SANDVIK MINING & CONSTRUCTION AUSTRALIA (PRODUCTION SUPPLY) PTY LTD
  • EP4198211B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4198211B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4198211B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An earth moving equipment bucket corner (100) comprising a side upright portion (140), attachable to a bucket sidewall (640); a floor portion (150), defining a horizontal plane (170), attachable to a bucket floor lip (650), the floor portion (150) having an upper GET contacting surface (180) and a lower GET contacting surface (190), and a boss (200), having a central horizontal longitudinal axis (210), on the upper GET contacting surface (180) configured to engage a GET (110) wherein the upper GET contacting surface (180) is parallel with the lower GET contacting surface (190). The invention also relates to an earth moving bucket lip protection system (130) comprising the bucket corner (100) as and a GET (110) and to a bucket comprising the earth moving bucket lip protection system (130).