Lightweight and high-strength optimization design for a fully parametric working attachment of a hydraulic excavator based on limiting theoretical digging capability model:

This paper presents a methodology for the optimization design of a fully parametric working attachment of a hydraulic excavator with the weight reduction and maximum stress minimization as the design objectives. A novel 3D force output model named limiting theoretical digging capability model is proposed to completely and accurately calculate the maximum force and moment an excavator can apply in the preferred bucket force space. On the basis of this model, the joint forces acting on the working attachment are calculated. Further, the critical digging condition and design loads used for the structure optimization can be determined by using the stress-based evaluation method. A fully parametric geometry model of the working attachment is constructed to achieve automatic design optimization and reduce the remodeling time. The plate thickness parameters and some critical structure parameters are selected as the design variables for the optimization design problem, which aims at minimizing the maximum stress ...