Structure Improvement Of Hydraulic Excavator Based On Virtual Prototype

Hydraulic excavator is versatile earth-moving machinery. It's widely used in the energy, water conservancy, mechanized construction of transportation, urban construction and so on. Hydraulic excavator is characterized by three cylinders compound action, working equipment's complex movement, poor working environment and more dangerous working conditions. After a certain time in service, the machine will be more prone to structural damage. Much damage is due to poor design. So the machine requires structure improvement. However, because of excavator's complexity, traditional design method is difficult to find damage-prone zones early. It's also difficult to make a fair evaluation on structural improvement scheme. For these problems, the main research works in the paper are follows:(1) The features of XCG60-8A hydraulic excavator and the experiment are introduced. Detailed analytical process and results are discussed.(2) Use Pro/E 3.0 and ADAMS 2005 to establish the virtual prototype of the hydraulic backhoe excavator XCG60-8A. In the virtual environment, experiment results as input, the simulation results of this excavator's tool force are accomplished. By the comparative analysis between the simulation result and the experimental result, the correctness of the virtual prototype is verified. A new method that can be used to solve the maximum of tool force in any condition is studied. In this way, we have solved the maximum of tool force in any dangerous condition.(3) Use ANSYS 11.0 to establish the virtual prototype of the hydraulic backhoe excavator XCG60-8A. In the virtual environment, experiment results as input, the correctness of the virtual prototype is verified. Use the results of Dynamics as input to calculate the finite element of the excavator. The strength break zones are found and structural improvement suggestions are proposed.(4) Based on the finite element results and structural improvement suggestions, structure improvement schemes are given for arm and revolving frame. The feasibility of schemes is verified.