APPARATUSES, METHODS, AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING DOWN FORCE FOR AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT

• US 20150264857A1
• Filed: 03/23/2015
• Published: 09/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing Incorporated
• Inventors: Achen, Courtney N., Bachman, Marvin, Schildroth, Rhett, Rolffs, Merlan, Myers, Michael J., Mulherin, John P., Kollman, John
• Granted Patent: US 9,814,172 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 49/06 for sowing or fertilising
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 61/044 the connection enabling a yielding pivoting movement around a substantially horizontal and transverse axis
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 63/28 operated by the machine or implement
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 63/32 operated by hydraulic or pneumatic means without automatic control
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/062 Devices for making drills or furrows
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/064 with rotating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/203 comprising depth regulation means
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/205 comprising pressure regulation means

Abstract

An agricultural planter includes systems, methods, and apparatus for providing down force pressure at row units of the planter. The row units may include an electric linear actuator connected to linkages of the row units to provide and maintain a down force pressure for the row unit. The linkage may also be removed and replaced with a strut or like mechanism to apply a direct down force pressure to components of the row unit. One or more sensors can be included to obtain information related to the ground to automatically adjust the amount of down force provided based upon a ground characteristic in order to maintain a substantially uniform furrow depth.

Claims

1. An agricultural implement, comprising:

a toolbar;

a row unit coupled to the toolbar by a linkage, wherein the linkage includes a first arm and a second arm, and wherein each of the first arm and the second arm includes a first end coupled to the toolbar and a second end coupled to the row unit;

an opening device for creating a furrow; and

an electric linear actuator operatively connected to the toolbar and linkage to provide a down force for the row unit to provide a substantially uniform furrow depth.

2. The agricultural implement of claim 1, wherein the electric linear actuator comprises:

a. a screw type actuator;

b. a magnetic solenoid actuator;

c. an electro-fluid actuator;

or

d. an electric damping system.

3. The agricultural implement of claim 1, further comprising a compressed gas operatively connected to the electric linear actuator to dampen the load acted on the actuator as the implement moves through a field.

4. The agricultural implement of claim 1, further comprising one or more sensors positioned at one or more gauge wheels of the row unit, wherein the sensors will provide a measurement that can be utilized by the linear actuator to provide a sufficient amount of down force pressure to the row unit.

5. The agricultural implement of claim 1, further comprising a spring operatively connected to the electric linear actuator for aiding in providing down force for the row unit.

6. The agricultural implement of claim 5, wherein the electric linear actuator is operatively connected between the toolbar and a sliding mechanism, said sliding mechanism capable of moving relative to one of the upper or lower linkage bars.

7. The agricultural implement of claim 6, wherein movement of the electric linear actuator causes the sliding mechanism to move, thereby setting force of the spring acting upon the row unit.

8. The agricultural implement of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor operatively positioned on the row unit to provide monitoring of the ground in front of the row unit.

9. The agricultural implement of claim 8, wherein the at least one sensor communicates to the electric linear actuator the amount of force to provide to the row unit to create a furrow of a depth.

10. The agricultural implement of claim 9, wherein the at least one sensor comprises one or more of:

a. a soil characteristic sensor;

b. a visual sensor;

c. a temperature sensor;

or

d. a distance determining sensor.

11. A down force system for use with a row unit of an agricultural implement, comprising:

an electric linear actuator operatively connected to a linkage of the row unit; and

at least one sensor for sensing at least one soil characteristic and operatively connected to the electric linear actuator;

wherein the at least one sensor monitors a portion of the ground adjacent the row unit to determine the amount of down force needed to create a furrow based upon the at least one soil characteristic.

12. The down force system of claim 11, further comprising an intelligent control connected to the at least one sensor and the electric linear actuator to determine the amount of down force based upon the at least one seed characteristic.

13. The down force system of claim 12, wherein the electric linear actuator is temporarily disabled upon detection of an obstruction.

14. The down force system of claim 11, wherein the at least one soil characteristic comprises:

a. ground hardness;

b. moisture content;

c. an obstruction;

d. soil temperature;

or

e. distance between the at least one sensor and the ground.

15. The down force system of claim 14, wherein the at least one sensor comprises one or more of:

a. a soil characteristic sensor;

b. a visual sensor;

c. a temperature sensor;

or

d. a distance determining sensor.

16. The down force system of claim 11, further comprising a compressed gas operatively connected to the electric linear actuator to dampen the load acted on the actuator.

17. The down force system of claim 11, further comprising at least one spring operatively connected to the electric linear actuator to be set by the actuator to provide down force for the row unit.

18. An agricultural implement, comprising:

a toolbar; and

a row unit comprising a strut connected to the toolbar;

the strut having a housing generally fixed in position and connected to a seed meter for planting seed, and a rod movable relative to the housing, the rod connected to at least a furrow opener of the row unit;

wherein the strut provides a down force for the furrow opener.

19. The agricultural implement of claim 18, further comprising a trash when and gauge wheels connected to the movable rod of the strut.

20. The agricultural implement of claim 18, wherein the strut further comprises a compressible gas opposite the rod, wherein the rod will move in response to an obstruction, but the compressible gas will revert the rod to its previous position.