Automated depth control adjustment system for seed planter

• US 9,943,029 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2016
• Issued: 04/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation (Nexteer Automotive Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation (Nexteer Automotive Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Burk, Matt R., Alpers, Nicholas R., Westphal, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): TORRES, ALICIA M
• Application Number:
  US15/142,641
• Publication Number:
  US 20160316614A1
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 63/008 Vertical adjustment of tools A01B63/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/203 comprising depth regulation means

Abstract

An automated depth control adjustment assembly for a seed planter includes an adjustable mechanism. Also included is a beam arrangement operatively coupled to the adjustable mechanism and adjustable upon manipulation of the adjustable mechanism. Further included is an electric motor operatively coupled to the adjustable mechanism to drive the adjustable mechanism, manipulation of the adjustable mechanism adjusting the beam arrangement to control seed planting depth.

Claims

1. An automated depth control adjustment assembly for a seed planter comprising:

an adjustable mechanism;

a beam arrangement operatively coupled to the adjustable mechanism and adjustable upon manipulation of the adjustable mechanism;

an electric motor operatively coupled to the adjustable mechanism to drive the adjustable mechanism, manipulation of the adjustable mechanism adjusting the beam arrangement to control seed planting depth; and

a gear arrangement operatively coupling the electric motor to the adjustable mechanism, wherein the adjustable mechanism is an adjustment screw and the gear arrangement comprises a worm operatively coupled to an output shaft of the electric motor and a worm wheel, the worm wheel operatively coupled to the adjustment screw.

2. The automated depth control adjustment assembly of claim 1, wherein the gear arrangement comprises a right angle worm gear drive.

3. The automated depth control adjustment assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cover surrounding at least a portion of the electric motor.

4. The automated depth control adjustment assembly of claim 1, wherein the electric motor is a 3-phase, 12 Volt DC motor.

5. An automated depth control adjustment assembly for a seed planter comprising:

an adjustable mechanism;

a beam arrangement operatively coupled to the adjustable mechanism and adjustable upon manipulation of the adjustable mechanism;

an electric motor operatively coupled to the adjustable mechanism to drive the adjustable mechanism, manipulation of the adjustable mechanism adjusting the beam arrangement to control seed planting depth;

a gear arrangement operatively coupling the electric motor to the adjustable mechanism; and

a housing at least partially surrounding the gear arrangement, operatively coupling the electric motor to the adjustable mechanism, wherein the housing surrounds at least a portion of the adjustable mechanism.

6. The automated depth control adjustment assembly of claim 5, wherein the gear arrangement comprises a right angle worm gear drive.

7. The automated depth control adjustment assembly of claim 5, further comprising a cover surrounding at least a portion of the electric motor.

8. The automated depth control adjustment assembly of claim 5, wherein the electric motor is a 3-phase, 12 Volt DC motor.

9. An automated depth control adjustment system for a seed planter comprising:

a controller unit;

an electric motor in operative communication with the controller unit to receive a signal therefrom;

an adjustment screw operatively coupled to the electric motor;

a beam arrangement operatively coupled to the adjustment screw and adjustable upon rotation of the adjustment screw, rotation of the adjustment screw adjusting the beam arrangement to control seed planting depth; and

a gear arrangement operatively coupling the electric motor to the adjustment screw, wherein the gear arrangement comprises a worm operatively coupled to an output shaft of the electric motor and a worm wheel, the worm wheel operatively coupled to the adjustment screw.

10. The automated depth control adjustment system of claim 9, wherein the controller unit is fixed at an onboard location of a tractor configured to tow the seed planter.

11. The automated depth control adjustment system of claim 9, wherein the controller unit is a portable device.

12. The automated depth control adjustment system of claim 9, further comprising a cover surrounding at least a portion of the electric motor.

13. The automated depth control adjustment system of claim 9, wherein the electric motor is a 3-phase, 12 Volt DC motor.

14. An automated depth control adjustment system for a seed planter comprising:

a controller unit;

an electric motor in operative communication with the controller unit to receive a signal therefrom;

an adjustment screw operatively coupled to the electric motor;

a beam arrangement operatively coupled to the adjustment screw and adjustable upon rotation of the adjustment screw, rotation of the adjustment screw adjusting the beam arrangement to control seed planting depth; and

a gear arrangement operatively coupling the electric motor to the adjustment screw, wherein the gear arrangement comprises a right angle worm gear drive.

15. The automated depth control adjustment system of claim 14, wherein the controller unit is fixed at an onboard location of a tractor configured to tow the seed planter.

16. The automated depth control adjustment system of claim 14, wherein the controller unit is a portable device.

17. The automated depth control adjustment system of claim 14, further comprising a cover surrounding at least a portion of the electric motor.

18. The automated depth control adjustment system of claim 14, wherein the electric motor is a 3-phase, 12 Volt DC motor.

19. An automated depth control adjustment system for a seed planter comprising:

a controller unit;

an electric motor in operative communication with the controller unit to receive a signal therefrom;

an adjustment screw operatively coupled to the electric motor; and

a beam arrangement operatively coupled to the adjustment screw and adjustable upon rotation of the adjustment screw, rotation of the adjustment screw adjusting the beam arrangement to control seed planting depth; and

a housing at least partially surrounding the gear arrangement, wherein the housing surrounds at least a portion of the adjustment screw.

20. The automated depth control adjustment system of claim 19, wherein the controller unit is fixed at an onboard location of a tractor configured to tow the seed planter.

21. The automated depth control adjustment system of claim 19, wherein the controller unit is a portable device.

22. The automated depth control adjustment system of claim 19, further comprising a cover surrounding at least a portion of the electric motor.

23. The automated depth control adjustment system of claim 19, wherein the electric motor is a 3-phase, 12 Volt DC motor.