Seed disc with integrated drive

US9474201B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Kinze Manufacturing, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Matthew J. Wilhelmi · Parnell, US
• Merlan J. Rolffs · Pella, US
• Dustan Hahn · Williamsburg, US
• John P. Mulherin · Williamsburg, US
• Courtney N. Achen · Iowa City, US
• Michael J. Myers · Williamsburg, US
• Ryan Legge · Cedar Rapids, US
• Rhett Schildroth · North Liberty, US
• Marvin Bachman · Marengo, US
• Todd E. Kniffen · Williamsburg, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 9, 2015
• Grant date: Oct 25, 2016
• Expiry date: Jan 9, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A01C7/046
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An agricultural planter includes a plurality of row units attached to a toolbar. The row units include seed meters for receiving, singulating, and dispensing seed or other particulate. The seed meters include a circular seed disc with a seed path for receiving the seed in the seed meter housing. Integrated with the seed disc is a motor that is housed within the seed meter housing and that includes a rotatable portion being attached to the circular disc such that the two rotate in tandem. The integrated motor can be positioned within an interior portion of the circular seed disc such that the width of the disc and motor combination is kept to a minimum.