System for driving a seed meter via a flexible shaft

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016309645-A1
Application number	US-201615197141-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 29, 2016
Priority date	Oct 14, 2011
Publication date	Oct 27, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A seed meter drive system includes a clutch having a toolless fastener configured to selectively couple the clutch to a downstream component. The clutch is configured to receive a rotational input via a flexible drive shaft, and to drive the downstream component in rotation while the clutch is engaged.

First claim

1 . A seed meter drive system, comprising:
a flexible drive shaft; a clutch that in operation receives a first rotational input from the flexible drive shaft, wherein the clutch comprises a toolless fastener that in operation selectively couples a housing of the clutch to a housing of a downstream component; and a gearbox that in operation receives a second rotational input from the clutch and drives a seed meter in rotation while the housing of the clutch is coupled to the housing of the downstream component and the clutch is engaged.

2 . The seed meter drive system of claim 1 , wherein the downstream component comprises the gearbox.

3 . The seed meter drive system of claim 1 , wherein the downstream component comprises a torque limiter or a manual disconnect disposed between the clutch and the gearbox.

4 . The seed meter drive system of claim 1 , wherein the clutch is integral with the flexible drive shaft.

5 . The seed meter drive system of claim 1 , wherein the clutch is coupled to the flexible drive shaft by a tool-actuated fastener.

6 . The seed meter drive system of claim 1 , comprising an anti-rotation device disposed between a housing of the gearbox and a housing of the seed meter, wherein the anti-rotation device blocks rotation of the housing of the seed meter relative to the housing of the gearbox while the housing of the seed meter is coupled to the housing of the gearbox.

7 . The seed meter drive system of claim 1 , comprising an electrical conductor that in operation engages the clutch upstream of the toolless fastener, wherein the electrical conductor in operation conveys a signal to the clutch that instructs the clutch to engage or disengage.

8 . The seed meter drive system of claim 7 , wherein the electrical conductor is integrated with the flexible drive shaft.

9 . A seed meter drive system, comprising:
a clutch that in operation receives a first rotational input via a flexible drive shaft, wherein the clutch comprises a toolless fastener that in operation selectively couples a housing of the clutch to a housing of a downstream component; and a gearbox that in operation receives a second rotational input from the clutch and drives a seed meter in rotation while the housing of the clutch is coupled to the housing of the downstream component and the clutch is engaged.

10 . The seed meter drive system of claim 9 , wherein the downstream component comprises the gearbox.

11 . The seed meter drive system of claim 9 , wherein the downstream component comprises a torque limiter or a manual disconnect disposed between the clutch and the gearbox.

12 . The seed meter drive system of claim 9 , comprising an anti-rotation device disposed between a housing of the gearbox and a housing of the seed meter, wherein the anti-rotation device blocks rotation of the housing of the seed meter relative to the housing of the gearbox while the housing of the seed meter is coupled to the housing of the gearbox.

13 . The seed meter drive system of claim 9 , comprising an electrical conductor that in operation engages the clutch upstream of the toolless fastener, wherein the electrical conductor in operation conveys a signal to the clutch that instructs the clutch to engage or disengage.

14 . The seed meter drive system of claim 9 , comprising a tool-actuated fastener that in operation couples the clutch to the flexible drive shaft.

15 . The seed meter drive system of claim 9 , wherein the clutch comprises an actuator that in operation selectively engages and disengages the clutch based on an input signal from an electrical conductor.

16 . A seed meter drive system, comprising:
a clutch that in operation receives a first rotational input via a flexible drive shaft, wherein the clutch comprises a toolless fastener that in operation selectively couples a housing of the clutch to a housing of a downstream component; and a gearbox that in operation receives a second rotational input from the clutch and drives a seed meter in rotation while the housing of the clutch is coupled to the housing of the downstream component and the clutch is engaged; and an electrical conductor that in operation engages the clutch upstream of the toolless fastener, wherein the electrical conductor in operation conveys a signal to the clutch that instructs the clutch to engage or disengage; whereby the clutch and the electrical conductor are removable from the downstream component by only uncoupling the toolless fastener.

17 . The seed meter drive system of claim 16 , wherein the downstream component comprises the gearbox.

18 . The seed meter drive system of claim 16 , wherein the downstream component comprises a torque limiter or a manual disconnect disposed between the clutch and the gearbox.

19 . The seed meter drive system of claim 16 , comprising an anti-rotation device disposed between a housing of the gearbox and a housing of the seed meter, wherein the anti-rotation device blocks rotation of the housing of the seed meter relative to the housing of the gearbox while the housing of the seed meter is coupled to the housing of the gearbox.

20 . The seed meter drive system of claim 16 , comprising a tool-actuated fastener that in operation couples the clutch to the flexible drive shaft.

Assignees

• Cnh Ind America Llc

Inventors

• Weller Monte
• Flamme David
• Long Scott
• Prickel Marvin

Classifications

• F16D28/00

  Electrically-actuated clutches (arrangements for synchronisation F16D23/02; clutches actuated directly by means of an electromagnet F16D27/00; automatic clutches F16D43/00 - F16D45/00; external control F16D48/00) · CPC title

• A01C19/00 Primary

  Arrangements for driving working parts of fertilisers or seeders {(A01C17/005 takes precedence)} · CPC title