SEED METERING SYSTEM

• Main Authors: WOLFS BETH A, HUBNER CARY S, GROVES TYLER G, MONTENGUISE JUSTIN L, GARNER ELIJAH B, DHOBALE DNUANESH
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 03.11.2021
• Subjects: AGRICULTURE; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; FERTILISING; FISHING; FORESTRY; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HUNTING; PLANTING; SOWING; TRAPPING

A seed metering system is disclosed. The seed metering system is configured for use in a seed meter (44) of a planting implement (10) to meter a seed, the seed metering system comprising: a seed metering disk (54) comprising a plurality of seed openings (302, 402, 502, 602, 702) extending into a first face (54B) of the seed metering disk (54) and arranged in a circumferential array and a second face (54C) of the seed metering disk (54) comprises a plurality of kick-out pockets (304, 404, 504, 604, 704) extending into the second face (54C) of the seed metering disk (54) and arranged in a circumferential array, wherein the circumferential array of seed openings (302, 402, 502, 602, 702) is spaced radially inward from the circumferential outer edge of the seed metering disk (54) by a distance, wherein the circumferential array of kick-out pockets (304, 404, 504, 604, 704) is spaced radially inward from the circumferential outer edge of the seed metering disk (54) by the distance, and wherein a seed opening (302, 402, 502, 602, 702) of the plurality of seed openings (302, 402, 502, 602, 702) is fluidly connected to a kick-out pocket (304, 404, 504, 604, 704) of the plurality of kick-out pockets (304, 404, 504, 604, 704) by a transition section aperture (312, 412, 512, 612, 712), wherein each seed opening (302, 402, 502, 602, 702) of the plurality of seed openings (302, 402, 502, 602, 702) is configured to retain the seed on the first face (54B) of the seed metering disk (54) using a pressure differential across the seed metering disk (54), and wherein the seed metering disk (54) is configured to move the seed along a seed path defined by the circumferential array of seed openings (302, 402, 502, 602, 702). The kick-out pockets (304, 404, 504, 604, 704) of the plurality of kick-out pockets (304, 404, 504, 604, 704) are of special shape a kick-out wheel assembly (350, 450, 550, 650, 750) comprising a kick-out wheel (354, 454, 554, 654, 754) having a special protrusion portion mating with the shape of the pockets (304, 404, 504, 604, 704).