BALL SCREW ASSEMBLY FOR SPRING DOWNFORCE ACTUATOR ADJUSTMENT
A spring downforce actuator adjustment assembly includes a spring exerting a downforce on an object. Also included is a ball screw extending within an interior location defined by the spring. Further included is a ball nut threaded to the ball screw and in abutment with an end of the spring. Yet further included is a coupling connectable with an input device to rotate the ball screw, rotation of the ball screw translating the ball nut therealong and adjusting an effective length of the spring.
1 . A spring downforce actuator adjustment assembly comprising:
a spring exerting a downforce on an object;
a ball screw extending within an interior location defined by the spring;
a ball nut threaded to the ball screw and in abutment with an end of the spring; and
a coupling connectable with an input device to rotate the ball screw, rotation of the ball screw translating the ball nut therealong and adjusting an effective length of the spring.
2 . The spring downforce actuator adjustment assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a gearbox intermediately disposed between the coupling and the ball screw to reduce a required input torque for adjustment.
3 . The spring downforce actuator adjustment assembly of claim 1 , wherein the input device comprises one of a drill and an electric motor.
4 . The spring downforce actuator adjustment assembly of claim 1 , wherein the spring downforce actuator adjustment assembly is part of an agricultural implementation.
5 . The spring downforce actuator adjustment assembly of claim 4 , wherein the agricultural implementation is a seed planter.
6 . The spring downforce actuator adjustment assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a sealing assembly surrounding the ball screw.
7 . The spring downforce actuator adjustment assembly of claim 6 , wherein the sealing assembly comprises a casing.
8 . The spring downforce actuator adjustment assembly of claim 7 , wherein the casing is clear to allow visual inspection.
9 . The spring downforce actuator adjustment assembly of claim 6 , wherein the sealing assembly comprises a vent to allow air flow along the ball screw.
10 . A spring downforce actuator adjustment assembly for an agricultural implementation comprising:
a spring exerting a downforce on an object;
a ball screw extending within an interior location defined by the spring;
a ball nut threaded to the ball screw and in abutment with an end of the spring;
a coupling connectable with an input device to rotate the ball screw, rotation of the ball screw translating the ball nut therealong and adjusting an effective length of the spring;
a sealing assembly comprising:
a first portion that is rigid, the first portion surrounding a first portion of the ball screw; and
a second portion that is flexible, the second portion surrounding a second portion of the ball screw.
11 . The spring downforce actuator adjustment assembly of claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the sealing assembly are clear to allow visual inspection.
12 . The spring downforce actuator adjustment assembly of claim 10 , wherein the second portion of the sealing assembly includes a vent to allow air flow along the ball screw.
13 . The spring downforce actuator adjustment assembly of claim 10 , further comprising a gearbox intermediately disposed between the coupling and the ball screw to reduce a required input torque for adjustment.
14 . The spring downforce actuator adjustment assembly of claim 10 , wherein the input device comprises one of a drill and an electric motor.
15 . The spring downforce actuator adjustment assembly of claim 10 , wherein the spring downforce actuator adjustment assembly is part of an agricultural implementation.
16 . The spring downforce actuator adjustment assembly of claim 15 , wherein the agricultural implementation is a seed planter.
17 . A method of manually adjusting a downforce actuator of an agricultural implementation comprising:
coupling an output device of a manual adjustment mechanism to a coupling structure that is operatively coupled to a ball screw;
rotating the coupling to rotate the ball screw, rotation of the ball screw translating a ball nut threaded to the ball screw; and
adjusting the effective length of a spring biased by the ball nut at an end of the spring.
18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising reducing the input torque required with the manual adjustment mechanism with a gearbox disposed intermediately between the coupling structure and the ball screw.
19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the manual adjustment mechanism comprises one of a drill, purposed motor and a non-electric hand tool.