US 12,290,020 B2
System for automatically setting the set point of a planter automatic down pressure control system with a seed furrow sidewall compaction measurement device
Joseph D. Bassett, Sycamore, IL (US)
Assigned to DEERE & COMPANY, Moline, IL (US)
Filed by Dawn Equipment Company, Sycamore, IL (US)
Filed on Jan. 13, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/740,691.
Application 16/740,691 is a continuation of application No. 15/586,743, filed on May 4, 2017, granted, now 10,548,260.
Prior Publication US 2020/0146208 A1, May 14, 2020
Int. Cl. A01C 7/20 (2006.01); A01B 79/00 (2006.01); A01C 5/06 (2006.01); A01C 7/06 (2006.01)
CPC A01C 7/205 (2013.01) [A01B 79/005 (2013.01); A01C 5/068 (2013.01); A01C 5/064 (2013.01); A01C 7/06 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An agricultural row unit for planting seeds in a furrow, comprising:
a row unit frame having (a) a gauge wheel configured to engage the soil to control the elevation of the row unit frame and (b) an opening tool configured to cut a furrow in the soil to be planted;
a gauge wheel down force control system that includes an actuator configured to apply a controllable down pressure to said gauge wheel to control the depth of said furrow;
a compaction sensor configured to extend into the furrow and toward at least one of a first sidewall or a second sidewall of the furrow and to produce a signal representing the compaction of the soil in the at least one of said first sidewall of the furrow or in said second sidewall of the furrow; and
a controller configured to supply said actuator with a control signal representing a down pressure set point to form a furrow having a desired depth, said controller further configured to receive said signal representing the compaction of the soil in the at least one of said first sidewall of the furrow or said second sidewall of the furrow and to use said signal to determine whether said down pressure set point should be increased or decreased, and to supply said actuator with a control signal when it is determined that said down pressure set point should be increased or decreased.