Belt tensioner for a planting unit

摘要

A belt tensioner assembly is described for a seeding machine that moves seed along a seed path with a seed-transport belt, the seed-transport belt being contained by a belt housing and supported by a fixed belt support. An adjustment mechanism may have an input member accessible from outside the belt housing and a positioning member disposed within the belt housing, the positioning member changing positions in response to user input applied to the input member. A transfer mechanism may be coupled to the positioning member and to a movable belt support, and may move in response to the change in positions of the positioning member. User input to the adjustment mechanism may vary the tension of the seed-transport belt by changing the positioning of the positioning member to move the transfer mechanism and drive the movable belt support along a centerline extending between the fixed and movable belt supports.

主权项

1. A belt tensioner assembly for a seeding machine that is configured to move seed along a seed path defined by a seed-transport belt, the seed-transport belt being contained, at least in part, by a belt housing and being supported by a fixed belt support that is fixed with respect to the belt housing, the belt tensioner assembly comprising:
an adjustment mechanism having an input member accessible from outside the belt housing and having a positioning member disposed within the belt housing, the positioning member changing positions in response to user input applied to the input member; a transfer mechanism having a first end coupled to the positioning member and moving in response to the change in positions of the positioning member, wherein the positioning member is coupled to the transfer mechanism at an off-center position on the transfer mechanism, with respect to a centerline of motion of the transfer mechanism; and a movable belt support supporting the seed-transport belt, the movable belt support being coupled to a second end of the transfer mechanism and movable with respect to the belt housing; wherein user input to the adjustment mechanism changes the position of the positioning member to move the transfer mechanism and drive the movable belt support one of toward or away from the fixed belt support to vary the tension of the seed-transport belt.