Patent ID: 9033265
Filing Date: 2015-05-19
Classification: A01C,B05B,E01C

Abstract:
1. A material spreader assembly for broadcast spreading of particulate material from a vehicle having a trailer wiring connector supplying electrical current below a predetermined level and of a known polarity comprising; a frame, a hopper supported by said frame for storing particulate material, a spreader powered by electrical current including at least one rotating component for receiving and dispersing said particulate material from said hopper and an electric motor connected to said rotating component for rotationally driving said rotating component, a coupler connected to said frame and supporting said frame on the vehicle, a wiring harness presenting a plug interface configured to detachably engage a trailer wiring connector of a vehicle to receive electrical current therefrom, a remote having an ON selection and an OFF selection to generate and send an ON signal communicating said ON selection and an OFF signal communicating said OFF selection, a control circuit including a motor control processor providing start-up of said electric motor in response to said ON signal and generating a power ON command corresponding with said ON selection and generating at least one motor speed command and providing shut-off of said electric motor in response to said OFF signal and generating a power OFF command corresponding to said OFF selection, said control circuit further including a motor driver electrically connected to said electric motor to receive said at least one motor speed command and deliver to said electric motor an electrical current corresponding to said at least one motor speed command, and said control circuit further including a motor power relay electrically connected to and receiving electrical power from said wiring harness to relay electrical current from said wiring harness to said motor driver in response to said power ON command and disconnecting electrical current from said motor driver in response to said power OFF command and providing reverse polarity protection to said motor driver by disconnecting electrical current from said motor driver in response to receiving electrical current from said wiring harness having a polarity opposite the known polarity.