Refrigerator module utilities enabled via connection
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
H02B-001/20
B67D-009/00
출원번호
US-0644258
(2012-10-03)
등록번호
US-8456040
(2013-06-04)
발명자
/ 주소
Allard, Paul B.
Bradley, Robert Ryan
Kendall, James W.
Kuehl, Steven J.
Leclear, Douglas D.
Lucas, Alan S.
Tenbarge, Andrew M.
Vonderhaar, John J.
Wu, Guolian
출원인 / 주소
Whirlpool Corporation
대리인 / 주소
Goodwin, Kirk W.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
13인용 특허 :
2
초록▼
A connection system for connecting an encoded domestic appliance feature module to a utility source and transferring a plurality of utilities between the encoded feature module and the utility source. The connection system includes a utility source that has a coupler capable of removably engaging an
A connection system for connecting an encoded domestic appliance feature module to a utility source and transferring a plurality of utilities between the encoded feature module and the utility source. The connection system includes a utility source that has a coupler capable of removably engaging an encoded domestic appliance feature module to the utility source. Also included is at least one encoded domestic appliance feature module that independently supplies one or more functionalities. Further included is an interface between the utility source and the feature module, where the interface includes a detection and recognition device that operates to detect when the encoded feature module is connected to the utility source, where one or more predetermined utilities are transferred between the utility source and the feature module based upon which feature module is connected to the utility source, and where the detection and recognition device may be a reed switch, a DIP switch, and a comparator circuit.
대표청구항▼
1. A connection system comprising: a feature module;an appliance;a mounting surface of the appliance;a connector disposed on the appliance adjacent to the mounting surface that is configured to removably engage the feature module in abutting contact with the mounting surface without the use of tools
1. A connection system comprising: a feature module;an appliance;a mounting surface of the appliance;a connector disposed on the appliance adjacent to the mounting surface that is configured to removably engage the feature module in abutting contact with the mounting surface without the use of tools;a utility port positioned adjacent to the mounting surface that is configured to deliver a plurality of utilities to the feature module, wherein the utility port is movable between an open position to allow one or more of the plurality of utilities to release and a closed position to prevent the plurality of utilities from releasing, and wherein the utility port is configured to remain in the closed position when the feature module is not engaged with the mounting surface;a utility receiver disposed on the feature module that is configured to removably engage the utility port without the use of tools, wherein the utility receiver is configured to receive a select utility group of the plurality of utilities when the feature module is engaged with the mounting surface; anda connection interface that is configured to detect when the feature module is engaged with the mounting surface and to detect the select utility group required by the engaged feature module, wherein after the feature module is engaged and the select utility group is detected, the connection interface moves the utility port to the open position to release the select utility group from the plurality of utilities to the feature module. 2. The connection system of claim 1, wherein the select utility group of the plurality of utilities is required to be received by the feature module to provide a functionality to a user not otherwise provided by the appliance. 3. The connection system of claim 1, wherein the select utility group of the plurality of utilities includes one or more of the plurality of utilities, and wherein the plurality of utilities includes at least one of the group consisting of electricity, fluid, gas, conditioned fluid, conditioned gas, chemical reactant, desiccant, foodstuff, flavorant, heat, cold air, pressurized air, and combinations thereof. 4. The connection system of claim 1, wherein the mounting surface includes an interior liner surface of the appliance, and wherein the interior liner surface includes a first side wall, a second side wall, a top, a bottom, and a door of the appliance. 5. The connection system of claim 1, wherein the mounting surface includes an interior liner surface of a door that is hingably coupled with a compartment of the appliance, and wherein a gap is created between a rear wall of the compartment and the feature module when the feature module is engaged and the door is in a closed position. 6. The connection system of claim 1, wherein the connector is integrally formed with the utility port. 7. The connection system of claim 1, wherein the utility port includes a plurality of outlets dispersed at multiple positions on the mounting surface, and wherein the outlets are configured to release one or more of the plurality of utilities. 8. The connection system of claim 1, wherein the connector of the appliance and the feature module include a protrusion and a recess, wherein the protrusion releasably and matingly engages the recess, and wherein either the recess or the protrusion is on the mounting surface. 9. The connection system of claim 1, wherein the connection interface includes a magnet embedded within the feature module and a reed switch embedded within the mounting surface, wherein the reed switch includes a pair of contacts having a default open position, wherein the reed switch is selectively positioned within the appliance, such that connection of the feature module to the appliance applies a magnetic field proximate the reed switch, resulting in a closed position between the pair of contacts, and wherein the closed position closes an electrical circuit within the appliance, thereby allows the transfer of the select utility group between the appliance and the feature module. 10. The connection system of claim 1, wherein the connection interface includes a dual in-line package switch having a plurality of switches that are positioned in a plurality of positions and a plurality of socket pins, wherein the appliance includes a plurality of pin sockets to receive the socket pins, and wherein specific setting combinations of the switches identifies the select utility group and allows the transfer of the select utility group between the appliance and the feature module. 11. The connection system of claim 10, wherein the connection interface includes at least one magnet, wherein the plurality of switches of the dual in-line package are a plurality of reed switches, each reed switch including a pair of contacts having a first position, and wherein connection of the feature module to the appliance applies a magnetic field proximate the reed switches, resulting in a second position for each pair of contacts, and wherein a specific combination of second positions closes an electrical circuit within the appliance, thereby enabling the transfer of the select utility group between the appliance and the feature module. 12. The connection system of claim 1, wherein the connection interface includes a module recognition device that has a computer control system operatively connected to the appliance, wherein the computer control system comprises a processor and a memory subsystem coupled to the processor where the memory subsystem stores code that, when executed based upon input received from the engaged feature module, initiates the transfer of the select utility group to be transferred between the appliance and the engaged feature module based upon the utilities required to be received by the feature module to provide a functionality to a user not otherwise provided by the appliance. 13. A connection system comprising: a feature module;a utility source;a connector disposed on the utility source that is configured to removably engage the feature module without the use of tools;a utility port on the utility source positioned adjacent to the connector that is configured to deliver a plurality of utilities to the feature module, wherein the utility port is configured to selectively allow one or more of the plurality of utilities to release and to selectively prevent one or more of the plurality of utilities from releasing;a utility receiver extending from the feature module that is configured to operably engage the utility port without the use of tools, wherein the utility receiver is configured to receive a select utility group of the plurality of utilities when the feature module is engaged with the utility source, wherein the select utility group is required to be received by the feature module to provide a functionality to a user that is not otherwise provided by the utility source; anda connection interface configured to detect when the feature module is engaged with the utility source and to detect the select utility group required by the engaged feature module, wherein after the feature module is engaged and the select utility group is detected the connection interface directs the utility port to release the select utility group from the plurality of utilities to the feature module and to prevent any remaining utilities of the plurality of utilities from releasing. 14. The connection system of claim 13, wherein the connector is integrally formed with the utility port, wherein the connection interface includes a magnet embedded within the feature module and a reed switch embedded within the connector, and wherein the reed switch is aligned with the magnet, such that connection of the feature module to the utility source applies a magnetic field proximate the reed switch, resulting in an electrical circuit closing within the utility source, thereby allowing the transfer of the select utility group between the utility source and the feature module. 15. The connection system of claim 13, wherein the utility port includes a plurality of outlets dispersed at multiple positions on a mounting surface, and wherein the outlets are configured to release one or more of the plurality of utilities. 16. The connection system of claim 13, wherein the select utility group of the plurality of utilities includes one or more of the plurality of utilities, and wherein the plurality of utilities includes at least one of the group consisting of electricity, fluid, gas, conditioned fluid, conditioned gas, chemical reactant, desiccant, foodstuff, flavorant, heat, cold air, pressurized air, and combinations thereof. 17. The connection system of claim 13, wherein the connector is positioned on a mounting surface of the utility source defined by an interior liner surface of an appliance that includes a first side wall, a second side wall, a top, a bottom, and a door of the appliance, and wherein the feature module includes a housing defining an enclosed interior space accessible via an access door that provides functionalities. 18. A method of providing a user-selected functionality to a user not otherwise provided by an appliance comprising: providing an appliance configured to transfer a plurality of utilities to a feature module via a connection system, wherein the feature module is configured to be removably engaged to a mounting surface of an appliance without the use of tools and is capable of supplying at least one functionality by using a select utility group of the plurality of utilities;engaging the feature module with the mounting surface of the appliance by hand without the use of tools such that the appliance and the feature module are removably engaged with one another and are operably connected at a connection interface;detecting whether the feature module is connected to the appliance using a detection and communication device of the connection interface;determining which of the plurality of utilities is the select utility group to be transferred between the feature module and the appliance via the connection system when the feature module is engaged to the appliance, using the detection and communication device of the connection interface;transferring the select utility group of the plurality of utilities identified by the detection and communication device upon engagement of the feature module to the appliance to provide the user-selected functionality that is capable of being supplied by the feature module; andremoving the feature module from the appliance by disengaging the feature module at the connection interface from the mounting surface of the appliance. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of engaging the feature module with the mounting surface includes coupling the feature module with a utility port positioned adjacent to the mounting surface that is configured to deliver the plurality of utilities to the feature module, wherein the utility port is movable between an open position to allow one or more of the plurality of utilities to release and a closed position to prevent the plurality of utilities from releasing, and wherein the utility port is configured to remain in the closed position when the feature module is not engaged with the mounting surface. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the steps of detecting whether the feature module is connected and determining which of the plurality of utilities is the select utility group includes the detection and recognition device, which is chosen from the group consisting of a reed switch, a DIP switch, and a comparator circuit, and wherein the detection and recognition device detects different functionalities chosen from the group consisting of ice making, ice crushing, water dispensing, precise temperature control, humidity control, vacuum packaging, thawing, and fast chilling.
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