Refrigerator module utilities enabled via connection
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
H02B-001/20
B67D-003/00
F25D-017/04
F25D-029/00
F16M-013/02
F25D-023/04
F25D-023/12
A47J-047/16
출원번호
US-0988433
(2016-01-05)
등록번호
US-9991683
(2018-06-05)
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
Nyemaster Goode, P.C.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
56
초록▼
A connection system includes a feature module that supplies various functionalities, a portable countertop stand having an upright section that selectively receives the feature module and an umbilical connecting the portable stand to an external appliance to deliver utilities to the portable counter
A connection system includes a feature module that supplies various functionalities, a portable countertop stand having an upright section that selectively receives the feature module and an umbilical connecting the portable stand to an external appliance to deliver utilities to the portable countertop stand. A utility port selectively delivers at least one utility to the feature module when engaged with the upright section. A utility receiver removably engages the utility port by hand without the use of tools and selectively receives a predetermined set of utilities when the feature module engages the upright surface. A connection interface detects when the feature module is engaged with the upright section and the predetermined utility set required by the engaged feature module. After the feature module is engaged, the connection interface prompts the utility port to release the predetermined utility set to the feature module.
대표청구항▼
1. A connection system for a portable countertop stand, the connection system comprising: a utility module that supplies one or more functionalities;a portable countertop stand having a base and an upright section that extends upwardly from the base, wherein the upright section selectively receives
1. A connection system for a portable countertop stand, the connection system comprising: a utility module that supplies one or more functionalities;a portable countertop stand having a base and an upright section that extends upwardly from the base, wherein the upright section selectively receives the utility module;an umbilical utility cord connecting the portable countertop stand to an external appliance and configured to deliver a plurality of utilities from the external appliance to the portable countertop stand;a utility port disposed proximate the upright section that is configured to selectively deliver at least one of the plurality of utilities to the utility module when the utility module is engaged with the upright section;a utility receiver disposed on the utility module that is configured to removably engage the utility port by hand without the use of tools, wherein the utility receiver is configured to selectively receive a predetermined set of the plurality of utilities when the utility module is engaged with the upright section;a connection interface that is configured to detect when the utility module is engaged with the upright section and to detect the predetermined utility set for the engaged utility module, wherein after the utility module is engaged and the predetermined utility set is detected, the connection interface prompts the utility port to release the predetermined utility set from the plurality of utilities to the utility module; and wherein the utility port includes a plurality of outlets dispersed at multiple positions on the upright section, and wherein the outlets are each configured to release one or more of the plurality of utilities;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 portable countertop stand includes a plurality of pin sockets to receive the socket pins, and wherein specific setting combinations of the plurality of switches identifies the predetermined utility set of the at least one utility and allows the transfer of the predetermined utility set between the portable countertop stand and the utility module. 2. The connection system of claim 1 further comprising: a utility-supplement charging station in selective fluid communication with the external appliance;a supplemental utility receptacle disposed in the utility module; anda plurality of supply modules, wherein any of the plurality of supply modules is configured to selectively engage the charging station to selectively receive and store at least one of the plurality of utilities to define a stored utility set selectively disposed within each of the plurality of supply modules, and wherein any one of the plurality of supply modules is further configured to selectively and alternatively engage the supplemental utility receptacle to selectively deliver at least one utility of the stored utility set from any one of the plurality of supply modules to the utility module to supplement the one or more functionalities. 3. The connection system of claim 2, wherein the predetermined utility set of the at least one utility 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, and wherein the utility module is configured to be releasably engaged to an external appliance. 4. The connection system of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of supply modules includes a refillable reservoir. 5. The connection system of claim 1, wherein the connection interface includes a magnet embedded within the utility module and a reed switch embedded within the upright section, wherein the reed switch includes a pair of contacts having a default open position, wherein the reed switch is selectively positioned within the portable countertop stand, such that connection of the utility module to the portable countertop stand 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 portable countertop stand, thereby allows the transfer of the predetermined utility set between the portable countertop stand and the utility module. 6. The connection system of claim 1, 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 utility module to the portable countertop stand 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 portable countertop stand, thereby enabling the transfer of the predetermined utility set between the portable countertop stand and the utility module. 7. 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 portable countertop stand, 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 utility module, initiates the transfer of the predetermined utility set to be transferred between the portable countertop stand and the engaged utility module based upon the utilities required to be received by the utility module to provide at least one of the one or more functionalities. 8. A connection system for connecting a utility module to a portable host appliance and transferring at least one utility from at least one of a refrigerator and freezer to the utility module via the portable host appliance, the connection system comprising: a utility module that supplies one or more functionalities;a portable host appliance having an upright section for selectively receiving the utility module;an umbilical utility cord connecting the portable host appliance to at least one of a refrigerator and freezer and configured to deliver at least one utility from at least one of a refrigerator and freezer to the portable host appliance;a utility port disposed proximate the upright section that is configured to selectively deliver at least one utility to the utility module when the utility module is engaged with the upright section;a utility receiver disposed on the utility module that is configured to removably engage the utility port by hand without the use of tools, wherein the utility receiver is configured to selectively receive a predetermined utility set of at least one utility when the utility module is engaged with the upright section;a connection interface that is configured to detect when the utility module is engaged with the upright section and to detect the predetermined utility set for the engaged utility module, wherein after the utility module is engaged and the predetermined utility set is detected, the connection interface prompts the utility port to release the predetermined utility set from at least one utility to the utility module; and wherein the upright section and the utility 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 upright section;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 portable host appliance includes a plurality of pin sockets to receive the socket pins, and wherein specific setting combinations of the plurality of switches identifies the predetermined utility set of the at least one utility and allows the transfer of the predetermined utility set between the portable host appliance and the utility module. 9. The connection system of claim 8 further comprising: a utility-supplement charging station in selective fluid communication with at least one of a refrigerator and freezer; anda plurality of supply modules, wherein any of the plurality of supply modules is configured to selectively engage the charging station to selectively receive and store at least one of the plurality of utilities to define a stored utility set selectively disposed within each of the plurality of supply modules, and wherein any one of the plurality of supply modules is further configured to selectively and alternatively engage the supplemental utility receptacle to selectively deliver at least one utility of the stored utility set from any one of the plurality of supply modules to the utility module to supplement the one or more functionalities. 10. The connection system of claim 9, wherein the predetermined utility set of the at least one utility 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. 11. The connection system of claim 8, wherein the portable host appliance is at least one of a countertop stand having a base connected to the upright section and a wall-mountable bracket. 12. The connection system of claim 8, wherein the utility port includes a plurality of outlets dispersed at multiple positions on the upright section, and wherein the outlets are each configured to release one or more of the at least one utility. 13. The connection system of claim 8, 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 utility module to the portable host 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 portable host appliance, thereby enabling the transfer of the predetermined utility set between the portable host appliance and the utility module.
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