Household appliance having antennas

• US 10,004,376 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2016
• Issued: 06/26/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Cottrell, Nicholas J., Gries, Jason R., Ireland, Vince A., Smith, Blayne C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cormier, David G
• Application Number:
  US15/352,031
• Publication Number:
  US 20170055802A1
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0018 Controlling processes, i.e. processes to control the operation of the machine characterised by the purpose or target of the control for control of water softening or water softener regeneration A47L15/4229; for control of water level A47L15/4244; for control of bad smells or odours A47L15/4276; for control of water temperature A47L15/4287; for control of water pressure A47L15/4289; for control of condition of crockery or tableware A47L15/4295; for control of condition of washing water A47L15/4297
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0063 using remote monitoring or controlling of the dishwasher operation, e.g. networking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0084 of drawer-type
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0086 In-sink dishwashers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4257 Details of the loading door
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4274 Arrangement of electrical components, e.g. control units or cables A47L15/4293 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4287 Temperature measuring or regulating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4293 Arrangements for programme selection, e.g. control panels; Indication of the selected programme, programme progress or other parameters of the programme, e.g. by using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4297 Arrangements for detecting or measuring the condition of the washing water, e.g. turbidity
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/46 Devices for the automatic control of the different phases of cleaning ; Controlling devices A47L15/449 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/32 Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/05 for wireless communication between components, e.g. for remote monitoring or control
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/28 Arrangements for program selection, e.g. control panels therefor; Arrangements for indicating program parameters, e.g. the selected program or its progress
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/36 Control of operational steps, e.g. for optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/07 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/12 Arrangements of compartments additional to cooling compartments; Combinations of refrigerators with other equipment, e.g. stove
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/36 Visual displays
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/00 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving

Abstract

A household appliance, such as a dishwasher, for treating an item according to at least one automatic cycle of operation includes multiple antennas for transmitting and receiving data with an external network. The multiple antennas can be coupled with a radio also located within the appliance.

Claims

1. A dishwasher for treating dishes according to at least one automatic cycle of operation, comprising:

a housing having a front and a rear;

a tub within the housing defining a treating chamber for receiving dishes for treatment according to the at least one automatic cycle of operation, and having an open face at the front of the housing;

a door assembly movably mounted to the housing for movement between opened and closed positions to selectively open and close the open face of the tub;

a controller coupled with at least one controllable component configured to implement the at least one automatic cycle of operation;

a first antenna provided at the front of the housing;

a second antenna mounted below the tub at the rear of the housing; and

a radio operatively coupled with the first antenna, the second antenna, and the controller;

wherein the first antenna and the second antenna lie on opposite sides of a plane extending vertically through and bisecting the housing.

2. The dishwasher of claim 1 and further comprising at least one of:

a kick plate on the front of the housing below the door assembly;

or

a nameplate which visually displays a logo for the dishwasher;

wherein the first antenna is located on the at least one of the kick plate or nameplate.

3. The dishwasher of claim 1 and further comprising a kick plate on the front of the housing below the door assembly, wherein the first antenna is located on the kick plate.

4. The dishwasher of claim 3 wherein the radio is located on the kick plate.

5. The dishwasher of claim 1 and further comprising a nameplate which visually displays a logo for the dishwasher, wherein the first antenna is located on the nameplate.

6. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the first antenna and the second antenna lie on opposite sides of a plane horizontally through and bisecting the housing.

7. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the radio lies between the first and second antennas.

8. The dishwasher of claim 7 wherein the radio is at a different height than both of the first and second antennas.

9. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the first antenna lies above the radio and the second antenna.

10. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the radio is located beneath the tub.

11. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the radio is mounted in the door assembly.

12. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the radio is spaced from and below the first antenna.

13. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the radio is provided with at least one of the first and second antennas.

14. The dishwasher of claim 13 wherein the radio comprises a printed circuit board, and first antenna is embedded on the printed circuit board of the radio.

15. The dishwasher of claim 13 and further comprising at least one cable coupling the radio with at least one of the first and second antennas.

16. The dishwasher of claim 15 wherein the door assembly includes a front panel and a rear panel which define an interior space, and wherein the at least one cable extends through the interior space.

17. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the housing further comprises a frame which supports the tub on a ground surface, and wherein the second antenna is mounted to the frame.

18. The dishwasher of claim 1 and further comprising a first cable connected to the radio and the first antenna and a second cable connected to radio and the second antenna.

19. The dishwasher of claim 18 wherein the first and second cables are substantially equal in length.