Mechanically Energized Mechanical Power Coupling System

• US 20110147161A1
• Filed: 12/21/2009
• Published: 06/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Kuehl, Steven J., McCoy, Richard A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,430,221 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 192/82.R
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 11/10 with clutching members movable only axially

Abstract

A system for communicating a mechanical power service between mechanical power service communicating devices. A service switch is provided for selectively transferring the mechanical power service from a first mechanical power service communicating device, such as a host or other mechanical power service provider or source, to a second mechanical power service communicating device, such as an accessory device or other mechanical power service consumer. The service switch is activated to communicate the mechanical power service between the first mechanical power service communicating device and the second mechanical power service communicating device in response to movement of a component associated with one of the mechanical power service communicating devices.

Claims

1. A mechanical power coupling system comprising:

a first service connector component;

a service switch operably connected to a mechanical power service source, the service switch operable for selectively transferring a mechanical power service from the mechanical power service source to the first service connector component, the service switch including a first link moveably associated with the service switch; and

a second service connector component operably connectable to the first service connector component, the second service connector component including a second link associated with the second service connector component and engageable with the first link of the service switch;

wherein the service switch is selectively activated to transfer a mechanical power service from the first service connector component to the second service connector component in response to movement of the first link when engaged with the second link.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second link is moveable relative to the second service connector component between an extended position and a retracted position by movement of the first link when the first link is engaged with the second link, wherein the service switch is activated to transfer the mechanical power service from the mechanical power service source to the second service connector component when the second link is in the retracted position.

3. The system according to claim 2 and further comprising a mechanical power service communication service pathway for selectively transferring the mechanical power service from the mechanical power service source to the first service connector component, the mechanical power service communication service pathway movable between a first position in which the mechanical power service communication service pathway is operably coupled to the first service connector component and a second position in which the mechanical power service communication service pathway is operably decoupled from the first service connector component, wherein the mechanical power service communication service pathway is arranged in the second position when the second service connector component is decoupled from the first service connector component.

4. The system according to claim 3 and further comprising a biasing member connected to the mechanical power service communication service pathway, the biasing member operable for urging the mechanical power service communication service pathway toward the second position.

5. The system according to claim 2 and further comprising a mechanical power service communication service pathway for selectively transferring the mechanical power service from the mechanical power service source to the first service connector component, the mechanical power service communication service pathway connected to the first link for concurrent movement therewith, wherein the mechanical power service communication service pathway is operably coupled to the first service connector component when the second link is in the retracted position.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the mechanical power service communication service pathway is operably decoupled from the first service connector component when the second link is in the extended position.

7. The system according to claim 5, wherein the first service connector component includes a first end enclosed within a housing and operably engageable with the mechanical power service communication service pathway, and a second end accessible from outside of the housing.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the service switch is deactivated to substantially prevent communication of the mechanical power service from the mechanical power service supply to the first service connector component when the first link is detached from the second link.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the service switch is deactivated to substantially prevent communication of the mechanical power service from the mechanical power service supply to the first service connector component when the second service connector component is decoupled from the first service connector component.

10. The system according to claim 1 and further comprising a host configured to communicate the mechanical power service to the first service connector component.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the host comprises at least one of a refrigerator, a freezer, a conventional oven, a microwave oven, a dishwashing machine, a stove, a range, an air conditioner, a dehumidifier, a clothes washing machine, a clothes dryer, a clothes refreshing machine, a non-aqueous washing apparatus, a water softener, a water heater, a furnace, pool water treatment equipment, an HVAC system, a thermostat, a blender, a mixer, a toaster, a coffee maker, a trash compactor, an air purifier, an iron, a vacuum cleaner, a robot, and a structural feature of a building.

12. The system according to claim 10 and further comprising a mechanical power service consumer configured to communicate at least one mechanical power service with the host.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second link is fixed relative to the second service connector component, and wherein the service switch is activated to transfer the mechanical power service from the mechanical power service source to the second service connector component when the second link is engaged with the first link and the first link is moved.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the movement of the first link draws the first service connector component and second service connector component into engagement.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the service switch comprises a proximity switch activated when the first service connector component and second service connector component are drawn into engagement by the first link.

16. The system according to claim 14, wherein at least one of the second service connector component and first service connector component has a proximity target and the other of the second service connector component and first service connector component has a proximity sensor responsive to the proximity sensor when the first service connector component and second service connector component are drawn into engagement by the first link.

17. A system for coupling with a mechanical power service communicating device, the system comprising:

a first service connector component operably engageable with a separate second service connector component for transferring a mechanical power service from a mechanical power service source to the second service connector component; and

a service switch for selectively connecting the first service connector component to the mechanical power service source, the service switch including a first link engageable with a second link associated with the second service connector component;

wherein the service switch is activated to transfer a mechanical power service from the mechanical power service source to the first service connector component in response to movement of the first link associated with the second service connector component.

18. The system according to claim 17 and further comprising a mechanical power service communication service pathway operably connected to the mechanical power service source, wherein the first service connector component is selectively engageable with the mechanical power service communication service pathway for transferring the mechanical power service from the mechanical power service source to the first service connector component in response to movement of the first link.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the first link is operably connected to the mechanical power service communication service pathway.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the first link is moveable between a first position in which the mechanical power service communication service pathway is operably coupled to the first service connector component, and a second position in which the mechanical power service communication service pathway is operably uncoupled from the first service connector component.

21. The system according to claim 20 and further comprising a biasing member connected to the mechanical power service communication service pathway for urging the mechanical power service communication service pathway toward the second position.

22. The system according to claim 17 and further comprising a mechanical power service communication service pathway operably connected to the mechanical power service source.

23. The system according to claim 22, wherein the first service connector component includes a first end enclosed within a housing and selectively engageable with the mechanical power service communication service pathway, and a second end accessible from outside the housing, the second end being engageable with the second service connector component.

24. The system according to claim 22, wherein the mechanical power service communication service pathway is enclosed within a housing and at least a portion of the first link extends outside of the housing.

25. The system according to claim 22, wherein at least a portion of the first service connector component and the first link are accessible from outside a housing enclosing the mechanical power service communication service pathway.

26. The system according to claim 22, wherein the first link is moveable between an extended position in which the mechanical power service communication service pathway is operably coupled to the first service connector component, and as retracted position in which the mechanical power service communication service pathway is operably uncoupled from the first service connector component.

27. The system according to claim 17, wherein the service switch comprises a proximity sensor responsive to a proximity target in the second service connector component.

28. The system according to claim 17, wherein the movement of the first link draws the first service connector component and second service connector component into engagement.

29. The system according to claim 28, wherein the service switch comprises a proximity switch activated when the first service connector component and second service connector component are drawn into engagement by the first link.

30. The system according to claim 28, wherein at least one of the second service connector component and first service connector component has a proximity target and the other of the second service connector component and first service connector component has a proximity sensor responsive to the proximity sensor when the first service connector component and second service connector component are drawn into engagement by the first link.

31. A system for receiving a mechanical power service from a host comprising a mechanical power coupling system, the system comprising:

a second service connector component operably engageable with a separate first service connector component for selectively receiving a mechanical power service from a mechanical power service source; and

an actuator operably associated with the second service connector component, the actuator moveable along a path generally parallel to an axis of insertion of the second service connector component with the first service connector component, between a first position and a second position;

wherein the mechanical power service is delivered to the second service connector component when the actuator is in the first position.

32. The system according to claim 31, wherein the actuator comprises:

at least one link engageable with a corresponding link associated with the first service connector component, the link moveable between an extended position and a retracted position; and

a switch operably connected to the at least one link, the switch selectively moveable between a latched position for positioning the at least one link in the refracted position, and an open position for positioning the at least one link in the extended position.

33. The system according to claim 31, wherein the at least one link includes a hook-shaped portion engageable with the first service connector component.

34. The system according to claim 31, wherein the at least one link includes a hook-shaped portion engageable with the corresponding link of the first service connector component.

35. The system according to claim 31, wherein a longitudinal axis of the at least one link is aligned substantially parallel to the axis of insertion.

36. The system according to claim 31, wherein the at least one link is moveable substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the at least one link.

37. The system according to claim 31, wherein the at least one link comprises at least two links and the second service connector component is disposed between the at least two links.

38. The system according to claim 31 and further comprising a mechanical power service consumer in communication with the second service connector component.

39. The system according to claim 31, wherein the movement of the first link draws the first service connector component and second service connector component into engagement.

40. The system according to claim 39, wherein the service switch comprises a proximity switch activated when the first service connector component and second service connector component are drawn into engagement by the first link.

41. The system according to claim 39, wherein at least one of the second service connector component and first service connector component has a proximity target and the other of the second service connector component and first service connector component has a proximity sensor responsive to the proximity sensor when the first service connector component and second service connector component are drawn into engagement by the first link.

42. The system according to claim 31 and further comprising a mechanical power service consumer configured to communicate at least one mechanical power service with the host.

43. The system according to claim 42, wherein the mechanical power service consumer is at least one of a consumer electronic device, a client software device, a remote user interface, a source of consumer of information, a reader, a sensor device, a smart utensil, an appliance, an additional smart coupling device, a remote controller, a network binder, a cycle accessory, a resource controller, a communicator, an access system, a payment system, a sales demonstration device, a consumable holder, a dispenser, a filter, a water filter, an air filter, a detergent dispenser, a drink dispenser, a detergent cartridge, a media content holder, and a mechanical power service device.

44. An adapter for removably coupling an accessory device having a first device mechanical power connector component to a host having a mechanical power service provider, a first host mechanical power connector component, and a service switch selectively providing a mechanical power service to the first mechanical power coupling system, the adapter comprising:

a second host mechanical power connector component engageable with the first host mechanical power connector component;

a second device mechanical power connector component engageable with the first device mechanical power connector component;

a mechanical power service communication service pathway operably interconnecting the second host mechanical power connector component and the second device mechanical power connector component for the transfer of a mechanical power service there along; and

a first link engageable with a second link associated with the service switch, wherein the service switch is activated in response to movement of the first link.

45. The adapter according to claim 44, wherein the first link engages the second link associated with the service switch when the second host mechanical power connector component engages the first host mechanical power coupling system.

46. The adapter according to claim 44, wherein the second mechanical power connector component comprises a flat clutch plate.

47. The adapter according to claim 44, wherein the second mechanical power connector component comprises a toothed clutch plate.

48. The adapter according to claim 44, wherein the second mechanical power connector component comprises a wheel.

49. The adapter according to claim 44, wherein the second mechanical power connector component comprises a gear.

50. The adapter according to claim 44, wherein the second mechanical power connector component comprises a keyed coupling component.