Mechanically Energized eService Connector System

• US 20110148223A1
• 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: McCoy, Richard A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,405,253 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/116
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 1/365 Bridging contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/16 adapted for actuation at a limit or other predetermined position in the path of a body, the relative movement of switch and body being primarily for a purpose other than the actuation of the switch, e.g. for a door switch, a limit switch, a floor-levelling switch of a lift
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/71 Contact members of coupling parts operating as switch , e.g. linear or rotational movement required after mechanical engagement of coupling part to establish electrical connection

Abstract

A system for receiving an eService, such as a thermal service, an illumination service or an acoustic service, from an eService source. A service switch is provided for selectively transferring the eService from a host or other eService source to an eService consumer. The service switch is activated to transfer the eService from the eService source to the eService consumer in response to movement of a component associated with the eService source.

Claims

1. A system for coupling with a first eService communicating device having a first eService connector component, the system comprising:

a second eService connector component connectable to the first eService connector component;

a service switch operably connected to an eService source, the service switch operable for selectively communicating an eService between the first and second eService connector components;

a first actuating link moveably associated with the service switch; and

a second actuating link moveably associated with the second eService connector component and engageable with the first actuating link;

wherein the service switch is selectively activated to communicate eService between the first and second eService connector components in response to movement of the second actuating link.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second actuating link is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein the service switch is activated to transfer the eService between the first and second eService connector components when the second actuating link is in the retracted position.

3. The system according to claim 2 and further comprising an eService communicating component for selectively communicating the eService with the second eService connector component, the eService communicating component being movable between a first position in which the first and second eService connector components are operably coupled and a second position in which the first and second eService connector components are operably decoupled, wherein the eService communicating component is arranged in the second position when the first eService connecting component is decoupled from the second eService connecting component.

4. The system according to claim 3 and further comprising a biasing member connected to the eService communicating component, the biasing member operable for urging the eService communicating component toward the second position.

5. The system according to claim 3, wherein the eService communicating component is selected from a transmitter and a receiver.

6. The system according to claim 2 and further comprising the eService source and an eService pathway coupled to the eService source for selectively transferring the eService between the eService source and the second eService connector component, the eService pathway being connected to the first actuating link for concurrent movement therewith, wherein the eService pathway is operably coupled to the second eService connector component when the second actuating link is in the retracted position.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the eService pathway is operably decoupled from the second eService connector component when the second actuating link is in the extended position.

8. The system according to claim 6 and further comprising a housing, wherein the second eService connector component includes a first end enclosed within the housing and operably engageable with the eService pathway, and a second end accessible from outside of the housing.

9. The system according to claim 1, further comprising the eService source and further wherein the service switch is deactivated to substantially block transmission of the eService from the eService source to the second eService connector component when the first actuating link is detached from the second actuating link.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the service switch is deactivated to substantially block transmission of the eService from the eService source to the second eService connector component when the second eService connector component is decoupled from the first eService connector component.

11. The system according to claim 9, further comprising a host configured to communicate at least one eService with the first eService communicating device.

12. The system according to claim 11, 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.

13. The system according to claim 11 and further comprising an eService consumer configured to communicate at least one eService with the host.

14. A system for receiving an eService consumer comprising an eService connector, the system comprising:

a first eService connector component operably engageable with a separate second eService connector component for transferring an eService from an eService source to the second eService connector component; and

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

wherein the service switch is activated to transfer an eService from the eService source to the first eService connector component in response to movement of the second actuating link associated with the second eService connector component.

15. The system according to claim 14 and further comprising an eService line operably connected to the eService source, wherein the first eService connector component is selectively engageable with the eService conduit for transferring the eService from the eService source to the first eService connector component in response to movement of the first actuating link.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the first actuating link is operably connected to the eService line.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the first actuating link is moveable between a first position in which the eService line is operably coupled to the first eService connector component, and a second position in which the eService conduit is operably uncoupled from the first eService connector component.

18. The system according to claim 17 and further comprising a biasing member connected to the eService line for urging the eService line toward the second position.

19. The system according to claim 14 and further comprising an eService line operably connected to the eService source.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the first eService connector component includes a first end enclosed within a housing and selectively engageable with the eService line, and a second end accessible from outside the housing, the second end being engageable with the second eService connector component.

21. The system according to claim 19 and further comprising the eService source for supplying the eService to the second eService connector component.

22. The system according to claim 19, wherein the eService line is enclosed within a housing, and at least a portion of the first actuating link extends outside of the housing.

23. The system according to claim 19, wherein at least a portion of the first eService connector component and the first actuating link are accessible from outside a housing enclosing the eService line.

24. The system according to claim 19, wherein the first actuating link is moveable between an extended position in which the eService line is operably coupled to the first eService connector component, and a retracted position in which the eService line is operably uncoupled from the first eService connector component.

25. The system according to claim 14, wherein the eService comprises at least one of a thermal service, an acoustical service and an illumination service.

26. The system according to claim 14, further comprising a host configured to communicate the eService to an eService consumer.

27. The system according to claim 26, wherein the host is 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.

28. An eService communicating device for receiving an eService from a host comprising a first eService connector component, the eService communicating device comprising:

a second eService connector component operably engageable with the first eService connector component for selectively receiving an eService from an eService source; and

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

wherein the eService is delivered to the second eService connector component when the actuator is in the first position.

29. The eService communicating device according to claim 28, wherein the actuator comprises:

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

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

30. The eService communicating device according to claim 29, wherein the at least one actuating link includes a hook-shaped end engageable with the corresponding actuating link.

31. The eService communicating device according to claim 29, wherein a longitudinal axis of the at least one actuating link is aligned substantially parallel to the axis of insertion.

32. The eService communicating device according to claim 29, wherein the at least one actuating link is moveable substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the at least one actuating link.

33. The eService communicating device according to claim 29, wherein the at least one actuating link comprises at least two actuating links and the second eService connector component is disposed between the at least two actuating links.

34. The eService communicating device according to claim 28 and further comprising an eService consumer in communication with the second eService connector component.

35. The eService communicating device according to claim 34 wherein the eService consumer is at least one of an accessory device, a client software device, a remote user interface, a source of consumer information, a reader, a sensor device, a smart utensil, a portable 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 media content holder, and an eService device.

36. The eService communicating device according to claim 28, wherein the eService comprises at least one of an acoustic service, a thermal service and an illumination service.

37. An adapter for removably coupling an accessory having a first accessory eService connector component to a host having an eService provider, a first host eService connector component, and a service switch selectively providing an eService to the first eService connector, the adapter comprising:

a second host eService connector component engageable with the first host eService connector component;

a second accessory eService connector component engageable with the first accessory eService connector component;

an eService line operably interconnecting the second host eService connector component and the second accessory eService connector component for the transfer of an eService therealong; and

a first actuating link engageable with a second actuating link associated with the service switch, wherein movement of the first actuating link activates the service switch.

38. The adapter according to claim 37, wherein the first actuating link engages the second actuating link associated with the service switch when the second host eService connector component engages the first host eService connector.