Mechanical Proximity Sensor Enabled Electromagnetic Service Connector System

• US 20110148650A1
• Filed: 12/21/2009
• Published: 06/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Jenkins, Anthony E., McCoy, Richard A.
• Application Number:
  US12/643,285
• Publication Number:
  US 20110148650A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/686.6
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0063 using remote monitoring or controlling of the dishwasher operation, e.g. networking systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6683 with built-in sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7036 the switch being in series with coupling part, e.g. dead coupling, explosion proof coupling

Abstract

An electromagnetic service connector system includes first and second electromagnetic service connector components for communicating an electromagnetic service between an electromagnetic service provider and an electromagnetic service consumer. The electromagnetic service may be any form of electrical power or data. An electromagnetic service switch is provided for selectively transferring the electromagnetic service from the electromagnetic service provider to the electromagnetic service consumer in response to a proximity sensor engaging a proximity target.

Claims

1. A system for communicating between an electromagnetic service provider and an electromagnetic service consumer, the electromagnetic service consumer comprising:

an electromagnetic service connector system comprising;

a first electromagnetic service connector component capable of being operably associated with the electromagnetic service consumer and including a proximity target;

a second electromagnetic service connector component operably engageable with the first electromagnetic service connector component, the second electromagnetic service connector component being capable of being operably associated with the electromagnetic service provider;

an electromagnetic service switch operably associated with the second electromagnetic service connector component, the electromagnetic service switch selectively permitting the flow of the electromagnetic service from the electromagnetic service provider to the first electromagnetic service connector component; and

a proximity sensor operably associated with the electromagnetic service switch, the proximity sensor engageable with the proximity target when the first electromagnetic service connector component is engaged with the second electromagnetic service connector component;

wherein the electromagnetic service switch is operable to permit flow of the electromagnetic service to the first electromagnetic service connector component in response to the proximity sensor engaging the proximity target.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic service switch and the proximity sensor are integrated into a common unit.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the proximity sensor transmits a signal to the electromagnetic service switch indicating that the first electromagnetic service connector component is engaged with the second electromagnetic service connector component.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the electromagnetic service switch permits flow of the electromagnetic service through the first electromagnetic service connector component in response to the signal received from the proximity sensor.

5. The system according to claim 3, wherein the signal includes at least one of an electrical signal, a pneumatic signal, an optical signal, a magnetic flux signal, a radio frequency signal, an infrared signal, and a hydraulic signal.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the proximity sensor comprises a proximity switch moveable between a first position when the first electromagnetic service connector component is disengaged from the second electromagnetic service connector component, and a second position when the first electromagnetic service connector component is engaged with the second electromagnetic service connector component, the electromagnetic service switch responding to movement of the proximity switch.

7. The system according to claim 4, wherein the proximity switch is biased to the first position when the first electromagnetic service connector component is disengaged from the second electromagnetic service connector component.

8. The system according to claim 7 and further comprising a link connecting the proximity switch to the electromagnetic service switch, wherein movement of the proximity switch is transmitted through the link to the electromagnetic service switch.

9. The system according to claim 1 and further comprising a host configured to communicate the electromagnetic service to the electromagnetic service consumer.

10. The system according to claim 9, 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.

11. The system according to claim 10 and further comprising an accessory device comprising the electromagnetic service consumer.

12. The system according to claim 1 and further comprising an accessory device comprising the electromagnetic service consumer.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic service comprises at least one of electrical power and data.

14. An electromagnetic service connector system for connecting electromagnetic service communicating devices, the electromagnetic service connector system comprising:

an electromagnetic service connector component capable of communicating an electromagnetic service;

an electromagnetic service switch operably connected to the electromagnetic service connector component for selectively permitting the electromagnetic service to be transmitted to the electromagnetic service connector component; and

a proximity sensor operably connected to the electromagnetic service switch and engageable with a proximity target;

wherein the electromagnetic service switch is configured to allow the electromagnetic service to be transmitted to the electromagnetic service connector component when the proximity sensor engages the proximity target.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the electromagnetic service switch and the proximity sensor are integrated into a common unit.

16. The system according to claim 14 and further comprising an electromagnetic service provider operably connected to the electromagnetic service switch for supplying the electromagnetic service.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the proximity sensor transmits a signal to the electromagnetic service switch indicating that the proximity sensor is engaging the proximity target.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the electromagnetic service switch permits flow of the electromagnetic service to the electromagnetic service connector component in response to the signal received from the proximity sensor.

19. The system according to claim 17, wherein the signal includes at least one of an electrical signal, a pneumatic signal, an optical signal, a magnetic flux signal, a radio frequency signal, an infrared signal, and a hydraulic signal.

20. The system according to claim 14, wherein the proximity sensor comprises a proximity switch moveable between a first position when the proximity sensor is disengaged from the proximity target, and a second position when the proximity sensor is engaged with the proximity target, the electromagnetic service switch responding to movement of the proximity switch.

21. The system according to claim 20, wherein the proximity switch is biased to the first position when the proximity sensor is disengaged from the proximity target.

22. The system according to claim 21 and further comprising a link connecting the proximity switch to the electromagnetic service switch, wherein movement of the proximity switch is transmitted through the link to the electromagnetic service switch.

23. The system according to claim 14 and further comprising a host configured to communicate the electromagnetic service, 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.

24. A system for use in association with a host having an electromagnetic service provider, a first electromagnetic service connector component, and an electromagnetic service switch selectively providing an electromagnetic service to the first electromagnetic service connector component, and in association with an electromagnetic service consumer, the system comprising:

a second electromagnetic service connector component engageable with the first electromagnetic service connector component;

an electromagnetic service line interconnecting the electromagnetic service consumer and the second electromagnetic service connector component; and

a proximity target capable of engaging a proximity sensor to activate the electromagnetic service switch to enable a pathway for communicating an electromagnetic service between the first and second electromagnetic service connector components.

25. The system according to claim 24, wherein the system further comprises the electromagnetic service consumer.

26. The system according to claim 25 and further comprising a housing, wherein the electromagnetic service consumer, the electromagnetic service line and the proximity target are each at least partially disposed within the housing.

27. The system according to claim 25 and further comprising an adapter, the electromagnetic service consumer further comprising an accessory device capable of being removably coupled to the adapter.

28. The system according to claim 25, wherein the electromagnetic service consumer is at least one of a consumer electronic 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, an electromagnetic service holder, a dispenser, a media content holder, and an electromagnetic service device.

29. The system according to claim 24, wherein the proximity target is a contact proximity target.

30. The system according to claim 25, wherein the electromagnetic service consumer is portable.

31. An adapter for removably coupling a first electromagnetic service communicating device having a first device electromagnetic service connector component to a second electromagnetic service communicating device having a first host electromagnetic service connector component that cannot be directly connected to the first device electromagnetic service connector component, and a first contact proximity coupling device, the adapter comprising:

a second host electromagnetic service connector component engageable with the first host electromagnetic service connector component;

a second device electromagnetic service connector component engageable with the first device electromagnetic service connector component;

an electromagnetic service line for the transfer of an electromagnetic service between the second host electromagnetic service connector component and the second device electromagnetic service connector component; and

a second contact proximity coupling device operably associated with the second host electromagnetic connector component;

wherein the second contact proximity coupling device is configured to engage the first contact proximity coupling device when the first and second electromagnetic connector components are engaged to selectively permit the communication of the electromagnetic service between the first electromagnetic communicating device and the second electromagnetic service communicating device.

32. The adapter according to claim 31, wherein:

the first contact proximity coupling device comprises a proximity sensor and an electromagnetic service switch selectively providing an electromagnetic service between the host electromagnetic service connector components in response to a proximity sensor engaging a proximity target; and

the second contact proximity coupling device comprises a proximity target capable of engaging the proximity sensor to actuate the electromagnetic service switch.

33. The adapter according to claim 32, wherein the proximity target engages the proximity sensor to actuate the electromagnetic service switch when the second host electromagnetic service connector component engages the first host electromagnetic service connector component.