Mechanical Power Service Communicating Device and System

• US 20110152024A1
• 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.
• Granted Patent: US 8,830,660 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 474/166
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/31 for refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/00 General constructional features F25D21/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 7/02 characterised by special provisions for conveying or converting motion, or for acting at a distance
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/1836 Rotary to rotary

Abstract

A mechanical power communicating device and a modular system of a host and a mechanical power communicating device for communicating a mechanical power service. A first component of the mechanical power communicating device communicates a mechanical power service from host to a second component of the mechanical power communicating device or to a functional device. The mechanical power communicating device may be a functional device, an adapter for coupling a functional device to a host, or a functional unit of an adapter and a functional device. The mechanical power communicating device may include a first component having a first interface connectable to the host, the first component pivotally connected to a second component having a second interface connectable to the functional device. The modular system may include a host having differently oriented mechanical power service interfaces and the mechanical power communicating device.

Claims

1. A mechanical power communicating device for mounting a functional device to a first host mechanical power service interface communicating a mechanical power service, the mechanical power communicating device comprising:

a first component capable of supporting a functional device; and

a second component having a second host mechanical power service interface capable of removably coupling with the first host mechanical power service interface and communicating the at least one mechanical power service with the first host mechanical power service interface;

wherein the second component is pivotally connected to the first component for movement relative to the first component about a pivot axis.

2. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 1, and further comprising:

a rotatable member constrained to rotate about the pivot axis; and

a mechanical power transfer system associated with each of the first and second components capable of communicating mechanical power with the rotatable member.

3. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 2 wherein the mechanical power transfer system comprises at least one of a belt, a gear, a wheel, a chain and a cable.

4. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 2 wherein the rotatable member comprises at least one of a shaft, a gear, and a wheel.

5. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 1 wherein:

the first component has a first wheel disposed adjacent the pivot axis, the first wheel having a first engagement surface capable of communicating the mechanical power service; and

the second component has a second wheel disposed adjacent the pivot axis, the second wheel having a second engagement surface engageable with the first engagement surface and being capable of communicating the mechanical power service with the first engagement surface.

6. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 5 wherein the first and second engagement surfaces comprise at least one of a clutch surface and a gear surface.

7. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 5 wherein the first and second wheels rotate about parallel axes when the first and second engagement surfaces are engaged.

8. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 5 wherein the first and second wheels rotate about perpendicular axes when the first and second engagement surfaces are engaged.

9. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 5 wherein the first and second components are pivotable relative to each other between a first orientation wherein the first and second wheels rotate about aligned axes when the first and second engagement surfaces are engaged, and a second orientation wherein the wheels rotate about perpendicular axes when the first and second engagement surfaces are engaged.

10. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 5, and further comprising a biasing member biasing at least one of the first and second wheels into engagement with the other of the first and second wheels.

11. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 1 wherein the first component further comprises a device service interface that communicates at least one service with the functional device.

12. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 11 wherein the at least one service communicated with the functional device is converted to the mechanical power service communicated between the mechanical power communicating device and the host.

13. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 11 wherein the at least one service communicated with the functional device is selected from a substance service, an electrical service and a mechanical power service.

14. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 1, and further comprising a locking system to selectively lock the first and second components in at least one relative angular orientation.

15. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 1 wherein the first component is a service consumer.

16. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 1 wherein the first component has a first device service interface and the functional device has a second device service interface capable of removably coupling with the first device service interface and communicating at least one service with the first device service interface.

17. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 16 wherein the second component is pivotally connected to the first component to pivot between a first orientation wherein the second host mechanical power service interface is generally oriented in a parallel plane with the first device service interface, and a second orientation wherein the second host mechanical power service interface is generally oriented in a plane perpendicular to the plane in which the first device service interface is oriented.

18. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 17 wherein the second host mechanical power service interface and the first device service interface face opposing directions relative to the pivot axis in the first orientation.

19. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 1 wherein the first component has a first wheel disposed adjacent the pivot axis, the first wheel having a first engagement surface communicating mechanical power service.

20. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 19 wherein the second component has a second wheel disposed adjacent the pivot axis, the second wheel having a second engagement surface engageable with the first engagement surface and communicating mechanical power service with the first engagement surface.

21. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 1 wherein the second component is configured to communicate at least one service with one of the first component and the functional device supported by the first component.

22. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 1 wherein the second component pivots relative to the first component between a first orientation having a first angular relationship between the first and second components, and a second orientation having a second angular relationship between the first and second components different than the first angular relationship, and wherein at least one service is communicated between the first and second components in both the first and second orientation.

23. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 22 wherein the at least one service comprises a mechanical power service.

24. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 23, and further comprising a hinge system pivotally connecting the first and second components, the hinge system defining the pivot axis.

25. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 24, and further comprising a rotatable member rotatably mounted to the hinge system about the pivot axis, the first component communicating the at least one mechanical power service with the second component by way of the rotatable member.

26. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 25 wherein at least one of the first and second components further comprises a mechanical power communicating system communicating mechanical power service with the rotatable member.

27. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 26 wherein the rotatable member has a first rotatable face and the mechanical power communicating system has a second rotatable face engaging the first rotatable face for the communication of mechanical power therebetween.

28. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 26 wherein the rotatable member has a rotatable face and the mechanical power communicating system has a rotatable edge engaging the rotatable face for the communication of mechanical power therebetween.

29. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 26 wherein the rotatable member has a rotatable circumferential surface and the mechanical power communicating system has a belt engaging the rotatable circumferential surface for the communication of mechanical power therebetween.

30. The mechanical power system according to claim 25, wherein the hinge system comprises:

a pair of first apertures formed in the first component;

a pair of second apertures formed in the second component, with each second aperture adjacent to one of the first apertures to form an adjacent set of first and second apertures that is aligned with the pivot axis;

a pair of hinge pins, each inserted into at least one of the adjacent sets of first and second apertures;

a bore in each of the hinge pins, each bore being axially aligned with the pivot axis; and

a shaft having two ends, with each end inserted into one of the bores;

wherein the rotatable member is mounted to the shaft at a location between the hinge pins.

31. The mechanical power system according to claim 30 wherein each hinge pin comprises a shank having a first and a second end, a head formed at a first end of the shank, and a threaded portion at the second end, and the hinge system further comprises two fasteners that are threadably engaged with one of the threaded portions to secure the hinge pins to the first and second components.

32. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 31, wherein the fasteners are selectively tightenable to inhibit the relative movement of the first and second components about the pivot axis.

33. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 1 wherein the first component further comprises a device mechanical power service interface capable of removably coupling with the functional device and providing the functional device with mechanical support service, the device mechanical power service interface being capable of communicating at least one mechanical power service with the functional device.

34. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 33 wherein the second mechanical power service interface faces a first direction and the device mechanical power service interface faces a second direction different from the first direction.

35. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 33 wherein the second component pivots relative to the first component between a first orientation having a first angular relationship between the first and second components, and a second orientation having a second angular relationship between the first and second components different than the first angular relationship, and wherein at least one service is communicated between the first and second components in both the first and second orientation.

36. A system for communicating a mechanical power service comprising:

a host having a host mechanical power service interface capable of providing a mechanical support service and communicating a mechanical power service, the host mechanical power service interface having one of a vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation; and

a mechanical power communicating device having;

a first component having a mechanical power service interface capable of removably coupling with the host mechanical power service interface and receiving the mechanical support service and the mechanical power service from the host mechanical power service interface; and

a second component capable of supporting a functional device, the second component pivotally connected to the first component to move between at least a first position for connecting to the host mechanical power service interface having the vertical orientation, and a second position for connecting to the host mechanical power service interface having the horizontal orientation.

37. The system according to claim 36, wherein the second component comprises a device mechanical power service interface that is capable of providing a mechanical support service and the mechanical power communication service to the functional device.

38. The system according to claim 36, wherein the host is at least one of an appliance and a wall.

39. The system according to claim 36, and further comprising a removable cover connected to the host to cover the host mechanical power service interface when the mechanical power communicating device is not connected to the host, and connected to the mechanical power communicating device when the mechanical power communicating device is connected to the host.

40. The system according to claim 39 wherein the removable cover is connected to the first component opposite the mechanical power service interface when the removable cover is connected to the mechanical power communicating device.

41. The system according to claim 36 wherein the host mechanical power service interface is integral with the host.

42. The system according to claim 36 wherein the host comprises a door with a peripheral edge, and the mechanical power service interface has a horizontal orientation and is provided on the peripheral edge.

43. The system according to claim 36, wherein the host comprises a door with a vertical face, the mechanical power service interface has a vertical orientation and is provided on the vertical face.

44. The system according to claim 36 wherein in the first position the first and second components are oriented along a common plane and in the second position the first and second components are oriented along perpendicular planes.

45. An adapter for mounting a functional device to a host having a host mechanical power service interface communicating at least one mechanical power service, the adapter comprising:

a first component capable of supporting the functional device;

a second component having a mechanical power service interface capable of removably coupling with the host mechanical power service interface and communicating the at least one mechanical power service with the host mechanical power service interface, wherein the second component is pivotally connected to the first component for movement between a first orientation having a first angular relationship between the first and second components, and a second orientation having a second angular relationship between the first and second components different than the first angular relationship; and

a service pathway configured to communicate the at least one mechanical power service between the first and second components in both the first and second orientation of the second component.

46. The adapter according to claim 45 wherein the first component has a device service interface capable of removably coupling with the functional device.

47. The adapter according to claim 46 wherein the device mechanical power service interface provides at least one service to the functional device.

48. The adapter according to claim 47 wherein the at least one service provided by the adapter to the functional device is the same as the at least one mechanical power service received by the adapter from the host.

49. The adapter according to claim 45 wherein in the first orientation the first and second components are oriented along a common plane and in the second orientation the first and second components are oriented along perpendicular planes.

50. The adapter according to claim 49 wherein the first and second mechanical power service interfaces face opposing directions when the second component is in the first orientation.

51. The adapter according to claim 45, wherein the first and second components are pivotally interconnected by a hinge.

52. A mechanical power communicating device for removably mounting to a host having a first service interface communicating at least one service, the mechanical power communicating device comprising:

a first component having a second service interface capable of removably coupling with the first service interface and communicating the at least one service with the first service interface;

a mechanical power consumer;

a hinge system pivotally connecting the mechanical power consumer to the first component for movement relative to the first component about a pivot axis;

a service conversion device associated with the first component capable of converting service between the at least one service and a mechanical power service; and

a mechanical power service communication system communicating mechanical power service between the service conversion device and the first component.

53. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 52 wherein the mechanical power consumer comprises at least one of a dispenser and a fan.

54. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 52, and further comprising a rotatable member constrained to rotate about the pivot axis, the mechanical power service communication system communicating mechanical power between the service conversion device and the first component through the rotatable member.

55. A mechanical power communicating device for mounting a functional device having a device service interface to a host having a host service interface, the mechanical power communicating device comprising:

a first component having;

a first service interface capable of removably coupling with the host service interface and communicating a first service with the host service interface; and

a first service conversion device converting the first service to a first mechanical power service;

a second component having;

a second service interface capable of coupling with the device service interface and communicating a second service with the device service interface; and

a second service conversion device converting the first mechanical power service to the second service;

a hinge system pivotally connecting the first component to the second component to pivotally support the second component in a plurality of relative angular orientations about a pivot axis; and

a service pathway communicating the first mechanical power service between the first and second components in at least two relative angular positions of the first and second components.

56. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 55 wherein each of the first and second services comprise at least one of a mechanical power service, a data service, an electromagnetic power service, a substance service, a thermal energy service, an acoustical service, and an illumination service.

57. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 56 wherein at least one of the first and second services comprises a mechanical power service.

58. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 57 wherein the first and second services are different.

59. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 57 wherein the first and second services are the same service.

60. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 55 wherein the first mechanical power service is one of rotational shaft power, linearly oscillating shaft power, pneumatic fluid power, and hydraulic fluid power.

61. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 55 wherein converting the first service to the first mechanical power service comprises changing the type of mechanical power service.

62. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 55 wherein converting the first mechanical power service to the second service comprises changing the type of mechanical power service.

63. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 55 wherein the mechanical power communicating device is an adapter, and the second service interface is capable of removably coupling with the device service interface.

64. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 55 and further comprising the functional device having the device service interface, wherein the second service interface is coupled with the device service interface and communicates the second service with the device service interface.

65. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 55 wherein each of the first and second service conversion devices comprise at least one of a shaft, a wheel, a gear, a pump, a turbine, a electricity generator, a piston, a steam generator, a solenoid, an electrical motor, a heater, a catalytic burner, and an internal combustion engine.

66. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 65 wherein the first service conversion device is a shaft, and the second service conversion device is one of a pump and an electricity generator.

67. The mechanical power communicating device according to claim 65 wherein the first service conversion device is a turbine, and the second service conversion device is one of a shaft and an electricity generator.