CONNECTION POINT FOR COMMUNICATION DEVICE ON APPLIANCE

• US 20120242207A1
• Filed: 03/22/2011
• Published: 09/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. DBA GE Appliances (Haier Group Company)
• Original Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. DBA GE Appliances (Haier Group Company)
• Inventors: Mershon, Martin, Gardner, John, Mashal, Khalid, Mayne, Joshua
• Application Number:
  US13/053,265
• Publication Number:
  US 20120242207A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 312/237
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/00 General constructional features F25D21/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/40 Refrigerating devices characterised by electrical wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/64 for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/02 Flexible line connectors without frictional contact members
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

A connection point apparatus comprising an appliance door hinge cover; and an electrical connector mounted in an opening formed in the appliance door hinge cover and configured to accept an electrical connector connected to a communication device used to communicate with the appliance. Another connection point apparatus comprising an appliance machine compartment bracket; and an electrical connector mounted in an opening formed in the appliance machine compartment bracket and configured to accept an electrical connector connected to a communication device used to communicate with the appliance.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

an appliance door hinge cover; and

an electrical connector mounted in an opening formed in the appliance door hinge cover and configured to accept an electrical connector connected to a communication device used to communicate with the appliance.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an electrical cable connected at one end to the electrical connector mounted in the opening formed in the appliance door hinge cover.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the electrical cable further comprises another electrical connector connected at another end of the electrical cable.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the other electrical connector of the electrical cable is connected to an electrical harness connected to control circuitry of the appliance.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication device is a demand side management module.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the appliance is a refrigerator.

7. An apparatus comprising:

an appliance machine compartment bracket; and

an electrical connector mounted in an opening formed in the appliance machine compartment bracket and configured to accept an electrical connector connected to a communication device used to communicate with the appliance.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising an electrical cable connected at one end to the electrical connector mounted in the opening formed in the appliance machine compartment bracket.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the electrical cable further comprises another electrical connector connected at another end of the electrical cable.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the other electrical connector of the electrical cable is connected to an electrical harness connected to control circuitry of the appliance.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the communication device is a demand side management module.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the appliance is a refrigerator.

13. A refrigerator appliance comprising:

a door hinge cover;

an electrical connector mounted in an opening formed in the door hinge cover and configured to accept an electrical connector connected to a communication device used to communicate with the refrigerator appliance;

an electrical cable connected at one end to the electrical connector mounted in the opening formed in the door hinge cover, wherein the electrical cable further comprises another connector connected at another end of the electrical cable; and

an electrical harness connected to control circuitry of the appliance, wherein the other electrical connector of the electrical cable is connected to the electrical harness connected to the control circuitry of the refrigerator appliance.

14. The refrigerator appliance of claim 13, wherein the communication device is a demand side management module.

15. A refrigerator appliance comprising:

a machine compartment bracket;

an electrical connector mounted in an opening formed in the machine compartment bracket and configured to accept an electrical connector connected to a communication device used to communicate with the refrigerator appliance;

an electrical cable connected at one end to the electrical connector mounted in the opening formed in the machine compartment bracket, wherein the electrical cable further comprises another connector connected at another end of the electrical cable; and

an electrical harness connected to control circuitry of the appliance, wherein the other electrical connector of the electrical cable is connected to the electrical harness connected to the control circuitry of the refrigerator appliance.

16. The refrigerator appliance of claim 15, wherein the communication device is a demand side management module.

17. A method comprising:

modifying an appliance door hinge cover to form an opening therein; and

mounting an electrical connector in the opening formed in the appliance door hinge cover wherein the mounted electrical connector is configured to accept an electrical connector connected to a communication device used to communicate with the appliance, and the mounted electrical connector is connected to an electrical harness connected to the control circuitry of the appliance.

18. A method comprising:

mounting a bracket having an opening therein in the proximity of an appliance machine compartment; and

mounting an electrical connector in the opening formed in the appliance machine compartment bracket wherein the mounted electrical connector is configured to accept an electrical connector connected to a communication device used to communicate with the appliance, and the mounted electrical connector is connected to an electrical harness connected to the control circuitry of the appliance.