Acoustic chamber as part of adapter or appliance

• US 7,686,127 B2
• Filed: 01/04/2007
• Issued: 03/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Kendall, James W., McCoy, Richard A., LeClear, Douglas D., Tenbarge, Andrew M., Rothermel, Ruben E.
• Primary Examiner(s): SAN MARTIN, EDGARDO
• Application Number:
  US11/650,222
• Publication Number:
  US 20080165998A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,181 Days
• Field of Search: 181/150, 181/156, 381/333, 381/388
• US Class Current: 181/150
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/00 Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 control of washing machines D06F33/00, D06F34/00
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/12 Arrangements of compartments additional to cooling compartments; Combinations of refrigerators with other equipment, e.g. stove
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/026 Supports for loudspeaker casings
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2205/021 Aspects relating to docking-station type assemblies to obtain an acoustical effect, e.g. the type of connection to external loudspeakers or housings, frequency improvement

Abstract

An acoustic chamber as part of adapter or appliance for an appliance. The acoustic chamber is substantially enclosed except at the exterior surface, and is configured to interchangeably receive a plurality of different consumer electronic devices.

Claims

1. A refrigerator appliance for use in conjunction with a source of sound media comprising:

a cabinet;

an interior in the cabinet for the refrigerated storage of food;

an exterior of the cabinet having an exterior surface;

at least one acoustic chamber adjacent the exterior surface, said at least one acoustic chamber being substantially enclosed and adapted to provide enhanced acoustical functionality;

at least one speaker disposed in the at least one acoustic chamber; and

at least one service interface having a media source connector provided with the at least one acoustic chamber and coupled to the at least one sneaker to deliver sound media to the at least one speaker from a consumer electronic device coupled to the service interface.

2. The refrigeration appliance of claim 1 further comprising a door for access to the interior of the cabinet wherein said at least one acoustic chamber is located on the door.

3. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1 further comprising using insulation material of a higher insulation value in the door in the region of the acoustical chamber to minimize heat leakage due to the acoustic chamber.

4. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1 further comprising;

an adapter mounted to the exterior surface of the appliance cabinet, the acoustic chamber being formed in the adapter;

a docking port in the adapter configured to alternatively receive a plurality of different consumer electronic devices; and

at least one connector provided on the appliance for sound data from said consumer electronic device to the at least one speaker.

5. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1 further comprising at least one of:

a network port connected to the at least one speaker whereby the at least one speaker may be accessed by a network to deliver sound;

a user accessible audio connector interconnected with the at least one speaker;

a wireless receiver connected to the at least one speaker to permit wireless access to the at least one speaker;

a docking port configured to alternatively receive a plurality of different consumer electronic devices, and at least one connector provided on the appliance for sound data from said consumer electronic device to the at least one speaker; and

an adapter mounted to the exterior surface of the appliance cabinet, the acoustic chamber being formed in the adapter.

6. The appliance of claim 1, further comprising a docking structure configured for removably mounting the consumer electronic device to the refrigeration appliance, wherein the consumer electronic device is configured for sending an audio signal.

7. An appliance performing a useful cycle of operation on an object unrelated to the delivery of sound media, the appliance comprising:

a cabinet defining a cavity and having an exterior wall with a hollow interior and an exterior surface;

at least one acoustic chamber located in the exterior wall and at least partially extending into the interior and having an open face at the exterior surface and providing enhanced acoustical functionality;

at least one speaker disposed in the at least one chamber;

a first thermal insulation material in the interior; and

a second thermal insulation material in the interior between the at least one acoustic chamber and the cavity;

wherein the second thermal insulation material is of a higher insulation value than the first to minimize heat leakage to the cavity from the acoustic chamber.

8. The appliance of claim 7 further comprising a second chamber formed in the exterior wall and configured to receive a plurality of different consumer electronic devices, wherein at least one connector is disposed on the appliance for connecting said consumer electronic device with the at least one speaker.

9. The appliance of claim 7 wherein said enhanced functionality is selected from amplification, tuned frequency response, and sound directionality.

10. The appliance of claim 7 wherein the exterior wall is constructed of a pre-selected material to support the at least one speaker.

11. The appliance of claim 7 wherein the exterior wall is adapted to provide air flow to the at least one speaker to provide the enhanced acoustical functionality.

12. The appliance of claim 7 further comprising an enclosure mounted to the exterior wall to enclose the at least one speaker.

13. The appliance of claim 12 wherein said enclosure cooperates with the acoustic chamber to form an air-tight enclosure for the at least one speaker.

14. The appliance of claim 7 further comprising a network port connected to the at least one speaker whereby the at least one speaker may be accessed by a network to deliver sound.

15. The appliance of claim 7 further comprising an audio connector disposed on the at least one acoustic chamber to interconnected with the at least one speaker.

16. The appliance of claim 7 further comprising a wireless receiver connected to the at least one speaker to permit wireless access to the at least one speaker.

17. The appliance of claim 7 further comprising a user accessible audio connector interconnected with the at least one speaker.

18. The appliance of claim 7, further comprising a docking structure configured for removably mounting a consumer electronic device to the appliance, wherein the consumer electronic device is configured for sending an audio signal.

19. An appliance for selectively performing a physical operation on a domestic article unrelated to media comprising:

a main body having an opening and a substantially enclosed cavity accessible through the opening;

a door hingeably connected to the main body and configured to selectively enclose the cavity for the selective performing of the physical operation;

a chamber formed in the door and configured to amplify sound;

at least one speaker disposed in the chamber; and

at least one service interface having a media source connector provided with the at least one acoustic chamber and coupled to the at least one speak to deliver sound media to the at least one speaker from a consumer electronic device coupled to the service interface.

20. The appliance of claim 19, wherein the appliance comprises at least one of a refrigeration appliance, a cooking appliance, a washing appliance and a drying appliance.

21. The appliance of claim 19, further comprising a docking structure configured for removably mounting a consumer electronic device to the appliance, wherein the consumer electronic device is configured for sending an audio signal.

22. The appliance of claim 19, and further comprising insulating material in the door that is configured to provide thermal insulation to the cavity in compensation for the chamber.

23. The appliance of claim 19, and further comprising a first insulating material in the door that is configured to provide thermal insulation to the cavity.

24. The appliance of claim 23, and further comprising a second insulating material in the door and disposed proximate the cavity that is configured to provide additional thermal insulation to the cavity in compensation for the chamber.

25. The appliance of claim 24, wherein the second insulating material is of a higher grade than the first insulating material.