Apparatus and system for communicating electromagnetic service

• US 8,212,430 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2009
• Issued: 07/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: McCoy, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Amrany, Adi
• Application Number:
  US12/643,331
• Publication Number:
  US 20110148216A1
• Time in Patent Office: 925 Days
• Field of Search: 361600-601, 361/679.01, 361728-733, 307/154
• US Class Current: 307/154
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 5/00 Circuit arrangements for transfer of electric power between ac networks and dc networks H02J3/36 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/40 using two or more transmitting or receiving devices H02J50/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0226 Hinges

Abstract

An electromagnetic service communicating device for coupling to a host in at least two distinct orientations as well as a modular system including a host and a functional device. The electromagnetic service communicating device provides electromagnetic service from the host to the functional device. The electromagnetic service communicating device includes a first member having a first interface connectable to the host and that is pivotally connected to a second member having a second interface connectable to the functional device. The hosts can have differently oriented electromagnetic service interfaces.

Claims

1. An electromagnetic service communicating device for mounting to a host having a horizontal surface with an upwardly oriented host electromagnetic service interface providing at least one electromagnetic service, the electromagnetic service communicating device comprising:

a first member comprising a functional device and having a first edge;

a second member having a second edge and a second electromagnetic service interface capable of removably coupling with the host electromagnetic service interface and communicating the at least one electromagnetic service with the host electromagnetic service interface;

a service pathway operably coupling the second electromagnetic service interface with the functional device for the communication of an electromagnetic service therebetween; and

a hinge pivotally connecting the second member to the first member at the first and second edges;

wherein the second member pivots relative to the first member between a first orientation in which the first and second members are generally oriented along a common plane, and a second orientation in which the first and second members are generally oriented along perpendicular planes.

2. The electromagnetic service communicating device according to claim 1, and further comprising at least one releasable lock capable of securing the second member in a predetermined position relative to the first member.

3. The electromagnetic service communicating device according to claim 1 wherein the service pathway is configured to communicate at least one service between the first and second member in both the first and second orientation.

4. The electromagnetic service communicating device according to claim 1 wherein the host and second electromagnetic service interfaces face opposing directions in the first orientation.

5. The electromagnetic service communicating device according to claim 1 wherein the electromagnetic service comprises at least one of power and data.

6. An adapter for mounting a functional device to a host having a horizontal surface with an upwardly oriented host electromagnetic service interface providing at least one electromagnetic service, the adapter comprising:

a first member capable of supporting a functional device and having a first edge;

a second member having a second edge and an electromagnetic service interface capable of removably coupling with the host electromagnetic service interface and receiving the at least one electromagnetic service from the host electromagnetic service interface;

a hinge pivotally connecting the second member to the first member at the first and second edges for movement between a first orientation in which the first and second members are generally oriented along a common plane, and a second orientation in which the first and second members are generally oriented along perpendicular planes; and

a service pathway configured to communicate the at least one electromagnetic service between the first and second members in both the first and second orientation of the second member.

7. The adapter according to claim 6 wherein the first member has a device electromagnetic service interface capable of removably coupling with the functional device.

8. The adapter according to claim 7 wherein the functional device is one of an accessory device, a portable device, an independent device, and a dependent device.

9. The adapter according to claim 7 wherein the device electromagnetic service interface provides at least one service to the functional device.

10. The adapter according to claim 9 wherein the at least one service is the at least one electromagnetic service received by the host electromagnetic service interface.

11. The adapter according to claim 9 wherein the at least one service further comprises at least one of mechanical power, electrical power, data, thermal energy, illumination, and substance.

12. The adapter according to claim 6, and further comprising at least one releasable lock capable of securing the second member in at least one of the first orientation and the second orientation.

13. The adapter according to claim 6 wherein the host electromagnetic service interfaces and the electromagnetic service interface of the second member face opposing directions when the second member is in the first orientation.

14. The adapter according to claim 6, wherein the adapter is configured to communicate at least one service between the first and second members in both the first and second orientations.

15. The adapter according to claim 6 wherein the at least one electromagnetic service comprises at least one of power and data.

16. An electromagnetic communicating device for mounting a functional device to a host electromagnetic service interface capable of providing a mechanical support service and at least one electromagnetic service, the electromagnetic communicating device comprising:

a first member having a first edge and a first electromagnetic service interface oriented in a first direction and capable of removably coupling with the host electromagnetic service interface and capable of receiving the mechanical support service and capable of communicating the at least a first electromagnetic service from the host electromagnetic service interface;

a second member having a second edge and a device electromagnetic service interface capable of removably coupling with the functional device and capable of providing the functional device with mechanical support service and capable of communicating at least a second electromagnetic service with the functional device;

a hinge system pivotally connecting the first member to the second member at the first and second edges to movably support the second member in a plurality of relative angular orientations, including at least a first orientation in which the first and second members are generally oriented along a common plane and a second orientation in which the first and second members are generally oriented along perpendicular planes; and

a service pathway connecting the first and device electromagnetic service interfaces and capable of communicating at a third electromagnetic service therebetween.

17. The electromagnetic service communicating device according to claim 16 wherein the device electromagnetic service interface is oriented in a second direction different than the first direction.

18. The electromagnetic service communicating device according to claim 16, and further comprising a releasable lock system capable of releasably locking the first and second members in at least one of said plurality of relative angular orientations.

19. The electromagnetic service communicating device according to claim 18 wherein the releasable lock system is capable of releasably locking the first and second members in at least the first orientation and the second orientation, which are generally 90°

each apart from each other.

20. The electromagnetic service communicating device according to claim 16 wherein the third service electromagnetic service comprises the first electromagnetic service.

21. The electromagnetic service communicating device according to claim 16 wherein the third service electromagnetic service comprises the second electromagnetic service.

22. The electromagnetic service communicating device according to claim 16, configured to communicate the third electromagnetic service between the first and second member in at least the first orientation and the second orientation.

23. A modular system for communicating an electromagnetic service, comprising:

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

a service communicating device removably coupled with the host and comprising;

a first member having a device electromagnetic service interface capable of removably coupling with the host electromagnetic service interface to receive the mechanical service and communicate the at least one electromagnetic service; and

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

24. The modular system according to claim 23 wherein in the first position the first and second members are oriented along a common plane and in the second position the first and second members are oriented along perpendicular planes.

25. The modular system according to claim 23 wherein the device electromagnetic service interface is capable of providing a mechanical support service and an electromagnetic service to the functional device.

26. The modular system according to claim 23 wherein the at least one electromagnetic service comprises at least one of power and data.

27. The modular system according to claim 23, and further comprising at least one releasable lock capable of securing the second member in at least one of the first and second positions.

28. The modular system according to claim 23 wherein the host comprises an appliance.

29. The modular system according to claim 23, and further comprising a removable cover capable of connecting to at least one of the host and the service communicating device to cover the host electromagnetic service interface and the device electromagnetic service interface, respectively.

30. The modular system according to claim 23 wherein the service communicating device provides at least one service different from the at least one electromagnetic service provided by the host.

31. The modular system according to claim 23 wherein the host further comprises a standardized electromagnetic service interface providing the mechanical support service and the at least one electromagnetic service.

32. The modular system according to claim 31 wherein the standardized electromagnetic service interface is integral with the host.

33. The modular system according to claim 23 wherein the host comprises a door with a peripheral edge, and the host electromagnetic service interface has a horizontal orientation and is provided on the peripheral edge.

34. The modular system according to claim 23 wherein the host comprises a door with a vertical face, and the host electromagnetic service interface has a vertical orientation and is provided on the vertical face.

35. The modular system according to claim 23 wherein the host comprises a wall.