Feature module connection system

• US 8,299,656 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2009
• Issued: 10/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Allard, Paul B., Kendall, James W., Kuehl, Steven J., Lucas, Alan S., Tenbarge, Andrew M., Vonderhaar, John J., Wu, Guolian, Bradley, Robert Ryan, LeClear, Douglas D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Amrany, Adi
• Application Number:
  US12/539,651
• Publication Number:
  US 20090302724A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,175 Days
• Field of Search: 307/38, 307/40, 307/154
• US Class Current: 307/154
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 47/16 Stands, or holders for kitchen articles
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 3/00 Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes separating and dispensing metered quantities of liquids G01F
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 17/042 Air treating means within refrigerated spaces air conditioning in general F24F
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/04 with special compartments, e.g. butter conditioners
• 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: F25D 2317/043 by creating a vacuum in a storage compartment
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2331/801 Bags
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/16 Convertible refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/005 Mounting of control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 1/20 Bus-bar or other wiring layouts, e.g. in cubicles, in switchyards installations of bus-bars H02G5/00

Abstract

A refrigerator module connection system for connecting a feature module to a utility source and transferring a plurality of utilities between the feature module and the utility source. The feature module connection system includes a utility source that has a connection capable of removably engaging the feature module to the utility source. Also included is at least one feature module that independently supplies one or more functionalities. Further included is an interface between the utility source and the feature module, where the interface includes a detection and recognition device, such as a reed switch, a DIP switch, or a comparator circuit, that operates to detect when the feature module is connected to the utility source. One or more predetermined utilities are transferred between the utility source and the feature module based upon which feature module is connected to the utility source.

Claims

1. A connection system for connecting a feature module to an interior surface of an appliance door of an appliance and transferring a plurality of utilities between the feature module and the appliance door comprising:

a feature module that supplies one or more functionalities;

an appliance door having an interior surface and one or more connector capable of removably engaging the feature module to the appliance door without the use of tools, wherein the appliance door is operable between an open position and a closed position;

an appliance interior defined by a rear wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a top, a bottom, and the appliance door in the closed position, enclosing at least a portion of the appliance interior, wherein a gap is created between the rear wall and the feature module when the appliance door is in the closed position; and

an interface between the appliance door and the feature module, wherein the interface includes a detection and recognition device that operates to detect when the feature module is connected to the appliance door and to transfer a select one or more of a plurality of predetermined utilities between the appliance door and the feature module via the one or more connector based upon which feature module is connected to the appliance door.

2. The connection system of claim 1, wherein the feature module is received within a pocket on the interior surface of the appliance door and wherein the interface includes a magnet embedded within the feature module and a reed switch embedded within the appliance door, wherein the reed switch includes a pair of contacts having a default open position, wherein the reed switch is selectively positioned within the appliance door, such that connection of the feature module to the appliance door applies a magnetic field proximate the reed switch, resulting in a closed position between the pair of contacts, and wherein the closed position closes an electrical circuit within the appliance door, thereby allows the transfer of two or more of the plurality of predetermined utilities between the appliance door and the feature module.

3. The connection system of claim 1, wherein the interface includes a dual in-line package switch having a plurality of switches that are positioned in a plurality of positions and a plurality of socket pins, wherein the appliance door includes a plurality of pin sockets to receive the socket pins, and wherein specific setting combinations of the switches identifies a plurality of selected predetermined utilities and allows the transfer of the predetermined utilities between the appliance door and the feature module.

4. The connection system of claim 3, wherein the interface includes at least one magnet, wherein the plurality of switches of the dual in-line package are a plurality of reed switches, each reed switch including a pair of contacts having a first position, and wherein connection of the feature module to the appliance door applies a magnetic field proximate the reed switches, resulting in a second position for each pair of contacts, and wherein a specific combination of second positions closes an electrical circuit within the appliance door, thereby enabling the transfer of the predetermined utilities between the appliance door and the feature module. 9

5. The connection system of claim 1, wherein the detection and recognition device includes a computer control system operatively connected to the appliance door, wherein the computer control system comprises a processor and a memory subsystem coupled to the processor where the memory subsystem stores code that, when executed based upon input received from the connected feature module, initiates the transfer of a plurality of selected predetermined utilities to be transferred between the appliance door and the connected feature module based upon the predetermined utilities needed to be supplied to an individual feature module to supply the individual feature module with its one or more functionalities, and wherein the module further includes a protrusion and a recess that releasably and matingly engages the protrusion and either the recess or the protrusion is on the rear wall of the module.

6. The connection system of claim 5, wherein the interface includes at least one electrical contact positioned on the feature module and at least one electrical contact positioned on the appliance door, the feature module contact and the appliance door contact functionally mate with one another to create an electrical connection when the feature module is connected to the appliance door, such that an electrical signature resistance occurs, and wherein the computer control system includes a comparator circuit connectable to the resistance, that identifies various feature modules based on the signature resistance values and selectively enabling the transfer of utility with the connected feature module.

7. The connection system of claim 1, wherein the interface includes at least one electrical contact positioned on the feature module and at least one electrical contact positioned on the appliance door, the feature module contact and the appliance door contact functionally mate with one another to create an electrical connection when the feature module is connected to the appliance door, and wherein the feature module contact includes an embedded connector that closes an electrical circuit within the appliance door, enabling the transfer of the predetermined utilities between the appliance door and the feature module.

8. The connection system of claim 1, wherein the interface includes a fluid coupling having a push switch that is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the push switch is in the first position when a feature module is not connected, and wherein connection of a feature module to the appliance door moves the push switch into a second position, the push switch second position closes an electrical circuit within the appliance door, thereby enabling the transfer of the predetermined utilities between the appliance door and the feature module.

9. The connection system of claim 1, wherein the feature module further comprises a housing defining an enclosed interior space accessible via an access door and the connection system includes a plurality of feature modules that supply different functionalities.

10. An appliance system comprising:

a host appliance having an interior volume at least partially defined by a rear wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a top, a bottom, and an appliance door in a closed position, wherein the host appliance is capable of transferring a plurality of predetermined utilities;

a feature module engaged with a surface of the host appliance chosen from the group consisting of at least one of the first side wall of the host appliance, the second side wall of the host appliance, the top of the host appliance, the bottom of the host appliance, and an interior surface of the appliance door of the host appliance, wherein the feature module supplies at least one added functionality to the host appliance not provided independently by the host appliance when the host appliance is free of any engaged feature module, and wherein the at least one added functionality provided by the feature module is provided by the feature module'"'"'s use of a utility transferred to the feature module by the host appliance; and

a connector system configured to removably engage the surface of the host appliance with the feature module without the use of tools, wherein the connector system comprises;

a coupler that removably engages the feature module to the host appliance; and

an interface between the host appliance and the feature module, wherein the interface includes a detection and recognition device that identifies the at least one added functionality supplied by the feature module engaged to the host appliance, and wherein identification of the engaged feature module prompts the appliance to transfer at least one predetermined utility to the feature module.

11. The appliance system of claim 10, wherein the feature module comprises a housing and wherein the interface includes a magnet that is embedded within the feature module housing and a reed, switch embedded within the host appliance, wherein the reed switch includes a pair of contacts having a default open position, wherein the reed switch is selectively positioned within the host appliance such that connection of the feature module to the host appliance applies a magnetic field proximate the reed switch resulting in a closed position between the pair of contacts, and wherein the closed position closes an electrical circuit within the host appliance, thereby enabling the transfer of the at least one predetermined utility between the host appliance and the feature module.

12. The appliance system of claim 10, wherein the interface includes a dual in-line package switch having a plurality of switches that are manually positioned in a plurality of positions and a plurality of socket pins, wherein the host appliance includes a plurality of pin sockets to receive the socket pins, and wherein specific setting combinations of the plurality of switches of the dual in-line package switch allows a transfer of the at least one predetermined utility to be transferred between the host appliance and the feature module.

13. The appliance system of claim 12, wherein the interface includes at least one magnet, wherein the plurality of switches of the dual in-line package are a plurality of reed switches, each reed switch including a pair of contacts having a first position, and wherein connection of the feature module to the host appliance applies a magnetic field proximate the reed switches, resulting in a second position for each pair of contacts, and wherein a specific combination of second positions closes an electrical circuit within the host appliance, thereby allowing a transfer of the at least one predetermined utility between the host appliance and the feature module.

14. The appliance system of claim 10, wherein the detection and recognition device includes a computer control system operatively connected to the host appliance, wherein the computer control system comprises a processor and a memory subsystem coupled to the processor where the memory subsystem stores code that, when executed based upon input received from the connected feature module, identifies the at least one predetermined utility to be transferred between the connected feature module and the host appliance and instructs the transfer of a plurality of selected predetermined utilities between the connected feature module based upon the at least one predetermined utility needed to be supplied to the connected feature module to supply the connected feature module with its one or more functionalities.

15. The appliance system of claim 14, wherein the interface includes at least one electrical contact positioned on the feature module and at least one electrical contact positioned on the host appliance, that matingly engage with one another when the feature module is coupled to the host appliance, wherein engagement of the feature module contact and the host appliance contact results in an electrical signature resistance, and wherein the computer control system includes a comparator circuit connectable to the resistance, thereby identifies various feature modules based on the signature resistance values and selectively transferring utility between the connected feature module and the host appliance.

16. The appliance system of claim 10, wherein the interface includes at least one electrical contact positioned on the feature module and at least one electrical contact positioned on the host appliance, that matingly engage with one another when the feature module is coupled to the host appliance, and wherein the feature module contact includes an embedded connector that closes an electrical circuit within the host appliance, thereby allowing a transfer of the at least one predetermined utility between the host appliance and the feature module.

17. The appliance system of claim 10, wherein the interface includes a fluid coupling having a push switch that is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the push switch is in the first position when a feature module is not connected, and wherein connection of a feature module to the host appliance moves the push switch into a second position, the push switch second position resulting in the closing of an electrical circuit within the host appliance, thereby allowing a transfer of the at least one predetermined utility between the host appliance and the feature module.

18. The connection system of claim 10, wherein the detection and recognition device detects different functionalities chosen from the group consisting of ice making, ice crushing, water dispensing, precise temperature control, humidity control, vacuum packaging, thawing, and fast chilling.

19. A method of providing user-selected features to an appliance comprising:

providing an appliance configured to transfer a plurality of utilities to a feature module via a utility engagement system, wherein the feature module is configured to be removably engaged to an interior surface of an appliance door, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a top, and a bottom of the appliance without the use of tools and is capable of supplying at least one user-selected feature;

engaging the interior surface of the appliance with the feature module by hand without the use of tools such that the appliance and the feature module are removably engaged with one another and are operably connected at an interface that has a detection and communication device that communicates to the appliance whether the feature module is connected to the appliance and which of the plurality of utilities are to be transferred between the feature module and the appliance via the utility engagement system when the feature module is engaged to the appliance;

determining an individual predetermined utility or a set of the plurality of predetermined utilities that are to be transferred between the feature module and the appliance via the utility engagement system based upon the feature module that is connected to the utility source; and

transferring the individual predetermined utility or set of the plurality of predetermined utilities identified by the engagement of the feature module to the appliance between the appliance and the feature module via the utility engagement system to provide the user-selected features that are capable of being supplied by the feature module.

20. The method of providing user-selected features to an appliance of claim 19, wherein the step of transferring the individual predetermined utility or set of the plurality of predetermined utilities to the feature module includes a plurality of utilities chosen from the group consisting of electricity, fluid, gas, chemical reactant, desiccant, foodstuff, flavorant, heat, cold air, pressurized air, and combinations thereof, and wherein the utility engagement system includes a protrusion and a recess that releasably and matingly engages the protrusion and either the recess or the protrusion of the utility engagement system is on a rear wall of the module.

21. The method of providing user-selected features to an appliance of claim 19, wherein the detection and communication device comprises a detection and communication device selected from the group consisting of a reed switch, DIP switch, and a comparator circuit, and wherein the utility engagement system includes a protrusion and a recess that releasably and matingly engages the protrusion and either the recess or the protrusion of the utility engagement system is on a rear wall of the module.

22. The method of providing user-selected features to an appliance of claim 19, wherein the utility engagement system includes a coupler that is mechanical, magnetic, electrical, or fluidic, and wherein the plurality of utilities are capable of being transferred to or from the feature module upon engagement between the feature module and the utility source.

23. A connection system for connecting a feature module to a utility source and transferring a plurality of utilities between the feature module and the utility source comprising:

a utility source comprising a coupler that removably engages a feature module to the utility source without the use of tools;

wherein the utility source consists of an interior surface of an appliance door, a wall bracket, and a countertop stand;

at least one feature module that independently supplies one or more functionalities; and

an interface between the utility source and the feature module, wherein the interface includes a detection and recognition device that detects when the feature module is connected to the utility source and determines one or more of the plurality of predetermined utilities to be transferred between the utility source and the feature module based upon which functionality the feature module that is connected to the utility source supplies, and wherein the detection and recognition device is chosen from the group consisting of a reed switch, a DIP switch, and a comparator circuit.

24. A connection system for connecting a feature module to a utility source and transferring a plurality of utilities between the feature module and the utility source comprising:

a utility source comprising a coupler that removably engages a feature module to a surface of the utility source without the use of tools;

wherein the surface is not a rear wall of an appliance and is not an exterior surface of the appliance;

at least one feature module that independently supplies one or more functionalities; and

an interface between the utility source and the feature module, wherein the interface includes a detection and recognition device that detects when the feature module is connected to the utility source and determines one or more of the plurality of utilities to be transferred between the utility source and the feature module based upon which functionality the feature module that is connected to the utility source supplies, and wherein the detection and recognition device is chosen from the group consisting of a reed switch, a DIP switch, and a comparator circuit.