Substance communicating device with mechanically energized connector

• US 8,342,480 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2009
• Issued: 01/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Hendrickson, Michael S., Luckman, Joel A., McCoy, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fristoe, Jr., John K
• Assistant Examiner(s): COLON MORALES, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US12/643,137
• Publication Number:
  US 20110146328A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,107 Days
• Field of Search: 251/149, 251/142, 141/349, 141/351, 141/198, 141/192, 141/347
• US Class Current: 251/149
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/361 Interactive visual displays
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/08 Sensors using Radio Frequency Identification [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/00 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices

Abstract

A substance communicating device for use in conjunction with an appliance or a system including an appliance and a consumable holder. The appliance has a first substance service connector component and a first service switch component. The substance communicating device has a second substance service connector component operably engageable with the first substance connector component to permit the communication of a substance between the first and second substance service connector components. The substance communicating device further has a second service switch component operably associated with the second substance service connector component, the second service switch component being configured to engage the first service switch component when the first and second substance service connector components are engaged to selectively permit the communication of the substance between the substance communicating device and the appliance.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an appliance having a first substance service connector component, a substance provider, and a flow regulating device for regulating the flow of a substance from the substance provider;

a substance communicating device having a second substance service connector component operably engageable with the first substance service connector component, and a substance consumer connected to the second substance service connector component;

a service switch provided on the appliance, and selectively actuated to establish a substance pathway between the substance provider and the substance consumer, the service switch comprising;

a first terminal;

a second terminal coupled to the flow regulating device;

a switch plate that is moveable between an open position, in which the first terminal is not connected to the second terminal, and a closed position, in which the first terminal is connected to the second terminal; and

a contact proximity sensor operably connected to the switch plate; and

a contact proximity target provided on the substance communicating device for engagement with the proximity sensor;

wherein the switch plate moves from the open position to the closed position to activate the flow regulating device to permit the flow of the substance along the substance pathway in response to the contact proximity target engaging the contact proximity sensor; and

wherein the contact proximity target is configured to engage the contact proximity sensor when the second substance service connector component is engaged with the first substance service connector component.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the service switch is configured to selectively permit the communication of an electromagnetic service between the substance communicating device and the appliance.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the substance consumer comprises at least one of a detergent dispenser, a drink dispenser, a bottle, a jug, and an accessory.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the substance communicating device comprises one of a filter, a water filter, a refrigerator water filter, a dispenser, a chemical dispenser, a dispenser for a washing machine, a dispenser for a dryer, a dispenser for a dishwasher, a dispenser for water, a dispenser for ice, a dispenser of liquid, and a dispenser of a drink.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the substance communicating device comprises an appliance.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the substance communicating device comprises:

a main body;

and

a substance line having a first end coupled with the substance consumer and a second end coupled with the second substance service connector component.

7. The system according to claim 1 and further comprising:

a control element associated with the first substance service connector component and configured to selectively permit the communication of the substance between the substance communicating device and the appliance; and

an actuator operably associated with the second substance service connector component, the actuator being configured to actuate the control element when the first and second substance service connector components are engaged to selectively permit the communication of the substance between the substance communicating device and the appliance.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the substance provider comprises a consumable holder.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the appliance comprises a housing and the first substance service connector component comprises a biasing member for biasing the first substance service connector component away from the housing.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the service switch further comprises a biasing member for urging the switch plate toward the open position.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the flow regulating device comprises at least one of a pump, a valve, a fan, a conveyor, a tube with an adjustable diameter, and an elevator.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the appliance comprises at least one of a freezer, a conventional oven, a microwave oven, a dishwashing machine, a stove, a range, an air conditioner, a dehumidifier, a clothes washing machine, a clothes dryer, a clothes refreshing machine, and a non-aqueous washing apparatus.

13. The system according to claim 1 and further comprising a first electromagnetic service connector component provided on the appliance and a second electromagnetic service connector component provided on the substance communicating device and operably engageable with the first electromagnetic service connector component to permit the communication of an electromagnetic service between the first and second electromagnetic service connector components.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the second electromagnetic service connector component is configured to engage the first electromagnetic service connector component when the first and second substance service connector components are engaged to selectively permit the contemporaneous communication of the substance and the electromagnetic service between the substance communicating device and the appliance.

15. The system according to claim 13, wherein the second substance service connector component comprises the second electromagnetic service connector component.

16. The system according to claim 13, wherein the flow regulating device selectively permits the communication of the substance between the first and second substance service connector components in response to the communication of an electromagnetic service between the first and second electromagnetic service connector components.

17. The system according to claim 1, wherein the appliance comprises a first housing, and a portion of the contact proximity sensor is exterior of the first housing.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the appliance comprises a recess provided in the first housing, wherein at least one of the first substance service connector component and the contact proximity sensor is provided in the recess.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the substance communicating device comprises a second housing and a raised boss provided on the second housing, wherein at least one of the second substance service connector component and the contact proximity target is provided on the raised boss and the raised boss is configured to be at least partially received in the recess.

20. The system according to claim 1, wherein the contact proximity sensor is operably coupled to the switch plate by a physical link.

21. The system according to claim 20, wherein the physical link comprises a moveable plunger connected to the switch plate.

22. A system comprising:

an appliance having a first substance service connector component;

a substance communicating device having a second substance service connector component operably engageable with the first substance service connector component;

a substance provider fluidly coupled with one of the first and second substance service connector components;

a substance consumer fluidly coupled with the other of the first and second substance service connector components;

a flow regulating device provided on one of the appliance and the substance communicating device for regulating the flow of a substance from the substance provider;

a service switch provided on one of the appliance and the substance communicating device, and selectively actuated to establish a substance pathway between the substance provider and the substance consumer, the service switch comprising;

a first terminal;

a second terminal;

a switch plate that is moveable between an open position, in which the first terminal is not connected to the second terminal, and a closed position, in which the first terminal is connected to the second terminal; and

a contact proximity sensor operably connected to the switch plate; and

a contact proximity target provided on the other of the appliance and the substance communicating device for engagement with the proximity sensor;

wherein the switch plate moves from the open position to the closed position to activate the flow regulating device to permit the flow of the substance along the substance pathway in response to the contact proximity target engaging the contact proximity sensor; and

wherein the contact proximity target is configured to engage the contact proximity sensor when the second substance service connector component is engaged with the first substance service connector component.

23. The system according to claim 22 and further comprising:

a control element operably associated with one of the first and second substance service connector components, and configured to selectively permit the communication of a service between the substance communicating device and the appliance; and

an actuator associated with the other of the first and second substance service connector components, and configured to selectively engage the control element when the first and second substance service connectors are engaged to permit the communication of a service between the substance communicating device and the appliance.

24. The system according to claim 22, wherein the first substance service connector component further comprises a first electromagnetic service connector component, and the second substance service connector component further comprises a second electromagnetic service connector component, wherein the second electromagnetic service connector component is operably engageable with the first electromagnetic service connector component to permit the communication of an electromagnetic service between the appliance and the substance communicating device.

25. The system according to claim 22, wherein the substance communicating device comprises one of a filter, a water filter, a refrigerator water filter, a dispenser, a chemical dispenser, a dispenser for a washing machine, a dispenser for a dryer, a dispenser for a dishwasher, a dispenser for water, a dispenser for ice, a dispenser of liquid, and a dispenser of a drink.

26. The system according to claim 22, wherein the appliance comprises a housing and the first substance service connector component comprises a biasing member for biasing the first substance service connector component away from the housing.

27. The system according to claim 22, wherein the service switch further comprises a biasing member for urging the switch plate toward the open position.

28. The system according to claim 22, wherein the flow regulating device comprises at least one of a pump, a valve, a fan, a conveyor, a tube with an adjustable diameter, and an elevator.

29. The system according to claim 22, wherein the appliance comprises at least one of a freezer, a conventional oven, a microwave oven, a dishwashing machine, a stove, a range, an air conditioner, a dehumidifier, a clothes washing machine, a clothes dryer, a clothes refreshing machine, and a non-aqueous washing apparatus.

30. The system according to claim 22, and further comprising a signal source coupled to the first terminal and configured to generate a control signal which activates the flow regulating device, wherein the switch plate moves from the open position to the closed position to transmit the control signal to activate the flow regulating device in response to the proximity target engaging the proximity sensor.

31. The system according to claim 22, and further comprising a second flow regulating device provided on the other of the appliance and the substance communicating device for regulating the flow of a substance from the substance provider.

32. The system according to claim 22 and further comprising:

a substance line extending from at least one of the first and second substance service connector components and the flow regulating device;

wherein the service switch comprises a control element for controlling the flow regulating device.

33. The system according to claim 32, wherein the appliance further comprises a first electromagnetic service connector component and the substance communicating device further comprises a second electromagnetic service connector component engageable with the first electromagnetic service connector component, wherein the service switch selectively permits the communication of electromagnetic service between the first and second electromagnetic service connector components and the control element is activated when electromagnetic service is communicated between the first and second electromagnetic service connector components.

34. The system according to claim 22, wherein the service switch is further configured to selectively permit the communication of at least one other service between the substance communicating device and the appliance.

35. The system according to claim 34, wherein the at least one other service comprises an electrical service.

36. The system according to claim 22, wherein the contact proximity sensor is operably coupled to the switch plate by a physical link.

37. The system according to claim 36, wherein the physical link comprises a moveable plunger connected to the switch plate.

38. The system according to claim 22 and further comprising a first electromagnetic service connector component provided on the appliance and a second electromagnetic service connector component provided on the substance communicating device and operably engageable with the first electromagnetic service connector component to permit the communication of an electromagnetic service between the first and second electromagnetic service connector components.

39. The system according to claim 38, wherein the flow regulating device selectively permits the communication of the substance in response to the communication of an electromagnetic service between the first and second electromagnetic service connector components.