Mechanically energized substance communication coupling system

• US 8,387,948 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2009
• Issued: 03/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Kuehl, Steven J., McCoy, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Keasel, Eric
• Assistant Examiner(s): COLON MORALES, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US12/643,217
• Publication Number:
  US 20110149485A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,170 Days
• Field of Search: 251/149, 251/142, 141/349, 141/351, 141/198, 141/192, 141/347, 200/52.R, 200/61.58 R, 200/61.6, 200/61.85, 200/61.86, 200/51.R, 439/190
• US Class Current: 251/149
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/20 Joints tightened by toggle-action levers

Abstract

A system for communicating a substance from between substance communicating devices. A substance switch is provided for selectively transferring the substance from a first substance communicating device, such as a host or other substance source to a first substance communicating device, such as a such as a substance consumer. The substance switch is activated to communicate the substance between the first substance communicating device and the second substance communicating device in response to movement of a component associated with one of the substance communicating devices.

Claims

1. A substance communication coupling system comprising:

a first connector component;

a substance switch operably connected to a substance source, the substance switch operable for selectively transferring a substance from the substance source to the first connector component, the substance switch including a first link moveably associated with the substance switch; and

a second connector component operably connectable to the first connector component, the second connector component including a second link associated with the second connector component and engageable with the first link of the substance switch;

wherein the substance switch is selectively activated to transfer the substance from the first connector component to the second connector component in response to movement of the first link when engaged with the second link; and

wherein the second link is moveable relative to the second connector component between an extended position and a retracted position by movement of the first link when the first link is engaged with the second link, wherein the substance switch is activated to transfer the substance from the substance source to the second connector component when the second link is in the retracted position.

2. The system according to claim 1 and further comprising a substance communication conduit for selectively transferring the substance from the substance source to the first connector component, the substance communication conduit movable between a first position in which the substance communication conduit is operably coupled to the first connector component and a second position in which the substance communication conduit is operably decoupled from the first connector component, wherein the substance communication conduit is arranged in the second position when the second connector component is decoupled from the first connector component.

3. The system according to claim 2 and further comprising a biasing member connected to the substance communication conduit, the biasing member operable for urging the substance communication conduit toward the second position.

4. The system according to claim 1 and further comprising a substance communication conduit for selectively transferring the substance from the substance source to the first connector component, the substance communication conduit connected to the first link for concurrent movement therewith, wherein the substance communication conduit is operably coupled to the first connector component when the second link is in the retracted position.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the substance communication conduit is operably decoupled from the first connector component when the second link is in the extended position.

6. The system according to claim 4, wherein the first connector component includes a first end enclosed within a housing and operably engageable with the substance communication conduit, and a second end accessible from outside of the housing.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the substance switch is deactivated to substantially block transmission of the substance from the substance source to the first connector component when the first link is detached from the second link.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the substance switch is deactivated to substantially block transmission of the substance from the substance source to the first connector component when the second connector component is decoupled from the first connector component.

9. The system according to claim 1 and further comprising a host configured to communicate the substance.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the host comprises at least one of a refrigerator, 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, a non-aqueous washing apparatus, a water softener, a water heater, a furnace, pool water treatment equipment, an HVAC system, a thermostat, a blender, a mixer, a toaster, a coffee maker, a trash compactor, an air purifier, an iron, a vacuum cleaner, a robot, and a structural feature of a building.

11. The system according to claim 9 and further comprising a substance consumer configured to communicate the substance with the host.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second link is fixed relative to the second connector component and wherein the substance switch is activated to transfer the substance from the substance source to the second connector component when the second link is engaged with the first link and the first link is moved.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the movement of the first link draws the first connector component and second connector component into engagement.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the substance switch comprises a proximity switch activated when the first connector component and second connector component are drawn into engagement by the first link.

15. The system according to claim 13, wherein one of the second connector component and first connector component has a proximity target and the other of the second connector component and first connector component has a proximity sensor responsive to the proximity sensor when the first connector component and second connector component are drawn into engagement by the first link.

16. A system for communicating with a substance source, the system comprising:

a first connector component operably engageable with a separate second connector component for transferring a substance from the substance source to the second connector component;

a substance switch for selectively permitting the flow of substance between the first and second connector components, the substance switch including a first link engageable with a second link associated with the second connector component; and

a substance communication conduit operably connected to the substance source;

wherein the substance switch is activated to transfer the substance from the substance source to the first connector component in response to movement of the first link;

wherein the first link is moveable between a first position in which the substance communication conduit is operably coupled to the first connector component, and a second position in which the substance communication conduit is operably uncoupled from the first connector component.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the first connector component is selectively engageable with the substance communication conduit for transferring the substance from the substance source to the first connector component in response to movement of the first link.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the first link is operably connected to the substance communication conduit.

19. The system according to claim 16 and further comprising a biasing member connected to the substance communication conduit for urging the substance communication conduit toward the second position.

20. The system according to claim 16, wherein the first connector component includes a first end enclosed within a housing and selectively engageable with the substance communication conduit, and a second end accessible from outside the housing, the second end being engageable with the second connector component.

21. The system according to claim 16, wherein the substance communication conduit is enclosed within a housing and at least a portion of the first link extends outside of the housing.

22. The system according to claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the first connector component and the first link are accessible from outside a housing enclosing the substance communication conduit.

23. The system according to claim 16, wherein the first position is an extended position and the second position is a retracted position.

24. The system according to claim 16, wherein the substance switch comprises a proximity sensor responsive to a proximity target in the second connector component.

25. A system for communicating with a substance source, the system comprising:

a first connector component operably engageable with a separate second connector component for transferring a substance from the substance source to the second connector component; and

a substance switch for selectively permitting the flow of substance between the first and second connector components, the substance switch including a first link engageable with a second link associated with the second connector component;

wherein the substance switch is activated to transfer the substance from the substance source to the first connector component in response to movement of the first link; and

wherein the movement of the first link draws the first connector component and second connector component into engagement.

26. The system according to claim 25, wherein the substance switch comprises a proximity switch activated when the first connector component and second connector component are drawn into engagement by the first link.

27. The system according to claim 25, wherein one of the second connector component and first connector component has a proximity target and the other of the second connector component and first connector component has a proximity sensor responsive to the proximity sensor when the first connector component and second connector component are drawn into engagement by the first link.

28. A system for receiving a substance from a host comprising a substance source, the system comprising:

a second connector component operably engageable with a separate first connector component for selectively receiving the substance from the substance source; and

an actuator operably associated with the second connector component, the actuator moveable along a path generally parallel to an axis of insertion of the second connector component with the first connector component, between a first position and a second position,

wherein the substance is delivered to the second connector component when the actuator is in the first position;

wherein the actuator comprises;

at least one link engageable with a corresponding link associated with the first connector component, the link moveable between an extended position and a retracted position; and

a switch operably connected to the at least one link, the switch selectively moveable between a latched position for positioning the at least one link in the retracted position, and an open position for positioning the at least one link in the extended position.

29. The system according to claim 28, wherein the at least one link includes a hook-shaped portion engageable with the first connector component.

30. The system according to claim 28, wherein the at least one link includes a hook-shaped portion engageable with the corresponding link of the first connector component.

31. The system according to claim 28, wherein a longitudinal axis of the at least one link is aligned substantially parallel to the axis of insertion.

32. The system according to claim 28, wherein the at least one link is moveable substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the at least one link.

33. The system according to claim 28, wherein the at least one link comprises at least two links and the second connector component is disposed between the at least two links.

34. The system according to claim 28 and further comprising a substance consumer in communication with the second connector component.

35. The system according to claim 34, wherein the substance consumer is at least one of a consumer electronic device, a client software device, a remote user interface, a source of consumer information, a reader, a sensor device, a smart utensil, a portable appliance, an additional smart coupling device, a remote controller, a network binder, a cycle accessory, a resource controller, a communicator, an access system, a payment system, a sales demonstration device, a consumable holder, a dispenser, a filter, a water filter, an air filter, a detergent dispenser, a drink dispenser, a detergent cartridge, a bottle, a jug, a media content holder, and a substance device.

36. The system according to claim 28, wherein the movement of the at least one link draws the first connector component and second connector component into engagement.

37. The system according to claim 36, wherein the switch comprises a proximity switch activated when the first connector component and second connector component are drawn into engagement by the at least one link.

38. The system according to claim 36, wherein one of the second connector component and first connector component has a proximity target and the other of the second connector component and first connector component has a proximity sensor responsive to the proximity sensor when the first connector component and second connector component are drawn into engagement by the at least one link.

39. An adapter for removably coupling an accessory device having a first device substance communication connector component to a host having a substance provider, a first host substance communication connector component, and a substance switch selectively providing a substance to the first device substance communication connector component, the adapter comprising:

a second host substance communication connector component engageable with the first host substance communication connector component;

a second device substance communication connector component engageable with the first device substance communication connector component;

a substance communication line operably interconnecting the second host substance communication connector component and the second device substance communication connector component for the transfer of the substance there along; and

a first link engageable with a second link associated with the substance switch;

wherein the substance switch is activated in response to movement of the first link, and wherein the first link engages the second link to actuate the substance switch and cause the second host substance communication coupling system component to engage the first host substance communication connector component to facilitate the flow of substance.