Proximity sensor enabled mechanical power coupling system

• US 8,439,178 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2009
• Issued: 05/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Kuehl, Steven J., McCoy, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lorence, Richard M.
• Application Number:
  US12/643,174
• Publication Number:
  US 20110147160A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,240 Days
• Field of Search: 192/30.W
• US Class Current: 192/66.1
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 1/10 Quick-acting couplings in which the parts are connected by simply bringing them together axially
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2300/18 Sensors; Details or arrangements thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/005 Mounting of control devices

Abstract

Systems and components for providing or receiving a mechanical power service through a mechanical power coupling system. A mechanical power service switch is provided for selectively communicating the mechanical power service between a first mechanical power service communicating device, such as a host or other mechanical power service source and a first mechanical power service communicating device, such as a mechanical power service consumer. The mechanical power service switch is activated to transfer a mechanical power service in response to detection of a contactless proximity target associated with one of the mechanical power service communicating devices by a proximity sensor associated with the other of the mechanical power service communicating devices.

Claims

1. A mechanical power coupling system comprising:

a first mechanical power connector component capable of being associated with a mechanical power service consumer;

a contactless proximity target associated with at least one of the first mechanical power connector component and the mechanical power service consumer;

a second mechanical power connector component operably engageable with the first mechanical power connector component, the second mechanical power connector component capable of being associated with a mechanical power service source;

a contactless proximity sensor associated with at least one of the second mechanical power connector and the mechanical power service source;

a mechanical power service pathway between the first and second mechanical power connector components when the first and second mechanical power connector components are interengaged, the mechanical power service pathway capable of passing a mechanical power service between the first and second mechanical power connector components; and

a service switch operably associated with the contactless proximity sensor to selectively permit the communication of the mechanical power service along the mechanical power service pathway when the contactless proximity sensor detects the contactless proximity target;

wherein the contactless proximity target and the contactless proximity sensor are magnetic and the service switch responds to movement of the contactless proximity sensor in response to the detection of the contactless proximity target by the contactless proximity sensor.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein one of the first and second mechanical power connector components comprises a mechanical power service plug and the other of the first and second mechanical power connector components comprises a mechanical power service receptacle.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the contactless proximity sensor is selected from a magnetic sensor, a light sensor, an optical sensor, an eddy current sensor, an acoustic sensor, an electromagnetic sensor, a chemical sensor, and a thermal sensor.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the service switch selectively enables the mechanical power service pathway in response to the detection of the contactless proximity target by the contactless proximity sensor.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the contactless proximity sensor is slidably disposed within the mechanical power service pathway.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the contactless proximity sensor is movable between a first position, in which the mechanical power service is substantially prevented from communicating through the mechanical power service pathway between the first and second mechanical power connector components, and a second position, in which the mechanical power service is allowed to pass through the mechanical power service pathway between the first and second mechanical power connector components.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the contactless proximity sensor is arranged in the first position when the contactless proximity sensor does not detect the contactless proximity target.

8. The system according to claim 6 and further comprising a biasing member connected to the contactless proximity sensor, the biasing member urging the contactless proximity sensor toward the first position.

9. The system according to claim 6, wherein the contactless proximity target and the contactless proximity sensor are magnetic and the service switch comprises the contactless proximity sensor, the contactless proximity sensor responding to the detection of the contactless proximity target by moving away from the first position toward the second position.

10. The system according to claim 1 and further comprising a host configured to communicate the mechanical power service to the mechanical power service consumer.

11. The system according to claim 10, 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, an air purifier, an iron, a vacuum cleaner, a robot, a trash compactor and a structural feature of a building.

12. The system according to claim 11 and further comprising a portable accessory device comprising the mechanical power service consumer.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein one of the mechanical power service source and the mechanical power service consumer comprises an appliance and the other of the mechanical power service source and the mechanical power service consumer comprises an appliance accessory.

14. The system according to claim 1, wherein the contactless proximity target is selected from a passive target and an active target.

15. The system according to claim 1, wherein the contactless proximity sensor is selected from a passive sensor and an active sensor.

16. The system according to claim 1 and further comprising the mechanical power service consumer coupled to the mechanical power service pathway.

17. The system according to claim 1 and further comprising a mechanical power service provider coupled to the mechanical power service pathway.

18. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second mechanical power connector component comprises at least one of a flat clutch plate, a toothed clutch plate, a wheel, a gear and a keyed coupling component.

19. A mechanical power coupling system for connecting a portable device having a contactless proximity target to a host and a mechanical power service source capable of supplying a mechanical power service, the mechanical power coupling system comprising:

a mechanical power connector component;

a contactless proximity sensor capable of detecting the contactless proximity target;

a mechanical power service pathway interconnecting the mechanical power service source and the mechanical power connector component; and

a service switch selectively permitting the communication of the mechanical power service along the mechanical power service pathway in response to detection of a contactless proximity target by the contactless proximity sensor;

wherein the contactless proximity target comprises a magnet, the contactless proximity sensor comprises a magnet, and the service switch is powered at least partially by the magnetic interaction between the contactless proximity sensor and the contactless proximity target.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the mechanical power connector further comprises the mechanical power service source.

21. The system according to claim 19, wherein the service switch selectively forms the mechanical power service pathway in response to the detection of the contactless proximity target by the contactless proximity sensor.

22. The system according to claim 21, wherein the contactless proximity sensor is movable between a first position, in which the mechanical power service is substantially prevented from communicating through the mechanical power service pathway, and a second position, in which the mechanical power service is allowed to pass through the mechanical power service pathway.

23. The system according to claim 22, wherein the contactless proximity sensor is arranged in the first position when the contactless proximity sensor does not detect the contactless proximity target.

24. The system according to claim 22 and further comprising a biasing member connected to the contactless proximity sensor, the biasing member urging the contactless proximity sensor toward the first position.

25. The system according to claim 22, wherein the service switch comprises the contactless proximity sensor, the contactless proximity sensor responding to the detection of the contactless proximity target by moving away from the first position toward the second position.

26. The system according to claim 19 and further comprising a mechanical power service consumer coupled to the mechanical power service pathway.

27. The system according to claim 19 and further comprising a mechanical power service provider coupled to the mechanical power service pathway.

28. The system according to claim 19, wherein the mechanical power connector component comprises at least one of a flat clutch plate, a toothed clutch plate, a wheel, a gear and a keyed coupling component.

29. The system according to claim 19, wherein the service switch responds to movement of the contactless proximity sensor in response to the detection of the contactless proximity target by the contactless proximity sensor.

30. The system according to claim 19, wherein the contactless proximity sensor responds to detection of the contactless proximity target by sending a signal to the service switch.

31. The system according to claim 30, wherein the signal comprises at least one of an electrical signal, a change in voltage, a change in current, a change in frequency, a change in resistance, a change in reactance, a mechanical signal, a change in pressure, and a displacement vibration.

32. The system according to claim 19, 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, an air purifier, an iron, a vacuum cleaner, a robot, a trash compactor and a structural feature of a building.

33. The system according to claim 19, wherein the contactless proximity sensor detects at least one of magnetism, an electromagnetic wave, an acoustic wave, a visual target and a chemical component.

34. The system according to claim 19, wherein the service switch is powered by a mechanical movement of the contactless proximity sensor in response to the magnetic interaction between the contactless proximity sensor and the contactless proximity target.

35. An accessory having a mechanical power service consumer for use in association with a host having a mechanical power service provider, a first mechanical power connector component, and a mechanical power service pathway selectively providing a mechanical power service to the first mechanical power connector in response to a contactless proximity sensor detecting a contactless proximity target, the accessory comprising:

a second mechanical power connector component;

a mechanical power service pathway for interconnecting the mechanical power service consumer and the second mechanical power connector component; and

a contactless proximity target capable of activating the contactless proximity sensor to activate the mechanical power service pathway;

wherein the contactless proximity target comprises a magnet.

36. The accessory according to claim 35 and further comprising a housing, wherein the mechanical power service consumer, the mechanical power service pathway, and the contactless proximity target are each at least partially disposed within the housing.

37. The accessory according to claim 35 and further comprising an adapter, the mechanical power service consumer further comprising an accessory device capable of being removably coupled to the adapter.

38. The accessory according to claim 35, wherein the contactless proximity target provides at least one of magnetism, an electromagnetic wave, an acoustic wave, a visual target, and a chemical component.

39. The accessory according to claim 35, wherein the contactless proximity target is selected from a passive target and an active target.

40. An adapter for removably coupling a portable device having a first device mechanical power connector component to a host having a mechanical power service provider, a first host mechanical power connector component, a first mechanical power service pathway selectively providing a mechanical power service to the first mechanical power connector, and a service switch selectively activated in response to a contactless proximity sensor detecting a contactless proximity target to permit the mechanical power service pathway to provide the mechanical power service the first mechanical power connector, the adapter comprising:

a second host mechanical power connector component engageable with the first host mechanical power connector component;

a second device mechanical power connector component engageable with the first device mechanical power connector component;

a second mechanical power service pathway interconnecting the second host mechanical power connector component and the second device mechanical power connector component for the transfer of a mechanical power service there along; and

a contactless proximity target capable of activating the contactless proximity sensor to activate the service switch.

41. The adapter according to claim 40, wherein the contactless proximity target provides at least one of magnetism, an electromagnetic wave, an acoustic wave, a visual target, and a chemical component.

42. The adapter according to claim 40, wherein the contactless proximity target is selected from a passive target and an active target.

43. A second mechanical power service communicating device for mechanical power service communication with a first mechanical power service communicating device having a first mechanical power service connector component, and a first contactless proximity system component, the second mechanical power service communicating device comprising:

a second mechanical power connector component capable of coupling with the first mechanical power service connector component for communication of mechanical power service therebetween; and

a second contactless proximity system component associated with the second mechanical power connector component and capable of engaging the first contactless proximity system component within a contactless proximity system to selectively regulate the communication of mechanical power service between the first and second mechanical power connector components in response to the interaction of the first and second contactless proximity system components;

wherein the second mechanical power service communicating device comprises a consumable holder.

44. The second mechanical power service communicating device according to claim 43 and further comprising an electro-magnetically operated service switch capable of communicating with at least one of the first and second contactless proximity system components and of controlling the communication of mechanical power service by the second mechanical power connector component, in response to the interaction between the first and second proximity system components.

45. The second mechanical power service communicating device according to claim 43, wherein the second mechanical power service communicating device comprises an appliance.

46. The second mechanical power service communicating device according to claim 43, wherein the second mechanical power service communicating device comprises an appliance accessory.

47. The second mechanical power service communicating device according to claim 43, wherein the second mechanical power service communicating device comprises a mechanical power service consumer.