Mechanically energized substance communication coupling system

• US 8,528,610 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2009
• Issued: 09/10/2013
• 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): NIESZ, JASON KAROL
• Application Number:
  US12/643,240
• Publication Number:
  US 20110146330A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,359 Days
• Field of Search: 141/94, 141/349, 141351-362
• US Class Current: 141/349
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/26 in which the connection is made by transversely moving the parts together, with or without their subsequent rotation
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/068 Arrangements for circulating fluids through the insulating material
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/126 Water cooler
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/361 Interactive visual displays
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/00 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices

Abstract

A substance communication coupling system includes a substance connector component for communication of a substance with another substance connector component. A substance switch is provided for selectively permitting communication of the substance between the substance connector components. The substance switch is activated to transfer a substance from a substance source to a substance consumer in response to a proximity sensor engaging a proximity target.

Claims

1. A system for receiving a substance consumer comprising:

a substance communication coupling system comprising;

a first substance connector component capable of being operably associated with the substance consumer and including a contact proximity target;

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

a substance switch operably associated with the second substance connector component, the substance switch selectively permitting the flow of the substance from the substance source to the first substance connector component; and

a contact proximity sensor operably associated with the substance switch, the contact proximity sensor engageable with the contact proximity target when the first substance connector component is engaged with the second substance connector component;

wherein the substance switch is operable to permit flow of the substance to the first substance connector component in response to the contact proximity sensor engaging the contact proximity target;

wherein the contact proximity sensor comprises a contact proximity switch moveable between a first position when the first substance connector component is disengaged from the second substance connector component, and a second position when the first substance connector component is engaged with the second substance connector component, the substance switch responding to movement of the contact proximity switch; and

wherein the contact proximity target pulls the contact proximity sensor into the second position.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the substance switch and the contact proximity sensor are integrated into a common unit.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the contact proximity sensor transmits a signal to the substance switch indicating that the first substance connector component is engaged with the second substance connector component.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the substance switch permits flow of the substance through the first substance connector component in response to the signal received from the contact proximity sensor.

5. The system according to claim 3, wherein the signal includes at least one of an electrical signal, a pneumatic signal, an optical signal, a magnetic flux signal, a radio frequency signal, an infrared signal, a hydraulic signal, and physical displacement.

6. The system according to claim 1 and further comprising a biasing member for biasing the contact proximity switch to the first position when the first substance connector component is disengaged from the second substance connector component.

7. The system according to claim 6 wherein the contact proximity switch further comprises a link connected to the substance switch, wherein movement of the contact proximity switch is transmitted through the link to the substance switch.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second substance connector component is provided on a host, and 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.

9. The system according to claim 1 and further comprising an accessory device comprising the substance consumer.

10. The system according to claim 1 and further comprising an accessory device including the substance consumer.

11. A substance communication coupling system for connecting a portable device to a host, the substance communication coupling system comprising:

a substance connector component capable of communicating a substance;

a substance switch operably connected to the substance connector component for selectively permitting the substance to be transmitted to the substance connector component; and

a contact proximity sensor operably connected to the substance switch and engageable with a contact proximity target;

wherein the substance switch is configured to allow the substance to be transmitted to the substance connector component when the contact proximity sensor engages the contact proximity target;

wherein the contact proximity sensor comprises a contact proximity switch moveable between a first position when the contact proximity sensor is disengaged from the contact proximity target, and a second position when the contact proximity sensor is engaged with the contact proximity target, the substance switch responding to movement of the contact proximity switch; and

wherein the contact proximity target pulls the contact proximity sensor into the second position.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the substance switch and the contact proximity sensor are integrated into a common unit.

13. The system according to claim 11 and further comprising a substance source operably connected to the substance switch for supplying the substance.

14. The system according to claim 11, wherein the contact proximity sensor transmits a signal to the substance switch indicating that the contact proximity sensor is engaging the contact proximity target.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the substance switch permits flow of the substance to the substance connector component in response to the signal received from the contact proximity sensor.

16. The system according to claim 14, wherein the signal includes at least one of an electrical signal, a pneumatic signal, an optical signal, a magnetic flux signal, a radio frequency signal, an infrared signal, a hydraulic signal, and physical displacement.

17. The system according to claim 11 further comprising a biasing member for biasing the contact proximity switch to the first position when the contact proximity sensor is disengaged from the contact proximity target.

18. The system according to claim 17 wherein the contact proximity switch further comprises a link connected to the substance switch, wherein movement of the contact proximity switch is transmitted through the link to the substance switch.

19. The system according to claim 11, 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.

20. A system for use in association with a host having a substance provider, a first substance connector component, and a substance switch selectively providing a substance to the first substance connector component and having a contact proximity sensor, and in association with a substance consumer, the system comprising:

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

a substance line interconnecting the substance consumer and the second substance connector component; and

a contact proximity target capable of pulling the contact proximity sensor to activate the substance switch to provide the substance to the first substance connector component when the second substance connector component is engaged with the first substance connector component.

21. The system according to claim 20, wherein the system further comprises the substance consumer.

22. The system according to claim 21 and further comprising a housing, wherein the substance consumer, the substance line, and the contact proximity target are each at least partially disposed within the housing.

23. The system according to claim 21 and further comprising an adapter, the substance consumer further comprising an accessory device capable of being removably coupled to the adapter.

24. The system according to claim 21, wherein the substance consumer is at least one of an accessory device, a portable appliance, an additional smart coupling device, a resource controller, a consumable holder, a dispenser, a filter, a water filter, an air filter, a detergent dispenser, a drink dispenser, a detergent cartridge, a bottle, and a jug.

25. The system according to claim 21, wherein the substance consumer is portable.

26. A substance communication device for substance communication with an appliance having a housing, a cavity in the housing, the cavity having a first substance connector component, and a contact proximity sensor associated with the first substance connector component, the substance communicating device comprising:

a second substance connector component capable of connecting with the first substance connector component for the communication of substance therebetween; and

a contact proximity target associated with the second substance connector component, the contact proximity target being capable of pulling contact proximity sensor to activate the communication of substance between the first and second substance connector components when the first and second substance connector components are coupled.

27. The substance communication device according to claim 26, wherein the substance communication device comprises a consumable holder.

28. The substance communication device according to claim 26, wherein the substance communication device comprises a substance consumer.

29. The substance communication device according to claim 26 wherein the substance communication device comprises a substance provider.

30. The substance communication device according to claim 29 wherein the substance provider selectively provides a substance useful in a cycle of operation performed by the appliance.

31. The substance communication device according to claim 30 wherein the appliance performs the cycle of operation upon the substance provided by the substance provider.