Patent Application
20090293511
Refrigerators are available in many styles, but the most common styles include both a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment, which may be side-by-side or one on top of the other. Often, refrigerator features such as ice making, ice crushing, water dispensing, precise temperature and/or humidity control, vacuum packaging, thawing, and fast chilling are available. All of these features require some type of utility, such as water, chilled air or mechanical power to provide the benefit. These utilities must be hardwired into the appliance, typically at a specific location which limits flexibility to customize the product to specific owner desired locations, and does not give them the ability to add or delete the feature. Additionally, if utilities are to be conveyed to a specific location, the conduits for water, air, and electrical power must be designed to deliver utility at some level partially governed by the transfer capacity of the conduit, for example, water flow or electrical wattage.
One aspect of the present invention is to provide an appliance modular system that includes an appliance and at least one feature module that is removably engageable with the appliance. The appliance has a rear wall section, a first side wall section, a second side wall section, a top, a bottom, at least one appliance door, and an interior. A refrigerator section is within the appliance interior. The refrigerator section has the same or a smaller volume than the interior of the appliance. The appliance door has an exterior surface, an interior surface having a door liner, and closes to create an insulated area. The appliance module system further includes a utility supply module. The utility supply module includes a common interface that provides removable engageability to at least one, more typically a plurality of feature module. The interface typically includes a module recognition device for identifying the feature module. The utility supply module also includes at least one refillable reservoir, but more typically a plurality of refillable reservoirs, capable of storing a plurality of utilities, where at least one, but more typically more than one, of the plurality of utilities is supplied to the feature module when the utility supply module is engaged to the feature module.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a modular utility supply unit. The unit includes a utility supply module housing having removable engageability to a surface of an appliance. Also included is at least one refillable reservoir capable of storing a plurality of utilities and receiving at least one utility, but typically a plurality of utilities, from the appliance when the utility supply unit is operably engaged to the appliance. Further included is an interface capable of engaging a plurality of feature modules, where the interface includes a recognition device that prompts or otherwise directs the utility supply unit to provide the engaged feature module with at least one of the storage utilities within the utility supply from at least one of the refillable reservoirs.
Yet another aspect of the present invention includes a method for supplying utility to various feature modules. The method includes providing an appliance having a rear wall section, a first side wall section, a second side wall section, a top, a bottom, at least one appliance door, an interior, and a refrigerator section within the appliance interior having the same or a smaller volume than the interior of the appliance. The appliance door has an exterior surface and an interior surface and closes to create an insulated area. A utility supply module may be removably engaged with the appliance. Typically, the utility supply module has a common interface that provides engageability to a plurality of feature modules. The interface typically has a modular recognition device for identifying the class of feature module of the utility supply module is engaged with. The utility supply module typically has at least one refillable reservoir, but may include a plurality of refillable reservoirs, capable of storing a plurality of utilities. At least one of the plurality of utilities is supplied to the engaged feature module from the appliance. The method typically further includes the steps of engaging the utility supply module with the appliance; and replenishing (at least partially) each refillable reservoir with the utility at a first rate, where the utility supply module has access to a plurality of utilities. The method also includes the step of engaging the feature module with the utility supply module, where the feature module engaging step includes operably connecting the feature module to the utility supply module through the common interface, and where the module recognition device is capable of recognizing which of the plurality of storage utilities is appropriate to supply the engaged feature module based upon input from the module recognition device. The method also typically includes the step of supplying the engaged feature module with at least one of the storage utilities at a second rate that is the same rate or a faster rate (more typically it is a faster rate) than the first rate. Typically, the module recognition device instructs the appliance which utility or utilities to supply to the feature module.
These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
The reference number 10 (
The illustrated appliance 10 is shown with the door hingably attached to the appliance 10. The appliance door 22 covers at least a portion of the refrigerator section 24 that lies within the appliance interior 26, and as shown, the door 22 is in an opened position. The appliance door 22 has an exterior surface 28 and an interior surface 30, with the interior surface 30 exposed in the opened position. The door liner 32 at least partially covers, but more typically covers all or substantially all of the interior surface 30 of the appliance door 22. An interface between the feature modules and the appliance door 22, such as interconnecting tabs and grooves or a magnetic engagement, allows for quick and easy installation docking without the use of tools. Differently sized feature modules 36 may be accommodated through the use of spacer systems that engage the interior of the appliance door 22 and shorten the lateral distance that the feature module 36 must traverse to engage the spacer. The spacer, when used would mimic a smaller mounting distance/door pocket or cavity 34 and similarly have an interface such as a tabular or groove mating, or magnetic engagement.
The modular construction and interchangeability of feature modules 36 minimizes manufacturing costs and allows the feature module 36 to be original equipment or after-market components retro-fit into appliances, after the initial purchase and installation of the appliance 10 in a consumer's home. This interchangeability provides flexibility and improved food preservation and storage for the consumer, improved choice of feature modules 36 with opportunity to upgrade or replace without replacing the whole refrigerator based upon lifestyle or life stage changes, and allows the consumer to take advantage of new technology improvements and new features as new feature modules 36 are designed and developed.
A feature module 36 according to one embodiment of the present invention is removably engaged with the appliance door 22 and sized to fit within the door liner 32 typically within the cavity or pocket 34 of the door liner 32. As discussed above, engagement of the feature module 36 with the door 22 occurs by engaging the feature module 36 with the appliance door 22 in any convenient manner, such as by interlocking tabs, a small support shelf or floor, or other mechanical means or a magnetic arrangement (for example, a magnet on each side of the module for attraction to magnets of opposite polarity on each side of the door liner) may also be used. When appropriate for the feature module 36, engagement of the feature module 36 to the appliance door 22 can automatically couple electrical, gas, and/or fluid lines in the door 22 and in the feature module 36 so as to provide functional features to the feature module 36. The appliance door 22 typically includes a feature module 36 engaging connector 38 (
The door liner 32 may provide the ability to engage a plurality of feature modules 36 to the appliance 10.
While a push switch as discussed above may be used, alternative engagements of the feature module with the appliance door may be used instead of, or in addition to, the push switch. Such engagements are disclosed in commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/539,651, entitled “Park Place Refrigerator Module Utilities Enabled Via Connection,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The feature module may be provided with electrical contacts that are engageable with electrical contacts of the appliance when the devices are coupled together. Electrical contacts may be connected through a known signature resistance, which may vary from one feature module to another to provide coded information relating to the type or characteristics of the feature module. The signature resistance may be connected in parallel with the electrical load of the electrical components of the feature module. More particularly, the electrical load is the system resistance effectively provided by components of the feature module, such as a motor and/or other operational circuitry. The signature resistance may be substantially smaller than the resistance of the electrical load so that the combined resistance will be substantially the same as the signature resistance. For example, if the operational circuit has an electrical load offering a resistance of 200 ohms, a signature resistance of 7 ohms may be provided in parallel, so that the signature resistance and the electrical load together presents a resistance of a little less than 7 ohms across the electrical contacts.
The appliance interface may include a feature module recognition device having a comparator circuit or other decision making circuit connectable to the resistances to measure and evaluate the combined resistance and also thereby determine the type of feature module 36 being connected at the time that a given feature module is connected. The module recognition device may then selectively provide power to the supply line or otherwise selectively permit the flow of utility from the appliance to the feature module 36, or from the feature module 36 to the appliance 10 that is appropriate for the identified feature module. The signature resistance will have minimal effect on the operation of the electrical components of the feature module 36.
Alternatively, the module recognition device may be a reed switch provided in the appliance door 22 for activation by a magnet imbedded in the side wall of the feature module 36 so as to complete an electrical circuit when the feature module 36 docks into the door pocket. Contact pads on the appliance door 22 and on the feature module 36 that complete the electrical circuit when the feature module 36 is mounted in the door liner 32 may also be employed. Completion of such an electrical circuit would selectively permit the supply or transfer of utility from the appliance 10 to the feature module 36, or vice versa, similar to the utility transfer described above, but only after the module is fully engaged thus ensuring the utility coupling is secure against leakage.
A DIP switch may be employed as the module recognition device. The DIP, dual in-line package, switch will typically include a plurality of switches, each of which may be positioned in one or more, but typically two settings, as well as a plurality of socket pins. This type of switch is designed to be used on a printed circuit board along with other electronic components. The appliance typically includes a plurality of pin sockets to receive the dip switch package. DIP switches are an alternative to jumper blocks. A DIP switch alternative provides the ability to set the switches of the package to specific setting combinations which will customize the utilities supplied to the engaged feature module, based upon the specific requirements of that module.
The signature resistance with comparator circuit, as well as the reed switch and dip switch examples, when employed, allow the appliance; or utility supply source, such as a wall mounted feature module engaging station; or countertop stand to identify specific feature module connections, thereby ensuring that the appropriate utility is supplied to a feature module based upon the utilities needed by the feature module. The utility provided may be, but is not limited to, electrical power, mechanical power, as well as gases, fluids such as conditioned (heated, cooled, or filtered water), and solids. The required utility will vary based upon the application and functional properties of the connected feature module. The structural components that identify which feature module is connected to the appliance 10 facilitates the provision of such utility.
In addition to being engaged with the exterior surface or the interior surface of the door of an appliance, the feature module of the present invention may optionally be engaged with a countertop stand 60 (
When a countertop stand 60 is utilized, the stand typically includes a base and an upright section that substantially mimics a pocket or cavity of a refrigerator or other appliance door liner (
Whether engaged with an appliance, countertop stand, or a wall, the utility supplied to the feature module is typically limited to the capability of the supply line which the feature module 36 is connected to. For example, a water line that runs from a house supply line through the appliance may be limited to providing one liter of water per minute, based on the volumetric flow rate of the house supply line. However, a beverage machine of a feature module 36 may require one liter of water at high flow, thereby rendering the house supply undesirable. Therefore, a supplemental utility supply is provided by engaging a utility supply module 37 to the feature module 36 (
The power or materials stored in each reservoir 39 may be done in a number of ways. Each reservoir 39 may be filled and refilled manually by a user, for example by simply pouring water into a reservoir 39 functioning as a water tank. Alternatively, a reservoir 39 may be filled on a charging station 80 (
As is the case with the engagement of the feature module 36 to the appliance 10, the utility supply module 37 may be removably engageable with the appliance door 22 and sized to fit within the door liner 32 typically within the cavity or pocket 34 of the door liner 32. The door 22 would typically also include a connector, either a female connector or a male connector typically of the type discussed previously for the utility supply module 37. Similarly, connection in this manner may be made to a charging station 80 in the form of a countertop stand, a wall mounted bracket, or a top cap structure. Additionally, alternative connections and device recognition structures may be employed to identify which utility supply module 37 is engaged, as is the case with the connections described above for the feature module connections (i.e., signature resistance, comparator circuit, reed switch, dip switch, etc.). Such identification facilitates communication between the utility supply module 37 and the engaged structure, whether it be an appliance 10 or a charging station 80, thereby allowing the appropriate utility to be supplied from the source to the utility supply module 37. The engagement between the utility supply module 37 and the appliance 10 or charging station 80 results in the ability to transfer substances to the utility supply module 37, via a conduit or pathway that is established between the utility supply module 37 and the appliance 10 or charging station 80.
The feature module 36 is configured to engage the utility supply module 37 via a standardized utility connection or coupling 84, 86. The connection or coupling 84, 86 may also be similar to that described above for the engagement of the feature module 36 to the appliance 10 (i.e., signature resistance, comparator circuit, reed switch, dip switch), countertop stand 60, or wall mounted bracket 62, particularly the feature module recognition device, as well as the connection or coupling between the utility supply module 37 and the appliance 10 or charging station 80. Based upon the feature module recognition, the utility supply module 37 is capable of transferring utility to the feature module 36 in a similar fashion as that described above for transfer between the appliance 10 or charging station 80 and the utility supply module 37. Utilization of the modularity of both the feature module 36 and the utility supply module 37 allows a user to switch feature modules 36 and to position a feature module 36 at various locations within the appliance 10, thereby avoiding the need to have a utility supply hardwired directly into the feature module 36. The utility supply module 37 allow for quicker and/or longer supply of the utility to the feature module than can typically be obtained from the appliance alone or without the use of the utility supply module(s).
As noted above, the reservoirs 39 may function as a variety of utility sources and examples of particular applications will be described below, however, this functionality of the utility supply module reservoirs 39 is not intended to be limited to the following descriptions. First, a battery or fuel cell may obtain a “trickle” charge during non-use of the feature module 36, subsequently delivering a high wattage when prompted. A water tank may be supplied by an external line or a gravity feed, after which a complete deposit may be made to the engaged feature module 36. A gas cylinder containing gases that may be employed to manipulate a food, beverage, or other consumable storage environment, may incur a slow buildup of such gases in order to transfer the gases to the feature module 36. The reservoir 39 may serve as a heat sink, such as an insulated vessel that employs glycol or chilled water to provide a fast chill or quick thaw when required by the feature module 36. A pressure vessel may serve as a reserve chamber, or a surge tank on a well pump, in order to provide a vacuum or pneumatic pressure as needed by the feature module 36. The reservoir can house an ethylene absorbent material that will extend the freshness or life of stored food. Additionally, various food stuffs or flavorants may be stored in a reservoir 39 in order to restock the feature module 36. Finally, the reservoir 39 may serve as storage for a powder or liquid chemical reactant, as well as a desiccant.
It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/402,559, entitled “VACUUM FOOD PRESERVATION SYSTEM,” filed on Mar. 12, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/402,559 claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/035,775, entitled “REFRIGERATOR WITH SPACE MANAGEMENT MODULES,” filed on Mar. 12, 2008, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61035775 | Mar 2008 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 12402559 | Mar 2009 | US |
| Child | 12539676 | US |
