Patent · US Active

Feature module connection system

US8299656B2 · kind B2 · utility

59Cited by
53References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 12, 2009
Grant dateOct 30, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 1, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF25D2400/16
  • WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A refrigerator module connection system for connecting a feature module to a utility source and transferring a plurality of utilities between the feature module and the utility source. The feature module connection system includes a utility source that has a connection capable of removably engaging the feature module to the utility source. Also included is at least one feature module that independently supplies one or more functionalities. Further included is an interface between the utility source and the feature module, where the interface includes a detection and recognition device, such as a reed switch, a DIP switch, or a comparator circuit, that operates to detect when the feature module is connected to the utility source. One or more predetermined utilities are transferred between the utility source and the feature module based upon which feature module is connected to the utility source.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.