System for charging a power supply in a closure element of a household appliance

US9307888B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Mark W. Baldwin · Three Rivers, US
• Marcus R. Fischer · Saint Joseph, US
• Saadat Hussain · Baton Rouge, US
• Justin D. McIver · Saint Joseph, US
• Elizabeh A. Moit · Cleveland, US
• Demetrius J. Schaaf · Three Rivers, US
• Blayne C. Smith · Saint Joseph, US
• Bryan M. Topp · Baroda, US
• Barry E. Tuller · Stevensville, US
• Ameresh B. Viswanathan · Three Rivers, US
• Anthony B. Welsh · Saint Joseph, US
• Andrew T. Middleton · Spring, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 20, 2012
• Grant date: Apr 12, 2016
• Expiry date: Oct 5, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A47L2501/30
• WIPO field: Furniture, games
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

A dishwasher includes an open-face tub and a closure element selectively closing the open face of the tub and housing a user interface powered by a rechargeable power supply, such as a battery, operatively coupled to a power charger. In one embodiment, the user interface is not removable from the closure element, and the power charger may be remote from the closure element to selectively provide power to the rechargeable power supply. In another embodiment, the closure element may include a first door and a second door, with each door having an inductive part for formation of an inductive coupling to charge the rechargeable power supply when the doors are in juxtaposition.