Whirlpool Corporation

Elizabeh A Moit

Ameresh Babu Viswanathan

Barry E Tuller

Mark W Baldwin

Marcus Roland Fischer

Anthony B Welsh

Blayne C Smith

Saadat Hussain

Demetrius J Schaaf

Justin D McIver

Bryan M Topp

Duane M Kobos

Mike S Hemry

Andrew T Middleton

A dishwasher may include a closure element, such as a door, a user interface on the closure element, and a controller. A data communication link having a first data connector may be coupled to the controller, and a second data connector may be coupled to the user interface. The first and second data connectors may communicatively couple when the closure element is in the closed condition to establish data communication between the controller and the user interface. The communication link may also form a power link to provide power to the user interface across an electrical link.

System for establishing communication between a user interface and a controller of a dishwasher

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.

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

Growing community of inventors

Cleveland, TN, United States of America

Elizabeh A Moit