Whirlpool Corporation

Rachael Acker

Wyndham Fairchild Gary, Jr

Zachary Jan Bruin-Slot

David Wayne Mundy

An appliance, such as an oven, includes a housing having an internal compartment and an RF antenna. At least a portion of the housing comprises an electrically conductive portion. The antenna includes an active component and a connection to the electrically conductive portion, which serves as a ground plane of the antenna. The housing may include a door assembly having a window that includes the electrically conductive portion in the form of a transparent conductive layer. The door assembly may be detachable and the connection to the antenna may be made by way of capacitive coupling. In an alternative arrangement, the housing includes a light fixture for illuminating the internal compartment, wherein the active component of the antenna is disposed in the light fixture.

Growing community of inventors

East Lansing, MI, United States of America

Rachael Acker