The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 30, 2012
Filed:
Aug. 12, 2009
Paul B. Allard, Stevensville, MI (US);
Robert Ryan Bradley, Granger, IN (US);
James W. Kendall, Mount Prospect, IL (US);
Steven J. Kuehl, Stevensville, MI (US);
Douglas D. Leclear, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Alan S. Lucas, Evansville, IN (US);
Andrew M. Tenbarge, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
John J. Vonderhaar, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
Guolian Wu, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
Paul B. Allard, Stevensville, MI (US);
Robert Ryan Bradley, Granger, IN (US);
James W. Kendall, Mount Prospect, IL (US);
Steven J. Kuehl, Stevensville, MI (US);
Douglas D. LeClear, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Alan S. Lucas, Evansville, IN (US);
Andrew M. Tenbarge, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
John J. Vonderhaar, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
Guolian Wu, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
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.