Patent ID: 8299656
Filing Date: 2012-10-30
Classification: A47J,B67D,F16M,F25D,H02B

Abstract:
1. A connection system for connecting a feature module to an interior surface of an appliance door of an appliance and transferring a plurality of utilities between the feature module and the appliance door comprising: a feature module that supplies one or more functionalities; an appliance door having an interior surface and one or more connector capable of removably engaging the feature module to the appliance door without the use of tools, wherein the appliance door is operable between an open position and a closed position; an appliance interior defined by a rear wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a top, a bottom, and the appliance door in the closed position, enclosing at least a portion of the appliance interior, wherein a gap is created between the rear wall and the feature module when the appliance door is in the closed position; and an interface between the appliance door and the feature module, wherein the interface includes a detection and recognition device that operates to detect when the feature module is connected to the appliance door and to transfer a select one or more of a plurality of predetermined utilities between the appliance door and the feature module via the one or more connector based upon which feature module is connected to the appliance door.