CONSUMER APPLIANCE AND POWERED HANDLE ASSEMBLY

A consumer appliance and handle assembly are provided herein. The consumer appliance may include a cabinet, an appliance door, a first power line, an appliance handle, a second power line, a first electrical connector, and a second electrical connector. The appliance door may include a panel body defining a door cavity. The appliance handle may be mounted to the appliance door. The appliance handle may include a handle body and an endcap. The second power line may be positioned within the handle body. The first electrical connector may include a first conductive body mounted to the panel body in conductive communication with the first power line. The second electrical connector may include a second conductive body mounted to the endcap in conductive communication with the second power line. The second conductive body may be in separable conductive communication with the first conductive body.

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Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to consumer appliances, and more particularly to consumer appliances having one or more handles with electrically-powered features therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Consumer appliances, such as ovens, refrigerators, microwaves, etc., typically include one or more doors for selectively opening and closing a portion of a consumer appliance. Often one or more handles are provided on a door so that a user may have a dedicated suitable member that can be grasped and used to move the door between an open position and a closed position. Typically, such handles are attached to the door during assembly of the consumer appliance. In other words, the door and handle are formed as discrete members that are later joined together by one or more adhesives, mechanical fasteners, etc.

Over time, a handle may be subjected to considerable strain. For instance, the handle is often the portion of the appliance which consumers touch or engage the most. Moreover, it is not unusual for consumers to push or pull against a handle in a manner or direction that is not intended by the manufacturer of the appliance. Furthermore, in some consumer appliances, the doors are relatively heavy, or a biasing member may be provided to motivate the door to a certain position. Any or all of these factors may contribute to the strain and wear experienced by a handle.

Given constraints on space, as well as other design criteria, attempts have been made to form or maintain an electrical connection within a handle of some consumer appliances. In some instances, it may be desirable to have one or more electrical features that are mounted to or housed within a handle. However, there can be a number of difficulties with such arrangements. For instance, electrical connection points between a door and a handle typically must be established with some form of mechanical connection, such as through a solid conductive wire. As a result, the wire or connecting structure must be robust enough to endure the mechanical strain placed on the handle. The connection must also limit or prevent electrical interference that may be caused by conductive materials on the door or handle. Additionally, assembling conductive wires from a door to a handle can be extremely difficult and time intensive.

As a result, it would be useful to provide a consumer appliance in which an electrical connection can be established between a door and a handle, such as to power an electrical feature within the handle. In particular, it would be advantageous to provide such a system that could be easily assembled such that the electrical connection can be selectively established and broken (e.g., without damaging any components) during assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a consumer appliance is provided. The consumer appliance may include a cabinet, an appliance door, a first power line, an appliance handle, a second power line, a first electrical connector, and a second electrical connector. The cabinet may define an internal chamber. The appliance door may be movably attached to the cabinet to selectively restrict access to the internal chamber. The appliance door may include a panel body defining a door cavity. The panel body may include an external panel surface directed away from the door cavity and an internal panel surface directed toward the door cavity. The first power line may be positioned within the door cavity. The appliance handle may be mounted to the appliance door. The appliance handle may include a handle body and an endcap. The handle body may extend between a first handle end and a second handle end. The endcap may be positioned on the first handle end or the second handle end. The second power line may be positioned within the handle body. The second power line may extend between a pair of line ends. The first electrical connector may include a first conductive body mounted to the panel body in conductive communication with the first power line. The second electrical connector may include a second conductive body mounted to the endcap in conductive communication with the second power line. The second conductive body may be in separable conductive communication with the first conductive body.

In another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a consumer appliance is provided. The consumer appliance may include a cabinet, an appliance door, a first power line, an appliance handle, a second power line, a first electrical connector, a second electrical connector, and an electrical component. The cabinet may define an internal chamber. The appliance door may be movably attached to the cabinet to selectively restrict access to the internal chamber. The appliance door may include a panel body defining a door cavity. The panel body may include an external panel surface directed away from the door cavity and an internal panel surface directed toward the door cavity. The first power line may be positioned within the door cavity. The appliance handle may be mounted to the appliance door. The appliance handle may include a handle body and an endcap. The handle body may extend between a first handle end and a second handle end. The endcap may be positioned on the first handle end or the second handle end. The endcap may include an insulated support body positioned on the panel body, as well as an outer shell enclosing the insulated support body. The second power line may be positioned within the handle body. The second power line may extend between a pair of line ends. The first electrical connector may include a first conductive body mounted to the panel body in conductive communication with the first power line. The second electrical connector may include a second conductive body mounted to the endcap in conductive communication with the second power line. The second conductive body may be in separable conductive communication with the first conductive body. The electrical component may be mounted to the appliance handle in conductive communication with the second power line between the pair of line ends of the second power line.

In yet another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, an appliance handle is provided. The appliance handle may include a handle body and an endcap. The handle body may extend between a first handle end and a second handle end. The endcap may be positioned on the first handle end or the second handle end. The endcap may include an insulated support body positioned on the panel body, and an outer shell enclosing the insulated support body.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a consumer appliance according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of a portion of a handle and door of a consumer appliance according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 provides a cross-sectional side view of a handle and door of a consumer appliance according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 provides a cross-sectional top view of a handle and door of a consumer appliance according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 provides a partially-exploded perspective view of a handle according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 provides a partially-exploded rear perspective view of an endcap assembly of a handle according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 provides a partially-exploded front perspective view of an endcap assembly of a handle according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 provides a partially-exploded front perspective view of an endcap assembly of a handle according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 provides a front perspective view of a pair of handle-engagement portions of a door according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 provides a front perspective view of a pair of handle-engagement portions of a door according to other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 provides a magnified perspective view of a pair of planar contact plates on a panel body of a door according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 provides a perspective view of a pair of spring-loaded contact pins on a handle endcap according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). The terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components.

FIG. 1 provides a front, perspective view of a consumer appliance 100 according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure (e.g., as a cooking appliance). Appliance 100 includes a cabinet 110 and defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T (e.g., at cabinet 110). The vertical, lateral and transverse directions are mutually perpendicular and form an orthogonal direction system.

As shown, cabinet 110 extends along the vertical direction V between a top portion 112 and a bottom portion 113; along the lateral direction L between a left side portion 114 and a right side portion 115; and along the traverse direction T between a front portion 116 and a rear portion 117. Moreover, cabinet 110 defines one or more internal chambers therein. For instance, as shown in the exemplary appliance 100 of FIG. 1, cabinet 110 may define a left cooking chamber 120 or a right cooking chamber 122. Thus, the illustrated embodiment of appliance 100 in FIG. 1 is generally referred to as a double oven range appliance. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, appliance 100 is provided by way of example only, and the present subject matter may be used in any suitable consumer appliance (e.g., refrigerator, microwave, icemaker, dishwashing appliance, etc.). Thus, the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1 are not intended to limit the present subject matter to any particular appliance, configuration, or arrangement, except as otherwise indicated.

Appliance 100 generally includes one or more doors to permit selective access to a corresponding internal chamber. For instance, in the exemplary embodiments of FIG. 1, appliance 100 includes a left door 124 and a right door 126 rotatably attached to cabinet 110 in order to permit selective access to left cooking chamber 120 and right cooking chamber 122, respectively. One or more handles 128 are mounted to the doors 124, 126 to assist a user with opening and closing doors 124, 126 in order to access internal chambers 120, 122. As an example, a user can pull on handle 128 mounted to left door 124 to open or close left door 124 and access left cooking chamber 120. In optional embodiments, glass window panes 130 provide for viewing the contents of left and right cooking chambers 120 and 122 when doors 124 and 126 are closed. Heating elements (not shown), such as electric resistance heating elements, gas burners, microwave heating elements, halogen heating elements, or suitable combinations thereof, may be positioned within left cooking chamber 120 and right cooking chamber 122 for heating left cooking chamber 120 and right cooking chamber 122.

In some embodiments, appliance 100 also includes a cooktop 140. Cooktop 140 is positioned at or adjacent a top portion of cabinet 110. Thus, cooktop 140 is positioned above left and right cooking chambers 120 and 122. Cooktop 140 includes a top panel 142. By way of example, top panel 142 may be constructed of glass, ceramics, enameled steel, and combinations thereof. For appliance 100, a utensil (not pictured) holding food or cooking liquids (e.g., oil, water, etc.) may be placed onto cooking grates 152 at a location of any of burner assemblies 144, 146, 148, 150. Burner assemblies 144, 146, 148, 150 provide thermal energy to cooking utensils on grates 152.

Appliance 100 may be further equipped with a controller 127 to regulate operation of the appliance 100. Controller 127 may be in communication (e.g., electrical connection) with one or more operational components of the appliance 100, as discussed herein. By way of example, controller 127 may include one or more memory devices (e.g., non-transitive media) and one or more microprocessors, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with an operating cycle. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor.

Controller 127 may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout appliance 100. As an example, one or more portions of controller 127 may be located within a user interface panel 154 of appliance 100. In such an embodiment, input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between the control system and various operational components of appliance 100 along wiring harnesses that may be routed through cabinet 110. Typically, controller 127 is in communication with user interface panel 154 through which a user may select various operational features and modes and monitor progress of appliance 100. In example embodiments, user interface panel 154 may represent a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block.

In some embodiments, user interface panel 154 is located within convenient reach of a user of the appliance 100. For some example embodiments, user interface panel 154 includes knobs 156 that are each associated with one of burner assemblies 144, 146, 148, 150. Knobs 156 allow the user to activate each burner assembly and determine the amount of heat input provided by each burner assembly 144, 146, 148, 150 to a cooking utensil located thereon. User interface panel 154 may also be provided with one or more graphical display devices that deliver certain information to the user such as, for example, whether a particular burner assembly is activated or the rate at which the burner assembly is set.

Although shown with knobs 156, it should be understood that knobs 156 and the configuration of appliance 100 shown in FIG. 1 is provided by way of example only. For example, user interface panel 154 may include various input components, such as one or more of a variety of touch-type controls, electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. The user interface panel 154 may include other display components, such as a digital or analog display device designed to provide operational feedback to a user.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 through 9, various views are provided of portions of an appliance handle 202 or appliance door 204 for use with a suitable consumer appliance (e.g., appliance 100—FIG. 1). For instance, it is understood that appliance handle 202 may be provided as one of the handles 128, while appliance door 204 may be either of the doors 124, 126.

As shown, appliance door 204 includes one or more panels or panel bodies defining an enclosed door cavity 212. An external panel surface 214 is directed away from enclosed door cavity 212 (e.g., to the ambient environment) while an internal panel surface 216 is directed toward enclosed door cavity 212, opposite the external panel surface 214. In some embodiments, a first power line 220 is positioned within enclosed door cavity 212 and connects with a power source 228 (e.g., in conductive or electrical communication). First power line 220 may provide one or more conductive wires or busses to form an uninterrupted path through which electric current may be transmitted. As is understood, power source 228 may be provided as any suitable electric current source (e.g., domestic power grid, isolated battery, etc.) separate from or including controller 127.

As would be understood, first power line 220 may optionally extend or attach to cabinet 110 (FIG. 1) to connect or otherwise communicate with one or more discrete power lines therein. For example, first power line 220 may be electrically coupled with another power line extending through cabinet 110 to communicate (e.g., directly or indirectly) with power source 228.

As noted above, an appliance handle 202 is mounted to an appliance door 204 to assist with opening thereof. Generally, appliance handle 202 extends (e.g., longitudinally or along a generally-longitudinal, curved path) between a first handle end 230A (FIG. 1) and a second handle end 230B (FIG. 1). In particular, a handle body 218 extends between the two handle ends 230A, 230B and provides a body or a surface that a user may grasp in order to open or close appliance door 204. At one or both of the handle ends 230A, 230B, an endcap 236 is positioned (e.g., a first endcap 236A at the first handle end 230A and a second endcap 236B at the second handle end 230B). For instance, endcap 236 may attach to handle body 218 and cover at least a portion of the same. In some such embodiments, endcap 236 extends between appliance door 204 (e.g., external panel surface 214 of appliance door 204) and the corresponding end 236A or 236B of handle body 218.

When assembled, a second power line 222 is positioned within handle body 218. For instance, second power line 222 may extend from a chamber defined within endcap 236 and into a separate chamber defined within handle body 218. Second power line 222 may provide one or more conductive wires or busses to form an uninterrupted path through which an electric current may be transmitted.

As will be described in further detail below, a separable conductive assembly 238 selectively couples or connects first power line 220 and second power line 222 through appliance door 204. Specifically, the conductive assembly 238 includes a first electrical connector 242 and a second electrical connector 246. First electrical connector 242 includes a first conductive body 244 (e.g., mounted to panel body 210 in conductive communication with first power line 220). Second electrical connector 246 includes a second conductive body 248 (e.g., mounted to endcap 236 in conductive communication with second power line 222). In turn, an electric current or power may be transmitted between first power line 220 and second power line 222 (e.g., from power source 228) through separable conductive assembly 238. Moreover, electrical or conductive communication between appliance door 204 and handle body 218 may be permitted.

In certain embodiments, first and second power lines 220 and 222 may provide an electric current or power to one or more electrical components 262 within appliance handle 202 (e.g., handle body 218). As an example, an electrical component 262 may include a lighting assembly. The lighting assembly may include one or more light sources (e.g., light emitting diodes) that are mounted within handle body 218 or endcap 236 to selectively illuminate a portion of appliance handle 202. As another example, electrical component 262 may include one or more sensors, such as a presence-detection sensor (e.g., infrared sensor, capacitance sensor, resistance sensor, etc.). Generally, the presence-detection sensor may be configured to transmit a detection signal (e.g., to controller 127) corresponding to a detected user presence, such as when a reflected beam is received from an area in front of the presence-detection sensor or when a user grasps appliance handle 202 (e.g., in response to changes in capacitance or pressure at appliance handle 202). In some such embodiments, controller 127 is in operable (e.g., electrical or, alternatively, wireless) communication with the presence-detection sensor (e.g., electrical component 262) and is configured to initiate a reaction sequence, such as illuminating an internal chamber (e.g., chambers 120, 122) of the appliance 100 (FIG. 1), in response to receiving the detection signal from the presence-detection sensor.

Moreover, it is understood that electrical component 262 may include any other suitable sensor or electrically-driven element housed within appliance handle 202. In some embodiments, electrical component 262 is a direct-current (DC) component.

Generally, electrical component 262 is provided in electrical or conductive communication with second power line 222. For instance, second power line 222 may attach directly to electrical component 262. Alternatively, an intermediate element, such as a voltage rectifier 264, may be provided to facilitate electrical or conductive communication between second power line 222 and electrical component 262. In some such embodiments, the intermediate element is housed within appliance handle 202 along second power line 222, as shown.

As would be understood, a discrete third power line 224 (e.g., extending within the enclosed door cavity 212 from power source 228) and fourth power line 226 (e.g., extending within appliance handle 202 from electrical component 262 or intermediate element) may be required to complete the circuit between power source 228 and electrical component 262. Optionally, third and fourth power lines 224 and 226 may selectively couple or connect through another conductive assembly 240, similar to separable conductive assembly 238. Thus, a third electrical connector 250 including a third conductive body 252 may be in separable conductive communication with a fourth conductive body 260 of a fourth electrical connector 254.

When the intermediate element includes a voltage rectifier 264, such a configuration may advantageously improve ease of assembly since orientation of the electrical connectors (e.g., 242, 246, 250, 254) or power lines (e.g., 220, 222, 224, 226) will not affect the direction of current received by an electrical component (e.g., 262).

In some embodiments, endcap 236 includes a mounting assembly for securing endcap 236 to appliance door 204. As shown, the mounting assembly may include a discrete anchor stud 266 (e.g., structural mounting bolt), bushing 268, support body 270, and outer shell 272. In some such embodiments, anchor stud 266 or bushing 268 are formed from one or more conductive materials (e.g., aluminum, steel, copper, etc., including alloys thereof) while support body 270 is formed from one or more insulating materials (e.g., nonconductive polymers). When assembled, support body 270 may be positioned on or held against panel body 210 (e.g., at the external panel surface 214), at least in part, by anchor stud 266. In particular, anchor stud 266 extends through support body 270, through panel body 210, and into the enclosed door cavity 212. A separate threaded nut or bracket 274 may hold anchor stud 266 within the enclosed door cavity 212. Optionally, an insulating adhesive 276 or polymer may be positioned between bracket 274 and the internal panel surface 216 of appliance door 204.

Within support body 270, bushing 268 may surround at least a portion of anchor stud 266 (e.g., in contact therewith). For instance, bushing 268 may be seated within support body 270 or otherwise spaced apart from the external panel surface 214 of panel body 210 (e.g., along the transverse direction T). Assembly may thus require inserting anchor stud 266 into support body 270 and bushing 268 before driving (e.g., screwing) anchor stud 266 into panel body 210 or bracket 274. Optionally, a separate finishing screw or bolt may be provided (e.g., perpendicular to anchor stud 266) through one or more aligned channels through support body 270 and bushing 268 to hold bushing 268 in place within support body 270. Additionally or alternatively, a flanged portion of anchor stud 266 may rest against support body 270 or external panel surface 214 of panel body 210. When assembled, bushing 268 may be seated within a radial groove of support body 270 (e.g., spaced apart from external panel surface 214). In some such embodiments, support body 270 electrically insulates anchor stud 266 and bushing 268 from panel body 210.

As shown, outer shell 272 may be positioned over support body 270 (e.g., and thereby bushing 268 and anchor stud 266) and generally hide support body 270 from view. In exemplary embodiments, outer shell 272 further defines a sleeve 278 through which at least a portion of handle body 218 may be received and, for instance, at least a portion of second power line 222 may pass.

In certain embodiments, one or more portions of the mounting assembly may be provided as first electrical connector 242 or second electrical connector 246. For instance, anchor stud 266 may include or serve as first conductive body 244. Direct contact or an immediate conductive bracket may join first power line 220 to a portion of anchor stud 266 within the enclosed door cavity 212 of appliance door 204. Additionally or alternatively, bushing 268 may include or serve as second conductive body 248. Direct contact or a separate intermediate conductive bracket may join second power line 222 to a portion of bushing 268 within outer shell 272 or support body 270. Advantageously, an electrical connection may be established between first power line 220 and second power line 222 without requiring any additional continuous members extending through panel body 210 of appliance door 204. Moreover, a robust mechanical connection between appliance door 204 and appliance handle 202 may be established in tandem with a robust electrical connection.

In alternative embodiments, first conductive body 244 and second conductive body 248 are provided separately from the mounting assembly. As an example, first electrical connector 242 may be a first multi-pin serial bus (e.g., Universal Serial Bus female socket), and second electrical connector 246 may be a second multi-pin serial bus (e.g., Universal Serial Bus male plug) that is complementary to the first multi-pin serial bus. As another example, a selective-contact assembly may be provided such that a mated conductive plate-pin pair are held in contact with each other in the assembled configuration of appliance handle 202 and appliance door 204. Optionally, first electrical connector 242 or third electrical connector 250 may include a planar contact plate 280 (as illustrated in FIG. 10) formed of a conductive material, while second electrical connector 246 or fourth electrical connector 254 includes a conductive spring-loaded contact pin 282 (as illustrated in FIG. 11). Contact with the corresponding conductive body (e.g., planar contact plate 280) may depress or hold the spring-loaded contact pin 282 inward such that a constant or consistent electrical connection is maintained between, for instance, first power line 220 and second power line 222.

In some embodiments, both first electrical connector 242 and third electrical connector 250 may be provided at a location that is adjacent to a common end of appliance handle 202, as illustrated in FIG. 8. Thus, second electrical connector 246 and fourth electrical connector 254 may be mounted to the same endcap 236. For instance, second and fourth electrical connectors 250 and 254 may be provided on the first endcap 236A (FIG. 1). Fourth electrical connector 254 may include a fourth conductive body 260 mounted to the first endcap 236A in conductive communication with second power line 222 opposite second conductive body 248 (e.g., such that second power line 222 is positioned in communication between fourth conductive body 260 and second conductive body 248). When assembled, fourth conductive body 260 may be in separable conductive communication with third conductive body 252 such that an electrical path is formed in sequence from first power line 220, first electrical connector 242, second electrical connector 246, second power line 222, fourth electrical connector 254, third electrical connector 250, and third power line 224. As noted above an electrical component 262 may be provided between second power line 222 and fourth power line 226.

In alternative embodiments, first electrical connector 242 and third electrical connector 250 may be provided at locations that are adjacent to opposite end of appliance handle 202, as illustrated in FIG. 9. Optionally, the locations may be mirrored such that either endcap 236 may serve as first endcap 236A and second endcap 236B (e.g., even if appliance handle 202 is rotated 180° prior to mounting to appliance door 204). Thus, second electrical connector 246 and fourth electrical connector 254 may be mounted to opposite endcaps 236A and 236B. For instance, second electrical connector 246 may be provided on the first endcap 236A (FIG. 1) and fourth electrical connector 254 may be provided on the second endcap 236B (FIG. 1). Fourth electrical connector 254 may include a fourth conductive body 260 mounted to the second endcap 236B in conductive communication with second power line 222 opposite second conductive body 248 (e.g., such that second power line 222 is positioned in communication between fourth conductive body 260 and second conductive body 248). When assembled, fourth conductive body 260 may be in separable conductive communication with third conductive body 252 such that an electrical path is formed in sequence from first power line 220, first electrical connector 242, second electrical connector 246, second power line 222, fourth electrical connector 254, third electrical connector 250, and third power line 224. As noted above an electrical component 262 may be provided between second power line 222 and fourth power line 226.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

1. A consumer appliance comprising:

a cabinet defining an internal chamber;
an appliance door movably attached to the cabinet to selectively restrict access to the internal chamber, the appliance door comprising a panel body defining a door cavity, the panel body comprising an external panel surface directed away from the door cavity and an internal panel surface directed toward the door cavity;
a first power line positioned within the door cavity;
an appliance handle mounted to the appliance door, the appliance handle comprising a handle body extending between a first handle end and a second handle end, and an endcap positioned on the first handle end or the second handle end;
a second power line positioned within the handle body, the second power line extending between a pair of line ends;
a first electrical connector comprising a first conductive body mounted to the panel body in conductive communication with the first power line; and
a second electrical connector comprising a second conductive body mounted to the endcap in conductive communication with the second power line, the second conductive body being in separable conductive communication with the first conductive body.

2. The consumer appliance of claim 1, wherein the endcap defines a cap cavity, and wherein the first conductive body comprises an anchor bolt extending from the door cavity to the cap cavity.

3. The consumer appliance of claim 2, wherein the second conductive body comprises a conductive bushing positioned in contact about the first conductive body within the cap cavity.

4. The consumer appliance of claim 1, wherein the endcap comprises

an insulated support body positioned on the panel body, and
an outer shell enclosing the insulated support body.

5. The consumer appliance of claim 1, wherein the endcap is a first endcap positioned between the first handle end and the panel body, wherein the appliance handle further comprises

a second endcap positioned between the second handle end and the panel body.

6. The consumer appliance of claim 5, further comprising:

a third power line positioned within the door cavity;
a third electrical connector comprising a third conductive body mounted to the panel body in conductive communication with the third power line; and
a fourth electrical connector comprising a fourth conductive body mounted to the first endcap in conductive communication with the second power line, the second power line being positioned in communication between the fourth conductive body and the second conductive body, the fourth conductive body being in separable conductive communication with the third conductive body such that an electrical path is formed in sequence from the first power line, the first electrical connector, the second electrical connector, the second power line, the fourth electrical connector, the third electrical connector, and the third power line.

7. The consumer appliance of claim 5, further comprising:

a third power line positioned within the door cavity;
a third electrical connector comprising a third conductive body mounted to the panel body in conductive communication with the third power line; and
a fourth electrical connector comprising a fourth conductive body mounted to the second endcap in conductive communication with the second power line, the second power line being positioned in communication between the fourth conductive body and the second conductive body, opposite the second conductive body, the fourth conductive body being in separable conductive communication with the third conductive body such that an electrical path is formed in sequence from the first power line, the first electrical connector, the second electrical connector, the second power line, the fourth electrical connector, the third electrical connector, and the third power line.

8. The consumer appliance of claim 1, wherein the first electrical connector is a first multi-pin serial bus, and wherein the second electrical connector is a second multi-pin serial bus that is complementary to the first multi-pin serial bus.

9. The consumer appliance of claim 1, wherein the second electrical connector comprises a spring-loaded contact pin in selective contact with the first conductive body.

10. The consumer appliance of claim 1, further comprising an electrical component mounted to the appliance handle in conductive communication with the second power line between the pair of line ends of the second power line.

11. A consumer appliance comprising:

a cabinet defining an internal chamber;
an appliance door movably attached to the cabinet to selectively move between an open position permitting access to the internal chamber and a closed position restricting access to the internal chamber, the appliance door comprising a panel body defining a door cavity, the panel body comprising an external panel surface directed away from the door cavity and an internal panel surface directed toward the door cavity;
a first power line positioned within the door cavity;
an appliance handle mounted to the appliance door, the appliance handle comprising a handle body extending between a first handle end and a second handle end, and an endcap positioned on the first handle end or the second handle end, the endcap comprising an insulated support body positioned on the panel body and an outer shell enclosing the insulated support body;
a second power line positioned within the handle body, the second power line extending between a pair of line ends;
a first electrical connector comprising a first conductive body mounted to the panel body in conductive communication with the first power line;
a second electrical connector comprising a second conductive body mounted to the endcap in conductive communication with the second power line, the second conductive body being in separable conductive communication with the first conductive body; and
an electrical component mounted to the appliance handle in conductive communication with the second power line between the pair of line ends of the second power line.

12. The consumer appliance of claim 11, wherein the endcap defines a cap cavity, and wherein the first conductive body comprises an anchor stud extending from the door cavity to the cap cavity.

13. The consumer appliance of claim 12, wherein the second conductive body comprises a conductive bushing positioned in contact about the first conductive body within the cap cavity.

14. The consumer appliance of claim 11, wherein the outer shell defines a sleeve within which a portion of the handle body is received.

15. The consumer appliance of claim 11, wherein the endcap is a first endcap positioned between the first handle end and the panel body, wherein the appliance handle further comprises

a second endcap positioned between the second handle end and the panel body.

16. The consumer appliance of claim 15, further comprising:

a third power line positioned within the door cavity;
a third electrical connector comprising a third conductive body mounted to the panel body in conductive communication with the third power line; and
a fourth electrical connector comprising a fourth conductive body mounted to the first endcap in conductive communication with the second power line, the second power line being positioned in communication between the fourth conductive body and the second conductive body, the fourth conductive body being in separable conductive communication with the third conductive body such that an electrical path is formed in sequence from the first power line, the first electrical connector, the second electrical connector, the second power line, the fourth electrical connector, the third electrical connector, and the third power line.

17. The consumer appliance of claim 15, further comprising:

a third power line positioned within the door cavity;
a third electrical connector comprising a third conductive body mounted to the panel body in conductive communication with the third power line; and
a fourth electrical connector comprising a fourth conductive body mounted to the second endcap in conductive communication with the second power line, the second power line being positioned in communication between the fourth conductive body and the second conductive body, opposite the second conductive body, the fourth conductive body being in separable conductive communication with the third conductive body such that an electrical path is formed in sequence from the first power line, the first electrical connector, the second electrical connector, the second power line, the fourth electrical connector, the third electrical connector, and the third power line.

18. The consumer appliance of claim 11, wherein the first electrical connector is a first multi-pin serial bus, and wherein the second electrical connector is a second multi-pin serial bus that is complementary to the first multi-pin serial bus.

19. The consumer appliance of claim 11, wherein the second electrical connector comprises a spring-loaded contact pin in selective contact with the first conductive body.

20. An appliance handle mountable to an appliance door, the appliance handle comprising:

a handle body extending between a first handle end and a second handle end; and
an endcap positioned on the first handle end or the second handle end, the endcap comprising
an insulated support body positioned on the panel body, and
an outer shell enclosing the insulated support body.
Patent History
Publication number: 20200217515
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 7, 2019
Publication Date: Jul 9, 2020
Inventors: Louis A. Wantland (Louisville, KY), Alisa Marie Stoops (Louisville, KY), Bagawathkumar Chellappan (Prospect, KY)
Application Number: 16/240,838
Classifications
International Classification: F24C 15/02 (20060101);