Patent Application
20240183098
The present disclosure generally relates to a laundry appliance, and more specifically, to a combination washing and drying appliance that incorporates a back wall for the rotating drum that separates the processing space within the drum from a blower housing that is contained within a space defined between the tub and the rotating drum.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a combination washing and drying appliance includes a tub that is disposed within a cabinet. A drum is rotationally operable within the tub about a rotational axis. An airflow path is defined within an interstitial space between the drum and the tub. A blower fan operates to direct process air through the airflow path. The blower fan is disposed within a blower enclosure that is defined by a back wall of the drum and a blower housing that is attached to the tub. Engagement of the back wall of the drum and the blower housing of the tub defines a slidable engagement that is selectively sealed during operation of the blower fan to prevent the process air from leaving the airflow path and to further prevent aspiration of ambient air to the airflow path.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a combination washing and drying appliance includes a tub that is disposed within a cabinet. A drum has a back wall and is rotationally operable within the tub about a rotational axis. An airflow path is defined within an interstitial space between the drum and the tub. A drain is disposed within a lower section of the tub. An outlet for the drain is disposed within the airflow path. A blower fan delivers process air through the airflow path that is contained within the tub. The blower fan is disposed between the back wall of the drum and a blower housing of the tub. The back wall rotates with the drum and is slidably engaged with the blower housing to define a labyrinth seal. The blower fan rotationally operates within a blower enclosure that is defined between the back wall and the blower housing. Moisture collected in the airflow path is directed to the outlet of the drain.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, an air handling system for a laundry appliance includes a tub that is disposed within a cabinet. A drum has a back wall and is rotationally operable within the tub about a rotational axis. An airflow path is defined within an interstitial space between the drum and the tub. A blower fan delivers process air through the airflow path that is contained within the tub. The blower fan is disposed between the back wall of the drum and a blower housing of the tub. The back wall rotates with the drum and is slidably engaged with the blower housing to define a labyrinth seal. The blower fan rotationally operates within a blower enclosure that is defined between the back wall and the blower housing.
These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
In the drawings:
The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein.
The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a tub assembly for a combination washing and drying appliance that incorporates a rotating drum having a back wall that separates the processing space from a blower housing that is contained in the space between the tub and the rotating drum. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements.
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in
The terms “including,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by “comprises a . . . ” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
Referring to
According to various aspects of the device, the appliance 18 includes the tub 12 that is disposed within an outer cabinet 28. The drum 14 is rotationally operable within the tub 12 and operates about a rotational axis 30. The airflow path 20 is defined within the interstitial space 24 that is located between the drum 14 and the tub 12. At least a portion of this interstitial space 24 defines a blower enclosure 32 that houses the blower assembly 16. A blower fan 34 of the blower assembly 16 operates to direct the process air 22 through the airflow path 20. The blower fan 34 is disposed within the blower enclosure 32 that is defined by a back wall 36, which is attached to the drum 14, and a blower housing 38, which is attached to the tub 12. Engagement of the back wall 36 of the drum 14 with the blower housing 38 of the tub 12 defines a slidable engagement 40 that allows the drum 14, along with the back wall 36, to rotate relative to the tub 12 and the blower housing 38. Engagement of the back wall 36 of the drum 14 with the blower housing 38 defines the slidable engagement 40 that is selectively sealed during operation of the blower fan 34 about the rotational axis 30 to prevent aspiration of ambient air 42 into the airflow path 20. Additionally, this selectively sealed engagement can also prevent the process air 22 from leaving the airflow path 20 into areas that are outside of the airflow path 20 defined between the tub 12 and the drum 14. The blower fan 34 typically operates about the same rotational axis 30 as that of the drum 14. Additionally, the back wall 36 is fixedly attached to the drum 14 and the blower housing 38 is fixedly attached to the tub 12.
Referring again to
Additionally, during operation of the blower fan 34, the blower fan 34 defines a high-pressure area 60 within the blower enclosure 32. This high-pressure area 60 is typically disposed near the slidable engagement 40 between the back wall 36 and the blower housing 38. Accordingly, this labyrinth seal 50 is acted upon by the increased air pressure 62 within the high-pressure area 60. This increased air pressure 62 serves to increase the seal strength of the labyrinth seal 50 such that ambient air 42 is less capable or incapable of infiltrating into the airflow path 20 via the labyrinth seal 50. Stated another way, during operation of the blower fan 34, the increased air pressure 62 within the high-pressure area 60 prevents aspiration of ambient air 42 into the airflow path 20 via the interface defined by the labyrinth seal 50. Also, the slidable and sealed engagement of the labyrinth seal 50 during operation of the blower fan 34 prevents expiration of the process air 22 from the airflow path 20, through the labyrinth seal 50 and to areas external of the airflow path 20.
Referring again to
In certain aspects of the device the back wall 36 of the drum 14 defines a portion of the processing space 26. In such an aspect, the filtration member 72 can be attached to the back wall 36. Typically, the filtration member 72 is attached to the back wall 36 as the contoured wall 66 described herein. As described herein, this contoured wall 66 can include the various ridges 80 and valleys 82. These ridges 80 and valleys 82 are typically positioned adjacent to the back wall 36 for providing an agitating or tumbling effect on articles being processed in the drum 14. In addition, the contoured wall 66 can include the filtration member 72 in the form of a plurality of perforated sections 74 that allow process air 22 to move therethrough, while capturing particulate material within the filtration member 72. The contoured wall 66 and the perforated sections 74 of the filtration member 72 allow the process air 22 to move through the aperture 70 defined within the back wall 36 and into the blower enclosure 32. In this aspect of the device, the contoured wall can define the processing space 26. In each of these aspects of the device, the back wall 36 defines the blower enclosure 32 that houses the blower fan 34. It is also contemplated that the back wall 36, in certain aspects of the device, can include the ridges 80 and valleys 82 that define the processing space 26.
Referring again to
According to various aspects of the device, certain heat exchange mechanisms 100 can be disposed within the airflow path 20 for heating and/or cooling the process air 22 as it moves through the airflow path 20. In certain aspects of the device, these heat exchange mechanisms 100 can include heating elements, heat pump systems, air-to-air heat exchangers, condensers, combinations thereof, and other similar heat exchange mechanisms 100.
Referring again to
Referring again to
Referring again to
As described herein, the labyrinth seal 50 is disposed proximate the high-pressure area 60 of the blower enclosure 32. This high-pressure area 60 is generated during operation of the blower fan 34. During operation of the blower fan 34, the blower housing 38 and the back wall 36 are biased against one another within the labyrinth seal 50. This biasing force 160 is a result of the increased air pressure 62 that is generated within the high-pressure area 60 of the blower housing 38. This increased air pressure 62 increases the seal integrity of the labyrinth seal 50. This increased seal integrity prevents aspiration of ambient air 42 into the airflow path 20. In certain aspects of the device, the increased air pressure 62 can also prevent expiration of process air 22 away from the airflow path 20.
According to various aspects of the device, during operation of the blower fan 34, the increased air pressure 62 increases the seal integrity of the labyrinth seal 50 that is defined between the back wall 36 of the drum 14 and the blower housing 38 of the tub 12. This labyrinth seal 50 includes certain sliding interface engagements such as lubricants, bearings 138, and other similar materials and mechanisms that allow slidable operation of the back wall 36 of the drum 14 relative to the blower housing 38 of the tub 12 during operation of the blower.
During operation of the blower, a drying-function of the combination washing and drying appliance 18 is typically being performed. During this drying-function, the drying undergoes a tumble-type operation that includes a relatively slow rotation of the drum 14 within the tub 12. Because the blower fan 34 is operating during the drying function, the labyrinth seal 50 has a greater seal integrity as a result of the increased air pressure 62. Accordingly, because of the slower operation of the drum 14 in the tumble operation, the increased seal integrity, and potentially greater friction, does not interfere with the slower rotation of the drum 14.
During washing-type functions of the combination washing and drying appliance 18, a rinse and spin cycle can be utilized for extracting wash fluid from articles being processed and from the processing space 26, generally. During this extraction function, the drum 14 will rotate at a high rate of speed relative to the blower housing 38 and the tub 12. During this rinse and spin function, the blower fan 34 will typically be idle such that the air pressure 62 around the labyrinth seal 50 will not be increased and the high-pressure area 60 is not formed. Accordingly, the labyrinth seal 50 includes a typical seal integrity that allows for less friction at the labyrinth seal 50. In turn, the drum 14 and the back wall 36 of the drum 14 are able to rotationally operate at a high rate of speed relative to the blower housing 38 and the tub 12 without generating unnecessary amounts of heat from friction or other surface-to-surface contact.
As described herein, the tub 12 includes a drain 116 having an outlet 114 that is defined within an outer wall 118 of the tub 12. This outlet 114 is positioned within the airflow path 20. Accordingly, wash fluid that may accumulate within the processing space 26, the blower housing 38, or other portion of the airflow path 20 can be conveniently directed to the lower section 90 of the tub 12 to be directed into the drain 116 for recycling or removal from the appliance 18.
Referring again to
Referring again to
Referring to
According to various aspects of the device, use of the labyrinth seal 50 defined between the back wall 36 of the drum 14 and the blower housing 38 of the tub 12 forms a sealing engagement that provides for use of the airflow path 20 that is entirely contained within the tub 12. During certain aspects of the laundry cycle, such as a rinse cycle, spin cycle and other washing-type laundry functions (shown in
Because the labyrinth seal 50 is a dynamic seal that changes depending upon whether the blower fan 34 is being operated or not, certain functions of the drying appliance 18 are more readily operated depending upon the status of the blower fan 34. As described herein, during a rinse and spin function, and other washing-type functions, the blower fan 34 is idle and does not rotate. This normalizes the seal integrity at the labyrinth seal 50 and allows for a more convenient high-speed rotation of the drum 14 relative to the tub 12. When the blower fan 34 operates, such as during a drying function, the increased air pressure 62 generated by operation of the blower fan 34 creates the high-pressure area 60 that increases the seal integrity of the labyrinth seal 50 and prevents movement of process air 22 or ambient air 42 through this labyrinth seal 50. As described herein, because the drum 14 rotates at a slower rate of speed during the drying function, the heightened integrity of the labyrinth seal 50 provides for the slow rotation, or (tumble) of the drum 14 during performance of a drying function.
By using this configuration of the back wall 36 of the drum 14 and the blower housing 38, as well as the labyrinth seal 50 formed therebetween, a single space can be used for the airflow path 20 as well as a space for collecting condensate 110 and wash fluid used during operation of the appliance 18. Accordingly, greater efficiencies in the use of space are achieved that can provide for larger sizes of tubs 12 and rotating drums 14, as well as more components being disposed within a similar-sized outer cabinet 28.
The invention disclosed herein is further summarized in the following paragraphs and is further characterized by combinations of any and all of the various aspects described therein.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a combination washing and drying appliance includes a tub that is disposed within a cabinet. A drum is rotationally operable within the tub about a rotational axis. An airflow path is defined within an interstitial space between the drum and the tub. A blower fan operates to direct process air through the airflow path. The blower fan is disposed within a blower enclosure that is defined by a back wall of the drum and a blower housing that is attached to the tub. Engagement of the back wall of the drum and the blower housing of the tub defines a slidable engagement that is selectively sealed during operation of the blower fan to prevent the process air from leaving the airflow path and to further prevent aspiration of ambient air to the airflow path.
According to another aspect, the back wall rotates with the drum and the blower housing is rotationally fixed with respect to the tub.
According to another aspect, the slidable engagement is a labyrinth seal that is formed at an interface between the back wall of the drum and the blower housing.
According to another aspect, the blower fan and the drum rotationally operate about the rotational axis.
According to another aspect, a first motor rotationally operates the blower fan and a second motor rotationally operates the drum.
According to another aspect, the first motor is coupled to the blower fan via an inner drive shaft.
According to another aspect, the second motor is coupled with the drum via a hollow drive tube that surrounds a portion of the inner drive shaft.
According to another aspect, operation of the blower fan defines a high-pressure area that is disposed near the slidable engagement between the back wall and the blower housing.
According to another aspect, the high-pressure area defines the slidable engagement and a sealed engagement of the labyrinth seal that prevents aspiration of the ambient air into the airflow path.
According to another aspect, the slidable and sealed engagements of the labyrinth seal also prevents expiration of the process air away from the airflow path.
According to another aspect, the airflow path is entirely contained within the tub.
According to another aspect, the blower housing includes a cochlear space that directs the process air from the drum and through a portion of the airflow path that extends below the drum.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a combination washing and drying appliance includes a tub that is disposed within a cabinet. A drum has a back wall and is rotationally operable within the tub about a rotational axis. An airflow path is defined within an interstitial space between the drum and the tub. A drain is disposed within a lower section of the tub. An outlet for the drain is disposed within the airflow path. A blower fan delivers process air through the airflow path that is contained within the tub. The blower fan is disposed between the back wall of the drum and a blower housing of the tub. The back wall rotates with the drum and is slidably engaged with the blower housing to define a labyrinth seal. The blower fan rotationally operates within a blower enclosure that is defined between the back wall and the blower housing. Moisture collected in the airflow path is directed to the outlet of the drain.
According to another aspect, the labyrinth seal is disposed proximate a high-pressure area of the blower enclosure, and the high-pressure area is generated during operation of the blower fan.
According to another aspect, operation of the blower fan, the blower housing and the back wall are biased against one another within the labyrinth seal as a result of an increased air pressure within the high-pressure area.
According to another aspect, the increased air pressure increases a seal integrity of the labyrinth seal to prevent aspiration of ambient air into the airflow path.
According to another aspect, the increased air pressure further increases the seal integrity of the labyrinth seal to prevent expiration of the process air from the airflow path.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, an air handling system for a laundry appliance includes a tub that is disposed within a cabinet. A drum has a back wall and is rotationally operable within the tub about a rotational axis. An airflow path is defined within an interstitial space between the drum and the tub. A blower fan delivers process air through the airflow path that is contained within the tub. The blower fan is disposed between the back wall of the drum and a blower housing of the tub. The back wall rotates with the drum and is slidably engaged with the blower housing to define a labyrinth seal. The blower fan rotationally operates within a blower enclosure that is defined between the back wall and the blower housing.
According to another aspect, the labyrinth seal is disposed proximate a high-pressure area of the blower enclosure. The high-pressure area is generated during operation of the blower fan, and, during operation of the blower fan, the blower housing and the back wall are biased against one another within the labyrinth seal as a result of an increased air pressure within the high-pressure area.
According to another aspect, the increased air pressure increases a seal integrity of the labyrinth seal to prevent aspiration of ambient air into the airflow path. The increased air pressure further increases the seal integrity of the labyrinth seal to prevent expiration of the process air from the airflow path.
It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.
It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.
It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.
