Patent Application
20220106722
The present subject matter relates generally to washing machine appliances, or more specifically, to systems and methods for reducing humidity and moisture within a washing machine appliance.
Washing machine appliances generally include a tub for containing water or wash fluid, e.g., water and detergent, bleach, and/or other wash additives. A basket is rotatably mounted within the tub and defines a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing. During normal operation of such washing machine appliances, the wash fluid is directed into the tub and onto articles within the wash chamber of the basket. The basket or an agitation element can rotate at various speeds to agitate articles within the wash chamber, to wring wash fluid from articles within the wash chamber, etc. During a spin or drain cycle, a drain pump assembly may operate to discharge water from within sump.
Notably, when the wash or rinse cycle is completed, excess wash fluid commonly collects in a bottom of the tub, within the door gasket, etc. Because the wash tub is partially or substantially sealed, this wash fluid remains in the tub until the next wash or rinse cycle and the humidity remains relatively constant between cycles. Such collected wash fluid, excessive humidity, and moisture may contribute to mold, mildew, or foul smells. Notably, conventional front load washing machine appliances have no way to reduce such moisture collection or mitigate that effects of such moisture. For example, users typically must leave the door open after every cycle, which can be burdensome and can be relatively ineffective at evaporating collected wash fluid.
Accordingly, a washing machine appliance having improved features for reducing moisture and humidity would be desirable. More specifically, a washing machine appliance with an improved system for reducing the humidity and minimizing mold and mildew in the wash tub would be particularly beneficial.
Advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
In one exemplary embodiment, a washing machine appliance defining a vertical direction is provided. The washing machine appliance includes a wash tub positioned within a cabinet and defining a wash chamber, a wash basket rotatably mounted within the wash tub and being configured for receiving of a load of articles for washing, and a door assembly pivotally mounted to the cabinet for providing selective access to the wash chamber. The door assembly includes an inner door panel defining an inner aperture, an outer door panel spaced apart from the inner door panel to define an air plenum therebetween, the outer door panel defining an outer aperture, and a duct providing fluid communication between the inner aperture and the outer aperture.
In another exemplary embodiment, a door assembly for a washing machine appliance is provided. The door assembly includes an inner door panel defining an inner aperture, an outer door panel spaced apart from the inner door panel to define an air plenum therebetween, the outer door panel defining an outer aperture, and a duct providing fluid communication between the inner aperture and the outer aperture.
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.
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.
Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.
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.
Referring now to the figures,
Referring to
Wash basket 120 may define one or more agitator features that extend into wash chamber 126 to assist in agitation and cleaning articles disposed within wash chamber 126 during operation of washing machine appliance 100. For example, as illustrated in
Referring generally to
A window 136 in door 134 permits viewing of wash basket 120 when door 134 is in the closed position, e.g., during operation of washing machine appliance 100. Door 134 also includes a handle (not shown) that, e.g., a user may pull when opening and closing door 134. Further, although door 134 is illustrated as mounted to front panel 130, it should be appreciated that door 134 may be mounted to another side of cabinet 102 or any other suitable support according to alternative embodiments.
Referring again to
A drain pump assembly 144 is located beneath wash tub 124 and is in fluid communication with sump 142 for periodically discharging soiled wash fluid from washing machine appliance 100. Drain pump assembly 144 may generally include a drain pump 146 which is in fluid communication with sump 142 and with an external drain 148 through a drain hose 150. During a drain cycle, drain pump 146 urges a flow of wash fluid from sump 142, through drain hose 150, and to external drain 148. More specifically, drain pump 146 includes a motor (not shown) which is energized during a drain cycle such that drain pump 146 draws wash fluid from sump 142 and urges it through drain hose 150 to external drain 148.
A spout 154 is configured for directing a flow of fluid into wash tub 124. For example, spout 154 may be in fluid communication with a water supply 155 (
As illustrated in
In addition, a water supply valve or control valve 158 may provide a flow of water from a water supply source (such as a municipal water supply 155) into detergent dispenser 156 and into wash tub 124. In this manner, control valve 158 may generally be operable to supply water into detergent dispenser 156 to generate a wash fluid, e.g., for use in a wash cycle, or a flow of fresh water, e.g., for a rinse cycle. It should be appreciated that control valve 158 may be positioned at any other suitable location within cabinet 102. In addition, although control valve 158 is described herein as regulating the flow of “wash fluid,” it should be appreciated that this term includes, water, detergent, other additives, or some mixture thereof
A control panel 160 including a plurality of input selectors 162 is coupled to front panel 130. Control panel 160 and input selectors 162 collectively form a user interface input for operator selection of machine cycles and features. For example, in one embodiment, a display 164 indicates selected features, a countdown timer, and/or other items of interest to machine users.
Operation of washing machine appliance 100 is controlled by a controller or processing device 166 (
Controller 166 may include a memory and microprocessor, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with a cleaning 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. Alternatively, controller 166 may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software. Control panel 160 and other components of washing machine appliance 100 may be in communication with controller 166 via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses.
During operation of washing machine appliance 100, laundry items are loaded into wash basket 120 through opening 132, and washing operation is initiated through operator manipulation of input selectors 162. Wash tub 124 is filled with water, detergent, and/or other fluid additives, e.g., via spout 154 and or detergent drawer 156. One or more valves (e.g., control valve 158) can be controlled by washing machine appliance 100 to provide for filling wash basket 120 to the appropriate level for the amount of articles being washed and/or rinsed. By way of example for a wash mode, once wash basket 120 is properly filled with fluid, the contents of wash basket 120 can be agitated (e.g., with ribs 128) for washing of laundry items in wash basket 120.
After the agitation phase of the wash cycle is completed, wash tub 124 can be drained. Laundry articles can then be rinsed by again adding fluid to wash tub 124, depending on the particulars of the cleaning cycle selected by a user. Ribs 128 may again provide agitation within wash basket 120. One or more spin cycles may also be used. In particular, a spin cycle may be applied after the wash cycle and/or after the rinse cycle in order to wring wash fluid from the articles being washed. During a final spin cycle, basket 120 is rotated at relatively high speeds and drain pump assembly 144 may discharge wash fluid from sump 142. After articles disposed in wash basket 120 are cleaned, washed, and/or rinsed, the user can remove the articles from wash basket 120, e.g., by opening door 134 and reaching into wash basket 120 through opening 132.
While described in the context of a specific embodiment of horizontal axis washing machine appliance 100, using the teachings disclosed herein it will be understood that horizontal axis washing machine appliance 100 is provided by way of example only. Other washing machine appliances having different configurations, different appearances, and/or different features may also be utilized with the present subject matter as well, e.g., vertical axis washing machine appliances.
Referring now generally to
Specifically, humidity reduction system 200 may be operably coupled to a dedicated controller or appliance controller 166 for selectively reducing humidity within washing machine appliance 100. In this regard, humidity reduction system 200 includes an intake duct 202 that provides fluid communication between an ambient environment 204 and wash chamber 126 for providing a flow of air, e.g., as indicated by reference numeral 206 in
Referring still to
According to aspects of the present subject matter, intake duct 202 is defined through door assembly 220. In this regard, for example, inner door panel 226 defines an inner aperture 240 and outer door panel 228 defines an outer aperture 242. Furthermore, a duct, referred to herein as intake duct 202 extends between and fluidly couples inner aperture 240 to outer aperture 242. In this manner, intake duct 202 may permit the flow of fresh air (e.g., identified herein by reference numeral 206) to flow into wash chamber 126, e.g., to reduce the humidity therein. According to exemplary embodiments, intake duct 202 and exhaust duct 208 may permit the flow of air 206 to passively circulate throughout wash chamber 126 to naturally reduce moisture levels therein. However, according to still other embodiments as described below, humidity reduction system 200 may include any suitable number, type, and configuration of active system components for selectively urging the flow of air 206, such as one or more dampers, fans, or other air diversion/circulation systems.
For example, referring now specifically to
Notably, according to an exemplary embodiment, a humidity reduction cycle may be performed following every wash or rinse cycle. According to other embodiments, washing machine appliance 100 may include one or more humidity sensors that detect the humidity within wash chamber 126 and initiate a humidity reduction cycle when humidity levels reach or remain at an unsuitable humidity level. However, according to the illustrated embodiment, washing machine appliance 100 does not include humidity sensors (thus resulting in cost and appliance complexity savings). According to such an embodiment, a humidity reduction cycle may be performed after every cycle, after a predetermined number of cycles, after a specific amount of time has passed, or according to any other suitable schedule.
In addition, as best illustrated in
Referring again to
In addition, door assembly may include one or more flow regulating features 270 that are positioned within intake duct 202 for regulating the flow of air and/or wash fluid through intake duct 202. For example, according to the illustrated embodiment (e.g., as best illustrated in
In addition, according to exemplary embodiment, inner aperture 240 and outer aperture 242 may be positioned at desirable locations on door assembly 220 to insure collected wash fluid flows back down into wash chamber 126. In this regard, as illustrated, outer aperture 242 may be positioned proximate a top 280 of transparent window 224 along the vertical direction V and may extend at least partially above inner aperture 240 along the vertical direction V. In this regard, intake duct 202 may slope downward along the vertical direction V toward inner aperture 240. Thus, wash fluid that splashes into intake duct 202 will have the tendency of falling under the force of gravity back into wash chamber 126. It should be appreciated that a centerline 282 of intake duct 202 may extend at an angle 284 relative to a horizontal direction (e.g., as defined by the lateral direction L in transverse direction T). According to exemplary embodiments, angle 284 may be between about 0° and 90°, between about 5° and 70°, between about 10° and 50°, between about 15° and 40°, between about 20° and 30°, or about 25°. Other angles or duct shapes are possible and within the scope of the present subject matter.
In addition, according to the illustrated embodiment, intake duct 202 is a substantially straight duct, e.g., such that centerline 282 is substantially linear. However, according to alternative embodiments, intake duct 202 may be curved, serpentine, sinusoidal, or any other suitable shape. Notably, such shapes may prevent line of sight from inner aperture 240 to outer aperture 242. In other words, according to an exemplary embodiment, inner aperture 240 and the outer aperture 242 are offset such that there is no line of sight between inner aperture 240 and outer aperture 242. This may reduce the likelihood of wash fluid splashing directly through intake duct 202. In addition, it should be appreciated that according to alternative embodiments, intake duct 202 may split into two or more distinct passages that terminate on outer door panel 228 at different locations, or intake duct 202 may have any other suitable shape and size.
The system described above reduces humidity and moisture within a washing machine appliance and provides a cost-effective and efficient method for reducing excess moisture, mold growth, mildew, and foul smells within the washing machine appliance. Specifically, aspects of the present subject matter help to evaporate water that has accumulated in the gasket and/or wash tub quickly in addition to reducing humidity in the washer after the clothes have been removed from washer at the end of wash cycle. The evaporation of water in the gasket prevents mold growth and the development of fouls odors in the washing machine. According to an exemplary embodiment, a fan is installed on the back panel of the washer and is operated to periodically draw in fresh air, e.g., after the wash cycle is completed and the washed load has been removed. According to exemplary embodiments, spinning the fan induces forced convection within the wash chamber, while fresh air is introduced through front vent of the unit and exhaled out through rear panel.
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.
