System and method for lowering humidity within a washing machine appliance
AssigneeHaier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
InventorsRushikesh Salvi, Kenneth G. Rudolph
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A washing machine appliance includes a wash tub defining a wash chamber and an intake and exhaust duct that are fluidly coupled to the wash chamber. A vent door is positioned within the intake duct for regulating a flow of air into the wash chamber and a drive motor selectively rotates a wash basket within the wash tub. When a command to reduce humidity is received, a controller may open the vent door and rotate the wash basket in a periodic cycle to urge the flow of air through the wash chamber and out the exhaust duct to lower a humidity within the wash chamber and the gasket, e.g., to reduce mold and mildew growth.
Claims20
A washing machine appliance comprising:
- 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;
- a drive motor operably coupled to the wash basket for selectively rotating the wash basket;
- an intake duct providing fluid communication between an ambient environment and the wash chamber for providing a flow of fresh air into the wash chamber;
- an exhaust duct providing fluid communication between the wash chamber and the ambient environment for discharging the flow of air from the wash chamber;
- a vent door operably coupled to at least one of the intake duct or the exhaust duct for regulating the flow of air;
- and
- a controller operably coupled to the drive motor and the vent door, the controller being configured for:
- receiving a command to lower a humidity within the wash chamber;
- opening the vent door;
- and
- selectively operating the drive motor to rotate the wash basket and urge the flow of air through the wash chamber.
A method of lowering a humidity within a washing machine appliance, the washing machine appliance comprising a wash basket rotatably mounted within a wash tub, an intake duct fluidly coupled to the wash chamber, and an exhaust duct fluidly coupled to the wash chamber, the method comprising:
- receiving a command to lower the humidity within the wash chamber;
- opening a vent door operably coupled to the intake duct to permit a flow of air into the wash chamber;
- and
- selectively operating a drive motor to rotate the wash basket and urge the flow of air through the wash chamber and out of the exhaust duct.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.