Combination washing and drying laundry appliance having a filter cleaning system for removing lint during a laundry cycle

A method for operating a combination washing and drying appliance, the method comprising steps of:

• completing a first drying cycle with articles present within a rotating drum;
• selecting a second drying cycle immediately after the first drying cycle;
• distributing the articles along an inner surface of the rotating drum by rotating the rotating drum at a first speed;
• adding wash fluid to a tub that surrounds the rotating drum by adding impulse amounts of wash fluid that travel along an inside surface of the tub by surface adhesion to a sump;
• circulating the wash fluid from the sump as circulated fluid along the inside surface of the tub using air ventilation produced by the rotating drum rotating at a second speed that is faster than the first speed;
• removing particulate from a lint filter using the circulated fluid;
• collecting the circulated fluid and the particulate within the sump by decelerating the rotating drum to a third speed to allow wash fluid and the particulate to fall under force of gravity into the sump of the tub, the third speed being slower than the second speed;
• draining the wash fluid and the particulate from the sump by activating a fluid pump attached to the sump;
• and
• activating the second drying cycle.

A method for cleaning a lint filter located within a tub of a combination washing and drying appliance during performance of a drying phase of a laundry cycle where articles are located within a perforated drum that rotates within the tub, the method comprising steps of:

• sensing a blockage in the lint filter;
• initiating an interruption in the drying phase;
• distributing the articles along an inner surface of the perforated drum by rotating the perforated drum at a first speed;
• adding wash fluid to the tub for delivery to a sump within a lower portion of the tub;
• circulating the wash fluid from the sump as circulated fluid along an inside surface of a wall of the tub by rotating the perforated drum at a second speed that is faster than the first speed;
• washing the lint filter using the circulated fluid to remove particulate from a surface of the lint filter;
• collecting the circulated fluid and the particulate within the sump of the tub by decelerating the perforated drum to allow the circulated fluid and the particulate to fall according to force of gravity;
• and
• draining the sump to deliver the wash fluid and particulate to an external drain.