Washing machine appliance and methods for moisture removal
AssigneeHaier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
InventorTodd Boutiette
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A washing machine appliance equipped with features for performing a moisture removal cycle is provided. When performing a moisture removal cycle, a door or lid of the washing machine appliance is moved to an open position so that moisture may be removed from a wash fluid compartment defined by a tub of the washing machine appliance. Methods for operating the washing machine appliance in a moisture removal cycle are also provided.
Claims19
A method for operating a washing machine appliance in a moisture removal cycle, the method comprising:
- receiving a signal indicative of a relative humidity of air within a wash fluid compartment defined by a tub;
- determining whether the relative humidity of air within the wash fluid compartment is greater than a relative humidity threshold based at least in part on the signal;
- and
- opening, if the relative humidity of air within the wash fluid compartment is greater than the relative humidity threshold, a door of the washing machine appliance to an open position to flow ambient air into the wash fluid compartment.
A washing machine appliance configured for performing a moisture removal cycle, the washing machine appliance comprising:
- a cabinet;
- a tub disposed within the cabinet and defining a wash fluid compartment;
- a basket rotatably mounted within the tub, the basket defining a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing;
- a lid coupled with the cabinet and movable between an open position and a closed position for selectively providing access to the wash chamber;
- a motor operatively coupled with the lid and configured for moving the lid between the open position and the closed position;
- a humidity sensor mounted to the washing machine appliance within the wash fluid compartment;
- a controller in operative communication with the motor and the humidity sensor, the controller configured to:
- receive a signal from the humidity sensor that is indicative of a relative humidity of air within the wash fluid compartment;
- determine whether the relative humidity of air within the wash fluid compartment is greater than a relative humidity threshold;
- and
- activate, if the relative humidity of air within the wash fluid compartment is greater than the relative humidity threshold, the motor to move the lid to the open position to flow ambient air into the wash fluid compartment.
A method for operating a washing machine appliance in a moisture removal cycle, the method comprising:
- receiving a signal indicative of a relative humidity of air within a wash fluid compartment defined by a tub;
- receiving a signal indicative of a relative humidity of ambient air external to the wash fluid compartment;
- determining whether the relative humidity of air within the wash fluid compartment is greater than the relative humidity of ambient air external to the wash fluid compartment;
- and
- opening, if the relative humidity of air within the wash fluid compartment is greater than the relative humidity of ambient air external to the wash fluid compartment, a door of the washing machine appliance to an open position to flow ambient air into the wash fluid compartment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.