Laundry treating appliance having an air flow assembly

A combination washing and drying laundry treating appliance for treating laundry according to an automatic cycle of operation includes a cabinet defining a cabinet interior. A tub defines a tub interior for receiving wash liquid during a washing cycle of operation and has at least one baffle with a plurality of air outlets. A drum is rotatable within the tub interior, and defines a treating chamber for holding laundry for washing or drying treatment. A washing circuit comprises a treating chemistry dispenser fluidly coupled to at least one of the tub interior or drum interior and a liquid supply fluidly coupled to at least one of the treating chemistry dispenser, tub interior, or drum interior. A drying air circuit comprises a manifold assembly, a lifter assembly provided on the drum and fluidly coupling the manifold assembly to the plurality of air outlets on the baffle, an air flow assembly having an inlet and an outlet fluidly coupled to the manifold assembly, and a blower fluidly coupled to the air flow assembly whereby actuation of the blower recirculates air through the treating chamber.

BACKGROUND

Laundry treating appliances, such as washing machines, combination washer/dryers, refreshers, and non-aqueous systems, can have a configuration based on a rotating drum that at least partially defines a treating chamber in which laundry items are placed for treating. The laundry treating appliance can have a controller that implements a number of user-selectable, pre-programmed cycles of operation having one or more operating parameters. Hot water, cold water, or a mixture thereof, along with various treating chemistries, can be supplied to the treating chamber in accordance with the cycle of operation. In addition, hot air, cold air, or a mixture thereof can be supplied to the treating chamber in accordance with the cycle of operation and via an air flow assembly.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a combination washing and drying laundry treating appliance for treating laundry according to an automatic cycle of operation, the combination laundry treating appliance comprising a cabinet defining a cabinet interior, a tub defining a tub interior for receiving wash liquid during a washing cycle of operation and having at least one baffle with a plurality of air outlets, a drum, rotatable within the tub interior, and defining a treating chamber for holding laundry for washing or drying treatment, a washing circuit comprising a treating chemistry dispenser fluidly coupled to at least one of the tub interior or drum interior and a liquid supply fluidly coupled to at least one of the treating chemistry dispenser, tub interior, or drum interior, and a drying air circuit comprising a manifold assembly provided on a rear of the drum, a lifter assembly provided on the drum and fluidly coupling the manifold assembly to the plurality of air outlets on the baffle, an air flow assembly having an inlet located at a front of the treating chamber and an outlet fluidly coupled to the manifold assembly, and a blower fluidly coupled to the air flow assembly whereby actuation of the blower recirculates air through the treating chamber by flowing air from the front of the treating chamber through the inlet and back to the manifold assembly, where the air is returned to the treating chamber at least through the air outlets in the baffle to establish a front-to-back recirculation of air within the treating chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the disclosure relate to an air flow assembly for a laundry treating appliance. Laundry treating appliances can be provided with structures and functionality both for washing and drying laundry items within a single appliance. In the case of such a combination washing and drying appliance, in addition to the components provided in a traditional washing machine, additional components for drying laundry items are also provided within the appliance. Non-limiting examples of such drying components include an air flow pathway, including an air inlet and an air outlet to the tub interior, a condenser, a blower, a heating element, and a manifold.

In traditional combination washing and drying machines, drying air can be delivered to the tub interior near a bellows of the laundry treating appliance. However, this can result in poor drying performance for laundry items near the rear of the tub. The present disclosure sets forth a combination washing and drying machine having an air flow assembly in which drying air, heated or not heated, flows through the rear portion of the tub, flows through a manifold and into the lifter assembly, then enters the laundry treating chamber. The drying air exits the tub interior at a front portion of the tub and is routed through a condenser for the removal of moisture, and then through a blower to re-enter the tub interior via the rear portion of the tub. Such an air flow assembly results in improved drying performance for laundry items located at any position within the tub interior.

FIG. 1is a schematic cross-sectional view of a laundry treating appliance according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The laundry treating appliance can be any appliance which performs an automatic cycle of operation to clean or otherwise treat items placed therein, non-limiting examples of which include a horizontal or vertical axis clothes washer; a combination washing machine and dryer; a tumbling or stationary refreshing/revitalizing machine; an extractor; a non-aqueous washing apparatus; and a revitalizing machine. While the laundry treating appliance is illustrated herein as a horizontal axis, front-load laundry treating appliance, the aspects of the present disclosure can have applicability in laundry treating appliances with other configurations.

Washing machines are typically categorized as either a vertical axis washing machine or a horizontal axis washing machine. The terms vertical axis and horizontal axis are often used as shorthand terms for the manner in which the appliance imparts mechanical energy to the laundry, even when the relevant rotational axis is not absolutely vertical or horizontal. As used herein, the “vertical axis” washing machine refers to a washing machine having a rotatable drum, perforate or imperforate, that holds fabric items and a clothes mover, such as an agitator, impeller, nutator, and the like within the drum. The clothes mover moves within the drum to impart mechanical energy directly to the clothes or indirectly through wash liquid in the drum. The clothes mover may typically be moved in a reciprocating rotational movement. In some vertical axis washing machines, the drum rotates about a vertical axis generally perpendicular to a surface that supports the washing machine. However, the rotational axis need not be vertical. The drum may rotate about an axis inclined relative to the vertical axis.

As used herein, the “horizontal axis” washing machine refers to a washing machine having a rotatable drum, perforated or imperforate, that holds laundry items and washes the laundry items. In some horizontal axis washing machines, the drum rotates about a horizontal axis generally parallel to a surface that supports the washing machine. However, the rotational axis need not be horizontal. The drum can rotate about an axis inclined or declined relative to the horizontal axis. In horizontal axis washing machines, the clothes are lifted by the rotating drum and then fall in response to gravity to form a tumbling action. Mechanical energy is imparted to the clothes by the tumbling action formed by the repeated lifting and dropping of the clothes. Vertical axis and horizontal axis machines are best differentiated by the manner in which they impart mechanical energy to the fabric articles.

Regardless of the axis of rotation, a washing machine can be top-loading or front-loading. In a top-loading washing machine, laundry items are placed into the drum through an access opening in the top of a cabinet, while in a front-loading washing machine laundry items are placed into the drum through an access opening in the front of a cabinet. If a washing machine is a top-loading horizontal axis washing machine or a front-loading vertical axis washing machine, an additional access opening is located on the drum.

The exemplary laundry treating appliance ofFIG. 1is illustrated as a horizontal axis combination washing and drying machine10, which can include a structural support system comprising a cabinet12which defines a housing within which a laundry holding system resides. The cabinet12can be a housing having a chassis and/or a frame, to which decorative panels can or cannot be mounted, defining an interior enclosing components typically found in a conventional washing machine, such as motors, pumps, fluid lines, controls, sensors, transducers, and the like. Such components will not be described further herein except as necessary for a complete understanding of the present disclosure.

The laundry holding system comprises a tub14dynamically suspended within the structural support system of the cabinet12by a suitable suspension system28and a drum16provided within the tub14, the drum16defining at least a portion of a laundry treating chamber18. The drum16is configured to receive a laundry load comprising articles for treatment, including, but not limited to, a hat, a scarf, a glove, a sweater, a blouse, a shirt, a pair of shorts, a dress, a sock, and a pair of pants, a shoe, an undergarment, and a jacket. The drum16can include a plurality of perforations20such that liquid can flow between the tub14and the drum16through the perforations20. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure for the laundry holding system to comprise only one receptacle with the receptacle defining the laundry treating chamber for receiving the load to be treated.

The laundry holding system can further include a door24which can be movably mounted to the cabinet12to selectively close both the tub14and the drum16. A bellows26can couple an open face of the tub14with the cabinet12, with the door24sealing against the bellows26when the door24closes the tub14.

The combination washing and drying machine10can further comprise a washing circuit which can include a liquid supply system for supplying water to the combination washing and drying machine10for use in treating laundry during a cycle of operation. The liquid supply system can include a source of water, such as a household water supply40, which can include separate valves42and44for controlling the flow of hot and cold water, respectively. Water can be supplied through an inlet conduit46directly to the tub14or the drum16by controlling first and second diverter mechanisms48and50, respectively. The diverter mechanisms48,50can be a diverter valve having two outlets such that the diverter mechanisms48,50can selectively direct a flow of liquid to one or both of two flow paths. Water from the household water supply40can flow through the inlet conduit46to the first diverter mechanism48which can direct the flow of liquid to a supply conduit52. The second diverter mechanism50on the supply conduit52can direct the flow of liquid to a tub outlet conduit54which can be provided with a spray nozzle56configured to spray the flow of liquid into the tub14. In this manner, water from the household water supply40can be supplied directly to the tub14. While the valves42,44and the conduit46are illustrated exteriorly of the cabinet12, it will be understood that these components can be internal to the cabinet12.

The combination washing and drying machine10can also be provided with a dispensing system for dispensing treating chemistry to the treating chamber18for use in treating the laundry according to a cycle of operation. The dispensing system can include a treating chemistry dispenser62which can be a single dose dispenser, a bulk dispenser, or an integrated single dose and bulk dispenser and is fluidly coupled to the treating chamber18. The treating chemistry dispenser62can be configured to dispense a treating chemistry directly to the tub14or mixed with water from the liquid supply system through a dispensing outlet conduit64. The dispensing outlet conduit64can include a dispensing nozzle66configured to dispense the treating chemistry into the tub14in a desired pattern and under a desired amount of pressure. For example, the dispensing nozzle66can be configured to dispense a flow or stream of treating chemistry into the tub14by gravity, i.e. a non-pressurized stream. Water can be supplied to the treating chemistry dispenser62from the supply conduit52by directing the diverter mechanism50to direct the flow of water to a dispensing supply conduit68.

The treating chemistry dispenser62can include multiple chambers or reservoirs for receiving doses of different treating chemistries. The treating chemistry dispenser62can be implemented as a dispensing drawer that is slidably received within the cabinet12, or within a separate dispenser housing which can be provided in the cabinet12. The treating chemistry dispenser62can be moveable between a fill position, where the treating chemistry dispenser62is exterior to the cabinet12and can be filled with treating chemistry, and a dispense position, where the treating chemistry dispenser62are interior of the cabinet12.

Non-limiting examples of treating chemistries that can be dispensed by the dispensing system during a cycle of operation include one or more of the following: water, enzymes, fragrances, stiffness/sizing agents, wrinkle releasers/reducers, softeners, antistatic or electrostatic agents, stain repellants, water repellants, energy reduction/extraction aids, antibacterial agents, medicinal agents, vitamins, moisturizers, shrinkage inhibitors, and color fidelity agents, and combinations thereof.

The combination washing and drying machine10can also include a recirculation and drain system for recirculating liquid within the laundry holding system and draining liquid from the combination washing and drying machine10. Liquid supplied to the tub14through tub outlet conduit54and/or the dispensing supply conduit68typically enters a space between the tub14and the drum16and can flow by gravity to a sump70formed in part by a lower portion of the tub14. The sump70can also be formed by a sump conduit72that can fluidly couple the lower portion of the tub14to a pump74. The pump74can direct liquid to a drain conduit76, which can drain the liquid from the combination washing and drying machine10, or to a recirculation conduit78, which can terminate at a recirculation inlet80. The recirculation inlet80can direct the liquid from the recirculation conduit78into the drum16. The recirculation inlet80can introduce the liquid into the drum16in any suitable manner, such as by spraying, dripping, or providing a steady flow of liquid. In this manner, liquid provided to the tub14, with or without treating chemistry can be recirculated into the treating chamber18for treating the laundry within.

The liquid supply and/or recirculation and drain system can be provided with a heating system which can include one or more devices for heating laundry and/or liquid supplied to the tub14, such as a steam generator82and/or a sump heater84. Liquid from the household water supply40can be provided to the steam generator82through the inlet conduit46by controlling the first diverter mechanism48to direct the flow of liquid to a steam supply conduit86. Steam generated by the steam generator82can be supplied to the tub14through a steam outlet conduit87. The steam generator82can be any suitable type of steam generator such as a flow through steam generator or a tank-type steam generator. Alternatively, the sump heater84can be used to generate steam in place of or in addition to the steam generator82. In addition or alternatively to generating steam, the steam generator82and/or sump heater84can be used to heat the laundry and/or liquid within the tub14as part of a cycle of operation.

It is noted that the illustrated suspension system, liquid supply system, recirculation and drain system, and dispensing system are shown for exemplary purposes only and are not limited to the systems shown in the drawings and described above. For example, the liquid supply, dispensing, and recirculation and pump systems can differ from the configuration shown inFIG. 1, such as by inclusion of other valves, conduits, treating chemistry dispensers, sensors, such as water level sensors and temperature sensors, and the like, to control the flow of liquid through the combination washing and drying machine10and for the introduction of more than one type of treating chemistry. For example, the liquid supply system can include a single valve for controlling the flow of water from the household water source. In another example, the recirculation and pump system can include two separate pumps for recirculation and draining, instead of the single pump as previously described.

The combination washing and drying machine10also includes a drive system for rotating the drum16within the tub14. The drive system can include a motor88, which can be directly coupled with the drum16through a drive shaft90to rotate the drum16about a rotational axis during a cycle of operation. The motor88can be a brushless permanent magnet (BPM) motor having a stator92and a rotor94. Alternately, the motor88can be coupled to the drum16through a belt and a drive shaft to rotate the drum16, as is known in the art. Other motors, such as an induction motor or a permanent split capacitor (PSC) motor, can also be used. The motor88can rotate the drum16at various speeds in either rotational direction.

The combination washing and drying machine10can further comprise a drying system or a drying air circuit for drying laundry items. The drying system comprises a lifter assembly210and an air flow assembly150, which can include a manifold assembly200, which can be formed by a drum rear portion156and a lifter assembly cover154, the manifold assembly200fluidly coupled with the air flow assembly150. The lifter assembly210can be disposed on an inner surface of the drum16and can comprise at least one baffle22to lift the laundry load received in the treating chamber18while the drum16rotates. The air flow assembly150can be thought of as including the lifter assembly210and baffles22fluidly coupled to the air flow assembly150and the manifold assembly200. Still further, the air flow assembly150comprises a blower162, a condenser160, and a heating element164. The condenser160can be provided with a condenser drain conduit (not shown) that fluidly couples the condenser160with the pump74and the drain conduit76. Condensed liquid collected within the condenser160can flow through the condenser drain conduit to the pump74, where it can be provided to the recirculation and drain system. In an exemplary aspect, the air flow assembly150can be provided adjacent an upper portion of the tub14, though it will be understood that the air flow assembly150need not be provided adjacent an upper portion of the tub14, and can be provided at any suitable location adjacent the tub14. The air flow assembly150can provide drying air into the treating chamber18for drying the laundry items.

In an exemplary aspect, the blower162can force drying air past the heating element164, and through the drum rear portion156and the lifter assembly cover154of the manifold assembly200. Drying air can then flow into the lifter assembly210, into the at least one baffle22, and into the treating chamber18through perforations, illustrated herein as drying air outlets152that can be provided on the baffles22. The now wet air exits the treating chamber18via a drum air outlet158that is fluidly coupled to the condenser160. Air exiting the condenser160is provided back to the blower162to establish a front-to-back recirculation of air from the treating chamber18.

The combination washing and drying machine10also includes a control system for controlling the operation of the combination washing and drying machine10to implement one or more cycles of operation. The control system can include a controller96located within the cabinet12and a user interface98that is operably coupled with the controller96. The user interface98can include one or more knobs, dials, switches, displays, touch screens and the like for communicating with the user, such as to receive input and provide output. The user can enter different types of information including, without limitation, cycle selection and cycle parameters, such as cycle options.

The controller96can include the machine controller and any additional controllers provided for controlling any of the components of the washing machine10. For example, the controller96can include the machine controller and a motor controller. Many known types of controllers can be used for the controller96. It is contemplated that the controller is a microprocessor-based controller that implements control software and sends/receives one or more electrical signals to/from each of the various working components to effect the control software. As an example, proportional control (P), proportional integral control (PI), and proportional derivative control (PD), or a combination thereof, a proportional integral derivative control (PID control), can be used to control the various components.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the controller96can be provided with a memory100and a central processing unit (CPU)102. The memory100can be used for storing the control software that is executed by the CPU102in completing a cycle of operation using the combination washing and drying machine10and any additional software. Examples, without limitation, of cycles of operation include: wash, heavy duty wash, delicate wash, quick wash, pre-wash, refresh, rinse only, and timed wash. The memory100can also be used to store information, such as a database or table, and to store data received from one or more components of the combination washing and drying machine10that can be communicably coupled with the controller96. The database or table can be used to store the various operating parameters for the one or more cycles of operation, including factory default values for the operating parameters and any adjustments to them by the control system or by user input.

The controller96can be operably coupled with one or more components of the combination washing and drying machine10for communicating with and controlling the operation of the component to complete a cycle of operation. For example, the controller96can be operably coupled with the motor88, the pump74, the treating chemistry dispenser62, the steam generator82, the sump heater84, and the air flow assembly150to control the operation of these and other components to implement one or more of the cycles of operation.

The controller96can also be coupled with one or more sensors104provided in one or more of the systems of the washing machine10to receive input from the sensors, which are known in the art and not shown for simplicity. Non-limiting examples of sensors104that can be communicably coupled with the controller96include: a treating chamber temperature sensor, a moisture sensor, a weight sensor, a chemical sensor, a position sensor and a motor torque sensor, which can be used to determine a variety of system and laundry characteristics, such as laundry load inertia or mass.

Referring now toFIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of the drying system, including the air flow assembly150, of the combination washing and drying machine10is shown. As described previously, the lifter assembly210is provided within the treating chamber18. The lifter assembly210can be mechanically coupled to the drum rear portion156. The lifter assembly210can include the lifter assembly cover154. Just as the baffles22can be provided with drying air outlets152, so can the lifter assembly cover154include perforations, illustrated herein as drying air outlets152. The lifter assembly cover154and the drum rear portion156can include interior partitions such that they can act as a part of the manifold assembly200for directing the drying air to specific baffles22. In an exemplary aspect, the lifter assembly cover154can be formed from plastic.

The drum air outlet158can be formed in the bellows26to allow drying air that has passed through the treating chamber18and absorbed moisture from the laundry items, becoming wet air, to exit the treating chamber18and provide an inlet to the air flow assembly150. A filter or screen (not shown) can be provided within or adjacent to the drum air outlet158for filtering lint and dust that is carried with the drying air exiting the treating chamber18. The filter can be provided in a location such that it is accessible to the user for cleaning after the drying cycle is completed.

The drum air outlet158is fluidly coupled to the condenser160that is provided within the air flow assembly150via an exhaust duct188. Downstream of the condenser160is the fluidly coupled blower162. The blower162serves to recirculate and push and pull drying air flow through the air flow assembly150and the treating chamber18upon actuation. The heating element164is also provided within the air flow assembly150to heat the drying air before it is provided to the treating chamber18and is positioned such that the drying air passes over the heating element164. A drum air inlet166is provided at a rear portion of the treating chamber18and provides an outlet to the air flow assembly150that is fluidly coupled with the manifold assembly200. The drum air inlet166comprises a tub opening168and a drum opening170, which are shown in more detail inFIG. 4. The drum air inlet166serves to fluidly couple the blower162and the heating element164with the lifter assembly210, the baffles22, and the drying air outlets152, and thus also to the treating chamber18. The tub opening168and the drum opening170are positioned such that they can be selectively aligned with one another to fluidly couple the tub14and the drum16as the drum16rotates during the operation of the combination washing and drying machine10. The drum opening170is in fluid communication with the lifter assembly cover154, the lifter assembly210, and the baffles22, such that drying air entering through the drum opening170confronts the lifter assembly cover154and is directed into the lifter assembly210.

FIG. 4illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of the drum air inlet166and heating element164. With respect to the drum air inlet166, the tub14includes the tub opening168, provided within a rear surface of the tub14. The drum opening170is provided within the drum rear portion156and can selectively align with the tub opening168as the drum16rotates. The heating element164can be contained within a heater housing172. The heating element can be any suitable type of heater for warming the drying air to be provided to the treating chamber18, non-limiting examples of which include a heating coil and a filament. The heater housing172defines a heater outlet174. The heater outlet174can be aligned with a second tub opening176to allow drying air to flow from the heater housing172through the tub14and into the drum rear portion156.

FIG. 5illustrates a perspective view of the lifter assembly210. The lifter assembly210comprises at least one lifter arm190to fluidly couple each baffle22to the portion of the lifter assembly210that is coupled to the lifter assembly cover154, such that the lifter assembly cover154is coupled to the baffles22via the at least one lifter arm190. While the lifter assembly210is illustrated herein as having three lifter arms190and three baffles22, it will be understood that any suitable number of lifter arms190and baffles22can be provided, including only a single lifter arm190and a single baffle22, so long as the number of lifter arms190and baffles22are equivalent. While the baffles22are illustrated herein as having a generally triangular cross-sectional shape, it will be understood that any suitable cross-sectional shape can be provided, non-limiting examples of which include fin shaped, square, rounded or oval, or trapezoidal. Drying air entering the lifter assembly can enter the treating chamber18via the drying air outlets152provided on either or both of the baffles122and the lifter assembly cover154.

FIG. 6illustrates a cross-sectional view of the lifter assembly210. The lifter assembly cover154, which can serve as a manifold for the drying air, defines at least one cover outlet192that fluidly couples the lifter assembly cover154with the lifter arm190. The lifter arm190is in turn fluidly coupled with the baffles22, and thus the drying air outlets152. At least the lifter arm190and the baffle22define a drying air outlet pathway194within the interior of the lifter assembly210that provides for the delivery of drying air from the lifter assembly cover through the lifter arm190to the baffle22, where drying air can enter the treating chamber18via the drying air outlets152.

FIG. 7illustrates an exploded rear perspective view of the tub14and a heating assembly178. The tub openings168provided in the rear surface of the tub14fluidly couple the heating assembly178with the treating chamber18via the drum rear portion156and the lifter assembly210. The heating assembly178is mechanically coupled with the rear surface of the tub14such that the heating assembly178overlies the tub openings168. Specifically, the heating assembly178comprises the heating element164, heater housing172, and a heating assembly cover182. The heater housing172can be generally shaped to enclose the heating element164and is coupled directly to the tub14. In an exemplary aspect, the heater housing172can be formed from steel to protect plastic parts of the tub14from being directly exposed to the heating element164. The heating assembly cover182can be shaped to enclose both the heating element164, opposite the heater housing172, as well as the tub openings168in order to direct drying air that enters the heating assembly178through the tub openings168. In an exemplary aspect, the heating assembly cover182can be formed from plastic. A tub rear cover180can be provided to overlie the tub14, as well as at least a portion of the heating assembly cover182.

While the heating element164is illustrated herein as being provided within the heating assembly178, it will also be understood that the heating element164can provided at other suitable locations within the air flow assembly150. By way of non-limiting example, the heating element164can be provided within a conduit that fluidly couples the blower162with the heating assembly178, or the heating element164can be provided integrated with or adjacent to the blower162. In cases where the heating element164is provided outside the heating assembly178, the heating assembly178serves as an air distribution channel.

FIG. 8illustrates a rear perspective view of the heating assembly178in an assembled position. In this view, it can be seen that the heater housing172includes a heater inlet184to receive drying air coming from the blower162via the air flow assembly150. Drying air entering the heating assembly178via the heater inlet184can be selectively heated by the heating element164. The heater outlet174is shown aligned with and fluidly coupled with the tub openings168to allow drying air to pass into the tub rear portion156and the lifter assembly210.

FIG. 9illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of an interface186between the tub14and the drum16. In an exemplary aspect, the tub14, defining the tub openings168, is stationary and does not rotate within the combination washing and drying machine10, while the drum16, including the drum rear portion156that defines the drum opening170, is rotatable within the tub14. While the drum16is rotatable relative to the tub14, it is still desirable to have a sealing structure between the tub14and the drum16to ensure that drying air flows from the tub openings168through the drum opening170, rather than exiting between the tub14and the drum16without entering the treating chamber18. One such type of sealing structure is to form a labyrinth seal at the interface186, as is illustrated inFIG. 9. However, it will be understand that any suitable dynamic seal can be used such that a majority of the drying air enters the treating chamber18. By way of non-limiting example, a sealing ring can be provided at the interface186, or a seal that is responsive to the spin speed of the drum16could be included, such that the seal is tight between the drum16and the tub14at low speeds of rotation, but is drawn away from the interface186into a looser sealing position at higher rotational speeds.

The drum rear portion156, serving as a manifold for the drying air, also allows the drying air that is being pushed into the treating chamber18by the blower162to stay pressurized as it comes into the treating chamber18through the stationary tub openings168. This is accomplished not only by the interface186, which can be provided as a labyrinth seal, but also by other sealing structures provided with the drum rear portion156. By way of non-limiting example, the drum rear portion156can include protrusions that project toward the tub14to prevent loss of drying air and loss of air pressure by minimizing the gap between the tub14and the drum16. Additionally, or alternatively, the interface186can be a labyrinth seal with additional ribs, forming multiple labyrinth seals. At least one rib can also be provided to ensure that liquid present during washing cycles cannot reach the labyrinth seals.

Turning now to the operation of the air flow assembly150, the blower162pushes drying air into the heating assembly178via the heater inlet184, where the drying air can be selectively heated before it is provided to the treating chamber18. Drying air then exits the heating assembly178via the heater outlet174, then enters the tub14via the second tub opening176. Drying air flows from the second tub opening176to the tub opening168, then into the drum rear portion156via the drum opening170. From the drum rear portion156, the drying air enters the lifter assembly210and exits the lifter assembly210via drying air outlets156on either or both of the lifter assembly cover154or the baffles22to enter the treating chamber18. When the drying air has entered the treating chamber18, moisture from the laundry items is absorbed by the drying air, causing the drying air to become wet air as it moves through the treating chamber18and towards the bellows26. Due to the suction created in the air flow assembly150by the blower162, the wet air is drawn out of the treating chamber18via the drum air outlet158, where it then flows into the condenser160. In the condenser160, moisture is condensed out of the wet air such that the wet air again becomes drying air. The drying air is then moved by the blower162back into the heating assembly178to begin the pathway through the air flow assembly150again.

The aspects disclosed herein provide an air flow assembly that can improve drying performance within a combination washing and drying machine. By moving the drying air from the rear of the treating chamber and through the lifters, then out through the bellows, drying air is distributed evenly throughout the treating chamber for improved drying performance over traditional combination washing and drying machines. This can result in improvement in drying efficiency, reduction of cycle time, and reduction of energy consumption by the combination washing and drying machine. Furthermore, the aspects described herein provide a solution that allows for air flow through the rear of the tub and the drum without loss of tub stiffness. Allowing for improved drying performance while maintaining sufficient rear tub stiffness is accomplished with the structure disclosed herein.

To the extent not already described, the different features and structures of the various aspects can be used in combination with each other as desired, or can be used separately. That one feature may not be illustrated in all of the aspects is not meant to be construed that it cannot be, but is done for brevity of description. Thus, the various features of the different aspects can be mixed and matched as desired to form new aspects, whether or not the new aspects are expressly described.

While the present disclosure has been specifically described in connection with certain specific aspects thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation. Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the forgoing disclosure and drawings without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the aspects disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless expressly stated otherwise.