Vented cabinet closed loop airflow circuit dryer appliance

A dryer appliance and a method of operating the same are provided. In one aspect, the dryer appliance includes a drum rotatably mounted within a cabinet. The cabinet defines an interior volume and a vent. The dryer appliance includes a closed loop airflow circuit along which process air is moved. The drum defines a chamber positioned along the closed loop airflow circuit. A conditioning system of the dryer appliance is also positioned along the closed loop airflow circuit and is operable to heat the process air flowing along the circuit. The dryer appliance includes a vent fan operable to move cabinet air disposed within the interior volume and not within the airflow circuit through the vent of the cabinet. The cabinet air can be vented to an outdoor space or other suitable space.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to dryer appliances, and more particularly to closed loop airflow circuit dryer appliances, such as condenser dryer appliances, heat pump dryer appliances, and spray tower dryer appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although closed loop airflow circuit dryer appliances can efficiently dry laundry articles, they tend to heat the laundry room or indoor space in which they are located. Particularly, electrical power drawn by such dryer appliances to power a process air conditioning system thereof eventually heats or heat soaks the laundry room. As closed loop airflow circuit dryers are generally unvented, there is nowhere for the generated heat to go besides back into the laundry room. Essentially, such dryers act as space heaters. This is particularly problematic when the laundry room air is being cooled as the waste heat output by the dryer directly counteracts the cooling process.

Accordingly, a dryer appliance and methods of operating the same that address one or more of the challenges noted above would be advantageous.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a dryer appliance is provided. The dryer appliance includes a cabinet defining an interior volume and a vent to the interior volume. The dryer appliance also includes a drum rotatably mounted within the interior volume of the cabinet, the drum defining a chamber for the receipt of articles for drying, the chamber of the drum having a drum inlet and a drum outlet. Further, the dryer appliance includes a conditioning system operable to receive electrical power for heating process air flowing therethrough. Moreover, the dryer appliance includes a duct system for providing fluid communication between the drum outlet and the conditioning system and between the conditioning system and the drum inlet, the duct system, the conditioning system, and the drum defining a process air flowpath. The dryer appliance further includes a blower fan operable to move process air along the process air flowpath. In addition, the dryer appliance includes a vent fan positioned within the interior volume and operable to move cabinet air through the vent of the cabinet.

In another aspect, a method of operating a dryer appliance having cabinet defining an interior volume and a drum rotatably mounted therein is provided. The method includes moving, by a blower fan, process air along a process air flowpath of the dryer appliance, the process air flowpath being a closed loop airflow circuit. The method also includes heating, by a conditioning system, process air moving along the process air flowpath. Further, the method includes venting, by a vent fan, cabinet air disposed within the interior volume of the cabinet and outside of the drum through a vent defined by the cabinet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2provide perspective views of a dryer appliance10according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Particularly,FIG. 1provides a perspective view of dryer appliance10andFIG. 2provides another perspective view of dryer appliance10with a portion of a housing or cabinet12of dryer appliance10removed in order to show certain components of dryer appliance10. As depicted, dryer appliance10defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T, each of which is mutually perpendicular such that an orthogonal coordinate system is defined. While described in the context of a specific embodiment of dryer appliance10, using the teachings disclosed herein it will be understood that dryer appliance10is provided by way of example only. Other dryer appliances having different appearances and different features may also be utilized with the present subject matter as well. For instance, in some embodiments, dryer appliance10can be a combination washing machine/dryer appliance.

Cabinet12includes a front panel14, a rear panel16, a pair of side panels18and20spaced apart from each other by front and rear panels14and16along the lateral direction L, a bottom panel22, and a top cover24. Cabinet12defines an interior volume29. A drum or container26is mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis within the interior volume29of cabinet12. Drum26defines a chamber25for receipt of articles for tumbling and/or drying. Drum26extends between a front portion37and a back portion38, e.g., along the transverse direction T. Drum26also includes a back or rear wall34, e.g., at back portion38of drum26. A supply duct41may be mounted to rear wall34. Supply duct41receives heated air that has been heated by a conditioning system40and provides the heated air to drum26via one or more holes defined by rear wall34.

As used herein, the terms “clothing” or “articles” includes but need not be limited to fabrics, textiles, garments, linens, papers, or other items from which the extraction of moisture is desirable. Furthermore, the term “load” or “laundry load” refers to the combination of clothing that may be washed together in a washing machine or dried together in a dryer appliance10(e.g., clothes dryer) and may include a mixture of different or similar articles of clothing of different or similar types and kinds of fabrics, textiles, garments and linens within a particular laundering process.

In some embodiments, a motor31is provided to rotate drum26about the horizontal axis, e.g., via a pulley and a belt (not pictured). Drum26is generally cylindrical in shape. Drum26has an outer cylindrical wall28and a front flange or wall30that defines an opening32of drum26, e.g., at front portion37of drum26, for loading and unloading of articles into and out of chamber25of drum26. Drum26includes a plurality of lifters or baffles27that extend into chamber25to lift articles therein and then allow such articles to tumble back to a bottom of drum26as drum26rotates. Baffles27may be mounted to drum26such that baffles27rotate with drum26during operation of dryer appliance10.

Rear wall34of drum26is rotatably supported within cabinet12by a suitable bearing. Rear wall34can be fixed or can be rotatable. Rear wall34may include, for instance, a plurality of holes that receive hot air that has been heated by a conditioning system40, e.g., a heat pump or refrigerant-based conditioning system as will be described further below. Moisture laden, heated air is drawn from drum26by an air handler, such as a blower fan48, which generates a negative air pressure within drum26. The moisture laden heated air passes through a duct44enclosing screen filter46, which traps lint particles. As the air passes from blower fan48, it enters a duct50and then is passed into conditioning system40. In some embodiments, dryer appliance10may be a conventional dryer appliance, e.g., the conditioning system40may be or include an electric heating element, e.g., a resistive heating element, or a gas-powered heating element, e.g., a gas burner. For this embodiment, dryer appliance10is a closed loop airflow circuit dryer appliance, and more particularly, a heat pump dryer. In such embodiments, conditioning system40may be or include a heat pump including a sealed refrigerant circuit, as described in more detail below with reference toFIG. 3. Heated air (with a lower moisture content than was received from drum26), exits conditioning system40and returns to drum26by duct41. After the clothing articles have been dried, they are removed from the drum26via opening32. A door33provides for closing or accessing drum26through opening32.

In some embodiments, one or more selector inputs70, such as knobs, buttons, touchscreen interfaces, etc., may be provided or mounted on a cabinet12(e.g., on a backsplash71) and are communicatively coupled with (e.g., electrically coupled or coupled through a wireless network band) a processing device or controller56. Controller56may also be communicatively coupled with various operational components of dryer appliance10, such as motor31, blower48, and/or components of conditioning system40. In turn, signals generated in controller56direct operation of motor31, blower48, or conditioning system40in response user inputs to selector inputs70. As used herein, “processing device” or “controller” may refer to one or more microprocessors, microcontroller, ASICS, or semiconductor devices and is not restricted necessarily to a single element. The controller56may be programmed to operate dryer appliance10by executing instructions stored in memory (e.g., non-transitory media). The controller56may include, or be associated with, one or more memory elements such as RAM, ROM, or electrically erasable, programmable read only memory (EEPROM). For example, the instructions may be software or any set of instructions that when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations. It should be noted that controller56as disclosed herein is capable of and may be operable to perform any methods or associated method steps as disclosed herein. For example, in some embodiments, methods disclosed herein may be embodied in programming instructions stored in the memory and executed by the controller56.

FIG. 3provides a schematic view of dryer appliance10and depicts conditioning system40in more detail. For this embodiment, dryer appliance10is a heat pump dryer appliance and thus conditioning system40includes a sealed system80. Sealed system80includes various operational components, which can be encased or located within a machinery compartment of dryer appliance10. Generally, the operational components are operable to execute a vapor compression cycle for heating air passing through conditioning system40. The operational components of sealed system80include an evaporator82, a compressor84, a condenser86, and one or more expansion devices88connected in series along a refrigerant circuit or line90. Refrigerant line90is charged with a refrigerant. Sealed system80depicted inFIG. 3is provided by way of example only. Thus, it is within the scope of the present subject matter for other configurations of the sealed system to be used as well. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, sealed system80may include additional components, e.g., at least one additional evaporator, compressor, expansion device, and/or condenser. As an example, sealed system80may include two (2) evaporators.

In performing a drying and/or tumbling cycle, one or more laundry articles LA may be placed within the chamber25of drum26. Hot dry air HDA is supplied to chamber25via duct41. The hot dry air HDA enters chamber25of drum via a drum inlet52defined by drum26, e.g., the plurality of holes defined in rear wall34of drum26as shown inFIG. 2. The hot dry air HDA provided to chamber25causes moisture within laundry articles LA to evaporate. Accordingly, the air within chamber25increases in water content and exits chamber25as warm moisture laden air MLA. The warm moisture laden air MLA exits chamber25through a drum outlet54defined by drum26and flows into duct44.

After exiting chamber25of drum26, the warm moisture laden air MLA flows downstream to conditioning system40. Blower fan48moves the warm moisture laden air MLA, as well as the air more generally, through a process air flowpath58defined by drum26, conditioning system40, and the duct system60. Thus, generally, blower fan48is operable to move air through or along the process air flowpath58. For this embodiment, the process air flowpath58is a closed loop airflow circuit. Duct system60includes all ducts that provide fluid communication (e.g., airflow communication) between drum outlet54and conditioning system40and between conditioning system40and drum inlet52. Although blower fan48is shown positioned between drum26and conditioning system40along duct44, it will be appreciated that blower fan48can be positioned in other suitable positions or locations along duct system60.

As further depicted inFIG. 3, the warm moisture laden air MLA flows into or across evaporator82of the conditioning system40. As the moisture laden air MLA passes across evaporator82, the temperature of the air is reduced through heat exchange with refrigerant that is vaporized within, for example, coils or tubing of evaporator82. This vaporization process absorbs both the sensible and the latent heat from the moisture laden air MLA—thereby reducing its temperature. As a result, moisture in the air is condensed and such condensate may be drained from heating assembly40, e.g., using a drain line92, which is also depicted inFIG. 2.

Air passing over evaporator82becomes cooler than when it exited drum26at drum outlet54. As shown, cool air CA (cool relative to hot dry air HDA and moisture laden air MLA) flowing downstream of evaporator82is subsequently caused to flow across condenser86, e.g., across coils or tubing thereof, which condenses refrigerant therein. The refrigerant enters condenser86in a gaseous state at a relatively high temperature compared to the cool air CA from evaporator82. As a result, heat energy is transferred to the cool air CA at the condenser86, thereby elevating its temperature and providing warm dry air HDA for resupply to drum26of dryer appliance10. The warm dry air HDA passes over and around laundry articles LA within the chamber25of the drum26, such that warm moisture laden air MLA is generated, as mentioned above. Because the air is recycled through drum26and conditioning system40, dryer appliance10can have a much greater efficiency than traditional clothes dryers where all of the warm, moisture laden air MLA is exhausted to the environment.

With respect to sealed system80, compressor84pressurizes refrigerant (i.e., increases the pressure of the refrigerant) passing therethrough and generally motivates refrigerant through the sealed refrigerant circuit or refrigerant line90of conditioning system40. Compressor84may be communicatively coupled with controller56(communication lines not shown inFIG. 3). Refrigerant is supplied from the evaporator82to compressor84in a low pressure gas phase. The pressurization of the refrigerant within compressor84increases the temperature of the refrigerant. The compressed refrigerant is fed from compressor84to condenser86through refrigerant line90. As the relatively cool air CA from evaporator82flows across condenser86, the refrigerant is cooled and its temperature is lowered as heat is transferred to the air for supply to chamber25of drum26.

Upon exiting condenser86, the refrigerant is fed through refrigerant line90to expansion device88. Although only one expansion device88is shown, such is by way of example only. It is understood that multiple such devices may be used. In the illustrated example, expansion device88is an electronic expansion valve, although a thermal expansion valve or any other suitable expansion device can be used. In additional embodiments, any other suitable expansion device, such as a capillary tube, may be used as well. Expansion device88lowers the pressure of the refrigerant and controls the amount of refrigerant that is allowed to enter the evaporator82. Importantly, the flow of liquid refrigerant into evaporator82is limited by expansion device88in order to keep the pressure low and allow expansion of the refrigerant back into the gas phase in evaporator82. The evaporation of the refrigerant in evaporator82converts the refrigerant from its liquid-dominated phase to a gas phase while cooling and drying the moisture laden air MLA received from chamber25of drum26. The process is repeated as air is circulated along process air flowpath58while the refrigerant is cycled through sealed system80, as described above.

Although dryer appliance10is depicted and described herein as a heat pump dryer appliance, the inventive aspects of the present disclosure can apply to other types of closed loop airflow circuit dryer appliances. For instance, in other embodiments, dryer appliance10can be a condenser dryer that utilizes an air-to-air heat exchanger instead of evaporator82and/or an electric heater may be provided instead of condenser86. In yet other embodiments, dryer appliance10can be a spray tower dryer appliance that utilizes a water-to-air heat exchanger instead of utilizing a sealed refrigerant. Further, in some embodiments, dryer appliance10can be a combination washer/dryer appliance having a closed loop airflow circuit along which process air may flow for drying operations.

A power source62is in electrical communication with dryer appliance10. For this embodiment, an electrical conduit64can provide electrical communication between power source62and dryer appliance10. Dryer appliance10can draw or otherwise receive electrical power from power source62. The received electrical power can be utilized to power various electrical loads of dryer appliance10, such as compressor84, blower fan48, controller56, as well as other components not expressly listed. Conditioning system40is operable to receive electrical power for heating process air flowing therethrough.

As noted previously, conventional condenser heat pump dryer appliances have tended to heat soak the indoor space in which they are located. In accordance with the inventive aspects of the present disclosure, dryer appliance10includes features for directing waste heat to a space other than the indoor space in which dryer appliance10is located. More specifically, dryer appliance10includes features for moving or venting cabinet air from within interior volume29(i.e., air located within the interstitial space outside of chamber25of drum26and within cabinet12) to an outdoor space or other suitable space.

Referring still toFIG. 3, dryer appliance10is depicted operating in a vented mode. In some instances, controller56can operate dryer appliance10in the vented mode when it is desired to not heat soak indoor space110with the heated cabinet air CA. Thus, the vented mode is particularly useful during the summer or warmer months of the year. As shown, ambient air AA from an indoor space110enters interior volume29of cabinet12. Dryer appliance10is located within indoor space110. An exterior wall114separates indoor space110from outdoor space112. When the ambient air AA enters interior volume29of cabinet12, the ambient air becomes cabinet air CA. As depicted, conditioning system40and the duct system60are in thermal communication with the cabinet air CA disposed within interior volume29of cabinet12. More specifically, the relatively hot process air within duct system60and conditioning system40impart waste heat to the cabinet air CA. Other components, such as compressor84, also impart waste heat to the cabinet air CA. Accordingly, the electrical power delivered to dryer appliance10is rejected as waste heat to the cabinet air CA. Consequently, the cabinet air CA increases in temperature.

Dryer appliance10includes a vent fan100positioned within interior volume29of cabinet12. Vent fan100can be a centrifugal blower, for example. Vent fan100is operable to move or vent cabinet air CA through a vent102of cabinet12. In some embodiments, vent fan100is operable to move at least forty cubic feet per minute (40 CFM) (1.13 m3/min) of cabinet air CA through vent102of cabinet12. Vent fan100is communicatively coupled with controller56, e.g., via a suitable wired or wireless communication link. Controller56can activate or cause vent fan100to move cabinet air CA, e.g., based on one or more control commands. For instance, vent fan100is shown inFIG. 3moving cabinet air CA through interior volume29and toward vent102of cabinet12. Controller56can cause vent fan100to move cabinet air CA continuously during a drying cycle or during the steady state portion of the drying cycle, at predetermined intervals, or based one or more trigger conditions. As one example, controller56can cause vent fan100to move cabinet air CA when the temperature of the air of indoor space110and/or outdoor space112has passed a temperature threshold. Controller56can also deactivate or cause vent fan100to cease moving cabinet air CA, e.g., based on one or more control commands.

A vent system120having one or more vent ducts122is in fluid communication with vent102. Particularly, vent102is in fluid communication with an inlet124of vent system120. In this manner, vent system120can receive cabinet air CA expelled or exhausted from interior volume29of cabinet12. As further shown inFIG. 3, vent system120has an outlet126in fluid communication with outdoor space112. In other embodiments, the outlet126of vent system120can be in fluid communication with another suitable space or another system operable to receive waste heat. The expelled cabinet air CA can flow downstream through the one or more vent ducts122of vent system120to the outlet126thereof where the cabinet air CA can be exhausted to outdoor space112. Thus, heated cabinet air CA is exhausted to a suitable space rather than indoor space110. In this manner, indoor space110is prevented from being heat soaked by the heated cabinet air CA. Notably, the heated cabinet air CA exhausted to outdoor space112does not contain combustion products or lint as no gas is used as a fuel source for providing heat and the cabinet air CA does not mix with the process air within the closed loop process air flowpath58. Accordingly, the cabinet air CA exhausted to outdoor space112is of higher quality than air exhausted by a conventional vented dryer appliance. Thus, the exhausted cabinet air CA is more environmentally friendly.

In some embodiments, optionally, cabinet12has a vent damper130positioned at the vent102. Vent damper130is movable between an open position and a closed position. When vent damper130is in the open position, cabinet air CA may exit interior volume29of cabinet12through vent102. In contrast, when vent damper130is in the closed position, cabinet air CA is prevented from exiting or flowing out of interior volume29of cabinet12through vent102. Vent damper130is shown in the open position inFIG. 3and in the closed position inFIG. 4.

Vent damper130is communicatively coupled with controller56, e.g., via a suitable wired or wireless communication link. Controller56can move vent damper130between the open and closed positions. For instance, when vent fan100is activated to move cabinet air CA through vent102, controller56can cause vent damper130to move to the open position so that the heated cabinet air CA can be expelled from interior volume29to vent system120and ultimately to outdoor space112or some other suitable space. In some instances, when vent fan100is deactivated such that vent fan100ceases moving cabinet air CA through vent102, controller56can cause vent damper130to move to the closed position. In this way, particularly if dryer appliance10is not in operation, air is preventing from entering indoor space110through dryer appliance10. Accordingly, in some embodiments, vent damper130can be controlled in sync with vent van100. In other embodiments, particularly if passive venting of the cabinet air CA is desired, vent damper130can be moved to an open position by controller56while vent fan100is not active.

FIG. 4provides another schematic diagram of dryer appliance10and depicts the dryer appliance10operating in a non-vented mode. In some instances, controller56can operate dryer appliance10in a non-vented mode when it is desired to heat indoor space110with the heated cabinet air CA. Thus, the non-vented mode is particularly useful during the winter or cooler months of the year. As shown, ambient air AA from indoor space110enters interior volume29of cabinet12. When the ambient air AA enters interior volume29of cabinet12, the ambient air becomes cabinet air CA. As noted above, conditioning system40and the duct system60are in thermal communication with the cabinet air CA disposed within interior volume29of cabinet12. Consequently, the relatively hot process air within duct system60and conditioning system40impart waste heat to the cabinet air CA. Other components of dryer appliance10also impart waste heat to the cabinet air CA. Accordingly, the electrical power delivered to dryer appliance10is rejected as waste heat to the cabinet air CA. Consequently, the cabinet air CA increases in temperature.

In the non-vented mode, vent fan100is operable to either move or vent heated cabinet air CA to indoor space110, or if passive heating is desirable, vent fan100can be deactivated by controller56. In instances in which vent fan100is activated to move heated cabinet air CA to indoor space110, vent fan100can be rotated in a direction opposite the rotation direction when venting cabinet air CA through vent102is desired. Notably, in the non-vented mode, controller56can cause vent damper130to move to a closed positioned such that heated cabinet air CA is prevented from exiting interior volume29through vent102thus keeping the heated cabinet air CA within interior volume29. In this manner, the heated cabinet air CA can be exhausted into indoor space110. Advantageously, by exhausting heated cabinet air CA into indoor space110, the burden placed on a heating system operable to heat indoor space110is lessened or reduced as dryer appliance10actively heats indoor space110with waste heat imparted to the cabinet air CA. Furthermore, notably, the heated cabinet air CA exhausted into indoor space110does not contain combustion products, lint, and relatively little moisture as no gas is used as a fuel source for providing heat and the cabinet air CA does not mix with the process air within the closed loop process air flowpath58.

In some embodiments, controller56can automatically select or toggle between the vented and non-vented modes. For instance, in some embodiments, controller56can be communicatively coupled with a temperature sensor, e.g., via a suitable wired or wireless communication link. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor is operable to sense a temperature of the air within indoor space110. In other embodiments, the temperature sensor is operable to sense a temperature of the air within outdoor space112. For instance, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, a temperature sensor140can be placed within indoor space110(shown in phantom lines) or within outdoor space112. Although temperature sensor140is shown positioned offboard of dryer appliance10, temperature sensor140can be positioned onboard dryer appliance10as well. In some embodiments, multiple temperatures sensors can be provided. For instance, an indoor temperature sensor and an outdoor temperature sensor can be provided and can be communicatively coupled with controller56.

In some example embodiments, controller56is configured to receive an input indicative of a temperature of the air within outdoor space112. Controller56can then determine whether the temperature of the air within outdoor space112has passed a threshold temperature. As one example, the threshold temperature can be an upper threshold temperature, e.g., seventy degrees Fahrenheit (70° F.) or (21° C.). In this example, if the sensed temperature has passed or is greater than seventy degrees Fahrenheit (70° F.), then controller56determines that the temperature of the air within outdoor space112has passed the threshold temperature. As another example, the threshold temperature can be a lower threshold temperature, e.g., thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit (32° F.) or (0° C.). In this example, if the sensed temperature has passed or is less than thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit (32° F.), then controller56determines that the temperature of the air within outdoor space112has passed the threshold temperature. In such embodiments, when the temperature of the air within outdoor space112has passed the threshold temperature, controller56can cause dryer appliance10to switch or toggle to either the vented mode or the non-vented mode depending on the temperature threshold passed.

For example, if the sensed temperature has passed or is greater than the upper threshold temperature, then controller56can automatically switch to or operate in the vented mode. Particularly, controller56can cause vent damper130to move to an open positioned and vent fan100to move cabinet air CA through vent102and vent damper130to ultimately vent or exhaust the heated cabinet air CA to outdoor space112or some other desirable space. On the other hand, if the sensed temperature has passed or is less than the lower threshold temperature, then controller56can automatically switch to or operate in the non-vented mode. Particularly, controller56can cause vent damper130to move to the closed positioned and vent fan100to cease operation or alternatively facilitate moving cabinet air CA out of interior volume29to indoor space110.

In yet other example embodiments, controller56is configured to receive an input indicative of a temperature of the air within indoor space110, which is the space in which dryer appliance10is positioned or located. Controller56can also receive an input indicative of a temperature set point of the air within indoor space110, e.g., from a thermostat of a heating system operable to condition the air disposed within indoor space110. The temperature set point is representative of the desired temperature of the air within indoor space110. In such embodiments, controller56can then determine whether the temperature of the air within indoor space110is within a predetermined range of the temperature set point. In such embodiments, when the temperature of the air within indoor space110is within a predetermined range of the temperature set point, controller56can cause dryer appliance10to remain in its current mode. On the other hand, when the temperature of the air within indoor space110is not within the predetermined range of the temperature set point, controller56can cause dryer appliance10to switch to the other mode.

By way of example, suppose the sensed temperature of the air within indoor space is sixty degrees Fahrenheit (60° F.) or (15.5° C.) and the set point temperature is seventy degrees Fahrenheit (70° F.) or (21° C.). Further, suppose that the predetermined range of the temperature set point is plus or minus five degrees Fahrenheit (±5° F.). In such embodiments, controller56receives an input indicative of the temperature of the air within indoor space110, which in this example is sixty degrees Fahrenheit (60° F.). Controller56also receives an input indicative of a temperature set point of the air within indoor space110, which in this example is seventy degrees Fahrenheit (70° F.). Controller56determines whether the temperature of the air within indoor space110is within the predetermined range of the temperature set point. In this example, sixty degrees Fahrenheit (60° F.) is not within plus or minus five degrees Fahrenheit (±5° F.) of the set point temperature, which is seventy degrees Fahrenheit (70° F.). Accordingly, controller56can cause dryer appliance10to automatically switch to the non-vented mode. In the non-vented mode, controller56can deactivate vent fan100and/or closing vent damper130, e.g., as shown inFIG. 4. In this manner, heated cabinet air CA can escape from interior volume29of cabinet12into indoor space110to provide heat. Furthermore, once the sensed temperature is within the predetermined range of the temperature set point, controller56can automatically switch back to the vented mode so as not to overly heat indoor space110. To return to the vented mode, as noted above, controller56can cause vent damper130to open and can cause vent fan100to move the heated cabinet air CA through vent102so that it may be exhausted, e.g., to outdoor space112.

FIG. 5provides a flow diagram of an example method (200) of operating a dryer appliance having cabinet defining an interior volume and a drum rotatably mounted therein. For instance, the dryer appliance10described herein can be operated as set forth in method (200).FIG. 5depicts steps performed in a particular order for purposes of illustration and discussion. Those of ordinary skill in the art, using the disclosures provided herein, will understand that various steps of any of the methods disclosed herein can be modified in various ways without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

At (202), the method (200) includes moving, by a blower fan, process air along a process air flowpath of the dryer appliance, the process air flowpath being a closed loop airflow circuit. For instance, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, blower fan48can move the process air along duct44of duct system60, through conditioning system40, along supply duct41of duct system60, and through chamber25of chamber26. As depicted, duct system60, conditioning system40, and chamber25of drum26form a closed loop airflow circuit.

At (204), the method (200) includes heating, by a conditioning system, process air moving along the process air flowpath. For instance, the conditioning system can be conditioning system40ofFIGS. 3 and 4. As shown, conditioning system40is a heat pump having sealed system80. Electrical power can be provided from power source62to dryer appliance10via electrical conduit64. The received electrical power can be utilized by various components of sealed system80to remove moisture from the process air and to provide heat thereto. Notably, during operation of dryer appliance10in a drying cycle, the heated process air moving along the process air flowpath58and the conditioning system40impart thermal energy to the cabinet air CA disposed within interior volume29of the cabinet12, e.g., as shown by the arrow labeled “Q” inFIGS. 3 and 4. The heated cabinet air can be selectively vented from interior volume29as provided below and noted herein.

At (206), the method (200) includes venting, by a vent fan, cabinet air disposed within the interior volume of the cabinet and outside of the drum through a vent defined by the cabinet. For instance, the vent fan can be the vent fan100depicted inFIGS. 3 and 4. Vent fan100can be disposed within interior volume29of cabinet12and outside of drum26. As illustrated inFIG. 3, vent fan100can be activated to move cabinet air through vent102of cabinet12. Vent102of cabinet12can be in fluid communication with outdoor space112(or some other suitable space), and when the vent fan100vents cabinet air CA (i.e., the air disposed within interior volume29of cabinet12and outside of drum26) through vent102defined by cabinet12, cabinet air CA is vented to outdoor space112. By venting cabinet air CA to another space besides indoor space110, such as e.g., outdoor space112, the heated cabinet air CA does not heat soak laundry room or indoor space110in which dryer appliance10is positioned.

In some implementations of method (200), a vent damper is positioned at the vent of the cabinet. For instance, the vent damper can be the vent damper130depicted inFIGS. 3 and 4. The vent damper130can movable between an open position in which cabinet air CA exits interior volume29of cabinet12through vent102(e.g., shown inFIG. 3) and a closed position in which cabinet air CA is prevented from exiting interior volume29of cabinet12through vent102(e.g., as shown inFIG. 4). In such implementations, the method (200) further includes moving the vent damper to the open position so that cabinet air is vented through the vent. In this way, the cabinet air CA can be vented through vent102by vent fan100.

In some implementations, the method (200) includes receiving, by a controller of the dryer appliance and from a temperature sensor, an input indicative of a temperature of air within an outdoor space. The method (200) can also include determining whether the temperature of air within the outdoor space has passed a threshold temperature. When the temperature of air within the outdoor space has passed the threshold temperature, causing, by the controller, the dryer appliance to automatically switch to one of a vented mode and a non-vented mode. In the vented mode, the controller can cause the vent damper to move to the open position and the vent fan to move cabinet air through the vent of the cabinet. In the non-vented mode, the controller can cause the vent damper to move to the closed position.

In some implementations, the method (200) includes receiving, by a controller and from a temperature sensor, an input indicative of a temperature of air within an indoor space in which the dryer appliance is positioned. The method (200) also includes receiving, by the controller, an input indicative of a set point temperature for air within the indoor space. Further, the method (200) includes determining whether the temperature of air within the indoor space is within a predetermined range of the set point temperature. In response to whether the temperature of air within the indoor space is within the predetermined range of the set point temperature, the method (200) includes causing, by the controller, the dryer appliance to automatically switch to one of a vented mode and a non-vented mode. In the vented mode, the controller can cause the vent damper to move to the open position and the vent fan to move cabinet air through the vent of the cabinet. In the non-vented mode, the controller can cause the vent damper to move to the closed position.