DRYER APPLIANCE AND METHOD FOR CLEANING OPERATION

A dryer appliance including a drum, a heater assembly, a reservoir, and a controller is provided. The drum defines a chamber for receipt of articles for drying. The heater assembly is in fluid communication with the chamber to flow air thereto. The reservoir is configured to receive a fluid, such as a cleaning solution, a disinfecting solution, or a perfume solution. The reservoir is in selective fluid communication with the chamber to provide the fluid to the chamber. The controller is configured to perform operations that, when executed by the controller, causes the dryer appliance to perform operations. The operations include flowing fluid to the chamber from the reservoir.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to dryer appliances, or more specifically, to apparatuses and methods of operation for cleaning dryer appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dryer appliances generally include a cabinet with a drum rotatably mounted therein. During operation, a motor rotates the drum, e.g., to tumble articles located within a chamber defined by the drum. Dryer appliances also generally include a system for passing dry, heated air through the chamber in order to dry moisture-laden articles positioned therein. Typically, an air handler or blower is used to urge the flow of heated air through the chamber to dry the clothes.

Dryer appliances may occasionally develop undesired smells, odors, bacterial, microbial, or fungal growth. For instance, commercial dryer appliances may be used at such rates that permit dirty laundry chambers while being burdensome to the user or owner to clean and disinfect at intervals that may mitigate dirt, germ, or other undesired build-up or growth.

Certain dryer appliance configurations may include a steam function and other post-dry functions. Such systems may create or exasperate dirty laundry issues by allowing water or water vapor to enter or build up at surfaces of the dryer appliance. Unlike washing machine appliances, such surfaces at dryer appliances may not typically come into contact with a detergent or other cleaning solutions.

Accordingly, a dryer appliance with cleaning and disinfecting features is desired. More particularly, apparatuses and methods for cleaning and disinfecting a dryer appliance are desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a dryer appliance. The dryer appliance includes a drum rotatably mounted within a cabinet. The drum defines a chamber for receipt of articles for drying. The dryer appliance includes a heater assembly in fluid communication with the chamber. The heater assembly includes a blower fan configured to flow air through the heater assembly. The heater assembly is configured to selectively generate heat and remove moisture from the air flowing through the heater assembly. A reservoir is configured to receive a fluid. The reservoir is in selective fluid communication with the chamber to provide the fluid to the chamber. A controller is configured to perform operations that, when executed by the controller, causes the dryer appliance to perform operations. The operations include flowing fluid to the chamber from the reservoir. The fluid is a cleaning solution, a disinfecting solution, or a perfume solution.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method for operating a dryer appliance. The method includes flowing a fluid from a reservoir at the dryer appliance to a chamber configured to receive laundry articles for drying. The fluid is a cleaning solution, a disinfecting solution, or a perfume solution. The method includes operating a blower fan to flow air through a heater assembly of the dryer appliance to the chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the figures, an exemplary laundry appliance that may be used to implement aspects of the present subject matter will be described. Specifically,FIGS.1and2provide perspective views of a dryer appliance10according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Particularly,FIG.1provides a perspective view of dryer appliance10.FIG.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.FIG.3provides a perspective view of a portion of dryer appliance10with a portion of cabinet12of dryer appliance10removed to show certain internal components of dryer appliance10.FIG.4provides a front view of an embodiment of dryer appliance10.FIG.5provides a top-down view of an embodiment of dryer appliance10with a portion of cabinet12removed to show certain internal components of dryer appliance10.

As depicted inFIG.1, 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, a condenser dryer, or any other suitable laundry appliance.

Cabinet12includes a plurality of panels including a front panel14, a rear panel16, a pair of side panels18and20(e.g., a first side panel18and a second side panel20) spaced apart from each other by front panel14and rear panel16along the lateral direction L, a bottom panel22, and a top cover24. Cabinet12defines an interior volume29. A container or drum26is mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis within the interior volume29of cabinet12. Drum26defines a chamber25for receipt of articles for tumbling and/or drying. 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. 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. For example, dryer appliance10may be configured as an electric dryer appliance with electrical heating elements or as a gas dryer appliance with gas heating elements (e.g., gas burners) for heating air. heater assembly40

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 holes39that receive hot air that has been heated by a heater assembly40. The heater assembly40may include a heat pump or refrigerant-based heater assembly. Moisture laden, heated air is drawn from drum26by an air handler42that draws air through chamber25of drum26when motor31rotates a fan assembly48. In particular, ambient air, shown schematically via arrow51, enters heater assembly40due to air handler42urging relatively cool ambient air51into the heater assembly40. Such cool air51is selectively heated through the heater assembly40and is provided as heated air, shown schematically via arrow52to chamber25. In various embodiments further described herein, heater assembly40may be non-activated or deactivated such that air52,53provided to the chamber25is substantially similar to ambient air51(i.e., unheated). Air handler42draws heated air52through a duct41, such as a back duct or first duct, to drum26. Heated air52enters through the plurality of holes39and flows through chamber25, such as depicted schematically via arrow53. Within chamber25, heated air53can accumulate moisture (e.g., from damp articles disposed within chamber25). In turn, air handler42draws the moisture laden heated air, depicted schematically via arrow54. Moisture laden heated air54enters through a duct44. Duct44may form a front duct or second duct including a lint filter46(e.g., a screen filter) configured to collect lint during drying. The moisture laden heated air54passes through duct44enclosing filter46, which traps lint particles. More specifically, filter46may include a screen, mesh, other material to capture lint in the air flow. The location of lint filters in appliance10as shown inFIG.2is provided by way of example only, and other locations may be used as well. As shown, lint filter46is readily accessible by a user of the appliance. Air then passes through air handler42to an exhaust duct50, such as depicted schematically via arrows55.

A door33provides for closing or accessing drum26through opening32. According to exemplary embodiments, a window (not shown) in door33permits viewing of chamber25when door33is in the closed position, e.g., during operation of dryer appliance10. Door33also includes a handle that, e.g., a user may pull when opening and closing door33. Further, although door33is illustrated as mounted to front panel14, it should be appreciated that door33may be mounted to another side of cabinet12or any other suitable support according to alternative embodiments. Dryer appliance10may further include a latch assembly36(seeFIG.1) that is mounted to cabinet12and/or door33for selectively locking door33in the closed position. Latch assembly36may be desirable, for example, to ensure only secured access to chamber25or to otherwise ensure and verify that door33is closed during certain operating cycles or events.

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 user interface panel71) 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, fan assembly48, and/or components of heater assembly40. In turn, signals generated in controller56direct operation of motor31, fan assembly48, or heater assembly40in 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.

In various embodiments, the user interface panel71is positioned at the front panel14. In particular embodiments, user interface panel71is positioned proximate to one of the pair of side panels and distal to another of the pair of side panels. In an embodiment, user interface panel71is positioned alongside second panel20and distal to first panel18, e.g., distal along lateral direction L. Controller56is positioned proximate to one of the pair of side panels and distal to another of the pair of side panels. In such an embodiment, controller56is positioned alongside second panel20and distal to first panel18, e.g., distal along lateral direction L.

Referring toFIGS.3-5, embodiments of the dryer appliance10includes a reservoir100configured to receive and contain a fluid. The fluid may particularly include a cleaning solution, a disinfecting solution, a perfume or other scented solution, an antibacterial solution, an antimicrobial solution, an antimildew solution, a fungicidal solution, or combinations thereof. The reservoir100is in selective fluid communication with chamber25to provide fluid to the chamber25. Dryer appliance10including the reservoir100allows the fluid to clean and disinfect the chamber25, the drum26, an outlet conduit432(FIG.9) providing fluid connection between the reservoir100and the chamber25, a fluid supply conduit412(FIG.9) providing fluid connection from the reservoir100to a flow control device400, and valves, connections, hoses, or other conduits and flow control devices therebetween.

In particular embodiments, the reservoir100includes a handle116forming a portion114of the front panel14of the cabinet12. The reservoir100may be positioned at the front panel14proximate to another of the pair of side panels and distal to the controller56. In an embodiment such as described above in regard toFIG.3, reservoir100is positioned alongside first panel18and distal to second panel20. Controller56is positioned alongside second panel20and distal to first panel18and reservoir100. The portion114at which the handle116is formed may be positioned correspondingly proximate to first panel18and distal to the user interface panel71that is proximate to the second panel20. However, it should be appreciated that other embodiments of dryer appliance10may position the reservoir100and handle116proximate to second panel20. In such an embodiment, controller56and user interface panel71are positioned proximate to first panel18. In various embodiments, selector inputs70may be positioned at the front panel14between (e.g., between along lateral direction L inFIG.1) the user interface panel71and the reservoir100.

Referring now toFIGS.6-7, perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of reservoir100are provided. Reservoir100includes a portion114of front panel14. Portion114includes handle116configured to allow a user to pull, push, slide, or otherwise actuate the reservoir100into and out of the interior volume29(FIG.2), such as along transverse direction T (FIG.1). Accordingly, portion114may articulate to and from flush position with a remainder of front panel14. A body120forms a compartment122, such as a basin or trough, configured to hold or retain fluid. Body120may be separable or selectively detachable from portion114of front panel14, such as at interface121forming a clip, snap, or other appropriate fit. In various embodiments, reservoir100includes a retainer126for a sensor, such as a fluid level sensor or other appropriate device for determining an amount of fluid at the compartment122. Body120may form an outlet opening124through which fluid is allowed to egress from compartment122.

Referring now toFIG.8, in certain embodiments, body120forms one or more of wall123. Wall123may form a plurality of compartments122, such as depicted as first compartment122A, second compartment122B, and third compartment122C. One or more compartments may correspond to respective outlet openings124A,124B, such as to allow for separate fluids to selectively flow to the chamber25. One or more compartments may include a cover109extending over the compartment, such as to limit vaporization, spillage, dissipation, or other loss of fluid from compartment. Cover109may include lid110configured to selectively open and close (e.g., hinged or detachable), such as to allow fluid to be added by user. Sliding mechanism or rail113extends alongside body120, such as to allow reservoir100to slide into and out of interior volume29(FIG.2) formed by cabinet12.

FIG.9provides an exemplary schematic view of a dryer appliance10. Dryer appliance10may be configured to facilitate a cleaning, disinfecting, or perfuming process. As shown inFIG.9, certain embodiments of the dryer appliance10include a misting nozzle62that is in fluid communication with a water supply64in order to direct mist into chamber25. Dryer appliance10may further include a water supply valve or control valve66for selectively discharging the flow of mist into chamber25. It should be appreciated that control valve66may be positioned at any other suitable location within cabinet12.

The dryer appliance10may include one or more post-dry systems300including embodiments of reservoir100configured to provide a fluid (e.g., cleaning solution, disinfecting solution, perfume solution, etc.) to the chamber25. In certain embodiments, the fluid solution is generally appropriate for application to laundry articles after a drying cycle. In various embodiments, the post dry system300includes a pump310(FIG.3) configured to flow the fluid from reservoir100to the chamber25. In certain embodiments, dryer appliance10includes a flow control device400configured to receive fluid from the post dry system300. Fluid supply conduit412provides fluid communication of the fluid from the reservoir100to flow control device400. The pump310is configured to selectively flow the fluid solution to the chamber25. In particular embodiments, pump310is configured to selectively flow the fluid solution from the reservoir320through the fluid supply conduit412and through a flow control device400. The pump310flows the fluid solution from reservoir100through one or more of a plurality of inlet openings410A,410B and through an outlet opening430of the flow control device400.

The flow control device400includes a valve, such as a check valve, a non-return valve, a reflux valve, a retention valve, a foot valve, or, generally, a one-way valve, such as any appropriate valve configured to allow flow in a first direction (i.e., from the inlet opening410toward the outlet opening430) and inhibit flow in an opposing second direction.

Referring still toFIG.9, fluid supply conduit412is configured to provide the fluid from reservoir100to at least one of the plurality of inlet openings410A,410B. A second supply conduit422is configured to provide water or water vapor to at least one of another of the plurality of inlet openings410A,410B. An outlet conduit432is configured to provide the fluid and/or the water or water vapor through the outlet opening430to the chamber25.

The flow control device400includes outlet opening430in fluid communication with the chamber25via outlet conduit432. The flow control device400may include a first inlet opening410A configured to receive water or water vapor through the first inlet opening410A and a second inlet opening410B configured to receive the fluid from the reservoir100through the second inlet opening410B. The flow control device400may be configured to selectively provide fluid communication from the first inlet opening410A and the second inlet opening410B to the chamber25through the outlet conduit430connecting the chamber25.

Embodiments of the dryer appliance10such as schematically depicted inFIG.9may furthermore facilitate a steam dry process. In this regard, dryer appliance10may offer a steam drying cycle, during which steam is injected into chamber25, e.g., to function similar to a traditional garment steamer to help remove wrinkles, static, etc.

Referring now toFIG.10, a flowchart outlining steps of a method for operating a dryer appliance is provided (hereinafter, “method1000”). Embodiments of method1000may be stored as instructions (e.g., via one or more memory devices) at controller56that, when executed by controller56(e.g., via one or more processors) causes the dryer appliance (e.g., dryer appliance10) to perform operations. Accordingly, embodiments and steps of method1000may include computer-implemented methods for operating a dryer appliance. Steps of method1000may be performed in conjunction with one or more other steps not outlined herein, or may be rearranged, iterated, or combined with two or more other steps.

Method1000includes at1010flowing fluid to a chamber (e.g., chamber25for laundry articles) from a reservoir (e.g., reservoir100configured to retain a fluid or solid cleaning, disinfecting, or perfume material or solution). As provided herein, fluid is a cleaning solution, a disinfecting solution, a perfume solution, or other appropriate solution or material such as described herein. Accordingly, method1000includes a method for cleaning and disinfecting components of a dryer appliance, such as a chamber, conduits, or valves.

In certain embodiments, method1000includes at1030flowing water vapor to the chamber. In various embodiments, flowing water vapor includes flowing water vapor from a water supply (e.g., water supply64). In a particular embodiment, flowing water vapor to the chamber is in serial operation with flowing fluid from the reservoir (e.g., reservoir100) to the chamber (e.g., chamber25). In a still particular embodiment, flowing water vapor to the chamber in serial operation with flowing the fluid from the reservoir to the chamber includes flowing water vapor and the fluid through the outlet conduit to the chamber (e.g., outlet conduit432fluidly connecting flow control device400to chamber25).

Serial operation may particularly refer to providing one or the other of fluid or water vapor in a first instance in time to or through the outlet conduit and providing the other of water vapor or fluid in a second instance in time to or through the outlet conduit. Controller56may be configured to command (i.e., provide one or more control signals) iterative flow, or allowing flow therethrough, of water vapor and fluid from flow control device400through outlet conduit432to chamber25. Serial operation, or serial flow, of water vapor and fluid through outlet conduit432to chamber25may include allowing amounts of fluid to mix at flow control device400or outlet conduit432with amounts of water or water vapor. Accordingly, certain embodiments of method1000include at1032mixing fluid and water or water vapor and flowing the fluid-water mixture to the chamber. Such embodiments may allow for concentrated fluid (e.g., concentrated perfume solution, disinfectant solution, cleaning solution, antimicrobial solution, antibacterial solution, fungicidal solution, or combinations thereof, etc.) to be desirably diluted with water before providing the fluid to the chamber.

Embodiments of method1000may include at1040rotating a drum (e.g., drum26) while flowing the fluid to the chamber. Rotating the drum may allow for fluid, or diluted fluid, to land at various surfaces at drum or within the chamber. Additionally, or alternatively, rotating the drum may move the laundry articles when laundry articles are present in the chamber. The fluid may be provided while laundry articles are in the chamber, such as to allow the fluid to contact various surfaces of the laundry articles.

In various embodiments, method1000includes at1050flowing air through the heater assembly (e.g., heater assembly40) to the chamber. In a particular embodiment, the method1000at1050includes operating a blower fan (e.g., fan assembly48, or providing/receiving signals via sensor49at fan assembly48) to flow air to and through the chamber25. In one embodiment, flowing air to the chamber is in serial operation with flowing fluid to the chamber. In another embodiment, flowing air to the chamber is in parallel operation with flowing fluid to the chamber. Flowing air to the chamber may further include flowing air through the chamber and through a drum outlet (e.g., drum outlet54). The method1000may include at1052cycling an air-fluid mixture through the heater assembly. The method1000at1052may allow for the fluid to contact surfaces and components at the heater assembly, such as to allow for cleaning and disinfecting of the duct44, drum26, exhaust duct50, or other components.

In particular embodiments, flowing air through the heater assembly includes flowing cool air through the heater assembly and providing cool air to the chamber. Stated differently, flowing air through the heater assembly may particularly include non-heated air, such as to allow for dispersing the fluid through the chamber to various surfaces of the drum.

In other embodiments, method1000includes at1054transferring heat energy to cool air flowing at the heater assembly to generate heated air, such as described above in regard toFIG.9. The method1000at1056includes flowing heated air to the chamber from the heater assembly. In certain embodiments, method1000at1054or1056may be performed prior to flowing and dispensing fluid to the chamber, such as at step1010, such as to thermally prepare one or more surfaces to receive the fluid. In still certain embodiments, method1000at1054or1056may be performed after flowing and dispensing fluid at step1010, such as to allow heated air to evaporate excess fluid at surfaces at which the fluid contacts.

Embodiments of the method may include flowing fluid to the chamber when the absence of laundry articles at the chamber is determined or when a user inputs a command (e.g., at user interface panel71). In certain embodiments, particular fluids may correspond to whether the fluid may be applied to an empty chamber, a chamber with laundry articles, or both. For instance, referring back toFIG.8, a first fluid may be contained at compartment122A and a second fluid may be contained at compartment122B. The first fluid may be appropriate for the empty chamber (i.e., absence of laundry articles in the chamber), and the second fluid may be appropriate for the presence or absence of laundry articles at the chamber. The method1000may include at1070selectively flowing fluid from the first compartment and the second compartment. In a particular embodiment, the method1000may include at1072flowing a first fluid from the first compartment when the absence of laundry articles is determined. The method1000may include at1074flowing a second fluid from the second compartment when the presence of laundry articles is determined. It should be appreciated that the method1000at1074may further include flowing the second fluid when the absence of laundry articles is determined.

It should further be appreciated that the reservoir100may be configured to receive one or more appropriate fluids such as described herein. Controller56may be configured to receive a user input indicative of the fluid provided to the reservoir, or to particular compartments of the reservoir. In other embodiments, controller56may correspond particular compartments122at the reservoir100to particular fluids. Method1000, when executed by controller56, may select the appropriate fluid based on a desired cleaning, disinfecting, or perfuming cycle.

Embodiments of dryer appliance10, controller56, and method1000provided herein allow for cleaning, disinfecting, and perfuming at a dryer appliance. Embodiments may include predetermining intervals or cycles at which the fluid is provided to the chamber or other components such as described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, embodiments of the method1000provided herein may include a user input or response that causes the method1000to execute. Embodiments provided herein may overcome issues associated with cleaning and disinfecting dryer appliances, or allow for desired perfumes and scents to be added to laundry articles, or both.