Laundry Appliance

The present application is a divisional of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/342,656, filed Jun. 9, 2021, entitled LAUNDRY APPLIANCE, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure generally relates to a laundry appliance and, more specifically, to a laundry appliance that includes a lint filter.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a laundry appliance includes a cabinet having a front panel that defines an opening, a drum accessible via the opening and configured for processing laundry, an access panel pivotably coupled to the front panel and operable to pivot between first and second conditions, and a first lint filter pivotably coupled to the front panel and operable to pivot relative to the front panel between a use position and a maintenance position in the second condition of the access panel. The access panel covers the first lint filter in the first condition, and access to the first lint filter is provided in the second condition of the access panel.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a laundry appliance includes a cabinet having a front panel. The laundry appliance also includes an access panel removably coupled to the front panel and operable between a first condition and a second condition. In the first condition, the access panel is attached to the front panel. In the second condition, the access panel is detached from the front panel. The laundry appliance also includes a first lint filter coupled to the access panel and operable between use and maintenance positions. The first lint filter is in the use position in the first condition of the access panel, and the first lint filter is in the maintenance position in the second condition of the access panel. The laundry appliance further includes a second lint filter positioned proximate to the front panel. Movement of the access panel from the first condition to the second condition provides access to the second lint filter.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a laundry appliance includes a cabinet having a front panel that defines an opening, and a drum accessible via the opening and operable to rotate about an axis of rotation that is downward of a midpoint of the opening.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein.

The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of apparatus components related to a laundry appliance. Accordingly, the apparatus components have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in. Unless stated otherwise, the term “front” shall refer to the surface of the element closer to an intended viewer, and the term “rear” shall refer to the surface of the element further from the intended viewer. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

The terms “including,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not necessarily include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises a . . . ” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

With respect to, reference numeralgenerally designates a laundry appliance. The laundry appliancecan include various mechanisms for washing, drying, or otherwise processing laundry. Typically, the laundry applianceincludes a drumthat is configured to rotate about an axis of rotationfor processing laundry. A bloweris disposed within the laundry applianceand delivers process airthrough an airflow pathof the laundry appliance. The blowercan be a fan, an air handling unit, or other air moving device that can move process airthrough the drumusing positive pressure or negative pressure via an induced flow of process airthrough the drum. The airflow pathcan include various air-conditioning mechanisms. These air-conditioning mechanismscan include one or more heat exchangers, electrical heaters, and other similar mechanisms that serve to heat and, in certain applications, cool the process airwithin the laundry appliance. At least a first lint filteris positioned within the airflow pathand is configured to filter particulate matter, such as lint particles, from the process air. In the embodiment illustrated in, process airentering the airflow pathinitially is drawn past the air-conditioning mechanismthat heats the process air. Next, the process airis delivered to the drum. A combination of particulate matterfrom within the drumand the process airflows out of the drumand through the first lint filter. The first lint filterfilters at least some of the particulate matterfrom the process air. Next, the process airand any remaining particulate matterwithin the process airis delivered to a second lint filter. The second lint filterfurther filters the particulate matterfrom the process air. Finally, the process airis expelled from the laundry applianceby the blower.

Referring now to, the laundry applianceincludes a cabinet. The cabinetincludes a front sideand a rear sidethat is opposite the front side. A top sideextends between the front and rear sides,. Left and right sides,extend downward from the top sidein between the front and rear sides,. In various embodiments, the cabinetof the laundry appliancehouses a variety of laundry appliance components. For example, as illustrated in, the drumof the laundry applianceis housed within the cabinet. The cabinetmay include a front panelthat forms at least a portion of the front sideof the cabinet. It is contemplated that the front panelmay be an assembly of a plurality of components at the front sideof the cabinet, in some implementations. The front paneldefines an opening, as illustrated in. The drumhoused within the cabinetis accessible via the openingdefined by the front panel. In the embodiments illustrated in, the openingis substantially circular. A variety of shapes of openingare contemplated. Although not shown, the laundry appliancemay include a door that is coupled to the cabinetand operable to cover the openingin a closed position and reveal the openingin an open position. In some embodiments, the door covers the openingby forming a seal with the front paneland an access panel.

Referring now to, the laundry applianceincludes the access panel. The access panelis positioned at the front sideof the cabinet. In various implementations, the access panelis operably coupled to the front panelof the cabinet. The access panelis operable between a first conditionand a second condition. In some embodiments, the access panelis configured to move from the first conditionto the second conditionvia detachment of the access panelfrom the front panel. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in, the access panelis removably coupled to the front panelof the cabinetand is operable between the first condition, wherein the access panelis attached to the front panel(), and the second condition, wherein the access panelis detached from the front panel().

In some embodiments, the access panelis operable to pivot between the first and second conditions,. For example, as illustrated in, the access panelis pivotably coupled to the front paneland operable to pivot relative to the front panelfrom the first condition, as illustrated in, to the second condition, as illustrated in. In the illustrated embodiment, the access panelpivots downward and away from the drumabout a generally horizontal access panel-pivot axisthat extends generally laterally and generally parallel with the front panel, as the access panelmoves from the first conditionto the second condition.

Referring still to, the access paneland the front panelof the cabinetmay cooperate to define the openingin the first conditionof the access panel. For example, as illustrated in, wherein the access panelis in the first condition, the access paneldefines the lowermost portion of the circular opening, while the front paneldefines the remainder of the openingthat is upward of the access panel. As described further herein, the access panelmay cover the first lint filterand/or the second lint filterin the first condition, and access to the first lint filterand/or the second lint filtermay be provided in the second conditionof the access panel.

Referring now to, the laundry applianceincludes the first lint filter. The first lint filtermay be positioned proximate to the front sideof the cabinet. In various implementations, the first lint filteris positioned downward of the openingdefined by the front panel. The first lint filtermay include a first lint filter frameand a first lint filter screencoupled to the first lint filter frame. In various embodiments, the first lint filter screenextends across the first lint filter frame. In operation of the laundry appliance, the first lint filter screenis configured to filter particulate matterfrom the process air, as the process airflows through the first lint filter screen. In some embodiments, the first lint filter screenis corrugated. In other words, the first lint filter screenis shaped to form alternate ridgesand grooves. For example, as illustrated in, the first lint filter screenis coupled to the first lint filter frameand is shaped to form a plurality of ridgesand a plurality of groovesthat are positioned between the plurality of ridges.

In some implementations, the first lint filteris operable between a use positionand a maintenance position. In the use position, the first lint filteris positioned within the airflow path, such that particulate matteris filtered from the process airthat is delivered through the first lint filter. In the maintenance position, the first lint filteris positioned such that particulate matteris accessible for removal from the first lint filterby a user. In some implementations, the first lint filteris operable to pivot between the use positionand the maintenance position. For example, as illustrated in, the first lint filteris pivotably coupled to the front paneland operable to pivot relative to the front panelbetween the use position, as illustrated in, and the maintenance position, as illustrated in. In the illustrated embodiment, the first lint filterpivots downward and away from the drumabout a generally horizontal pivot axisthat extends generally laterally, as the first lint filtermoves from the use positionto the maintenance position. The pivot axisand the access panel-pivot axismay be generally parallel to each other, as illustrated in.

Referring now to, in some implementations, the first lint filteris coupled to the access panel, such that the movement of the access panelfrom the first conditionto the second conditionmoves the first lint filterfrom the use positionto the maintenance position. For example, as illustrated in, the first lint filteris fixedly mounted to the access paneland disposed on a side of the access panelthat faces toward the rear sideof the cabinetin the first conditionof the access panel. As such, movement of the access panelfrom the first condition, wherein the access panelis attached to the front panel, as illustrated in, to the second condition, wherein the access panelis detached from the front panel, as illustrated in, causes the first lint filterto move from the use position, which corresponds with the first conditionof the access panel, to the maintenance position, which corresponds with the second condition. It is contemplated that the first lint filtermay transition between the use and maintenance positions,in at least one of a variety of manners in various implementations. Further, in some examples, movement of the access panelto the second conditionallows and/or causes movement of the first lint filterfrom the use positionto the maintenance position.

Referring now to, the laundry applianceincludes the second lint filter. The second lint filtermay be positioned proximate to the first lint filter. In some examples, the second lint filteris positioned downward of the first lint filter. As illustrated in, a divideris positioned between the first and second lint filters,. In the embodiment illustrated in, the divideris positioned vertically between the first and second lint filters,. In various implementations, the divideris configured to aid in creating a generally sealed airflow pathtogether with the access panelwhile the access panelis in the first condition. The second lint filtermay include a second lint filter frameand a second lint filter screenthat is coupled to the second lint filter frame. The second lint filter screenextends across the second lint filter frame, as illustrated in.

Referring now to, the access paneltypically covers the second lint filterin the first condition, and access to the second lint filtercan be provided in the second conditionof the access panel. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.and, the access panelcovers the second lint filterin the first condition, as illustrated in, and access is provided to the second lint filterin the second conditionof the access panel, as illustrated in. Further, in the embodiment illustrated in, the access panelcovers the second lint filterin the first condition, as illustrated in, and access is provided to the second lint filterin the second conditionof the access panel, wherein the access panelis pivoted open as illustrated in.

Referring again to, the first lint filter screenand the second lint filter screenmay be generally coplanar in the use positionof the first lint filter. As illustrated in, the first lint filter screenextends across the first lint filter framevertically and laterally in the use positionof the first lint filter. As such, the first lint filter screengenerally forms a plane that is parallel to a plane of the front sideof the cabinet. As further illustrated in, the second lint filter screenis positioned below the first lint filterand extends across the second lint filter framevertically and laterally, such that the second lint filter screenis generally coplanar with the first lint filter screenin the use positionof the first lint filter screen.

In some implementations, the second lint filteris configured to be removed from and returned to an operating position. In the operating position(exemplified in), the second lint filteris configured to filter particulate matterfrom the process airdelivered by the blowerof the laundry appliance. Removal of the second lint filterfrom the operating positionenables thorough cleaning of the second lint filterand/or may provide access to various components of the laundry appliancefor servicing.

Referring now to, the blowerdelivers process airthrough the airflow pathsuch that the process airflows from the drumto the first lint filterand subsequently to the second lint filter. In some implementations, the process airflows through the first lint filtertoward the access paneland through the second lint filteraway from the access panel. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in, process airflows out of the drumtoward the front sideof the cabinet. The process airflows through the first lint filtertoward the access panelthat is positioned forward of the first lint filtersuch that the first lint filteris positioned between the drumand the access panel. Next, the process airflows through the second lint filtergenerally toward the rear sideof the cabinetand away from the access panel. Although the access panelis illustrated in the open, second conditionto demonstrate the flow of process airthrough the first and second lint filters,in, in operation of the laundry appliance, the access panelis typically in the closed, first condition, as illustrated in, such that the process airflowing through the first lint filtertoward the access panelis directed, in part, by the access panelto the second lint filter. In various implementations, the access paneland the dividercooperate to form a chamber that is generally sealed, such that the process airis contained within the airflow path.

In various embodiments, particulate matteraccumulates on sides of the first and second lint filter screens,that face in generally opposite directions relative to each other. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in, particulate matteraccumulates on a side of the first lint filter screenthat is facing toward the rear sideof the cabinet, and particulate matteraccumulates on a side of the second lint filter screenthat is facing the front sideof the cabinet.

Referring now to, the openingdefined by the front paneland/or the access panelin the first conditionincludes a midpoint. In some embodiments, the midpointis the vertical center between the top of the openingand the bottom of the openingwhile the access panelis in the first condition. In some embodiments, wherein at least a portion of the openingis circularly curved, the midpointis the radial center of the circularly curved portion. For example, in the embodiments illustrated in, the openingis generally circular, and the midpointis the vertical and radial center of the opening. In some embodiments, the axis of rotationthat the drumwithin the cabinetis operable to rotate about is downward of the midpointof the opening. For example, as illustrated in, the axis of rotationof the drumis downward of the midpointof the generally circular opening. As such, the openingis offset from the drumin a vertically-upward direction. Offsetting the openingin this way generally increases the space below the openingwithin which the first and/or second lint filters,reside.

In a first exemplary embodiment of the laundry appliance, the laundry applianceincludes the access panel. The access panelis operable between the first condition, wherein the access panelis attached to the front panelof the cabinet, and the second condition, wherein the access panelis detached from the front panelof the cabinet. Further, the laundry applianceincludes the first lint filter, which is coupled to the access paneland operable to move from the use positionto the maintenance positionwith the access panelas the access panelmoves from the first conditionto the second condition. The laundry appliancealso includes the second lint filter, which is coupled to the cabinetand positioned downward of the first lint filterin the use positionof the first lint filter. The second lint filteris positioned within the airflow pathof the laundry applianceand is configured to be accessible by the user while the access panelis in the second condition, as illustrated in.

In operation of the first exemplary embodiment, a user loads laundry into the drumof the laundry applianceand turns on the laundry applianceto dry the laundry. The blowerdelivers process airinto the drum. The process airflows out of the drum, through the first lint filtertoward the access panel, and through the second lint filteraway from the access panelbefore being expelled from the airflow pathby the blower. As the process airflows through the first and second lint filters,, particulate matter(e.g., lint) is filtered from the process airby the first and second lint filters,. Upon completion of the drying cycle of the laundry appliance, the user is able to remove the access panelfrom the front panelof the cabinet, such that the access paneltransitions from the first condition, wherein the access panelis attached to the front panel, to the second condition, wherein the access panelis detached from the front panel, as illustrated in. The first lint filteris coupled to the access panel, such that the first lint filtermoves with the access panelfrom the use positionto the maintenance positionas the access panelis moved from the first conditionto the second condition. Having removed the access panelfrom the front panel, the user next removes the particulate matterfrom the exposed first and second lint filters,. Finally, the user returns the access panelfrom the second conditionto the first condition, and thereby returns the first lint filterfrom the maintenance positionto the use position.

In a second exemplary embodiment of the laundry appliance, the laundry applianceincludes the access panel, which is pivotably coupled to the front panel. The access panelis operable to pivot from the first condition, wherein the first and second lint filters,are covered by the access panel, to the second condition, wherein access is provided to the first and second lint filters,. Further, the first lint filteris pivotably coupled to the front panelof the cabinetand operable to pivot relative to the front panelof the cabinetbetween the use position, as illustrated in, and the maintenance position, as illustrated in.

In operation of the second exemplary embodiment of the laundry appliance, a user loads laundry into the drumof the laundry applianceand turns on the laundry applianceto dry the laundry. During the drying cycle, process airis delivered by the blowerinto the drumto dry the laundry. The process airflows out of the drum, through the first lint filtertoward the access panel, and through the second lint filteraway from the access panel. The dividerpositioned between the first and second lint filters,aids in keeping the process airwithin the airflow pathby generally preventing the process airfrom flowing around rather than through the second lint filter. Once the drying cycle is complete, the user pivots the access panelfrom the first condition, as illustrated in, to the second condition, as illustrated in, to reveal the first and second lint filters,. Next, the user pivots the first lint filterabout pivot axisfrom the use position, as illustrated in, to the maintenance position, as illustrated in. The user then removes the particulate matterfrom the first and second lint filters,before pivoting the first lint filterback to the use positionand pivoting the access panelback from the first conditionto the second condition. Because the process airflows through the second lint filterwhile traveling away from the access panel, particulate matteraccumulates on a side of the second lint filterthat faces generally toward the access panel. As a result, the user is able to access and remove the particulate matterfrom the second lint filter, when the access panelis in the second condition, without adjusting the position of the second lint filter.

The laundry applianceof the present disclosure provides a variety of advantages. First, the vertically offset opening, as illustrated in, can allow for larger first and/or second lint filters,to be employed below the opening, which may increase the particulate matterfiltering capacity of the first and/or second lint filters,. Second, the first lint filterincluding a first lint filter screenthat includes alternate ridgesand grooves, as exemplified in, can increase the surface area of the first lint filter screen, which can, in turn, increase the particulate matterfiltering capacity of the first lint filter. Third, the access panelbeing operable to enter the second condition, wherein both the first and second lint filters,are accessible by the user, can increase the convenience of accessing the first and second lint filters,for the user.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a laundry appliance includes a cabinet having a front panel that defines an opening, a drum accessible via the opening and configured for processing laundry, an access panel pivotably coupled to the front panel and operable to pivot between first and second conditions, and a first lint filter pivotably coupled to the front panel and operable to pivot relative to the front panel between a use position and a maintenance position in the second condition of the access panel. The access panel covers the first lint filter in the first condition, and access to the first lint filter is provided in the second condition of the access panel.

According to another aspect, a second lint filter is positioned proximate to the first lint filter, wherein the access panel covers the second lint filter in the first condition, and access to the second lint filter is provided in the second condition of the access panel.

According to another aspect, a blower delivers process air through an airflow path that includes the drum, wherein the first and second lint filters are positioned within the airflow path to filter particulate matter from the process air, and the process air flows through the first lint filter toward the access panel and through the second lint filter away from the access panel.

According to another aspect, the second lint filter is positioned downward of the first lint filter.

According to another aspect, the first lint filter includes a first lint filter frame and a first lint filter screen that extends across the first lint filter frame, the second lint filter includes a second lint filter frame and a second lint filter screen that extends across the second lint filter frame, and the first lint filter screen and the second lint filter screen are generally coplanar in the use position of the first lint filter.

According to another aspect, the drum is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, and a midpoint of the opening is disposed upward of the axis of rotation.

According to another aspect, the first lint filter includes a first lint filter frame and a first lint filter screen that extends across the first lint filter frame and is shaped to form alternate ridges and grooves.

According to yet another aspect, a laundry appliance includes a cabinet having a front panel. The laundry appliance also includes an access panel removably coupled to the front panel and operable between a first condition and a second condition. In the first condition, the access panel is attached to the front panel. In the second condition, the access panel is detached from the front panel. The laundry appliance also includes a first lint filter coupled to the access panel and operable between use and maintenance positions. The first lint filter is in the use position in the first condition of the access panel and the first lint filter is in the maintenance position in the second condition of the access panel. The laundry appliance further includes a second lint filter positioned proximate to the front panel. Movement of the access panel from the first condition to the second condition provides access to the second lint filter.

According to another aspect, a drum is positioned within the cabinet and operable to rotate about an axis of rotation, wherein, in the first condition of the access panel, at least one of the access panel and the front panel define an opening that provides access to the drum, and a midpoint of the opening is disposed upward of the axis of rotation.

According to another aspect, the opening is substantially circular.

According to another aspect, the first lint filter includes a first lint filter screen that is shaped to form alternate ridges and grooves.

According to another aspect, the second lint filter is downward of the first lint filter in the use position of the first lint filter.

According to another aspect, the second lint filter is configured to be removed from and returned to an operating position, and the second lint filter is configured to filter particulate matter from process air delivered by a blower in the operating position.

According to another aspect, a drum is positioned within the cabinet, and a blower delivers process air through an airflow path that includes the drum, wherein the first and second lint filters are positioned within the airflow path to filter particulate matter from the process air, and the process air flows from the drum to the first lint filter and subsequently to the second lint filter.

According to another aspect, the process air flows through the first lint filter toward the access panel and through the second lint filter away from the access panel.

According to yet another aspect, a laundry appliance includes a cabinet having a front panel that defines an opening, and a drum accessible via the opening and operable to rotate about an axis of rotation that is downward of a midpoint of the opening.

According to another aspect, the opening is substantially circular.

According to another aspect, an access panel is coupled to the front panel and operable between first and second conditions, and a first lint filter is proximate to the front panel and operable between a use position and a maintenance position in the second condition of the access panel, wherein the access panel covers the first lint filter in the first condition, and access to the first lint filter is provided in the second condition of the access panel.

According to another aspect, the access panel is pivotably coupled to the front panel and operable to pivot between the first and second conditions, and the first lint filter is pivotably coupled to the front panel and operable to pivot relative to the front panel between the use position and the maintenance position.

According to another aspect, the access panel is removably coupled to the front panel and operable between the first condition, wherein the access panel is attached to the front panel, and the second condition, wherein the access panel is detached from the front panel, and the first lint filter is coupled to the access panel and operable between the use and maintenance positions, wherein the first lint filter is in the use position in the first condition of the access panel and the first lint filter is in the maintenance position in the second condition of the access panel.