DOOR FOR IMPROVED AIR FLOW IN A DRYER APPLIANCE

• US 20190323163A1
• Filed: 04/19/2018
• Published: 10/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. DBA GE Appliances (Haier Group Company)
• Original Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. DBA GE Appliances (Haier Group Company)
• Inventors: Dunn, David Scott, Pollett, James Quentin
• Granted Patent: US 10,526,745 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/12 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/02 having dryer drums rotating about a horizontal axis
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/22 Lint collecting arrangements

Abstract

A door of a dryer appliance includes a frame defining a distribution plenum surrounding a transparent window. The frame defines a plurality of inlets on an inner surface and being spaced circumferentially around the frame to provide fluid communication between a drying chamber and the distribution plenum. A plenum outlet provides fluid communication between the distribution plenum and a trap duct for permitting the discharge of heated air from the drying chamber.

Claims

1. A dryer appliance comprising:

a cabinet;

a drum rotatably mounted within the cabinet, the drum defining a chamber for receipt of clothes for drying;

a front bulkhead defining a bypass aperture and an opening for accessing the chamber;

a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet over the opening to provide selective access to the chamber, the door comprising;

a frame defining an inner surface and a distribution plenum;

a plurality of inlets defined on the inner surface for providing fluid communication between the chamber and the distribution plenum;

a plenum outlet defined on the inner surface for providing fluid communication between the distribution plenum and the bypass aperture; and

a transparent window positioned within the frame.

2. The dryer appliance of claim 1, wherein the plurality of inlets are spaced circumferentially around the entire frame.

3. The dryer appliance of claim 1, wherein the plenum outlet is positioned outside the plurality of inlets along a radial direction.

4. The dryer appliance of claim 3, wherein the plenum outlet is defined proximate a bottom of the frame.

5. The dryer appliance of claim 1, wherein the frame defines one or more surface aberrations to generate turbulence and prevent lint build-up.

6. The dryer appliance of claim 1, wherein the door comprises a resilient seal placed on the inner surface of the door around the plurality of inlet apertures and around the plenum outlet to provide a seal between the door and the cabinet.

7. The dryer appliance of claim 1, wherein the transparent window comprises glass.

8. The dryer appliance of claim 1, wherein the frame and the distribution plenum are annular.

9. The dryer appliance of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises an insulation layer positioned between the distribution plenum and a door outer surface.

10. The dryer appliance of claim 1, wherein the front bulkhead defines a chamber outlet in fluid communication with the chamber, the chamber outlet being covered by a grill.

11. The dryer appliance of claim 1, comprising:

a trap duct in fluid communication with the chamber at the bypass aperture;

an air handler operably coupled to the trap duct for urging a flow of air through the trap duct.

12. The dryer appliance of claim 11, wherein the drum defines a chamber inlet in a rear of the drum, the air handler being configured for urging the flow of air from the chamber inlet to the bypass aperture.

13. The dryer appliance of claim 11, wherein the trap duct defines a condensate collection reservoir.

14. The dryer appliance of claim 11, wherein the trap duct comprises a lint filter, and wherein the flow of air passes through the distribution plenum, into the trap duct, and through the lint filter.

15. The dryer appliance of claim 11, wherein the air handler is a blower unit positioned downstream of the trap duct.

16. A door of a dryer appliance, the dryer appliance comprising a drum defining a chamber for receipt of clothes for drying and a front bulkhead defining a bypass aperture and an opening for accessing the chamber, the door comprising:

a frame defining an inner surface and a distribution plenum;

a plurality of inlets defined on the inner surface for providing fluid communication between the chamber and the distribution plenum;

a plenum outlet defined on the inner surface for providing fluid communication between the distribution plenum and the bypass aperture; and

a transparent window positioned within the frame.

17. The door of claim 16, wherein the plenum outlet is positioned proximate a bottom of the frame and outside the plurality of inlets along a radial direction.

18. The door of claim 16, wherein the frame comprises an insulation layer positioned between the distribution plenum and a door outer surface.

19. The door of claim 16, comprising:

a trap duct in fluid communication with the chamber at the bypass aperture;

an air handler operably coupled to the trap duct for urging a flow of air through the trap duct.

20. The door of claim 19, wherein the front bulkhead defines a chamber outlet in fluid communication with the chamber, the chamber outlet being covered by a grill, and wherein the drum defines a chamber inlet in a rear of the drum, the air handler being configured for urging the flow of air from the chamber inlet to the bypass aperture and the chamber outlet.