Washing Machine Odor Reduction Systems

Abstract

Systems for reducing odors in washing machines such as front-loading washing machines, where a fan draws air from outside the washing machine through an air inlet, circulates the air through a lower portion of the washing machine where it reduces humidity and evaporates stagnant water that has accumulated in the lower portion of the washing machine, and exhausts the air from the washing machine through an air outlet. A check valve may be installed in a water discharge line, either upstream or downstream of a pump, to prevent water from flowing back through the discharge line into the washing machine. Humidity sensors may be provided to measure a humidity internal to and external to the washing machine, and the fan may circulate the air through the lower portion of the washing machine in response to determining that the measured internal humidity exceeds the measured external humidity by a predetermined amount.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13 / 663,776, filed Oct. 30, 2012 by Troy R. Broitzman, which claims the benefit of: U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61 / 553,356, filed Oct. 31, 2011; U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61 / 662,670, filed Jun. 21, 2012; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61 / 698,643, filed Sep. 9, 2012. All of the foregoing provisional patent applications are incorporated by reference as if set forth herein in their entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The invention relates generally to washing machines, and more specifically to washing machines such as front-loading machines that allow water to pool and stagnate in the machine, thereby causing unpleasant odors and promoting mold and mildew in clothes that are left in the washing machine.[0004]2. Related Art[0005]Machines for washing laundry, specifically front-loading machines, often allow water to ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a system to reduce problems associated with stagnant water in a washing machine. The system includes a fan, air inlets and outlets, and a check valve to prevent water from accumulating in the lower portion of the machine and causing unpleasant odors. The fan circulates air through the lower part of the machine and evaporates stagnant water. The system also includes humidity sensors to measure the humidity inside and outside of the machine, and an automated control system to notify the user when a wash cycle is complete. The fan and check valve can be installed as original equipment or a retrofit kit on an existing washing machine without making any modifications to the machine. Overall, the system improves the performance and comfort of the washing machines.

Problems solved by technology

This high relative humidity is caused but both water sitting in in the lower part of the drum and the relatively air-tight designs of machines such as frontloading machines.

The check valve prevents water from flowing through the discharge line into the lower portion of the washing machine, where it could otherwise accumulate and cause an unpleasant odor.

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