Laundry appliance including reduced tumble or non-tumble dry cycle options

Abstract

A Laundry appliance includes a cabinet including a top wall defining a lid. A drum is rotatably supported in the cabinet. The drum defines a laundry compartment. A drum motor is operatively connected to the drum. A fan is arranged in the cabinet. A blower motor is operatively connected to drive rotation of the fan. An airflow channel is in fluid communication with the fan and the drum. A heat exchanger system is in fluid communication with the airflow channel. A stationary drying chamber is arranged in the cabinet between the lid and the drum. The stationary drying chamber is accessible through the lid and includes a bottom surface having a right-side recess that extends downward between the right sidewall and alongside an upper portion of the drum and a left-side recess that extends downward between the left sidewall and alongside the upper portion of the drum.

Description

FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the art of laundry appliances and, more particularly, to a clothes dryer including a reduced tumble and non-tumble cycle options.BACKGROUND

[0002] This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

[0003] Laundry appliances are prolific in both residential and commercial settings. Laundry appliances include dryers that are used to dry laundry after it has been cleaned in a washing machine. Laundry appliances also include washer and dryer combination appliances where a single machine performs both the washing and drying functions. There are a number of different names used to describe washer and dryer combination appliances, including without limitation, “washer / dryer combos” and “all-in-one washer dryers.”

[0004] Many laundry appliances include a cabinet (i.e., an appliance housing) with an opening that is accessed by an appliance door. A drum is positioned in the cabinet and is rotatable with respect to the cabinet. The drum typically has a drum opening that provides access to a laundry compartment inside the drum. The appliances also include a blower that directs airflow into the drum, and a heat exchanger system that heats the airflow. The heat exchanger system may take on a variety of forms including electric resistive elements, heat exchangers including an evaporator and a condenser, or other systems that may heat a moving airflow.SUMMARY

[0005] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

[0006] The present disclosure presents a number of systems that are designed to reduce mechanical interactions between articles of laundry during a drying process. The systems include providing spaces for both tumble and non-tumble options, and providing spaces and structures for reduced tumble options that reduce mechanical interactions between the articles of laundry and thus substantially reduce shrinkage of articles of laundry being dried in the laundry appliance.

[0007] A laundry appliance, in accordance with the present disclosure, includes a cabinet including a left sidewall, a right sidewall, and a top wall defining a lid. A drum is rotatably supported in the cabinet. The drum defines a laundry compartment. A drum motor is operatively connected to drive rotation of the drum. A blower fan is arranged in the cabinet. A blower motor is operatively connected to drive rotation of the blower fan. An airflow channel is in fluid communication with the blower fan and the drum. A heat exchange system is in fluid communication with the airflow channel. A stationary drying chamber is arranged in the cabinet between the lid and the drum. The stationary drying chamber is accessible through the lid and includes a contoured bottom surface having a right-side recess that extends downward between the right sidewall and alongside an upper portion of the drum and a left-side recess that extends downward between the left sidewall and alongside the upper portion of the drum.

[0008] A laundry appliance, in accordance with the present disclosure, includes a cabinet including a front cabinet wall having an inner surface. A drum is supported in the cabinet. The drum defines a laundry compartment and includes a drum sidewall and a drum rear wall. At least the drum sidewall is rotatable. A drum motor is operatively connected to drive rotation of the drum. A blower fan is arranged in the cabinet. A blower motor is operatively connected to drive rotation of the blower fan. An airflow channel connects the blower fan and the drum in fluid communication. A heat exchanger system is arranged in fluid communication with the airflow channel. A laundry support rod extends between the drum rear wall and the inner surface of the front cabinet wall. The laundry support rod is configured to support articles in the laundry compartment without tumbling.

[0009] A laundry appliance, in accordance with the present disclosure includes a cabinet, a drum is supported in the cabinet. The drum includes a drum sidewall having a forward end and a rearward end. The drum sidewall extends between the forward end and the rearward end. The drum includes a rear drum wall defined at the rearward end of the drum sidewall. A laundry compartment is defined by the drum. A drum motor is operatively connected to drive rotation of the drum. A blower fan is arranged in the cabinet. A blower motor is operatively connected to drive rotation of the blower fan. An airflow channel connects the blower fan and the drum in fluid communication. A heat exchange system is arranged in fluid communication with the airflow channel. A member is arranged in the drum. The member creates a tumble and a reduced tumble portion in the drum.

[0010] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a laundry appliance including reduced tumble and non-tumble cycle options, in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the exemplary laundry appliance shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the exemplary laundry appliance shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 4 is an upper perspective view of a laundry appliance including reduced tumble and non-tumble cycle options, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the laundry appliance of FIG. 4, in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0017] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the laundry appliance of FIG. 4, in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0018] FIG. 7 is a front left perspective view of a laundry appliance including reduced tumble and non-tumble cycle options, in accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the laundry appliance including a drum having reduced tumble and non-tumble cycle options, in accordance with still yet another aspect of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 9 is a front view of the drum of FIG. 9, in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of the laundry appliance including a drum having reduced tumble and non-tumble cycle options, in accordance with yet still another aspect of the present disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 11 is a front view of the drum of FIG. 10, in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side view of the laundry appliance including a drum having reduced tumble and non-tumble cycle options, in accordance with a further aspect of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the drum of FIG. 12, in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional side view of the laundry appliance including reduced tumble and non-tumble cycle options in the form of a laundry support rod, in accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the laundry support rod of FIG. 14 supported by a first disconnectable coupler provided on a rear drum wall and a second disconnectable coupler provided in an inner surface of a front cabinet wall of the laundry appliance;

[0027] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a laundry support rod including a first rod member, a second rod member, and spring outwardly biasing the first rod member relative to the second rod member;

[0028] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional side view of the laundry appliance including reduced tumble and non-tumble cycle options in the form of a cantilevered laundry support rod, in accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the laundry support rod of FIG. 17 and a disconnectable coupler in the form of a threaded bore, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the laundry support rod of FIG. 17 and a disconnectable coupler in the form of a twist lock connector that receives a key member provided on the first end of the laundry support rod in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 20A is a cross-sectional side view of a laundry support rod and a disconnectable coupler in the form of a recess including an annulare groove that receives a selectively releasable latching device including first and second ball bearings in the laundry support rod, in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 20B is a cross-sectional side view of the laundry support rod of FIG. 20A preparing to be introduced into the disconnectable coupler, in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 20C is a cross-sectional side view of the laundry support rod positioned in the disconnectable coupler of FIG. 20B, in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 20D is a cross-sectional side view of the laundry support rod locked into the disconnectable coupler of FIG. 20C, in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional side view of a disconnectable coupler in the form of a cylindrical recess that is receptive of the first end of the laundry support rod, in accordance with the present disclosure; and

[0036] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional side view of the laundry support rod of FIG. 21 extending at an angle relative to a rear drum wall of the laundry compartment, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0037] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] As will be detailed more fully herein, tumbling clothes in a dryer results in mechanical interactions between articles of laundry. The mechanical interactions between laundry can result in shrinkage. That is, the mechanical interactions impact the articles of laundry at a fiber level. The interactions may cause the fibers to inelastically contract. The inelastic contractions produce undesirable shrinkage. The present disclosure describes a laundry appliance designed to reduce those mechanical interactions and thus reduce fabric damage or shrinkage associated therewith.

[0040] With reference to FIGS. 1-3, a laundry appliance 50 is illustrated. The laundry appliance 50 is a dryer and more specifically, a heat pump dryer. The laundry appliance 50 is illustrated as having a front-load configuration.

[0041] The laundry appliance 50 includes a cabinet 52 that is rectangular in shape. The cabinet 52 includes a front cabinet wall 54 having a front cabinet opening 56, a rear cabinet wall58 opposite the front cabinet wall 54, a right sidewall 60 (as viewed from the front) and a left sidewall 62. Right sidewall 60 and left sidewall 62 extend between the front cabinet wall 54 and the rear cabinet wall 58, a top cabinet wall 64, and a bottom cabinet wall 66. The front cabinet wall 54, rear cabinet wall 58, right sidewall 60, left sidewall 62, top cabinet wall 64, and bottom cabinet wall 66 cooperate to define a cabinet cavity 68 inside the cabinet 52.

[0042] In some configurations, the laundry appliance 50 may include a control panel 70 that is attached to the front cabinet wall 54. The control panel 70 may be positioned adjacent to the top cabinet wall 64. The control panel 70 may include a display 72, a speaker 74, a control selector 76, and a control module 78. The display 72 may be used to display information, adjust features or settings of the laundry appliance 50, present prompts to users of the laundry appliance 50, and to perform one or more other functions. The display 72 may be a touch screen display. The speaker 74 may be used to output audible sounds and to perform one or more other functions. The control selector 76 may be used to adjust features or settings of the laundry appliance 50 and to perform one or more other functions. The control module 78 may receive input from the user (e.g., via the display 72 or the control selector 76). The control module 78 may be configured to operate a cycle (e.g., a drying cycle) of the laundry appliance 50 according to the user's input and may perform one or more other functions. Additional functions of the control module 78 will be described below. It should be appreciated that display 72, speaker 74, control selector 76, and control module 78 may be positioned in another suitable location on the laundry appliance 50.

[0043] A front appliance door 84 is pivotally connected to the cabinet 52, and more specifically, to the front cabinet wall 54 of the cabinet 52. The front appliance door 84 swings between an open door position and a closed door position. In the open door position, the front appliance door 84 provides access to the front cabinet opening 56. In the closed door position, the front appliance door 84 shuts or closes the front cabinet opening 56. When in the closed door position, the front appliance door 84 may be flush with or positioned adjacent to a front facia 86 of the cabinet 52. Although other materials can be used, in the illustrated example, the front appliance door 84 is composed of metal.

[0044] The laundry appliance 50 includes a drum 90 that is positioned in the cabinet cavity 68 and is rotatable with respect to the cabinet 52 about a drum axis 92. The drum 90 has an annular drum sidewall 94 having a first or front drum end 96 and a second or rear drum end 98. Drum 90 also includes a rear drum wall 100. Drum 90 includes a front drum opening 104 at the front drum end 96. A support yoke 106 is arranged at rear drum end 98 of annular drum sidewall 94. One or more drum inlets 108 extend through the rear drum wall 100.

[0045] The front drum end 96, the annular drum sidewall 94, and the rear drum end 98 cooperate to define a laundry compartment 110 inside the drum 90. The front cabinet opening 56 in the front cabinet wall 54 and the front drum opening 104 at the front drum end 96 are at least partially aligned with one another and therefore provide access to the laundry compartment 110 inside the drum 90 when the front appliance door 84 is in the open door position. In the illustrated example, the front cabinet opening 56 in the front cabinet wall 54 and the front drum opening 104 at the front drum end 96 are aligned with the drum axis 92. It should be appreciated that in use, laundry (e.g., clothes, towels, and / or bedding, etc.) is placed inside the laundry compartment 110 where it is dried during the drying cycle of the laundry appliance 50.

[0046] Laundry appliance 50 is further shown to include a blower assembly 116 arranged in cabinet cavity 68 below drum 90. Blower assembly 116 includes a blower motor 118. In a non-limiting example, blower motor 118 is collocated with a drum motor 120 and takes the form of a dual rotor motor 122. Of course, it should be understood that blower motor 118 and drum motor 120 may also be separate mechanisms or a single mechanism connected to both drum 90 and blower assembly 116. The dual rotor motor 122 selectively controls blower assembly 116, e.g., the rotation of a blower fan 124 and also selectively controls rotation of drum 90. Blower assembly 116 develops an airflow that is passed into a heat exchanger 128 via an airflow channel 130 and on into drum 90 via an airflow channel 132.

[0047] Heat exchanger 128 may take on various forms including those that may employ electric resistive heating elements and those that may employ a refrigerant based heat exchanger. Airflow passing through heat exchanger 128 is heated and dried before being passed into drum 90. That is, airflow channel 130 includes an inlet end 133 connected to heat exchanger 128 via a heat exchanger outlet 135 and an outlet end 137 in fluid communication with drum 90.

[0048] Laundry appliance 50 is also shown to include a return duct 142 having a return duct opening 144 that delivers air from laundry compartment 110 to, for example, the ambient environment, via an exhaust outlet (not shown). In another exemplary aspect, return duct 142 may deliver air back into heat exchanger 128. In either case, a lint trap (also not shown) is arranged at return duct opening 144.

[0049] In another non-limiting example illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, top cabinet wall 64 may define a lid 194. Laundry appliance 50 includes a stationary laundry compartment 196 defined between lid 194 and drum 90. With this construction, laundry appliance 50 may simultaneously tumble dry articles of laundry in laundry compartment 110 and provide for a non-tumble dry option in stationary laundry compartment 196. This construction provides consumers with additional options for drying articles of laundry made from fabrics that may be prone to shrinkage when exposed to mechanical interactions in drum 90.

[0050] Stationary laundry compartment 196 includes a contoured bottom surface 200 having a central substantially planar surface 204 flanked by a right side recess 206 and a left side recess 208. Right side recess 206 extends from central substantially planar surface 204 downwardly between right sidewall 60 of cabinet 52 and drum 90. Left side recess 208 extends from central substantially planar surface 204 downwardly between left sidewall 62 of cabinet 52 and drum 90. Right side recess 206 and left side recess 208 include a cross-sectional area that is generally trapezoid shaped. As shown in FIG. 6, stationary laundry compartment 196 is provided with a heated airflow through a conduit 212 that is in fluid communication with outlet end 137 of airflow channel 132.

[0051] At this point, it should be understood that right side recess 206 and left side recess 208 may be accessed through lid 194 or, in other exemplary aspects, cabinet 52 may be provided left and right side recesses 206 and 208 may be formed with a pull-out drawer. That is, left and right side recesses 206 and 208 may be withdrawn from cabinet 52, laundry may be loaded or unloaded, and then left and right side recesses 206 and 208 may be inserted back into cabinet 52.

[0052] FIG. 7 depicts a member 234 that creates tumble and non-tumble options for laundry appliance 50. Member 234 may take the form of a basket 237 mounted to an inner surface (not separately labeled) of front appliance door 84. Basket 237 may receive articles of laundry that are exposed to heated airstreams in laundry compartment 110 without being subjected to mechanical interactions with other articles of laundry that may result in shrinkage. In this manner, laundry appliance 50 may accommodate, simultaneously, both tumble and non-tumble options in laundry compartment 110 of drum 90.

[0053] Reference will now follow to FIGS. 8 and 9 in describing another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure. Drum 90 is shown to include a plurality of baffles 250 that extend along annular drum sidewall 94 between front drum end 96 and rear drum end 98. In the non-limiting example depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9, plurality of baffles 250 include a first baffle 252, a second baffle 254, a third baffle 256, and a fourth baffle 258.

[0054] A member 260 that creates tumble and non-or low tumble options for laundry appliance 50, is shown in the form of an inner drum 262 supported by the plurality of baffles 250 in laundry compartment 110. Inner drum 262 includes an inner drum sidewall 264 having an inner drum front end 266 and an inner drum rear end 268. An inner drum rear wall 270 is arranged at inner drum rear end 268.

[0055] Inner drum 262 is supported by the plurality of baffles 250 and forms a central laundry compartment 272 defined by an inner surface (not separately labeled) of inner drum sidewall 264 and an inner surface (also not separately labeled) of inner drum rear wall 270. Inner drum 262 also forms, together with annular drum sidewall 94 a plurality of satellite of baffle-to-baffle compartments 275 including a first baffle-to-baffle compartment 276, a second baffle-to-baffle compartment 278, a third baffle-to-baffle compartment 280, and a fourth baffle-to-baffle compartment 282. Articles of laundry may be placed in central laundry compartment 272 for tumbling and in select ones of the plurality of baffle-to-baffle compartments 275 for a reduced tumble option.

[0056] Turning to FIGS. 10 and 11, drum 90 may include a support yoke 290 arranged at rear drum end 98 of annular drum sidewall 94. Support yoke 290 including a central hub 292 from which extends a first arm 294, a second arm 296, and a third arm 298. First arm 294 includes a first terminal end 303, second arm 296 includes a second terminal end 305, and third arm 298 includes a third terminal end 307. First terminal end 303, second terminal end 305, and third terminal end 307 are connected with rear drum end 98 of annular drum sidewall 94 to provide structural support for drum 90.

[0057] In a non-limiting example, a plurality of baffles 310 are connected to support yoke 290. A first baffle 312 extends from first terminal end 303 of first arm 294 along annular drum sidewall 94 towards front drum end 96. A second baffle 314 extends from second terminal end 305 of second arm 296 along annular drum sidewall 94 towards front drum end 96. A third baffle 316 extends from third terminal end 307 of third arm 298 along annular drum sidewall 94 towards front drum end 96. First baffle 312 includes a first baffle end 319 arranged adjacent to front drum end 96. Similarly, second baffle 314 includes a second baffle end 321 arranged adjacent to front drum end 96, and third baffle 316 includes a third baffle end 323 arranged adjacent to front drum end 96. A member 328 creates tumble and non-or low tumble options for laundry appliance 50.

[0058] Member 328 is shown in the form of an inner drum 330 having an inner drum sidewall 332 including an inner drum front end 334, and inner drum rear end 336, and an inner drum rear wall 338 arranged at inner drum rear end 336. Inner drum rear wall 338 is mounted to central hub of support yoke 290. Inner drum 330 defines a central laundry compartment 340 and a plurality of baffle-to-baffle compartments 342.

[0059] In accordance with an exemplary aspect, inner drum sidewall 332 is collapsible. For example, inner drum sidewall 332 may shift between a deployed position, where inner drum front end 334 is arrange adjacent to front drum end 96 of drum 90 and a second position, where inner drum front end 334 is arranged closer to central hub 292 of support yoke. When extended, inner drum sidewall 332 is supported by the plurality of baffles 310 in a manner similar to that described herein. Articles of laundry may be placed in central laundry compartment 340 for tumbling and in select ones of the plurality of baffle-to-baffle compartments 342 for a reduced tumble option.

[0060] FIGS. 12 and 13 depict a member 350 that creates tumble and non-or low tumble options for laundry appliance 50. Member 350 includes a central support 356 connected to central hub 292 of support yoke 290. Central support 356 extends through drum 90 along drum axis 92. Member 350 further includes a plurality of mesh panels 360 that are connected to central support 356. Plurality of mesh panels 360 includes a first mesh panel 362, a second mesh panel 364, and a third mesh panel 366.

[0061] In the non-limiting example shown, first mesh panel 362 is connected to central support 356 and extends radially outwardly toward annular drum sidewall 94 and is connected to first baffle 312. Second mesh panel 364 extends radially outwardly toward annular drum sidewall 94 and is connected to second baffle 314. Third mesh panel 366 extends radially outwardly toward annular drum sidewall 94 and is connected to third baffle 316. The plurality of mesh panels 360 form a plurality of compartments 370 in drum 90. Each of the plurality of compartments 370 include a volume that is less than an overall volume of drum 90. In this manner, articles of laundry being dried in drum 90 have less room to tumble and thus produced fewer mechanical interactions that might lead to fabric damage including shrinkage.

[0062] FIG. 14 front cabinet wall 54 includes an inner surface 410. Another member 418 that creates tumble and non-or low tumble options for laundry appliance is shown supported in laundry compartment 110 between rear drum wall 100 and inner surface 410 of front cabinet wall 54. Member 418 takes the form of a laundry support rod 422 arranged in drum 90 spaced from drum axis 92. Laundry support rod 422 includes a first end 424 supported at rear drum wall 100 and a second end 426 supported at inner surface 410 of front cabinet wall 54 at front drum end 96. In the example shown, rear drum wall 100 is stationary.

[0063] A laundry support surface 428 is defined between first end 424 and second end 426. Laundry support rod 422 may support laundry within laundry compartment 110. The laundry on laundry support rod 422 is not subjected to tumbling and yet are exposed to heated air passing from heat exchanger 128 through drum 90. Further, by spacing laundry support rod 422 above drum axis 92, additional articles of laundry may be tumbled in drum 90.

[0064] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a first disconnectable coupler 436 is mounted to rear drum wall 100 and a second disconnectable coupler 438. As shown in FIG. 15, first disconnectable coupler 436 includes a first arcuate support surface 440 and second disconnectable coupler 438 includes a second arcuate support surface 442. With this configuration, laundry support rod 422 may be introduced into laundry compartment 110 with first end 424 being rested in first arcuate support surface 440 and second end 426 being rested in second arcuate support surface 442.

[0065] At this point, laundry may be placed on laundry support surface 428 and be exposed to heated air without being tumbled. As laundry support rod 422 extends through laundry compartment 110 radially offset from drum axis 92, additional laundry may be placed in drum 90 and tumbled without causing the laundry on laundry support surface 428 to also tumble.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 16, a first disconnectable coupler 450 is arranged in rear drum wall 100 and a second disconnectable coupler 452 is arranged in inner surface 410 of front cabinet wall 54. First disconnectable coupler 450 takes the form of a first indentation 454 and second disconnectable coupler 452 takes the form of a second indentation 456. First indentation 454 and second indentation 456 are generally circular recesses formed in rear drum wall 100 and inner surface 410 of front cabinet wall 54, respectively.

[0067] A laundry support rod 460 extends across laundry compartment 110 substantially parallel to drum axis 92. Laundry support rod 460 includes a first rod member 462 and a second rod member 464. First rod member 462 includes a hollow interior 466 housing a spring 468 and defines a first end 470 of laundry support rod 460. Second rod member 464 is received within hollow interior 466 and defines a second end 472 of laundry support rod 460. Spring 468 outwardly biases second rod member 464 relative to first rod member 462.

[0068] In accordance with an exemplary aspect, a first end element 474 is positioned on first end 470 and a second end element 476 is positioned on second end 472. First end element 474 takes the form of a first non-slip cover formed from, for example, rubber or other polymer and second end element 476 takes the form of a second non-slip cover. With this arrangement, laundry support rod 460 may be introduced into laundry compartment 110 with first end 470 being positioned in first disconnectable coupler 450.

[0069] Pressure may be applied through second rod member 464 to compress spring 468. At this point, second end 472 may be placed in second disconnectable coupler 452 and the pressure released. Spring 468 provided an outwardly biased force on first end 470 and second end 472 to secure laundry support rod 460 in laundry compartment 110. First end element 474 and second end element 476 interact with surfaces of rear drum wall 100 and inner surface 410 of front cabinet wall 54 ensuring that laundry support rod 460 does not slip from corresponding ones of first disconnectable coupler 450 and second disconnectable coupler 452.

[0070] Reference will now follow to FIGS. 17 and 18 in describing a laundry support rod 486 in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure. Laundry support rod 486 includes a first end 488 supported at rear drum wall 100, a second end 490, and a laundry support surface 492 extending between first end 488 and second end 490. In the non-limiting example shown, second end 490 is cantilevered from rear drum wall 100.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 18, a disconnectable coupler 496 is provided in rear drum wall 100. Disconnectable coupler 496 is shown in the form of a cylindrical bore 498 including a plurality of female threads 500. First end 488 of laundry support rod 486 includes a male threaded portion 502 that is connectable with female threads 500 of disconnectable coupler 496. With this arrangement, when desired to incorporate a non-tumble option into drum 90, laundry support rod 486 is introduced into laundry compartment 110 and first end 488 is threaded into bore 489. Laundry may then be placed on laundry support surface 4982 and dried without tumbling. In a manner similar to that discussed herein, as laundry support rod 486 extends through laundry compartment 110 radially offset from drum axis 92, additional laundry may be placed in drum 90 and tumbled without causing the laundry on laundry support surface 492 to also tumble.

[0072] Reference will now follow to FIG. 19 in describing a laundry support rod 504 in accordance with another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure. Laundry support rod 504 includes a first end 506, a second end (not shown), and a laundry support surface 510 extending between first end 506 and the second end. First end 506 is removably connected to rear drum wall 100 of drum 90 through a disconnectable coupler 512. In accordance with an exemplary aspect, disconnectable coupler 512 includes a shaped recess 514 including a first end portion 516 having a first dimension, a second end portion 518 having a second dimension that is substantially similar to the first dimension, and an intermediate portion 520 having a second dimension that is smaller than the first dimension and the second dimension.

[0073] First end 506 of laundry support rod 504 includes a key member 522 having a head portion 524 that is shaped similar to shaped recess 514 and a shaft portion 526. With this arrangement, laundry support rod 504 may be introduced into laundry compartment 110 and first end 506 may be installed into disconnectable coupler 512 by aligning head portion 524 of key member 522 with shaped recess 514. Once key member 522 is in shaped recess 514, laundry support rod 504 may be rotated such that key member 522 and shaped recess are no longer aligned thereby joining first end 506 to rear drum wall 100. Laundry may then be arranged on laundry support surface 510.

[0074] Reference will now follow to FIG. 20A in describing a laundry support rod 536 in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure. Laundry support rod 536 includes a first end 538, a second end 540, and a laundry support surface 542. Laundry support surface 542 extends between first end 538 and second end 540. Drum 90 includes a disconnectable coupler 546 formed in rear drum wall 100. Disconnectable coupler 546 includes a generally cylindrical bore 548 including an inner surface 550 including an annular recess 552. Annular recess 552 is formed in inner surface 550 spaced from rear drum wall 100.

[0075] Laundry support rod 536 includes a hollow interior 554 within which is arranged a latch member 556. Latch member 556 is selectively activated to connect and disconnect laundry support rod 536 from rear drum wall 100. Latch member 556 includes a first end section 558, and a second end section 560 defining a shoulder 561. A spring 563 is arrange in hollow interior 554 between second end section 560 and first end 538 of laundry support rod 536. Latch member 556 includes a first recess 565 adjacent to shoulder 561 and a second recess 557 spaced about 180-degrees from first recess 565. First end 538 of laundry support rod 536 includes a first opening 570 and a second opening 572. First opening 570 and second opening 572 selectively align with first recess 565 ad second recess 567 when latch member 556 is forced against spring 563.

[0076] A first ball bearing 574 is arranged in hollow interior 554 in first opening 570 and a second ball bearing 576 is arranged in hollow interior 554 in second opening 572. In accordance with a non-limiting example, when latch member 556 is forced against spring 563, FIG. 20B, first ball bearing 574 drops into first recess 565 and second ball bearing 576 drops into second recess 567. In this position, first end 538 of laundry support rod 536 may be introduced into disconnectable coupler 546 (FIG. 20C).

[0077] Conversely, when spring 563 pushes latch member 556 toward second end 540 of laundry support rod 536, shoulder 561 urges first ball bearing 574 and second ball bearing 576 radially outward. If first end 538 is positioned within cylindrical bore 548, first ball bearing 574 and second ball bearing 576 are pushed out into annular recess 552 (FIG. 20D) thereby connecting laundry support rod 536 to rear drum wall 100 and laundry may then be arranged on laundry support surface 542 and dried without being tumbled.

[0078] Reference will now follow to FIGS. 21 and 22 in describing a laundry support rod 580 in accordance with another non-limiting example. Laundry support rod 580 includes a first end 582, a second end (not shown), and a laundry support surface 586 that extends between first end 582 and the second end. Drum 90 includes a disconnectable coupler 590 formed in rear drum wall 100. Disconnectable coupler 590 takes the form of a cylindrical bore 592 that extends into rear drum wall along an axis that is angled relative to drum axis 92. First end 582 of laundry support rod 580 may include a reduced diameter portion 594 configured to tightly fit into disconnectable coupler 590.

[0079] With this arrangement, laundry support rod 580 may be introduced into drum 90 with first end 582 being inserted into cylindrical bore 592. When installed, laundry support rod 580 extends at an angle less than 90-degress relative to rear drum wall 100. Once installed, laundry may then be placed on laundry support surface 586 and dried without tumbling. In a manner similar to that discussed herein, as laundry support rod 486 extends through laundry compartment 110 radially offset from drum axis 92, additional laundry may be placed in drum 90 and tumbled without causing the laundry on laundry support surface 492 to also tumble. Further, the angle of laundry support rod 580 is such that laundry support surface 586 is sloped downwardly from second end 584 to rear drum wall 100. This angle promotes the retention of laundry on laundry support surface 586.

[0080] At this point it should be readily apparent that the present disclosure presents a number of systems that are designed to reduce mechanical interactions between articles of laundry during a drying process. The systems include adjusting a tumbling parameter of the drum at a selected laundry moisture content, providing spaces for both tumble and non-tumble options, and providing spaces for reduced tumble options that reduce mechanical interactions between the articles of laundry and thus substantially reduce shrinkage of articles of laundry being dried in the laundry appliance.

[0081] Exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that exemplary embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some exemplary, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

[0082] When the terms “about” or “substantially” are used in this specification in connection with a numerical value, it is intended that the associated numerical value includes a manufacturing or operational tolerance (e.g., ±10%) around the stated numerical value. Moreover, when the terms “generally” or “substantially” are used in connection with geometric shapes, it is intended that precision of the geometric shape is not required but that latitude for the shape is within the scope of the disclosure. Furthermore, regardless of whether numerical values or shapes are modified as “about,”“generally,” or “substantially,” it will be understood that these values and shapes should be construed as including a manufacturing or operational tolerance (e.g., ±10%) around the stated numerical values or shapes.

[0083] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,”“comprising,”“including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0084] When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,”“engaged to,”“connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,”“directly engaged to,”“directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,”“adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0085] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer, or section. Terms such as “first,”“second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0086] Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,”“outer,”“beneath,”“below,”“lower,”“above,”“upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below”, or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0087] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A laundry appliance comprising:a cabinet including a left sidewall, a right sidewall, and a top wall defining a lid;a drum rotatably supported in the cabinet, the drum defining a laundry compartment;a drum motor operatively connected to drive rotation of the drum;a blower fan arranged in the cabinet;a blower motor operatively connected to drive rotation of the blower fan;an airflow channel is in fluid communication with the blower fan and the drum;a heat exchange system is in fluid communication with the airflow channel; anda stationary drying chamber arranged in the cabinet between the lid and the drum, the stationary drying chamber being accessible through the lid and including a contoured bottom surface having a right-side recess that extends downward between the right sidewall and alongside an upper portion of the drum and a left-side recess that extends downward between the left sidewall and alongside the upper portion of the drum.

2. The laundry appliance according to claim 1, wherein each of the right-side recess and the and left-side recess has a cross-sectional area that is trapezoid shaped.

3. The laundry appliance according to claim 1, further comprising: a conduit that extends between the airflow channel and the stationary drying chamber.

4. A laundry appliance comprising:a cabinet including a front cabinet wall having an inner surface;a drum supported in the cabinet, the drum defining a laundry compartment and including a drum sidewall and a drum rear wall, at least the drum sidewall being rotatable;a drum motor operatively connected to drive rotation of the drum;a blower fan arranged in the cabinet;a blower motor operatively connected to drive rotation of the blower fan;an airflow channel connecting the blower fan and the drum in fluid communication;a heat exchanger system arranged in fluid communication with the airflow channel; anda laundry support rod extending between the drum rear wall and the inner surface of the front cabinet wall, the laundry support rod being configured to support articles in the laundry compartment without tumbling.

5. The laundry appliance according to claim 4, further comprising a disconnectable coupler provided on one of the drum rear wall and the inner surface of the front cabinet wall, the laundry support rod being supported in the laundry compartment by the disconnectable coupler.

6. The laundry appliance according to claim 5, wherein the disconnectable coupler is on the drum rear wall, the disconnectable coupler including one of a cylindrical bore including a female threaded portion and a shaped recess.

7. The laundry appliance according to claim 5, wherein the disconnectable coupler includes a first disconnectable coupler arranged on the rear drum wall and a second disconnectable coupler arranged in the inner surface of the front cabinet wall, at least one of the first disconnectable coupler and the second disconnectable coupler includes an arcuate support surface.

8. A laundry appliance comprising:a cabinet;a drum supported in the cabinet, the drum including a drum sidewall having a forward end and a rearward end, the drum sidewall extending between the forward end and the rearward end, the drum including a rear drum wall defined at the rearward end of the drum sidewall;a laundry compartment defined by the drum;a drum motor operatively connected to drive rotation of the drum;a blower fan arranged in the cabinet;a blower motor operatively connected to drive rotation of the blower fan;an airflow channel connecting the blower fan and the drum in fluid communication;a heat exchanger system arranged in fluid communication with the airflow channel; anda member arranged in the drum, the member creating a tumble and a reduced tumble portion in the drum.

9. The laundry appliance according to claim 8, wherein the dryer includes a door pivotally mounted to the front wall of the cabinet, the member defining a basket supported by the door.

10. The laundry appliance according to claim 8, wherein the drum includes a plurality of baffles mounted to the drum sidewall.

11. The laundry appliance according to claim 10, wherein the member includes an inner drum detachably supported in the laundry compartment that is supported by the plurality of baffles, the inner drum forming a central laundry compartment and a plurality of baffle-to-baffle compartments.

12. The laundry appliance according to claim 10, further comprising a support yoke mounted to the rearward end of the drum sidewall, the drum sidewall and the support yoke being rotatable relative to the rear drum wall.

13. The laundry appliance according to claim 12, wherein the member includes an inner drum including an inner drum rear wall that is mounted to the support yoke, the inner drum forming a central laundry compartment and a plurality of baffle-to-baffle compartments.

14. The laundry appliance according to claim 13, wherein the inner drum includes an inner drum sidewall including an inner drum front end and an inner drum rear end, and an inner drum rear wall mounted to the inner drum sidewall at the inner drum rear end.

15. The laundry appliance according to claim 14, wherein the inner drum sidewall is collapsible.

16. The laundry appliance according to claim 14, wherein the inner drum front end of the inner drum sidewall is shiftable between an extended position where the front end is adjacent the forward end of the drum and a collapsed position where the front end is adjacent the support yoke.

17. The laundry appliance according to claim 11, wherein the support yoke includes a central hub, a first arm extending from the central hub and having a first terminal end connected to the rearward end of the drum sidewall, a second arm extending from the central hub including a second terminal end connected to the rearward end of the drum sidewall, and a third arm extending from the central hub including a third terminal end connected to the rearward end of the drum sidewall.

18. The laundry appliance according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of baffles extend along the drum sidewall and includes a first baffle mounted to the first terminal end, a second baffle including a second terminal end, and a third baffle mounted to the third terminal end, the first baffle including a first baffle end, the second baffle includes a second baffle end, and the third baffle includes a third baffle end.

19. The laundry appliance according to claim 18, wherein the member includes a central support attachable to the central hub of the support yoke and a plurality of mesh panels extending radially outwardly from the central hub.

20. The laundry appliance according to claim 19, wherein the plurality of mesh panels includes a first panel extending along the first arm from the central hub to the first baffle, a second panel extending along the second arm from the central hub to the second baffle, and a third panel extending along the third arm from the central hub to the third baffle.

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