Automatic Laundry Washer with Active Venting

Abstract

An existing water recirculation system of a laundry washer may be activated to circulate air in a way that can reduce the moisture in the tub and drum of the washer. Also included is a system whereby an existing drain pump of the washer may be selectively activated to cause air to vent through the washer and out the drain hose of the washer. These systems may be used individually or in conjunction with each other, and with drum rotation. Supplemental venting may also be provided by a dedicated fan, to provide an effective multi-action washing machine venting solution.

1 . An automated laundry washing machine comprising:
 a wash chamber within which wash load items may be placed for carrying out an automatic wash process;   an access opening to the wash chamber, and a door associated with the access opening that opens and shuts to permit access to the wash chamber;   a water recirculation system including a recirculation pump for recirculating wash liquid from a lower portion of said wash chamber to an upper portion of said wash chamber; and   control means for controlling operations of said washing machine, including activating said pump to circulate air within said wash chamber at a time when no wash process is being carried out within said wash chamber.   
     
     
         2 . An automated laundry washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said water recirculation system further includes a recirculation hose that leads to a junction that will separate the air circulating in the hose into two portions flowing in two directions, one portion serving to move the air within the drum, while the other portion is moved out of the washing machine. 
     
     
         3 . An automated laundry washing machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a drain system for draining wash liquid from said wash chamber, said drain system including a drain pump and a drain hose; and wherein said control means selectively activates said drain pump when no wash process is being carried out, so as to cause air to vent through the wash chamber and out said drain hose. 
     
     
         4 . An automated laundry washing machine according to  claim 3 , wherein said control means is configured such that after a wash cycle is completed and the washing machine has set at rest for a period of time, the drain pump is activated with the effect of moving air from the washing machine. 
     
     
         5 . An automated laundry washing machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a fan arranged to either draw air into the wash chamber or remove air therefrom. 
     
     
         6 . An automated laundry washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said washing machine is a front load washer and said wash chamber comprises a rotatable drum, said control means being configured for effecting driving rotation of said drum in coordination with said pump activations. 
     
     
         7 . An automated laundry washing machine according to  claim 6 , said drum comprising a rear wall having an integrated fan structure, whereby enhanced airflow is generated by rotation of the drum, for venting purposes. 
     
     
         8 . An automated laundry washing machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a control panel operable to allow a user to select a venting operation mode which generates venting air flow through the wash chamber as an add-on operation performed after the completion of a wash cycle, said venting air flow being generated, at least in part, by activation of said recirculation pump. 
     
     
         9 . An automated laundry washing machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a control panel operable to allow a user to select a venting operation mode as a stand-alone cycle to be executed apart from a normal wash operation, said venting operation mode including generating venting air flow by activation of said recirculation pump. 
     
     
         10 . An automated laundry washing machine comprising:
 a wash chamber within which wash load items may be placed for carrying out an automatic wash process;   an access opening to the wash chamber, and a door associated with the access opening that opens and shuts to permit access to the wash chamber;   a drain system for draining wash liquid from said wash chamber, said drain system including a drain pump and a drain hose; and   control means for controlling operations of said washing machine, including selectively activating said drain pump when no wash process is being carried out, so as to cause air to vent through the wash chamber and out said drain hose.   
     
     
         11 . An automated laundry washing machine according to  claim 10 , wherein said control means is configured such that after a wash cycle is completed and the washing machine has set at rest for a period of time, the drain pump is activated with the effect of moving air from the washing machine. 
     
     
         12 . An automated laundry washing machine according to  claim 10 , further comprising a fan arranged to either draw air into the wash chamber or remove air therefrom. 
     
     
         13 . An automated laundry washing machine according to  claim 10 , wherein said washing machine is a front load washing machine and said wash chamber comprises a rotatable drum, said control means being configured for effecting driving rotation of said drum in coordination with said drain pump activations to cause air to vent through the wash chamber. 
     
     
         14 . An automated laundry washing machine according to  claim 13 , said drum comprising a rear wall having an integrated fan structure, whereby enhanced airflow is generated by rotation of the drum, for venting purposes. 
     
     
         15 . An automated laundry washing machine according to  claim 10 , further comprising a control panel operable to allow a user to select a venting operation mode which generates venting air flow through the wash chamber as an add-on operation performed after the completion of a wash cycle, said venting air flow being generated, at least in part, by activation of said drain pump. 
     
     
         16 . An automated laundry washing machine according to  claim 10 , further comprising a control panel operable to allow a user to select a venting operation mode as a stand-alone cycle to be executed apart from a normal wash operation, said venting operation mode including generating venting air flow by activation of said drain pump. 
     
     
         17 . A method of operation of an automated laundry washing machine to provide active venting of a wash chamber thereof, comprising circulating air through the wash chamber by at least one of the following steps:
 operating a drain pump of the washing machine during a non-wash period of the washing machine to force air out of the tub through a drain hose and into an drain external of the washing machine; and   operating a water recirculation pump of the washing machine during a non-wash period of the washer to recirculate air through the wash chamber.   
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17 , further comprising using a fan of the washing machine to draw surrounding air into a tub of the washer. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein said washing machine is a front load washing machine and said wash chamber comprises a rotatable drum, said method further comprising rotating the drum to cause periodic tumbling of a wash load in coordination with the active venting. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 17 , further comprising selecting a venting option by way of a control panel of the washer, and wherein the active venting is initiated only after completion of a wash operation. 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 17 , said method comprising both said operating the drain pump and operating the water recirculation pump, wherein after the drain pump is activated, the recirculation pump is activated. 
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein prior to activating said drain pump, a motor attached to a drum of the washing machine is activated to rotate the drum to tumble a wash load for a period of time, said drain pump being activated during the tumbling. 
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein after a period of drain pump operation, the recirculation pump is activated while the drain pump continues to operate and the drum continues to rotate to tumble the load. 
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 23 , wherein after a period of time of operation of both said drain pump and said recirculation pump, the operation of both pumps is stopped while the drum continues to rotate to tumble the load for an additional period of time. 
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 24 , further comprising using a fan of the washing machine to draw surrounding air into a tub of the washer, wherein after said additional period of time the drum remains idle for a period of time while the fan is operating to draw air into the drum.