Fan assembly for a washing machine appliance

Abstract

A washing machine appliance includes a wash tub defining a tub inlet, a wash basket rotatably mounted within the wash tub, and a motor including a rotor for rotating the wash basket. The washing machine appliance also includes a fan assembly positioned behind the wash tub and including a plurality of fan blades that are operably coupled to and extend from the rotor. A fan housing is positioned around the plurality of fan blades and defines a fan outlet in fluid communication with the tub inlet of the wash tub such that the fan blades generate a flow of air which is provided into the wash basket when the rotor is rotating.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A washing machine appliance defining a vertical, a lateral, and a transverse direction, the washing machine appliance comprising:
 a wash tub positioned within a cabinet, the wash tub defining a tub inlet;   a wash basket rotatably mounted within the wash tub, the wash basket defining a wash chamber for receiving articles for washing;   a motor including a rotor operably coupled to the wash basket; and   a fan assembly positioned within the cabinet and outside the wash tub, the fan assembly comprising:
 a plurality of fan blades that are operably coupled to and extend from the rotor; and 
 a fan housing positioned around the plurality of fan blades, the fan housing defining a fan outlet in fluid communication with the tub inlet of the wash tub. 
   
     
     
         2 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , comprising:
 one or more vent apertures in fluid communication with the wash chamber.   
     
     
         3 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 2 , wherein the vent apertures are defined in a door or on a front panel of the washing machine appliance. 
     
     
         4 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 2 , wherein the vent apertures are defined proximate a top of the washing machine appliance along the vertical direction. 
     
     
         5 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 2 , wherein a splash screen is defined proximate the vent apertures to prevent wash fluid from splashing through the vent apertures or for reducing noise. 
     
     
         6 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , comprising:
 an additive dispenser in fluid communication with the wash chamber through a supply conduit, and wherein the fan outlet is fluidly coupled to the supply conduit.   
     
     
         7 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the tub inlet is positioned proximate a top rear of the wash tub. 
     
     
         8 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a check valve positioned between the fan outlet and the tub inlet, the check valve being configured for preventing wash fluid from entering the fan housing.   
     
     
         9 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 8 , wherein an air conduit provides fluid communication between the fan outlet and the tub inlet, the check valve being operably coupled to the air conduit. 
     
     
         10 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fan blades extend substantially along a radial direction relative to the rotor. 
     
     
         11 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the fan assembly is positioned proximate a rear of the washing machine appliance such that a back wall of the wash tub is positioned between the wash chamber and the fan assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the wash basket is rotatable about an axis of rotation, the axis of rotation being substantially parallel to the transverse direction. 
     
     
         13 . A fan assembly for a washing machine appliance, the washing machine appliance comprising a wash tub defining a tub inlet, a wash basket rotatably mounted within the wash tub, and a motor including a rotor for selectively rotating the wash basket, the fan assembly comprising:
 a plurality of fan blades that are operably coupled to and extend from the rotor;   a fan housing positioned around the plurality of fan blades, the fan housing defining a fan outlet for providing a flow of air; and   an air conduit providing fluid communication between the fan outlet and the tub inlet to direct the flow of air into the wash chamber.   
     
     
         14 . The fan assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the washing machine appliance defines one or more vent apertures in fluid communication with the wash chamber. 
     
     
         15 . The fan assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the vent apertures are defined in a door or on a front panel of the washing machine appliance. 
     
     
         16 . The fan assembly of  claim 14 , wherein a splash screen is defined proximate the vent apertures to prevent wash fluid from splashing through the vent apertures. 
     
     
         17 . The fan assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the washing machine appliance comprises:
 an additive dispenser in fluid communication with the wash chamber through a supply conduit, and wherein the fan outlet is fluidly coupled to the supply conduit.   
     
     
         18 . The fan assembly of  claim 17 , comprising:
 a check valve operably coupled to the air conduit, the check valve being configured for preventing wash fluid from entering the fan housing.   
     
     
         19 . The fan assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of fan blades extend substantially along a radial direction relative to the rotor. 
     
     
         20 . The fan assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the wash basket is rotatable about an axis of rotation, the axis of rotation being substantially parallel to a transverse direction.