Washing machine appliance having a selective ventilation damper

Abstract

A washing machine appliance is provided. The washing machine appliance may include a cabinet, a control panel, a tub, a wash basket, and a front ventilation line. The cabinet may include a front panel. The front panel may define an opening. The control panel may be mounted on the cabinet. The control panel may include an input and define a panel aperture. The tub may be positioned within the cabinet. The wash basket may be rotatably mounted within the tub. The front ventilation line may be in fluid communication with the tub. The front ventilation line may define an air path from an inlet at the panel aperture to an outlet in fluid communication with the tub.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A washing machine appliance comprising:
 a cabinet comprising a front panel, the front panel defining an opening;   a control panel mounted on the cabinet, the control panel comprising an input and defining a panel aperture;   a tub positioned within the cabinet;   a wash basket rotatably mounted within the tub; and   a front ventilation line in fluid communication with the tub, the front ventilation line defining an air path from an inlet at the panel aperture to an outlet in fluid communication with the tub.   
     
     
         2 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an electronic display mounted to the control panel.   
     
     
         3 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a fan positioned in fluid communication with the front ventilation line to motivate an airflow therethrough.   
     
     
         4 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 3 , wherein the fan is positioned within the front ventilation line between the inlet and the outlet. 
     
     
         5 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a front baffle extending between the tub and the front panel, wherein the front baffle defines the outlet as a radial aperture in fluid communication between the panel aperture and the tub.   
     
     
         6 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a rear ventilation line in fluid communication with the tub, the rear ventilation line defining an output air path from a ventilation inlet within the cabinet to a ventilation outlet in fluid communication with an ambient environment outside of the cabinet.   
     
     
         7 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a fan positioned within the rear ventilation line to motivate an airflow therethrough.   
     
     
         8 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a vent damper positioned in fluid communication therewith, the vent damper being selectively movable between a first position restricting airflow through the front ventilation line and a second position permitting airflow through the front ventilation line.   
     
     
         9 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 8 , wherein the vent damper comprises a non-permeable restrictor plate movably mounted along the front ventilation line to block the air path in the first position. 
     
     
         10 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a motor mechanically coupled to the non-permeable restrictor plate; and   a controller in operative communication with the motor, wherein the controller is configured to direct the motor to selectively move the vent damper between the first position and the second position.   
     
     
         11 . A washing machine appliance comprising:
 a cabinet comprising a front panel, the front panel defining an opening;   a control panel mounted on the cabinet above the opening, the control panel comprising an input and defining a panel aperture;   a tub positioned within the cabinet;   a wash basket rotatably mounted within the tub;   a front ventilation line in fluid communication with the tub, the front ventilation line defining an air path from an inlet at the panel aperture to an outlet in fluid communication with the tub; and   a rear ventilation line in fluid communication with the tub, the rear ventilation line defining an output air path from a ventilation inlet within the cabinet and to a ventilation outlet above the ventilation inlet in fluid communication with an ambient environment outside of the cabinet.   
     
     
         12 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 an electronic display mounted to the control panel.   
     
     
         13 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a fan positioned in fluid communication with the front ventilation line to motivate an airflow therethrough.   
     
     
         14 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 13 , wherein the fan is positioned within the front ventilation line between the inlet and the outlet. 
     
     
         15 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a front baffle extending between the tub and the front panel, wherein the front baffle defines the outlet as a radial aperture in fluid communication between the panel aperture and the tub.   
     
     
         16 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a fan positioned within the rear ventilation line to motivate an airflow therethrough.   
     
     
         17 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a vent damper positioned in fluid communication therewith, the vent damper being selectively movable between a first position restricting airflow through the front ventilation line and a second position permitting airflow through the front ventilation line.   
     
     
         18 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 17 , wherein the vent damper comprises a non-permeable restrictor plate movably mounted along the front ventilation line to block the air path in the first position. 
     
     
         19 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a motor mechanically coupled to the non-permeable restrictor plate; and   a controller in operative communication with the motor, wherein the controller is configured to direct the motor to selectively move the vent damper between the first position and the second position.