Washing machine appliance with wash drum cleaning system

Abstract

A washing machine appliance with a wash drum cleaning system. A nozzle located in the cabinet and outside of the wash drum directs fluid at an exterior surface of the wash drum for cleaning. The exterior surface of the wash drum is cleaned as it rotates within the wash tub. The nozzle is positioned to clean a portion of the exterior surface where contaminants may accumulate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A washing appliance, comprising:
 a cabinet;   a wash tub positioned in the cabinet and defining a wash chamber;   a wash drum rotatably mounted within the wash chamber and configured for receiving articles for washing, the wash drum having an exterior surface; and   a nozzle located in the cabinet and outside the wash drum, the nozzle positioned to direct a jet of fluid onto the exterior surface of the wash drum and within the wash tub.   
     
     
         2 . The washing appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the wash tub defines an opening, and wherein the nozzle is attached to the wash tub at the opening. 
     
     
         3 . The washing appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the wash drum defines a top portion, and wherein the nozzle is positioned adjacent to the top portion of the wash drum. 
     
     
         4 . The washing appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the wash tub defines an opening, and wherein the nozzle is rotatably attached to the wash tub at the opening. 
     
     
         5 . The washing appliance of  claim 4 , further comprising a pair of opposing fingers positioned at the opening of the wash tub, each finger defining a slot, wherein the nozzle defines a pair of opposing tabs configured to be rotatably received into the slots of the pair of opposing fingers. 
     
     
         6 . The washing appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle defines converging walls creating a fluid flow path having an elliptically-shaped cross-section to shape the jet of fluid directed onto the exterior surface of the wash drum. 
     
     
         7 . The washing appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is connected with a fresh water supply. 
     
     
         8 . The washing appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured for directing a flow of fresh water through the nozzle during a cleaning cycle of the appliance. 
     
     
         9 . The washing appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured for directing a flow of fresh water through the nozzle during a self-cleaning cycle of the appliance. 
     
     
         10 . A washing appliance, comprising:
 a cabinet;   a wash tub positioned in the cabinet and defining a wash chamber, the wash tub comprising a main body and a tub cover attached to the main body;   a wash drum rotatably mounted within the wash chamber and configured for receiving articles for washing, the wash drum having an exterior surface; and   a nozzle located in the cabinet and attached to the tub cover, the nozzle positioned to direct a stream of fluid onto the exterior surface of the wash drum and within the wash tub.   
     
     
         11 . The washing appliance of  claim 10 , wherein the wash tub cover defines an opening, and wherein the nozzle is attached to the tub cover at the opening. 
     
     
         12 . The washing appliance of  claim 10 , wherein the wash drum defines a top portion, and wherein the nozzle is positioned adjacent to the top portion of the wash drum. 
     
     
         13 . The washing appliance of  claim 10 , wherein the wash tub cover defines an opening, and wherein the nozzle is rotatably attached to the wash tub at the opening. 
     
     
         14 . The washing appliance of  claim 13 , further comprising a pair of opposing fingers positioned at the opening of the wash tub cover, each finger defining a slot, wherein the nozzle defines a pair of opposing tabs configured to be rotatably received into the slots of the opposing fingers. 
     
     
         15 . The washing appliance of  claim 10 , wherein the nozzle defines converging walls creating a fluid flow path having an elliptically-shaped cross-section to shape the jet of fluid directed onto the exterior surface of the wash drum. 
     
     
         16 . The washing appliance of  claim 10 , wherein the nozzle is connected with a fresh water supply. 
     
     
         17 . The washing appliance of  claim 10 , further comprising a controller configured for directing a flow of fresh water through the nozzle during a cleaning cycle of the appliance. 
     
     
         18 . The washing appliance of  claim 10 , further comprising a controller configured for directing a flow of fresh water through the nozzle during a self-cleaning cycle of the appliance. 
     
     
         19 . The washing appliance of  claim 10 , further comprising a balance ring assembly attached to the wash drum, wherein the nozzle is positioned to direct a flow of fluid onto the balance ring assembly and the exterior surface of the wash drum. 
     
     
         20 . The washing appliance of  claim 10 , further comprising a controller configured for directing a flow of fresh water through the nozzle during a rinse cycle or spin cycle of the appliance.