Washing machine appliance having a selective ventilation damper

Abstract

A washing machine appliance, including methods of operation therefor, are provided herein. The washing machine appliance may include a cabinet, a tub positioned within the cabinet, a wash basket, a ventilation line, and a vent damper. The wash basket may be rotatably mounted within the tub. The wash basket may define a wash chamber for receiving articles for washing. The ventilation line may define an air path from the tub to an ambient environment outside of the cabinet. The vent damper may be positioned along ventilation line in fluid communication therewith. The vent damper may be selectively movable between a first position restricting airflow through the ventilation line and a second position permitting airflow through the ventilation line.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A washing machine appliance comprising:
 a cabinet including a front panel, the front panel defining an opening;   a tub positioned within the cabinet;   a wash basket rotatably mounted within the tub, the wash basket defining a wash chamber for receiving articles for washing;   a ventilation line defining an air path from the tub through the cabinet; and   a vent damper positioned along ventilation line in fluid communication therewith, the vent damper being selectively movable between a first position restricting airflow through the ventilation line and a second position permitting airflow through the ventilation line.   
     
     
         2 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the vent damper comprises a non-permeable restrictor plate movably mounted along the ventilation line to block the air path in the first position. 
     
     
         3 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 2 , wherein the vent damper further comprises a resilient foam layer fixed to the non-permeable restrictor plate to seal the air path in the first position. 
     
     
         4 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , 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.   
     
     
         5 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 4 , wherein the controller is configured to direct the motor to place the vent damper in the first position in response to initiation of a wash cycle. 
     
     
         6 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 4 , wherein the controller is configured to direct the motor to place the vent damper in the second position in response to completion of a wash cycle. 
     
     
         7 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 4 , wherein the controller is configured to direct the motor to place the vent damper in the first position in response to initiation of a fill phase, an agitation phase, or a spin phase of the washing machine appliance. 
     
     
         8 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 4 , wherein the controller is configured to direct the motor to place the vent damper in the first position in response to a predetermined washing machine wake condition being met. 
     
     
         9 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 4 , wherein the controller is configured to direct the motor to place the vent damper in the second position in response to a predetermined washing machine standby condition being met. 
     
     
         10 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 4 , wherein the controller is configured to direct the motor to place the vent damper in the first position in response to a door lock condition being met. 
     
     
         11 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 4 , wherein the controller is configured to direct the motor to place the vent damper in the second position in response to a door unlock condition being met. 
     
     
         12 . A method for operating a washing machine appliance, the washing machine appliance comprising a cabinet, a tub positioned within the cabinet, a ventilation line defining an air path from the tub through the cabinet, and a vent damper positioned along ventilation line in fluid communication therewith, the method comprising:
 receiving a user input at the washing machine appliance;   determining a noise state of the washing machine appliance following receiving the user input; and   directing the vent damper between a first position and a second position based on the determined noise state, the first position restricting airflow through the ventilation line and the second position permitting airflow through the ventilation line.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein determining the noise state comprises determining initiation of a wash cycle, and wherein directing the vent aperture comprises placing the vent damper in the first position in response to initiation of the wash cycle. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein determining the noise state comprises determining completion of a wash cycle, and wherein directing the vent aperture comprises placing the vent damper in the second position in response to completion of the wash cycle. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein determining the noise state comprises determining initiation of an audible phase of a wash cycle, and wherein directing the vent aperture comprises placing the vent damper in the first position in response to initiation of the audible phase. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the audible phase comprises a fill phase, an agitation phase, or a spin phase of the washing machine appliance. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein determining the noise state comprises determining a wake condition is met, and wherein directing the vent aperture comprises placing the vent damper in the first position in response to determining the wake condition is met. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein determining the noise state comprises determining a standby condition is met, and wherein directing the vent aperture comprises placing the vent damper in the second position in response to determining the standby condition is met. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein determining the noise state comprises determining a door lock condition is met, and wherein directing the vent aperture comprises placing the vent damper in the first position in response to determining the door lock condition is met. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein determining the noise state comprises determining a door unlock condition is met, and wherein directing the vent aperture comprises placing the vent damper in the second position in response to determining the door unlock condition is met.