Systems and methods for monitoring dry time in dryer appliances

Abstract

A method includes receiving a user input comprising a timed dry cycle selection, and activating a timed dry cycle in response to the user input. The timed dry cycle is configured to operate for an amount of time. The method also includes determining a notification window of the timed dry cycle before activating the timed dry cycle, activating the heating system of the dryer appliance during the timed dry cycle of the dryer appliance, calculating a drying time to reach a pre-determined dryness threshold, comparing the calculated drying time to a remaining time of the timed drying cycle, and providing a user notification when the calculated drying time exceeds the remaining time of the cycle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of operating a dryer appliance, the dryer appliance comprising a cabinet, a drum rotatably mounted within the cabinet, the drum defining a chamber for the receipt of articles for drying, and a heating system fluidly coupled to the drum whereby heated air flows from the heating system to the chamber of the drum for drying of articles within the chamber, the method comprising:
 receiving a user input comprising a timed dry cycle selection;   activating a timed dry cycle in response to the user input, the timed dry cycle configured to operate for an amount of time;   determining a notification window of the timed dry cycle before activating the timed dry cycle;   activating the heating system of the dryer appliance during the timed dry cycle of the dryer appliance;   calculating a drying time to reach a pre-determined dryness threshold;   comparing the calculated drying time to a remaining time of the timed drying cycle; and   providing a user notification when the calculated drying time exceeds the remaining time of the cycle.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising extending the timed dry cycle via the user notification. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein extending the dry time comprises extending the timed dry cycle by a flat amount of time, the flat amount of time depending on the calculated drying time. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising monitoring remaining moisture content throughout the timed dry cycle, wherein the calculated drying time is a known drying time when the remaining moisture content reaches a predetermined threshold prior to the notification window. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising monitoring remaining moisture content throughout the timed dry cycle, wherein the calculated drying time is a forecasted drying time when the remaining moisture content is greater than a predetermined threshold at the notification window. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the forecasted drying time is based on at least one of a moisture score and a progression of a moisture sensor signal. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the forecasted drying time is further based on relevant parameters of the dryer appliance and data from other connected appliance. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the relevant parameters of the dryer appliance comprises one or more of airflow condition, load size, and water content. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the predetermined threshold comprises a moisture score of no more than twenty percent. 
     
     
         10 . A method of operating a dryer appliance, the dryer appliance comprising a cabinet, a drum rotatably mounted within the cabinet, the drum defining a chamber for the receipt of articles for drying, and a heating system fluidly coupled to the drum whereby heated air flows from the heating system to the chamber of the drum for drying of articles within the chamber, the method comprising:
 receiving a user input comprising a timed dry cycle selection;   activating a timed dry cycle in response to the user input, the timed dry cycle configured to operate for an amount of time;   determining a notification window of the timed dry cycle;   activating the heating system of the dryer appliance during the timed dry cycle of the dryer appliance;   calculating a drying time to reach a pre-determined dryness threshold;   comparing the calculated drying time to a remaining time of the timed drying cycle; and   providing a user notification when the remaining time of the cycle exceeds the calculated drying time.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising terminating the timed dry cycle via the user notification before the amount of time has elapsed. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising monitoring remaining moisture content throughout the timed dry cycle, wherein the calculated drying time is a known drying time when the remaining moisture content reaches a predetermined threshold prior to the notification window. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising monitoring remaining moisture content throughout the timed dry cycle, wherein the calculated drying time is a forecasted drying time when the remaining moisture content is greater than a predetermined threshold at the notification window. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the forecasted drying time is based on at least one of a moisture score and a progression of a moisture sensor signal. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the predetermined threshold comprises a moisture score of no more than twenty percent. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the forecasted drying time is further based in part on relevant parameters of the dryer appliance and data from other connected appliance. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the relevant parameters of the dryer appliance comprises one or more of airflow condition, load size, and water content.