Under-cabinet seal to prevent exhaust recirculation for a condensing appliance
A drying appliance includes a cabinet with a processing chamber operably disposed therein. A blower delivers process air through an airflow path. The airflow path includes the processing chamber. A condensing airflow path has an inlet positioned within a front panel of the cabinet and an outlet positioned within a bottom panel of the cabinet. A condensing blower moves condensing air from the inlet to the outlet. An airflow seal extends downward from a front edge of the cabinet. The airflow seal separates a low-pressure region proximate the inlet from a high-pressure region proximate the outlet to block convection between the outlet and the inlet.
1. A drying appliance comprising:
a cabinet with a processing chamber operably disposed therein;
a blower that delivers process air through an airflow path, the airflow path including the processing chamber;
a condensing airflow path having an inlet positioned within a front panel of the cabinet and an outlet positioned within a bottom panel of the cabinet, wherein a condensing blower moves condensing air from the inlet to the outlet; and
an airflow seal extending downward from a front edge of the cabinet, the airflow seal separating a low-pressure region proximate the inlet from a high-pressure region proximate the outlet to block convection between the outlet and the inlet.
2. The drying appliance of claim 1 , wherein the airflow seal is configured to engage a floor surface below the cabinet.
3. The drying appliance of claim 2 , wherein the airflow seal extends along an entirety of the front edge of the front panel.
4. The drying appliance of claim 3 , wherein the airflow seal is an elastomeric flap.
5. The drying appliance of claim 3 , wherein the airflow seal is a block that is attached to the bottom panel of the cabinet.
6. The drying appliance of claim 5 , wherein the airflow seal extends at least partially along lower side edges of the cabinet.
7. The drying appliance of claim 6 , wherein the airflow seal extends around a lower edge of the cabinet and defines an airflow outlet for directing condensing air from the outlet to an area proximate a rear panel of the cabinet.
8. A condensing dryer comprising:
a cabinet with a processing chamber operably disposed therein;
a recirculating airflow path disposed within the cabinet and extending through the processing chamber and a dehumidification area;
a condensing airflow path that directs condensing air from an inlet disposed within a front panel of the cabinet, through the dehumidification area and to an outlet disposed within a bottom panel of the cabinet; and
an airflow seal extending downward from a front edge of the cabinet and to a position below supporting feet of the cabinet, the airflow seal defining a convection barrier that separates a high-pressure region proximate the outlet from a low-pressure region proximate the inlet.
9. The condensing dryer of claim 8 , wherein the airflow seal is configured to engage a floor surface below the cabinet.
10. The condensing dryer of claim 8 , wherein the airflow seal extends along an entirety of the front edge of the front panel.
11. The condensing dryer of claim 8 , wherein the airflow seal is an elastomeric flap.
12. The condensing dryer of claim 8 , wherein the airflow seal is a block that is attached to a bottom wall of the cabinet and extends at least partially along lower side edges of the cabinet.
13. The condensing dryer of claim 12 , wherein the airflow seal extends around a lower edge of the cabinet and defines an airflow outlet for directing condensing air from the outlet to an area proximate a rear panel of the cabinet.
14. An airflow system for a laundry appliance, the airflow system comprising:
an outer cabinet having a recirculating airflow path contained therein;
a condensing airflow path in thermal communication with the recirculating airflow path and extending from an inlet proximate a front panel of the outer cabinet to an outlet proximate a bottom panel of the outer cabinet, wherein the inlet defines a low-pressure region within an area in front of the front panel of the outer cabinet and the outlet defines a high-pressure region within an area beneath the outer cabinet;
a convection barrier that is attached to the outer cabinet along a lower front edge, the convection barrier blocking convection between the low-pressure region and the high-pressure region.
15. The airflow system of claim 14 , wherein the inlet is positioned within the front panel of the cabinet and the outlet is positioned within the bottom panel.
16. The airflow system of claim 15 , wherein the convection barrier is an airflow seal is configured to engage a floor surface below the outer cabinet.
17. The airflow system of claim 16 , wherein the airflow seal extends along an entirety of the lower front edge of the front panel.
18. The airflow system of claim 17 , wherein the airflow seal is an elastomeric flap.
19. The airflow system of claim 17 , wherein the airflow seal is a block that is attached to a bottom wall of the outer cabinet.
20. The airflow system of claim 16 , wherein the airflow seal extends around a lower edge of the cabinet and defines an airflow outlet for directing condensing air from the outlet to an area proximate a rear panel of the cabinet.