A bearing assembly capable of supporting a shaft of a drum and a clothes dryer having the same. The bearing assembly includes a bearing configured to rotatably support the shaft, and a centering guide formed in an annular shape and in which the bearing is installed, and the bearing assembly having a centering function may be simply manufactured using a bearing that is generally used.

A bearing assembly capable of supporting a shaft of a drum and a clothes dryer having the same. The bearing assembly includes a bearing configured to rotatably support the shaft, and a centering guide formed in an annular shape and in which the bearing is installed, and the bearing assembly having a centering function may be simply manufactured using a bearing that is generally used.

A laundry treatment apparatus is disclosed. The laundry treatment apparatus includes a cabinet, a drum having a cylindrical shape, a first support member to rotatably support an open front drum surface, an opening formed through the first support member to allow the drum to communicate with a cabinet opening, a second support member to rotatably support an open rear drum surface, a driving unit to rotate the drum, a first mounting portion provided at a selected one of the support members and disposed below a horizontal line passing through a rotation center of the drum, a second mounting portion provided at the selected support member and disposed above the horizontal line, and a drum support unit configured to rotatably support a circumferential surface of the drum and to be separably coupled to either the first mounting portion or the second mounting portion in an interchangeable manner.

A laundry treatment apparatus is disclosed. The laundry treatment apparatus includes a cabinet, a drum having a cylindrical shape, a first support member to rotatably support an open front drum surface, an opening formed through the first support member to allow the drum to communicate with a cabinet opening, a second support member to rotatably support an open rear drum surface, a driving unit to rotate the drum, a first mounting portion provided at a selected one of the support members and disposed below a horizontal line passing through a rotation center of the drum, a second mounting portion provided at the selected support member and disposed above the horizontal line, and a drum support unit configured to rotatably support a circumferential surface of the drum and to be separably coupled to either the first mounting portion or the second mounting portion in an interchangeable manner.

An induction dryer appliance includes a cabinet. A drum is positioned within the cabinet. The drum is rotatable about an axis within the cabinet. The induction dryer appliance also includes an induction heating element and a support assembly. The support assembly is positioned within the cabinet adjacent the drum. The support assembly includes a plate. The induction heating element is positioned on the plate. A bearing is mounted to the plate. The bearing contacts the drum as the drum rotates about the axis such that the bearing spaces the plate from the drum along a radial direction that is perpendicular to the axis.

An induction dryer appliance includes a cabinet. A drum is positioned within the cabinet. The drum is rotatable about an axis within the cabinet. The induction dryer appliance also includes an induction heating element and a support assembly. The support assembly is positioned within the cabinet adjacent the drum. The support assembly includes a plate. The induction heating element is positioned on the plate. A bearing is mounted to the plate. The bearing contacts the drum as the drum rotates about the axis such that the bearing spaces the plate from the drum along a radial direction that is perpendicular to the axis.

Dryer appliances, including methods of operation, are provided herein. The dryer appliance may include a cabinet, a drum, a ventilation assembly, an air handler, and a controller. The drum may be rotatably mounted within the cabinet. The drum may define a drying chamber. A ventilation assembly may be attached to the drying chamber. The ventilation assembly may include a conduit defining an exhaust passage in fluid communication with the drying chamber. The conduit may extend from an inlet at the drying chamber to an outlet defined through the cabinet. The air handler may be attached to the conduit in fluid communication with the drying chamber to draw air through the exhaust passage. The controller may be in operable communication with the air handler and the drum, and may be configured to initiate a dry cycle.

Dryer appliances, including methods of operation, are provided herein. The dryer appliance may include a cabinet, a drum, a ventilation assembly, an air handler, and a controller. The drum may be rotatably mounted within the cabinet. The drum may define a drying chamber. A ventilation assembly may be attached to the drying chamber. The ventilation assembly may include a conduit defining an exhaust passage in fluid communication with the drying chamber. The conduit may extend from an inlet at the drying chamber to an outlet defined through the cabinet. The air handler may be attached to the conduit in fluid communication with the drying chamber to draw air through the exhaust passage. The controller may be in operable communication with the air handler and the drum, and may be configured to initiate a dry cycle.

A clothes dryer with a first bulkhead having an access opening and a first edge defining a front opening confronting the access opening. The clothes dryer has a composite seal located between the first bulkhead and the first edge which has a foam layer comprising memory foam and a low-friction layer having a coefficient of kinetic friction less than 0.3, with the low friction layer confronting the first edge.

A clothes dryer with a first bulkhead having an access opening and a first edge defining a front opening confronting the access opening. The clothes dryer has a composite seal located between the first bulkhead and the first edge which has a foam layer comprising memory foam and a low-friction layer having a coefficient of kinetic friction less than 0.3, with the low friction layer confronting the first edge.