Abstract: A dryer appliance including a slide bearing assembly mounted to a top bearing for supporting a rotating drum and including a wear indication device is provided. The slide bearing assembly includes a contact circuit including two electrical leads positioned on a top bearing of the dryer appliance. A slide bearing is positioned over the contact circuit for supporting a drum during rotation and maintaining an open circuit between the two electrical leads. A controller monitors the resistance across the two electrical leads, determines that a slide bearing failure has occurred when the resistance drops (e.g., due to worn slide bearings), and notifies the user accordingly.

Abstract: A method of operating a capacitive touch sensor, the capacitive touch sensor including an electrode, includes monitoring raw count data from the capacitive touch sensor and recording a first value of the raw count data when the raw count data exceeds a first threshold. The method also includes supplying a driven shield signal to the electrode after the raw count data exceeds the first threshold and recording a second value of the raw count data while supplying the driven shield signal to the electrode. The method further includes calculating a difference between the first value and the second value and registering a touch when the calculated difference between the first value and the second value is less than a second threshold.

Abstract: A dryer appliance including a slide bearing assembly mounted to a top bearing for supporting a rotating drum and including a wear indication device is provided. The slide bearing assembly includes a contact circuit including two electrical leads positioned on a top bearing of the dryer appliance. A slide bearing is positioned over the contact circuit for supporting a drum during rotation and maintaining an open circuit between the two electrical leads. A controller monitors the resistance across the two electrical leads, determines that a slide bearing failure has occurred when the resistance drops (e.g., due to worn slide bearings), and notifies the user accordingly.

Abstract: A method of operating a capacitive touch sensor, the capacitive touch sensor including an electrode, includes monitoring raw count data from the capacitive touch sensor and recording a first value of the raw count data when the raw count data exceeds a first threshold. The method also includes supplying a driven shield signal to the electrode after the raw count data exceeds the first threshold and recording a second value of the raw count data while supplying the driven shield signal to the electrode. The method further includes calculating a difference between the first value and the second value and registering a touch when the calculated difference between the first value and the second value is less than a second threshold.