Washing machine combined with dryer

Abstract

There is provided a washing machine combined with a dryer. In the washing machine, a cabinet is provided, a tub is installed in the cabinet, an air-vent hose is installed at an outer surface of the tub, a lint filter assembly has one end connected to the air-vent hose to remove lint from air discharged from the tub, and an air-vent duct is connected to the other end of the lint filter assembly.

1 . A washing machine combined with a dryer, comprising: 
 a cabinet;    a tub installed in the cabinet;    an air-vent hose installed at an outer surface of the tub;    a lint filter assembly having one end connected to the air-vent hose to remove lint from air discharged from the tub; and    an air-vent duct connected to the other end of the lint filter assembly.    
   
   
       2 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the lint filter assembly includes: 
 a filter housing connecting the air-vent hose and the air-vent duct; and    a lint filter detachably installed in the filter housing.    
   
   
       3 . The washing machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the lint filter includes: 
 a filter made of mesh having a plurality of fine holes;    a filter frame around the filter; and    a handgrip extended from a top of the filter frame.    
   
   
       4 . The washing machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the lint filter includes a seal fitted around an outer surface thereof.  
   
   
       5 . The washing machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the filter housing includes: 
 a filter chamber to receive the lint filter;    an air inlet connected to the air-vent hose; and    an air outlet connected to the air-vent duct.    
   
   
       6 . The washing machine according to  claim 5 , wherein the lint filter assembly further includes a filter cover to cover a top of the filter chamber.  
   
   
       7 . The washing machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the filter housing includes a guide rib at an inner surface with a predetermined length to guide the installation of the lint filter.  
   
   
       8 . The washing machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the lint filter defines a hooking groove in a lower end with a predetermined depth, and the filter housing includes a protruded hooking tab for coupling with the hooking groove.  
   
   
       9 . The washing machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the filter housing defines a mounting groove to receive a lower end of the lint filter.  
   
   
       10 . A washing machine combined with a dryer, comprising: 
 a cabinet;    a top plate to cover a top of the cabinet;    a tub installed in the cabinet;    a lint filter assembly including a lint filter to remove lint from a moist air discharged from the tub, a filter housing to receive the lint filter, and a seal fitted between the lint filter and the filter housing to prevent air leakage; and    a dryer duct installed above the tub to supply a hot air to the tub during a heat drying operation.    
   
   
       11 . The washing machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the filter housing includes: 
 one side connected to an air-vent hose installed at the tub; and    the other side connected to an air-vent duct installed in the cabinet.    
   
   
       12 . The washing machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the lint filter is a mesh type filter made of heat resistant material.  
   
   
       13 . The washing machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the lint filter has a portion protruded to an outside of the top plate or the cabinet.  
   
   
       14 . The washing machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the lint filter is inserted in the filter housing at a predetermined angle to the vertical.  
   
   
       15 . The washing machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the lint filer is inserted into the filter housing from the top plate or from a side of the cabinet.  
   
   
       16 . The washing machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the lint filter includes a handgrip protruded to an outside of the top plate or the cabinet, for a user to hold.  
   
   
       17 . The washing machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the filter housing includes: 
 at least one side guide rib formed on an inner side face with a predetermined length to guide a side of the lint filter; and    a bottom guide rib formed on an inner bottom to support an end of the lint filter.    
   
   
       18 . The washing machine according to  claim 17 , wherein the at least one side guide rib is two in number in an insertion direction of the lint filter, and the side of the lint filter is inserted between the two side guide ribs.  
   
   
       19 . A washing machine combined with a dryer, comprising: 
 a lint filter including a mesh type filter, a filter frame around the mesh type filter, and a handgrip formed on a top of the filter frame;    a seal fitted around the lint filter;    a filter housing including a filter chamber to receive the lint filter, an air inlet to introduce a moist air discharged from a tub, and an air outlet to discharge the moist air introduced through the air inlet; and    a filter cover mounted on an end of the filter chamber.    
   
   
       20 . A washing machine combined with a dryer, comprising: 
 a tub;    an air-vent hose connected to a rear of the tub; and    a detachable lint filter assembly connected with the air-vent hose to remove lint from a moist air discharged through the air-vent hose.