Washing machine and dryer having being improved duct structure thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine and dryer with an improved duct structure. A cabinet ( 100 ) form a an outer shell of the washing machine and dryer, and a tub ( 200 ) is installed within the cabinet ( 100 ). A drum ( 250 ) is rotatably installed within the tub ( 200 ). Since a drying duct ( 300 ) is installed in an upper portion of the tub ( 200 ) that is eccentric toward one side when viewed from the front of the tub ( 200 ), an internal space utilization of the cabinet ( 100 ) is enhanced and the equipment can be compact. The drying duct ( 300 ) is manufactured with two bodies that are a lower part ( 310 ) and an upper part ( 320 ) formed by extending a discharge part ( 330 ) from one end portion of the drying duct ( 300 ), so that the number of parts and the number of assemble processes are reduced and the productivity is improved. Since the discharge part ( 330 ) and the lower part ( 310 ) are formed in one body, it can prevent the damage and the air leakage, caused in a connection portion due to vibration, and the flowing noise caused by them. The discharge part ( 330 ) is extended to be slant in a rotation direction of the drum ( 250 ) and a guidance part is extended in a tangential direction with respect to a rotation direction of the drum ( 250 ) at one end portion of the discharge part ( 330 ), thus smoothly supplying air to the drum ( 250 ). A condensation duct ( 400 ) has one end connected to the drying duct ( 300 ) and the other end connected to an inside of the tub ( 200 ). A heater ( 800 ) is installed within the drying duct ( 300 ) and a circulation fan ( 350 ) is installed in the other end of the drying duct ( 300 ) to which the condensation duct is connected.

1 . A washing machine and dryer comprising: 
 a cabinet;    a cylinder-shaped tub installed within the cabinet;    a drum, rotatably installed within the tub;    a drying duct having one end connected to an inner side of the tub, the drying duct being installed in an upper portion of the tub to be eccentric toward one side of the tub when viewed from the front of the tub;    a condensation duct having one end connected to the drying duct and the other end connected to an inner side of the tub;    a circulation fan for circulating air existing within the tub through the condensation duct and the drying duct; and    a heater for heating the air.    
   
   
       2 . The washing machine and dryer of  claim 1 , wherein an upper face of the drying duct is installed in a lower portion than that of the tub.  
   
   
       3 . The washing machine and dryer of  claim 1 , wherein a surface of the drying duct, which is adjacent to the tub, is formed to be slant.  
   
   
       4 . The washing machine and dryer of  claim 3 , wherein the adjacent surface of the drying duct is formed in a curved surface with the same curvature as an outer surface of the tub.  
   
   
       5 . The washing machine and dryer of  claim 1 , wherein the drying duct includes: 
 a lower part of which an upper portion is opened, in which a discharge part connected to a front side of the tub is downwardly extended from one end in one body and a communication hole for connecting the lower part with the condensation duct is formed in a lower portion of the other end; and    an upper part covering the opened upper portion of the lower part.    
   
   
       6 . The washing machine and dryer of  claim 5 , wherein the other end of the lower part in which the communication hole is formed is widely formed.  
   
   
       7 . The washing machine and dryer of  claim 6 , wherein the circulation fan is inserted into the other end of the lower part.  
   
   
       8 . The washing machine and dryer of  claim 5 , wherein a surface of the lower part, which is adjacent to the outer surface of the tub, is formed to be slant.  
   
   
       9 . The washing machine and dryer of  claim 5 , wherein the adjacent surface of the lower part is formed in a curved surface with the same curvature as an outer surface of the tub.  
   
   
       10 . The washing machine and dryer of  claim 5 , wherein a portion in which the discharge part is extended from one end of the lower part is formed roundly so as to smoothly guide air.  
   
   
       11 . The washing machine and dryer of  claim 5 , wherein the discharge part is extended to be slant from the lower part in a downward direction.  
   
   
       12 . The washing machine and dryer of  claim 11 , wherein the discharge part is formed to be slant when viewed from the front of the tub so as to discharge air in a rotation direction of the drum.  
   
   
       13 . The washing machine and dryer of  claim 12 , further comprising a guidance part extended from one end portion of the discharge part in a tangential direction with respect to the rotation direction of the tub when viewed from the front of the tub so as to discharge air in the tangential direction with respect to the rotation direction of the drum.  
   
   
       14 . The washing machine and dryer of  claim 1 , wherein the drying duct has both ends fixed and supported to an inner surface of the cabinet by a first fixing member and a second fixing member.  
   
   
       15 . The washing machine and dryer of  claim 14 , wherein the first fixing member includes: 
 a plurality of brackets protruded at one portion of an inner surface of the cabinet; and    a fixing load protruded at one end portion of the drying duct and fixedly inserted between the plurality of brackets.    
   
   
       16 . The washing machine and dryer of  claim 15 , wherein the brackets and the fixing load are connected to each other by bolts and nuts.  
   
   
       17 . The washing machine and dryer of  claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of reinforcement ribs for connecting a side surface of the fixing load with the drying duct, thereby reinforcing the fixing load.  
   
   
       18 . The washing machine and dryer of  claim 14 , wherein the second fixing member includes: 
 a fixing projection protruded at the other end of the drying duct; and    a fixing angle protruded at other portion of an inner surface of the cabinet, for supporting the fixing projection at a lower portion.    
   
   
       19 . The washing machine and dryer of  claim 18 , wherein the fixing projection and the fixing angle are fixedly connected with each other by a bolt and a nut.  
   
   
       20 . The washing machine and dryer of  claim 1 , wherein the heater is installed in an inside of the drying duct.  
   
   
       21 . The washing machine and dryer of  claim 1 , wherein the condensation duct has one end connected to the drying duct and the other end connected to a rear lower portion of the tub.  
   
   
       22 . The washing machine and dryer of  claim 1 , wherein the tub and the drum are installed in parallel with a horizontal plane.  
   
   
       23 . The washing machine and dryer of  claim 1 , wherein the tub and the drum are installed to be slant, such that openings of the tub and the drum are disposed at an upper portion with respect to a horizontal plane.