Washing machine

Abstract

A washing machine is provided that is capable of efficiently draining condensed fluid discharged from a heat pump module. The washing machine may include a cabinet, a tub installed in the cabinet, a drum rotatably installed in the tub, a heat pump module installed in the cabinet to supply hot air into the drum, a backflow prevention connector installed in the cabinet to prevent backflow of wash fluid draining from the tub, and a condensed fluid drain hose connected to one end of the backflow prevention connector to drain condensed fluid from the heat pump module.

1 . A washer and dryer, comprising:
 a cabinet;   a tub installed in the cabinet and configured to receive wash fluid therein;   a drum rotatably installed in the tub;   a heat pump module installed in the cabinet and configured to supply hot air into the drum;   a backflow prevention connector coupled to the cabinet and in fluid communication with the tub; and a condensed fluid drain hose coupled to a draining portion of the backflow prevention connector.   
     
     
         2 . The washer and dryer of  claim 1 , wherein the cabinet includes a first cabinet that defines a first space and a second cabinet coupled to the first cabinet that defines a second space, wherein the tub, the drum and the backflow prevention connector are installed in the first space and the heat pump module is installed in the second space. 
     
     
         3 . The washer and dryer of  claim 1 , wherein the condensed fluid drain hose has a first end thereof in fluid communication with the heat pump module, and a second end thereof coupled to the backflow prevention connector, wherein the condensed fluid drain hose directs condensed fluid generated by operation of the heat pump module to the backflow prevention connector for discharge from the combined washing and drying machine together with used wash fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The washer and dryer of  claim 3 , wherein the backflow prevention connector comprises:
 a connector body installed in an upper portion of the cabinet, wherein the connector body has an inverted U-shape;   a pair of connection pipes that extend downward from two opposite ends of the connector body, including a first connection pipe that forms an inlet port that guides wash fluid into the backflow prevention connector and a second connection pipe that forms an outlet port through which wash fluid is drained from the backflow prevention connector; and   an air suction part coupled to an air brake hose that is in turn coupled to the tub.   
     
     
         5 . The washer and dryer of  claim 4 , further comprising a first drain hose that directs waste wash fluid accumulated in the tub to the inlet port, wherein the waste wash fluid supplied to the backflow prevention connector through the first drain hose and the condensed fluid supplied to the backflow prevention connector through the condensed fluid drain hose are discharged from the machine together through a second drain hose coupled to the outlet port. 
     
     
         6 . The washer and dryer of  claim 4 , wherein the second end of the condensed fluid hose is connected to the outlet port of the backflow prevention connector such that a drain pressure generated therein prevents backflow of the condensed fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The washer and dryer of  claim 6 , wherein the second end of the condensed fluid drain hose is connected to an upper portion of the second connection pipe through which the wash fluid is drained. 
     
     
         8 . The washer and dryer of  claim 7 , further comprising a backflow prevention guide that couples the condensed fluid drain hose to the backflow prevention connector, the backflow prevention guide having a first end connected to the backflow prevention connector at a predetermined distance from an upper portion of the second connection pipe and a second end connected to the condensed fluid drain hose. 
     
     
         9 . The washer and dryer of  claim 4 , wherein the air brake hose is equipped with a T-branch or Y-branch pipe connected to the condensed fluid drain hose. 
     
     
         10 . The washer and dryer of  claim 4 , wherein the second end of the condensed fluid drain hose is connected to the connector body, at a position spaced apart from the air suction part. 
     
     
         11 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a cabinet;   a tub installed in the cabinet;   a drum rotatably installed in the tub;   a heat pump module coupled to the cabinet and configured to supply hot air into the drum; and   a backflow prevention connector having an inlet end in communication with the tub, and an outlet end in communication with an outside of the washing machine; and   a condensed fluid drain hose connected to the backflow prevention connector, wherein the condensed fluid drain hose guides condensed fluid from the heat pump module to the backflow prevention connector.   
     
     
         12 . The washing machine of  claim 11 , wherein the backflow prevention connector comprises:
 a connector body having an inverted-U shape and mounted at an upper part of the first space;   connection pipes bent downward form both ends of the connector body, so that the wash water is guided in through one of the connection pipes and is discharged through the other one; and   a pressure regulator provided at the connector body to regulate a pressure within the backflow prevention connector and prevent backflow of fluid in the backflow prevention connector.   
     
     
         13 . The washing machine of  claim 12 , wherein the pressure regulator comprises:
 an air suction guide; and   an air brake hose coupled to the air suction guide, the air suction guide having a first end directly connected to an intermediate portion of the connector body and a second end coupled to the air brake hose, and the air brake hose having a first end connected to the second end of the air suction guide and a second end coupled to the tub, wherein the air suction guide and the air brake hose provide for air flow between the tub and the backflow prevention connector so as to control pressure in the backflow prevention connector and prevent backflow of fluid therein.   
     
     
         14 . The washing machine of  claim 12 , wherein the pressure regulator comprises an air brake hose having a first end coupled to the connector body, at a position spaced apart from the condensed fluid drain hose, and a second end coupled to an upper portion of the tub, wherein the air brake hose provides for air flow between the tub and the backflow prevention connector so as to control pressure in the backflow prevention connector and prevent backflow of fluid therein. 
     
     
         15 . The washing machine according to  claim 14 , wherein the condensed fluid drain hose is selectively connected to one of the connector body or one of the pair of connection pipes. 
     
     
         16 . The washing machine of  claim 15 , further comprising a T-branch or a Y-branch pipe having a first end coupled to the backflow prevention connector, and second end coupled to the condensed fluid drain hose, and a third end coupled to the air brake hose so as to couple the condensed fluid drain hose and the air brake hose to the backflow prevention connector. 
     
     
         17 . The washing machine of  claim 16 , further comprising an intermediate pipe that couples the T-branch or Y-branch pipe to the backflow prevention connector. 
     
     
         18 . A combined washing and drying machine, comprising:
 a tub provided in a cabinet;   a drum rotatably coupled to the tub;   a fluid supply in fluid communication with the tub to supply wash fluid to the tub and drum for a washing operation;   a heat pump module in air flow communication with the tub to supply air to the tub and drum for a drying operation; and   a filter assembly that filters particles from air discharged from the drum during the drying operation, and that removes particles accumulated thereon while the machine continues to operate.   
     
     
         19 . The combined washing and drying machine of  claim 18 , wherein the filter assembly automatically removes particles accumulated thereon during a subsequent portion of a washing operation. 
     
     
         20 . The combined washing and drying machine of  claim 18 , wherein the filter assembly includes a driver that moves the filter assembly so as to remove the accumulated particles therefrom as the machine continues to operate.