Washing machine

Abstract

Washing machine including a duct having opposite ends connected to a tub of the washing machine such that air in the tub passes through the duct, and is supplied to the tub again, a fan in the duct for drawing air from an inside of the tub, and discharging to the inside of the tub, a water supply device connected to the duct, for supplying cooling water to the inside of the duct to condense moisture in the air passing through the inside of the duct, a heater in the duct, for heating the air passing through the duct, and a cooling water circulating device for supplying cooling water held at a bottom of the tub after passed through the duct to an inside of the duct, again.

1 . A drying device for a washing machine comprising: 
 a duct having opposite ends connected to a tub of the washing machine such that air in the tub passes through the duct, and is supplied to the tub again;    a fan in the duct for drawing air from an inside of the tub, and discharging to the inside of the tub;    a water supply device connected to the duct, for supplying cooling water to the inside of the duct to condense moisture in the air passing through the inside of the duct;    a heater in the duct, for heating the air passing through the duct; and    a cooling water circulating device for supplying cooling water held at a bottom of the tub after passed through the duct to an inside of the duct, again.    
   
   
       2 . The drying device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the duct includes; 
 a condensing duct having one end connected to the tub for receiving the air from the inside of the tub, and one side connected to the water supply device; and    a drying duct connected to the condensing duct and the tub, for supplying dried air passed through the condensing duct to the tub, having the heater mounted therein.    
   
   
       3 . The drying device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the fan is provided to a portion the drying duct is connected to the condensing duct.  
   
   
       4 . The drying device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cooling water circulating device includes; 
 a drain pump connected to the bottom of the tub, the drain pump having one side connected to a drain hose for draining water from the tub to an outside of the cabinet through the drain hose,    a circulating hose having one side connected to the drain hose, and the other side connected to the water supply device or the duct, and    a valve at a connection portion of the drain hose and the circulating hose, for opening/closing the drain hose, or the circulating hose.    
   
   
       5 . The drying device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the circulating hose is extended to a position higher than a point where the circulating hose is connected to the water supply device, or the duct, and bent downward therefrom before the circulating hose is connected to the water supply device, or the duct, for preventing reverse flow of the cooling water.  
   
   
       6 . The drying device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the cooling water circulating device further includes a plurality of fins projected from an outside circumferential surface for dissipation of heat from the cooling water.  
   
   
       7 . The drying device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the cooling water circulating device further includes a cooling fan for blowing air to an outside circumferential surface of the circulating hose for cooling the cooling water.  
   
   
       8 . The drying device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cooling water circulating device includes; 
 a circulating pump connected to the bottom of the tub, for pumping the cooling water from the tub, and    a circulating hose having one side connected to the pump, and the other side connected to the water supply device or the duct, for guiding the cooling water from the circulating pump to the duct.    
   
   
       9 . The drying device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the circulating hose is extended to a position higher than a point where the circulating hose is connected to the water supply device, or the duct, and bent downward therefrom before the circulating hose is connected to the water supply device, or the duct, for preventing reverse flow of the cooling water.  
   
   
       10 . The drying device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the cooling water circulating device further includes a plurality of fins projected from an outside circumferential surface for dissipation of heat from the cooling water.  
   
   
       11 . The drying device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the cooling water circulating device further includes a cooling fan for blowing air to an outside circumferential surface of the circulating hose for cooling the cooling water.  
   
   
       12 . The drying device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor at the bottom of the tub, for measuring a temperature of the cooling water.  
   
   
       13 . The drying device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the cooling water is circulated, or drained according to a measurement result of the temperature sensor.  
   
   
       14 . A washing machine comprising: 
 a cabinet;    a tub in the cabinet;    a duct having opposite ends connected to the tub of the washing machine, for circulating air from the tub to an outside of the tub, and removing moisture from the air in the tub;    a water supplying device connected to the duct, for supplying cooling water to the duct;    a drain device including a drain pump for draining water from an inside of the tub to an outside of the cabinet, and a drain hose connected to the drain pump, for guiding the water to the outside of the cabinet; and    a cooling water circulating device having one end connected to the water supply device, or the duct, and the other end connected to the drain hose, for supplying the cooling water from a bottom of the tub to the duct, again.    
   
   
       15 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the duct includes; 
 a condensing duct having one end connected to the tub for receiving the air from the inside of the tub, and one side connected to the water supply device; and    a drying duct connected to the condensing duct and the tub, for supplying dried air passed through the condensing duct to the tub, having the heater mounted therein.    
   
   
       16 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the fan is provided to a portion the drying duct is connected to the condensing duct.  
   
   
       17 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the cooling water circulating device includes; 
 a circulating hose having one side connected to the drain hose, and the other side connected to the water supply device or the duct, and    a valve at a connection portion of the drain hose and the circulating hose, for opening/closing the drain hose, or the circulating hose.    
   
   
       18 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the circulating hose is extended to a position higher than a point where the circulating hose is connected to the water supply device, or the duct, and bent downward therefrom before the circulating hose is connected to the water supply device, or the duct, for preventing reverse flow of the cooling water.  
   
   
       19 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the cooling water circulating device further includes a plurality of fins projected from an outside circumferential surface for dissipation of heat from the cooling water.  
   
   
       20 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the cooling water circulating device further includes a cooling fan for blowing air to an outside circumferential surface of the circulating hose for cooling the cooling water.  
   
   
       21 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 17 , further comprising a temperature sensor at the bottom of the tub, for measuring a temperature of the cooling water.  
   
   
       22 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the cooling water is circulated, or drained according to a measurement result of the temperature sensor.  
   
   
       23 . A washing machine comprising: 
 a cabinet;    a tub in the cabinet;    a duct having opposite ends connected to the tub of the washing machine, for circulating air from the tub to an outside of the tub, and removing moisture from the air in the tub;    a water supplying device connected to the duct, for supplying cooling water to the duct;    a drain device including a drain pump for draining water from an inside of the tub to an outside of the cabinet, and a drain hose connected to the drain pump, for guiding the water to the outside of the cabinet; and    a cooling water circulating device having a circulating pump connected to a bottom of the tub for pumping the cooling water, and a circulating hose having one end connected to the water supply device, or the duct, and the other end connected to the bottom of the tub, for supplying the cooling water from the bottom of the tub to the duct, again.    
   
   
       24 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the duct includes; 
 a condensing duct having one end connected to the tub for receiving the air from the inside of the tub, and one side connected to the water supply device; and    a drying duct connected to the condensing duct and the tub, for supplying dried air passed through the condensing duct to the tub, having the heater mounted therein.    
   
   
       25 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the fan is provided to a portion the drying duct is connected to the condensing duct.  
   
   
       26 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the circulating hose is extended to a position higher than a point where the circulating hose is connected to the water supply device, or the duct, and bent downward therefrom before the circulating hose is connected to the water supply device, or the duct, for preventing reverse flow of the cooling water.  
   
   
       27 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the cooling water circulating device further includes a plurality of fins projected from an outside circumferential surface for dissipation of heat from the cooling water.  
   
   
       28 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the cooling water circulating device further includes a cooling fan for blowing air to an outside circumferential surface of the circulating hose for cooling the cooling water.  
   
   
       29 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 23 , further comprising a temperature sensor at the bottom of the tub, for measuring a temperature of the cooling water.  
   
   
       30 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the cooling water is circulated, or drained according to a measurement result of the temperature sensor.