Washing machine with pressure venting unit

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a venting unit of a washing machine. The washing machine comprises a cabinet having a door mounted thereon, a water tub installed inside the cabinet, a washing tub installed inside the water tub; and a venting unit installed such that an outside of the cabinet is in communication with an inner space of the washing tub through the venting unit. The washing machine has improved drying efficiency.

1 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a cabinet having a door mounted thereon;   a water tub installed inside the cabinet;   a washing tub installed inside the water tub; and   a venting unit installed such that an exterior of the cabinet communicates with an inner space of the washing tub through the venting unit.   
   
   
       2 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the venting unit is mounted to the door. 
   
   
       3 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the venting unit comprises an air suction block, and wherein a through-hole is formed in the air-suction block through which the exterior of the cabinet communicates with the inner space of the washing tub. 
   
   
       4 . The washing machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the venting unit further comprises a gate unit configured to selectively open and close the through-hole. 
   
   
       5 . The washing machine according to  claim 4 , wherein the gate unit comprises
 a gate member movable between a first position in which the through-hole is open and a second position in which the through-hole is closed,   a driving section which drives the movement of the gate member, and   a controller which controls the driving section.   
   
   
       6 . The washing machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the air-suction block is formed in the cabinet. 
   
   
       7 . The washing machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the air-suction block is formed along an edge of the door. 
   
   
       8 . The washing machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the air-suction block is formed such that the through-hole is formed in a bent shape. 
   
   
       9 . The washing machine according to  claim 8 , wherein one end of the through-hole is formed to open toward the inner space of the washing tub. 
   
   
       10 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a drainage tube in communication with the water tub;   a drainage valve disposed in the drainage tube, the drainage valve configured to selectively open and close the drainage tube; and   a controller which controls the drainage valve depending on an operating mode of the washing machine.   
   
   
       11 . The washing machine according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a drainage tube in communication with the water tub;   a drainage valve disposed in the drainage tube, the drainage valve configured to selectively open and close the drainage tube; wherein   the controller controls the driving section and drainage valve depending on an operating mode of the washing machine.