Drum Type Washing Machine

Abstract

A drum type washing machine which performs a drying function is provided having improved drying efficiency. The drum type washing machine includes a tub disposed inside a cabinet to receive water, a drum rotatably disposed inside the tub to receive laundry, and a suction duct communicating with the tub. One end of the suction duct communicates with the tub, and the opposed end of the suction duct is a free end which remains disconnected from nearby structures, and is located inside the cabinet. The tub further includes a discharge hole. The water and air passing through the discharge hole are separated and discharged outside the cabinet along a drainage pipe and an exhaust duct, respectively.

1 . A drum type washing machine, comprising:
 a tub disposed inside a cabinet, the tub including a tub through-hole formed in a first side of the tub;   a drum disposed inside the tub; and   a suction duct including a first end, and a second end opposed to the first end, wherein the suction duct is connected at the first end to the tub through-hole, and the second end is a free end.   
   
   
       2 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the suction duct is disposed at an upper side of the tub. 
   
   
       3 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the tub through-hole is disposed at an upper side of the tub. 
   
   
       4 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the suction duct is disposed inside the cabinet. 
   
   
       5 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the drum has at least one inflow hole disposed thereon at a location corresponding to location of the tub through-hole, the at least one inflow hole arranged in a circular band shape on a side of the drum. 
   
   
       6 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the tub further includes a tub discharge hole formed in a second side of the tub, the washing machine further comprising:
 an exhaust duct communicating with the tub discharge hole and extending to an outside of the cabinet;   an exhaust fan disposed at the second side of the tub; and   a motor to drive the exhaust fan.   
   
   
       7 . The washing machine according to  claim 6 , wherein an extension conduit and a housing are disposed between the discharge hole and the exhaust duct, and the exhaust fan is disposed in the housing. 
   
   
       8 . The washing machine according to  claim 7 , wherein the tub further includes plural balancers, wherein the balancers are provided so as to be separated from each other, and the extension conduit is disposed between two of said plural balancers. 
   
   
       9 . The washing machine according to  claim 7 , wherein the housing has a bottom surface located a predetermined height above that of the extension conduit to form a step between the bottom surfaces of the housing and the extension conduit. 
   
   
       10 . The washing machine according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a drainage pump to discharge water from the tub to an outside of the cabinet; and   a connection pipe extending between the bottom surface of the extension conduit and the drainage pump.   
   
   
       11 . The washing machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the discharge hole is disposed at a lower side of the tub. 
   
   
       12 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a heater disposed inside the suction duct.   
   
   
       13 . The washing machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the first side of the tub is opposed to the second side of the tub, the discharge hole is disposed at a lower side of the tub, and the tub through-hole is disposed at an upper side of the tub. 
   
   
       14 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the cabinet comprises a door formed in a front-facing side thereof,   a second side of the tub comprises a tub opening corresponding to the door, and the first side of the tub opposes the second side.   
   
   
       15 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the suction duct is disposed between an interior surface of the cabinet and an exterior surface of the tub.