Drum type washing machine having a dryer therein

Abstract

A drum type washing machine includes a tub; a drying duct that supplies heated air to the tub; and a condensing duct assembly that guides air from the tub to the drying duct, cools air from the tub, and condenses moisture in the air. The condensing duct assembly includes an inlet duct configured to receive air from the tub; and a discharge duct into which one side or end of the inlet duct is inserted and/or to which side or end of the inlet duct is coupled. Coolant may be supplied along an outer surface of an inserted end of the inlet duct to cool the inlet duct, and the discharge dust guides air from the inlet duct to the drying duct.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drum type washing machine comprising:
 a tub;   a drying duct that supplies heated air to the tub; and   a condensing duct assembly that guides air from the tub to the drying duct, cools air from the tub, and condenses moisture in the air, wherein the condensing duct assembly comprises:   an inlet duct configured to receive air from the tub; and   a discharge duct coupled to and/or receiving one side or end of the inlet duct, configured to receive a coolant, cool at least one of the inlet duct and the discharge duct, and guide air from the inlet duct to the drying duct.   
     
     
         2 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the coolant flows and/or is stored between an outer surface of the inlet duct and an inner surface of the discharge duct. 
     
     
         3 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the coolant moves in a longitudinal direction along the inlet duct and/or the discharge duct. 
     
     
         4 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 3 , wherein the coolant overflows into the inlet duct. 
     
     
         5 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 3 , wherein an inserted side or end of the inlet duct comprises a sloped or inclined member that gradually becomes closer to the inner surface of the discharge duct. 
     
     
         6 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein an inserted end of the inlet duct has a slope configured to become gradually closer to an inner surface of the discharge duct. 
     
     
         7 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 6 , wherein the inserted end of the inlet duct has an angle greater than an angle of a center body of the inlet duct. 
     
     
         8 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a condensed water discharge path between the tub and the condensing duct assembly,   wherein the coolant flowing into the inlet duct is discharged through the condensed water discharge path.   
     
     
         9 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 3 , wherein the inserted side or end of the inlet duct further comprises guides and/or projections that are configured to guide movement or flow of coolant in the inlet duct. 
     
     
         10 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the drying duct comprises a circulating member and a heating member. 
     
     
         11 . The drum type washing machine in  claim 10 , wherein the circulating member is configured to allow air outside the washing machine to flow into the drying duct, or circulate air inside the washing machine. 
     
     
         12 . The drum type washing machine in  claim 10 , wherein the circulating member comprises a blower and/or fan. 
     
     
         13 . The drum type washing machine in  claim 10 , wherein the heating member comprises an electric heater. 
     
     
         14 . The drum type washing machine in  claim 1 , wherein the condensing duct assembly is configured to (i) cool the air in the tub, (ii) condense moisture in the air, (iii) discharge the condensed water, and (iv) allow dry air to flow back into the drying duct. 
     
     
         15 . The drum type washing machine in  claim 1 , further comprising a catching projection, ring or protrusion on the inlet duct and coupled to the discharge duct, configured to support the discharge duct. 
     
     
         16 . The drum type washing machine in  claim 1 , wherein the inserted side or end of the inlet duct has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the discharge duct. 
     
     
         17 . The drum type washing machine in  claim 16 , further comprising a flow path between an outer surface of the inlet duct and an inner surface of the discharge duct. 
     
     
         18 . The drum type washing machine in  claim 1 , wherein the discharge duct comprises a coolant inlet hole, configured to guide coolant into the discharge duct. 
     
     
         19 . The drum type washing machine in  claim 1 , wherein the discharge duct has a first length and an inserted side or end of the inlet duct has a second length less than the first length.