Wall-mounted washing machine

Abstract

A wall-mounted washing machine includes a tub and a drying device. The drying device includes a fan coupled to the tub and configured to blow air, a hot air supply duct connected to the fan and configured to supply the air into the tub, a drying heater provided inside the hot air supply duct and configured to heat the air introduced into the hot air supply duct, and a hot air discharge duct connected to the tub and configured to guide the air passing through the tub toward the fan. The hot air discharge duct has a condensing water introduction port through which condensing water is introduced and at least one curved portion is formed on one surface of the hot air discharge duct opposite to the condensing water introduction port.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wall-mounted washing machine, comprising:
 a tub; and   a drying device,   wherein the drying device comprises a fan coupled to the tub and configured to blow air, a hot air supply duct coupled to the fan and configured to supply the air into the tub, a drying heater provided inside the hot air supply duct and configured to heat the air introduced into the hot air supply duct, and a hot air discharge duct connected to the tub and configured to guide air passing through the tub toward the fan, the hot air discharge duct having a condensing water introduction port through which condensing water passes, and   wherein at least one curved portion is formed on a surface of the hot air discharge duct opposite to the condensing water introduction port.   
     
     
         2 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the surface of the hot air discharge duct is curved to bulge toward the condensing water introduction port. 
     
     
         3 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the condensing water introduction port is formed such that an area of a longitudinal cross section thereof grows larger from a central portion toward opposite end portions. 
     
     
         4 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein a cross section of the condensing water introduction port is formed in a polygonal shape with the respective sides thereof protruding inward. 
     
     
         5 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein a cross section of the condensing water introduction port is formed in a rectangular shape with the respective sides thereof protruding inward. 
     
     
         6 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a rear panel configured to support the tub and capable of being hung on a wall surface;   a drum rotatably installed inside the tub and configured to accommodate washing items; and   a tub front panel coupled to a front surface of the tub.   
     
     
         7 . The washing machine of  claim 6 , wherein the drying device is configured to supply air to a front upper portion of the tub front panel and receive air from a rear lower portion of the tub. 
     
     
         8 . The washing machine of  claim 6 , wherein an end portion of the hot air supply duct on the side of the tub front panel is connected to the front upper portion of the tub front panel, and an end portion of the hot air discharge duct on the side of the tub is connected to the rear lower portion of the tub. 
     
     
         9 . The washing machine of  claim 6 , wherein a hot air introduction port, through which hot air discharged from the hot air supply duct is introduced, is formed in a front upper portion of the tub front panel, and a hot air discharge port through which hot air passing through the drum is discharged is formed in a rear lower portion of the tub. 
     
     
         10 . The washing machine of  claim 6 , wherein when the fan is operated, air is heated by the drying heater while moving along the hot air supply duct and is introduced into the tub through the tub front panel, and
 wherein air passing through the tub is cooled and dehumidified by condensing water while moving along the hot air discharge duct and is introduced into the fan.   
     
     
         11 . The washing machine of  claim 6 , wherein at least one vent hole for circulating air is formed in the rear panel. 
     
     
         12 . The washing machine of  claim 6 , wherein a plurality of ribs is provided on a rear surface of the rear panel, and end portions of the ribs are cut away to form air circulation grooves. 
     
     
         13 . A wall-mounted washing machine, comprising:
 a rear panel capable of being hung on a wall surface;   a tub configured to store washing water and supported by the rear panel;   a drum rotatably installed inside the tub and configured to accommodate washing items;   a tub front panel coupled to a front surface of the tub; and   a drying device coupled to an outer surface of the tub and configured to dry the washing items,   wherein the drying device includes a hot air discharge duct connected to the tub and configured to discharge air passing through the tub, the hot air discharge duct having a condensing water introduction port, and   wherein a curved portion is formed on a surface of the hot air discharge duct opposite to the condensing water introduction port.   
     
     
         14 . The washing machine of  claim 13 , wherein the surface of the hot air discharge duct is curved to bulge toward the condensing water introduction port. 
     
     
         15 . The washing machine of  claim 13 , wherein the condensing water introduction port is formed such that an area of a longitudinal cross section thereof grows larger from a central portion toward opposite end portions. 
     
     
         16 . The washing machine of  claim 13 , wherein a cross section of the condensing water introduction port is formed in a polygonal shape with the respective sides thereof protruding inward. 
     
     
         17 . The washing machine of  claim 13 , wherein a cross section of the condensing water introduction port is formed in a rectangular shape with the respective sides thereof protruding inward. 
     
     
         18 . The washing machine of  claim 13 , wherein the drying device is configured to supply air to a front upper portion of the tub front panel and receive air from a rear lower portion of the tub. 
     
     
         19 . The washing machine of  claim 13 , wherein a hot air introduction port through which hot air discharged from the hot air supply duct is introduced is formed in a front upper portion of the tub front panel, and a hot air discharge port through which hot air passing through the drum is discharged is formed in a rear lower portion of the tub. 
     
     
         20 . The washing machine of  claim 13 , wherein when the fan is operated, air is heated by the drying heater while moving along the hot air supply duct and is introduced into the tub through the tub front panel, and
 wherein air passing through the tub is cooled and dehumidified by condensing water while moving along the hot air discharge duct and is introduced into the fan.