COMBINED WASHER AND DRYER

Abstract

A combined washer and dryer includes: a cabinet; a tub with a front opening at the laundry inlet and a rear opening; a drum; and a drying device arranged above the tub and configured to supply heated air toward the front opening. The drying device includes: a heat exchanger; a compressor; an inlet flow duct to guide air flowing in through the rear opening toward the heat exchanger; a supply flow duct to guide the air passing through the heat exchanger to be discharged forward; and a blowing fan configured to supply the air discharged from the supply flow duct to the front opening. In addition, the combined washer and dryer may further include: a ventilation hole at a rear surface of the cabinet corresponding to a position where the drying device is disposed; and a cooling fan disposed in the ventilation hole and supplying outside air to the compressor.

Description

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The disclosure relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a combined washer and dryer that can wash and dry laundry.

Description of the Related Art

Generally, a washing machine for washing laundry and a dryer for drying laundry are formed as separate devices.

Accordingly, consumers use a washing machine to wash laundry and then use a dryer to dry the washed laundry.

However, in the case where the washing machine and dryer formed as separate devices, there is inconvenience because the user has to wait for washing to be completed and then move the washed laundry to the dryer.

To solve this inconvenience, a combined washer and dryer was developed and used.

However, the combined washer and dryer according to the prior art had a problem in that its drying performance was relatively low compared to a dedicated dryer having only a drying function.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a combined washer and dryer may include: a cabinet with a laundry inlet at a front surface thereof; a tub arrangeable inside the cabinet with a front opening is at the laundry inlet and the tub includes a rear opening; a drum rotatable inside the tub; and a drying device arrangeable above the tub and configured to supply heated air toward the front opening, wherein the drying device may include: a heat exchanger including an evaporator and a condenser; a compressor arrangeable behind the heat exchanger and configured to compress and circulate refrigerant of the heat exchanger; an inlet flow duct arrangeable on one side of the heat exchanger and guiding air flowing in through the rear opening of the tub toward the heat exchanger; a supply flow duct arrangeable on other side of the heat exchanger and guiding the air that has passed through the heat exchanger to be discharged forward; and a blowing fan configured to supply the air discharged from the supply flow duct to the front opening, and wherein the combined washer and dryer may further include: a ventilation hole provided at a rear surface of the cabinet corresponding to a position where the drying device is disposed; and a cooling fan disposed in the ventilation hole and supplying outside air to the compressor.

The combined washer and dryer may further include a blowing guide arrangeable in front of the cooling fan and guiding the outside air supplied by the cooling fan toward the compressor.

The blowing guide may be formed as a hollow duct with both ends open. One end of the blowing guide is disposed in front of the cooling fan, and other end of the blowing guide is disposed toward a side surface of the compressor.

The ventilation hole may be provided at the rear surface of the cabinet corresponding to the position where the compressor is disposed so that a direction of air supplied by the cooling fan is toward the compressor.

A rotation axis of the cooling fan may be disposed toward the compressor so that a direction of air supplied by the cooling fan is toward the compressor.

The combined washer and dryer may further include: a heat sink disposed on a side surface of the compressor and dissipating heat from the compressor.

The heat sink may be arrangeable in a direction toward the cooling fan on the side surface of the compressor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a combined washer and dryer according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a view conceptually illustrating a drying device of a combined washer and dryer according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a main configuration of a combined washer and dryer according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a cabinet of a combined washer and dryer according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating a main configuration of a combined washer and dryer according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a rear view illustrating a main configuration of a combined washer and dryer according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view illustrating a blowing duct and a supply flow duct of a combined washer and dryer according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8A is a plan view illustrating a main configuration of a combined washer and dryer according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 8B, 8C, and 8D are plan views illustrating a main configuration of a combined washer and dryer according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a lint filter box is pulled out in a combined washer and dryer according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a lint filter box of a combined washer and dryer according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating a main configuration of a combined washer and dryer according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a rear plate of a drum of a combined washer and dryer according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view illustrating a discharge duct of a combined washer and dryer according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state of airflow passing through a drum of a combined washer and dryer according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a graph illustrating reduction of airflow leakage from a side surface of a drum due to a labyrinth seal in a combined washer and dryer according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In this specification, various embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the scope to the specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, and/or alternatives of the embodiment of the disclosure. In connection with the description of the drawings, like reference numerals may be used for like elements.

In describing the disclosure, when it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the disclosure, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, the following embodiments may be modified in many different forms, and the scope of the technical idea of the disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the spirit of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

Terms used in this disclosure are only used to describe specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the scope of rights. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless otherwise defined, terms used in embodiment of the disclosure may be interpreted as meanings commonly known to those skilled in the art.

In this disclosure, expressions such as “has,” “can have”, “includes,” or “can include” indicate the existence of a corresponding feature (e.g., numerical value, function, operation, or component such as a part) and do not preclude the existence of additional features.

Expressions such as “first,” “second,” “primary,” or “secondary,” as used in this disclosure may modify various components regardless of order and/or importance, are used only to distinguish one component from other components, and do not limit the corresponding components.

Further, terms such as ‘leading end’, ‘rear end’, ‘upper side’, ‘lower side’, ‘top end’, ‘bottom end’, etc. used in the disclosure are defined with reference to the drawings. However, the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms.

Meanwhile, various elements and areas in the drawings are schematically drawn. Accordingly, the technical idea of the disclosure is not limited by the relative sizes or spacing drawn in the attached drawings.

The disclosure has been developed in order to overcome the above drawbacks and other problems associated with the conventional arrangement. An aspect of the disclosure is to provide a combined washer and dryer with drying performance comparable to that of a dedicated dryer.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a combined washer and dryer according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a combined washer and dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a cabinet 10, a tub 20, a drum 30, and a drying device 40.

The cabinet 10 forms the exterior of the combined washer and dryer 1 and is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The cabinet 10 may include a front cover 11, a rear cover 12, a left cover 13 (see FIG. 2), a right cover 14 (see FIG. 2), an upper cover 15, and a lower cover 16.

The front side of the cabinet 10 is provided with a laundry inlet 18 through which laundry may be put in and taken out from the inside of the cabinet 10. In other words, the laundry inlet 18 is provided on the front cover 11 of the main body. A door 17 is disposed in the laundry inlet 18 to be able to open and close.

A control panel 19 configured to control the combined washer and dryer 1 may be provided on the upper portion of the front cover 11 of the cabinet 10. The control panel 19 may include a plurality of buttons for controlling the combined washer and dryer 1, a display for showing information related to the combined washer and dryer 1 and the washing process, and a processor for controlling the combined washer and dryer 1.

The tub 20 is disposed inside the cabinet 10 of the combined washer and dryer 1 and is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape with a front opening facing the laundry inlet 18 of the front cover 11. The front opening of the tub 20 is connected to the laundry inlet 18. The tub 20 includes a rear opening provided at the rear surface thereof.

The tub 20 may accommodate a predetermined amount of washing water required for washing. The tub 20 is supported and fixed on the inner surface of the cabinet 10 by a tension spring, an oil damper, etc.

A diaphragm 25 may be disposed between the tub 20 and the front cover 11 of the cabinet 10. The diaphragm 25 is formed in a substantially annular shape. One end of the diaphragm 25 is fixed to the front surface 21 of the tub 21 with the front opening, and the other end of the diaphragm 25 is fixed to the inner circumference of the laundry inlet 18 of the front cover 11 of the cabinet 10. In other words, the diaphragm 25 connects the laundry inlet 18 of the cabinet 10 and the front opening of the tub 20.

The diaphragm 25 prevents the washing water contained in the tub 20 from leaking to the outside of the tub 20 and forms a passage through which the laundry passes. In addition, the diaphragm 25 may block vibration generated when the drum 30 rotates from being transmitted to the front cover 11 of the cabinet 10 through the tub 20.

The drum 30 is rotatably disposed inside the tub 20 and is formed in a substantially hollow cylindrical shape. A drum opening 31a corresponding to the laundry inlet 18 of the cabinet 10 is provided at the front surface 31 of the drum 30. A rear plate 32 is provided at the rear end of the drum 30.

The side surface 33 (see FIG. 11) of the drum 30 is provided with a plurality of through holes 33a through which washing water may pass. A plurality of through holes 32a may be provided in the rear plate 32 of the drum 30. Therefore, the air inside the drum 30 may be discharged into a space between the drum 30 and the tub 20 through the plurality of through holes 33a formed on the side surface 33 of the drum 30 and the plurality of through holes 32a formed on the rear plate 32.

In addition, a plurality of lifts 34 that may lift laundry are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the drum 30. The drum 30 may rotate about its central axis by a driving device including a drive motor 35 disposed on the rear plate 32.

A water supply device for supplying water to the tub 20 is provided above the tub 20. A drainage device for draining water from the tub 20 to the outside is provided below the tub 20.

The water supply device may include a water supply pipe connected to an external water supply source and a water supply valve that opens and closes the water supply pipe. One end of the water supply pipe may be connected to the diaphragm 25. The water supply pipe may be provided with a detergent suction part.

The drainage device is configured to discharge the washing water contained in the tub 20 to the outside of the combined washer and dryer 1. The drainage device is disposed below the tub 20 and may include a pump and a drain pipe. When the pump operates, the washing water contained in the tub 20 is discharged to the outside of the combined washer and dryer 1 through the drain pipe.

The drying device 40 may be disposed above the tub 20 to dry laundry washed by rotation of the drum 30. The drying device 40 heats and dries the air discharged from the tub 20 to generate heated air, and circulates the heated air inside the tub 20 to dry the laundry located inside the drum 30.

Hereinafter, the drying device 40 of the combined washer and dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a view conceptually illustrating a drying device 40 of a combined washer and dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, the drying device 40 may include a circulation passage 41 connecting the front and rear of the tub 20, a blowing fan 61 that generates an airflow circulating in the circulation passage 41, and a heat exchanger 70 that removes moisture contained in the airflow having passed through the drum 30 and heats the airflow to generate a high-temperature dry airflow, that is, heated air.

The circulation passage 41 may include an upper passage 50 provided on the upper side of the tub 20 and a rear passage 55 provided at the rear surface of the tub 20.

The upper passage 50 may be formed to connect the rear passage 55 and the front of the tub 20. The upper passage 50 may be formed in an approximately L-shape. The upper passage 50 may be formed so that the inflow airflow is bent approximately at a right angle, moves in a straight line a predetermined distance, is bent again at a right angle, and then is discharged to the outside toward the front of the cabinet 10.

The upper passage 50 may be disposed adjacent to the front cover 11 of the cabinet 10. Therefore, a space 44 in which a compressor 71 of the heat exchanger 70 is disposed may be provided between the rear cover 12 of the cabinet 10 and the upper passage 50 above the tub 20.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the upper passage 50 is disposed adjacent to the front cover 11. Accordingly, the space 44 in which the compressor 71 is disposed may be provided between the rear cover 12 and the upper passage 50.

The inlet 51a of the upper passage 50 is provided adjacent to one side cover (for example, the right cover 14) of the cabinet 10. In addition, the inlet 51a of the upper passage 50 may be provided adjacent to the rear cover 12 of the cabinet 10. The outlet 53b of the upper passage 50 may be provided adjacent to the front cover 11 of the cabinet 10. The inlet 51a of the upper passage 50 communicates with the outlet 55b of the rear passage 55.

Meanwhile, the outlet 53b of the upper passage 50 may be provided adjacent to the other cover (for example, the left cover 13) of the cabinet 10. Accordingly, the inlet 51a and outlet 53b of the upper passage 50 may be located in a diagonal direction of the upper surface of the cabinet 10. In other words, the inlet 51a of the upper passage 50 may be provided at one corner of the cabinet 10, and the outlet 53b of the upper passage 50 may be provided at the other corner of the cabinet 10 located on the diagonally opposite side.

The blowing fan 61 is disposed at the outlet 53b of the upper passage 50. The blowing fan 61 is accommodated inside a blowing duct 60 disposed in the front surface of the tub 20. The intake port 60a of the blowing duct 60 is disposed to be located in a straight line with the outlet 53b of the upper passage 50.

The discharge port 60b of the blowing duct 60 is provided to discharge airflow toward the front of the tub 20. When the diaphragm 25 is provided on the front surface 21 of the tub 20, the discharge port 60b of the blowing duct 60 may be connected to the diaphragm 25 of the tub 20. An inflow hole 25a through which airflow flows may be provided at the upper portion of the diaphragm 25.

The discharge port 60b of the blowing duct 60 is provided to discharge airflow straight into the diaphragm 25. Accordingly, the inflow airflow flowing into the intake port 60a of the blowing duct 60 and the discharge airflow discharged through the discharge port 60b thereof may form approximately a right angle.

The upper passage 50 may include an inlet flow path 51, a heat exchange flow path 52, and a supply flow path 53.

The inlet flow path 51 is provided on the upper side of the tub 20, adjacent to one side of the cabinet 10, that is, one side of the tub 20, and is formed to allow airflow discharged from the rear surface of the tub 20 to flow in. The inlet flow path 51 is formed so that the inflow airflow flows in a straight line.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the inlet flow path 51 is provided above the tub 20 and adjacent to the right cover 14 of the cabinet 10, that is, the right surface 24 of the tub 20.

The inlet 51a of the inlet flow path 51 is connected to the outlet 55b of the rear passage 55. The inlet 51a of the inlet flow path 51 is provided at the rear end of the inlet flow path 51, and the outlet 51b of the inlet flow path 51 is provided on one side surface of the inlet flow path 51, that is, on the side surface in contact with the heat exchange flow path 52.

The heat exchange flow path 52 is provided at a right angle to the inlet flow path 51 on the upper side of the tub 20 and is connected to the inlet flow path 51. The heat exchange flow path 52 is formed so that the introduced airflow flows in a straight line. The width of the heat exchange flow path 52 is smaller than the length of the inlet flow path 51. Accordingly, the inlet flow path 51 is formed in a shape that protrudes from the heat exchange flow path 52 toward the rear cover 12 of the cabinet 10.

The inlet 52a of the heat exchange flow path 52 is connected to the outlet 51b of the inlet flow path 51. The inlet 52a of the heat exchange flow path 52 is provided at one end of the heat exchange flow path 52, and the outlet 52b of the heat exchange flow path 52 is provided at the other end of the heat exchange flow path 52. The outlet 51b of the inlet flow path 51 may be formed in a size corresponding to the inlet 52a of the heat exchange flow path 52.

A lint filter 81 may be disposed at the outlet 51b of the inlet flow path 51. In other words, the lint filter 81 may be disposed between the inlet flow path 51 and the heat exchange flow path 52.

The lint filter 81 is formed to filter foreign substances such as lint contained in the airflow discharged from the tub 20.

The supply flow path 53 is provided on the upper side of the tub 20 and adjacent to the other side of the cabinet 10, that is, the other side of the tub 20, and is formed to discharge the airflow introduced from the heat exchange flow path 52 to the blowing fan 61. The supply flow path 53 is connected to the heat exchange flow path 52 at a right angle. The supply flow path 53 is formed so that the introduced airflow flows in a straight line.

The inlet 53a of the supply flow path 53 is connected to the outlet 52b of the heat exchange flow path 52. The inlet 53a of the supply flow path 53 is provided on one side surface of the supply flow path 53, that is, the side surface in contact with the heat exchange flow path 52. The inlet 53a of the supply flow path 53 may be formed in a size corresponding to the outlet 52b of the heat exchange flow path 52.

The outlet 53b of the supply flow path 53 is connected to the intake port 60a of the blowing duct 60. The supply flow path 53 is formed to discharge air toward the front of the cabinet 10 when viewed from above, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Accordingly, the air discharged from the supply flow path 53 is sucked into the rear of the blowing duct 60. In other words, the air discharged from the supply flow path 53 is sucked into the blowing fan 61 in a direction from the rear surface of the cabinet 10 toward the front surface thereof.

For example, the outlet 53b of the supply flow path 53 is connected in a straight line to the intake port 60a of the blowing duct 60 disposed on the front surface 21 of the tub 20. Accordingly, the airflow flowing into the supply flow path 53 is sucked straight into the blowing fan 61 accommodated in the blowing duct 60.

The rear passage 55 is provided on the rear plate 22 of the tub 20 and is formed to guide the airflow passing through the tub 20 to the upper side of the tub 20. The outlet 55b of the rear passage 55 is provided to be biased to one side on the rear cover 12 of the cabinet 10 and is connected to the inlet 51a of the inlet flow path 51.

A discharge passage 54 connecting the blowing duct 60 and the diaphragm 25 may be disposed on the front surface 21 of the tub 20. The discharge passage 54 is formed to discharge the air discharged from the blowing duct 60 downward toward the diaphragm 25.

For example, the discharge passage 54 is formed to connect the discharge port 60b of the blowing duct 60 and the inflow hole 25a of the diaphragm 25 in a straight line. Accordingly, the airflow discharged from the blowing duct 60 may flow into the inside of the diaphragm 25 in a straight line through the discharge passage 54.

The blowing fan 61 is formed to generate an airflow so that the air discharged from the supply flow path 53 is supplied to the front opening of the tub 20.

The blowing fan 61 is disposed in front of the tub 20. In detail, the blowing fan 61 may be disposed between the front cover 11 of the cabinet 10 and the tub 20. In addition, the blowing fan 61 may be disposed diagonally with respect to the inlet 51a of the inlet flow path 51.

The blowing fan 61 may rotate around a rotation axis 61a disposed in the front-back direction. In other words, the blowing fan 61 may rotate around the rotation axis 61a of the blowing fan 61 disposed in the longitudinal direction of the tub 20. Accordingly, the blowing fan 61 may rotate around the rotation axis 6a disposed approximately perpendicular to the front surface 21 of the tub 20. The rotation axis 61a of the blowing fan 61 may be disposed to form a straight line with the supply flow path 53.

The blowing fan 61 is accommodated inside the blowing duct 60 disposed in the front surface of the tub 20. The blowing fan 61 is disposed inside the blowing duct 60 to be rotatable about the rotation axis 61a.

The blowing duct 60 may be formed so that the airflow discharged from the supply flow path 53 flows into the rear surface and is discharged through the lower surface. In other words, the blowing duct 60 may be formed so that the discharge direction of the airflow is approximately 90 degrees from the inflow direction of the airflow.

When the blowing fan 61 rotates, air may be sucked into the intake port 60a of the blowing duct 60, pass through the blowing fan 61, and then be discharged through the discharge port 60b provided on the lower surface of the blowing duct 60. Accordingly, the direction of the airflow discharged from the discharge port 60b of the blowing duct 60 is approximately 90 degrees from the direction of the airflow flowing into the intake port 60a.

When the blowing fan 61 is disposed in front of the tub 20, the space between the tub 20 and the front cover 11 of the cabinet 10 may be used, so the size of the blowing fan 61 may be maximized.

The heat exchanger 70 is formed to remove moisture from the air flowing through the circulation passage 41 and heat the air to make high-temperature dry air. Hereinafter, the high-temperature dry air formed by the heat exchanger 70 is referred to as heated air.

The heat exchanger 70 may include a compressor 71, a condenser 72, an evaporator 73, and an expansion valve 74. In addition, the heat exchanger 70 may include a refrigerant pipe 75 that connects the compressor 71, the condenser 72, the evaporator 73, and the expansion valve 74 to allow the refrigerant to circulate. The heat exchanger 70 may include a heat pump.

The heat exchanger 70 is formed to remove moisture contained in the air and heat the air through heat exchange with the air while the refrigerant circulates through the condenser 72, the expansion valve 74, and the evaporator 73 by the compressor 71.

The evaporator 73 and the condenser 72 are disposed in the upper passage 50. In other words, the evaporator 73 and the condenser 72 may be disposed in the heat exchange flow path 52 of the upper passage 50. The evaporator 73 and the condenser 72 are disposed at a predetermined distance apart from each other, and the condenser 72 is disposed downstream of the evaporator 73 in the circulation direction of airflow.

The evaporator 73 is connected to the rear passage 55 and removes moisture by cooling the humid air discharged from the tub 20.

The condenser 72 is connected to the blowing fan 61 and heats the air by emitting heat to the air flowing into the tub 20. Accordingly, the blowing fan 61 discharges high-temperature dry air, that is, heated air, to the diaphragm 25.

The compressor 71 is disposed above the tub 20 and outside the upper passage 50. In other words, the compressor 71 may be disposed in the space 44 provided between the upper passage 50 and the rear surface of the tub 20. For example, the compressor 71 may be disposed between the heat exchange flow path 52 and the rear cover 12, and the compressor 71 may be disposed between the supply flow path 53 and the rear cover 12.

A ventilation hole 95 may be provided in the rear cover 12. As an example, the ventilation hole 95 may be provided at the rear surface of the cabinet 10 corresponding to the location where the drying device 40 is arranged on the upper side of the tub 20. In other words, the ventilation hole 95 may be provided at the rear of the upper passage 50. The outside air and the inside air of the cabinet 10 may pass through the ventilation hole 95.

A cooling fan 90 that supplies outside air to the drying device 40 may be disposed in the ventilation hole 95. For example, the cooling fan 90 may form an airflow so that outside air of the cabinet 10 is supplied to the compressor 71. An axial fan may be used as the cooling fan 90. Accordingly, the cooling fan 90 may cool the heat generated by driving the compressor 71 by supplying outside air to the compressor 71. The cooling fan 90 may form an airflow so that the air inside the cabinet 10 is discharged to the outside of the cabinet 10.

In order to effectively cool the heat generated by driving the compressor 71, the ventilation hole 95 may be provided at the rear surface of the cabinet 10 corresponding to the position where the compressor 71 is disposed. In other words, the ventilation hole 95 may be provided in a position close to the compressor 71 in the rear cover 12. Accordingly, the rotation axis of the cooling fan 90 may be arranged to face the compressor 71, so the direction of the air supplied by the cooling fan 90 may be toward the compressor 71 so that the air may effectively cool the heat generated in the compressor 71.

In the combined washer and dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure having the structure described above, when the blowing fan 61 operates, the air inside the drum 30 forms an airflow to pass through the rear passage 55, the circulation passage 41, the blowing fan 61, and the discharge passage 54, and then flows back into the drum 30.

At this time, the heat exchanger 70 operates to remove moisture from the airflow discharged from the drum 30 and increases the temperature of the airflow. In other words, moisture in the airflow is removed by the evaporator 73 of the heat exchanger 70, and the temperature of the airflow is increased by the condenser 72. The heated air is supplied to the drum 30 by the blowing fan 61 to dry the laundry inside the drum 30.

Hereinafter, the main configuration of the combined washer and dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7D.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a main configuration of a combined washer and dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a cabinet 10 of a combined washer and dryer according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating a main configuration of a combined washer and dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 6 is a rear view illustrating a main configuration of a combined washer and dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view illustrating a blowing duct 60 and a supply flow duct 153 of a combined washer and dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 8A is a plan view illustrating a main configuration of a combined washer and dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIGS. 8B, 8C, and 8D are plan views illustrating a main configuration of a combined washer and dryer 1 according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

For reference, FIGS. 3 and 5 to 8D show the main configuration for drying in the combined washer and dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, and the cabinet 10 and other components are removed. In addition, FIGS. 8A to 8D show a state in which the upper surfaces of an inlet flow duct 151, a heat exchange flow duct 152, and a supply flow duct 153 are removed to show the inlet flow path 51, the heat exchange flow path 52, and the supply flow path 53.

Referring to FIG. 3, the combined washer and dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include the tub 20, the drum 30, and the drying device 40.

The tub 20 is disposed inside the cabinet 10 of the combined washer and dryer 1, and is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape with a front opening 21a facing the laundry inlet 18 of the front cover 11. The tub 20 may accommodate a predetermined amount of washing water required for washing.

The diaphragm 25 may be disposed on the front surface 21 of the tub 20. The diaphragm 25 is formed in a substantially annular shape. One end of the diaphragm 25 is fixed to the front surface 21 of the tub 20 where the front opening 21a is provided.

The diaphragm 25 prevents the washing water contained in the tub 20 from leaking to the outside of the tub 20 and forms a passage through which the laundry passes. In addition, the diaphragm 25 may block vibration generated when the drum 30 rotate from being transmitted to the front cover 11 of the cabinet 10 through the tub 20.

The drum 30 is rotatably disposed inside the tub 20 and is formed in a substantially hollow cylindrical shape. The drum opening 31a corresponding to the front opening 21a of the tub 20 is provided on the front surface 31 of the drum 30. The rear plate 32 is provided on the rear end of the drum 30.

The side surface 33 of the drum 30 is provided with a plurality of through holes 33a through which washing water may pass. A plurality of through holes 32a may be provided in the rear plate 32 of the drum 30. Accordingly, the air inside the drum 30 may be discharged to the outside of the drum 30 through the through holes 33a formed on the side surface 33 of the drum 30 and the through holes 32a formed on the rear plate 32.

In addition, the plurality of lifts 34 for lifting laundry are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the drum 30. The drum 30 is formed to be rotatable by a driving device including a drive motor 35 disposed on the rear plate 32.

The drying device 40 is disposed on the upper side of the tub 20 and is configured to dry the laundry washed by rotation of the drum 30. The drying device 40 may be formed to dry and heat the air discharged from the tub 20 so as to generate heated air, and circulate the heated air inside the tub 20 to dry the laundry located inside the drum 30.

Referring to FIG. 3, the drying device 40 may include an upper passage 50 provided above the tub 20, a rear passage 55 provided at the rear surface of the tub 20, a blowing fan 61 that generates a circulating airflow, and a heat exchanger 70 that removes moisture contained in the airflow and heats the airflow to generate heated air.

The upper passage 50 may be formed to connect the rear passage 55 and the front of the tub 20. The upper passage 50 may be formed in an approximately L-shape. The upper passage 50 may be formed so that the airflow flowing in from the rear is bent in a right angle direction, moves in a straight line a predetermined distance, is bent again in a right angle direction, and then is discharged to the outside toward the front of the cabinet 10.

The upper passage 50 may be disposed adjacent to the front surface 21 of the tub 20. Therefore, the space 44 in which the compressor 71 of the heat exchanger 70 is disposed may be provided between the rear surface of the tub 20 and the upper passage 50 above the tub 20. Hear, the front surface 21 of the tub 20 refers to the surface on which the front opening 21a is formed. One side of the tub 20 refers to the left or right side with respect to the front surface 21 of the tub 20, and the other side of the tub 20 refers to the side opposite to one side of the tub 20 based on the front surface 21 of the tub 20.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the upper passage 50 is disposed adjacent to the front surface 21 of the tub 20. Accordingly, the space 44 in which the compressor 71 is disposed may be provided between the upper passage 50 and the rear surface of the tub 20 above the tub 20.

The inlet 51a of the upper passage 50 may be provided adjacent to one side and the rear surface of the tub 20. The inlet 51a of the upper passage 50 communicates with the outlet 55b of the rear passage 55.

The outlet 53b of the upper passage 50 may be provided adjacent to the other side and the front surface 21 of the tub 20. Accordingly, the inlet 51a and outlet 53b of the upper passage 50 may be provided in a diagonal direction on the upper side of the tub 20. In other words, the inlet 51a of the upper passage 50 may be provided at one corner of the tub 20, and the outlet 53b of the upper passage 50 may be provided at the other corner of the tub 20 located on the diagonally opposite side.

The blowing fan 61 is disposed at the outlet 53b of the upper passage 50. The blowing fan 61 is accommodated inside the blowing duct 60. The intake port of the blowing fan 61 coincides with the intake port 60a of the blowing duct 60. The blowing duct 60 is disposed so that the intake port 60a thereof is located in a straight line with the outlet 53b of the upper passage 50.

The upper passage 50 may include an inlet flow path 51, a heat exchange flow path 52, and a supply flow path 53.

The inlet flow path 51 is provided adjacent to one side of the tub 20 above the tub 20, and is formed to allow airflow discharged from the rear plate 22 of the tub 20 to flow in. The inlet flow path 51 is formed so that the inflow airflow flows in a straight line.

The inlet 51a of the inlet flow path 51 is connected to the outlet 55b of the rear passage 55. The inlet 51a of the inlet flow path 51 is provided at the rear end of the inlet flow path 51, and the outlet 51b of the inlet flow path 51 is provided on one side surface of the inlet flow path 51, that is, on the side surface in contact with the heat exchange flow path 52. Accordingly, the outlet 51b of the inlet flow path 51 is perpendicular to the inlet 51a of the inlet flow path 51.

The lint filter 81 may be disposed at the outlet 51b of the inlet flow path 51. The lint filter 81 may be detachably disposed at the outlet 51b of the inlet flow path 51. The lint filter 81 may be disposed detachably from the inlet flow path 51 in front of the tub 20.

The outlet 51b of the inlet flow path 51 may be formed to be larger than the inlet 51a. For example, the outlet 51b of the inlet flow path 51 may be formed to be more than twice as large as the inlet 51a of the inlet flow path 51. In this way, by making the outlet 51b of the inlet flow path 51 larger than the inlet 51a, the size of the lint filter 81 disposed at the outlet 51b of the inlet flow path 51 may be increased.

In other words, the lint filter 81 may be formed to have a size corresponding to the inlet 52a of the heat exchange flow path 52. By increasing the size of the lint filter 81, the flow resistance caused by the lint filter 81 may be reduced.

The airflow flowing into the inlet 51a of the inlet flow path 51 passes through the lint filter 81 disposed at the outlet 51b and then is discharged to the inlet 52a of the heat exchange flow path 52.

The heat exchange flow path 52 is provided at a right angle to the inlet flow path 51 on the upper side of the tub 20 and is connected to the inlet flow path 51. The heat exchange flow path 52 is formed so that the introduced airflow flows in a straight line.

The width of the heat exchange flow path 52 may be made as large as possible to maximize the heat transfer area. However, the width of the heat exchange flow path 52 is smaller than the length of the inlet flow path 51. For example, the width of the heat exchange flow path 52 may be formed to be more than half the length of the tub 20. Accordingly, the inlet flow path 51 is formed in a shape that protrudes from the heat exchange flow path 52 toward the rear cover 12 of the cabinet 10.

The inlet 52a of the heat exchange flow path 52 is provided at one end of the heat exchange flow path 52, and the outlet 52b of the heat exchange flow path 52 is provided at the other end of the heat exchange flow path 52. In other words, the inlet 52a and the outlet 52b of the heat exchange flow path 52 are provided to face each other in a straight line. The inlet 52a and outlet 52b of the heat exchange flow path 52 may be formed to be the same as the cross-section of the heat exchange flow path 52.

The inlet 52a of the heat exchange flow path 52 is connected to the outlet 51b of the inlet flow path 51. The outlet 51b of the inlet flow path 51 may be formed in a shape and size corresponding to the inlet 52a of the heat exchange flow path 52.

The supply flow path 53 is provided on the upper side of the tub 20 and adjacent to the other side of the tub 20, and is formed to discharge the airflow introduced from the heat exchange flow path 52 to the blowing fan 61. The supply flow path 53 is connected to the heat exchange flow path 52 at a right angle. The supply flow path 53 is formed so that the introduced airflow flows in a straight line.

The inlet 53a of the supply flow path 53 is connected to the outlet 52b of the heat exchange flow path 52. The inlet 53a of the supply flow path 53 is provided on one side surface of the supply flow path 53, that is, the side surface in contact with the heat exchange flow path 52. The inlet 53a of the supply flow path 53 may be formed in a shape and size corresponding to the outlet 52b of the heat exchange flow path 52.

The outlet 53b of the supply flow path 53 is formed on the front surface of the supply flow path 53 and is provided at a right angle to the inlet 53a of the supply flow path 53. The outlet 53b of the supply flow path 53 is connected to the intake port 60a of the blowing duct 60.

The supply flow path 53 is formed to discharge air toward the front of the cabinet 10. Accordingly, the air discharged from the outlet 53b of the supply flow path 53 is sucked into the rear surface of the blowing duct 60. In other words, the air discharged from the outlet 53b of the supply flow path 53 is sucked into the blowing fan 61 in a direction from the rear surface of the cabinet 10 toward the front surface thereof.

For example, the outlet 53b of the supply flow path 53 is connected in a straight line to the intake port 60a of the blowing duct 60 disposed on the front surface 21 of the tub 20. Accordingly, the airflow flowing into the supply flow path 53 is sucked straight into the blowing fan 61 accommodated in the blowing duct 60.

The discharge port 60b of the blowing duct 60 is provided to discharge airflow downward toward the diaphragm 25 of the tub 20. The discharge port 60b of the blowing duct 60 may be connected to the diaphragm 25 of the tub 20.

For example, the discharge port 60b of the blowing duct 60 is provided to discharge airflow straight into the diaphragm 25. Accordingly, the inflow airflow flowing into the intake port 60a of the blowing duct 60 and the discharge airflow discharged through the discharge port 60b thereof may form approximately a right angle.

The rear passage 55 is provided on the rear plate 22 of the tub 20 and is formed to guide the airflow discharged from the tub 20 to the upper side of the tub 20. The rear plate 22 of the tub 20 may be provided with a rear opening 22a through which airflow is discharged. The inlet of the rear passage 55 is connected to the rear opening 22a of the tub 20. The outlet 55b of the rear passage 55 is provided to be biased to one side at the rear of tub 20 and is connected to the inlet 51a of the inlet flow path 51.

The discharge passage 54 connecting the blowing fan 61 and the diaphragm 25 may be disposed on the front surface 21 of the tub 20. The discharge passage 54 may be formed to connect the discharge port 60b of the blowing duct 60 and the inflow hole 25a of the diaphragm 25.

For example, the discharge passage 54 is formed to connect the discharge port 60b of the blowing duct 60 and the inflow hole 25a of the diaphragm 25 in a straight line. Accordingly, the airflow discharged from the blowing duct 60 may flow into the inside of the diaphragm 25 in a straight line through the discharge passage 54.

The blowing duct 60 may be disposed on the front surface 21 of the tub 20. The blowing fan 61 is accommodated inside the blowing duct 60. The blowing duct 60 may be formed so that airflow flows into the rear surface and is discharged from the lower surface. In other words, the blowing duct 60 may be formed so that the discharge direction of the airflow is approximately 90 degrees from the inflow direction of the airflow.

The intake port 60a is provided at the rear surface of the blowing duct 60, and the discharge port 60b is provided at the lower surface of the blowing duct 60. For example, the blowing fan 61 disposed inside the blowing duct 60 may be a sirocco fan.

When the blowing fan 61 rotates, air may be sucked into the intake port 60a of the blowing duct 60 and then discharged through the discharge port 60b provided on the lower surface of the blowing duct 60. Accordingly, the direction of the airflow discharged from the discharge port 60b of the blowing duct 60 is approximately 90 degrees from the direction of the airflow sucked into the intake port 60a of the blowing duct 60.

The heat exchanger 70 is formed to remove moisture from the air flowing through the heat exchange flow path 52 and heat the air to make heated air. The heat exchanger 70 may include a compressor 71, an evaporator 73, a condenser 72, and an expansion valve 74. In addition, the heat exchanger 70 may include a refrigerant pipe 75 that connects the compressor 71, the evaporator 73, the condenser 72, and the expansion valve 74 to allow the refrigerant to circulate.

The heat exchanger 70 is formed to remove moisture contained in the air and heat the air through heat exchange with the air while the refrigerant circulates through the condenser 72, the expansion valve 74, and the evaporator 73 by the compressor 71.

The evaporator 73 and the condenser 72 may be disposed in the heat exchange flow path 52. The evaporator 73 and the condenser 72 are disposed at a predetermined distance apart from each other, and the condenser 72 is disposed downstream of the evaporator 73 in the direction of airflow circulation.

The evaporator 73 is connected to the rear passage 55 and removes moisture by cooling the humid air discharged from the tub 20.

The condenser 72 is connected to the blowing fan 61 and heats the air passing through the evaporator 73. Accordingly, high-temperature dry air may be discharged to the diaphragm 25 by the blowing fan 61.

The compressor 71 is disposed above the tub 20 and outside the upper passage 50. In other words, the compressor 71 may be disposed in the space 44 provided between the upper passage 50 and the rear surface of the tub 20. For example, the compressor 71 may be disposed in the space 44 provided between the heat exchange flow path 52 and the rear surface of the tub 20, and the compressor 71 may be disposed in the space 44 provided between the supply flow path 53 and the rear surface of the tub 20.

The refrigerant pipe 75 may be disposed in the space 44 formed by the inlet flow path 51, the heat exchange flow path 52, the supply flow path 53, and the rear of the tub 20 above the tub 20.

Referring to FIG. 4, the ventilation hole 95 may be provided in the rear cover 12 of the cabinet 10. In other words, the ventilation hole 95 may be provided at the rear surface of the cabinet 10 corresponding to the location where the drying device 40 is placed on the upper side of the tub 20. Outside air and inside air of the cabinet 10 may pass through the ventilation hole 95.

A cooling fan 90 that supplies outside air to the drying device 40 may be disposed in the ventilation hole 95. Accordingly, the cooling fan 90 may supply outside air to the compressor 71 of the drying device 40 to cool the heat generated by driving the compressor 71.

In order to effectively cool the heat generated by driving the compressor 71, the ventilation hole 95 may be provided at the rear surface of the cabinet 10 corresponding to the location where the compressor 71 is disposed. Accordingly, the cooling fan 90 may be disposed so that the direction of air supplied by the cooling fan 90 is toward the compressor 71, and thus the heat of the compressor 71 may be effectively cooled.

Referring to FIG. 8A, the inlet flow path 51, the heat exchange flow path 52, the supply flow path 53, the rear passage 55, and the discharge passage 54 may be formed by an inlet flow duct 151, a heat exchange flow duct 152, a supply flow duct 153, a rear duct 155, and a discharge duct 154, respectively.

In detail, the inner space of the inlet flow duct 151 forms the inlet flow path 51, the inner space of the heat exchange flow duct 152 forms the heat exchange flow path 52, and the inner space of the supply flow duct 153 forms the supply flow path 53. The heat exchanger 70, the inlet flow duct 151, and the supply flow duct 153 may form the drying device 40.

In addition, the inner space of the rear duct 155 forms the rear passage 55, and the inner space of the discharge duct 154 forms the discharge passage 54.

The inlet flow duct 151 has a rectangular cross-section, and its rear end is connected to the rear duct 155 forming the rear passage 55. In other words, the inlet 51a is provided at the rear surface of the inlet flow duct 151. The inlet flow duct 151 is disposed above the tub 20 and adjacent to one side of the tub 20. The front surface of the inlet flow duct 151 is adjacent to the front surface 21 of the tub 20, and the rear surface thereof is adjacent to the rear surface of the tub 20.

The outlet 51b is provided on one side surface of the inlet flow duct 151. The outlet 51b of the inlet flow duct 151 is formed in a shape and size corresponding to the inlet 52a of the heat exchange flow duct 152. The outlet 51b of the inlet flow duct 151 and the inlet 52a of the heat exchange flow duct 152 may be formed in a rectangular shape. The outlet 51b of the inlet flow duct 151 may be formed to be the same size or larger than the inlet 52a of the heat exchange flow duct 152. The width of the outlet 51b of the inlet flow duct 151 is shorter than the length of the inlet flow duct 151.

The inlet 51a and outlet 51b of the inlet flow duct 151 may be arranged at a right angle.

The inlet flow duct 151 is disposed on one side of the heat exchange flow duct 152 and guides air flowing in from the rear toward the heat exchange flow duct 152.

The lint filter 81 may be placed inside the inlet flow duct 151. The lint filter 81 may be disposed to be withdrawable from the inlet flow duct 151.

The front surface of the inlet flow duct 151 is open. A lint filter box 80 may be detachably disposed in the inlet flow duct 151 through the front surface of the inlet flow duct 151. The lint filter box 80 may be disposed to slidingly move inside the inlet flow duct 151. Accordingly, the lint filter box 80 may be inserted into or removed from the inlet flow duct 151 in front of the tub 20.

The cooling fan 90 may be disposed at the rear of the drying device 40. The cooling fan 90 may form a supply airflow B1 that supplies outside air to the drying device 40. As an example, the cooling fan 90 may be disposed close to the compressor 71 so that the supply airflow B1 is supplied to the compressor 71. The cooling fan 90 may supply outside air to the compressor 71 to cool the heat generated by the compressor 71 when the compressor 71 is driven.

Referring to FIG. 8B, the combined washer and dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a blowing guide 91 that is disposed in front of the cooling fan 90 and guides the outside air supplied by the cooling fan 90 toward the compressor 71. The blowing guide 91 may be formed so that the airflow B2 generated by the cooling fan 90 reaches the compressor 71 in consideration of the position of each component of the drying device 40.

The blowing guide 91 may be formed as a hollow duct with both ends open. One end of the blowing guide 91 may be disposed in front of the cooling fan 90, and the other end thereof may be disposed toward the side surface of the compressor 71. Accordingly, the cooling fan 90 may generate the guide flow B2 to direct the outside air toward the compressor 71. In addition, by disposing the blowing guide 91, the outside air may be effectively supplied to the compressor 71 when the cooling fan 90 is not disposed close to the compressor 71.

Referring to FIG. 8C, in the cooling fan 90 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the rotation axis of the cooling fan 90 may be arranged toward the compressor 71 so that the direction of the air supplied by the cooling fan 90 is toward the compressor 71. Accordingly, the cooling fan 90 may generate the supply airflow B3 so that the outside air is directly supplied toward the compressor 71, and thus the cooling fan 90 may effectively cool the compressor 71.

Referring to FIG. 8D, the compressor 71 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a heat sink 92 for dissipating heat. The heat sink 92 may be made of a metal material with high thermal conductivity, such as copper, aluminum, and the like. One surface of the heat sink 92 may be disposed on the side surface of the compressor 71. A plurality of protruding fins may be formed on the other surface of the heat sink 92. The plurality of protruding fins may increase the area through which heat is emitted, thereby facilitating the conduction of heat. Accordingly, the heat sink 92 may help the compressor 71 be smoothly cooled by the cooling fan 90.

As an example, the heat sink 92 may be disposed on the side surface of the compressor 71 toward the cooling fan 90. In other words, because the plurality of fins formed on the other surface of the heat sink 92 are disposed toward the cooling fan 90, the compressor 71 may be effectively cooled by the cooling fan 90.

Hereinafter, the lint filter box 80 used in the combined washer and dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a lint filter box 80 is pulled out in a combined washer and dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a lint filter box 80 of a combined washer and dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. For reference, FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the lint filter box 80 without the upper surface to show the lint filter 81.

When the user pulls the front surface of the lint filter box 80 accommodated in the inlet flow duct 151, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the lint filter box 80 may protrude from the front surface 21 of the tub 20, that is, the front cover 11 of the cabinet 10.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the lint filter box 80 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with a long length. The rear end 82 of the lint filter box 80 is open. A filter hole 83 is provided on one side surface of the lint filter box 80, that is, the side surface in contact with the outlet 51b of the inlet flow duct 151. The filter hole 83 may be formed in a shape and size corresponding to the outlet 51b of the inlet flow duct 151.

The open rear end 82 of the lint filter box 80 is in communication with the rear end of the inlet flow duct 151. Accordingly, the airflow flowing into the inlet 51a of the inlet flow duct 151 may flow into the inside of the lint filter box 80 through the opening in the rear end 82 of the lint filter box 80.

The lint filter 81 may be disposed in the filter hole 83 of the lint filter box 80. The lint filter 81 may be detachably disposed in the filter hole 83. Accordingly, the airflow flowing into the lint filter box 80 moves to the heat exchange flow duct 152 through the lint filter 81. Accordingly, foreign substances such as lint contained in the airflow discharged from the tub 20 may be removed by the lint filter 81.

Because the removed foreign substances are accommodated inside the lint filter box 80, the lint filter box 80 may be emptied by separating the lint filter box 80 from the cabinet 10 of the combined washer and dryer 1. At this time, when the lint filter 81 is contaminated, the lint filter 81 disposed in the lint filter box 80 may be cleaned or replaced. In the combined washer and dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure having this structure, foreign substances such as lint collected in the lint filter box 80 may be easily removed.

In the combined washer and dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the rear plate 32 of the drum 30 may be provided with the plurality of through holes 32a and a pressure seal so that the airflow introduced through the front surface of the drum 30 can be discharged through the rear plate 32 of the drum 30.

Hereinafter, the plurality of through-holes 32a and the pressure seal provided at the rear plate 32 of the drum 30 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating a main configuration of a combined washer and dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a rear plate 32 of a drum 30 of a combined washer and dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view illustrating a discharge duct 154 of a combined washer and dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state of airflow passing through a drum 30 of a combined washer and dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the plurality of through-holes 32a may be formed at the rear plate 32 of the drum 30. The plurality of through-holes 32a may be formed to pass through the rear plate 32 of the drum 30 from the front surface to the rear surface. The plurality of through-holes 32a may be formed at all areas excluding a coupling portion 36 of a flange shaft provided at the rear plate 32 of the drum 30. For example, the plurality of through-holes 32a may be formed as hundreds of micro holes or more.

In addition, a whole area of the plurality of through-holes 32a may be formed by three times or more than the cross-sectional area of the discharge duct 154 which is installed at the inflow hole 25a of the diaphragm 25. For example, when the cross-sectional area of the discharge duct 154 is 7000 mm², the whole area of the plurality of through-holes 32a may be 24,000 mm². Here, the cross-sectional area of the discharge duct 154 refers to the cross-sectional area of the inlet 54a of the discharge duct 154 shown in FIG. 12.

In this way, when the plurality of through-holes 32a are formed at the rear plate 32 of the drum 30, flow resistance of the drum 30 may be greatly reduced compared to the case where there are the plurality of through-holes 33a only at the side surface 33 of the drum 30. Accordingly, the airflow which is introduced into the drum opening 31a of the drum 30 may be mostly discharged to the rear passage 55 through the plurality of through-holes 32a of the rear plate 32. As a result, the high-temperature dry airflow flowing into the front side of the drum 30 passes through all of the laundry in the drum 30 and then is discharged through the plurality of through-holes 32a of the rear plate 32 of the drum 30, so that the drying of the laundry may be effectively performed.

However, as illustrated in FIG. 14, some of the airflow flowing into the drum 30 may be discharged into the space between the tub 20 and the drum 30 through the plurality of through-holes 33a formed at the side surface 33 of the drum 30, and then discharged to the rear passage 55 through the discharge hole 22a formed in the rear plate 22 of the tub 20. When the airflow is discharged through the plurality of through-holes 33a formed at the side surface 33 of the drum 30 as described above, the airflow does not pass through all the laundry, thereby reducing drying efficiency.

In order to further increase the drying efficiency, the airflow inside the drum 30 may be prevented from being discharged through the plurality of through-holes 33a on the side surface 33 of the drum 30 as much as possible.

To this end, the pressure seal is provided between the rear surface of the rear plate 32 of the drum 30 and the front surface of the rear plate 22 of the tub 20. The pressure seal may be formed as a labyrinth seal.

Referring to FIG. 11, a first labyrinth seal 27 is provided at an edge of the rear surface of the rear plate 32 of the drum 30, and a second labyrinth seal 28 is provided at an edge of the front surface of the rear plate 22 of the tub 20.

The first labyrinth seal 27 may be formed as a first rib 27b that protrudes toward the tub 20 from a first base 27a disposed on the outside of the rear surface of the drum 30, and the second labyrinth seal 28 may be formed as a second rib 28b protruding toward the drum 30 from a second base 28a disposed on the inside of the rear surface of the tub 20.

When the first and second labyrinth seals 27 and 28 are installed between the rear surface of the rear plate 32 of the drum 30 and the front surface of the rear plate 22 of the tub 20, the great flow resistance may be generated between the rear surface of the rear plate 32 of the drum 30 and the front surface of the rear plate 22 of the tub 20. Accordingly, the amount of air that is leaked through the plurality of through-holes 33a of the side surface 33 of the drum 30 and introduced between the rear plate 32 of the drum 30 and the rear plate 22 of the tub 20 may be minimized.

FIG. 15 is a graph illustrating reduction of airflow leakage from a side surface of a drum 30 due to labyrinth seals 27 and 28 in a combined washer and dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

In FIG. 15, a vertical axis represents a leak rate. The leak rate represents the ratio of air discharged through the plurality of through-holes 33a on the side surface 33 of the drum 30 to the air introduced into the drum 30. The leak rate was calculated through computer simulation.

A represents the leak rate of the combined washer and dryer according to an embodiment of the disclosure without the labyrinth seals 27 and 28, and B represents the leak rate of the combined washer and dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure with the labyrinth seals 27 and 28. The combined washer and dryer of A may have the same structure as the combined washer and dryer 1 of B except that it does not have the labyrinth seals 27 and 28.

Referring to FIG. 15, the leak rate A of the combined washer and dryer without the labyrinth seals 27 and 28 is 26.9%, but the leak rate B of the combined washer and dryer 1 with the labyrinth seals 27 and 28 is 12.8%. Accordingly, it may be seen that the leak rate of air through the plurality of through-holes 33a on the side surface 33 of the drum 30 is reduced by half or more due to the labyrinth seals 27 and 28.

The combined washer and dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure having the structure described above has a flow path shape and a blowing fan that may minimize flow resistance and maximize air volume. Therefore, the drying performance of the combined washer and dryer according to an embodiment of the disclosure is similar to that of a dedicated dryer that has only a drying function and no washing function.

In other words, the combined washer and dryer according to an embodiment of the disclosure may have drying performance comparable to that of a dedicated dryer.

In the above, various embodiments of the disclosure have been described individually, but each embodiment does not necessarily have to be implemented alone, and the configuration and operation of each embodiment may be implemented in combination with at least one other embodiment.

In addition, although the preferred embodiments of the disclosure have been shown and described above, the disclosure is not limited the specific embodiments described above, and various modifications and implementations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the disclosure as claimed in the claims. These modified implementations should not be understood individually from the technical idea or perspective of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A combined washer and dryer comprising: a cabinet with a laundry inlet at a front surface thereof;a tub, arrangeable inside the cabinet, with a front opening such that while the tub is arrange inside the cabinet, the front opening of the tub is at the laundry inlet of the cabinet,the tub including a rear opening;a drum rotatable inside the tub; anda drying device, arrangeable above the tub, configured to supply heated air toward the front opening,wherein the drying device comprises:a heat exchanger including an evaporator and a condenser;a compressor, arrangeable behind the heat exchanger, configured to compress and circulate refrigerant of the heat exchanger;an inlet flow duct arrangeable on one side of the heat exchanger such that while the inlet flow duct is arranged on the one side of the heat exchanger, air flowing in through the rear opening of the tub is guided toward the heat exchanger through the inlet flow duct;a supply flow duct arrangeable on another side of the heat exchanger such that while the supply flow duct is arranged on the other side of the heat exchanger, the air that has passed through the heat exchanger is guided through the supply flow duct to be discharged forward; anda blowing fan configured to supply the air discharged from the supply flow duct to the front opening, andwherein the combined washer and dryer further comprises:a ventilation hole at a rear surface of the cabinet corresponding to a position where the drying device is arranged; anda cooling fan arrangeable in the ventilation hole such that while the cooling fan is arranged in the ventilation hole, outside air is supplied to the compressor.

2. The combined washer and dryer of claim 1 further comprising: a blowing guide arrangeable in front of the cooling fan such that while the blowing guide is arranged in the in the front of the cooling fan, the outside air supplied by the cooling fan is guided toward the compressor.

3. The combined washer and dryer of claim 2, wherein the blowing guide is formed as a hollow duct with both ends open, and one end of the blowing guide is in front of the cooling fan, and another end of the blowing guide is toward a side surface of the compressor.

4. The combined washer and dryer of claim 1, wherein the ventilation hole is at the rear surface of the cabinet corresponding to the position where the compressor is disposed so that a direction of air supplied by the cooling fan is toward the compressor.

5. The combined washer and dryer of claim 1, wherein a rotation axis of the cooling fan is along the compressor so that a direction of air supplied by the cooling fan is toward the compressor.

6. The combined washer and dryer of claim 1, further comprising: a heat sink arrangeable on a side surface of the compressor such that while the heat sink is arranged on the side surface of the compressor heat from the compressor dissipated.

7. The combined washer and dryer of claim 6, wherein the heat sink is arranged in a direction toward the cooling fan on the side surface of the compressor.