Patent ID: 7421865
Filing Date: 2008-09-09
Classification: D06F

Abstract:
1. A washing machine with a drying function, comprising: a tub disposed and supported in a cabinet; a drum rotatably disposed inside the tub for receiving laundry, the drum being provided with through-holes; a driving unit for rotating the drum; a heater mounted to the tub for heating wash water or air in the tub; and a circulating channel for guiding air heated by the heater to the outside of the tub and then supplying the air into the drum, wherein the tub is provided with a heater-accommodating groove part for accommodating the heater, and the circulating channel has one end communicating with the heater-accommodating groove part, wherein the circulating channel is disposed between a front portion of the tub and a front cover of the cabinet, and wherein the circulating channel comprises: a tub-side communicating hole formed at a lower front portion of the tub for allowing air heated by the heater to flow out of the tub therethrough; a circulating duct having one end connected to the tub-side communicating hole, a conduit extending upwardly, and the other end connected to an upper portion of a gasket; and a gasket-side communicating hole port formed at the gasket for allowing air guided into the circulation duct to flow to the inside of the gasket therethrough.