Patent Publication Number: US-2005138973-A1

Title: Washing machine with drying function

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to a washing machine with drying function, and, more particularly, to a washing machine with drying function that is capable of directly supplying air, heated while passing through a heater duct, into a tub not through a gasket.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      Generally, a laundry machine is a machine that removes contaminants from clothes or bedclothes (hereinafter, referred to as “the laundry”) with a detergent and water (hereinafter, referred to as “wash water”). The laundry machine may be generally classified into a washing machine that only washes the laundry, a drying machine that only dries the laundry, and a washing machine with drying function that washes and dries the laundry.  
       FIG. 1  is a side sectional view, cutaway in part, illustrating the inner structure of a conventional washing machine with drying function.  
      As shown in  FIG. 1 , the conventional washing machine with drying function comprises: a cabinet  2 ; a tub  10  mounted in the cabinet  2  for receiving wash water; a drum  20  rotatably disposed in the tub for receiving the laundry m; a motor  30  for rotating the drum while supporting the drum  20 ; and a drying unit  40  for drawing air out of the drum  20 , condensing and heating the drawn air, and supplying the condensed and heated air into the drum  20  to dry the laundry m.  
      The cabinet  2  is provided at one side thereof with an inlet/outlet hole  3  for allowing the laundry m to be put into or taken out of the cabinet  2  therethrough. To the cabinet  2  is hingedly attached a door  4  for opening and closing the inlet/outlet hole  3 .  
      The door  4  comprises: a doorframe  4   a  hingedly connected to the cabinet  2 ; and a door glass  4   b  attached to the doorframe  4   a . The door glass  4   b  is formed such that the door glass  4   b  is convex toward the rear of the door glass  4   b.    
      The tub  10  is connected to a spring  5 , which is connected to the top part of the cabinet  2 , while the tub  10  is suspended by the spring  5 . Also, the tub  10  is laid on a damper mounted to the bottom part of the cabinet  2 , while the tub  10  is supported by the damper  6 , such that shock applied to the tub  10  is absorbed by the damper  6 .  
      To the tub  10  is connected a water-supply unit  12  for supplying wash water, which is supplied from the outside of the washing machine, into the tub  10 . To the tub  10  is also connected a drainage unit  14  for draining wash water in the tub  10  out of the washing machine.  
      To the tub  10  is attached a gasket  16 , which is closely coupled to the door  4 , when the door  4  is closed, for preventing the laundry m, wash water, and air from flowing out of the space between the door  4  and the tub  10 .  
      At the gasket  16  is formed a tub-shaped drying unit connection member  18 , to which the drying unit  40  is connected, while the drying unit connection member  18  is protruded from one side of the gasket  16 .  
      Specifically, the drying unit connection member  18  is formed at the outer circumferential part of the gasket  16  while being protruded in the radial direction of the gasket  16 .  
      The drum  20  is provided with an inlet/outlet hole  21  for allowing the laundry m, wash water, and air to be introduced into and taken out of the drum  20  therethrough, and through-holes  22  for allowing wash water and air to be introduced into and discharged out of the drum  20  therethrough.  
      The motor  30  is supported by the tub  10  through a bearing disposed between the motor  30  and the tub  10  while a rotary shaft of the motor  30  penetrates the tub  10 . The end of the motor is connected to the drum  20 .  
      The drying unit  40  comprises: a condensing duct  42  connected to one side of the tub  10 ; a cooling water valve  43  for allowing cooling water to flow therethrough or stopping the cooling water from flowing therethrough; a cooling water injection member  44  connected to the cooling water valve  43  for injecting cooling water into the condensing duct  42 ; and a heater duct  48  communicating with the condensing duct  42  and having a circulating fan  45  and a heater  46  mounted therein for supplying high-temperature and low-humidity air into the drum  20 .  
      The heater duct  48  has an outlet fixedly connected to the drying unit connection member  18  of the gasket  16  in such a manner that the outlet of the heater duct  48  is inserted in or fitted on the drying unit connection member  18 .  
      The operation of the conventional washing machine with drying function will be described below.  
      When a user puts the laundry m into the drum  20 , closes the door  4 , and operates the washing machine, wash water is supplied to the washing machine through the water-supply unit  12 .  
      The supplied wash water is introduced into the tub  10  such that the wash water is filled in the tub  10 , and is also introduced into the drum  20  through the inlet/outlet hole  21  or the through-holes  22  of the drum  20  such that the laundry m is wetted by the wash water.  
      When the motor  30  is driven after the wash water is supplied as described above, the drum  20  is rotated. As a result, the laundry m is shaken in the drum  20  so that stains are removed by the wash water.  
      When the washing operation of the washing machine is finished as described above, the contaminated wash water in the tub  10  is drained out of the washing machine through the drainage unit  14 .  
      Thereafter, several rinsing operations of the washing machine are carried out for rinsing out bubbles left in the laundry m. The water-supply unit  12  and the motor  30  are controlled to rinse out the bubbles left in the laundry as in the washing operation, and the contaminated water, including the bubbles, is drained out of the washing machine through the drainage unit  14 .  
      After the rinsing operations of the washing machine are carried out several times as described above, the dewatering operation is carried out for centrifugally separating moisture from the laundry m.  
      As the dewatering operation of the washing machine has been finished as described above, the drying unit  40  is operated to dry the laundry m.  
      The motor  30  is driven to rotate the drum  20 , and the cooling water valve  43 , the circulating fan  45 , and the heater  46  are turned on. In this way, the drying operation of the washing machine is carried out.  
      As the cooling water valve  43  is opened, the cooling water is injected into the condensing duct  42 . As the circulating fan  45  is rotated, low-temperature and high-humidity air in the drum  20  is introduced into the condensing duct  42  through the tub  10 . The air is condensed by the cooling water while passing through the condensing duct  42 .  
      The air having passed through the condensing duct  42  is guided through the heater duct  48 . At this time, the air is heated by the heater  46 , and therefore the air is changed into hot wind. The hot wind passes through the drying unit connection member  18  of the gasket  16 , is guided to the inside of the gasket  16 , strikes the door glass  4   b  of the door  4 , and is then blown toward the drum  20  such that the laundry is dried by the blown hot wind. As a result, the hot wind is changed into low-temperature and high-humidity air.  
      In the conventional washing machine with drying function as described above, however, the drying unit  40  is connected to the gasket  16 . Consequently, the structure of the gasket  16  is complicated. Also, the hot wind passes through the gasket  16 , strikes the door glass  4   b  of the door  4 , and is then blown toward the laundry m. Consequently, the hot wind introduction channel is complicated, and therefore, flow and heat loss of the hot wind is large.  
      Furthermore, the gasket  16  may be deformed due to vibration of the tub  10  or the drum  20 . When the hot wind introduction channel is deformed or blocked due to the deformation of the gasket  16 , it is difficult to introduce the hot wind having passed through the heater duct  48  into the drum  20 . Also, the gasket  16  may be damaged due to the hot wind.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine with drying function that is capable of minimizing flow and heat loss of hot wind, whereby the drying performance of the washing machine with drying function is improved.  
      It is another object of the present invention to prevent a gasket of the washing machine with drying function from being damaged, whereby the service life of the gasket is prevented from being shortened.  
      In accordance with the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a washing machine with drying function, comprising: a tub disposed in a cabinet while being supported; a drum rotatably disposed inside the tub, the drum being provided with through-holes; a condensing duct connected to one side of the tub; a heater duct connected to the condensing duct, the heater duct having a heater and a blowing fan mounted therein; and a connection duct connected to the heater duct and the tub, while communicating with the heater duct and the tub, for guiding air having passed through the heater duct into the tub.  
      Preferably, the washing machine with drying function further comprises: a heater duct gasket disposed between the heater duct and the connection duct for sealing a space between the heater duct and the connection duct.  
      Preferably, the washing machine with drying function further comprises: a tub gasket disposed between the connection duct and the tub for sealing a space between the connection duct and the tub.  
      Preferably, the connection duct is fixed to an upper position of a front part of the tub by means of fixing bolts.  
      Preferably, the tub is provided at an upper position of the front part thereof with bosses, and the connection duct is fixed to the bosses by means of the fixing bolts.  
      Preferably, the tub is provided at one side thereof with a first communication hole communicating with the condensing duct, and at the other side thereof with a second communication hole communicating with the connection duct.  
      Preferably, the connection duct is provided with a stepped end, the stepped end being inserted in the second communication hole of the tub.  
      Preferably, the connection duct is fixed to the heater duct by means of fixing bolts.  
      Preferably, the drum is provided with a plurality of hot wind through-holes for directly guiding hot wind having passed through the connection duct into the drum.  
      The washing machine with drying function of the present invention has an effect in that the heater duct, which has the heater and the blowing fan mounted therein, communicates with the condensing duct, and the connection duct, which guides air having passed through the heater duct into the tub, communicates with the heater duct and the tub, whereby flow and heat loss of the hot wind is minimized, and thus, the drying performance of the washing machine with drying function is improved.  
      The washing machine with drying function of the present invention has an effect in that air having passed through the heater duct is guided along the connection duct, not through the gasket, whereby damage to the gasket, which may be caused when the air having passed the heater duct is guided through the gasket, is prevented, and thus, the service life of the gasket is prevented from being shortened.  
      The washing machine with drying function of the present invention has an effect in that the heater duct gasket is disposed between the heater duct and the connection duct, and the tub gasket is disposed between the connection duct and the tub, whereby outflow of hot wind is minimized.  
      The washing machine with drying function of the present invention has an effect in that the connection duct is fixed to the upper position of the front part of the tub by means of the fixing bolts, and the connection duct is also fixed to the lower end of the heater duct by means of the fixing bolts, whereby easy and convenient fixing of the connection duct is accomplished.  
      The washing machine with drying function of the present invention has an effect in that a plurality of hot wind through-holes are formed at the drum such that hot wind having passed through the connection duct can be directly guided into the drum, whereby the smooth flow of air is accomplished, and thus, the drying performance of the washing machine with drying function is improved. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a side view, in section, illustrating a conventional washing machine with drying function;  
       FIG. 2  is a side view, in section, illustrating a washing machine with drying function according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view, cutaway in part, illustrating the washing machine with drying function according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view, in part, illustrating the washing machine with drying function according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, before a connecting duct shown in  FIG. 3  is attached to a tub and a heater duct. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      Now, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
       FIG. 2  is a side view, in section, illustrating a washing machine with drying function according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 3  is a perspective view, cutaway in part, illustrating the washing machine with drying function according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
      As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the washing machine with drying function according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises: a cabinet  50  forming the external appearance of the washing machine; a tub  60  disposed in the cabinet  50  while being supported in a shock-absorbing fashion; a drum  70  rotatably disposed inside the tub  60  for receiving the laundry; a condensing duct  80  communicating with one side of the tub  60 ; and a drying duct  86  communicating with the condensing duct  80 , the drying duct  86  having a heater  85  and a blowing fan  87  mounted therein, the drying duct  86  communicating with the other side of the tub  60  for directly guiding air heated by the heater  85  into the tub  60 .  
      The cabinet  50  comprises: a base pan  52 ; a cabinet body  54  fixedly disposed on the base pan  52 ; a cabinet cover  56  attached to the front part of the cabinet body  54 ; and a top cover  58  fixedly disposed on the top part of the cabinet body  54 .  
      The cabinet cover  56  is provided with a laundry inlet/outlet hole  56   a  for allowing the laundry to be put into or taken out of the cabinet  50  therethrough. To the cabinet cover  56  is hingedly connected a door  56   b  for opening and closing the laundry inlet/outlet hole  56   a.    
      At the upper part of the cabinet cover  56  or the upper surface of the top cover  58  is disposed a control panel  59  for controlling the washing machine with drying function.  
      The tub  60  is formed in the shape of a cylinder that is disposed horizontally or at a slope of predetermined degrees. The tub  60  is provided with an opening hole  61   a , which is disposed at the rear of the laundry inlet/outlet hole  56   a . The tub  60  is connected to the cabinet body  54  by springs  61   b . The tub  60  is also connected to the base pan  52  by a damper  61   c.    
      To the tub  60  is connected a water-supply unit  62  for supplying wash water into the tub  60 . To the tub  60  is also connected a drainage unit  63  for draining contaminated wash water or water separated from the laundry m out of the washing machine.  
      The water-supply unit  62  comprises: a water-supply valve  62   b  connected to an external hose  62   a  for allowing wash water supplied from the external hose  62   a  to flow therethrough or stopping the wash water from flowing therethrough; a water-supply hose  62   c  for guiding the wash water having passed through the water-supply valve  62   b ; a detergent box  62   d  disposed such that the wash water guided along the water-supply hose  62   c  passes through the detergent box  62   d ; and a water-supply bellows  62   e  for guiding the wash water having passed through the detergent box  62   d  into the tub  60 .  
      The drainage unit  63  comprises: a drainage bellows  63   a  connected to the tub  60  for guiding wash water or water from the tub  60  to a drainage pump  63   b  therealong; the drainage pump  63   b  for pumping out the wash water or the water guided along the drainage bellows  63   a ; and a drainage hose  63   c  for guiding the wash water or the water pumped out by the drainage pump  63   b  out of the washing machine with drying function.  
      The tub  60  is provided with a first communication hole  64   a  communicating with the condensing duct  80  for discharging air from the tub  60  to the condensing duct  80 . The tub  60  is also provided with a second communication hole  64   b  communicating with the drying duct  86  for directly discharging air from the drying duct  86  to the tub  60 .  
      The first communication hole  64   a  is formed at the rear part of the tub  60 .  
      The second communication hole  64   b  is formed at the front part of the tub  60 .  
      Preferably, the second communication hole  64   b  is formed at the upper position of the front part of the tub  60 .  
      To the tub  60  is attached a drum-driving unit for rotating the drum  70  while supporting the drum  70 .  
      The drum-driving unit may comprise a motor mounted to the rear part of the tub  60  for directly rotating the drum. Alternatively, the drum-driving unit may comprise: a drive shaft  65  penetrating the rear part of the tub  60 , the drive shaft  65  having the front end connected to the drum  70  and the rear end protruded toward the rear of the tub  60 ; a motor  66  mounted to the tub  60 ; a driving pulley  67  attached to a rotary shaft of the motor  66 ; a driven pulley  68  attached to the rear end of the drive shaft  65 ; and a belt  69  wound on the driving pulley  67  and the driven pulley  68 . It should be noted that the drum-driving unit comprises the drive shaft  65 , the motor  66 , the driving pulley  67 , the driven pulley  68 , and the belt  69  in the following description.  
      The drum  70  is formed in the shape of a cylinder that is disposed horizontally or at a slope of predetermined degrees in the tub  60 . The drum  70  is provided at the front center part thereof with an opening hole  71  for allowing the laundry m and wash water to be introduced into and taken out of the drum  70  therethrough. The drum  70  is provided at at least one of the circumferential part and the rear part thereof with through-holes  72  for allowing wash water and air to be introduced into and discharged out of the drum  70  therethrough. To the inner circumferential part of the drum  70  are attached lifts  73  for lifting the laundry m such that the laundry m is lifted by the lifts  73  and then dropped from the lifts  73 .  
      It should be noted that the through-holes  72  are formed not only at the circumferential part of the drum  70  but also at the rear part of the drum  70  in the following description.  
      The drum  70  is also provided with a plurality of hot wind through-holes  74  for directly guiding hot wind directly blown into the tub  60  through the drying duct  86  into the drum  70 .  
      The plurality of hot wind through-holes  74  are formed at the front part of the drum  70 .  
      The condensing duct  80  has the lower end communicating with the first communication hole  64   a  of the tub  60  while being vertically disposed by the side of the tub  60  or at the rear of the tub  60 , or disposed at a slope of predetermined degrees. Also, the condensing duct  80  has the upper end communicating with the rear end of the drying duct  86 .  
      The condensing duct  80  is provided with cooling water supplying means for supplying cooling water into the condensing duct  80 .  
      The cooling water supplying means comprises: a cooling water injection member  81  formed at the condensing duct  80  for injecting cooling water into the condensing duct  80 ; a cooling water valve  83  connected to an external hose  82  for allowing cooling water B supplied through the external hose  82  to flow therethrough or stopping the cooling water B from flowing therethrough; and a cooling water hose  84  connected to the cooling water valve  83  for guiding the cooling water having passed through the cooling water valve  83  into the cooling water injection member  81 .  
      The drying duct  86  comprises: a heater duct  90  having one end communicating with the condensing duct  80 , the heater duct  90  having the heater  85  and the blowing fan  87  mounted therein; and a connection duct  100  having one end communicating with the heater duct  90  and the other end communicating with the second communication hole  64   b  of the tub  60 .  
      The heater duct  90  is disposed on the tub  60  such that the heater duct  90  extends from the front end of the tub  60  to the rear end of the tub  60 . The rear end of the heater duct  90  communicates with the condensing duct  80 . The heater  85  and the blowing fan  87  are mounted in the heater duct  90 . The front end of the heater duct  90  is bent in the shape of a “┐” toward the front part of the tub  60 .  
      In the heater duct  90  is also mounted a fan motor  88 , to which the blowing fan  87  is connected via a shaft.  
      Preferably, the fan motor  88  is a brushless direct-current motor that is able to vary the rotary force of the motor.  
      The connection duct  100  is formed in the shape of an elbow pipe. The connection duct  100  has the upper end communicating with the interior of the heater duct  90  and the lower end communicating with the second communication hole  64   b  of the tub  60 .  
      The connection duct  100  is provided with a stepped end  111 , which is inserted into the second communication hole  64   b  of the tub  60  when the connection duct  100  is connected to the tub  60 .  
      The washing machine with drying function according to the present invention further comprises: a tub gasket  110  disposed between the connection duct  100  and the tub  60  for sealing the space between the connection duct  100  and the tub  60 .  
      The washing machine with drying function according to the present invention further comprises: a heater duct gasket  120  disposed between the heater duct  90  and the connection duct  100  for sealing the space between the heater duct  90  and the connection duct  100 .  
      Reference numeral  95  indicates a fixing bracket mounted on the tub  60 . The heater duct  90  is fixed to the fixing bracket  95  by means of fixing bolts, thereby preventing heat in the heater duct  90  from being transferred to the tub  60 .  
      Reference numeral  130  indicates a gasket disposed between the opening hole  61   a  of the tub  60  and the laundry inlet/outlet hole  56   a  of the cabinet cover  56  for preventing the laundry m, wash water, and air from flowing out of the space between the tub  60  and the cabinet cover  56 .  
      Reference numerals  132  and  134  indicate left and right balance weights disposed at both sides of the front part of the tub, respectively, while the opposite upper ends of the left and right balance weights  132  and  134  are spaced apart from each other by a distance greater than the width of the connection duct  100  such that the connection duct  100  can be connected to the tub  60 .  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view, in part, illustrating the washing machine with drying function according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, before the connecting duct  100  shown in  FIG. 3  is attached to the tub  60  and the heater duct  90 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 4 , the connection duct  100  is fixed to the upper position of the front part of the tub  60  by means of fixing bolts  101  and  102 .  
      Above the opening hole of the tub  60  are disposed left and right fixing bosses  61   f  and  61   g  having fixing holes  61   d  and  61   e  formed therethrough, respectively. The left and right fixing bosses  61   f  and  61   g  are protruded forward while being spaced apart from each other right and left. At the lower parts of both sides of the connection duct  100  are disposed left and right lower fixing pieces  103  and  104 , which are protruded outward, respectively. The left and right lower fixing pieces  103  and  104  are provided with fixing holes  103   a  and  104   a  corresponding to the fixing holes  61   d  and  61   e  of the left and right fixing bosses  61   f  and  61   g , respectively.  
      The connection duct  100  is connected to the tub  60  as follows: the tub gasket  110  is fitted onto the stepped end  11  of the connection duct  100 , and the stepped end  111  of the connection duct  100  is inserted into the second communication hole  64   b  of the tub  60 . As a result, the connection duct  100  is tightly fitted in the tub  60  while the tub gasket  110  is disposed between the connection duct  100  and the tub  60 .  
      At this time, the stepped end  111  of the connection duct  100  is fitted in the second communication hole  64   b  of the tub  60  such that the stepped end ill of the connection duct  100  cannot be moved to the front, the rear, the left, and the right.  
      Specifically, the fixing hole  103   a  of the left lower fixing piece  103  of the connection duct  100  fully communicates with the fixing hole  61   d  of the left fixing boss  61   f , and the fixing hole  104   a  of the right lower fixing piece  104  of the connection duct  100  fully communicates with the fixing hole  61   e  of the right fixing boss  61   g.    
      Thereafter, the first fixing bolt  101  is inserted through the fixing hole  103   a  of the left lower fixing piece  103  and the fixing hole  61   d  of the left fixing boss  61   f , and the second fixing bolt  102  is inserted through the fixing hole  104   a  of the right lower fixing piece  104  and the fixing hole  61   e  of the right fixing boss  61   g . In this way, the connection duct  100  is conveniently and quickly connected to the tub  60 .  
      The connection duct  100  is fixed to the heater duct  90  by means of fixing bolts  105  and  106 .  
      At both sides of the front end of the heater duct  90  are disposed left and right lower fixing pieces  91  and  92 , which are protruded outward, respectively. The left and right lower fixing pieces  91  and  92  have fixing holes  91   a  and  91   b  formed therethrough, respectively. At the upper parts of both sides of the upper end of the connection duct  100  are disposed left and right upper fixing pieces  107  and  108 , which are protruded outward, respectively. The left and right upper fixing pieces  107  and  108  are provided with fixing holes  107   a  and  108   a  corresponding to the fixing holes  91   a  and  92   a  of the left and right lower fixing pieces  91  and  92  of the heater duct  90 , respectively.  
      The connection duct  100  is connected to the heater duct  90  as follows: the heater duct gasket  120  is disposed between the upper end of the connection duct  100  and the outlet of the heater duct  90 . While the fixing hole  107   a  of the left upper fixing piece  107  of the connection duct  100  fully communicates with the fixing hole  91   a  of the left lower fixing piece  91  of the heater duct  90 , the third fixing bolt  105  is inserted through the fixing hole  91   a  of the left lower fixing piece  91  and the fixing hole  107   a  of the left upper fixing piece  107 . Similarly, while the fixing hole  108   a  of the right upper fixing piece  108  of the connection duct  100  fully communicates with the fixing hole  92   a  of the right lower fixing piece  92  of the heater duct  90 , the fourth fixing bolt  106  is inserted through the fixing hole  92   a  of the right lower fixing piece  92  and the fixing hole  108   a  of the right upper fixing piece  108 .  
      The operation of the washing machine with the above-stated construction according to the present invention will now be described in detail.  
      During the washing operation of the washing machine with drying function, wash water is supplied into the tub  60  by the water-supply unit  62 . The wash water supplied into the tub  60  is introduced into the drum  70  through the opening hole  71  or the through-holes  72  of the drum  70  such that the laundry in the drum  70  is wetted.  
      When the motor  66  is driven while the wash water is supplied as described above, the drum  70  is rotated. As the drum  70  is rotated, the laundry in the drum  70  is shaken by the lifts  73 , and therefore, contaminants are removed from the laundry.  
      After the washing operation of the washing machine with drying function has been finished, the contaminated wash water in the tub  60  is drained out of the washing machine by the drainage unit  63 .  
      During the rinsing operation of the washing machine with drying function, new wash water is supplied into the tub  60  by the water-supply unit  62 . The new wash water supplied into the tub  60  is introduced into the drum  70  through the opening hole  71  or the through-holes  72  of the drum  70  such that the laundry in the drum  70  is wetted.  
      When the motor  66  is driven while the new wash water is supplied as described above, the drum  70  is rotated. As the drum  70  is rotated, the laundry in the drum  70  is shaken by the lifts  73 , and therefore, bubbles left in the laundry are rinsed out.  
      After the rinsing operation of the washing machine with drying function has been finished, the contaminated wash water in the tub  60  is drained out of the washing machine by the drainage unit  63 .  
      During the dewatering operation of the washing machine with drying function, the drum  70  is rotated at high speed as the motor  66  is driven at high speed. As the drum  70  is rotated, the water is centrifugally separated from the laundry while the laundry is pushed against the inner circumferential part of the drum  70 . The water centrifugally separated from the laundry is drained out of the washing machine by the drainage unit  63 .  
      During the drying operation of the washing machine with drying function, the drum  70  is rotated as the motor  66  is driven. As the drum  70  is rotated, the laundry m is agitated in the drum  70  by the lifts  73 .  
      At this time, the cooling water valve  83  and the heater  85  are turned on, and the fan motor  88  is driven to rotate the blowing fan  87 .  
      As the cooling water valve  83  is turned on, i.e., opened, cooling water B is injected into the condensing duct  80 . Air A in the drum  70 , flowing as the blowing fan  87  is rotated, comes into contact with the laundry m. As a result, the temperature of the air is lowered and the humidity of the air is raised.  
      The low-temperature and high-humidity air A in the drum  70  passes through the through-holes  72 , and is then guided to the outside of the drum  70 . Subsequently, the low-temperature and high-humidity air A passes through the first communication hole  64   a  of the tub  60 , and is then guided into the condensing duct  80 .  
      The low-temperature and high-humidity air A guided into the condensing duct  80  is condensed by the cooling water B injected into the condensing duct  80 . As a result, the temperature of the air is lowered and the humidity of the air is also lowered. Subsequently, the low-temperature and low-humidity air is guided into the heater duct  90 .  
      The air A guided into the heater duct  90  is heated by the heater  85 . As a result, the air A is changed into hot wind of high-temperature and low-humidity. The hot wind A is guided into the connection duct  100 .  
      The hot wind A guided into the connection duct  100  passes through the second communication hole  64   b  of the tub  60 , and is then directly guided into the tub  60 . Subsequently, the hot wind A is guided into the drum  70  through the hot wind through-holes  74  of the drum  70  or the opening hole  71  of the drum  70 . The hot wind A guided into the drum  70  comes into contact with the laundry m, and therefore, takes moisture from the laundry m.  
      After that, the air A in the drum  70  is repeatedly circulated/condensed/heated as described above so as to completely dry the laundry m.  
      As apparent from the above description, the washing machine with drying function according to the present invention has the following effects.  
      The washing machine with drying function of the present invention has an effect in that the heater duct, which has the heater and the blowing fan mounted therein, communicates with the condensing duct, and the connection duct, which guides air having passed through the heater duct into the tub, communicates with the heater duct and the tub, whereby flow and heat loss of the hot wind is minimized, and thus, the drying performance of the washing machine with drying function is improved.  
      The washing machine with drying function of the present invention has an effect in that air having passed through the heater duct is guided along the connection duct, not through the gasket, whereby damage to the gasket, which may be caused when the air having passed the heater duct is guided through the gasket, is prevented, and thus, the service life of the gasket is prevented from being shortened.  
      The washing machine with drying function of the present invention has an effect in that the heater duct gasket is disposed between the heater duct and the connection duct, and the tub gasket is disposed between the connection duct and the tub, whereby outflow of hot wind is minimized.  
      The washing machine with drying function of the present invention has an effect in that the connection duct is fixed to the upper position of the front part of the tub by means of the fixing bolts, and the connection duct is also fixed to the lower end of the heater duct by means of the fixing bolts, whereby easy and convenient fixing of the connection duct is accomplished.  
      The washing machine with drying function of the present invention has an effect in that a plurality of hot wind through-holes are formed at the drum such that hot wind having passed through the connection duct can be directly guided into the drum, whereby the smooth flow of air is accomplished, and thus, the drying performance of the washing machine with drying function is improved.  
      Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.