DRUM TYPE WASHING MACHINE HAVING A DRYER THEREIN

Abstract

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

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0161033, filed on Dec. 23, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a drum type washing machine, and more particularly, to a drum type washing machine capable of drying laundry.

BACKGROUND

In general, washing machines may be classified into an agitation type washing machine that washes laundry using an agitator at a center of a washing tub, a vortex type washing machine that washes laundry using a water flow generated by rotating a pulsator having a circular and/or plate shape, and a drum type washing machine that washes laundry by rotating a drum disposed therein.

A tub that holds water is installed in the drum type washing machine, and the drum that holds or accommodates the laundry is in the tub. Therefore, the drum type washing machine performs a process of washing laundry by lifting and dropping laundry by rotation of the drum, thus causing friction between the laundry and the water.

A drum type washing machine that has a drying device (e.g., a dryer) supplies heated air to the drum to dry the laundry.

However, the air heated by the drying device becomes humid while passing through the laundry in the drum, and then flows back into the drying device.

As a result, air in the drum type washing machine circulates continuously. Thus, the drying device is required to continuously raise the heating temperature to dry the air, which becomes humid while passing through the laundry, and to supply the dry air to the drum.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure has been made in an effort to provide a drum type washing machine capable of effectively condensing moisture in the heated air when drying laundry.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a drum type washing machine including a tub; a drying duct that supplies heated air to the tub; and a condensing duct assembly that guides air from the tub to the drying duct, cools the air from the tub, and condenses moisture in the air. The condensing duct assembly includes an inlet duct configured to receive air from the tub; and a discharge duct coupled to and/or receiving one side or end of the inlet duct, configured to receive a coolant, cool at least one of the inlet duct and the discharge duct, and guide air from the inlet duct to the drying duct.

When the inlet duct is inserted into the discharge duct, the coolant may flow and/or be stored between the outer surface of the inlet duct and an inner surface of the discharge duct.

The coolant may move in a longitudinal direction along the inlet duct and/or the discharge duct. In one embodiment, when the coolant overflows, the coolant flows into the inlet duct.

The side or end of the inlet duct inserted into the discharge duct may be inversely tapered or configured to gradually approach an inner surface of the discharge duct along a length of the inlet duct toward the inserted end of the inlet duct (e.g., to guide a flow or movement of the coolant along the inlet duct).

An inserted end of the inlet duct may have a slope configured to become gradually closer to the inner surface of the discharge duct, and a diameter of the inserted end of the inlet duct may be greater than a diameter of the inlet duct closest to a receiving end of the discharge duct.

The drum type washing machine may further include a condensed water discharge path between the tub and the condensing duct assembly, through which the coolant flowing into the inlet duct may be discharged.

An inserted end or portion of the inlet duct may further comprise radial guides and/or projections, which may guide movement and/or flow of coolant in the inlet duct.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the drum type washing machine may effectively condense moisture in the heated air during the drying process.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an exemplary drum type washing machine according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an exemplary condensing duct assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cross section of the exemplary condensing duct assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a first end of one side of an inlet duct and of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating another side of the inlet duct of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains may carry out the exemplary embodiments. The present disclosure may be implemented in various different forms, and is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described herein.

The drawings are schematically illustrated, and the scales of the drawings are not identical to each other. Relative dimensions and ratios of the parts illustrated in the drawings are exaggerated or reduced in terms of sizes thereof for clarification of the drawings and convenience, and any dimension is only illustrative, and is not limited thereto. The same structures, elements, or components illustrated in two or more drawings are designated by the same reference numerals so as to illustrate similar features.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are presented as idealized embodiments of the present disclosure. As a result, various modifications of the drawings are expected. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments are not limited to specific forms in regions illustrated in the drawings, and for example, includes modifications of forms by the manufacture.

Hereinafter, a drum type washing machine 101 according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the drum type washing machine 101 comprises a tub 100, a drying duct 200, and a condensing duct assembly 400.

The tub 100 holds water to wash laundry. The tub 100 is connected with the drying duct 200 to circulate heated air that is used to dry the laundry.

Specifically, the drum type washing machine 101 may further include a drum 300 having a plurality of flow paths through a circumferential surface of the drum 300 configured to guide inflow and outflow of the water in the tub 100. The drum 300 is in the tub 100, and holds or accommodates laundry (for example, clothes).

The tub 100 is spaced apart from the outer surface of the drum 300, so that the tub 100 may hold water discharged from the drum 300 and discharge the water to the outside when the spin-dry cycle. The tub 100 guides heated air from the drying duct 200, so that the heated air flows into the drum 300 to dry the laundry in the drum 300.

The drying duct 200 may supply the heated air to the tub 100. Specifically, a circulating member 210 and a heating member 220 may be in the drying duct 200.

The circulating member 210 may allow air outside the drum type washing machine 101 to flow into the drying duct 200, or allow air inside the drum type washing machine 101 to circulate therein. For example, the circulating member 210 may be a blower and/or fan.

The heating member 220 may heat air that passes through the drying duct 200. The heating member 220 may control the air temperature in the drum type washing machine 101 when drying the laundry. For example, the heating member 220 may be an electric heater.

Alternatively, the drying duct 200 may supply heated air directly to the drum 300.

The condensing duct assembly 400 guides the air from the tub 100 to the drying duct 200. The condensing duct assembly 400 has a coolant therein, configured to cool air from the tub 100 and condense moisture included in the air. The condensing duct assembly 400 discharges condensed water to the outside of the condensing duct assembly 400.

The condensing duct assembly 400 is configured to (i) cool hot and humid air from the tub 100 and condense moisture in the hot and humid air, (ii) discharge the condensed water, and (iii) allow dry air to flow back into the drying duct 200.

Therefore, the air that flows back into the drying duct 200 is drier than the air that flows into the condensing duct assembly 400. In addition, the reduced water content in the air that flows to the heating unit 220, the fan 210, and/or the drying duct 200 may cause less damage and/or corrosion to the heating unit 220, the fan 210, and/or the drying duct 200.

The condensing duct assembly 400 may be between the tub 100 and the drying duct 200, so that the air from the tub 100 flows into the condensing duct assembly 400, and the air passing through the condensing duct assembly 400 flows into the drying duct 200.

The condensing duct assembly 400 of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is supplied with a coolant, and cools the air passing through the interior of the condensing duct assembly 400 to condense the moisture in the air. However, a method of condensing moisture in air passing through the condensing duct assembly 400 is not limited thereto, and may be modified and/or carried out by modified structures using various cooling devices, such as a method that uses cold air, that may be known to those skilled in the art.

Therefore, the drum type washing machine 101 may cool the hot and humid air from the tub and/or drum using the condensing duct assembly 400, discharge the condensed water, and allow the relatively dry air to flow back into the drying duct 200, thereby effectively drying the air that flows back into the drying duct 200, without continuously raising the temperature of the air to remove moisture in the air, that flows back into the drying duct 200.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the condensing duct assembly 400 includes an inlet duct 450 and a discharge duct 480.

The inlet duct 450 guides inflow of the air from the tub 100. The inlet duct 450 may be connected to one side of the tub 100.

The inlet duct 450 may be connected to the one side of the tub 100 to guide inflow of the hot and humid air from the tub 100.

One side or end of the inlet duct 450 is inserted in and/or coupled to the discharge duct 480 and configured to be spaced apart or separated from an inner surface of the discharge duct 480. Thus the side or end of the inlet duct 450 may be inserted into the discharge duct 480, so that the inlet duct 450 and the discharge duct 480 are coupled to each other.

Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a catching projection, ring or protrusion 451, which may be coupled to the discharge duct 480, may be formed on a side or surface of the inlet duct 450 that interfaces with the discharge duct 480. The catching projection 451 may support the first end of the discharge duct 480, such that the one side or end of the inlet duct 450 is inserted into the discharge duct 480, and the inlet duct 450 is coupled to the discharge duct 480.

An outer diameter of the side or end of the inlet duct 450 inserted into the discharge duct 480 may be smaller than an inner diameter of the discharge duct 480, so that a flow path 470 may be between the inserted side or end of the inlet duct 450 and the discharge duct 480.

The flow path 470 may be between an outer surface of the inlet duct 450 and an inner surface of the discharge duct 480 that faces the outer surface of the inlet duct 450. Alternatively, either or both of the inlet duct 450 and the discharge duct 480 may include a sleeve or jacket (e.g., an outer circumferential wall and an inner circumferential wall) through with the coolant passes. The inner wall of the sleeve or jacket of the inlet duct 450 and/or the discharge duct 480 may have an opening therein for excess or overflowing coolant to pass into the inlet duct 450 and/or the discharge duct 480.

One side or end of the inlet duct 450 may be inserted into the discharge duct 480, and the inlet duct 450 is coupled to the discharge duct 480. Specifically, a coolant inlet hole 481 may be at one side and/or end of the discharge duct 480 to supply and/or guide coolant along and/or to the inlet duct 450.

Therefore, to prevent coolant that flows through the coolant inlet hole 481 from leaking through the interface between the discharge duct 480 and the inlet duct 450, a tight seal may be maintained between the interface end of the discharge duct 480 and the catching projection 451 of the inlet duct 450 that supports the interface end of the discharge duct 480.

One side of the flow path 470 may be closed when the catching projection, ring or protrusion 451 of the inlet duct 450 and the end of the discharge duct 480 are coupled to each other, and the other side of the flow path 470 may be open because the inserted end of the inlet duct 450 is spaced apart or separated from the inner surface of the discharge duct 480.

The discharge duct 480 cools the outer surface of the inlet duct 450 inserted into the discharge duct 480, using the coolant that flows through the coolant inlet hole 481.

Specifically, a length of the discharge duct 480 may be greater than a length of the side or end of the inlet duct 450 that is inserted into the discharge duct 480.

The discharge duct 480 may be supplied with the coolant, and may cool the outer surface of the inlet duct 450, that is in the discharge duct 480 to condense moisture in the air that passes through the inlet duct 450.

The discharge duct 480 guides the air from the inlet duct 450, so that the air is discharged to the drying duct 200.

Therefore, the discharge duct 480 may cool the outer surface of the one side of the inlet duct 450 that is in the discharge duct 480 using the supplied coolant, condense moisture in the hot and humid air that passes through the inlet duct 450, and guide dry air from the inlet duct 450 to the drying duct 200.

Specifically, moisture in the air is condensed while the air passes through the inlet duct 450, and thus, the air that is discharged to the drying duct 200 through the discharge duct 480 is drier than the air that flows into the inlet duct 450.

Therefore, the drum type washing machine 101 according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure includes the condensing duct assembly 400, which includes the inlet duct 450 and the discharge duct 480, thereby cooling the outer surface of the inlet duct 450, effectively condensing moisture included in the air that passes through the inlet duct 450, and discharging the dried air to the drying duct 200.

The coolant of the drum type washing machine 101 according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may comprise water (e.g., tap water), for example from a water supply valve (not shown) in the washing machine.

The coolant may flow and be stored between the outer surface of the inlet duct 450, and the discharge duct 480 that faces the inlet duct 450. Thus, the coolant may flow through and/or be stored in the flow path 470.

Therefore, even when the coolant is not continuously supplied to the discharge duct 480 when the laundry is dried, the coolant may be stored between the outer surface of the inserted inlet duct 450, and the inner surface of the discharge duct 480, thereby effectively condensing the moisture included in the air that passes through the interior of the inlet duct 450.

Since the coolant may be in the flow path 470, the condensing duct assembly 400 may effectively condense the moisture included in the air from the tub 100, and guide the dried air to the drying duct 200.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the coolant of the drum type washing machine 101 according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may overflow and then flow into the inlet duct 450.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the coolant may be supplied between the outer surface of the inserted inlet duct 450, and the discharge duct 480 that faces the one side of the inlet duct 450, and move longitudinally along the inserted side or end of inlet duct 450, and overflow into the inlet duct 450.

Specifically, since the coolant inlet hole 481 is below the inserted end of the inlet duct 450, the coolant may flow and/or be stored in the flow path 470, and the excess and/or overflowing coolant may overflow into the inlet duct 450.

When the coolant is continuously supplied to the coolant inlet hole 481 in the discharge duct 480, the coolant flows along the flow path 470 between the outer surface of the inlet duct 450 and the inner surface of the discharge duct 480, and the coolant moves in the longitudinal direction of the inlet duct 450 and overflows into the inlet duct 450.

Therefore, the coolant that flows into the inlet duct 450 may collect foreign substances such as fluff or lint that passes through the interior of the inlet duct 450, and discharge the foreign substances to the outside of the inlet duct 450.

In addition, the coolant may flow along the inner surface of the inlet duct 450, and discharge condensed water on an inner surface of the inlet duct 450 to the outside of the inlet duct 450.

Furthermore, the coolant may come into direct contact with the air that passes through the interior of the inlet duct 450, and condense moisture in the air.

As illustrated in FIG. 3 described above, the inserted side or end of the inlet duct 450 in the discharge duct 480 may be sloped (e.g., become gradually closer to the inner surface of the discharge duct 480 along its length), or inversely tapered (e.g., from the interface of the inlet duct 450 toward the inserted end of the inlet duct 450).

Specifically, the inserted side or end of the inlet duct 450 may have an approximately reverse conical shape, and is configured to guide the coolant that flows into the inlet duct 450, so that the coolant moves along the inner surface of the inlet duct 450.

Therefore, the inserted side or end of the inlet duct 450 is narrower in a direction in which the coolant falls, so that a contact area between the falling coolant and the inner surface of the inlet duct 450 may increase, thereby effectively removing the water condensed on the inner surface of the inlet duct 450 and any collected foreign substances.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 described above, the inserted end of the inlet duct 450 may include a sloped or inclined member 455 that becomes gradually closer to the inner surface of the discharge duct 480.

Specifically, the sloped/inclined member 455 becomes gradually closer to the inner surface of the discharge duct 480, and may be on the inserted end of the inlet duct 450 where the coolant overflows. Thus, the direction the coolant moves may change when the coolant comes into contact with the end of the inlet duct 450.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, an angle b of the sloped/inclined member 455 may be greater than an angle a of the body of the inlet duct 450 in the discharge duct 480.

Specifically, the angle a of the inlet duct 450 indicates an inclination between a center body of the inlet duct 450 and the inner surface of the one side of the inlet duct 450, and may be smaller than the angle b of the sloped/inclined member 455 which indicates an inclination between the center of the inlet duct 450 and the end of the inlet duct 450.

Based on the center of the inlet duct 450, the inclination of the inserted side or end of the inlet duct 450 may be steeper than the inclination of the center body of the inlet duct 450.

Therefore, the inclined member 455 is on the end of the inlet duct 450, thereby effectively guiding the overflowing coolant along the first end of the one side of the inlet duct 450.

A width of the flow path 470 may become narrower by the inclined member 455, and as a result, the coolant may effectively move along the inclined member 455 of the inlet duct 450 and the inner surface of the inlet duct 450.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 described above, the drum type washing machine 101 according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may further include a condensed water discharge path 500.

The condensed water discharge path 500 is between the tub 100 and the condensing duct assembly 400, and connects the tub 100 and the condensing duct assembly 400. The condensed water discharge path 500 may be between the tub 100 and the inlet duct 450.

When the drum type washing machine 101 includes the condensed water discharge path 500, the air passing through the tub 100 may flow into the inlet duct 450 through the condensed water discharge path 500.

Specifically, the condensed water discharge path 500 guides the water condensed on the inner surface of the inlet duct 450, so that the condensed water may be discharged to the outside of the inlet duct 450. The condensed water discharge path 500 guides the coolant along the inner surface of the inlet duct 450, so that the coolant may be discharged to the outside of the inlet duct 450.

The drum type washing machine 101 may further include a water drain path 110. The water drain path 110 may be at a lower portion or lowermost point or location of the tub 100 to discharge the water in the tub 100 to the outside of the washing machine 101 during rinsing and spin-drying the laundry.

Therefore, the condensed water discharge path 500 may be between the water drain path 110 and the condensing duct assembly 400 to guide the condensed water on the inner surface of the inlet duct 450 and the coolant that is on the inner surface of the inlet duct 450. Thus, the condensed water and the coolant may be discharged to the outside of the inlet duct 450.

The condensed water discharge path 500 may be between the water drain path 110 and the inlet duct 450.

When the drum type washing machine 101 includes the condensed water discharge path 500, the air passing through the tub 100 may pass through the water drain path 110 and the condensed water discharge path 500, and thereafter, may flow into the inlet duct 450.

Therefore, the condensed water discharge path 500 is between the tub 100 and the condensing duct assembly 400, thereby effectively discharging the water condensed on the inner surface of the inlet duct 450 and foreign substances that my have been collected or trapped to the outside of the inlet duct 450.

As illustrated in FIG. 3 described above, guides and/or projections 457 may be on the one side of the inlet duct 450 that is in the discharge duct 480 of the drum type washing machine 101 according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

The guides and/or projections 457 may effectively move the coolant that flows into the one side of the inlet duct 450.

In addition, the guides and/or projections 457 may be formed so that the coolant moves, falls and/or runs along the inner surface of the inlet duct 450. In an embodiment in which the discharge duct 480 includes a sleeve or jacket for the coolant, the inner wall of the sleeve or jacket may include two or more such guides and/or projections.

Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the guides and/or projections 457 may be radially disposed on the inner surface of the one side of the inlet duct 450. The guides and/or projections 457 are longitudinally formed in the inlet duct 450.

Therefore, the plurality of guides and/or projections 457 may be radially disposed on the inner surface of the one side of the inlet duct 450. For example, the plurality of projections may be have a predetermined pitch (e.g., angle, spacing and/or area).

The guides and/or projections 457 may be on the inclined side or end of the inlet duct 450.

The guides and/or projections 457 are on the inner surface of the inlet duct 450, thereby increasing the contact area where the coolant comes into contact with the inner surface of the inlet duct 450. The guides and/or projections 457 may effectively discharge the condensed water, the foreign substances that have been collected in the coolant, and the coolant to the outside of the inlet duct 450.

Hereinafter, an operational process of the drum type washing machine 101 according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 4, and 5.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the dotted arrows indicate the movement of air, and the solid arrows indicate the movement of the coolant.

During the drying process of the drum type washing machine 101, the air in the drum type washing machine is heated by the heating member 220. The circulating member 210 allows external air to flow into the drum type washing machine 101, or circulates the air in the drum type washing machine 101.

The air heated in the drying duct 200 by the heating member 220 flows into the tub 100 by the circulating member 210.

The heated air that flows in the tub 100 dries laundry while passing through the drum 300 that holds, rotates and/or accommodates the laundry. Therefore, the heated air comes in contact with the laundry.

The air in the drum 300 that holds the laundry is more humid than the air supplied to the tub 100 from the drying duct 200.

The air from the drum 300 passes through the water drain path 110 via the lower portion of the tub 100. The air from the water drain path 110 flows into the inlet duct 450 of the condensing duct assembly 400 through the condensed water discharge path 500.

At this time, the air that flows into the inlet duct 450 is hot and humid.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the hot and humid air that passes through the inlet duct 450 is cooled by the coolant that is supplied from the coolant inlet hole 481 in the discharge duct 480.

When the coolant is continuously supplied from the outside, the coolant moves in the longitudinal direction along the inlet duct 450 inserted into the discharge duct 480, cools the outer surface of the inlet duct 450, and then condenses moisture in the hot and humid air that passes through the inlet duct 450.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the coolant moves along the inclined member 455 on the inserted end of the inlet duct 450, and then falls, flows or runs along the inner surface of the inlet duct 450.

Since the inserted side or end of the inlet duct 450 is in an approximately conical shape that becomes narrower in a direction in which the coolant falls, the coolant effectively falls or runs along the inner wall of the inlet duct 450, and is discharged to the outside of the inlet duct 450 together with the condensed water on the inner surface of the inlet duct 450 and/or the foreign substances collected by the condensed water.

Alternatively, when the coolant that is supplied from the outside is in the flow path 470 between the outer surface of the inlet duct 450 and the inner surface of the discharge duct 480, the coolant cools the outer surface of the inlet duct 450 and condenses moisture in the hot and humid air that passes through the inlet duct 450.

Therefore, the condensed water, which is condensed on the inner wall of the inlet duct 450, and the foreign substances that are collected by the condensed water, move along the guides and/or projections 457 on the inlet duct 450, and then are discharged to the condensed water discharge path 500. The condensed water discharged to the condensed water discharge path 500 may be discharged to the outside of the drum type washing machine 101 through the water drain path 110.

The air discharged from the inlet duct 450 is drier than the air that flows into the inlet duct 450, and the dried air is guided by the discharge duct 480 to be discharged to the drying duct 200.

When the drying process of the drum type washing machine 101 is completed, operations of the heating member 220 and the circulating member 210 are stopped. The time and amount of supplying the coolant, which flows into the discharge duct 480, may be determined by a control unit (not illustrated) based on values detected by a humidity sensor (not illustrated) or a temperature sensor (not illustrated) in the drum type washing machine 101.

With the aforementioned configuration, the drum type washing machine 101 according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may effectively condense moisture included in the heated air when drying the laundry.

The condensing duct assembly 400, which includes the inlet duct 450 and the discharge duct 480, may cool the outer surface of the inlet duct 450 using the coolant supplied to the discharge duct 480, and effectively condense and discharge moisture in the hot and humid air that passes through the inlet duct 450.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the various embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. A drum type washing machine comprising:

a tub;

a drying duct that supplies heated air to the tub; and

a condensing duct assembly that guides air from the tub to the drying duct, cools air from the tub, and condenses moisture in the air, wherein the condensing duct assembly comprises:

an inlet duct configured to receive air from the tub; and

a discharge duct coupled to and/or receiving one side or end of the inlet duct, configured to receive a coolant, cool at least one of the inlet duct and the discharge duct, and guide air from the inlet duct to the drying duct.

2. The drum type washing machine of claim 1, wherein the coolant flows and/or is stored between an outer surface of the inlet duct and an inner surface of the discharge duct.

3. The drum type washing machine of claim 1, wherein the coolant moves in a longitudinal direction along the inlet duct and/or the discharge duct.

4. The drum type washing machine of claim 3, wherein the coolant overflows into the inlet duct.

5. The drum type washing machine of claim 3, wherein an inserted side or end of the inlet duct comprises a sloped or inclined member that gradually becomes closer to the inner surface of the discharge duct.

6. The drum type washing machine of claim 1, wherein an inserted end of the inlet duct has a slope configured to become gradually closer to an inner surface of the discharge duct.

7. The drum type washing machine of claim 6, wherein the inserted end of the inlet duct has an angle greater than an angle of a center body of the inlet duct.

8. The drum type washing machine of claim 1, further comprising:

a condensed water discharge path between the tub and the condensing duct assembly,

wherein the coolant flowing into the inlet duct is discharged through the condensed water discharge path.

9. The drum type washing machine of claim 3, wherein the inserted side or end of the inlet duct further comprises guides and/or projections that are configured to guide movement or flow of coolant in the inlet duct.

10. The drum type washing machine of claim 1, wherein the drying duct comprises a circulating member and a heating member.

11. The drum type washing machine in claim 10, wherein the circulating member is configured to allow air outside the washing machine to flow into the drying duct, or circulate air inside the washing machine.

12. The drum type washing machine in claim 10, wherein the circulating member comprises a blower and/or fan.

13. The drum type washing machine in claim 10, wherein the heating member comprises an electric heater.

14. The drum type washing machine in claim 1, wherein the condensing duct assembly is configured to (i) cool the air in the tub, (ii) condense moisture in the air, (iii) discharge the condensed water, and (iv) allow dry air to flow back into the drying duct.

15. The drum type washing machine in claim 1, further comprising a catching projection, ring or protrusion on the inlet duct and coupled to the discharge duct, configured to support the discharge duct.

16. The drum type washing machine in claim 1, wherein the inserted side or end of the inlet duct has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the discharge duct.

17. The drum type washing machine in claim 16, further comprising a flow path between an outer surface of the inlet duct and an inner surface of the discharge duct.

18. The drum type washing machine in claim 1, wherein the discharge duct comprises a coolant inlet hole, configured to guide coolant into the discharge duct.

19. The drum type washing machine in claim 1, wherein the discharge duct has a first length and an inserted side or end of the inlet duct has a second length less than the first length.