Patent Application
20250215633
Various embodiments of the disclosure relate to a washer including a detergent supply device, specifically, a washer including a detergent supply device provided under the door.
A washer is a home appliance that washes clothes, towels, bedding, etc. There are two types of washers: drum washers, which wash laundry by rotating the drum to repeatedly raising and lowering the laundry, and electric washers, which wash laundry by the water flow generated by the pulsator when the drum rotates.
The washer is equipped with a detergent supply device to ensure that the detergent is evenly mixed with water and supplied to the tub. The detergent supply device is sometimes installed on an upper portion of the washer, but is increasingly being installed on a lower portion of the washer to secure a room for adding other functional components to the upper portion of the washer.
Various embodiments of the disclosure may prevent detergent buildup in the pipe fluidly connected to the detergent supply device from clogging the flow path of the pipe when the detergent supply device is installed on a lower portion of the washer.
A washer according to an embodiment of the disclosure may comprise a housing, a tub disposed in the housing, a detergent supply device including a detergent container configured to receive a detergent and a discharge pump configured to discharge the received detergent, a circulation pipe structure having one end and another end coupled with the tub to fluid-communicate with the tub, respectively, and a circulation pump configured to generate a water flow in one direction in the circulation pipe structure. The circulation pipe structure may include a mixing portion having a mixing pipe coupled to fluid-communicate with the discharge pump. The water flow may flow from a lower portion of the mixing pipe to an upper portion of the mixing pipe.
According to an embodiment, the housing may include a lower surface configured to be positioned adjacent to a floor surface. The lower portion of the mixing pipe may be a portion further adjacent to the lower surface than the upper portion of the mixing pipe.
According to an embodiment, the circulation pipe structure may include a first pipe coupled to one side of the mixing pipe to fluid-communicate and a second pipe coupled to another side of the mixing pipe to fluid-communicate.
According to an embodiment, a first cross-sectional area of the first pipe may be larger than a second cross-sectional area of the second pipe.
According to an embodiment, a maximum cross-sectional area of the mixing pipe may be larger than at least one of a first cross-sectional area of the first pipe and a second cross-sectional area of the second pipe.
According to an embodiment, the water flow may flow from the first pipe to the second pipe.
According to an embodiment, the mixing pipe may include a first connection portion connected to the first pipe and a second connection portion connected to the second pipe.
According to an embodiment, a diameter of the first connection portion may be larger than a diameter of the second connection portion.
According to an embodiment, the mixing pipe may extend in a direction perpendicular to a ground.
According to an embodiment, the discharge pump may include a discharge port directly connected to a flow path in the mixing pipe to discharge the detergent.
According to an embodiment, the one end or the another end of the circulation pipe structure may be connected to a lower portion of the tub.
According to an embodiment, the detergent supply device may be disposed on the lower side of the tub.
According to an embodiment, the liquid circulated in the circulation pipe structure may be mixed with the detergent discharged from the detergent supply device in the mixing pipe.
According to an embodiment, the mixing portion may include a mounting frame configured to be mounted on the detergent supply device.
A washer according to an embodiment of the disclosure may comprise a tub disposed in a housing, a detergent supply device including a detergent container to receive a detergent and a discharge pump to discharge the received detergent, a mixing portion having a mixing pipe coupled with the discharge pump to fluid-communicate with the discharge pump, an inlet pipe fluid-communicate with the tub to introduce the liquid; a first pipe having one end connected to a lower portion of the mixing pipe and another end connected to the inlet pipe, a second pipe disposed having one end connected to an upper portion of the mixing pipe and another end connected to the tub, and a circulation pump to generate a water flow to flow in an order of the inlet pipe, the first pipe, the mixing pipe, and the second pipe.
According to an embodiment, a water flow cross-sectional area of the first pipe may be larger than a water flow cross-sectional area of the second pipe.
According to an embodiment, a maximum cross-sectional area of the mixing pipe may be larger than a cross-sectional area of the first pipe.
According to an embodiment, the discharge pump may include a discharge port to discharge the detergent and directly connected to the mixing pipe of the mixing portion.
A washer according to an embodiment of the disclosure may comprise a housing, a tub disposed in the housing, a detergent supply device including a detergent container to receive a detergent and a discharge pump having a discharge port configured to discharge the received detergent from the detergent supply device, a circulation pipe structure having one end and another end coupled with the tub, respectively, to fluid-communicate with the tub, and a circulation pump configured to generate a water flow in one direction in the circulation pipe structure. The circulation pipe structure may include a mixing portion having a mixing pipe directly connected to the discharge port and configured to flow the water flow in the one direction.
According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the washer may be configured so that water flows in the direction against the gravity in the flow path connected to the portion where the detergent is discharged in the detergent supply device, preventing detergent buildup.
Effects achievable in example embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, but other effects not mentioned may be apparently derived and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments of the disclosure pertain, from the following description. In other words, unintended effects in practicing embodiments of the disclosure may also be derived by one of ordinary skill in the art from example embodiments of the disclosure.
Reference may be made to the accompanying drawings in the following description, and specific examples that may be practiced are shown as examples within the drawings. Other examples may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the various examples.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure are described in detail with reference to the drawings so that those skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains may easily practice the disclosure. However, the disclosure may be implemented in other various forms and is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The same or similar reference denotations may be used to refer to the same or similar elements throughout the specification and the drawings. Further, for clarity and brevity, no description is made of well-known functions and configurations in the drawings and relevant descriptions.
The terms as used herein are provided merely to describe some embodiments thereof, but are not intended to limit the technical features of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
As used herein, each of such phrases as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C,” may include all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases. As used herein, the term ‘and/or’ should be understood as encompassing any and all possible combinations by one or more of the enumerated items. As used herein, such terms as “1st” and “2nd,” or “first” and “second” may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another, and does not limit the components in other aspect (e.g., importance or order).
When a (e.g., first) component is mentioned as “coupled to,” “connected to,” “supported by,” or “contacting” another (e.g., second) component with or without the terms “functionally” or “communicatively,” the component may be directly or indirectly coupled to, connected to, supported by, or contact the other component.
It will be further understood that the terms “comprise” and/or “have,” as used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Throughout the specification, when one component is positioned “on” another component, the first component may be positioned directly on the second component, or other component(s) may be positioned between the first and second component.
As used herein, the terms “configured to” may be interchangeably used with the terms “suitable for,” “having the capacity to,” “designed to,” “adapted to,” “made to,” or “capable of” depending on circumstances. The term “configured to” does not essentially mean “specifically designed in hardware to.” Rather, the term “configured to” may mean that a device can perform an operation together with another device or parts. For example, a ‘device configured (or set) to perform A, B, and C’ may be a dedicated device to perform the corresponding operation or may mean a general-purpose device capable of various operations including the corresponding operation.
The terms “upper side”, “lower side”, and “front and rear directions” used in the disclosure are defined with respect to the drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms.
In the disclosure, the above-described description has been made mainly of specific embodiments, but the disclosure is not limited to such specific embodiments, but should rather be appreciated as covering all various modifications, equivalents, and/or substitutes of various embodiments. With regard to the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to refer to similar or related elements.
The washer according to various embodiments of the disclosure may be an example of a clothing treatment device. The washer according to various embodiments may include a top-loading washer in which an opening for inserting or withdrawing laundry faces upward, or a front-loading washer in which an opening for inserting or withdrawing laundry faces forward. The top-loading washer may wash laundry using a water flow generated by a rotating body such as a pulsator. The front-loading washer may wash laundry by repeatedly raising and dropping the laundry by rotating the drum. The front-loading washer may include a lifter for raising laundry. The washer according to various embodiments may include a washer having various loading and washing schemes other than the top-loading and front-loading washers described above. In the disclosure, a case of a front-loading washer is mainly described, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.
Hereinafter, an exemplary washer is described in detail with reference to the drawings.
In an example, the washer 1 may include a housing 10 for receiving various components therein. The housing 10 may have an overall hexahedral shape. The housing 10 may include an opening formed in one surface thereof. Two or more of the surfaces of the housing 10 may be integrally formed. Each surface of the housing 10 may be separately manufactured and assembled. The housing 10 may be, e.g., press-molded with an iron plate material or injection-molded with a resin material.
In an example, a door 20 for opening and closing the corresponding opening may be provided in a portion corresponding to the opening of the housing 10. The door 20 may be rotatably coupled to a hinge fixed to one surface of the housing 10. For example, at least a portion of the door 20 may be provided to be transparent or translucent so as to be visible inside. The user may open and close the door 20 to put the laundry into the drum 40 positioned inside the housing 10 or withdraw the laundry from the drum 40. For example, the door 20 may be locked by a locking device (not shown) so as not to be opened while the washer 1 is running. In an example, the door 20 may include a door frame 21 and a glass member 22. The glass member 22 may be formed of, e.g., a transparent tempered glass material to see through the inside of the housing 10, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.
In an example, the washer 1 may include a tub 30 fixedly disposed inside the housing 10. The tub 30 may have a substantially cylindrical shape with one side open. A tub opening 31 may be provided in the front surface of the tub 30 at a position corresponding to the opening of the housing 10. The tub 30 may store a liquid. A drain port for draining washing water may be provided under the tub 30.
In an example, the washer 1 may include a damper 12. The damper 12 may be provided to connect the housing 10 and the tub 30. One side of the damper 12 may be fixed to the inner surface of the housing 10 and the other side of the damper 12 may be fixed to the tub 30. The damper 12 may be provided to attenuate vibration by absorbing vibration energy transferred to the tub 30 and/or the housing 10 when the drum 40 rotates.
In an example, the washer 1 may include a drum 40 provided inside the tub 30. The drum 40 may have a substantially cylindrical shape with one side open. A front plate 43 and a rear plate 44 may be disposed on the front surface and the rear surface, respectively, of the drum 40. The front plate 43 may be provided with a drum opening at a position corresponding to the opening of the housing 10 and the tub opening 31 of the tub 30. The drum 40 may receive laundry. The drum 40 may receive rotational power from the driving device 60 and rotate inside the tub 30. The drum 40 may perform washing, rinsing, and/or spinning while rotating inside the tub 30.
In an example, the drum 40 may include a lifter 41 and/or a plurality of through holes 42. For example, the lifter 41 may lift the laundry while the drum 40 rotates so that the laundry repeatedly rises and falls, thereby evenly washing laundry on several surfaces thereof. The through hole 42 may be, e.g., a passage formed so that the washing water received in the tub 30 flows into the drum 40 or the washing water inside the drum 40 is discharged to the outside. In an example, the lifter 41 or the through hole 42 may be omitted.
In an example, the washer 1 may include a control panel 50 that supports interaction between the user and the washer 1. In an example, the control panel 50 may be disposed at an upper end of the front surface of the housing 10 as illustrated in
The input unit 51 may include, e.g., any type of user input means for obtaining a user input for controlling the washer 1. The user may input power on/off, washing setting information (e.g., operation start/stop, course selection, time selection, etc.) of the washer 1 through the input unit 51. For example, the input unit 51 may be a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, or a touch switch, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the input unit 51 may be in the form of a jog shuttle that the user may grip and rotate. In an example, the input unit 51 may include an infrared sensor. The user may remotely input the setting information through the remote control, and the input setting information may be received by the input unit 51 as an infrared signal. In an example, the input unit 51 may include a microphone. Setting information by the user's voice may be obtained through a microphone.
The display unit 52 may display various washing setting information and/or operation state information about the washer 1 input from the user. The display unit 52 may include various types of display panels such as an LCD, an LED, an OLED, a QLED, and a micro LED. For example, the display unit 52 may be implemented as a touch screen with a touch pad provided on the front surface thereof, but the disclosure is not limited to a specific type of display means. In an example, the display unit 52 may include any type of audio display means including a speaker, and may display each of the above-described information as an auditory signal through the audio display means. In an example, the display unit 52 may operate to audibly provide the user with information for guiding the user's input and/or information related to the ongoing process.
In an example, the washer 1 may include a driving device 60 for rotating the drum 40. The driving device 60 may include a motor 61 and a driving shaft 62 for transferring the driving force generated by the motor 61 to the drum 40. The motor 61 may include a fixed stator 611 and a rotor 612 that rotates by electromagnetically interacting with the stator 611 to convert an electric force into a mechanical rotational force. The rotational force generated by the motor 61 may be transferred to the drum 40 through the driving shaft 62. The driving shaft 62 may be press-fitted into the rotor 612 of the motor 61 to rotate together with the rotor 612. The driving shaft 62 may, e.g., partially penetrate the rear wall of the tub 30 to connect the drum 40 and the motor 61. The driving device 60 may rotate the drum 40 forward or backward to perform washing, rinsing, and/or spinning operations.
In an example, the washer 1 may include a water supply device 70 for supplying washing water to the drum 40 and/or the tub 30. The water supply device 70 may include a water supply pipe 71 and a water supply valve 72. The water supply pipe 71 may be provided to supply washing water into the tub 30 using an external water supply source. For example, the water supply pipe 71 may be directly connected to the tub 30.
In an example, the washer 1 may include a drain device (not shown) for draining the washing water received in the drum 40 and/or the tub 30. The drain device may be disposed, e.g., under the tub 30 to discharge the washing water discharged from the tub 30 to the outside of the washer 1.
According to an embodiment, the washer 1 may include a balancer 150. The balancer 150 may include, e.g., a balancer housing 151 forming an annular channel 151a and a plurality of mass bodies 153 disposed on the annular channel 151a to perform a balancing function of the drum 40 while moving along the annular channel 151a. The plurality of mass bodies 153 may have, e.g., a ball shape (a spherical shape). The plurality of mass bodies 153 of the drum 40 may move in a direction opposite to the direction of the eccentricity generated in the drum 40 by the laundry when the drum 40 rotates, compensating for the eccentricity generated by the laundry.
According to an embodiment, the washer 1 may include a vibration sensor 106. The vibration sensor 106 may be disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the drum 40 to sense vibration of the drum 40. For example, the vibration sensor 106 may be disposed in a front direction and/or rear direction of the drum 40. Here, the front direction of the drum 40 may refer to a direction toward the front plate 43, and the rear direction of the drum 40 may refer to a direction toward the rear plate 44. The vibration sensor 106 may detect vibration while the drum 40 rotates.
According to an example, the washer 1 may include a detergent supply device 80. The detergent supply device 80 may be disposed under the door 20 and/or under the tub 30, for example. Other additional components may be provided in the space on an upper portion of the washer 1 by moving the position of the detergent supply device 80 from the upper portion of the washer 1 to the lower portion of the washer 1.
According to an example, the detergent supply device 80 may include a detergent container 81. The inside of the detergent container 81 may be divided into a plurality of spaces. A detergent or a rinsing agent may be added to each space of the detergent container 81. The detergent container 81 may be provided to be coupled to be slidable in the front-rear direction of the housing 10, for example.
According to an example, the detergent supply device 80 may include a detergent container cover 83. The detergent container cover 83 may be formed of, e.g., the same color or material as the front surface of the housing 10. The detergent container cover 83 is positioned under the door 20 and may be installed to be opened and closed so that the user may access the detergent container 81. In a state in which the detergent container cover 83 is closed, the detergent container cover 83 may be installed to be positioned on the same plane as the front surface of the housing 10. The user may move the detergent container 81 to protrude to the outside of the housing 10 after opening the detergent container cover 83.
According to an example, the detergent container cover 83 may be provided to move in the front-rear direction of the housing 10 together with the detergent container 81. In this case, the user may move the detergent container 81 to protrude to the outside of the housing 10 by sliding the detergent container cover 83 outward.
According to an example, the washer 1 may include a circulation pipe structure 400 having a circulation flow path. According to an example, the circulation pipe structure 400 may be coupled to fluid-communicate with a discharge pump 82 to be described below. The detergent or rinsing agent accommodated in the detergent container 81 may be discharged to the circulation flow path of the circulation pipe structure 400 by the discharge pump 82. While the liquid circulates through the circulation flow path of the circulation pipe structure 400, it may be mixed with the detergent or rinsing agent discharged by the discharge pump 82.
According to an example, the washer 1 may include a circulation pump (e.g., the circulation pump 500 of
In
According to an example, one end 400a of the circulation pipe structure 400 may be coupled to fluid-communicate with the tub 30. The one end 400a of the circulation pipe structure 400 may be coupled to the lower side of the tub 30, for example.
According to an example, the other end 400b of the circulation pipe structure 400 may be coupled to fluid-communicate with the tub 30. The other end 400b of the circulation pipe structure 400 may be positioned in front of the tub 30, for example. For example, the other end 400b of the circulation pipe structure 400 may be positioned in the tub opening 31. The circulation pipe structure 400 may form a circulation flow path through which the liquid stored in the tub 30 flows into the one end 400a and is discharged through the other end 400b.
According to an example, the circulation pipe structure 400 may be coupled so that one end 400a and the other end 400b fluid-communicate with the tub 30 or the drum (e.g., the drum 40 of
According to an example, the circulation pipe structure 400 may include the inlet pipe 410. The inlet pipe 410 may be disposed to connect with the tub 30 to allow the liquid from the tub 30 to be introduced thereto. The inlet pipe 410 may be connected and coupled to a portion of the lower portion of the tub 30, for example. If the washer 1 operates so that the liquid is stored in the tub 30, the liquid may flow into the inlet pipe 410 positioned under the tub 30.
According to an example, the circulation pump 500 may be disposed on the circulation flow path of the circulation pipe structure 400. The circulation pump 500 may be configured to generate a water flow in one direction in the circulation pipe structure 400. For example, the circulation pump 500 may be positioned on the downstream side of the inlet pipe 410, but is not limited thereto. For example, the circulation pump 500 may be positioned on the upstream side of the mixing portion 430, but is not limited thereto. For example, the circulation pump 500 may be disposed between the inlet pipe 410 and the first pipe 420, but is not limited thereto. The circulation pump 500 may form a water flow by supplying water pressure to the liquid introduced through the flow path of the inlet pipe 410.
According to an example, the circulation pipe structure 400 may include a first pipe 420. The liquid having passed through the circulation pump 500 may pass through the flow path of the first pipe 420. An additional component for forming a flow path may be disposed between the circulation pump 500 and the first pipe 420. The first pipe 420 may be disposed to connect the inlet pipe 410 and the mixing portion 430, for example. The first pipe 420 may be disposed to be positioned lower than the mixing portion 430 in the housing 10, for example.
According to an example, the circulation pipe structure 400 may include the mixing portion 430. According to an example, the mixing portion 430 may include a mixing pipe 431 disposed to form a portion of the circulation flow path of the circulation pipe structure 400. One end of the first pipe 420 may be connected to a lower portion of the mixing pipe 431. For example, the first pipe 420 may be coupled to one side of the mixing pipe 431 to fluid-communicate. One end of the second pipe 440 may be connected to the upper portion of the mixing pipe 431. For example, the second pipe 440 may be coupled to the other side of the mixing pipe 431 to fluid-communicate.
According to an example, the mixing pipe 431 may extend in a direction perpendicular to the ground. The flow passing through the mixing pipe 431 may flow in a vertical direction from the ground. For example, the water flow may flow in the direction perpendicular to the ground and pass through the mixing pipe 431. However, without limitations thereto, the mixing pipe 431 may extend in a direction inclined from the direction perpendicular to the ground.
According to an example, the detergent supply device 80 may include a discharge pump 82. The discharge pump 82 may be coupled to fluid-communicate with the detergent container 81 described above. The discharge pump 82 may be disposed to discharge detergent or rinsing agent contained in the detergent container 81. For example, the discharge pump 82 may be disposed to discharge detergent or rinsing agent to the circulation flow path of the circulation pipe structure 400.
According to an example, the mixing portion 430 may be mounted or coupled to the discharge pump 82 of the detergent supply device 80. The mixing portion 430 may be positioned between the discharge pump 82 and the detergent container 81.
According to an example, the mixing pipe 431 may be coupled to the discharge pump 82 to fluid-communicate. According to an example, the circulation pipe structure 400 may be directly connected to the discharge port 823 of the discharge pump 82 to fluid-communicate. For example, the flow path in the mixing pipe 431 and the discharge port 823 of the discharge pump 82 may be directly connected. The direct connection here may refer to a connection between the mixed pipe 431 and the discharge port 823 to fluid-communicate without any connection component intervening therebetween. For example, the discharge port 823 of the discharge pump 82 may be disposed to directly face the flow path in the mixing pipe 431 of the mixing portion 430. For example, the detergent or rinsing agent contained in the detergent container 81 may be discharged through the discharge pump 82 to the discharge port 823 and simultaneously enter the flow path in the mixing pipe 431. The detergent or rinsing agent entering the flow path in the mixing pipe 431 may be mixed in the mixing pipe 431 with the liquid flowing in the mixing pipe 431. Hereinafter, the liquid mixed with the detergent or the rinsing agent is referred to as a mixed liquid. For example, the liquid and the detergent or rinsing agent may be further mixed in the second pipe 440 by passing through the mixing pipe 431 by the water flow and entering the second pipe 440.
According to an example, the circulation pipe structure 400 may include the second pipe 440. The second pipe may be disposed to connect the mixing portion 430 and the tub 30 (or the drum 40), for example. Additional components forming a flow path may be provided between the tub 30 (or the drum 40) and the second pipe 440. For example, the tub 30 (or drum 40) and the second pipe 440 may be fluidly connected by the connection pipe 450 and/or the drain pipe 460. For example, the second pipe 440 may be disposed to be positioned higher than the mixing portion 430 in the housing (e.g., the housing 10 of
According to an example, the circulation pipe structure 400 may include the connection pipe 450 and the drain pipe 460. The liquid or mixed liquid passing through the second pipe 440 by the water flow may sequentially pass through the connection pipe 450 and the drain pipe 460 and then drain into the tub 30 or the drum 40. The connection pipe 450 may have one end connected to the second pipe 440 and the other end connected to the drain pipe 460. The connection pipe 450 may be positioned under the tub 30, for example. The drain pipe 460 may have one end connected to the connection pipe 450 and the other end connected to the tub 30 or the drum 40. The drain pipe 460 may be disposed to extend upward along the outer surface of the tub 30, for example. For example, the drain pipe 460 may be disposed to drain the liquid or mixed liquid from the tub opening 31 side of the tub 30. A drain port through which liquid or mixed liquid is drained from the drain pipe 460 may be positioned higher than the portion where the inlet pipe 410 and the tub 30 are connected, for example. The drain port through which liquid or mixed liquid is drained from the drain pipe 460 may be disposed at a higher position than the rotation shaft (e.g., the drive shaft 62 of
According to an example, the connection pipe 450 and the drain pipe 460 may be integrally formed or omitted. When the connection pipe 450 and the drain pipe 460 are omitted, the second pipe 440 may be disposed to be directly fluidly connected to the tub 30 or the drum 40. According to an example, the connection pipe 450 may be omitted.
According to an example, the water flow generated by the circulation pump 500 may flow from one end 400a of the circulation pipe structure 400 to the other end 400b of the circulation pipe structure 400. For example, the water flow may flow in a direction of sequentially passing through the inlet pipe 410, the first pipe 420, the mixing pipe 431, and the second pipe 440. The water flow may pass through the second pipe 440 and then pass through the connection pipe 450 and the drain pipe 460 and drain into the tub 30 or the drum 40. For example, the water flow may flow from a lower portion of the mixing pipe 431 to an upper portion of the mixing pipe 431. Here, the lower portion of the mixing pipe 431 may be a portion further adjacent to the lower surface configured to contact the bottom surface among the components of the housing 10 than the upper portion of the mixing pipe 431.
The configuration of the circulation pipe structure 400 illustrated in
In
According to an example, the detergent container 81 may include a plurality of accommodation portions 811 and 812 for accommodating the detergent or rinsing agent. For example, the plurality of accommodation portions 811 and 812 may include a first accommodation portion 811 and a second accommodation portion 812 partitioned by a partition wall. For example, the detergent may be put in the first accommodation portion 811, and the rinsing agent may be put in the second accommodation portion 812. The detergent or rinsing agent injected into the first accommodation portion 811 or the second accommodation portion 812 may be moved to the discharge pump 82 through the detergent discharge portion 813. The detergent discharge portion 813 may be provided in each of the accommodation portions 811 and 812.
According to an example, the discharge pump 82 may include detergent inlet portions 821 and 822 connected to the detergent discharge portion 813 of the detergent container 81. The detergent accommodated in the detergent container 81 may pass through the detergent discharge portion 813 and the detergent inlet portions 821 and 822 to be introduced into the discharge pump 82. For example, the detergent inlet portions 821 and 822 may be provided as many as the number of accommodation portions 811 and 812 partitioned in the detergent container 81. For example, the detergent inlet portions 821 and 822 may include a first detergent inlet portion 821 into which the detergent or rinsing agent of the first accommodation portion 811 is introduced. For example, the detergent inlet portions 821 and 822 may include a second detergent inlet portion 822 into which the detergent or rinsing agent of the second accommodation portion 812 is introduced.
According to an example, the discharge pump 82 may include a discharge port 823. The discharge pump 82 may generate a pressure to discharge the detergent or rinse agent introduced from the detergent inlet portions 821 and 822 to the discharge port 823. The discharge port 823 may have a structure that is opened by the water pressure when water pressure is generated in the discharge pump 82. The discharge port 823 may be configured to remain closed while the discharge pump 82 does not operate. For example, the discharge ports 823 may be provided as many as the number of detergent inlet portions 821 and 822. For example, the discharge port 823 may include a first discharge port 823a for discharging detergent or rinsing agent introduced from the first detergent inlet 821. For example, the discharge port 823 may include a second discharge port 823b for discharging detergent or rinsing agent introduced from the second detergent inlet 822. The first discharge port 823a and the second discharge port 823b may be disposed adjacent to each other. The first discharge port 823a and the second discharge port 823b may be fluidly connected to one mixing pipe 431. For example, the first discharge port 823a and the second discharge port 823b may be directly connected to the flow path in the mixing pipe 431.
According to an example, the mixing portion 430 may be disposed to penetrate a portion of the detergent supply device 80. For example, the mixing portion 430 may be disposed between the detergent container 81 and the discharge pump 82. The circulation flow path of the circulation pipe structure 400 may pass between the detergent container 81 and the discharge pump 82. However, without limitations thereto, the mixing portion 430 may be coupled to the outside of the detergent supply device 80 or the outside of the discharge pump 82.
According to an example, the mixing portion 430 may include a mixing pipe 431. The flow path of the mixed pipe 431 may be a portion of a circulation flow path formed by the circulation pipe structure (e.g., the circulation pipe structure 400 of
According to an example, the mixing pipe 431 may include a first connection portion 431a, a mixing portion 431b, and a second connection portion 431c. The first connection portion 431a, the mixing portion 431b, and the second connection portion 431c may be integrally formed to form one flow path.
The mixing portion 431b may be disposed between the first connection portion 431a and the second connection portion 431c. The mixing portion 431b may be directly connected to the discharge port 823. For example, the mixing portion 431b may be directly connected to the first discharge port 823 and the second discharge port 823. The mixing portion 431b may have a larger water flow cross-sectional area than the first connection portion 431a or the second connection portion 431c. While the liquid flows from the first connection portion 431a to the second connection portion 431c by the water flow formed by the circulation pump (e.g., the circulation pump 500 of
The first connection portion 431a may be disposed under the second connection portion 431c. Here, the lower side may refer to a direction toward a lower surface in contact with the bottom surface of the housing (e.g., the housing 10 of
When the detergent or rinsing agent discharged from the discharge port 823 is of a powder type, the powder that is not dissolved in the liquid remains in the mixing portion 431b. The powder remaining in the mixing portion 431b may sink downward by gravity. The sinking powder may build up to clog the flow path. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the circulation pipe pump 500 may be configured so that the water flows in a direction opposite to the direction in which the powder sinks. In such a case, the powder remaining unmixed may not sink but may move along the flow toward the second pipe 440 to be avoided from being deposited in the flow path.
According to an example, the mixing portion 430 may include a mounting frame 432. The mounting frame 432 may be a portion configured to be coupled to the discharge pump 82. The mounting frame 432 may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the exterior of the discharge pump 82 to be coupled, for example. The mounting frame 432 may include through holes 4321 and 4322 through which the detergent inlet portions 821 and 822 of the discharge pump 82 pass. For example, the through holes 4321 and 4322 may include a first through hole 4321 provided to allow the first detergent inlet 821 to pass through and a second through hole 4322 provided to allow the second detergent inlet 822 to pass through. The discharge pump 82 may be connected to the detergent container 81 by allowing the detergent inlet portions 821 and 822 to pass through the through holes of the mounting frame 432.
According to an example, the mixing portion 430 may include a discharge pump support 433. The discharge pump support 433 may be provided to support the discharge pump 82. The discharge pump support 433 supports the lower surface of the discharge pump 82 to stably fix the discharge pump 82 in the housing 10. The discharge pump support 433 may be formed to extend from the mounting frame 432, for example. The discharge pump support 433 may extend, e.g., to be perpendicular to the mounting frame 432. The discharge pump support 433 may be integrally formed with the mounting frame 432, but is not limited thereto.
According to an example, the mixing portion 430 may include a fixing frame 434. The fixing frame may be fixedly coupled to the bottom surface to fix the mixed structure 430. Further, the fixing frame 434 may support the discharge pump 82 coupled to the mixing portion 430. Due to the structure of the fixing frame 434 of the mixing portion 430, a separate fixing structure may be omitted from the discharge pump 82. The fixing frame 434 may be formed to extend from the lower surface of the discharge pump support 433, for example. One end of the fixing frame 434 may be coupled to the discharge pump support 433, and the other end thereof may be coupled to the housing 10. The fixing frame 434 and the discharge pump support 433 may be integrally formed.
Referring to
According to an example, the first pipe 420 and the second pipe 440 may have different sizes of water flow cross-sectional areas. The water flow cross-sectional area A1 of the first pipe 420 may be larger than the water flow cross-sectional area A2 of the second pipe 440. Due to the difference in water flow cross-sectional area, the size of the water flow flowing through the second pipe 440 may be larger than the size of the water flow flowing through the first pipe 420. In other words, the liquid may flow faster in the second pipe 440 than in the first pipe 420. By configuring the water flow flowing through the second pipe 440 disposed on the upper side to be larger, it is possible to prevent the liquid from flowing back in and around the mixed pipe 431.
According to an example, the mixing pipe 431 may include a first connection portion 431a, a mixing portion 431b, and a second connection portion 431c. The first connection portion 431a, the mixing portion 431b, and the second connection portion 431c may have different water flow cross-sectional areas. The water flow cross-sectional area A3 of the first connection portion 431a may have a size corresponding to the water flow cross-sectional area A1 of the first pipe 420. The water flow cross-sectional area A4 of the second connection portion 431c may have a size corresponding to the water flow cross-sectional area A2 of the second pipe 440. The water flow cross-sectional area A3 of the first connection portion 431a may be larger than the water flow cross-sectional area A4 of the second connection portion 431c. The water flow cross-sectional area A5 of the mixing portion 431b may be larger than the water flow cross-sectional area A3 of the first connection portion 431a or the water flow cross-sectional area A4 of the second connection portion 431c. Accordingly, the water flow may be the smallest in the mixing portion 431b of the mixing pipe 431. In other words, the speed of the liquid passing through the mixing portion 431b of the mixing pipe 431 may be the slowest. As the speed of the liquid in the mixing portion 431b is decreased, the liquid and the detergent or the rinsing agent may be more effectively mixed. For example, by decreasing the speed of liquid in the mixing portion 431b, a vortex may be formed in the mixing portion 431b.
According to an example, the mixing pipe 431 may have a maximum water flow cross-sectional area larger than that of the first pipe 420 or the second pipe 440. Here, the maximum water flow cross-sectional area may refer to a water flow cross-sectional area A5 of the mixing portion 431b of the mixing pipe 431. When the water flow cross-sectional area A5 of the mixing portion 431b is not constant, the maximum water flow cross-sectional area of the mixing pipe 431 may refer to a maximum water flow cross-sectional area of the mixing portion 431b or an average water flow cross-sectional area of the mixing portion 431b. When the liquid enters the mixing portion 431b from the first pipe 420, the water flow decreases, and when the liquid passes through the mixing portion 431b and enters the second pipe 440, the water flow may increase again. The disclosure may prevent the liquid from flowing in the reverse direction and may more effectively mix the liquid with the detergent or rinsing agent by inducing a difference in water flow.
The terms as used herein are provided merely to describe some embodiments thereof, but are not intended to limit the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, each of such phrases as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C,” may include all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases. For example, the expression “at least one of A, B and C” may include any of the following: A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, A and B and C. As used herein, the term ‘and/or’ should be understood as encompassing any and all possible combinations by one or more of the enumerated items. As used herein, the terms “include,” “have,” and “comprise” are used merely to designate the presence of the feature, component, part, or a combination thereof described herein, but use of the term does not exclude the likelihood of presence or adding one or more other features, components, parts, or combinations thereof. As used herein, the terms “first” and “second” may modify various components regardless of importance and/or order and are used to distinguish a component from another without limiting the components.
As used herein, the terms “configured to” may be interchangeably used with the terms “suitable for,” “having the capacity to,” “designed to,” “adapted to,” “made to,” or “capable of” depending on circumstances. The term “configured to” does not essentially mean “specifically designed in hardware to.” Rather, the term “configured to” may mean that a device can perform an operation together with another device or parts. For example, a ‘device configured (or set) to perform A, B, and C’ may be a dedicated device to perform the corresponding operation or may mean a general-purpose device capable of various operations including the corresponding operation.
Meanwhile, the terms “upper side”, “lower side”, and “front and rear directions” used in the disclosure are defined with respect to the drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms.
In the disclosure, the above-described description has been made mainly of specific embodiments, but the disclosure is not limited to such specific embodiments, but should rather be appreciated as covering all various modifications, equivalents, and/or substitutes of various embodiments.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2022-0160097 | Nov 2022 | KR | national |
This application is a continuation application, filed under 35 U.S.C. § 111(a), of International Application PCT/KR2023/013432 filed Sep. 7, 2023, and is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Applications No. 10-2022-0160097 filed on Nov. 25, 2022 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/KR2023/013432 | Sep 2023 | WO |
| Child | 19085802 | US |
