Detergent supply apparatus and washing machine

• US 20090288452A1
• Filed: 05/22/2009
• Published: 11/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kim, Young Ho, Lee, Sang Hoon, Kim, Jae Hyun, Lee, Jong Min
• Granted Patent: US 9,133,576 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 68/12.180
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/37 of metering of detergents or additives
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/022 in a liquid state D06F39/024 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/125 Supporting arrangements for the casing, e.g. rollers or legs

Abstract

A washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a washing tub that washes laundry; a storage drawer provided under the washing tub; a detergent bottle seat provided inside of the storage drawer, a detachable detergent bottle containing a liquid detergent being seated on the detergent bottle seat; a detergent bottle connecting part connected to the detergent bottle, the liquid detergent flowing into through the detergent bottle connecting part; and a detergent pump that supplies the liquid detergent to the washing tub.

Claims

1. A detergent supply apparatus comprising:

a storage area provided under a washing space in which washing is performed;

a detergent bottle seat provided inside of the storage area adapted to receive a detergent bottle containing a liquid detergent;

a detergent bottle connecting part adapted to be secured to the detergent bottle and provide a flow path for the liquid detergent to enter the supply apparatus; and

a pump adapted to supply the liquid detergent to the washing space.

2. The detergent supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detergent bottle seat is formed to fit a shape of a surface of the detergent bottle.

3. The detergent supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detergent bottle seat includes a detergent bottle fixing protrusion adapted to maintain the detergent bottle in a stationary position.

4. The detergent supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detergent bottle seat is formed of an elastic member adapted to conform to a contoured surface of the detergent bottle.

5. The detergent supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detergent bottle seat includes a detergent bottle support adapted to support the detergent bottle and prevent lateral movement or axial rotation.

6. The detergent supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detergent bottle connecting part includes a detergent bottle fixing part that holds a detergent outlet of the detergent bottle in a fixed position.

7. The detergent supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detergent bottle connecting part includes a detergent bottle fixing part adapted to hold the detergent bottle and engage a valve of the detergent bottle so that the liquid detergent flows from the valve and is dispensed from the detergent bottle.

8. The detergent supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detergent bottle connecting part is inserted into the detergent bottle and adapted to draw the liquid detergent from the detergent bottle.

9. The detergent supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detergent bottle connecting part includes:

an extension tube inserted into the detergent bottle; and

a connection cap covering an outlet of the detergent bottle and receiving the extension tube therethrough.

10. The detergent supply apparatus of claim 9, wherein the detergent bottle connecting part further includes a pump to draw the liquid detergent through the extension tube.

11. The detergent supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the storage area is a drawer.

12. The detergent supply apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a controller adapted to control automatic supply of the liquid detergent during a washing cycle.

13. A washing machine comprising:

a washing tub that washes laundry;

a storage area provided under the washing tub; and

a liquid detergent supply apparatus disposed inside the storage area including;

a detergent bottle seat adapted to receive a detergent bottle containing a liquid detergent;

a detergent bottle connecting part adapted to be secured to the detergent bottle and provide a flow path for the liquid detergent to enter the liquid supply apparatus; and

a pump adapted to supply the liquid detergent to the washing tub.

14. The washing machine of claim 13, wherein the detergent bottle seat is formed to fit a shape of a side surface of the detergent bottle.

15. The washing machine of claim 13, wherein the detergent bottle seat is formed of an elastic member adapted to conform to a contoured surface of the detergent bottle.

16. The washing machine of claim 13, wherein the detergent bottle seat includes a detergent bottle support adapted to support the detergent bottle and prevent lateral movement or axial rotation.

17. The washing machine of claim 13, wherein the detergent bottle connecting part includes a detergent bottle fixing part that holds a detergent outlet of the detergent bottle in a fixed position.

18. The washing machine of claim 13, wherein the detergent bottle connecting part includes a detergent bottle fixing part adapted to hold the detergent bottle and engage a valve of the detergent bottle so that the liquid detergent flows from the valve and is dispensed from the detergent bottle.

19. The washing machine of claim 13, wherein the detergent bottle connecting part includes:

a detergent inlet adapted to receive a flow of the liquid detergent from the detergent bottle; and

a sealing part adapted to prevent leakage as the liquid detergent flows through the detergent inlet.

20. The washing machine of claim 13, wherein the detergent bottle connecting part includes:

a detergent inlet adapted to receive a flow of the liquid detergent from the detergent bottle; and

a check valve adapted to prevent back-flow of the liquid detergent from the detergent inlet.

21. The washing machine of claim 13, wherein the detergent bottle connecting part is inserted into the detergent bottle and adapted to draw the liquid detergent from the detergent bottle.

22. The washing machine of claim 13, wherein the detergent bottle connecting part includes:

an extension tube inserted into the detergent bottle; and

a connection cap covering an outlet of the detergent bottle and receiving the extension tube therethrough

23. The washing machine of claim 21, wherein the detergent bottle connecting part further includes a suction pump to draw the liquid detergent through the extension tube.

24. The washing machine of claim 13, further comprising:

a detergent fluid passage in fluid communication with the detergent bottle connecting part and the detergent pump, the detergent fluid passage adapted to receive a flow of liquid detergent from the detergent bottle connecting part and transfer the flow of liquid detergent to the detergent pump.

26. The washing machine of claim 13, wherein the storage area is a drawer.

27. The washing machine of claim 13, further comprising:

a controller adapted to control the liquid supply apparatus to automatically supply the liquid detergent during a washing cycle.

25. The washing machine of claim 25, wherein the pump pumps by extruding the liquid detergent through the detergent fluid passage.