WASHING MACHINE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME

• US 20100088828A1
• Filed: 03/29/2008
• Published: 04/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Jo, Ii Hyeon, Kim, Kyeong Hwan, Chang, Jin Ho
• Granted Patent: US 8,739,578 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 8/159
• 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 and a method of controlling the washing machine are provided. In the washing machine and the method of controlling the washing machine, a liquid detergent is automatically supplied into a washing tub, thereby improving user convenience. In addition, in the washing machine and the method of controlling the washing machine, a liquid detergent is supplied into the washing tub by water supplied by a water supply unit. Thus, no liquid detergent remains in a liquid detergent supply path, and the liquid detergent supply path can be prevented from being blocked due to the solidification of a liquid detergent.

Claims

1. A washing machine comprising:

a washing tub which contains water therein;

a water supply unit which supplies water into the washing tub;

a liquid detergent container which contains a liquid detergent therein; and

a liquid detergent supply unit which supplies the liquid detergent into the water supply unit and injects a mixture of the liquid detergent and the water supplied by the water supply unit into the washing tub.

2. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the water supply unit comprises a water supply path which connects the washing tub and an external water source and a water supply valve which is disposed on the water supply path, and the liquid detergent supply unit is connected to at least one of the water supply path and the water supply valve.

3. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the water supply unit is disposed above the liquid detergent container and the liquid detergent supply unit is connected to an extended portion of the water supply unit below the washing tub.

4. The washing machine the liquid detergent supply unit comprises a liquid detergent supply path which connects the liquid detergent container and the water supply unit and a liquid detergent supply pump which is disposed on the liquid detergent supply path.

5. The washing machine of claim 4, wherein the liquid detergent supply unit further comprises a liquid detergent mixer which is connected to a connection between the liquid detergent supply path and the water supply unit and mixes the liquid detergent with the water supplied by the water supply unit.

6. The washing machine of claim 4, wherein the liquid detergent supply unit further comprises a check valve which is disposed on the liquid detergent supply path and prevents the liquid detergent from flowing backward from the water supply unit to the liquid detergent container.

7. The washing machine of claim 6, wherein the check valve is disposed between the liquid detergent supply pump and the water supply unit.

8. The washing machine of claim 4, further comprising:

a remaining water discharge path which has a first end connected to a lower portion of the water supply unit and discharges water from the water supply unit; and

a remaining water discharge valve which is disposed on the remaining water discharge path.

9. The washing machine of claim 8, further comprising:

a drainage unit which discharges water from the washing tub,

wherein a second end of the remaining water discharge path is connected to the drainage unit.

10. The washing machine of claim 4, further comprising:

a main body which includes the washing tub and the water supply unit; and

a frame which is disposed on one side of the main body and includes the liquid detergent container.

11. The washing machine of claim 10, wherein the frame is disposed below the main body and supports the main body.

12. A washing machine comprising:

a washing tub which contains water therein;

a first supply path along which water is supplied from an external water source into the washing tub;

a liquid detergent container which contains a liquid detergent therein; and

a second supply path along which a mixture of the liquid detergent and the water supplied from the external water source is supplied into the washing tub.

13. The washing machine of claim 12, wherein the first and second supply paths supply water into the washing machine independently.

14. The washing machine of claim 12, further comprising a liquid detergent mixer which is disposed on the second supply path and mixes the liquid detergent with the water supplied from the external water source.

15. The washing machine of claim 14, wherein, after the supply of the liquid detergent into the liquid detergent mixer is complete, the water supplied from the external water source is injected into the liquid detergent mixer.

16. A method of controlling a washing machine, the method comprising:

automatically supplying a liquid detergent into a liquid detergent mixer; and

supplying water from an external water source into the liquid detergent mixer, mixing the liquid detergent with the water, and injecting the mixture of the liquid detergent and the water into a washing tub.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

discharging water remained in the liquid detergent mixer.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the discharging comprises discharging the water remained in the liquid detergent mixer along with remaining wash water.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein, after the supply of the liquid detergent into the liquid detergent mixer is complete, the water is supplied into the liquid detergent mixer.