Washing machine with detergent supply path

• US 20100107704A1
• Filed: 09/29/2009
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Yang, Byoung Yull, Pyo, Sang Yeon, Kim, Hyun Sook, Park, Jae Ryong, Seo, Dong Pil
• Granted Patent: US 8,584,492 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 68/17.R
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/028 Arrangements for selectively supplying water to detergent compartments
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/088 Liquid supply arrangements

Abstract

Disclosed herein are a washing machine and a detergent supply path which guides detergent stored in a lower part of a main body of the washing machine to an upper part of the main body. The washing machine includes a main body; a support base removably mounted to the main body; a detergent storage unit mounted at a lower part of the main body to be moved in and out of the main body; a detergent supply path guiding the detergent stored in the detergent storage unit that is in the lower part of the main body, to an upper part of the main body; and a guide unit guiding movement of the detergent supply path according to the movement in and out of the detergent storage unit.

Claims

1. A washing machine, comprising:

a main body;

a detergent storage unit mounted at a lower part of the main body and configured to be moved in and out of the main body;

a detergent supply path guiding detergent stored in the detergent storage unit disposed at the lower part of the main body, to an upper part of the main body; and

a guide unit guiding movement of the detergent supply path according to in and out operations of the detergent storage unit.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the guide unit guides the movement of the detergent supply path as the detergent storage unit is moved in and out of the main body.

3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the guide unit guides the movement of the detergent supply path in a direction across the in and out movement of the detergent storage unit.

4. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the guide unit includes a bendable and stretchable link unit.

5. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the guide unit includes a path fixing part that fixes the detergent supply path.

6. The washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the path fixing part is a plurality of path fixing parts.

7. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a support base removably mounted to the main body, the support base including a case and a receiving member configured to be moved in and out of the case, the detergent storage unit being formed in the receiving member.

8. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the guide unit guides the detergent supply path in association with the movement of the receiving member.

9. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the guide unit includes a first link member and a second link member connected thereto that is bendable and stretchable, the first link member including a first connection part supported by the receiving member, and the second link member including a second connection part supported by the case.

10. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the main body and the support base are separably connected to each other, and

the detergent supply path includes a first supply path formed at the support base and a second supply path formed at the main body and separably connected with the first supply path.

11. The washing machine according to claim 10, further comprising a connection unit fluidly communicating the first supply path and the second supply path with each other.

12. The washing machine according to claim 11, wherein the connection unit comprises:

a first connection part connected to the first supply path;

a second connection part connected to the second supply path; and

a communication part disposed between and connecting the first and second connection parts.

13. The washing machine according to claim 11, wherein the connection unit comprises:

a first connection part formed at the first supply path; and

a second connection part formed at the second supply path,

wherein the first and second supply paths fluidly communicate with each other through connection between the first and second connection parts.

14. A washing machine, comprising:

a main body;

a support base removably mounted to the main body;

a detergent storage unit mounted to the support base; and

a detergent supply path guiding the detergent stored in the detergent storage unit to the main body, the detergent supply path includes a first supply path formed at the support base and a second supply path formed at the main body and separably connected with the first supply path.

15. The washing machine according to claim 14, further comprising a connection unit fluidly communicating the first supply path and the second supply path with each other.

16. The washing machine according to claim 15, wherein the connection unit comprises:

a first connection part connected to the first supply path;

a second connection part connected to the second supply path; and

a communication part disposed between and connecting the first and second connection parts.

17. The washing machine according to claim 15, wherein the connection unit comprises:

a first connection part formed at the first supply path; and

a second connection part formed at the second supply path,

wherein the first and second supply paths fluidly communicate with each other through connection between the first and second connection parts.

18. A detergent supply unit for a washing machine, comprising:

a detergent storage unit configured to be moved into and out of a lower part of the washing machine;

a detergent supply path guiding detergent stored in the detergent storage unit to the washing machine; and

a guide unit guiding movement of the detergent supply path according to the movement into and out of the washing machine.

19. The detergent supply unit according to claim 18, wherein the guide unit is configured to be moved from a first position when the detergent storage unit is at a position within the lower part of the washing machine to a second position when the detergent storage unit is at a position outside of the lower part of the washing machine.

20. The detergent supply unit according to claim 19, wherein the detergent supply path is connected to the guide unit and moves in relation to the movement of the guide unit.