Detergent supply device and washing machine having the same

• US 20110154865A1
• Filed: 12/08/2010
• Published: 06/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Kim, Yong Kwon, Kim, Sang Wook, Lee, Seung Youp, Kim, Young Hyun, Lee, Sang Up, Ko, Hong Seok
• Granted Patent: US 9,234,309 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 68/200
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/088 Liquid supply arrangements

Abstract

A washing machine includes a wash tub in which wash water is stored, and a water supply hose to supply the wash water into the wash tub. Movement of the wash water through the water supply hose is carried out by a hydraulic pressure of an external water supply source in an entire region of the water supply hose.

Claims

1. A washing machine comprising:

a wash tub in which wash water is stored; and

a water supply hose to supply wash water into the wash tub,

wherein movement of the wash water through the water supply hose is carried out by a hydraulic pressure of an external water supply source in an entire region of the water supply hose.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a detergent supply device to supply detergent into the wash tub along with the wash water supplied through the water supply hose.

3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the detergent supply device includes:

a detergent tank in which the detergent is stored;

a valve unit to control supply of the detergent stored in the detergent tank; and

a mixing unit in which the wash water supplied via the water supply hose and the detergent supplied via the valve unit are mixed with each other.

4. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the water supply hose includes:

a front end part provided between the external water supply source at the outside of the cabinet and the mixing unit; and

a rear end part provided between the mixing unit and the wash tub.

5. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the mixing unit includes:

a wash water inlet portion connected to the front end part of the water supply hose for introduction of the wash water; and

a wash water outlet portion connected to the rear end part of the water supply hose for discharge of the wash water.

6. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the mixing unit includes a detergent introduction portion connected to the valve unit to receive the detergent.

7. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the valve unit includes:

a valve body having a predetermined passage;

a detergent inlet portion that connects the passage of the valve body and the detergent tank to each other;

a detergent outlet portion that connects the passage of the valve body and the mixing unit to each other; and

a button that is movable relative to the valve body to control a pressure of the passage of the valve body.

8. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the valve unit further includes:

a first check valve provided at a connection region of the detergent tank and the valve body;

a second check valve provided at a connection region of the valve body and the mixing unit; and

the button controls the pressure of the passage of the valve body to open or close the first check valve or the second check valve.

9. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the detergent supply device includes:

a detergent tank assembly having a detergent tank in which the detergent is stored;

a valve unit to control supply of the detergent stored in the detergent tank;

an inner case in which the detergent tank and the valve unit are mounted; and

a mixing unit in which the detergent supplied via the detergent tank assembly and the wash water supplied via the water supply hose are mixed with each other, and

the washing machine further comprises a restraint unit to allow the detergent tank assembly to be caught by or released from the mixing unit.

10. The washing machine according to claim 9, wherein the restraint unit includes:

a guide lever elastically supported on the mixing unit so as to be movable relative to the mixing unit; and

a holder fitted to the mixing unit so as to be pivotally rotatable according to movement of the guide lever.

11. The washing machine according to claim 10, wherein:

the valve unit of the detergent tank assembly includes a detergent outlet portion connected to the mixing unit; and

the valve unit of the detergent tank assembly further includes a holding protrusion formed at the detergent outlet portion so as to be caught by the holder.

12. The washing machine according to claim 9, wherein the detergent tank assembly includes at least one supporting portion to allow the detergent tank assembly to be supported obliquely.

13. The washing machine according to claim 9, wherein the detergent tank assembly includes at least one hook to keep the detergent tank assembly at a fixed position.

14. The washing machine according to claim 9, wherein the detergent supply device further includes:

an outer case in which the detergent tank assembly and the mixing unit are mounted; and

a cover to open or close a front side of the outer case.

15. The washing machine according to claim 14, wherein:

the detergent tank includes a detergent gauge display made of a transparent material to display a residual amount of the detergent; and

the cover includes a detergent gauge display hole through which the detergent gauge display penetrates.

16. The washing machine according to claim 15, wherein the cover further includes a button hole through which a button of the valve unit penetrates.

17. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the detergent supply device is installed at a position lower than the wash tub.

18. A washing machine comprising:

a cabinet;

a wash tub accommodated in the cabinet;

a water supply hose to supply wash water into the wash tub; and

a detergent supply device provided at a position of the water supply hose and serving to supply detergent into the wash tub along with the wash water supplied through the water supply hose,

wherein the wash water is supplied through the water supply hose from a position, having passed through the detergent supply device, into the wash tub by a hydraulic pressure of a water supply source provided at the outside of the cabinet.

19. A detergent supply device provided at a position of a water supply hose to supply detergent into a wash tub along with wash water,

the detergent supply device being connected to a front end part of the water supply hose for introduction of the wash water and a rear end part of the water supply hose for discharge of the wash water,

wherein the wash water is supplied into the wash tub through the rear end part of the water supply hose by a hydraulic pressure of an external water supply source.

20. The detergent supply device according to claim 19, wherein the detergent supply device includes:

a detergent tank in which the detergent is stored;

a valve unit to control supply of the detergent stored in the detergent tank; and

a mixing unit in which the wash water supplied via the water supply hose and the detergent supplied via the valve unit are mixed with each other.

21. The detergent supply device according to claim 20, wherein the mixing unit includes:

a detergent introduction portion connected to the valve unit to receive the detergent;

a wash water inlet portion connected to the front end part of the water supply hose for introduction of the wash water; and

a wash water outlet portion connected to the rear end part of the water supply hose for discharge of the wash water, and

the valve unit prevents the wash water, introduced into the mixing unit through the front end part of the water supply hose, from being discharged through the detergent introduction portion.

22. The detergent supply device according to claim 21, wherein the valve unit includes:

a detergent outlet portion connected to the detergent introduction portion; and

a check valve installed to the detergent outlet portion.