Washing machine
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A washing machine comprising:
- a washing tub; and
a liquid detergent supply mechanism, the liquid detergent supply mechanism comprising at least one liquid detergent storage container that stores liquid detergent to be supplied to the washing tub,wherein the liquid detergent supply mechanism is configured to supply the liquid detergent stored in the liquid detergent storage container to the washing tub, and to remove residual liquid detergent not supplied to the washing tub by using a cleaning solution,wherein the washing machine further comprises a draining mechanism that discharges the washing water stored in the washing tub, the cleaning solution includes the washing water drained by the draining mechanism, and the liquid detergent supply mechanism further comprises;
a valve;
a cleaning solution supply passage connecting the valve and the draining mechanism;
first flow passages connecting the valve and the at least one liquid detergent storage container; and
a second flow passage selectively communicated with the first flow passages or the cleaning solution supply passage by the valve, for selectively guiding the liquid detergent or the cleaning solution to the washing tub.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a washing machine, which can automatically supply a liquid detergent into a washing tub and automatically clean inner flow passages through which the liquid detergent has flown with a cleaning solution. A liquid detergent supply mechanism supplies at least one kind of liquid detergent to the washing tub, and the inner flow passages of the liquid detergent supply mechanism through which the liquid detergent has flown are cleaned with the cleaning solution supplied from outside.
20 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A washing machine comprising:
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a washing tub; and a liquid detergent supply mechanism, the liquid detergent supply mechanism comprising at least one liquid detergent storage container that stores liquid detergent to be supplied to the washing tub, wherein the liquid detergent supply mechanism is configured to supply the liquid detergent stored in the liquid detergent storage container to the washing tub, and to remove residual liquid detergent not supplied to the washing tub by using a cleaning solution, wherein the washing machine further comprises a draining mechanism that discharges the washing water stored in the washing tub, the cleaning solution includes the washing water drained by the draining mechanism, and the liquid detergent supply mechanism further comprises; a valve; a cleaning solution supply passage connecting the valve and the draining mechanism; first flow passages connecting the valve and the at least one liquid detergent storage container; and a second flow passage selectively communicated with the first flow passages or the cleaning solution supply passage by the valve, for selectively guiding the liquid detergent or the cleaning solution to the washing tub. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A washing machine comprising:
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a washing tub; and a liquid detergent supply mechanism, the liquid detergent supply mechanism comprising at least one liquid detergent storage container that stores liquid detergent to be supplied to the washing tub, wherein the liquid detergent supply mechanism is configured to supply the liquid detergent stored in the liquid detergent storage container to the washing tub, and to remove residual liquid detergent not supplied to the washing tub by using a cleaning solution, wherein the washing machine further comprises a circulation mechanism that circulates washing water contained in the washing tub, the cleaning solution including the circulated washing water, and the liquid detergent supply mechanism further comprises; a valve; a cleaning solution supply passage connecting the valve and the circulation mechanism; first flow passages connecting the valve and the at least one liquid detergent storage container; and a second flow passage selectively communicated with the first flow passages or the cleaning solution supply passage by the valve, for selectively guiding the liquid detergent or the cleaning solution to the washing tub.
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5. A washing machine comprising a washing tub and a liquid detergent supply mechanism, the liquid detergent supply mechanism comprising:
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at least one liquid detergent storage container that stores liquid detergent for supply to the washing tub; a valve; first flow passages connecting the valve and the liquid detergent storage container for guiding the liquid detergent stored in the liquid detergent storage container to the valve; and a cleaning solution supply passage for guiding cleaning solution to the valve, the cleaning solution removing residual liquid detergent not supplied to the washing tub, wherein the liquid detergent supply mechanism further comprises a second flow passage connecting the valve and the washing tub for selectively guiding the liquid detergent or the cleaning solution passing through the valve to the washing tub, and wherein the washing machine further comprises a detergent supply unit disposed on a water supply passage that supplies water to the washing tub, one end of the second flow passage being connected to the detergent supply unit. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A washing method of a washing machine having a washing tub and a liquid detergent supply mechanism, wherein the liquid detergent supply mechanism includes:
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at least one liquid detergent storage container that stores liquid detergent for supply to the washing tub; a valve; first flow passages connecting the valve and the liquid detergent storage container for feeding the liquid detergent stored in the liquid detergent storage container to the valve; a cleaning solution supply passage for guiding cleaning solution to the valve, the cleaning solution removing residual liquid detergent not supplied to the washing tub; a second flow passage connecting the valve and the washing tub for selectively guiding the liquid detergent or the cleaning solution passing through the valve to the washing tub; and a detergent supply pump disposed on the second flow passage to generate a pressure differential for supplying the liquid detergent to the washing tub, the method comprising; operating the detergent supply pump in a forward direction for a first period of time to supply the liquid detergent in the liquid detergent storage container to the washing tub via the first flow passages, the valve, and the second flow passage; stopping or operating the detergent supply pump in a backward direction for a second period of time to feed the liquid detergent remaining in at least one of the first flow passages, the valve, and the second flow passage back to the liquid detergent storage container; and again operating the detergent supply pump in a forward direction for a third period of time to remove residual liquid detergent remaining in at least one of the first flow passages, the valve, and the second flow passage by feeding the cleaning solution to the washing tub.
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Specification