Laundry treating apparatus having a detergent supply module

• US 9,528,216 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2013
• Issued: 12/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Jo, Mingyu, Kim, Dongwon, Chae, Kyosoon, Kim, Naeun
• Primary Examiner(s): Barr, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): ADHLAKHA, RITA P
• Application Number:
  US14/022,501
• Publication Number:
  US 20140076008A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,204 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 39/028 Arrangements for selectively supplying water to detergent compartments
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/083 Liquid discharge or recirculation arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/085 Arrangements or adaptations of pumps
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/088 Liquid supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/10 Filtering arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/14 Doors or covers; Securing means therefor

Abstract

A laundry treating apparatus is provided that may include a cabinet having an introduction port for introduction of laundry and an opening that communicates with an outside of the cabinet, a tub arranged in the cabinet and provided with a tub introduction port that communicates with the introduction port, and a detergent supply module that stores a detergent and provides the stored detergent to the tub, the detergent supply module being detachably provided at the opening.

Claims

1. A laundry treating apparatus, comprising:

a cabinet having an introduction port for introduction of laundry and an opening that communicates with an outside of the cabinet;

a tub arranged in the cabinet and provided with a tub introduction port that communicates with the introduction port;

a drainage channel to discharge washing water stored in the tub outside of the cabinet;

a filter detachably provided in the drainage channel to filter the washing water;

a first detergent supply module to store a first detergent and provide the stored first detergent to the tub, the first detergent supply module being detachably provided at the opening, wherein the first detergent supply module includes;

a module panel coupled to the opening;

a module door provided at the opening and rotatably coupled to the module panel to define a front surface of the cabinet;

at least one container provided in the cabinet to store the first detergent therein and positioned at a rear surface of the module door; and

at least one detergent pump fixed to the module panel to move the first detergent stored in the at least one container to the tub, wherein the filter is supported by the module panel and withdrawable through the opening when the module door opens the opening.

2. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one container is provided at one of the module door or the module panel.

3. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first detergent supply module further includes an accommodation frame provided on one of the module door or the module panel to receive the at least one container to be fixed thereto.

4. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first detergent supply module further includes an accommodation frame provided at one of the module door or the module panel to allow the at least one container to be detachably accommodated therein.

5. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first detergent supply module further includes:

at least one detergent discharge conduit to discharge the first detergent stored in the at least one container to the accommodation frame when the at least one container is inserted into the accommodation frame;

at least one pump connection conduit to connect an interior of the accommodation frame with the detergent pump; and

at least one detergent supply conduit to guide the first detergent discharged from the at least one detergent pump to an upper surface of the tub.

6. The laundry apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first detergent supply module is positioned below a lower portion of the introduction port.

7. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 6, further including:

a second detergent storage module positioned above an upper portion of the introduction port to communicate with the tub and store a second detergent therein; and

a water supply device to supply washing water to the second detergent storage module to introduce the second detergent stored in the second detergent storage module into the tub.

8. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first detergent supply module further includes:

at least one detergent discharge conduit to discharge the first detergent stored in the container to the accommodation frame when the container is inserted into the accommodation frame;

at least one pump connection conduit to connect an interior of the accommodation frame with the at least one detergent pump; and

at least one detergent supply conduit to guide the first detergent discharged from the at least one detergent pump to the second detergent storage module.

9. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the module door is rotatably coupled to a front surface of the module panel, wherein the accommodation frame is provided on the module door, and wherein the container is detachably provided on the accommodation frame.

10. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the at least one detergent pump is fixed to a rear surface of the module panel, and wherein the at least one pump connection conduit penetrates the module panel to connect the at least one detergent pump with the accommodation frame.

11. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the module panel further includes:

a connection conduit hole configured to receive the at least one pump connection conduit to penetrate therethrough; and

a holder provided in the connection conduit hole to prevent the at least one pump connection conduit and the at least one detergent pump from being separated from each other.

12. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the module panel includes a filter attachment hole that receives the filter detachably accommodated therein.

13. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the opening is positioned below a lower portion of the introduction port, and wherein the module door is rotatably coupled to the module panel.

14. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the module door is rotatable to a first angle and a second angle, the at least one container being exposed at the first angle and the filter being exposed at the second angle.

15. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 14, further including a damper to adjust an angle of rotation of the module door.

16. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one container includes a plurality of containers configured to store different types of first detergent.

17. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the first detergent supply module further includes an accommodation frame provided on one of the module door or the module panel to receive the plurality of containers to be fixed thereto.

18. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the first detergent supply module further includes:

a plurality of detergent discharge conduits to discharge the first detergents stored in the plurality of containers to the accommodation frame when the plurality of containers is inserted into the accommodation frame;

a plurality of pump connection conduits to connect an interior of the accommodation frame with a plurality of detergent pumps; and

a plurality of detergent supply conduits to guide the first detergents discharged from the plurality of detergent pumps to an upper surface of the tub.

19. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cabinet includes a front panel that extends at an angle with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the cabinet, the introduction port being disposed within the front panel, and wherein the opening is disposed below the introduction port.

20. A laundry treating apparatus, comprising:

a cabinet having an introduction port for introduction of laundry and an opening that communicates with an outside of the cabinet disposed below the introduction port;

a tub arranged in the cabinet and provided with a tub introduction port that communicates with the introduction port;

a drainage channel to discharge washing water stored in the tub outside of the cabinet;

a filter detachably provided in the drainage channel to filter the washing water; and

a first detergent supply module to store a first detergent and provide the stored first detergent to the tub, the first detergent supply module being detachably provided at the opening, wherein the first detergent supply module includes;

a module panel coupled to the opening;

a module door provided at the opening and rotatably coupled to the module panel to define a front surface of the cabinet;

at least one container provided in the cabinet to store the first detergent therein and positioned at a rear surface of the module door; and

at least one detergent pump fixed to the module panel to move the first detergent stored in the at least one container to the tub, wherein the filter is supported by the module panel and withdrawable through the opening when the module door opens the opening.

21. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the at least one container includes a plurality of containers configured to store different types of first detergent.

22. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the cabinet includes a front panel that extends at an angle with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the cabinet, the introduction port being disposed within the front panel.

23. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 20, further including:

a second detergent storage module positioned above an upper portion of the introduction port to communicate with the tub and store a second detergent therein.

24. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 23, further including:

a water supply device to supply washing water to the second detergent storage module to introduce the second detergent stored in the detergent storage module into the tub.