Washing machine

• US 9,834,879 B2
• Filed: 01/11/2012
• Issued: 12/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Song, Weon Jin, Lee, Song Yik, Song, Hyun Woo
• Primary Examiner(s): Wieczorek, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Kevin G
• Application Number:
  US13/348,146
• Publication Number:
  US 20120180533A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,155 Days
• Field of Search: 222180, 2221813, 222651, 68 1218, 68 17 R
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 3/0003 provided with automatic fluid control means
• 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 39/08 Liquid supply or discharge arrangements supply of soap or other washing agents D06F39/02
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/12 Casings; Tubs

Abstract

A washing machine including a detergent supply device to supply a detergent together with water to a tub. The detergent supply device includes a detergent housing installed within the main body and a detergent accommodation box movably installed within the detergent housing, and the detergent accommodation box is divided into automatic detergent accommodation parts to accommodate a detergent to be supplied automatically and manual detergent accommodation parts to accommodate a detergent to be supplied manually, and the detergent supply device supplies the detergents through an automatic detergent supply method and a manual detergent supply method.

Claims

1. A washing machine comprising:

a main body;

a tub disposed within the main body;

a drum rotatably installed within the tub; and

a detergent supply device including;

a detergent housing,

a detergent accommodation box movably installed within the detergent housing and divided into;

an automatic detergent accommodation part to accommodate a first detergent to be discharged from the automatic detergent accommodation part in an electrically controlled manner, and

a manual detergent accommodation part to accommodate a second detergent to be discharged from the manual detergent accommodation part with water to be supplied to the manual detergent accommodation part,

an accommodation part cover disposed on a top of the detergent accommodation box and including;

a first inlet through which the first detergent is to be filled in the automatic detergent accommodation part,

a second inlet through which the second detergent is to be added in the manual detergent accommodation part, and

a first inlet cover coupled to the accommodation part cover to open or close the first inlet, and

a manual water supply guide disposed above the accommodation part cover and including a plurality water supply ports disposed above the second inlet such that the second detergent is mixed with the water to be supplied to the manual detergent accommodation part.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising:

a valve unit coupled to a detergent discharge hole formed on the automatic detergent accommodation part and a valve drive device to operate the valve unit to control an amount of the first detergent discharging from the automatic detergent accommodation part.

3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the valve drive device includes:

a cam having a fan-shaped cross section and to be rotated to operate the valve unit, and

a detergent supply motor to rotate the cam.

4. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the valve unit includes a valve ascending and descending according to a rotation of the cam, an ascending/descending guide supporting the valve to ascend and descend the valve, and a valve cap installed at the detergent discharge part to secure the ascending/descending guide on the detergent discharge part.

5. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein

the ascending/descending guide includes:

a guide hole in which the valve is installed to be capable of ascending and descending,

the first valve hole is provided adjacent to the guide hole and to be opened or closed by the valve,

the temporary storage is space formed within the ascending/descending guide to temporarily accommodate the first detergent;

the valve cap includes the second valve hole to discharge the first detergent within the temporary storage space to an inside of the detergent housing; and

the valve includes;

a valve shaft installed within the guide hole to be capable of ascending and descending,

the first valve part disposed above the valve shaft to open or close the first valve hole according to the ascending and descending of the valve, and

the second valve part disposed under the valve shaft to open or close the second valve hole.

6. The washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the valve unit further includes an elastic member provided with one end supported by the ascending/descending guide and other end supported by the second valve part, and elastically supporting the valve in a downward direction.

7. The washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the cam supports a lower surface of the second valve part and is rotated to ascend and descend the valve.

8. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the ascending/descending guide includes a support rib extended in a radial direction and inserted into a gap between a lower end of the detergent discharge part and the valve cap.

9. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein:

the detergent supply device further includes an automatic water supply guide to guide water to a lower portion of the valve unit; and

a spray hole to spray water toward the lower portion of the valve unit and the cam are provided at a front end of the automatic water supply guide disposed below the valve unit.

10. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the automatic detergent accommodation part is divided into a main detergent accommodation part to accommodate the first detergent and a rinse accommodation part to accommodate a fabric rinse.

11. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the accommodation part cover and the first inlet cover is made of a transparent material.

12. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein:

the detergent accommodation box includes a front cover forming a front surface of the washing machine, and a tray coupled to a rear side of the front cover and provided with the automatic detergent accommodation part and the manual detergent accommodation part; and

the front cover includes indicators enabling a user to observe presence of the first detergent and the fabric rinse accommodated in the main detergent accommodation part and the rinse accommodation part.

13. The washing machine according to claim 12, wherein the tray includes:

transmission parts provided at positions corresponding to the indicators; and

detergent guide grooves provided on lower surfaces of the main detergent accommodation part and the rinse accommodation part, provided with lower surfaces extended to have heights corresponding to lowest portions of the lower surfaces of the main detergent accommodation part and the rinse accommodation part, and connected to lower portions of the transmission parts.

14. The washing machine according to claim 13, wherein the tray is formed of a transparent material.

15. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the manual detergent accommodation part includes a powdery detergent accommodation part to accommodate a powdery detergent and a bleach accommodation part to accommodate a bleach.

16. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein:

the detergent supply device further includes a housing cover installed to cover an upper surface of the detergent housing such that the manual water supply guide is disposed at a lower surface of the housing cover.

17. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the accommodation part cover further includes an inclined guide which is downward inclined toward the second inlet.

18. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a detergent supply selection button to select one of, the automatic discharge of the first detergent from the automatic detergent accommodation part, the manual discharge of the second detergent from the manual detergent accommodation part, or any combination thereof.

19. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a detergent button to discharge an additional amount of the first detergent to the tub using the valve unit.