U.S. patent application number 11/219696 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-16 for washing machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Byoung Soo Je.
Application Number | 20060053842 11/219696 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36155518 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060053842 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Je; Byoung Soo |
March 16, 2006 |
Washing machine
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a washing machine which has a detergent
supply part formed in a door. The detergent supply part is formed
in the door and has a function of containing detergent and
supplying detergent into a tub through the door. The washing
machine has an advantage of considerable space saving compared with
the washing machine having the detergent supply part formed in an
inner space thereof, thereby minimizing the volume and the number
of components of the washing machine.
Inventors: |
Je; Byoung Soo; (Seoul,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
36155518 |
Appl. No.: |
11/219696 |
Filed: |
September 7, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/17R ;
68/3R |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 39/02 20130101;
D06F 39/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
068/017.00R ;
068/003.00R |
International
Class: |
D06F 37/00 20060101
D06F037/00; D06F 35/00 20060101 D06F035/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 8, 2004 |
KR |
2004-71825 |
Claims
1. A washing machine, comprising: a cabinet having a laundry
entrance formed therein; a door for opening/closing the laundry
entrance; a tub installed within the cabinet; a drum rotatably
disposed within the tub for containing laundry; and a detergent
supply part formed in the door.
2. The washing machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
detergent supply part has an inlet formed on a front side of the
door, and an outlet formed on a rear side of the door.
3. The washing machine as set forth in claim 2, wherein the door is
provided with a shutter for opening/closing the inlet.
4. The washing machine as set forth in claim 3, wherein the shutter
is hingably connected at a lower end to the door such that an upper
portion of the shutter is opened in front of the door about the
lower end.
5. The washing machine as set forth in claim 2, wherein the door
comprises a front panel having the inlet of the detergent supply
part formed at one side, and a rear panel coupled to a rear side of
the front panel and having the outlet of the detergent supply part
formed therein.
6. The washing machine as set forth in claim 2, wherein the rear
side of the door has a central portion protruded towards an inner
portion of the drum, and the outlet is formed at the central
portion of the rear side of the door.
7. The washing machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
detergent supply part has an inlet and an outlet formed on a rear
side of the door.
8. The washing machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the door
comprises a front panel, and a rear panel coupled to a rear side of
the front panel, the rear panel having an inlet of the detergent
supply part formed at an upper portion of the rear panel and an
outlet of the detergent supply part formed at a lower portion of
the rear panel.
9. The washing machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the door
comprises a door frame having the detergent supply part and a hole
formed therein, and a door glass mounted to the hole and convexly
formed towards an inner portion of the drum.
10. The washing machine as set forth in claim 9, wherein the door
frame comprises a front panel having an inlet of the detergent
supply part formed at an upper portion of the front panel, and a
rear panel coupled to a rear side of the front panel and having an
outlet of the detergent supply part formed at a lower portion of
the rear panel.
11. The washing machine as set forth in claim 1, further
comprising: a water supply device disposed therein so as to
communicate with the detergent supply part when the door is
closed.
12. The washing machine as set forth in claim 11, wherein the
cabinet is formed with a through-hole through which a portion of
the water supply device passes.
13. The washing machine as set forth in claim 11, wherein the door
is formed with an insertion hole through which a portion of the
water supply device is introduced into the detergent supply part
when the door is closed.
14. The washing machine as set forth in claim 11, wherein the water
supply device comprises a water supply valve for controlling water
supply through an external hose, and a water supply hose disposed
to guide water passing through the water supply valve to the
detergent supply part when the door is closed.
15. The washing machine as set forth in claim 11, wherein the
detergent supply part comprises a detergent containing portion
having a predetermined space defined to allow the detergent input
through the inlet to be contained therein, and a siphon port
through which the detergent in the detergent containing portion is
discharged along with supplied water to the outlet.
16. A washing machine, comprising: a cabinet having a laundry
entrance formed therein; a door for opening/closing the laundry
entrance, and having a detergent supply part formed therein such
that detergent is supplied into the washing machine through the
door; a tub installed within the cabinet; a drum rotatably disposed
within the tub for containing laundry; and a water supply device
disposed to communicate with the detergent supply part when the
door is closed in order to supply water to the detergent supply
part, wherein the door comprises a front panel having an inlet of
the detergent supply part formed at one side of the front panel,
and a rear panel coupled to a rear side of the front panel and
having an outlet of the detergent supply part formed in the rear
panel.
17. The washing machine as set forth in claim 16, wherein the door
is provided with a shutter for opening/closing the inlet.
18. The washing machine as set forth in claim 16, wherein the
detergent supply part comprises a detergent containing portion
having a predetermined space defined to allow the detergent input
through the inlet to be contained therein, and a siphon port
through which the detergent in the detergent containing portion is
discharged along with supplied water to the outlet.
19. A washing machine, comprising: a cabinet having a laundry
entrance formed therein; a door for opening/closing the laundry
entrance, and having a detergent supply part formed therein such
that detergent is supplied into the washing machine through the
door; a tub installed within the cabinet; a drum rotatably disposed
within the tub for containing laundry; and a water supply device
disposed to communicate with the detergent supply part when the
door is closed in order to supply water to the detergent supply
part, wherein the door comprises a front panel, and a rear panel
coupled to a rear side of the front panel, the rear panel having an
inlet of the detergent supply part formed at an upper portion of
the rear panel and an outlet of the detergent supply part formed at
a lower portion of the rear panel.
20. The washing machine as set forth in claim 19, wherein the
detergent supply part comprises a detergent containing portion
having a predetermined space defined to allow the detergent input
through the inlet to be contained therein, and a siphon port
through which the detergent in the detergent containing portion is
discharged along with supplied water to the outlet.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more
particularly, to a washing machine which has a detergent injection
part equipped in a door, thereby allowing space saving in the
washing machine.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Generally, a washing machine is used to remove contaminants
adhered to laundry such as clothes and bedclothes contained in a
drum through interaction between water and detergent by course of
washing, rinsing and dewatering the laundry. The washing machine
comprises a detergent supplying device which supplies the detergent
combined with wash water into a tub.
[0005] FIG. 1 is a side sectional view illustrating the inner
structure of a conventional washing machine, and FIG. 2 is a
perspective view illustrating the conventional washing machine of
FIG. 1, from which a detergent barrel has been withdrawn.
[0006] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the conventional washing machine
comprises a cabinet 2 having a laundry entrance 1 formed on one
surface thereof, a tub 10 bufferably supported in the cabinet 2 for
containing detergent-dissolved water (which will hereinafter be
referred to as "wash water") or detergent-free water (which will
hereinafter be referred to as "rinsing water"), a drum 12 rotatably
disposed within the tub 10 for containing laundry m, a motor 14
including a shaft 13 for supporting and rotating the drum 12, a
water supply device 16 for supplying water, a detergent supplying
device 20 for containing detergent and supplying it into the tub 10
in which the detergent is dissolved in the water supplied by the
water supply device 16 and passes therethrough, and a drainage
device 30 for draining contaminated water from the tub 10 to the
outside.
[0007] A door 4 for opening/closing the laundry entrance 1 is
hingably connected to the cabinet 2.
[0008] A control panel 7 for controlling the washing machine is
equipped to an upper portion on a front side of the cabinet 2.
[0009] The control panel 7 is formed at one of left or right sides
thereof with a detergent barrel mounting hole 8, through which a
detergent barrel as described below is loaded or unloaded to the
washing machine.
[0010] The drum 12 is formed with through-holes 13 such that the
wash water or the rinsing water supplied to the tub 10 is induced
into the drum 12 therethrough so as to allow the laundry m to be
immersed therein.
[0011] The detergent supplying device 20 comprises a detergent
barrel housing 21 installed at the rear of the detergent barrel
mounting hole 8, a detergent barrel 22 inserted through the
detergent barrel mounting hole 8 to be received in the detergent
barrel housing 21 and having a detergent containing portion 22a
defined therein, and a dispenser 23 mounted at the rear side of the
control panel 7 so as to be located above the detergent barrel
housing 21 and for dispensing water supplied through the water
supply device 16 to the detergent barrel 22.
[0012] The detergent barrel housing 21 is connected to a water
supply bellows 24 for guiding the wash water or the rinsing water
passing through the detergent barrel 22 into the tub 10.
[0013] Reference numeral 11 indicates a bellows connecting port
formed on the tub 10 for connecting the water supply bellows 24 to
the tub 10.
[0014] In order to wash laundry using the conventional washing
machine constructed as described above, the detergent barrel 8 is
pulled in front of the washing machine, and detergent or fabric
softener is placed into the detergent containing portion 22a. Then,
the detergent barrel 22 is received inside the detergent barrel
housing 21 by pushing it into the detergent barrel housing 21.
[0015] Then, after inputting laundry m through the laundry entrance
1 into the drum, and closing the door 4, an operating command is
input through the control panel 7 so that the motor 14, the water
supply device 16, and the drainage device 30 of the washing machine
are operated according to the operating command.
[0016] When instructions for a washing process are input through
the control panel 7, the washing machine operates the water supply
device 16 to allow water supplied from the outside to be guided to
the dispenser 23, which guides the water into the detergent barrel
22. Then, the detergent in the detergent barrel 22 is dissolved in
the water, is discharged towards the detergent barrel housing 21,
and is supplied into the tub 10 through the water supply bellows
24.
[0017] Detergent-dissolved water (that is, wash water) supplied
into the tub 10 is induced into the drum 12 via the through-holes
13 of the drum 12, and soaks into the laundry m.
[0018] After the water is supplied into the washing machine, the
motor 14 is driven to rotate the drum 12, and the laundry is
removed of contaminants adhered thereto through interaction of the
laundry and the wash water.
[0019] After performing the washing process as described above for
a predetermined period, the washing machine allows the drainage
device 30 to discharge contaminated water from the tub 10 to the
outside.
[0020] After finishing the washing process comprising the steps of
supplying water, washing the laundry and draining the water,
instructions for a rinsing process are input through the control
panel 7, and then the washing machine operates the water supply
device 16 to guide water supplied from the outside into the
dispenser 23. The dispenser 23 guides the water into the detergent
barrel 22. Then, the water is supplied into the tub 10 through the
detergent barrel housing 21 and the water supply bellows 24.
[0021] As with the washing process, detergent free water (that is,
rinsing water) supplied into the tub 10 soaks into the laundry.
Then, the motor 14 is driven to rotate the drum 12, and the laundry
is rinsed through interaction between the laundry and the rinsing
water, so that the detergent or suds is removed from the
laundry.
[0022] After performing the rinsing process as described above for
a predetermined period, the washing machine allows the drainage
device 30 to discharge contaminated water from the tub 10 to the
outside.
[0023] However, the conventional washing machine has problems in
that the detergent supplying device 20 occupies a large space
inside the washing machine, thereby increasing the volume of the
washing machine, and in that the detergent supplying device 20
comprises a number of components such as the detergent barrel
housing 21, the water supply bellows 24 and the like, thereby
complicating an assembling process.
[0024] Additionally, since the bellows connecting port 11 must
molded to the tub 10, molding of the tub becomes complicated,
thereby increasing manufacturing costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The present invention has been made to solve the above
problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a
washing machine designed to reduce a volume of the washing machine,
to minimize the number of components and assembling steps, to
simplify a molding process of a tub, and to reduce manufacturing
costs.
[0026] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the
above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a
washing machine, comprising: a cabinet having a laundry entrance
formed therein; a door for opening/closing the laundry entrance; a
tub installed within the cabinet; a drum rotatably disposed within
the tub for containing laundry; and a detergent supply part formed
in the door.
[0027] The detergent supply part may have an inlet formed on a
front side of the door, and an outlet formed on a rear side of the
door.
[0028] The door may be provided with a shutter for opening/closing
the inlet.
[0029] The shutter may be hingably connected at a lower end to the
door such that an upper portion of the shutter is opened in front
of the door about the lower end.
[0030] The door may comprise a front panel having the inlet of the
detergent supply part formed at one side of the front panel, and a
rear panel coupled to a rear side of the front panel and having the
outlet of the detergent supply part formed therein.
[0031] The rear side of the door may have a central portion
protruded towards an inner portion of the drum, and the outlet may
be formed at the central portion of the rear side of the door.
[0032] The inlet and the outlet of the detergent supply part may be
formed at the rear side of the door.
[0033] The door may comprise a front panel, and a rear panel
coupled to a rear side of the front panel, the rear panel having an
inlet of the detergent supply part formed at an upper portion of
the rear panel, and an outlet of the detergent supply part formed
at a lower portion thereof.
[0034] The door may comprise a door frame having the detergent
supply part and a hole formed therein, and a door glass mounted to
the hole and convexly formed towards the drum.
[0035] The door frame may comprise a front panel having an inlet of
the detergent supply part formed at an upper portion of the front
panel, and a rear panel coupled to a rear side of the front panel
and having an outlet of the detergent supply part formed at a lower
portion of the rear panel.
[0036] The washing machine may further comprise a water supply
device disposed therein so as to communicate with the detergent
supply part when the door is closed.
[0037] The cabinet may be formed with a through-hole through which
a portion of the water supply device passes.
[0038] The door may be formed with an insertion hole through which
the portion of the water supply device is introduced into the
detergent supply part when the door is closed.
[0039] The water supply device may comprise a water supply valve
for controlling water supply through an external hose, and a water
supply hose disposed to guide water passing through the water
supply valve to the detergent supply part when the door is
closed.
[0040] The detergent supply part may comprise a detergent
containing portion having a predetermined space defined to allow
the detergent input through the inlet to be contained therein, and
a siphon port through which the detergent in the detergent
containing portion is discharged along with the supplied water to
the outlet.
[0041] According to the invention constructed as described above,
since the washing machine has the detergent supply part formed in
the door, which has a function of containing detergent and
supplying the detergent into a tub through the door, it has an
advantage of considerable space saving compared with the washing
machine having the detergent supply part in an inner space thereof,
thereby minimizing the volume and the number of components of the
washing machine.
[0042] Additionally, according to the invention, the inlet and
outlet of the detergent supply part are formed in the front and
rear sides of the door, respectively, so that the detergent can be
supplied/added to the washing machine when the door is closed,
thereby enhancing user convenience.
[0043] Additionally, according to the invention, the inlet and
outlet of the detergent supply part are formed in the rear side of
the door, so that the detergent supply part is concealed, thereby
enhancing the frontal appearance of the washing machine.
[0044] Additionally, according to the invention, the shutter for
opening/closing the inlet of the detergent supply part is installed
to the door, thereby preventing foreign matter from entering the
detergent supply part, and preventing water supplied through the
water supply device from being leaked to the outside.
[0045] Additionally, according to the invention, the door comprises
the door frame having the detergent supply part and the hole formed
therein, and the door glass mounted to the hole, so that the
detergent can be supplied through the door frame and the inside of
the washing machine can be seen through the door glass.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0046] The foregoing and other objects and features of the present
invention will be more clearly understood from the following
detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0047] FIG. 1 is a side sectional view illustrating the inner
structure of a conventional washing machine;
[0048] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the conventional
washing machine of FIG. 1, from which a detergent barrel has been
withdrawn;
[0049] FIG. 3 is a side sectional view illustrating the inner
structure of a washing machine in accordance with a first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0050] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the washing
machine in accordance with the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0051] FIG. 5 is a side sectional view illustrating the inner
structure of a washing machine in accordance with a second
embodiment of the present invention;
[0052] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the washing
machine of FIG. 5, a door of which is opened;
[0053] FIG. 7 is a side sectional view illustrating the inner
structure of a washing machine in accordance with a third
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0054] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the washing
machine in accordance with the third embodiment of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0055] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which like components are denoted by the same reference numerals,
and repetitious descriptions thereof will be omitted.
[0056] FIG. 3 is a side sectional view illustrating the inner
structure of a washing machine in accordance with a first
embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view
illustrating the washing machine in accordance with the first
embodiment of the invention.
[0057] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the washing machine according to
the first embodiment comprises: a cabinet 52 having a laundry
entrance 51 formed therein; a door 60 for opening/closing the
laundry entrance 51; a tub 70 mounted within the cabinet 52; a drum
80 rotatably disposed within the tub 70 for containing laundry m; a
detergent supply part 90 formed in the door 60; and a water supply
device 100 disposed therein so as to communicate with the detergent
supply part 90 when the door is closed in order to supply water to
the detergent supply part 90.
[0058] The cabinet 52 comprises a base plate 53 constituting a
bottom surface of the washing machine, a cabinet body 54 located on
the base plate 53 to constitute lateral sides and a rear side of
the washing machine, a cabinet cover 55 located at the front of the
cabinet 54 to constitute a front side of the washing machine and
having the laundry entrance 51 formed at the center of the cabinet
cover 55, and a top cover 56 located on the cabinet body 54 to
constitute a top surface of the washing machine.
[0059] The cabinet cover 55 of the cabinet 52 is formed with a
through-hole 55a through which a portion of the water supply device
199 passes, such that the water supply device 100 communicates with
the detergent supply part 90 when the door 60 is closed.
[0060] One side of the door 60 is hinged to the cabinet 52, in
particular, to the cabinet cover 55.
[0061] The opposite side of the door 60 is equipped with a hook
which is locked to/released from a door locking switch mounted on
the cabinet 52, in particular, on the cabinet cover 55.
[0062] The door 60 has a rear central portion 63 protruded towards
an inner portion of the drum 80.
[0063] The door 60 is equipped with a shutter 64 for
opening/closing an inlet 91 of the detergent supply part 90.
[0064] The shutter 64 is hingably connected to the door 60.
[0065] More specifically, the shutter 64 is hingably connected at a
lower end to the door 60 such that an upper portion of the shutter
is opened in front of the washing machine about the lower end of
the shutter 64.
[0066] The door 60 is formed with an insertion hole 65 through
which the portion of the water supply device 100 is introduced into
the detergent supply part 90 when the door 60 is closed.
[0067] The insertion hole 65 is preferably formed on the rear side
of the door 60, and in particular, in front of the through-hole 55a
of the cabinet cover 55, such that the portion of the water supply
device 100 is easily introduced into the detergent supply part 90
therethrough when the door 60 is closed.
[0068] The door 60 comprises a front panel 66, and a rear panel 67
coupled to a rear side of the front panel 66, in which the front
panel 66 has the inlet 91 of the detergent supply part 90 formed at
one side thereof, and the rear panel 67 has an outlet 92 of the
detergent supply part 90 formed at one side of the rear panel 67,
and the insertion hole 65 formed at the other side of the rear
panel 67.
[0069] The tub 70 acts to contain detergent-dissolved water (which
will hereinafter be referred to as "wash water") or detergent-free
water (which will hereinafter be referred to as "rinsing water").
The tub 70 is connected to the cabinet 52, in particular, to a
damper 71 coupled to the base plate 53, and to a spring 72 coupled
to the cabinet body 54, so that it is bufferably supported by the
cabinet 52.
[0070] The tub 70 is formed with an opening 73 in rear of the
laundry entrance 51, and is disposed horizontal or substantially
horizontal to the bottom surface of the washing machine.
[0071] The tub 70 is mounted with a gasket 74 brought into intimate
contact with the rear side of the door 60 when the door 60 is
closed, thereby preventing the laundry m and the wash water from
being leaked to the outside.
[0072] The gasket 74 is connected at one end to the opening 73 of
tub 70 and is connected at the other end to the cabinet cover 55 so
as to shield a space defined between the opening 73 of the tub 70
and the laundry entrance 51 of the cabinet cover 55.
[0073] The gasket 74 is formed around an inner peripheral surface
with a sealing portion 74a which will be brought into intimate
contact with the rear side of the door 60 when the door 60 is
closed.
[0074] The tub 70 is connected to a drainage device 75 for
discharging the wash water, the rinsing water and the water from
the laundry from the tub 70 to the outside of the washing
machine.
[0075] The drainage device 75 comprises a drainage bellows 76
connected to the tub 70 for allowing the water to be drained from
the tub 70, a drainage pump 77 for pumping the water drained
through the drainage bellows 76, and a drainage hose 78 for guiding
the water pumped by the drainage pump 77 to the outside of the
washing machine.
[0076] The tub 70 is mounted with a motor 79 for supporting and
rotating the drum 50.
[0077] The motor 79 comprises a stator fixed to a rear side of the
tub 80, a rotor surrounding the periphery and the rear side of the
stator, and a shaft 79a passing through the rear side of the tub 70
and coupled to the rotor and the rear side of the drum 80.
[0078] As with the tub, the drum 80 is also disposed horizontal or
substantially horizontal to the bottom surface of the washing
machine such that a lower portion of the drum 80 is located in the
wash water or in the rinsing water within the tub 70.
[0079] The drum 80 has an entrance 82 formed at the rear of the
laundry entrance 51 for allowing the laundry m, the wash water or
the rinsing water to enter the drum 80 therethrough, a plurality of
through-holes formed around the peripheral surface or on the rear
side thereof such that the wash water or the rinsing water supplied
to the tub 10 is induced into the drum 12 therethrough, and a
lifter 86 formed around an inner peripheral surface thereof for
raising and dropping the laundry m.
[0080] The inlet 91 of the detergent supply part 90 may be formed
in at least one of the front side, the rear side and the peripheral
surface of the door 60, and the following description will be
limited to the case where the inlet 91 of the detergent supply part
90 is formed at the front side of the door 60.
[0081] The outlet 92 of the detergent supply part 90 is formed at
the rear side of the door 60.
[0082] The outlet 92 is formed at the rear central portion 63 of
the door 60 so as to prevent the wash water or the rinsing water
from dropping to the gasket 74 while allowing the wash water or the
rinsing water to drop into the tub 70 or the drum 80.
[0083] The detergent supply part 90 comprises a detergent
containing portion 93 having a predetermined space defined to allow
the detergent supplied through the inlet 91 to be contained
therein, and a siphon port 94 through which the detergent in the
detergent containing portion 93 is discharged along with the
supplied water to the outlet 92.
[0084] The water supply device 100 comprises a water supply valve
102 for controlling water supply through an external hose 101, and
a water supply hose 104 disposed to guide the water passing through
the water supply valve 102 to the detergent supply part 90 when the
door 60 is closed.
[0085] The water supply hose 104 is connected at one end to the
water supply valve 102, passes through the through hole 55a of the
cabinet cover 55, and is then protruded at the other end from the
front side of the though hole 55a.
[0086] Reference numeral 57 indicates a control panel equipped to
an upper portion of the cabinet cover 55 for controlling the
washing machine.
[0087] Operation of the washing machine constructed as described
above will now be described.
[0088] First, when closing the door 60 after laundry m is input
through the laundry entrance 51 into the drum 80, a portion of the
water supply hose 104 passes through the insertion hole 65 of the
door 60 and then communicates with the detergent supply part 90. At
this time, the outlet 92 of the detergent supply part 90 is
directed towards the inner portion of the drum 80.
[0089] After opening the inlet 91 of the detergent supply part 90
by rotating the shutter 64 in front of the washing machine to open
the inlet 91 of the detergent supply part 90, detergent D is input
through the inlet 91, and is then contained in the detergent
containing portion 93 of the detergent supply part 90.
[0090] After closing the inlet 90 of the detergent supply part 90
by rotating the shutter 64 in reverse, instructions of various
processes such as a washing process, a rinsing process, a
dewatering process and the like are input through the control panel
57. Then, the motor 79, the water supply valve 102, and the
drainage pump 77 of the washing machine are operated according to
the instructions.
[0091] When instructions for the washing process are input through
the control panel 7, the water supply valve 102 of the washing
machine is turned on.
[0092] Then, water supplied from the external hose 102 sequentially
passes through the water supply valve 102 and the water supply hose
104, and is then supplied into the detergent supply part 90 where
the water is dropped into the detergent containing portion 93 and
dissolves the detergent D to form wash water w.
[0093] Then, the wash water w is supplied into the tub 70 or the
drum 80 from the detergent containing portion 93 through the outlet
92 of the detergent supply part 90 via the siphon port 94, and
soaks into the laundry m.
[0094] When the wash water w is supplied to a predetermined level
in the tub 70, the water supply valve 102 is turned off, and the
motor 79 is driven.
[0095] As the motor 79 is driven, the drum 80 is rotated, and the
laundry m is circulated in the drum 80, causing contaminants to be
removed from the laundry m.
[0096] After the washing process is performed for a predetermined
period, the motor 70 stops, and the drainage pump 77 is driven.
[0097] Then, the contaminated wash water w in the tub 70
sequentially passes through the drainage bellows 76, the drainage
pump 77, and the drainage hose 78, and is then drained to the
outside of the washing machine.
[0098] As with the washing process, when instructions for the
rinsing process are input to the washing machine, the motor 79, the
water supply valve 102, and the drainage pump 77 of the washing
machine are operated according to the instructions.
[0099] When the water supply valve 102 of the washing machine is
turned on, water is supplied from the external hose 102, and
sequentially passes through the water supply valve 102 and the
water supply hose 104. Then, the water is supplied into the
detergent supply part 90 where the water is dropped into and fills
the detergent containing portion 93.
[0100] Then, the rinsing water w is supplied into the tub 70 or the
drum 80 from the detergent containing portion 93 through the outlet
92 of the detergent supply part 90 via the siphon port 94, and
soaks into the laundry m.
[0101] When the rinsing water w is supplied to a predetermined
level in the tub 70, the water supply valve 102 is turned off, and
the motor 79 is driven.
[0102] As the motor 79 is driven, the drum 80 is rotated, and the
laundry m is circulated in the drum 80, causing the detergent to be
removed from the laundry.
[0103] After the rinsing process is performed for a predetermined
period, the motor 79 stops, and the drainage pump 77 is driven.
[0104] Then, the contaminated rinsing water w in the tub 70
sequentially passes through the drainage bellows 76, the drainage
pump 77, and the drainage hose 78, and is then drained to the
outside of the washing machine.
[0105] FIG. 5 is a side sectional view illustrating the inner
structure of a washing machine in accordance with a second
embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view
illustrating the washing machine of FIG. 5, the door of which is
opened.
[0106] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the washing machine according to
the second embodiment comprises a door 60' which has an inlet 91'
of a detergent supply part 90' formed at a rear side of the door
60' such that detergent D is input through the inlet 91' of the
detergent supply part 90' after opening the door 70' in front of
the washing machine. Other constructions and operations thereof are
the same as those of the washing machine according to the first
embodiment. Thus, the other constructions are denoted by the same
reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and a detailed
description thereof will be omitted.
[0107] The door 69' comprises a front panel 66', and a rear panel
67' coupled to a rear side of the front panel 66', in which the
rear panel 67' is formed at an upper portion with the inlet 91' of
the detergent supply part 90' and an insertion hole 65 to which a
portion of a water supply device 100 is inserted, and is formed at
a lower portion with an outlet 92 of the detergent supply part
90'.
[0108] FIG. 7 is a side sectional view illustrating the inner
structure of a washing machine in accordance with a third
embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view
illustrating the washing machine in accordance with the third
embodiment of the invention.
[0109] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the washing machine of the third
embodiment has a door 60 which comprises a door frame 66'' and 67''
having a detergent supply part 90'' and a hole formed therein, and
a door glass 68'' mounted to the hole and convexly formed towards a
drum. Other constructions and operations thereof are the same as
those of the washing machine according to the first and second
embodiments. Thus, the other constructions are denoted by the same
reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and a detailed
description thereof will be omitted.
[0110] The door frame 66'' and 67'' comprises a front panel 66''
and a rear panel 67'' coupled to a rear side of the front panel
66''. The front panel 66'' has an inlet 91 of the detergent supply
part 90'' formed at an upper portion of the front panel 66''. The
rear panel 67'' has an insertion hole 65 formed at an upper portion
thereof so as to allow a portion of a water supply device 100 to be
inserted thereinto, and an outlet 92 of the detergent supply part
90'' formed at a lower portion thereof.
[0111] Meanwhile, it should be noted that the present invention is
not limited to the embodiments as described above. Alternatively,
the washing machine may comprise a fabric softener supply part in
addition to the detergent supply part so that a fabric softener is
input to the fabric softener supply part, and is then supplied
together with water supplied from the outside into the tub during
the rinsing process.
[0112] Alternatively, a space may be defined between the front
panel and the rear panel constituting the door to receive an
additional detergent barrel, and the door may be equipped with an
additional water supply hose for guiding water guided through the
water supply device to this detergent barrel, and an additional
guide hose for guiding the wash water or the rinsing water passing
through this detergent barrel to the rear of the door.
[0113] The washing machine according to the invention has the
following advantages.
[0114] First, according to the invention, since the washing machine
has the detergent supply part formed in the door, which has a
function of containing detergent and supplying the detergent into a
tub through the door, it has an advantage of considerable space
saving compared with the washing machine having the detergent
supply part in an inner space thereof, thereby minimizing the
volume and the number of components of the washing machine.
[0115] Second, in the washing machine according to the invention,
the inlet and outlet of the detergent supply part are formed in the
front and rear sides of the door, respectively, so that the
detergent can be supplied/added to the washing machine when the
door is closed, thereby enhancing user convenience.
[0116] Third, in the washing machine according to the invention,
the inlet and outlet of the detergent supply part are formed in the
rear side of the door, so that the detergent supply part is
concealed, thereby enhancing the frontal appearance of the washing
machine.
[0117] Fourth, in the washing machine according to the invention,
the shutter for opening/closing the inlet of the detergent supply
part is installed to the door, thereby preventing foreign matter
from entering the detergent supply part and preventing water
supplied through the water supply device from being leaked to the
outside.
[0118] Fifth, in the washing machine according to the invention,
the door comprises the door frame having the detergent supply part
and the hole formed therein, and the door glass mounted to the
hole, so that the detergent can be supplied through the door frame
and the inside of the washing machine can be seen through the door
glass.
[0119] It should be understood that the embodiments and the
accompanying drawings as described above have been described for
illustrative purposes and the present invention is limited by the
following claims. Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate
that various modifications, additions and substitutions are allowed
without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set
forth in the accompanying claims.
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