Patent Publication Number: US-11649579-B2

Title: Washing machine

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/792,998, filed on Oct. 25, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/348,146, filed on Jan. 11, 2012, which claims the priority benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0004383, filed on Jan. 17, 2011, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     Embodiments relate to a washing machine with a detergent supply device which automatically supplies a liquid detergent. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In general, a washing machine is an apparatus which includes a tub containing water and a drum rotatably installed within the tub, and washes laundry by rotating the drum in which the laundry is placed within the tub. 
     Such a washing machine further includes a detergent supply device to supply a detergent used for washing to the tub. Recently, a washing machine to which a detergent supply device to use a liquid detergent easily dissolving in water as compared with a powdery detergent has been developed. 
     SUMMARY 
     Therefore, it is an aspect of one or more embodiments to provide a washing machine with a detergent supply device which supplies detergents through an automatic detergent supply method and a manual detergent supply method. 
     It is another aspect of one or more embodiments to provide a washing machine with a detergent supply device which prevents malfunction of valves generated when a liquid detergent remaining on the valves is dried and solidified. 
     Additional aspects of one or more embodiments will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice. 
     In accordance with an aspect of one or more embodiments, a washing machine includes a main body, a tub disposed within the main body to contain water, a drum rotatably installed within the tub, and a detergent supply device to supply detergents together with water to the tub, wherein 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. 
     The automatic detergent accommodation parts may accommodate a liquid detergent and include detergent discharge parts provided with detergent discharge holes to discharge the detergent, and the detergent supply device may further include valve units disposed at the detergent discharge parts and valve drive devices to operate the valve units. 
     The automatic detergent accommodation parts may include a main detergent accommodation part to accommodate a liquid main detergent and a rinse accommodation part to accommodate a fabric rinse. 
     Each of the valve drive devices may include a cam having a fan-shaped cross section and rotated to operate each of the valve units and a detergent supply motor to rotate the cam. 
     Each of the valve units may include a valve ascending and descending according to rotation of the cam, an ascending/descending guide supporting the valve to ascend and descend the valve, and a valve cap installed at each of the detergent discharge parts to install the ascending/descending guide on each of the detergent discharge parts. 
     The ascending/descending guide may include a guide hole in which the valve is installed to be capable of ascending and descending, a first valve hole provided adjacent to the guide hole and opened and closed by the valve, and a temporary storage space installed within the ascending/descending guide to temporarily accommodate the liquid detergent, the valve cap may include a second valve hole to discharge the detergent within the temporary storage space to the inside of the detergent housing, and the valve may include a valve shaft installed within the guide hole to be capable of ascending and descending, a first valve part disposed above the value shaft to open and close the first valve hole according to ascending and descending of the valve, and a second valve part disposed under the valve shaft to open and close the second valve hole. 
     Each of the valve units may include an elastic member provided with one end supported by the ascending/descending guide and the other end supported by the second valve part, and elastically supporting the valve in the downward direction. 
     The ascending/descending guide may include a support rib extended in the radial direction and inserted into a gap between the lower end of each of the detergent discharge parts and the valve cap. 
     The cam may support the lower surface of the second valve part and rotated to ascend and descend the valve. 
     The detergent supply device may further include an automatic water supply guide to guide water to the lower portions of the valve units, and spray holes to spray water toward the lower portions of the valve units and the cams may be provided at the front end of the automatic water supply guide disposed below the valve units. 
     The detergent supply device may further include an accommodation part cover covering the main detergent accommodation part and the rinse accommodation part and provided with a main detergent inlet and a rinse inlet formed at the front end thereof so that the main detergent and the fabric rinse are put into the main detergent accommodation part and the rinse accommodation part through the main detergent inlet and the rinse inlet, and a rotating cover rotatably installed on the accommodation part cover and rotated to open and close the main detergent inlet and the rinse inlet. 
     The accommodation part cover and the rotating cover may be made of a transparent material. 
     The detergent accommodation box may include a front cover forming the front surface thereof, and a tray installed at the rear of the front cover and provided with the main detergent accommodation part and the rinse accommodation part, the front cover may include display windows enabling a user to observe the heights of the main detergent and the fabric rinse accommodated in the main detergent accommodation part and the rinse accommodation part, and the tray may include transmission parts provided at positions corresponding to the display windows, and detergent guide grooves provided on the lower surfaces of the main detergent accommodation part and the rinse accommodation part, provided with lower surfaces extended to have heights corresponding to the lowest portions of the lower surfaces of the main detergent accommodation part and the rinse accommodation part, and connected to the lower portions of the transmission parts. 
     The tray may be formed of a transparent material. 
     The manual detergent accommodation parts may include a powdery detergent accommodation part to accommodate a powdery detergent and a bleach accommodation part to accommodate a bleach. 
     The detergent supply device may include a housing cover installed to cover the upper surface of the detergent housing and a manual water supply guide fixed to the lower surface of the housing cover to supply water to the manual detergent accommodation parts, and the inside of the manual detergent accommodation parts may be divided into a powdery detergent water supply channel to supply water to the powdery detergent accommodation part and a bleach water supply channel to supply water to the bleach accommodation part. 
     The detergent supply device may further include an accommodation part cover covering the automatic detergent accommodation parts, the accommodation cover may include a powdery detergent inlet to inject the powdery detergent into the powdery detergent accommodation part therethrough and a bleach inlet to inject the bleach into the bleach accommodation part therethrough, and water supply holes may be provided on the lower surfaces of the powdery detergent water supply channel and the bleach water supply channel at positions corresponding to the powdery detergent inlet and the bleach inlet. 
     The accommodation part cover may further include an inclined guide which is downward inclined toward the bleach inlet and formed adjacent to the bleach inlet. 
     The washing machine may further include a manual supply selection button to select one of the detergent supply methods. 
     The washing machine may further include an additional detergent button to additionally inject the detergent. 
     In accordance with another aspect of one or more embodiments, a washing machine includes a main body, a tub disposed within the main body to contain water, a drum rotatably installed within the tub, and a detergent supply device to supply detergents together with water to the tub, wherein the detergent supply device includes a detergent housing installed within the main body, a detergent accommodation box accommodating an amount of a liquid detergent required to execute washing plural times and provided with detergent discharge holes to discharge the detergent, valve units disposed at the detergent discharge holes to restrictedly discharge a portion of the liquid detergent accommodated in the detergent accommodation box through the detergent discharge holes, and valve drive devices to operate the valve units. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and/or other aspects of one or more embodiments will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic view of a washing machine in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded perspective view illustrating an installed state of a detergent supply device applied to the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG.  3    is an enlarged view of the portion ‘A’ of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  4    is an exploded perspective view illustrating a detergent accommodation box and an accommodation part cover applied to the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG.  5    is a plain view of the detergent accommodation box applied to the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG.  6    is an exploded perspective view illustrating a detergent housing and a housing cover applied to the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view illustrating a valve unit and a valve drive device applied to the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG.  8    is an exploded perspective view illustrating the valve unit and the valve drive device applied to the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIGS.  9  to  11    are sectional views illustrating operation of the valve unit and the valve drive device applied to the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG.  12    is an exploded perspective view of a detergent supply device applied to a washing machine in accordance with another embodiment; and 
         FIG.  13    is a schematic view of a washing machine in accordance with another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
     Hereinafter, a washing machine in accordance with an embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     In an embodiment, a drum washing which washes laundry using a difference in elevation will be exemplarily described. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the washing machine in accordance with an includes a main body  10  forming the external appearance of the washing machine, a tub  20  suspended within the main body  10  to contain water, a drum  30  rotatably installed within the tub  20 , a door  40  to open and close a laundry inlet  10   a  provided to put laundry into the drum  30  therethrough, and a drum drive motor  50  installed on the rear surface of the tub  20  and generating rotary force to rotate the drum  30 . 
     Therefore, the laundry within the drum  30  is raised upward and then fallen downward and is thus washed using a difference in elevation by rotating the drum  30  by the drum drive motor  50  under the condition that the laundry is put into the drum  30  through the inlet  30   a  by opening the door  40 . 
     Communication holes  31  through which water within the tub  20  is introduced into the drum  30  are provided on the drum  30 , and lifters  32  to raise the laundry upward are arranged on the inner surface of the drum  30 . 
     The main body  10  includes a main body frame  11  forming front, rear and both side surfaces of the main body  10 , a cover frame  12  covering the upper portion of the main body frame  11 , and a support bar  13  provided with one end fixed to the upper end of the front surface of the main body frame  11  and the other end fixed to the upper end of the rear surface of the main body frame  11  to support the lower surface of the cover frame  12 . Further, a control panel  14  enabling a user to select operation of the washing machine is arranged at the upper portion of the front surface of the main body  10 . 
     A water supply device  15  to supply water to the tub  20  and a detergent supply device  60  to mix the water supplied by the water supply device  15  with a detergent and then to supply the water containing the detergent to the tub  20  are disposed at the upper portion of the inside of the main body  10 . The water supply device  15  includes water supply pipes  15   a  connected to an external water supply source, water supply valves  15   b  to respectively open and close the water supply pipes  15   a , and a water supply hose  15   c  connecting the detergent supply device  60  to the tub  20  to guide the water and the detergent to the tub  20 . 
     A drain device  16  to discharge water used for washing to the outside after washing of the laundry has been completed is disposed under the tub  20 . The drain device  16  includes a drain pump  16   a  to discharge water within the tub  20 , a drain pipe  16   b  connecting the tub  20  and the drain pump  16   a  to each other, and a drain hose  16   c  provided within one end connected to the drain pump  16   a  and the other end extended to the outside of the main body  10 . 
     The drum drive motor  50  includes a stator  51  installed on the tub  20 , a rotor  52  rotating while interacting with the stator  51 , and a rotary shaft  53  provided with one end installed at the rotor  52  and the other end passing through the rear surface of the tub  20  and installed at the drum  30  to rotate the drum  30  together with the rotor  52 . 
     The detergent supply device  60  may supply detergents through an automatic detergent supply method and a manual detergent supply method according to user&#39;s selection, and the automatic detergent supply method is configured to additionally inject a detergent according to user&#39;s need. 
     In order to enable a user to select one of the above detergent supply methods and detergent additional injection, as described above, the control panel  14  includes a manual supply selection button  14   a  to select one of the detergent supply methods and an additional detergent button  14   b  to additionally inject the detergent, as shown in  FIGS.  2  and  3   . Therefore, the user may select one of the detergent supply methods through the manual supply selection button  14   a  and additionally inject the detergent through the additional detergent button  14   b.    
     The detergent supply device  60 , as shown in  FIGS.  4  to  6   , includes a detergent housing  61  installed within the main body  10 , a housing cover  62  installed to cover the upper portion of the detergent housing  61 , a detergent accommodation box  63  movably installed within a space formed by the detergent housing  61  and the housing cover  62  to contain detergents therein, an accommodation part cover  64  covering the detergent accommodation box  63  to prevent the detergents within the detergent accommodation box  63  from overflowing during transfer of the detergent accommodation box  63 , and water supply guides  66  and  67  to mix water with the detergents. 
     The detergent housing  61  is provided with an accommodation space  61   a  in which the detergent accommodation box  63  is accommodated, and is fixed within the main body  10  such that the front surface and the upper surface of the detergent housing  61  are opened to install the detergent accommodation box  63  and the water supply guides  66  and  67 . A connection part  61   b  connected to the water supply hose  15   c  to supply the detergent and water to the tub  20  is provided at the lower portion of the front surface of the detergent housing  61 . The front end of the detergent housing  61  is fixed to one side of the control panel  14  disposed at the upper portion of the front surface of the main body  10 . An opening  14   c  through which the detergent accommodation box  63  is retracted into and extracted from the detergent housing  61  is provided at one side of the control panel  14 . 
     A sensor  70  to detect whether or not the detergent accommodation box  63  is completely retracted into the detergent housing  61  is disposed at the rear surface of the detergent housing  61 , and a sensing part  632   a  disposed on the sensor  70  when the detergent accommodation box  63  is completely retracted into the detergent housing  61  is formed at the rear end of the detergent accommodation box  63 . The sensor  70  may be a magnet sensor which senses a magnetic field, and a magnet is disposed in the sensing part  632 . 
     In order to prevent the rear end of the detergent supply device  60  from sagging due to its own weight, a support member  17  to support the rear end of the detergent housing  61  is installed on the main body  10 . The support member  17  is provided with one end installed on the support bar  13  and the other end fixed to the upper end of one side of the main body frame  11 , and the middle portion of the support member  17  is bent downward to support the lower surface of the detergent housing  61  so that the lower surface of the rear portion of the detergent housing  61  is supported by the upper surface of the support member  17 . 
     Reinforcing ribs  13   a  to reinforce the support bar  13  protrude upward from both sides of the support bar  13 , and a hanging part  17   a  bent upward to be hang on the reinforcing rib  13   a  is provided at one end of the support member  17  installed on the support bar  13 . Therefore, the end of the support member  17  is fixed to the support bar  13  through a screw under the condition that the hanging part  17   a  is hang on the reinforcing rib  13   a , and the other end of the support member  17  is fixed to the upper end of the side surface of the main body frame  11  through a screw. 
     The housing cover  62  is installed to cover the upper portion of the detergent housing  61  through a snap-fit connection method. For this purpose, a plurality of hooks  62   a  is provided at the edge of the housing cover  62 , and a protruding part  61   c  which protrudes outward is provided along the upper end of the detergent housing  61 . 
     The detergent accommodation box  63  includes a front cover  631  forming a portion of the front surface of the washing machine, and a tray  632  installed at the rear of the front cover  631  to be movable within the accommodation space  61   a  of the detergent housing  61  and provided with detergent accommodation parts  632   b ,  632   c ,  632   d  and  632   e  in which detergents to be supplied are respectively stored. The tray  632  is formed of a transparent material to enable a user to easily observe the inside of the tray  632 , and the inside of the tray  632  is divided into automatic detergent accommodation parts  632   b  and  632   c  in which a detergent to be automatically supplied is accommodated and manual detergent accommodation parts  632   d  and  632   e  in which a detergent to be manually supplied is accommodated. 
     The automatic detergent accommodation parts  632   b  and  632   c  include a main detergent accommodation part  632   b  to automatically supply a liquid main detergent and a rinse accommodation part  632   c  to automatically supply a liquid fabric rinse, and the manual detergent accommodation parts  632   d  and  632   e  include a powdery detergent accommodation part  632   d  to supply a powdery detergent and a bleach accommodation part  632   e  to supply a bleach. 
     Here, a large amount of the main detergent and a large amount of the fabric rinse are injected into the main detergent accommodation part  632   b  and the rinse accommodation part  632   c  of the automatic detergent accommodation parts  632   b  and  632   c  so as to execute washing plural times, and are partially used whenever washing of the laundry is carried out. When the automatic detergent accommodation parts  632   b  and  632   c  are provided, washing of laundry is repeated until the detergent and the fabric rinse accommodated in the main detergent accommodation part  632   b  and the rinse accommodation part  632   c  are exhausted without injection of the main detergent or the fabric rinse whenever washing of laundry is carried out, and thus use of the washing machine is convenient. 
     For this purpose, the main detergent accommodation part  632   b  accommodates 1.91 of the liquid detergent in the case of a large-size washing machine and accommodates 1.5 liter of the liquid detergent in the case of a medium/small-size washing machine, and the rinse accommodation part  632  accommodates 1.5 liter of the fabric rinse in the case of a large-size washing machine and accommodates 0.5 liter of the fabric rinse in the case of a medium/small-size washing machine. 
     The front cover  631  includes a bracket part  631   a  extended rearward from the rear surface thereof. The bracket part  631   a  is connected to the front portion of the lower surface of the tray  632  and disperses force, applied to the front cover  631  when the detergent accommodation box  63  is extracted or retracted, throughout the tray  632 . 
     Further, display windows  631   b  and  631   c  are provided at both sides of the front surface of the front cover  631 , thereby enabling the user to check the heights of the main detergent and the fabric rinse respectively accommodated in the main detergent accommodation part  632   b  and the rinse accommodation part  632   c  through the display windows  631   b  and  631   c . The two display windows  631   b  and  631   c  include a main detergent display window  631   b  to display the height of the main detergent and a rinse display window  631   c  to display the height of the fabric rinse. 
     Transmission parts  632   f  and  632   g  extended vertically and connected to the rear portions of the display windows  631   b  and  631   c  to display the heights of the main detergent and the rinse contained in the main detergent accommodation part  632   b  and the rinse accommodation part  632   c  are provided on the front surface of the tray  632 . The tray  632  is formed of a transparent material, and thus the transmission parts  632   f  and  632   g  are formed of the transparent material. Therefore, a user located in front of the front cover  631  may observe the heights of the main detergent and the fabric rinse contained in the tray  632  through the display windows  631   b  and  631   c  and the transmission parts  632   f  and  632   g.    
     The lower surface of the front portion of the tray  632  is downward inclined toward detergent discharge parts  632   k , which will be described later, to guide the main detergent and the fabric rinse to the detergent discharge parts  632   k . That is, a region of the lower surface of the tray  632  located in front of the detergent discharge parts  632   k  is downward inclined backwardly toward the detergent discharge parts  632   k , and a region of the lower surface of the tray  632  located at the rear of the detergent discharge parts  632   k  is downward inclined forwardly toward the detergent discharge parts  632   k . Here, when the region of the lower surface of the tray  632  located in front of the detergent discharge parts  632   k  is downward inclined backwardly toward the detergent discharge parts  632   k , as describe above, movement of water supplied to the detergent housing  61  toward the front cover  631  along the lower surface of the tray  632  is prevented. 
     Since the lower surface of the front portion of the tray  632  is downward inclined backwardly toward the detergent discharge parts  632   k , as describe above, two detergent guide grooves  632   h  and  632   i  respectively connected to the lower portions of the two transmission parts  632   f  and  632   g  are provided on the lower surfaces of the main detergent accommodation part  632   b  and the rinse accommodation part  632   c  of the tray  632 , as shown in  FIG.  5   . The lower surfaces of the detergent guide grooves  632   h  and  632   i  are extended to have heights corresponding to the lowest portions of the inner lower surfaces of the main detergent accommodation part  632   b  and the rinse accommodation part  632   c , thereby enabling the heights of the liquid detergent and the fabric rinse contained in the tray  632  to be precisely displayed through the display windows  631   b  and  631   c.    
     The accommodation part cover  64  is formed of a transparent material to allow a user to easily observe the detergents contained in the tray  63 , and covers the upper portions of the main detergent accommodation part  632   b  and the rinse accommodation part  632   c  to accommodate the liquid detergent and the fabric rinse to prevent the liquid main detergent and fabric rinse from being dried. Further, the accommodation part cover  64  serves to prevent the liquid detergent and fabric rinse from overflowing the tray  632  during transfer of the detergent accommodation box  63 . 
     A main detergent inlet  64   a  and a rinse inlet  64   b  through which the liquid main detergent and the fabric rinse are injected into the main detergent accommodation part  632   b  and the rinse accommodation part  632   c  are provided in parallel at the front end of the accommodation part cover  64 , and a rotating cover  65  to open and close the main detergent inlet  64   a  and the rinse inlet  64   b  is installed on the accommodation part cover  64 . The rotating cover  65  is formed of a transparent material in the same manner as the accommodation part cover  64 , and hinge parts  65   a  provided at both sides of the rotating cover  65  are rotatably connected to hinge protrusions  64   f  provided at both sides of the accommodation part cover  64  so that the rotating cover  65  is rotated to simultaneously open and close the main detergent inlet  64   a  and the rinse inlet  64   b . A recess  64   g  to allow a user to easily apply force to the rotating cover  65  to rotate the rotating cover  65  is provided at one side of the rinse inlet  64   b  of the tray  632 . 
     Further, a powdery detergent inlet  64   c  through which the powdery detergent is injected into the powdery detergent accommodation part  632   d  and a bleach inlet  64   d  through which the bleach is injected into the bleach accommodation part  632   e  are provided on the accommodation part cover  64  at the rear of the rinse inlet  64   b . Since the bleach inlet  64   d  has a very small width in terms of the arrangement structure of the detergent accommodation parts  632   b ,  632   c ,  632   d  and  632   e , an inclined guide  64   e  which is downward inclined toward the bleach inlet  64   d  is formed adjacent to the bleach inlet  64   d  of the accommodation part cover  64 . 
     In order to supply the liquid main detergent and fabric rinse accommodated in the main detergent accommodation part  632   b  and the rinse accommodation part  632   c  to the tub  20 , the detergent discharge parts  632   k  extended into a hollow cylindrical shape to form detergent discharge holes  632   j  are respectively provided on the lower surfaces of the main detergent accommodation part  632   b  and the rinse accommodation part  632   c , and the detergent supply device  60  includes two valve units  68  to selectively discharge the liquid main detergent and fabric rinse through the two detergent discharge holes  632   j  and two valve drive devices  69  to independently operate the two valve units  68 . 
     The valve unit  68 , as shown  FIGS.  7  and  8   , includes a valve  681  ascending and descending to open and close the detergent discharge part  632   k , an ascending/descending guide  682  to guide ascending and descending of the valve  681 , a valve cap  683  to install the ascending/descending guide  682  on the detergent discharge part  632   k , and an elastic member  684  to elastically support the valve  681 . 
     The ascending/descending guide  682  is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and is provided with a temporary storage space  682   a  to temporarily accommodate the liquid main detergent or fabric rinse, and a guide hole  682   b  in which the valve  681  is installed to be capable of ascending and descending, and a first valve hole  682   c  located adjacent to the guide hole  682   b  to pass the liquid main detergent or fabric rinse. Further, a support rib  682   d  protruding in the radial direction is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the lower end of the ascending/descending guide  682 , and is inserted into a gap between the lower end of the detergent discharge part  632   k  and the inner surface of the valve cap  683  during a process of coupling the valve cap  683  with the detergent discharge part  632   k , thereby maintaining a state in which the ascending/descending guide  682  is installed on the detergent discharge part  632   k.    
     The valve cap  683  includes a second valve hole  683   a  to discharge the detergent temporarily stored in the temporary storage space  682   a  of the ascending/descending guide  682  to the inside of the detergent housing  61 , and is connected to the detergent discharge part  632   k  of the tray  632  through a screw connection method. 
     The valve  681  includes a valve shaft  681   a  installed within the guide hole  682   b  to be capable of ascending and descending, a first valve part  681   b  formed of a elastically deformable material, such as rubber, and disposed above the value shaft  681   a  to open and close the first valve hole  682   c  according to ascending and descending of the valve  681 , and a second valve part  681   c  formed integrally with the lower end of the valve shaft  681   a  to open and close the second valve hole  683   a  according to ascending and descending of the valve  681 . The lower surface of the second valve part  681   c  is supported by a cam  691  which will be described later so that the valve  681  ascends and descends by force transmitted from the cam  691  through the second valve part  681   c . As the valve  681  ascends, the first valve hole  682   c  is opened and the second valve hole  683   a  is closed, and as the valve  681  descends, the first valve hole  682  is closed and the second valve hole  683   a  is opened. 
     The elastic member  684  is provided with one end supported by the lower surface of a portion of the ascending/descending guide  682  adjacent to the guide hole  682   b  and the other end supported by the upper surface of the second valve part  681   c , and elastically supports the valve  681  in the downward direction. 
     The two valve drive devices  69  are installed at both sides of the detergent housing  61 , and each of the two valve drive devices  69  includes the cam  691  rotated to ascend and descend the valve  681  and a detergent supply motor  692  to rotate the cam  691 . 
     The cam  691  has a fan-shaped cross section and is rotated by the detergent supply motor  692  to ascend and descent the valve  681  based on the rotating angel thereof. The cam  691 , as shown in  FIG.  6   , is disposed under the valve  681  of the detergent accommodation box  63  retracted into the detergent housing  61  within the detergent housing  61 , and applies force to the valve  681  through the lower end of the valve  681 , i.e., the lower surface of the second valve part  681   c.    
     The detergent supply motor  692  is installed at each of motor installation parts  61   d  provided at both sides of the lower portion of the detergent housing  61 , and a rotary shaft  692   a  of the detergent supply motor  692  is connected to the cam  691  disposed within the detergent housing  61  through a shaft installation hole  61   e  provided on the detergent housing  61  and transmits rotary force to the cam  691 . 
     The water supply guides  66  and  67  include an automatic water supply guide  66  connected to the water supply pipes  15   a  and disposed under the detergent accommodation box  63  retracted into the detergent housing  61 , and a manual water supply guide  67  installed on the lower surface of the housing cover  62  and disposed on the accommodation part cover  64  to supply water to the powdery detergent accommodation part  632   d  and the bleach accommodation part  632   e  of the manual detergent accommodation parts  632   d  and  632   e.    
     The automatic water supply guide  66  is configured to guide water to the lower portion of the detergent accommodation box  63  retracted into the detergent housing  61  and to spray water toward the lower ends of the valve units  68  disposed under the detergent accommodation box  63 . The automatic water supply guide  66  includes automatic water supply ports  66   a  provided at the rear end thereof and connected to the water supply pipes  15   a , an extension part  66   b  extended downward to guide water in the downward direction, and a spray part  66   c  extended forward from the lower end of the extension part  66   b  and provided with spray holes  66   d  formed at the front end thereof to spray water toward the lower ends of the valve units  68 . Shields  66   e  disposed in an arc shape around the valve caps  683  to prevent water from being splashed backward are formed on the upper surface of the spray part  66   c.    
     The manual water supply guide  67  includes manual water supply ports  67   a  provided at the rear end thereof and connected to the water supply pipes  15   a , and a powdery detergent water supply channel  67   b  and a bleach water supply channel  67   c , upper surfaces of which are opened. The manual water supply guide  67  is fixed to the lower surface of the housing cover  62  through heat fusion, etc., and thus the upper surfaces of the powdery detergent water supply channel  67   b  and the bleach water supply channel  67   c  are closed. Water supply holes  67   d  to supply water to powdery detergent accommodation part  632   d  and the bleach accommodation part  632   e  through the lower surface of the manual water supply guide  67  are provided on the lower surface of the manual water supply guide  67  at positions corresponding to the powdery detergent accommodation part  632   d  and the bleach accommodation part  632   e.    
     Hereinafter, operation of the above-described detergent supply device of the washing machine will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     When the cam  691  is rotated by the detergent supply motor  692  under the condition that the first valve hole  682   c  is closed by the first valve part  681   b , as shown in  FIG.  9   , the valve  681  ascends by the cam  691 , as shown in  FIG.  10   . As the valve  681  ascends, the first valve hole  682   c  having being closed by the first valve part  681   b  is opened and the second valve hole  683   a  is closed by the second valve part  681   c . Therefore, a portion of the main detergent or the fabric rinse accommodated in the main detergent accommodation part  632   b  or the rinse accommodation part  632   c  is introduced into the temporary storage space  682   a  provided within the ascending/descending guide  682  through the first valve hole  682   c.    
     When the cam  691  is rotated again by the detergent supply motor  692  after a designated time has elapsed and then a designated amount of the detergent fills the temporary storage space  682   a  of the ascending/descending guide  682 , the valve  681  having ascent by the cam  691  descends by elastically restoring force of the elastic member  684 , as shown in  FIG.  11   . As the valve  681  descends, the first valve hole  682   c  is closed by the first valve part  681   b  and the second valve hole  683   a  having been closed by the second valve part  681   c  is opened. Therefore, the detergent filling the temporary storage space  682   a  of the ascending/descending guide  682  is transmitted to the inside of the detergent housing  61  through the second valve hole  683   a.    
     During the above process of discharging the detergent to the inside of the detergent housing  61  through the second valve hole  683   a , the spray holes  66   d  of the automatic water supply guide  66  spray water. The sprayed water is mixed with the detergent discharged through the second valve hole  683   a , and is then supplied to the tub  20  through the water supply hose  15   c  connected to the detergent housing  61 . 
     Since the spray holes  66   d  are configured to spray water toward the second valve part  681   c  of the valve  681 , the second valve hole  683   a  and the cam  691 , the second valve part  681   c , the second valve hole  683   a  and the cam  691  are washed by the water sprayed from the spray holes  66   d , and thus remaining of the detergent on the second valve part  681   c , the second valve hole  683   a  and the cam  691  is prevented. Therefore, malfunction of the valves  681 , generated if the liquid main detergent or fabric rinse remaining on the second valve parts  681   c , the second valve holes  683   a  and the cams  691  is solidified, may be prevented. 
     Although an embodiment illustrates the tray  632  as being divided into the main detergent accommodation part  632   b , the rinse accommodation part  632   c , the powdery detergent accommodation part  632   d  and the bleach accommodation part  632   e  to supply the main detergent and the fabric rinse through the automatic detergent supply method and to supply the powdery detergent and the bleach in the manual detergent supply method, the tray is not limited thereto. In accordance with another embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  12   , the tray  632 ′ may include only a main detergent accommodation part  632   a ′ and a rinse accommodation part  632   b ′ without components corresponding to the powdery detergent accommodation part and the bleach detergent accommodation part, and the detergent supply device  60  includes a pair of valve units  68 , a pair of valve drive device  69  and a water supply guide  66 ′ to supply only a main detergent and a fabric rinse through the automatic detergent supply method. 
     Further, although an embodiment illustrates the rear end of the detergent housing  61  as being supported by the main body frame  11  through the support bar  13  and the support member  17 , the detergent housing  61  is not limited thereto. As shown in  FIG.  13   , the detergent housing  61  may be installed within the main body frame  11  by fixing a coupling part  61   f  integrally extended from the rear surface of the detergent housing  61  to the rear end of the main body frame  11  through a fastening member, such as a screw. 
     Hereinafter, operation of the detergent supply device of the above-described washing machine will be described. 
     First, in order to use a liquid main detergent, a user operates the control panel  14  to execute washing under the condition that the manual supply selection button  14   a  is not selected. Thereby, the water supply valves  15   b  are controlled so as to supply water only to the automatic water supply guide  66 , and the detergent supply motors  692  are driven to rotate the cams  691 . Then, water is sprayed through the spray holes  66   d  provided at the front end of the automatic water supply guide  66  and a portion of the main detergent accommodated in the main detergent accommodation part  632   b  is discharged through the second valve hole  683   a , simultaneously. The water and the main detergent are mixed within the detergent housing  61 , and are then supplied to the tub  20  through the water supply hose  15   c.    
     On the other hand, in order to use a powdery detergent, the user extracts the detergent accommodation box  63  from the detergent housing  61 , puts the powdery detergent into the powdery detergent accommodation part  632   d  through the powdery detergent inlet  64   c , and then retracts the detergent accommodation box  63  into the detergent housing  61 . 
     When the user selects the manual supply selection button  14   a  in the above state and operates the control panel  14  to execute washing, the water supply valves  15   b  are controlled so as to supply water only to the powdery detergent water supply channel  67   b  of the manual water supply guide  67 . Therefore, water is supplied to the powdery detergent accommodation part  632   d  through the water supply holes  67   d  provided on the manual water supply guide  67  and the powdery detergent inlet  64   c , is mixed with the powdery detergent accommodated within the powdery detergent accommodation part  632   d , and is then supplied to the tub  20  through the water supply hose  15   c.    
     As is apparent from the above description, a washing machine in accordance with an embodiment has a detergent supply device which supplies a detergent through an automatic detergent supply method or a manual detergent supply method according to user&#39;s section, thereby using various types of detergent. 
     Further, the washing machine removes a liquid detergent remaining on valves by spraying water toward the valves through an automatic water supply guide, thereby preventing malfunction of the valves generated when the liquid detergent remaining on valve units is dried and solidified. 
     Although a few embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.