Patent Publication Number: US-2021164148-A1

Title: Washing machine

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0158515, filed on Dec. 2, 2019, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The disclosure relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a washing machine including a detergent supply device. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Generally, a washing machine is a device for washing laundry by rotating a cylindrical rotary tub containing the laundry. As a type of washing machine, there are a drum washing machine in which laundry is washed by falling down after being lifted upward along an inner circumferential surface of a drum as the drum, which is disposed substantially horizontally, rotates with respect to a horizontal axis, and a vertical axis washing machine in which laundry is washed using a water current generated by a pulsator disposed inside a drum as the drum, which is disposed substantially vertically, rotates with respect to a vertical axis. 
     Generally, a washing machine may include a detergent supply device provided to supply washing water and detergent into a drum. The detergent supply device may include a detergent container for receiving a detergent, and a flow path for guiding water to the detergent container from an external water supply source. 
     The pressure of water guided to the detergent container from an external water supply source differs depending on the installation environment. When the pressure of water guided to the detergent container is too high, the detergent contained in the detergent container may overflow outside the detergent container together with water that is introduced into the detergent container. The water and detergent overflowing to the outside of the detergent container may cause the washing machine to malfunction. In particular, solid detergents in powder form may overflow outside the detergent container even when the water pressure is relatively weak. For this reason, manufacturers sometimes prohibit putting-in of solid detergents in advance. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a washing machine includes a main body, a tub disposed in the main body, and a detergent supply device configured to supply a detergent to the tub and to receive water at a position lower than a level of the detergent contained in the detergent supply device, wherein the detergent supply device includes an inlet through which water is introduced from the outside of the detergent supply device, a first outlet configured to increase the time it takes for the detergent put in the detergent supply device to be discharged to the outside of the detergent supply device, and a second outlet configured to discharge the detergent put in the detergent supply device and water introduced into the detergent supply device through the inlet. 
     The first outlet may include a first slit extending in a first direction, and a second slit extending in a second direction crossing the first direction to prevent residual water from remaining in the detergent supply device. 
     When the first slit extends in a horizontal direction and the second slit extends in a vertical direction, a length of the first slit may be longer than a length of the second slit. 
     The second outlet may be larger than the first outlet and may be disposed higher than the first outlet. 
     The detergent supply device may further include a detergent container configured to contain the detergent, a housing including a water supply part to receive water from an external water supply source, and configured to guide water supplied through the water supply part to the detergent container, and a housing cover including a detergent container hole into which the detergent container is inserted, and configured to cover an open upper side of the housing. 
     The detergent container may include the inlet through which water is introduced into the detergent container from the outside of the detergent container, the first outlet configured to increase the time it takes for the detergent contained in the detergent container to be discharged to the outside of the detergent container, and the second outlet formed larger than the first outlet to discharge the detergent contained in the detergent container and water introduced into the detergent container to the outside of the detergent container. 
     The detergent container may further include a maximum detergent storage level indicating surface indicating the maximum storage level of the detergent contained in the detergent container. 
     The second outlet may be disposed above the maximum detergent storage level indicating surface. 
     The detergent container may further include an outlet divider configured to divide the second outlet into a predetermined size or less to prevent foreign matters larger than the predetermined size from being discharged through the second outlet. 
     The detergent container may further include a distribution guide disposed adjacent to the inlet to guide water introduced into the detergent container through the inlet in two different directions. 
     The housing cover may further include a first blocking wall configured to block a part of water guided from the water supply part to the inlet. 
     The detergent container may further include a second blocking wall configured to block a part of water passing through the first blocking wall and introduced into the inlet. 
     The housing further may further include a first guide wall configured to guide water introduced into the housing through the water supply part to the inlet, and a second guide wall spaced apart from the first guide wall by a predetermined distance. 
     The detergent contained in the detergent container may be primarily mixed with water introduced into the detergent container through the inlet, and discharged to the outside of the detergent container together with water introduced into the inlet through the second outlet and then mixed secondarily in the housing. 
     When mixed secondarily in the housing, the detergent discharged into the housing may be mixed with water that has moved into the housing without being introduced into the detergent container from the water supply part. 
     The detergent container may further include an overflow hole disposed adjacent to the inlet and positioned higher than the maximum detergent storage level indicating surface. 
     When a solid detergent is put into the detergent container, water introduced into the detergent container through the inlet may be discharged to the outside of the detergent container together with the solid detergent through the overflow hole. 
     The water and the solid detergent discharged through the overflow hole may be introduced into the detergent container again through the inlet. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a washing machine includes a main body, a tub disposed in the main body, and a detergent supply device configured to supply a detergent to the tub and including a detergent container in which the detergent is contained and a housing to which water is supplied from the outside of the detergent supply device, wherein the detergent container includes a slit configured to increase the time it takes for the detergent put into the detergent container to be discharged to the outside of the detergent container, and an outlet formed larger than the slit to discharge the detergent contained in the detergent container and water introduced into the detergent container. 
     The detergent container may further include an inlet through which water is introduced into the detergent container from the outside of the detergent container, and a maximum detergent storage level indicating surface indicating the maximum storage level of the detergent contained in the detergent container. 
     The outlet may be disposed above the maximum detergent storage level indicating surface. 
     The detergent container may further include an overflow hole disposed adjacent to the inlet and positioned higher than the maximum detergent storage level indicating surface. 
     When a solid detergent is put into the detergent container, water introduced into the detergent container through the inlet may be discharged to the outside of the detergent container together with the solid detergent through the overflow hole. 
     The detergent contained in the detergent container may be primarily mixed with water introduced into the detergent container through the inlet, and discharged to the outside of the detergent container together with water introduced into the inlet through the outlet and then mixed secondarily in the housing. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a washing machine includes a first cabinet, a second cabinet disposed above the first cabinet, a first tub covered by the first cabinet, a second tub covered by the second cabinet, a first detergent supply device configured to supply a detergent to the first tub, and a second detergent supply device configured to supply the detergent to the second tub, wherein the second detergent supply device includes an inlet through which water is introduced from the outside of the second detergent supply device, a first outlet configured to increase the time it takes for the detergent put in the second detergent supply device to be discharged to the outside of the second detergent supply device, and a second outlet configured to discharge the detergent put in the second detergent supply device and water introduced into the second detergent supply device through the inlet. 
     Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a detergent supply device in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the detergent supply device shown in  FIG. 2 : 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a detergent container viewed from one direction in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  shows the detergent container of  FIG. 4  viewed from another direction; 
         FIG. 6  shows the detergent container of  FIG. 4  viewed from another direction; 
         FIG. 7  shows the detergent container of  FIG. 4  viewed from another direction; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the detergent supply device from which the detergent container is removed, in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom perspective view of a housing cover in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a housing of the detergent supply device in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  is a view for explaining water supply and drainage processes of the detergent supply device when a liquid detergent is put in the detergent container, in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 12  is a view for explaining water supply and drainage processes of the detergent supply device when a solid detergent is put in the detergent container, in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a detergent supply device in a washing machine according to another embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Configurations shown in the embodiments and the drawings described in the present specification are only the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and thus it is to be understood that various modified examples, which may replace the embodiments and the drawings described in the present specification, are possible when filing the present application. 
     The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing the embodiments and are not intended to restrict and/or to limit the disclosure. For example, the singular expressions herein may include plural expressions, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, the terms “comprises” and “has” are intended to indicate that there are features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof. 
     It will be understood that although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms, and the terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the disclosure, the first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as a first component. 
     The terms “front end,” “rear end,” “upper portion,” “lower portion,” “upper end” and “lower end” used in the following description are defined with reference to the drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms. 
     A washing machine in which a drum is arranged horizontally is referred to as a front loading washing machine because a laundry inlet is formed in the front, and a washing machine in which a drum is arranged vertically is referred to as a top loading washing machine because a laundry inlet is formed at the top. 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Hereinafter, a washing machine including a first washing apparatus and a second washing apparatus will be described as an example, but is not limited thereto. A detergent supply device according to an embodiment of the disclosure may be applied to a front loading washing machine. Also, a detergent supply device according to an embodiment of the disclosure may be applied to a top loading washing machine. 
     It is an aspect of the disclosure to provide a washing machine including a detergent supply device capable of preventing a detergent and water from overflowing to the outside of a detergent container. 
     It is another aspect of the disclosure to provide a washing machine including a detergent supply device capable of using a solid detergent as well as a liquid detergent. 
     It is another aspect of the disclosure to provide a washing machine including a detergent supply device capable of visually recognizing an input amount of detergent to a user by delaying the time that a liquid detergent is discharged to the outside of a detergent container when the liquid detergent is put into the detergent container. 
     It is another aspect of the disclosure to provide a washing machine including a detergent supply device capable of improving the washing effect by sufficiently mixing a detergent put in a detergent container with water before being supplied into a drum. 
     Hereinafter, a first outlet may refer to a slit. Also, a second outlet may refer to an outlet. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a washing machine  1  may include a first washing apparatus of a front loading type having a first laundry inlet  11  formed in the front thereof, and a second washing apparatus of a top loading type having a second laundry inlet  31  formed at the top thereof. 
     The washing machine  1  may include a first drum  13  having a first washing space  12  formed therein, and a first tub (not shown) accommodating the first drum  13  therein and storing washing water or rinse water to be used in a washing process or a rinsing process. 
     The washing machine  1  may include a control panel  14  disposed at a front upper portion of the first housing  10  to operate the washing machine  1 . The control panel  14  may include an input (not shown) for receiving an operation command of the washing machine  1  from a user and a display (not shown) for displaying operation information of the washing machine  1 . 
     The washing machine  1  may include a first housing  10  configured to cover the first drum  13  and the first tub. A first door  20  configured to open and dose the first laundry inlet  11  may be coupled to the first housing  10 . 
     The first door  20  may include an auxiliary door  21  so that laundry may be put into the first washing space  12  even when the first door  20  is closed. The auxiliary door  21  may be mounted on the first door  20  so as to be rotatable with respect to the first door  20 . 
     The present embodiment illustrates that the auxiliary door  21  is provided in the first door  20 , but is not limited thereto, and the first door  20  may not include the auxiliary door  21 . 
     The washing machine  1  may include a second drum  33  in which a second washing space  32  is formed, and a second tub (not shown) accommodating the second drum  33  therein and storing washing water or rinse water to be used in the washing process or rinsing process. The second drum  33  and the second tub may be formed in a cylindrical shape in which at least a portion of one surface thereof is open, and the open surface may be disposed to face substantially upward. 
     The washing machine  1  may include a second drum  33  and a second housing  30  configured to cover the second drum  33 . The second housing  30  may accommodate the second tub (not shown) therein. 
     The washing machine  1  may include a second door  40  provided at the second housing  30  to open and close the second laundry inlet  31 . The second door  40  may be provided to correspond to the second laundry inlet  31 . 
     The washing machine  1  may include a cover door  41  configured to cover an upper surface of the washing machine  1  when the second door  40  is closed. By closing the cover door  41 , an outer appearance of the washing machine  1  may be maintained neatly during the washing process. 
     The second drum  33  may be provided in a cylindrical shape with an open upper side and may be disposed to be rotatable inside the second tub (not shown). 
     The washing machine  1  may include detergent supply devices  101  and  100  configured to supply a detergent to the first tub (not shown) and the second tub (not shown), respectively. The detergent supply devices  101  and  100  may include the first detergent supply device  101  configured to supply the detergent to the first tub and the second detergent supply device  100  configured to supply the detergent to the second tub. 
     The first detergent supply device  101  may be provided in the second housing  30 . Specifically, the first detergent supply device  101  may be provided on a frame  34  forming the second laundry inlet  31  inside the second housing  30 . Appropriately, the first detergent supply device  101  may be disposed in front of the second laundry inlet  31 . 
     The second detergent supply device  100  may be disposed in the second housing  30 . The second detergent supply device  100  may be disposed at a left edge of the frame  34 . At a right edge of the frame  34 , an auxiliary additive supply device  102  configured to receive a fabric softener and/or bleach and to supply the fabric softener and/or bleach to the second tub may be disposed. The positions of the second detergent supply device  100  and the auxiliary additive supply device  102  may be interchanged. 
     The second detergent supply device  100  may be covered by the cover door  41 . The second detergent supply device  100  may be disposed to be accessible to a user as the cover door  41  is opened. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a detergent supply device in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure, and  FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the detergent supply device shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Hereinafter, the second detergent supply device  100  will be described in detail. For convenience of explanation, the second detergent supply device  100  will be referred to as a detergent supply device. In addition, it is notified in advance that the first housing  10  and the second housing  30  have a configuration different from that of a housing  130 , which will be described later. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the detergent supply device  100  according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a detergent container  110  in which the detergent is received, the housing  130  for discharging the detergent and water discharged from the detergent container  110  to the outside of the detergent supply device  100 , and a housing cover  120  configured to cover an upper surface of the housing  130 . 
     A detergent may be supplied to the detergent container  110 . An upper side of the detergent container  110  may be opened. The user may put the detergent through the open upper side of the detergent container  110 . A lower surface of the detergent container  110  may be formed to be inclined toward a slit  115 , which will be described later. 
     The housing  130  may include a water supply part  131  connected to a hose (not shown) that guides water from an external water supply source (not shown). Water guided through the hose from the external water supply source through the water supply part  131  may be introduced into the housing  130 . The housing  130  may include a first guide wall  132  and a second guide wall  133  to guide water introduced into the housing  130 . The housing  130  may include a detergent container groove  134  in which at least a portion of the detergent container  110  is inserted. Also, the housing  130  may include a discharge part  135  to discharge the detergent and water introduced into the housing  130  to the outside of the housing  130 . 
     The housing cover  120  may be configured to cover an open upper side of the housing  130 . The housing cover  120  may include a detergent container hole  121  formed such that the detergent container  110  is inserted therein. The housing cover  120  may include a first blocking wall  122  configured to block a part of water introduced into the housing  130  from the water supply part  131  from flowing into the detergent container  110 . 
     The housing cover  120  may include a plurality of coupling protrusions  123  disposed to be spaced apart from each other along a circumference of the housing cover  120 . The housing  130  may include a plurality of protrusion accommodating portions  137  disposed to be spaced apart from each other along the circumference of the housing  130  so as to correspond to each of the plurality of coupling protrusions  123 . When each of the plurality of coupling protrusions  123  is elastically deformed to be accommodated in each of the plurality of protrusion accommodating portions  137 , the housing cover  120  may be coupled to the housing  130 . Unlike shown in the drawings, the plurality of protrusion accommodating portions  137  may be provided on the housing cover  120 , and the plurality of coupling protrusions  123  may be provided on the housing  130 . Also, the housing cover  120  and the housing  130  may be coupled using a structure different from the coupling protrusions  123  and the protrusion accommodating portions  137 . 
     According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the detergent supply device  100  may not use siphonage. In order to use the siphonage, water needs to be supplied to the detergent container from a position higher than a maximum detergent storage level in the detergent container. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a height of the water supply part  131  from which water is supplied to the detergent supply device  100  may be lower than a height of a maximum detergent storage level indicating surface  112   a  of the detergent container  110 . Because water is supplied to the detergent container  110  from a position lower than the maximum detergent storage level, it is difficult to supply the detergent using the siphonage. Accordingly, the detergent supply device  100  according to an embodiment of the disclosure may supply the detergent to the tub without using the siphonage. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a detergent container viewed from one direction in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure,  FIG. 5  shows the detergent container of  FIG. 4  viewed from another direction,  FIG. 6  shows the detergent container of  FIG. 4  viewed from another direction, and  FIG. 7  shows the detergent container of  FIG. 4  viewed from another direction. 
     Hereinafter, a detergent container according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 4 to 7 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the detergent container  110  may include an inlet  111  through which water is introduced into the detergent container  110  from the outside of the detergent container  110 , and an overflow hole  112  formed above the inlet  111  to prevent water overflow. The detergent container  110  may include the maximum detergent storage level indicating surface  112   a  disposed adjacent to the overflow hole  112  and indicating the maximum detergent storage level. For example, as shown in the drawings, in order to indicate the maximum detergent storage level, a character “MAX” may be displayed on the maximum detergent storage level indicating surface  112   a . Also, the detergent container  110  may include a second blocking wall  113  configured to adjust the amount of water introduced into the inlet  111 . 
     The detergent container  110  may include a distribution guide  114  configured to distribute water introduced into the detergent container  110  through the inlet  111 . The distribution guide  114  may be disposed adjacent to the inlet  111 . The distribution guide  114  may guide a part of water introduced through the inlet  111  to one direction and may guide the remaining part of water to a direction different from the one direction. Through this, water introduced into the detergent container  110  through the inlet  111  may be evenly distributed into the detergent container  110 . As water introduced into the detergent container  110  is evenly distributed, the detergent contained in the detergent container  110  and the water introduced into the detergent container  110  may be prevented from overflowing to the outside of the detergent container  110 . 
     According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the detergent container  110  may include the overflow hole  112  adjacent to the inlet  111  and disposed above the maximum detergent storage level indicating surface  112   a , The overflow hole  112  may prevent water introduced into the detergent container  110  from being discharged to a place other than an outlet  116  when a solid detergent of powder form is put into the detergent container  110 . According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the detergent supply device  100  may prevent water overflow from the detergent container  110  even when a solid detergent in powder form is put into the detergent container  110 , by including the overflow hole  112 . Therefore, the user may use not only a liquid detergent but also a solid detergent in powder form. The user may optionally use a solid detergent and a liquid detergent. 
     When a solid detergent is put into the detergent container  110  without providing the overflow hole  112 , water introduced through the inlet  111  does not move toward the outlet  116  but moves to an upper side of the inlet  111 . The water introduced into the detergent container  110  through the inlet  111  is mixed with the solid detergent and may form an arbitrary flow path. In general, water introduced into the inlet  111  forms a flow path toward the upper side from the inlet  111 , and through this flow path, the detergent and water may overflow to the outside through the open upper side of the detergent container  110 . 
     According to an embodiment of the disclosure, as the detergent container  110  includes the overflow hole  112  adjacent to the inlet  111  and disposed above the maximum detergent storage level indicating surface  112   a , even when a solid detergent is put into the detergent container  110 , water and the detergent may be prevented from overflowing through the open upper side of the detergent container  110 . When the overflow hole  112  is disposed below the maximum detergent storage level indicating surface  112   a , a liquid detergent is discharged to the outside of the detergent container  110  through the overflow hole  112  before reaching the maximum detergent storage level. The overflow hole  112  may form a recovery flow path. The water introduced into the inlet  111  may move to the upper side of the inlet  111  and be discharged to the outside of the detergent container  110  along with the detergent through the overflow hole  112 . The water and detergent discharged through the overflow hole  112  may be introduced into the detergent container  110  through the inlet  111  again. The solid detergent may be sufficiently mixed with water by the recovery flow path formed by the overflow hole  112  to become a liquid state. Most of the detergent in a liquid state sufficiently mixed with water may be discharged to the outside of the detergent container  110  through the outlet  116 , like a liquid detergent, which will be described later. The remaining part of the detergent that is not discharged through the outlet  116  may be discharged to the outside of the detergent container  110  through the slit  115 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the detergent container  110  may include the slit  115  provided to increase the time it takes for the detergent put in the detergent container  110  to be discharged to the outside of the detergent container  110 , and the outlet  116  disposed above the slit  115  to allow the detergent and water inside the detergent container  110  to be discharged to the outside of the detergent container  110 . 
     The slit  115  may allow a liquid detergent put in the detergent container  110  to be discharged to the outside of the detergent container  110 . The slit  115  may increase the time it takes for a liquid detergent to be discharged to the outside of the detergent container  110  through the slit  115  while allowing the liquid detergent having a higher viscosity than water to be discharged to the outside of the detergent container  110 . The slit  115  may be provided smaller than the outlet  116 . Also, the slit  115  may be formed to have a narrow width. Because the width of the slit  115  is narrow, it takes a lot of time for a liquid detergent having a high viscosity to pass through the slit  115  and be discharged to the outside of the detergent container  110 . 
     When a liquid detergent is put into the detergent container  110 , the liquid detergent may be slowly discharged to the outside of the detergent container  110  by the slit  115 . Accordingly, the user may visually recognize the amount of detergent input. The user puts a detergent up to the maximum detergent storage level indicating surface  112   a , so that an appropriate amount of detergent required for washing may be put into the detergent container  110 . As the height of the maximum detergent storage level indicating surface  112   a  is adjusted when the detergent container  110  is designed, an appropriate amount of detergent required for washing may be adjusted. 
     Because a conventional detergent container only include a wide outlet, when a liquid detergent is put into the detergent container, the detergent is immediately discharged to the outside of the detergent container through the outlet. That is, the liquid detergent is discharged to the outside of the detergent container at the same time as it is put into the detergent container. Therefore, the user may not visually check the amount of liquid detergent put into the detergent container. Accordingly, the amount of detergent that the user puts in the detergent container is different each time, and it is difficult to meet the amount of detergent required for washing. 
     On the other hand, when a liquid detergent is put into up to the maximum detergent storage level indicating surface  112   a , the liquid detergent may be discharged to the outside of the detergent container  110  through the inlet  111  rather than the slit  115 . As described above, the second blocking wall  113  may be provided around the inlet  111  to adjust the amount of water introduced into the inlet  111 . The second blocking wall  113  may block not only a part of water introduced into the inlet  111  from the outside of the detergent container  110  but also may block a part of the liquid detergent put in the detergent container  110  from being discharged to the outside of the detergent container  110  through the inlet  111 . In other words, the time it takes for the liquid detergent inside the detergent container  110  to be discharged to the outside of the detergent container  110  through the inlet  111  may be increased due to the second blocking wall  113 . Therefore, it may take a long enough time for the liquid detergent put in the detergent container  110  to be discharged to the outside of the detergent container  110  through the slit  115  and the inlet  111 . Accordingly, the detergent may be put into up to the maximum detergent storage level indicating surface  112   a  by the user, and the amount of the put detergent may be visually recognized by the user. The user may put only an appropriate amount of detergent required for washing into the detergent container  110  by filling the detergent up to the maximum detergent storage level indicating surface  112   a  according to the intention of the designer. Accordingly, waste of detergent due to an excessively put detergent may be reduced, and a decrease in washing efficiency due to a too little detergent may also be prevented. 
     The slit  115  may include a first slit  115   a  extending in a first direction and a second slit  115   b  extending in a second direction crossing the first direction. For example, the slit  115  may include the first slit  115   a  extending in a horizontal direction and the second slit  115   b  extending in a vertical direction. A length of the first slit  115   a  extending in the horizontal direction may be longer than a length of the second slit  115   b  extending in the vertical direction. 
     As the slit  115  includes the first slit  115   a  and the second slit  115   b , residual water may be prevented from remaining in the detergent container  110 . As described above, the slit  115  may have a narrow width in order to reduce the discharge rate of a liquid detergent. However, when the width of the slit  115  is narrow, the residual water inside the detergent container  110  may not be discharged to the outside of the detergent container  110  due to surface tension. When the slit  115  includes the second slit  115   b  extending in the vertical direction, water formed on the second slit  115   b  may be affected by gravity, so that the surface tension may be broken. When the surface tension of water formed on the slit  115  is broken by the second slit  115   b , the residual water inside the detergent container  110  may be discharged through the slit  115 . Therefore, the residual water inside the detergent container  110  may be discharged through the slit  115 , and the residual water may be prevented from being collected in the detergent container  110 . 
     The detergent container  110  may include the outlet  116  formed above the slit  115 . The outlet  116  may be provided such that an upper side is opened. The detergent container  110  may further include an outlet divider configured to divide the outlet  116  into a predetermined size or less to prevent foreign matters larger than the predetermined size from being discharged through the outlet  116 . The outlet divider may be provided in various forms. For example, the outlet divider may include a bar  116   a  across the outlet  116 . The bar  116   a  may prevent foreign matters from being discharged through the outlet  116  by dividing the discharge port  116 . A plurality of the bars  116   a  may be provided depending on the size of the outlet  116 . The outlet divider may include a filtering net covering the outlet  116  as a structure different from the bar  116   a.    
     The outlet  116  may be provided to discharge a detergent contained in the detergent container  110  to the outside of the detergent container  110 . As described above, a part of the detergent may be discharged through the slit  115 , but because the slit  115  is provided to prevent residual water from remaining inside the detergent container  110 , the detergent may not be sufficiently discharged through the slit  115 . The outlet  116  may discharge water introduced into the detergent container  110  and the detergent contained in the detergent container  110 . As described above, because the outlet  116  has a sufficiently large size unlike the slit  115 , the detergent and water may be smoothly discharged through the outlet  116 . 
     When water is introduced into the detergent container  110  through the inlet  111 , the water level inside the detergent container  110  rises due to the inflow of water. When the level of detergent and water rises, the detergent and water may be discharged to the outside of the detergent container  110  through the outlet  116 . The detergent and water discharged through the outlet  116  may move into the housing  130  and be discharged to the outside of the housing  130  through the discharge part  135 . The water and detergent discharged through the discharge part  135  may be transferred to the tub and may be introduced into the drum during the washing process. 
     The outlet  116  may be provided at a position higher than the maximum detergent storage level indicating surface  112   a . This is because when the outlet  116  is located below the maximum detergent storage level indicating surface  112   a , the detergent is discharged to the outside of the detergent container  110  through the outlet  116  before reaching the maximum detergent storage level. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the detergent supply device from which the detergent container is removed, in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure,  FIG. 9  is a bottom perspective view of a housing cover in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure, and  FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a housing of the detergent supply device in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     Hereinafter, a housing and a housing cover of a detergent supply device according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 8 to 10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the housing cover  120  may be coupled to the housing  130 . The housing cover  120  may include the detergent container hole  121  into which the detergent container  110  is inserted. The housing cover  120  may cover the open upper side of the housing  130  except for the detergent container hole  121 . 
     The housing cover  120  may include the first blocking wall  122  extending downward from a lower surface of the housing cover  120 . The first blocking wall  122  may primarily block a part of water introduced through the water supply part  131 . In other words, when high-pressure water is introduced into the housing  130  through the water supply part  131 , the first blocking wall  122  may allow only a part of the introduced water to be introduced into the detergent container  110 . The first blocking wall  122  may reduce a gap between the housing cover  120  and a guide bottom wall  136  of the housing  130 . The water passed through the gap may be introduced into the detergent container  110  through the second blocking wall  113  and the inlet  111 . The second blocking wall  113  may secondarily block a part of water introduced into the inlet  111 . Through this process, only a part of water introduced into the housing  130  through the water supply part  131  may be introduced into the detergent container  110  through the inlet  111 . Even when high-pressure water is injected into the housing  130  from the water supply part  131 , the pressure of water introduced into the inlet  111  may not be high by the first blocking wall  122  and the second blocking wall  113 . Therefore, water splash or overflow caused by high-pressure water introduced into the detergent container  110  may be prevented. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , the housing  130  may include the first guide wall  132  and the second guide wall  133  to guide water introduced into the water supply part  131  to the inlet  111 . The guide bottom wall  136  may be provided between the first guide wall  132  and the second guide wall  133 . The first guide wall  132  and the second guide wall  133  may guide the water introduced into the water supply part  131  to the inlet  111 . A space may be provided between the first guide wall  132  and the lower surface of the housing cover  120 . Therefore, a part of the water introduced into the water supply part  131  may be guided by the first guide wall  132  and the second guide wall  133  and pass through the first blocking wall  122  and then move toward the inlet  111 , and the remaining part may be discharged into the space between the first guide wall  132  and the lower surface of the housing cover  120 . The water discharged into the space between the first guide wall  132  and the lower surface of the housing cover  120  may move to the discharge port  135  without passing through the detergent container  110 . 
     The housing  130  may include the detergent container groove  134  in which at least a portion of the detergent container  110  is inserted. The detergent container groove  134  may be formed in a shape corresponding to the portion of the detergent container  110 . As the detergent container  110  is seated in the detergent container groove  134 , the guide bottom wall  136  and the lower surface of the detergent container  110  adjacent to the inlet  111  may be located on the same surface. Alternatively, the lower surface of the detergent container  110  may be positioned lower than the guide bottom wall  136 . However, when the lower surface of the detergent container  110  is positioned too lower than the guide bottom wall  136 , a gap between the second blocking wall  113  and the guide bottom wall  136  is reduced, so that the amount of water introduced into the inlet  111  may be excessively reduced. Therefore, it may be appropriate that the lower surface of the detergent container  110  adjacent to the inlet  111  and the guide bottom wall  136  are provided at substantially the same height. 
       FIG. 11  is a view for explaining water supply and drainage processes of the detergent supply device when a liquid detergent is put in the detergent container, in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     Water supply and drainage processes of the detergent supply device according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 11 . 
     When a liquid detergent I is put into the detergent container  110 , water introduced into the housing  130  from an external water supply source through the water supply part  131  may be guided to the inlet  111  by the first guide wall  132  and the second guide wall  133 . In the process of moving to the inlet  111 , a part of the water is not introduced into the detergent container  110  by the first blocking wall  122 , but may pass through the housing  130  through another path and be discharged to the discharge port  135 . A part of the water passed through the first blocking wall  122  is not introduced into the detergent container  110  by the second blocking wall  113 , but may pass through the housing  130  through another path and be discharged to the discharge port  135 . The water introduced into the detergent container  110  through the inlet  111  may be primarily mixed with the liquid detergent I in the detergent container  110  (m 1 ). The level of the liquid detergent I, which is primarily mixed with water, increases due to the inflow of water. Accordingly, the water and liquid detergent I may be discharged to the outside of the detergent container  110  through the outlet  116 . 
     The water and liquid detergent I discharged through the outlet  116  may be secondarily mixed in the housing  130  (m 2 ). As described above, a part of the water introduced through the water supply part  131  is not introduced into the detergent container  110  by the first blocking wall  122  and the second blocking wall  113 , but may be discharged into the housing  130  through another path. As the water not introduced into the detergent container  110  and the water discharged from the detergent container  110  and the detergent are secondarily mixed (m 2 ), the detergent may be sufficiently mixed with water before being supplied to the tub. As such, the washing effect may be improved by sufficiently mixing the detergent with water. 
       FIG. 12  is a view for explaining water supply and drainage processes of the detergent supply device when a solid detergent is put in the detergent container, in the washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     According to an embodiment of the disclosure, when a solid detergent s in powder form is put into the detergent container  110 , water overflow in the detergent container  110  may be prevented. 
     As described above, the detergent container  110  may include the overflow hole  112 . When a large amount of the solid detergent s is put into the detergent container  110  to be higher than the maximum detergent storage level indicating surface  112   a , water introduced into the detergent container  110  is not discharged through the outlet  116  and may overflow through the open upper side of the detergent container  110 . As such, when the water and solid detergent s overflow to the outside of the detergent container  110  through an unintended path, the washing machine  1  may malfunction or fail. 
     According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the detergent container  110  may include the overflow hole  112  adjacent to the inlet  111  and disposed above the maximum detergent storage level indicating surface  112   a . As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , even when a large amount of the solid detergent s is put into the detergent container  110 , the water introduced through the inlet  111  may move upward and then be discharged to the outside of the detergent container  110  through the overflow hole  112 . The water and solid detergent s discharged to the outside of the detergent container  110  through the overflow hole  112  may be introduced through the inlet  111  again. This is called a recovery flow path rf. The solid detergent s and water are not discharged to the outside of the detergent container  110  through the upper side of the detergent container  110  by the recovery flow path rf and may be discharged to the outside of the detergent container  110  through the outlet  116  along the flow path intended by the designer. 
     As described above, even when the solid detergent s is put, the water and the solid detergent s may be primarily mixed inside the detergent container  110 , and the water not introduced into the detergent container  110  in the housing  130  and the solid detergent s discharged from the detergent container  110  may be secondarily mixed. As such, the water and the solid detergent s may be sufficiently mixed in the detergent container  110  and the housing  130 , so that the washing effect may be improved. 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a detergent supply device in a washing machine according to another embodiment of the disclosure. 
     According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the detergent container  100  may include the slit  115  having a different shape from the slit described above. The slit  115  may include a first slit  115   c  extending in a horizontal direction and a second slit  115   d  extending in a vertical direction. In this case, the second slit  115   d  is not disposed at one of opposite ends of the first slit  115   c , but may be disposed in the center of the first slit  115   c  or adjacent to the center. 
     As described above, when the slit  115  includes the second slit  115   d  extending in the vertical direction, water formed on the second slit  115   d  may be affected by gravity, so that the surface tension may be broken. When the surface tension of water formed on the slit  115  is broken by the second slit  115   d , the residual water inside the detergent container  110  may be discharged through the slit  115 . Therefore, the residual water inside the detergent container  110  may be discharged through the slit  115 , and the residual water may be prevented from being collected in the detergent container  110 . 
     As is apparent from the above, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, a washing machine including a detergent supply device capable of preventing a detergent and water from overflowing to the outside of a detergent container can be provided. 
     According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a washing machine including a detergent supply device capable of using a solid detergent as well as a liquid detergent can be provided. 
     According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a washing machine including a detergent supply device capable of visually recognizing an input amount of detergent to a user by delaying the time that a liquid detergent is discharged to the outside of a detergent container when the liquid detergent is put into the detergent container can be provided. 
     According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a washing machine including a detergent supply device capable of improving the washing effect by sufficiently mixing a detergent put in a detergent container with water before being supplied into a drum can be provided. 
     While the disclosure has been particularly described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood by those of skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.