Patent Publication Number: US-9885138-B2

Title: Laundry treatment apparatus

Description:
FIELD 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate to a laundry treatment apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Generally, laundry treatment apparatuses include dryers configured to dry drying objects (i.e., laundry or washed clothes) and washers configured to wash washing objects (i.e., laundry). Washers or washing machines out of such laundry treatment apparatuses use detergent for washing laundry. To use detergent, such a washing machine includes a detergent storage unit where detergent is stored. 
     A conventional laundry treatment apparatus includes a cabinet configured to define a profile of the laundry treatment apparatus, with a laundry entrance hole for loading laundry; a tub provided in the cabinet and configured to store washing water therein; a drum rotatably provided in the tub and configured to receive laundry therein; a water supply unit configured to supply washing water to the tub; and a drainage unit configured to drain the washing water stored in the tub. 
     Moreover, such a conventional laundry treatment apparatus includes a detergent supply unit configured to supply washing water and detergent simultaneously and mixedly. The detergent supply unit provided in the conventional laundry treatment apparatus is located over the laundry entrance hole. Accordingly, a user has to lift the detergent over the laundry entrance hole inconveniently, to supply it to the detergent supply unit. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     To overcome the disadvantages, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus which may lower the height of the space where detergent is stored. 
     Technical Solution 
     To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the embodiments, as embodied and broadly described herein, a laundry treatment apparatus includes a cabinet comprising a laundry entrance hole configured to load laundry into the cabinet; a tub provided in the cabinet and configured to store washing water therein, the tub comprising a tub hole in communication with the laundry entrance hole; a drum rotatably provided in the tub and configured to receive the laundry loaded via the tub hole; a detergent supply unit provided under the laundry entrance hole, in communication with the tub, and configured to store detergent therein; and a water supply unit configured to supply water to the detergent supply unit. 
     The detergent supply unit may include first, second third storage portions provided under the laundry entrance hole and configured to store detergent therein, in communication with the tub; a first path configured to guide the water supplied by the water supply unit to the first storage portion; a second path configured to guide the water supplied by the water supply unit to the second storage portion and crossing the first path; and a third path extended from a point of intersection between the first path and the second path and configured to supply water to the third storage portion. 
     The detergent supply unit may further include a distribution valve configured to open and close the first path and the second path and to open the first path and the second path simultaneously, and the water supply unit may be configured to supply water to the distribution valve. 
     The water supply unit may include a tub supply path configured to supply water to the water; and a storage portion supply path configured to supply water to the distribution valve. 
     The water supply unit may include a first hose configured to supply water to the first path; a second hose configured to supply water to the second path; and a water supply valve configured to open the first hose and the second hose selectively or to open the first hose and the second hose simultaneously. 
     The detergent supply unit may include first, second third and fourth storage portions provided under the laundry entrance hole and configured to store detergent therein, in communication with the tub; a first path configured to guide the water supplied by the water supply unit to the first storage portion; a second path crossing the first path and configured to guide the water supplied by the water supply unit to the second storage portion; a third path extended from a point of intersection between the first path and the second path and configured to supply water to the third storage portion; and a fourth path configured to guide the water supplied by the water supply unit to the fourth storage portion. 
     The detergent supply unit may further include a distribution valve configured to open and close the first path, the second path and the fourth path and to open the first path and the second path simultaneously, and the water supply unit may be configured to supply water to the distribution valve. 
     The water supply unit may include a tub supply path configured to supply water to the water; and a storage portion supply path configured to supply water to the distribution valve. 
     The water supply unit may include a first hose configured to supply water to the first path; a second hose configured to supply water to the second path; a third hose configured to supply water to the fourth path; and a water supply valve configured to open the first hose, the second hose and third hose and to open the first hose and the second hose simultaneously. 
     The laundry treatment apparatus may further include a hole provided in the cabinet, in communication with outside; and a path detachable unit coupled to the cabinet and connected to the water supply unit, wherein the detergent supply unit may further include a hole door configured to open and close the hole; first, second and third storage portions provided in the hole door and configured to store detergent therein; a first path detachably connected to the path detachable unit and configured to supply water to the first storage portion; a second path detachably connected to the path detachable unit, crossing the first path, and configured to supply water to the second storage portion; and a third path extended from a point of intersection between the first path and the second path and configured to supply water to the third storage portion. 
     The hole may be provided under the laundry entrance hole. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, a laundry treatment apparatus includes a cabinet comprising a laundry entrance hole configured to load laundry into the cabinet; a tub provided in the cabinet and configured to store washing water therein, the tub comprising a tub hole in communication with the laundry entrance hole; a drum rotatably provided in the tub and configured to receive the laundry loaded via the tub hole; a detergent supply unit first, second third storage portions provided under the laundry entrance hole and configured to store detergent therein, in communication with the tub; a first path configured to guide the water supplied by the water supply unit to the first storage portion; a second path configured to guide the water supplied by the water supply unit to the second storage portion and crossing the first path; and a third path extended from a point of intersection between the first path and the second path and configured to supply water to the third storage portion; a path detachable unit coupled to the cabinet and having the first path and the second path detachably connected thereto; and a water supply unit configured to supply water to the first path and the second path via the path detachable unit. 
     Advantageous Effects 
     According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the laundry treatment apparatus may lower the height of the space where detergent is stored and then the inconvenience of the conventional laundry treatment apparatus can be resolved. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a laundry treatment apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating an internal structure of the laundry treatment disclosure in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating a detergent supply unit provided in the laundry treatment apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a laundry treatment apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIGS. 5 through 7  are diagrams illustrating a laundry treatment apparatus in accordance with a further embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS 
     Description will now be given in detail according to exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the sake of brief description with reference to the drawings, the same or equivalent components may be provided with the same reference numbers, and description thereof will not be repeated. The structure and control method which will be described are used to help easily understand various technical features and it should be understood that the embodiments presented herein are not limited by the accompanying drawings. As such, the present disclosure should be construed to extend to any alterations, equivalents and substitutes in addition to those which are particularly set out in the accompanying drawings 
     A laundry treatment apparatus  100  in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may consist of only a first treatment apparatus (T) configured to wash, dry and wash and dry washing objects (i.e., laundry). As shown in  FIG. 1 , the laundry treatment apparatus  100  may consist of a first treatment apparatus (T) and a second treatment apparatus (L) provided under the first treatment apparatus (T). 
     The second treatment apparatus (L) may be provided as means for washing or drying laundry like the first treatment apparatus (T) or it may be provided as the accessory necessary for use of the first treatment apparatus or as the space for simply storing laundry. 
     In any cases, the second treatment apparatus (T) may include a housing  5  configured to define a profile of the second treatment apparatus, with supporting a bottom surface of the first treatment apparatus (T); and a drawer  7  retractable with respect to the housing  5  and configured to store laundry therein. 
     When the second treatment apparatus (T) is provided as the means for washing laundry, the drawer  7  may include an outer tub configured to store washing water therein; and an inner tub rotatably provided in the outer tub and configured to store laundry therein. 
     In the housing  5  may be provided water supply means configured to supply washing water to the outer tub and drainage means configured to drain the washing water stored in the outer tub to the housing  5 . 
     Meanwhile, when the second treatment apparatus (T) is able to dry laundry, heated-air supply means may be further provided in the housing  5  to supply heated-air to the outer tub. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first treatment apparatus (T) includes a cabinet  1  configured to define a profile of the first treatment apparatus (T) and located on a top of the second treatment apparatus (T); a tub  15  provided in the cabinet  1  and configured to store washing water therein; a drum  16  rotatably provided in the tub  15  and configured to store laundry therein; and a water supply unit  18  configured to supply water to the tub  15 ; and a detergent supply unit  3  configured to supply detergent to the tub  15 . 
     A front surface of the cabinet  1  is defined by a front panel  11 . A laundry entrance hole  12  for loading laundry into the first treatment apparatus (T) and a laundry entrance hole door  14  for opening and closing the laundry entrance hole  12  may be provided in the front panel  11 . 
     In the front panel  11  may be provided a control panel for inputting a control command to the laundry treatment apparatus  100  and a display unit for displaying operation processes of the laundry treatment apparatus or the control command selected by the user. 
     The control panel  141  and the display unit (not shown) may be provided in a surface of the laundry entrance hole door  14 . In this instance, one of the control panel  141  and the display unit may be provided in the laundry entrance hole door  14  and the other of the two may be provided in the front panel  11 . 
     The tub  15  is the space where the washing water is stored and it includes a tub hole  151  in communication with the laundry entrance hole  12 . The tub  15  is fixedly mounted in the cabinet  1 , while supported by a tub support unit  155 . 
     The tub hole  151  and the laundry entrance hole  12  are connected with each other by a gasket  153 . When it is formed of a flexible material (e.g., rubber) the gasket  153  may prevent the washing water stored in the tub  15  from leaking outside and the vibration of the tub  15  from being transferred to the cabinet  1 . 
     The drum  16  is the means for storing laundry therein and it is cylindrical-shaped, with an empty inside. The drum  16  includes a drum hole  161  in communication with the tub hole  151  and a through hole  163  which penetrates a circumferential surface of the drum  16 . 
     The drum  16  is rotated by a driving unit provided in a rear surface of the tub  15 . The driving unit may include a stator  174  coupled to the rear surface of the tub  15 , a rotor  171  rotary by a rotation magnetic field generated by the stator  174 , and a shaft  175  penetrating the rear surface of the tub  15  to connect rotor  171  to the drum  16 . 
     The water supply unit  18  is the means for supplying water to the detergent supply unit  3 . The water supply unit  18  includes a water supply valve  181  connected to a water supply source (not shown) provided outside the laundry treatment apparatus  100  and a water supply path  183  closable by the water supply valve  181 . 
     The water supply path  183  may include a tub supply path  184  configured to connect the water supply valve  181  and the tub  15  with each other and a storage portion supply path  185  configured to connect the water supply valve  181  and the detergent supply unit  3  with each other. In this instance, the water supply valve  181  may be a predetermined type of a valve configured to selectively open and close the tub supply path  184  and the storage portion supply path  185  or simultaneously open and close both of the paths (e.g., two way valve). 
     The water supply path  183  may include only the storage portion supply path  185 . As the detergent supply unit  3  is in communication with the tub  15 , the tub  15  may be provided with the water necessary to wash the laundry via the water supply valve  181 , the storage portion supply path  185  and the detergent supply unit  3 . 
     Meanwhile, the water supply unit  18  may further include a second water supply path  187  configured to connect a tub  15  and a water supply source (not shown) for supplying hot water with each other. In this instance, the second water supply path  187  may include a second water supply tube  187   a  connected to the tub  15  and a second water supply tube valve  187   b  connected to the hot water supply source and configured to open and close the second water supply tube  187   a.    
     The washing water stored in the tub  15  is drained outside the cabinet  1  via the water drainage unit  19 . The water drainage unit  19  may include a first drainage path  191  configured to connect the tub  15  and a drainage pump  195  with each other and a second drainage path  913  configured to guide the washing water drained by the drainage pump  195  outside the cabinet. 
     The detergent supply unit  3  is the means for storing the detergent which will be supplied to the tub  15 . The detergent supply unit  3  provided in the laundry treatment apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure is characterized to be located under the laundry entrance hole  12 . 
     In other words, the detergent supply means provided in the conventional laundry treatment apparatus to supply detergent to the tub is located over the laundry entrance hole. Accordingly, the user can feel inconvenient when supplying the detergent necessary to wash the laundry. However, the detergent supply unit  2  provided in the laundry treatment apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure is located under the laundry entrance hole  12 , so that the problem of the inconvenience mentioned above can be solved. 
     The detergent supply unit  3  includes a storage portion  34  located underneath the laundry entrance hole  12  to provide a space where detergent is stored. It is preferred that three or more storage portions  34  are provided in the laundry treatment apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure to store three different kinds of detergents. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates that four storage portions are provided. Hereinafter, the four storage portions will be described as one example of the storage portion, for convenient explanation sake. 
     The storage portion  34  in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first storage portion  341 , a second storage portion  343 , a third storage portion  345  and a fourth storage portion  347  which are partitioned off by a partition wall. 
     A detergent entrance hole  344  for each of the storage portions  341 ,  343 ,  345  and  347  may be provided in the front panel  11  to be exposed outside when the door  14  opens the laundry entrance hole  11 . The detergent entrance hole  344  of each storage portion  341 ,  343 ,  345  and  347  may include a cover (not shown) so as to open and close the detergent entrance hole  344 . 
     A drainage hole  349  may be provided in a bottom surface of each storage portion  341 ,  343 ,  345  and  347  to drain the detergent there out. Each drainage hole is connected to a pump  38  via a drainage path  36 . Accordingly, the detergent drained from each of the storage portions by the pump  38  may be supplied to the tub  15  via the detergent supply path  39 . 
     Meanwhile, the storage portions  341 ,  343 ,  345  and  347  are provided with water via the water supply path  35 . The water supply path includes a first path  351  configured to supply water to the first storage portion  341 , a second path  353  crossing the first path  351  and configured to supply water to the second storage portion  343 , a third path  355  extended from an point (X) of intersection between the first and second paths and configured to supply water to the third storage portion, and a fourth path  357  configured to supply water to the fourth storage portion  347 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first path  351 , the second path  353  and the fourth path  357  are connected to the storage portion supply path  185  through a distribution valve  37 . 
     The distribution valve  37  may not only control the opening and closing of the first, second and fourth paths  351 ,  353  and  357  but also open the first and second paths  351  and  353  simultaneously. 
     Accordingly, when only the first path  351  is open by the distribution valve  37 , water is supplied only to the first storage portion  341 . When only the second path  353  is open, water is supplied only to the second storage portion  343 . When only the fourth path  357  is open, water is supplied only to the fourth storage portion  347 . 
     However, when the first path and the second path are open by the distribution valve  37  simultaneously, the water flowing along the first path  351  and the water flowing along the second path  353  may collide at the point of intersection (X) to flow along the third path  355 . Accordingly, the water may be supplied to the third storage portion  345 . 
     That is enabled, because the third path  355  is formed along the vector as the sum of the vector force possessed by the water flowing along the first path  351  and the vector force possessed by the water flowing along the second path  353 . 
     The water supplied to the storage portions  341 ,  343 ,  345  and  347  together with the detergent stored therein may flow to the tub  15  via the drainage hole  349 , the drainage path  36 , the pump  38  and the detergent supply path  39 . 
     If the pressure of the water supplied to the paths  351 ,  353 ,  35  and  357  by the distribution valve  37  is controlled high, there is no need of the pump  38  and the drainage path  36  mentioned above. In this instance, the detergent supply path  39  is directly connected to the drainage hole  349 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a laundry treatment  100  in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     The water supply path  183  in accordance with this embodiment also includes the tub supply path  184  and the storage portion supply path  185 . However, the storage portion supply path  185  in accordance with this embodiment includes a first hose  185   a  connected to the first path  351  of the detergent supply unit, a second hose  185   b  connected to the second path  353  and a third hose  185   c  connected to the fourth path  357 , which is the characteristic distinguished from the embodiment described above. 
     The first hose  185   a , the second hose  185   b , the third hose  185   c  and the tub supply path  184  are connected to a water supply source via the water supply valve  181 . 
     The water supply valve  181  is configured not only to control the opening and closing of the hoses  1851 ,  185   b  and  185   c  and the tub supply path  184  and to open at least the first and second hoses  185   a  and  185   b  of the hoses simultaneously. In other words, this embodiment is characterized in that the water supply valve  181  mentioned above is functioned as the distribution valve  37  of  FIG. 2 . 
     Even in this embodiment, it is safe that the tub supply path  184  is omitted. In this instance, it is preferred that the water supply valve  181  is configured not only to open and close each of the hoses  185   a ,  185   b  and  185   c  but also to open at least the first and second hoses  185   a  and  185   b  simultaneously. 
       FIGS. 5 through 7  illustrate a laundry treatment apparatus in accordance with a further embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the laundry treatment apparatus in accordance with this embodiment is characterized in that the detergent supply unit  3  is structured to be retractable with respect to the front panel  11 . 
     Specifically, the front panel  11  in accordance with this embodiment may further include a hole  13  provided under the laundry entrance hole  12 . The detergent supply unit  3  is provided in a hole door  31  configured to open and close the hole  13 . 
     In this instance, the hole door  31  is rotatably coupled to a support panel ( 32 , which is provided in the hole, with being fixed to the cabinet  1 ) by a hinge  325 . The storage portion  34  configured to store detergent therein may be coupled to the hole door  31  and the pump  38  configured to move the detergent stored in the storage portion  34  to the tub  15  may be coupled to the support panel  32 . 
     A through hole  323  may be provided in the support panel  32  and the drainage path  36  configured to connect the storage portion  34  to the pump  38  penetrates the through hole  323 . 
     The support panel  32  may further include a filter detachable hole  321  penetrating the support panel. A filter  197  detachably provided in the first drainage path  191  to filter the washing water drained from the tub is inserted in a first drainage path  191 , so that the user may couple or decouple the filter  197  to or from the first drainage path  191  via the filter coupling hole  321 . 
     The hole door  31  provided in the laundry treatment apparatus in accordance with this embodiment may be configured to open and close the hole  13  at a first angle or a second angle preset larger than the first angle. 
     The first angle is preset as the angle at which the detergent entrance hole  344  provided in each of the storage portions  341 ,  343 ,  345  and  347  is exposed (see  FIG. 5  ( a )) and the second angle is preset as the angle at which the filter  197  provided in the filter coupling hole  321  is exposed (see  FIG. 5 ( b ) ). 
     For that, the laundry treatment apparatus in accordance with this embodiment may further include a first stopper  311  configured to allow the hole door  31  to keep the first angle and a second stopper (not shown) configured to allow the hole door  31  to keep the second angle. 
     The storage portion  34  and the water supply path  35  in accordance with this embodiment may have the same structure as the storage portion and the water supply path shown in  FIG. 3 . In other words, the storage portion in accordance with this embodiment may include a first storage portion  341  provided with water via the first path  351 , a second storage portion provided with water via the second path  353 , a third storage portion  345  provided with water via the third path  355  and a fourth storage portion  347  provided with water via the fourth path  357 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the storage portion supply path  185  configured to supply water to the paths  351 ,  353 ,  355  and  357  may include a first hose  185   a , a second hose  185   b  and a third hose  185   c.    
     In case the storage portion supply path  185  include the three hoses, the first hose  185   a  is connected to the first path  351  and the second hose  185   b  is connected to the second path  353  and the third hose  185   c  is connected to the fourth path  357 . 
     The water supply valve  181  may be configured not only to control the opening and closing of the hoses but also to open the first and second hoses  185   a  and  185   b  simultaneously so as to supply water to the third storage portion  345 . 
     The first hose  185   a , the second hose  185   b  and the third hose  185   c  can be directly connected to the first path  351 , the second path  353  and the fourth path  357 , respectively. Only when the laundry entrance hole door  31  is configured to open and close the hole  13 , the laundry treatment apparatus in accordance with this embodiment may further include a path detachable unit  33  configured to detachably connect the water supply path  35  and the storage portion supply path  185  with each other. 
     The path detachable unit  33  is fixed in the cabinet  1 . When the hole door  31  has closed the hole  13 , the path detachable unit  33  is used as the means for connecting the first hose  185   a , the second hose  185   b  and the third hose  185   c  of the storage portion supply path  185  to the first path  351 , the second path  353  and the fourth path  357  of the water supply path, respectively. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates that the storage portion supply path  185  is configured as one path. 
     In this embodiment, the first path  351 , the second path  353  and the fourth path  357  provided in the detergent supply unit  3  may be detachably connected to the first hose  185   a , the second hose  185   b  and the third hose  185   c  provided in the path detachable unit  3 , respectively. The storage portion supply path  185  may be connected to the distribution valve  37  and the distribution valve  37  may open and close the hoses  185   b ,  185   b  and  185   c  provided in the path detachable unit. In this instance, the distribution valve  37  has to be configured to open the first hose  185   a  and the second hose  185   b  simultaneously. 
     Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the path detachable unit  33  may be functioned as the distribution valve  37 . In this instance, the distribution valve  37  may be omitted and the storage portion supply path  185  has to be connected to the path detachable unit  33 . 
     When a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.