Patent Publication Number: US-2011056250-A1

Title: Washing machine and detergent feeding device thereof

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2009-0084894, filed on Sep. 9, 2009 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     Embodiments relate to a washing machine having a detergent feeding device. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In general, a washing machine is an apparatus which washes laundry by rotating a cylindrical spin basket containing laundry and wash water. Washing machines are divided into a drum washing machine in which a spin basket is horizontally arranged and laundry is washed by lifting the laundry and then dropping the laundry along the inner circumferential surface of the spin basket when the spin basket is rotated in regular and reverse directions on a horizontal axis, and a vertical axis washing machine in which a spin basket provided with a pulsator installed therein is vertically arranged and laundry is washed using a water current generated by the pulsator when the spin basket is rotated in regular and reverse directions on a vertical axis. 
     The drum washing machine includes a housing forming the external appearance of the washing machine, a cylindrical tub installed in the housing to contain wash water, a spin basket rotatably installed in the tub to wash laundry, a driving motor disposed at the rear of the tub to rotate the spin basket, and a door installed on the front surface of the housing. 
     A detergent feeding device, which is connected to the inside of a box-shaped casing in a drawer type, is generally installed at the upper portion of the drum washing machine, and a hose to supply wash water introduced from a valve to a detergent box is separately connected to the rear surface of the detergent feeding device. 
     SUMMARY 
     Therefore, it is one aspect to provide a washing machine, which reduces manufacturing costs and increases production efficiency. 
     It is another aspect to provide an improved washing machine, into which a user conveniently puts a detergent and a fabric rinse. 
     Additional aspects 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 of the embodiments. 
     In accordance with one aspect, a washing machine includes a main body, and a detergent feeding device including a detergent box, a water feeding device connected to the detergent box to supply water to the detergent box, and valves connected to the water feeding device, wherein the water feeding device includes a water feeding device frame provided with at least one water feed channel to guide water from the valves to the detergent box, and the detergent box and the valves are connected through the water feeding device frame, and thus form one unit together with the water feeding device. 
     The water feeding device may further include a water feeding device cover to cover the water feeding device frame. 
     The water feeding device cover may include an inclined plane disposed above the detergent box and inclined upwardly from the front surface of the main body toward the upper surface of the main body. 
     The detergent feeding device may further include a printed circuit board connected with the water feeding device. 
     The detergent feeding device may further include guides to receive wires connected to the printed circuit board. 
     The detergent feeding device may further include a pressure switch connected with the water feeding device. 
     The detergent box may include a plurality of protrusions protruded from the bottom surface thereof. 
     The detergent box may further include a discharge hole formed through the bottom surface thereof, and a connection hose connected to the discharge hole. 
     In accordance with a further aspect, a washing machine includes a main body provided with an inclined part inclined upwardly from the front surface thereof to the upper surface thereof, a detergent box fixed to the main body, and a water feeding device connected to the detergent box so as to supply water to the detergent box, and is assembled with the detergent box into one assembly, the assembly being mounted on the main body, wherein the water feeding device includes a water feeding device frame provided with at least one water feed channel to supply water to the detergent box, and a water feeding device cover provided with an inclined plane corresponding to the inclined part of the main body and detergent inlets formed through the inclined plane. 
     The washing machine may further include at least one valve connected to the water feeding device frame. 
     The washing machine may further include a printed circuit board connected to the water feeding device frame. 
     In accordance with another aspect, a detergent feeding device includes a detergent box to contain a detergent, a water feeding device frame connected to the detergent box and provided with at least one water feed channel to guide water to the detergent box, a water feeding device cover connected to the upper surface of the water feeding device frame to form the at least one water feed channel together with the water feeding device frame, and at least one valve mounted on the water feeding device frame to control water supplied to the at least one water feed channel. 
     The water feeding device frame may include a reception part, on which a pressure switch is mounted. 
     The water feeding device frame may include a projecting part, on which a printed circuit board is mounted. 
     The water feeding device frame may include a gasket provided between the at least one valve and a reception part connected to the at least one valve to prevent water leakage. 
     The at least one water feed channel of the water feeding device frame may include a rib protruded parallel with a flow direction of wash water around a junction point. 
     The at least one water feed channel of the water feeding device frame may include at least one hole formed at the outside of the protruded rib. 
     The at least one water feed channel of the water feeding device frame may be formed in a structure having a double wall. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and/or other aspects 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  a longitudinal-sectional view illustrating a washing machine in accordance with one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a detergent feeding device in accordance with the embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view illustrating connection among a detergent box, a water feeding device frame, and a water feeding device cover; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial rear perspective view of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating the washing machine in accordance with the embodiment, in which the detergent feeding device is mounted on an upper portion of a cabinet; 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of the water feeding device frame shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a longitudinal-sectional view taken along the line II-II of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged plan view of a front end part of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a longitudinal-sectional view taken along the line I-I of  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 10  is a view illustrating a state of using the washing machine in accordance with the embodiment, on which a drying machine is stacked. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
       FIG. 1  a longitudinal-sectional view illustrating a washing machine in accordance with one embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a washing machine  1  in accordance with the embodiment includes a cabinet  10  forming the external appearance of the washing machine  1 , a tub  20  disposed in the cabinet  10 , a drum  30  rotatably disposed in the tub  20 , and a motor  40  to drive the drum  30 . 
     An opening  11 , through which laundry is put into the drum  30 , is formed through the front surface of the cabinet  10 . The opening  11  is opened and closed by a door  12  installed on the front surface of the cabinet  10 . 
     A drain pump  70  and a drain pipe  75  to discharge water within the tub  20  to the outside of the cabinet  10  are installed below the tub  20 . 
     A plurality of through holes  31  to circulate wash water is formed through the circumference of the drum  30 , and a plurality of lifters  32  to lift and drop the laundry when the drum  30  is rotated is installed on the inner circumferential surface of the drum  30 . 
     A detergent feeding device  65  including a detergent box  60 , a water feeding device frame  61 , a water feeding device cover  62 , and valves  51 ,  52 ,  53 , and  54 , which are formed integrally, is mounted on the upper portion of the cabinet  10  of the washing machine  1 . Ends of the valves  51 ,  52 ,  53 , and  54  are connected to an external water supply source (not shown), and the other ends of the valves  51 ,  52 , and  53  are connected to the detergent box  60  through the water feeding device frame  61 . 
     Further, the detergent box  60  is connected to the tub  20  through a connection pipe  55 . 
     Wash water supplied through the valves  51 ,  52 , and  53  is mixed with a detergent or a fabric rinse through water feed channels, formed by welding the water feeding device frame  61  and the water feeding device cover  62 , and the detergent box  60 , and then is supplied to the inside of the tub  20  (with reference to  FIG. 2 ). 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the detergent feeding device  65  in accordance with the embodiment,  FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view illustrating connection among the detergent box  60 , the water feeding device frame  61 , and the water feeding device cover  62 , and  FIG. 4  is a partial rear perspective view of  FIG. 2 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the detergent box  60  and the water feeding device frame  61  are connected through insertion protrusions  140  and insertion holes  141  corresponding to the insertion protrusions  140 , which are formed at the edges of the detergent box  60  and the water feeding device frame  61 . 
     The water feeding device cover  62  is disposed on the upper surface of the water feeding device frame  61 , and includes an inclined plane  255  inclined upwardly from the front surface to the upper of the cabinet  10  of the washing machine  1 . Detergent inlets  257 , through which the detergent and the fabric rinse are respectively put into the detergent box  60 , are formed through the inclined plane  255 . 
     The water feeding device cover  62  is welded onto the upper surface of the water feeding device frame  61 , and thus the water feeding device frame  61  and the water feeding device cover  62  forms the water feed channels, along which water introduced through the valves  51 ,  52 , and  53  flows. 
     That is, a water feeding device  66  is composed of the water feeding device frame  61  and the water feeding device cover  62 , which are connected to each other. 
     The detergent box  60 , the water feeding device frame  61 , and the water feeding device cover  62  may be formed by injection molding. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 to 4 , a reception part  530  connected with the valves  51 ,  52 ,  53 , and  54  is formed on the rear surface of the water feeding device frame  61 . 
     The reception part  530  connected with the valves  51 ,  52 ,  53 , and  54  and formed on the water feeding device frame  61  includes reception grooves  540  corresponding to the external shapes of the valves  51 ,  52 ,  53 , and  54 . The valves  51 ,  52 ,  53 , and  54  are first fixed to a bracket  550  in a line, and then are inserted into the reception grooves  540  of the water feeding device frame  61 . Thereafter, the bracket  550  and the water feeding device frame  61  are fixed to each other using screws, thereby preventing the valves  51 ,  52 ,  53 , and  54  from being separated from the water feeding device frame  61 . 
     As described above, the water feeding device frame  61  directly connects the detergent box  60  and the valves  51 ,  52 ,  53 , and  54  through the plural insertion holes  141  connected with the detergent box  60  and the reception part  530  connected with the valves  51 ,  52 ,  53 , and  54 . 
     Since the detergent box  60  and the valves  51 ,  52 ,  53 , and  54  are directly connected to each other, hoses for feeding water are not required, water leakage is minimized compared with a conventional connection type using hoses, and a clamping operation for fix hoses to the detergent feeding device and the valves  51 ,  52 ,  53 , and  54  is omitted, thereby being capable of reducing manufacturing costs and increasing productivity. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating the washing machine  1  in accordance with the embodiment, in which the detergent feeding device  65  is mounted on the upper portion of the cabinet  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , in accordance with the embodiment, the detergent feeding device  65  is formed by integrally assembling the detergent box  60 , the water feeding device frame  61 , the water feeding device cover  62 , and the valves  51 ,  52 ,  53 , and  54 , and the detergent feeding device  65  are assembled into one assembly on the upper portion of the cabinet  10  of the washing machine  1 . 
     The detergent feeding device  65  may further include a printed circuit board  110  or a pressure switch  120  connected to the water feeding device, and may further include guides  610  to guide wires connected to the printed circuit board  110 . 
     Therefore, compared with a conventional structure in which respective parts are separately mounted on a cabinet of a washing machine and then are connected, such a structure of the detergent feeding device  65  in accordance with the embodiment is simply assembled and simplifies a wiring operation, thus improving productivity. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the front surface of the detergent box  60  is inclined upwardly, and the inside of the detergent box  60  is divided into a space  220  to contain a detergent used in a main-washing course and a space  230  to contain a detergent used in a pre-washing course and a fabric rinse used in a rinsing course by a rib  210  installed in the detergent box  60 . 
     The bottom surface of the detergent box  60  is U-shaped in order to prevent the detergent put into the detergent box  60  from remaining on the bottom surface of the detergent box  60  instead of the mixture of the detergent and water being introduced into the tub  20 . 
     Further, protrusions  240  to minimize introduction of foreign substances or lumps of the detergent to the tub  20  may be formed on the bottom surface of the detergent box  60 . 
     For example, if a user&#39;s ring enters the detergent box  60  while putting the detergent into the detergent box  60 , the ring is caught by the protrusions  240  and is not introduced to the tub  20 . 
     Further, the detergent may frequently lump in the detergent box  60 , and the lumps of the detergent may not dissolve in water and may be introduced to the tub  20  through the connection pipe  55 , thereby damaging laundry. In this case, the protrusions  240  obstruct movement of the lumps of the detergent and thus prevent the lumps of the detergent from being introduced to the connection pipe  55 , or apply impact to the moving lumps of the detergent and thus reduce the sizes of the lumps of the detergent, thereby minimizing damage to the laundry. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a discharge hole  250  may be formed through the bottom surface of the detergent box  60  so as to cause water to be dropped to the upper portion of the door  12 . 
     If residual detergent or lint remains on the upper portion of the door  12  of the washing machine  1  after washing, water is dropped to the upper portion of the door  12  through the discharge hole  250 , thus removing the residual detergent of the lint. 
     Further, since the length of the discharge hole  250  is restricted, a hose  251  to guide water to the upper portion of the door  12  of the washing machine  1  may be selectively inserted into the discharge hole  250 . 
       FIG. 6  is a plan view of the water feeding device frame  61  shown in  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 7  is a longitudinal-sectional view taken along the line II-II of  FIG. 6 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the water feed channels to allow wash water introduced from the valves  51 ,  52 ,  53 , and  54  to flow into the detergent box  60  are formed on the water feeding device frame  61 . 
     Wash water supplied from the first valve  51  is introduced to a space  310 , in which the detergent used in the main-washing course is contained, through a water feed channel  301  and a water feed channel  311 . 
     Wash water supplied from the second valve  52  is introduced to a space  320 , in which the detergent used in the pre-washing course is contained, through a water feed channel  302  and a water feed channel  313 . 
     Wash water supplied from the third valve  53  is introduced to the space  310 , in which the detergent used in the main-washing course is contained, through a water feed channel  303  and the water feed channel  311 . 
     Wash water supplied from the second valve  52  and wash water supplied from the third valve  53  respectively flow into the water feed channel  302  and the water feed channel  303 , are combined at a junction point  340 , and then are introduced to a space  330 , in which a fabric rinse is contained, through a water feed channel  312 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the water feed channels provided on the water feeding device frame  61  may be formed by double walls in order to minimize external impact or impact due to water pressure. 
       FIG. 8  is an enlarged plan view of the front end part of  FIG. 6 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , protruded ribs  410  extended from the external walls of the water feed channel  302  and the water feed channel  303  may be further formed at the junction point  340 . 
     The protruded ribs  410  prevent a backflow of water to an undesired water feed channel, if the pressure of water introduced from the valves  51 ,  52 ,  53  and  54  is less than a designated value. 
     Further, holes  420  located at the outsides of the protruded ribs  410  may be further formed at the junction point  340 . 
     A part of water supplied through the water feed channel  302  or the water feed channel  303  may not flow to the water feed channels  311 ,  312 , and  313 , but may stagnate at the junction point  340 . In this case, the part of water may disturb the continuous progress of wash water, and thus is discharged through the holes  420  at the outsides of the protruded ribs  410 . 
     Wash water supplied through the water feed channels  311  is introduced to the space  310 , in which the detergent used in the main-washing course is contained, through a plurality of holes  350  formed on the water feeding device frame  61 , is mixed with the detergent in the space  310 , and then is introduced to the tub  20  containing laundry through the connection pipe  55 . 
     Further, wash water supplied through the water feed channel  313  is introduced to the space  320 , in which the detergent used in the pre-washing course is contained, through the plurality of holes  350  formed on the water feeding device frame  61 , is mixed with the detergent in the space  320 , and then is introduced to the tub  20  containing laundry through the connection pipe  55 . 
     Further, wash water supplied through the water feed channel  312  is introduced to the space  330 , in which the fabric rinse is contained, through an inlet  360  separately provided rather than through the plurality of holes  350  formed on the water feeding device frame  61 . 
     The plurality of holes  350  is formed along the circumferences of the space  310 , in which the detergent used in the main-washing course is contained, and the space  320 , in which the detergent used in the pre-washing course is contained, and prevents the detergents from being accumulated at the circumferences of the spaces  310  and  320  without dissolution in water. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , a reception part  510 , on which the pressure switch  120  is mounted, may be further formed on one side surface of the water feeding device frame  61 . The pressure switch  120  senses water pressure in the tub  20 , and adjusts an amount of water supplied from the valves  51 ,  52 ,  53 , and  54 . 
     A projecting part  520 , on which the printed circuit board  110  is mounted, may be further formed on the other side surface of the water feeding device frame  61 . The printed circuit board  110  controls the motor  40 , the valves  51 ,  52 ,  53 , and  54 , and the pressure switch  120  according to instructions input by a user through a control panel (not shown). 
     By fixing the printed circuit board  110  directly to the water feeding device frame  61 , wires reaching the valves  51 ,  52 ,  53 , and  54  have reduced lengths and the printed circuit board  110  is located at a height equal to or higher than the height of the valves  51 ,  52 ,  53 , and  54 , and it is not necessary to separately manufacture a cover to protect the printed circuit board  110  from water, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and increasing productivity. 
       FIG. 9  is a longitudinal-sectional view taken along the line I-I of  FIG. 4 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 9 , the valves  51 ,  52 ,  53 , and  54  are first fixed to the bracket  550  in a line, and then are inserted into the reception part  530  of the water feeding device frame  61 . Here, a gasket  560  to prevent water leakage may be interposed between the water feeding device frame  61  and each of the valves  51 ,  52 , and  53 . The bracket  550  is also fixed to the water feeding device frame  61 , and thus prevents the valves  51 ,  52 ,  53 , and  54  from being separated from the water feeding device frame  61 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  5 , the guides  610  to receive wires from the printed circuit board  110 , the valves  51 ,  52 ,  53 , and  54 , and the pressure switch  120  may be further provided on the detergent box  60  and the water feeding device frame  61 . 
     The guides  610  provided on the detergent box  60  and the water feeding device frame  61  collectively receive the wires from the printed circuit board  110 , the valves  51 ,  52 ,  53 , and  54 , and the pressure switch  120 , thereby causing an easy wiring effect. 
       FIG. 10  is a view illustrating a state of using the washing machine in accordance with the embodiment, on which a drying machine is stacked. As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 10 , the front surface of the detergent feeding device  65  is inclined upwardly, and is fixed to the inclined plane of the front surface of the cabinet  10  of the washing machine  1 . 
     Therefore, the detergent feeding device  65  in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention allows a user to stably and conveniently put a detergent and a fabric rinse into the detergent box  60  at a low angle without shaking, compared with a conventional drawer-type detergent feeding device, and does not have the possibility of mixing the detergent and the fabric rinse due to the fixed detergent box  60 . Further, even if a drying machine is stacked on the washing machine, the detergent box  60  may be easily used without interference between a door  620  of the detergent feeding device  65  and the drying machine. 
     The door  620  is provided on the inclined plane  255  of the water feeding device cover  62 , and serves to prevent the detergent or the fabric rinse, put into the detergent box  60 , from being taken out of the detergent box  60 . 
     As is apparent from the above description, in a washing machine and a detergent feeding device thereof in accordance with one embodiment, a detergent box, a water feeding device, and valves are integrally assembled into the detergent feeding device, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and increasing production efficiency of the detergent feeding device. 
     Further, the detergent feeding device is located on an inclined plane of the upper portion of the washing machine, thereby allowing a user to conveniently put a detergent and a fabric rinse into the detergent feeding device. 
     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.