Patent Description:
In general, a washing machine is a device to wash clothes or beddings (hereinafter referred to as 'laundry') through processes such as laundry, rinsing, and dehydration to separate pollution formed on the laundry using water and detergent and mechanical action.

The washing machine is divided into an agitator type washing machine, a pulsator type washing machine, and a drum type washing machine.

The agitator type washing machine washes laundry by horizontally rotating a washing rod protruding to a center of a washing tub. The pulsator type washing machine washes laundry using frictional force between water flow and laundry by horizontally rotating a rotary wing having a disc shape formed at a lower portion of the washing tub. The drum type washing machine washes laundry by rotating a drum in a state that water, detergent, and laundry are provided into an inside of the drum.

The drum type washing machine is mounted therein with a tub which is disposed in a cabinet forming an exterior and in which laundry water is stored. A drum is disposed at an inner side of the tub and in which the laundry water is stored. A driver for rotating the drum is mounted at a rear side of the tub. A shaft is installed at the driver to be connected with a rear side of the drum through the tub. A lifter is mounted inside the drum and raises the laundry upon rotation of the drum.

<CIT> relates to a washing apparatus comprising a cabinet, a tub, a drum, a detergent box, and two flow paths. The detergent box supplies washing water to the inside of the tub with the washing water or detergent. One of the two flow paths enables air inside the tub to circulate with the outside despite the closing of the door. The other one of the two flow paths communicates with the outside through the detergent box.

An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of supplying water in two directions at a tub.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of temporarily storing liquid detergent.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of minimizing water supply noises and bubbles by flowing supplied water along an inner wall of a tub.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of preventing fluid or bubble inside a tub from back-flowing into a detergent box when laundry water is supplied.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of preventing laundry water from directly dropping to laundry when laundry water is supplied.

The above information disclosed in this background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

The invention is specified by the independent claim. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a washing machine including: a cabinet forming an exterior; a tub which is disposed in the cabinet and in which laundry water is stored; a water supply unit for supplying the laundry water to the tub; a detergent box supplied with the laundry water from the water supply unit so as to provide same to the tub; a first water supply tube for supplying the laundry water from the detergent box to the front of the tub; and a second water supply tube for supplying the laundry water from the detergent box to either the side or rear of the tub.

The washing machine may further include: a laundry entrance hole disposed at a front of the cabinet and in which laundry enters; and a gasket disposed between the cabinet and the tube to seal the laundry entrance hole, wherein the first water supply tube is connected with the gasket.

A back-flow prevention structure may be disposed in at least one of the first water supply tube and the second water supply tube, and the back-flow prevention structure includes a U trap.

The water supply tube may include: a U trap part directly connected with the detergent box, configured to store a part of laundry water discharged from the detergent box, and bent in a gravity direction to prevent a fluid from over-flowing; and a connecting part connected with the U trap part, and configured to guide the laundry water from the U trap part to the tub, and connected with a front side of the tube to supply the laundry water.

The washing machine of the present invention further includes a drum disposed inside the tub, configured to load laundry therein and rotated with respect to the tub, wherein the first back-flow prevention part is disposed to drop the laundry water to a space between the tub and the drum.

The second water supply tube may be disposed to drop the laundry water on an inner wall of the tub.

The washing machine of the present invention further includes: a supply part disposed at the tub to guide the laundry water from the second water supply tube to an inside of the tub; a water storing part disposed inside the supply part, spaced apart from the supply part by a predetermined distance to form a first back-flow prevention path, and configured to store a part of water supplied from the second water supply tube; and a water guide installed inside the second water supply tube, configured to guide the laundry water from the second water supply tube to the tub side, a bottom end of which is inserted into an inside of the water storing art, and spaced apart from the water storing part by a predetermined distance to form a second back-flow prevention path, wherein the laundry water supplied from the second water supply tube is stored in the water storing part and then passes through the second back-flow prevention path and the first back-flow prevention path to flow into the tub.

A bottom end of the water guide may be soaked in water of the water storing part.

According to the present invention, a lower side of the water storing part is disposed at a curved surface forming the tub.

According to the present invention, a lower side of the water storing part has a curved surface when viewed from a front of the washing machine.

The detergent box may further include: a first supply part connected with the first water supply tube; and a second supply part connected with the second water supply tube.

The washing machine may further include: a flow-path separating partition disposed at the dispenser inside the detergent box, wherein the flow-path separating partition makes the laundry water flow separately from the water supply unit to the first supply part and to the second supply part.

The detergent box may further include: a dispenser installed at the cabinet and formed therein with the first supply part and the second supply part; and a drawer movably installed at the dispenser, wherein the flow-path separating partition is disposed at the dispenser.

The flow-path separating partition may divide an inside of the dispenser into a first space and a second space, the first space is connected with the first supply part and the second space is connected with the second supply part.

The washing machine may further include a swirl partition disposed at the first space, wherein the swirl partition generates a torque in laundry water flowing through the first supply part.

The first supply part may be vertically formed, and the swirl partition is disposed at a top side of the first supply part.

The swirl partition may form a spacing distance with the flow-path separating partition.

The swirl partition may have an arc shape bent rearward from a front, one end of the swirl partition is connected to the dispenser, and an opposite end of the swirl partition forms a spacing distance with the flow-path separating partition.

The first supply part may be vertically formed, the swirl partition is disposed at a top side of the first supply part, and the swirl partition divides an upper portion of the first supply part into a first swirl and a second swirl space.

The first supply part may be disposed at a side of the dispenser, the second supply part is disposed at a rear side of the dispenser, and the second supply part is disposed at a rear side of the first space.

The details of embodiments and other examples not covered by the claims but helpful for understanding the invention are contained in the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

The washing machine and a control method thereof according to the present invention have following one or more effects.

First, the washing machine according to the present invention has the advantage of dividing the laundry water to the detergent box by means of a flow-path separating partition and then separately supplying same to the front and/or side of the tub.

Second, in the washing machine according to the present invention, since laundry water is moved downward along an inner wall of a tub and then lifts upward from a lower portion upon water supply, detergent may be sufficiently dissolved at a lower portion of the tub to soak laundry.

Third, the washing machine according to the present invention has the advantage of preventing fluids such as bubbles or steams inside the tub from back-flowing to a detergent box.

Fourth, in the washing machine according to the present invention, upon front water supply, liquid detergent is temporarily stored in a U trap part, and is diluted by supplied laundry water to be supplied to the tub.

Fifth, in the washing machine according to the present invention, laundry water does not directly drop on laundry to prevent detergent or a fabric softener from being concentrated in only a specific laundry.

Sixth, in the washing machine according to the present invention, since laundry water lifts from a bottom of the tub to soak laundry, the detergent may be uniformly dissolved.

Seventh, in the washing machine according to the present invention, upon side supply of laundry water, since the laundry water flows along an inner wall of the tub, water supply noise is minimized.

Eighth, in the washing machine according to the present invention, a flow-path separating partition is disposed at a dispenser so that laundry water may be separately supplied by a first supply part and a second supply part.

Ninth, in the washing machine according to the present invention, since a swirl partition is formed at a dispenser, torque may be applied to the laundry water, and minimized detergent may be remained in the dispenser.

Tenth, in the washing machine according to the present invention, in order to avoid interference with a tub, a tub avoiding part is formed at a dispenser.

Eleventh, in the washing machine according to the present invention, a second supply part is disposed at a rear side of a first space and an installation length of a second supply tub for supplying laundry water to a side of the tub may be minimized.

Twelfth, in the washing machine according to the present invention, the flow-path separating partition is spaced apart from the swirl partition so that laundry water of a first space is rapidly exhausted to the first supply part.

Effects of the present invention may not be limited to the above and other objects and other objects which are not described may be clearly comprehended to those of skill in the art to which the embodiment pertains through the following description.

The advantages, the features, and schemes of achieving the advantages and features of the disclosure will be apparently comprehended by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments, which are described later in detail, together with accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to following disclosed embodiments and various embodiments may be realized. Present embodiments are provided to complete the disclosure of the present invention and to completely indicate the scope of the present invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. The present invention is defined by a scope of claims. The same reference numeral in the specification refers to the same constituent element.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to <FIG>.

The washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet <NUM> forming an exterior; a tub <NUM> configured to store laundry water; a drum <NUM> disposed in the tub <NUM> and rotated to receive laundry therein; a driver (not shown) configured to rotate the drum <NUM>; a water supply unit <NUM> configured to supply laundry water from an external water source to the tub <NUM>; and a detergent box <NUM> configured to store washing detergent and to mix the washing detergent with the laundry water.

The cabinet <NUM> forms an exterior of the washing machine. The tub <NUM> is disposed in the cabinet <NUM>.

A laundry entrance hole <NUM> is formed at a front side of the cabinet <NUM> so that laundry may enter and be exhausted. A door <NUM> is rotatably provided at a front side of the cabinet <NUM> to open/close the laundry entrance hole <NUM>.

A gasket <NUM> is disposed at a front of the tub <NUM>. The gasket <NUM> is disposed between the cabinet <NUM> and the tub <NUM> and prevents laundry water from being leaked into the cabinet <NUM>. The gasket <NUM> is formed therein with the laundry entrance hole <NUM>. The door <NUM> adheres to the gasket <NUM>. The door <NUM> may be partially inserted into the gasket <NUM> side.

The cabinet <NUM> includes a control panel <NUM> which receives a command from a user to display various state information of the washing machine. The detergent box <NUM> is withdrawably provided at the cabinet <NUM> and stores detergent such as washing detergent, rinsing detergent, or bleach.

The drum <NUM> is rotated while storing laundry. The drum <NUM> is formed therein with a plurality of through holes <NUM> through which the laundry water pass. A lifter <NUM> may be disposed at an inner wall of the drum <NUM> and lift the laundry to a predetermined height upon rotation of the drum <NUM>. The drum <NUM> is connected to the driver and receives a torque from the driver to be rotated.

The drum <NUM> is not completely horizontally disposed but has a predetermined slope so that a front side of the drum <NUM> is high and a rear side of the drum <NUM> descends lower than a horizontal region.

The detergent box <NUM> stores detergent such as washing detergent, rinsing detergent, or bleach. The detergent box <NUM> may be withdrawn through the front side of the cabinet <NUM>.

When the laundry water is supplied, the detergent in the detergent box <NUM> is mixed with the laundry water and the mixture is introduced into the tub <NUM>. The detergent box <NUM> may be divided into a region for storing the washing detergent, a region for storing the rinsing detergent, and a region for storing the bleach.

In the present embodiment, the detergent box <NUM> supplies the laundry water in two directions in the tub <NUM>. The laundry water of the detergent box <NUM> may be supplied to a front side of the tub <NUM>. Further, the laundry water of the detergent box <NUM> may be supplied to a side of the tub <NUM>.

The detergent box <NUM> includes a dispenser <NUM> formed therein with a <NUM>-way water supply flow path and a drawer <NUM> movably installed at the dispenser <NUM>.

The dispenser <NUM> includes a dispenser body <NUM> for storing laundry water, and a first water supply tube <NUM> and a second water supply tub <NUM> for connecting the dispenser body <NUM> with the tub <NUM>.

The dispenser body <NUM> includes a lower body <NUM> and an upper body <NUM>.

The laundry water is stored in the lower body <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the first water supply tube <NUM> and the second water supply tub <NUM> are connected to the lower body <NUM>. Unlike the present embodiment, a water supply flow path may be connected with the upper body <NUM> according to a shape.

A drawer entrance hole <NUM> is formed at a surface side of the dispenser body <NUM>.

The drawer entrance hole <NUM> is formed by coupling the lower body <NUM> with the upper body <NUM>.

The lower body <NUM> has a basket shape of which a top side is open.

The lower body <NUM> is formed with a first supply part <NUM> connected with the first water supply tube <NUM> and a second supply part <NUM> connected with the second water supply tube <NUM>.

The first supply part <NUM> is formed downward.

The second supply part <NUM> is formed rearward.

The first supply part <NUM> is separated from the second supply part <NUM> by the flow-path separating partition <NUM>. The flow-path separating partition <NUM> separates laundry water supplied from the water supply unit to provide the separated laundry water to the first supply part <NUM> and the second supply part <NUM>.

The flow-path separating partition <NUM> is formed inside the lower body <NUM>. The flow-path separating partition <NUM> divides an inside of the lower body <NUM> into two spaces. Although the flow-path separating partition <NUM> may have a straight line, the flow-path separating partition <NUM> is bent in the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the flow-path separating partition <NUM> divides the inside of the lower body <NUM> by taking into consideration laundry water dropped from the drawer <NUM>.

Unlike the present embodiment, the flow-path separating partition <NUM> may be formed at the drawer <NUM>. When the flow-path separating partition <NUM> is formed at the drawer <NUM>, the flow-path separating partition <NUM> may protrude downward from a lower side of the drawer <NUM>.

The flow-path separating partition <NUM> includes a first partition <NUM> formed forward and rearward, and a second partition <NUM> connected with the first partition <NUM> to be diagonally formed at a rear side of the first partition <NUM>.

The flow-path separating partition <NUM> prevents the laundry water from overflowing to a close space. In particular, the flow-path separating partition <NUM> prevents the laundry water dropped from the drawer <NUM> form flowing to a close space. Accordingly, the fabric softener or detergent stored in the drawer <NUM> may be supplied into the tub <NUM> through a desired water supply flow path.

In the present embodiment, a located space of the first supply part <NUM> is defined as a first space <NUM> and a located space of the second supply part <NUM> is defined as a second space <NUM>.

The flow-path separating partition <NUM> divides an inside of the dispenser into the first space <NUM> and the second space <NUM>. The first space <NUM> is connected with the first supply part <NUM>. The second space <NUM> is connected with the second supply part <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the second supply part <NUM> is located at a rear side of the first space <NUM>. The first supply part <NUM> is located at a side of the first space <NUM>. The second supply part <NUM> is located at a rear side of the first space <NUM>.

The first space <NUM> is further formed therein with a swirl partition <NUM> configured to guide laundry water to the first supply part <NUM>.

The swirl partition <NUM> improves discharge speed of the laundry water. The swirl partition <NUM> has an arc shape when viewed from the plan. The swirl partition <NUM> is convexly formed forward of the washing machine.

The swirl partition <NUM> is disposed at an upper portion of the first supply part <NUM>. The swirl partition <NUM> is disposed through an upper portion of the first supply part <NUM>. The swirl partition <NUM> may horizontally divide an upper portion of the first supply part <NUM>.

One end of the swirl partition <NUM> is coupled with the dispenser <NUM> and an opposite end of the swirl partition <NUM> is spaced apart from the flow-path separating partition <NUM>.

That is, the swirl partition <NUM> and the flow-path separating partition <NUM> forms a separation distance <NUM>, and flows the laundry water through the separation distance <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the separation distance <NUM> is formed between the swirl partition <NUM> and the first partition <NUM>.

The swirl partition <NUM> guides the laundry water flowing to the first supply part <NUM> to be rotated. The laundry water may be rotated along an inner wall of the first supply part <NUM> by the swirl partition <NUM> to be moved downward.

In the present embodiment, the swirl partition <NUM> extends to an inside of the first supply part <NUM>. The swirl partition <NUM> may be disposed at an inner top side of the first supply part <NUM> and may divide the inner top side of the first supply part <NUM> into two regions.

In the present embodiment, the swirl partition <NUM> horizontally divides an inside of the first supply part <NUM>. The swirl partition <NUM> divides the first supply part <NUM> into a first swirl space 151a and a second swirl space 151b. In the present embodiment, the swirl partition <NUM> divides an input side of the first supply part <NUM>.

Thus, a part of the laundry water of the first space <NUM> may be exhausted into the first swirl space 151a and remaining laundry water may flow along the swirl partition <NUM> to be exhausted into the second swirl space 151b.

Meanwhile, a tub avoiding part <NUM> is convexly formed upward at the second space <NUM> of the lower body <NUM>.

The lower body <NUM> may fully adhere to an outer side of the tub <NUM> by the tub avoiding part <NUM>. The tub avoiding part <NUM> has an advantage of minimizing an installation space of the detergent box <NUM> and the tub <NUM>.

A backflow prevention structure for preventing bubble or steam inside the tub <NUM> from back-flowing to the detergent box <NUM> is installed at the first water supply tube <NUM> and the second water supply tube <NUM>.

The first water supply tube <NUM> connects the first supply part <NUM> with a front side of the tub <NUM>. The laundry water supplied through the first water supply tub <NUM> does not directly drop on the laundry. In the present embodiment, the first water supply tube <NUM> is connected with a gasket <NUM> which is disposed at the front of the tub <NUM>. Unlike the present embodiment, the first water supply tube <NUM> may be directly connected with the tub <NUM>. The laundry water from the first water supply tube <NUM> may be supplied through the gasket <NUM> to flow in a space between the tub <NUM> and the drum <NUM>.

The first water supply tube <NUM> is installed therein with a structure for prevent steams or bubbles from back-flowing to the detergent box <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the first water supply tube <NUM> is installed therein with a U trap structure as a back-flow prevention structure.

The first water supply tube <NUM> includes a U trap part <NUM> connected with the first supply part <NUM> to substantially store the laundry water or the detergent; a connecting part <NUM> connected with the U trap part <NUM> and the front side of the tub <NUM>; and an abrasion prevention part <NUM> formed in at least one of the U trap part <NUM> or the connecting part <NUM>.

The first supply part <NUM> is vertically formed and the U trap part <NUM>, and the U trap part <NUM> is coupled with a lower side of the first supply part <NUM>. The laundry water of the first space <NUM> flows through the U trap part <NUM> through the first supply part <NUM>.

The U trap part <NUM> stores a predetermined amount of laundry water or laundry water with which the detergent is mixed. The laundry water stored in the U trap part <NUM> is supplied by the additionally supplied laundry water.

The U trap part <NUM> is disposed forward and rearward of the washing machine.

A front end of the U trap part <NUM> is directed toward a forward direction.

The connecting part <NUM> connects the U trap part <NUM> with the tub <NUM>.

The connecting part <NUM> is connected with a front end of the U trap part <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the connecting part <NUM> includes a bending connector 134a connected with a front end of the U trap part <NUM>; a horizontal connector 134b connected with the bending connector 134a to be horizontally formed; and an inclined connector 134c connected with the horizontal connector 134b and inclined downward to be connected with the tub <NUM>.

The connecting part <NUM> may have a straight line. In the present embodiment, the laundry water is moved by taking into consideration a structure of the U trap part <NUM> and is supplied to the front of the tub <NUM> along the inclined connector 134c.

The U trap part <NUM> and the connecting part <NUM> adheres to a lower side of the lower body <NUM> and minimizes a volume in an inner space of the washing machine.

The U trap part <NUM> may temporarily store the detergent supplied to the detergent box.

When the laundry water is supplied, the detergent stored in the drawer <NUM> may flow to the first water supply tube <NUM> through the dispenser body <NUM>.

When liquid detergent is stored in the drawer <NUM>, the liquid detergent may be temporarily stored in the U trap part <NUM>.

When the washing machine vibrates, the abrasion prevention part <NUM> prevents direct shock from being transferred to the first water supply tube <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the abrasion prevention part <NUM> includes a first abrasion prevention portion 136a formed at the U trap part <NUM> and a second abrasion prevention portion 136b formed at the connecting part <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the first abrasion prevention portion 136a is formed at a tub <NUM> side and buffers contact with the tub <NUM>. The second abrasion prevention portion 136b is formed at a top side of the connecting part <NUM> and buffers contact with the lower body <NUM>. Unlike the present embodiment, a position of the abrasion prevention part <NUM> may be changed according to a design.

The second water supply tube <NUM> connects the second supply part <NUM> with a side of the tub <NUM>. The second water supply tube <NUM> is disposed to vertically drop the laundry water.

A bellows structure may be formed in at least a part of the second water supply tube <NUM> and buffer vibration or a distance change.

The second water supply tube <NUM> flows the laundry water through an inner wall of the tub <NUM>. The laundry water from the second water supply tube <NUM> is dropped to a space between the drum <NUM> and the tub <NUM>. The laundry water dropped from the second water supply tube <NUM> flows downward along an inner wall of the tub <NUM>.

Since the laundry water supplied from the second water supply tube <NUM> flows along the inner wall of the tub <NUM>, a drop noise of the laundry water may be minimized. The laundry water supplied through the second water supply tube <NUM> is not directly dropped on the laundry.

The second water supply tube <NUM> is installed therein with a structure configured to prevent the steam or the bubble from over-flowing to the detergent box <NUM>.

Since the second water supply tube <NUM> vertically supplies the laundry water, a U trap is not installed in a pipeline as in the first water supply tube <NUM> but a back-flow prevention structure of a U trap structure is installed inside a tube.

A third supply part <NUM> protrudes from a tub <NUM> connected with the second water supply tube <NUM>. The third supply part <NUM> has a tube shape.

The back-flow prevention structure <NUM> is installed between the third supply part <NUM> and the second water supply tube <NUM>. The back-flow prevention structure <NUM> is formed therein with a flow-path which is vertically bent twice from at least one of an inside of the second water supply tube <NUM> or the third supply part <NUM>.

The back-flow prevention structure <NUM> includes a water storing part <NUM> disposed inside the third supply part <NUM>, spaced apart from the third supply part <NUM> by a predetermined distance to form a first back-flow prevention path <NUM>, and to partially store water supplied from the second water supply tube <NUM>; and a water guide <NUM> installed inside the second water supply tube <NUM> to guide the laundry water from the second water supply tube <NUM> to the tub <NUM> side and a bottom end of which is inserted into an inside of the water storing part <NUM>, and spaced apart from the water storing part <NUM> by a predetermined distance to form a second back-flow prevention path <NUM>.

After the laundry water supplied from the second water supply tube <NUM> is stored in the water storing part <NUM>, the stored laundry water passes through the second back-flow prevention path <NUM> and the first back-flow prevention path <NUM> to flow inside the tub <NUM>.

The water storing part <NUM> is disposed inside the third supply part <NUM> and the water guide <NUM> is disposed inside the water storing part <NUM>. The first back-flow prevention path <NUM> and the second back-flow prevention path <NUM> communicate with each other, and the directions thereof are changed at <NUM>°. The second back-flow prevention path <NUM> and the water hole <NUM> communicate with each other, and the directions thereof are changed at <NUM>°.

The water guide <NUM> is formed therein with the water hole <NUM>. The laundry water from the second water supply tube <NUM> flows to the water storing part <NUM> through the water hole <NUM>.

The water guide <NUM> is vertically disposed. The water guide <NUM> may be installed at one of the second water supply tube <NUM> or the third supply part <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the water guide <NUM> is installed at a connection region between the second water supply tube <NUM> and the third supply part <NUM>.

The water guide <NUM> is locked with a top end of the third supply part. The second water supply tube <NUM> surrounds the water guide <NUM>, and is coupled with a top end of the third supply part <NUM>.

The water guide <NUM> includes a water guide body <NUM> locked with the third supply part <NUM> and a guide part <NUM> formed at an inner side of the water guide body <NUM> and is formed therein with a water hole <NUM> to guide the laundry water to the tub <NUM> side.

The guide part <NUM> longitudinally extends upward and downward. The water hole <NUM> is formed at an inner side of the guide part <NUM>.

A diameter of the guide part <NUM> differs from a diameter of the water guide body <NUM>. The diameter of the water guide body <NUM> is smaller than a diameter of the guide part <NUM>.

A bottom end of the guide part <NUM> is inserted into the water storing part <NUM> and the guide part <NUM> is partially sunk in the stored laundry water.

In the present embodiment, the water storing part <NUM> is disposed at an inner side of the third supply part <NUM> and is spaced apart from an inner side of the third supply part <NUM> by a predetermined distance. The water storing part <NUM> is spaced apart from the guide part <NUM> by a predetermined distance.

Thus, a second back-flow prevention path <NUM> is formed between the water storing part <NUM> and the guide part <NUM> and a first back-flow prevention path <NUM> is formed between the water storing part <NUM> and the third supply part <NUM>.

The first back-flow prevention path <NUM> and the second back-flow prevention path <NUM> form a U trap.

The water storing part <NUM> may has a cup shape. In the present embodiment, a lower side of the water storing part <NUM> is disposed at a continuous curved surface with an outer side of the tub <NUM>.

That is, in the present embodiment, a lower side of the water storing part <NUM> has a curved surface. The lower side <NUM> of the water storing part <NUM> has a curved surface on a curvature radius forming the tub <NUM>.

The lower side of the water storing part <NUM> guides the laundry water supplied through the first and second back-flow prevention paths <NUM> and <NUM> to an inner wall of the tub <NUM>.

The laundry water may be vertically dropped from the first back-flow prevention path <NUM>, and may flow along an inner side of the tub <NUM>.

When the laundry water of low pressure is supplied, the laundry water may flow along an inner wall of the tub <NUM> due to surface tension. In order to maximize the above effect, when viewing a front surface of the washing machine, it is preferred that the second back-flow prevention path <NUM> adheres to a side of the tub <NUM>.

If the first back-flow prevention path <NUM> adheres to the side of the tub <NUM>, the laundry water may easily flow along an inner wall of the tub <NUM>.

Unlike the present embodiment, the second water supply tube <NUM> may be installed to flow the laundry water along an inner wall in a rearward direction of the tub <NUM>.

The first water supply tube <NUM> and the second water supply tube <NUM> provide a flow path structure capable of supplying laundry water to a tub, and prevent bubbles or steams inside the tub <NUM> from being introduced into the detergent box <NUM>.

The laundry water stored in the U trap part <NUM> of the first water supply tube <NUM> prevents the bubbles or the steams inside the tub <NUM> from being introduced into the detergent box <NUM>.

The laundry water stored in the water storing part <NUM> of the second water supply tube <NUM> prevents the bubbles or the steams inside the tub <NUM> from being introduced into the detergent box <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the water supply unit <NUM> may separately supply the laundry water to the first space <NUM> and the second space <NUM> of the detergent box <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the laundry water for the present laundry is supplied to the first space <NUM>. In the present embodiment, a fabric softener or laundry water for free water supply is supplied to the second space <NUM>.

The laundry water supplied from the water supply unit <NUM> is dropped at a drawer <NUM>, and then flows to the first space <NUM> or the second space <NUM>.

For the present laundry, the laundry water supplied to the first space <NUM> is supplied to the front of the tub <NUM> through the third water supply tube <NUM>. The laundry water supplied to the tub <NUM> through the first water supply tube <NUM> is minimized to directly reach the laundry.

Likewise, the laundry water supplied to the third space <NUM> for free water supply or rinsing detergent may be supplied to a lateral side or a rear side of the tube <NUM>. The laundry water supplied to the tub <NUM> through the second water supply pipe <NUM> flows along an inner wall of the tub <NUM> or is dropped to a space between the tub <NUM> and the drum <NUM> so that minimized laundry water reaches the laundry.

Claim 1:
A washing machine comprising:
a cabinet (<NUM>) forming an exterior;
a tub (<NUM>) which is disposed in the cabinet (<NUM>) and in which laundry water can be stored;
a drum (<NUM>) disposed inside the tub (<NUM>), whereby said drum (<NUM>) is configured to load laundry therein and is rotatable with respect to the tub (<NUM>),
a water supply unit (<NUM>) for supplying the laundry water to the tub (<NUM>);
a detergent box (<NUM>) that can be supplied with the laundry water from the water supply unit (<NUM>) so as to provide the laundry water to the tub (<NUM>);
a first water supply tube (<NUM>) for supplying the laundry water from the detergent box (<NUM>) to the front of the tub (<NUM>);
a second water supply tube (<NUM>) for supplying the laundry water from the detergent box (<NUM>) to either the side or rear of the tub (<NUM>);
characterized by:
a supply part (<NUM>) disposed at the tub (<NUM>) to guide the laundry water from the second water supply tube (<NUM>) to an inside of the tub (<NUM>);
a water storing part (<NUM>) disposed inside the supply part (<NUM>), spaced apart from the supply part (<NUM>) by a predetermined distance to form a first back-flow prevention path (<NUM>), and configured to store a part of water supplied from the second water supply tube (<NUM>); and
a water guide (<NUM>) installed inside the second water supply tube (<NUM>), configured to guide the laundry water from the second water supply tube (<NUM>) to the tub side, a bottom end of which is inserted into an inside of the water storing part (<NUM>), and spaced apart from the water storing part (<NUM>) by a predetermined distance to form a second back-flow prevention path (<NUM>),
wherein the first back-flow prevention path (<NUM>) is disposed to drop the laundry water to a space between the tub (<NUM>) and the drum (<NUM>),
wherein the laundry water supplied from the second water supply tube (<NUM>) can be stored in the water storing part (<NUM>) and can then pass through the second back-flow prevention path (<NUM>) and the first back-flow prevention path (<NUM>) to flow into the tub (<NUM>),
wherein a lower side (<NUM>) of the water storing part (<NUM>) is disposed at a curved surface forming the tub (<NUM>), and
wherein the lower side (<NUM>) of the water storing part (<NUM>) has a curved surface when viewed from a front of the washing machine.