Patent Description:
A common front loading washing machine does the laundry with a drum horizontally arranged in a cabinet turning alternately clockwise and counterclockwise to lift clothes up along the inner circumferential surface of the drum with washing water and then letting the clothes fall.

A detergent supply device is arranged in the cabinet to supply a detergent to the tub, and the washing water supplied from outside passes through the detergent supply device and is thus mixed with the detergent.

Mixing water in which the washing water and the detergent are mixed is supplied to the tub through a supply tube, in which case when the detergent is powder detergent, some of the powder detergent remains without having been dissolved in the mixing water supplied to the tub.

The powder detergent that has not been dissolved in the mixing water sinks to the bottom of the tub, and even though the powder detergent deposited is dissolved to a certain extent by rotation of the drum, not all of them are dissolved.

To dissolve the powder detergent in the mixing water, the tub and the drum may be connected by a circulation path and the mixing water is to be pumped by a circulation pump, so that the powder detergent in the mixing water may be dissolved while the mixing water is circulated between the tub and the drum.

However, there is a limit to solubility of the powder detergent in the mixing water because the mixing water circulating between the tub and the drum through the circulation path is circulated only in one direction.

<CIT> and <CIT> disclose a washing machine having a circulation pump. Both do not disclose features relevant to change of flowing direction of mixing water and causing agitation of flowing.

The disclosure provides a washing machine capable of improving solubility of a powder detergent that remains without having been dissolved in mixing water contained in a tub.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a washing machine is provided as defined in claim <NUM>.

The circulation pump may control time to supply and discharge mixing water to and from the detergent dissolution device to prevent the mixing water from overflowing from the detergent dissolution device.

The detergent dissolution device may include a vortex generating member generating vortex current, a flow part in which mixing water having the vortex current generated by the vortex generating member flows, a vortex generating member fixer arranged underneath the flow part to fix the vortex generating member, a first connector arranged underneath the vortex generating member fixer and coupled to the second circulation hose, and a second connector arranged in an upper portion of the flow part and coupled to the third circulation hose.

Mixing water may be supplied into the flow part or discharged out of the flow part by on/off controlling of the circulation pump.

The second connector may be arranged at a highest portion of the flow part.

The vortex generating member fixer may include a linkage part linking the first connector to the flow part, and a fixing projection to fix the current generating member.

The vortex generating member may include a cylindrical rim, an impeller-shaped vortex generator arranged within the rim and generating vortex current, and a fixing groove arranged outside of the rim and fixed by being put on the fixing projection.

The vortex generating member may include a cylindrical rim, a baffle-shaped vortex generator arranged to have a plurality of baffles extend inwards from the rim and generating vortex current, and a fixing groove arranged outside of the rim and fixed by being put on the fixing projection.

The detergent dissolution device may include a flow part in which mixing water flows, a vortex generating member integrally provided on an inner side of the flow part and having a spiral shape to generate vortex current, a first connector arranged underneath the flow part and coupled to the second circulation hose, and a second connector arranged in an upper portion of the flow part and coupled to the third circulation hose.

According to embodiments of the disclosure, solubility of a powder detergent that remains in mixing water contained in a tub may be improved.

Embodiments and features as described and illustrated in the disclosure are merely examples, and there may be various modifications replacing the embodiments and drawings at the time of filing this application.

The terms including ordinal numbers like "first" and "second" may be used to explain various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are only for the purpose of distinguishing a component from another. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or chamber discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the disclosure. Descriptions shall be understood as to include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items when the items are described by using the conjunctive term "∼ and/or ∼," or the like.

The terms "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "top", and "bottom" as herein used are defined with respect to the drawings, but the terms may not restrict the shape and position of the respective components.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a side cross-sectional view of a schematic structure of a washing machine, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, <FIG> is a perspective view of a washing machine with a door open, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, and <FIG> is a front cross-sectional view of a schematic structure of a washing machine, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

As shown in <FIG>, a washing machine includes a cabinet <NUM> defining an external appearance and containing many different components, a tub <NUM> arranged in the cabinet <NUM> to store mixing water in which washing water and a detergent are mixed, a drum <NUM> arranged in the tub <NUM> to contain and rotate laundry, and a driving device <NUM> for rotating the drum <NUM>.

The cabinet <NUM> may have the form of almost a box, including a front plate 11a, a rear plate <NUM>1b, a top plate 11c, a bottom plate 11d, and side plates 11e.

A control panel <NUM> having an input module 12a for receiving an operation command from a user and a display module 12b for displaying operation information of the washing machine may be arranged on the front plate 11a.

An inlet <NUM> through which to put the laundry into the drum <NUM> may be formed on the front plate 11a.

The inlet <NUM> arranged on the front plate 11a may be opened or closed by a door <NUM>.

The door <NUM> may be pivotally coupled to the front plate <NUM>1a of the cabinet <NUM> by a hinge member (not shown).

The door <NUM> may include a door frame <NUM> and a glass member <NUM>.

The glass member <NUM> may be formed with a transparent tempered glass substance through which to see the inside of the cabinet <NUM>.

The glass member <NUM> may be formed to protrude toward the inside of the tub <NUM> to prevent the laundry from being concentrated toward the door <NUM>.

A water supplier <NUM> for supplying washing water into the tub <NUM> may be arranged in an upper portion of the cabinet <NUM>.

The water supplier <NUM> may include a water supply tube 14a through which to supply the washing water from an external water supply source, and a water supply valve 14b for opening or closing the water supply tube 14a.

A detergent supplier <NUM> may be provided in a front upper portion of the cabinet <NUM> for supplying a detergent.

The detergent supplier <NUM> may be connected to the tub <NUM> through a supply tube <NUM>.

Washing water supplied through the water supply tube 14a passes through the detergent supplier <NUM> to be mixed with the detergent, and mixing water in which the washing water and the detergent are mixed may be supplied into the tub <NUM>.

A driving device <NUM> for generating rotational force to rotate the drum <NUM> may be arranged on the rear side of the tub <NUM>.

The driving device <NUM> may include a driving motor <NUM> for generating the rotational force, and a driving shaft <NUM> for conveying the rotational force generated by the driving motor <NUM> to the drum <NUM>.

The driving motor <NUM> may be configured with a stationary stator <NUM> and a rotor <NUM> rotated by electromagnetic interaction with the stator <NUM>, to convert electric power to mechanical rotational force.

The driving shaft <NUM> may be press-fitted to the rotor <NUM> of the driving motor <NUM> to be rotated along with the rotor <NUM>, and may connect between the drum <NUM> and the driving motor <NUM> by running through a rear wall of the tub <NUM>.

The tub <NUM> may store mixing water in which washing water and a detergent are mixed, and have a substantially cylindrical shape.

The tub <NUM> may be fixed inside the cabinet <NUM>.

Although in the embodiment of the disclosure the tub <NUM> is arranged for its center axis to be somewhat tilted from the horizontal plane, it may be arranged to be leveled.

An opening <NUM> may be formed on the front of the tub <NUM> to correspond to the inlet <NUM>.

The inlet <NUM> of the front plate 11a and the opening <NUM> of the tub <NUM> may be coupled by a diaphragm <NUM>.

The diaphragm <NUM> may define a path between the inlet <NUM> of the front plate 11a and the opening <NUM> of the tub <NUM> to guide the laundry put in through the inlet <NUM> into the drum <NUM> and diminish vibration that occurs when the drum <NUM> is rotated being traveled to the cabinet <NUM>.

An injection nozzle <NUM> connected to a circulation hose <NUM>, which will be described later, to inject the mixing water circulated through the circulation hose <NUM> into the drum <NUM> may be arranged substantially in an upper left portion of the diaphragm <NUM>.

The injection nozzle <NUM> may inject the mixing water evenly across the whole laundry contained in the drum <NUM>.

The drum <NUM> may have an almost cylindrical form with an open front, and may be arranged to be able to rotate within the tub <NUM>.

The drum <NUM> may be arranged such that its center axis is parallel to the center axis of the tub <NUM>.

The drum <NUM> may perform washing by lifting and dropping the laundry while being rotated in the tub <NUM>.

For this, a plurality of lifters <NUM> may be arranged on the inner circumferential surface of the drum <NUM> to lift the laundry while the drum <NUM> is rotated.

A lot of through holes <NUM> may be formed around the drum <NUM> for mixing water contained in the tub <NUM> to flow through.

Mixing water is stored in a lower portion of the tub <NUM>, in which case when the detergent supplied from the detergent supplier <NUM> is a powder detergent, some of the powder detergent that have not been dissolved may remain in the mixing water in which the washing water supplied from the water supplier <NUM> and the powder detergent are mixed.

The powder detergent that remains without having been dissolved may be dissolved to a certain extent by rotation of the drum <NUM>, but not all the powder detergent may be dissolved and may sink to the bottom of the tub <NUM>.

In order to improve solubility of the powder detergent that remains in the mixing water, the washing machine may include the circulation hose <NUM> to facilitate circulation of the mixing water between the tub <NUM> and the drum <NUM>.

The circulation hose <NUM> may connect between the tub <NUM> and the drum <NUM> for the mixing water to be circulated between the tub <NUM> and the drum <NUM>.

The injection nozzle <NUM> may be arranged where the circulation hose <NUM> and the drum <NUM> are connected, so that the mixing water supplied to the drum <NUM> from the tub <NUM> through the circulation hose <NUM> may be injected into the drum <NUM> through the injection nozzle <NUM>.

The mixing water repeatedly makes circulating movements between the tub <NUM> and the drum <NUM> through the circulation hose <NUM>, thereby improving solubility of the powder detergent that remains without having been dissolved in the mixing water.

A circulation pump <NUM> may be arranged in the circulation hose <NUM> for pumping the mixing water stored in the lower portion of the tub <NUM> in order for the mixing water to be circulated through the circulation hose <NUM>.

Although not shown, the washing machine may include a drain hose (not shown) to drain the mixing water stored in the tub <NUM> out of the cabinet <NUM> during a draining process, and a drain pump (not shown) for pumping the mixing water to be drained through the drain hose.

Furthermore, a detergent dissolution device <NUM> may be arranged at the circulation hose <NUM> for causing vortex current to the mixing water circulating through the circulation hose <NUM> to improve solubility of the powder detergent.

The circulation hose <NUM> may include a first circulation hose <NUM> connecting the tub <NUM> to the circulation pump <NUM>, a second circulation hose <NUM> connecting the circulation pump <NUM> to the detergent dissolution device <NUM>, and a third circulation hose <NUM> connecting the detergent dissolution device <NUM> to the drum <NUM>.

The circulation pump <NUM> may be arranged between the first circulation hose <NUM> and the second circulation hose <NUM> and may be connected to the tub <NUM> by the first circulation hose <NUM>.

Through on/off controlling of the circulation pump <NUM>, the mixing water circulating the circulation hose <NUM> may be supplied to the detergent dissolution device <NUM> or discharged out of the detergent dissolution device <NUM>, which will be described later.

The detergent dissolution device <NUM> may be arranged between the second circulation hose <NUM> and the third circulation hose <NUM> for causing vortex current to the mixing water circulating through the circulation hose <NUM>, thereby improving solubility of the powder detergent that remains without having been dissolved in the mixing water.

The detergent dissolution device <NUM> may be arranged in a higher position than the circulation pump <NUM> for the mixing water to be discharged from the detergent dissolution device <NUM> by gravity.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a detergent dissolution device, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, <FIG> is a perspective view of a detergent dissolution device having a vortex generating member fixed therein, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, and <FIG> shows a vortex generating member of a detergent dissolution device being fixed to a vortex generating member fixer, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

As shown in <FIG>, the detergent dissolution device <NUM> may include a vortex generating member <NUM> for generating vortex current, a flow part <NUM> in which mixing water having vortex current generated by the vortex generating member <NUM> flows, a vortex generating member fixer <NUM> arranged underneath the flow part <NUM> to fix the vortex generating member <NUM>, a first connector <NUM> arranged underneath the vortex generating member fixer <NUM> and coupled to the second circulation hose <NUM>, and a second connector <NUM> arranged in an upper portion of the flow part <NUM> and coupled to the third circulation hose <NUM>.

The vortex generating member <NUM> may generate vortex current in the mixing water supplied into the detergent dissolution device <NUM> through the second circulation hose <NUM>, to increase time for which the mixing water stays in the detergent dissolution device <NUM>.

When the time for which the mixing water stays in the detergent dissolution device <NUM> increases, a flowing time of the mixing water increases as much as the increased time, which may improve solubility of the powder detergent that remains without having been dissolved in the mixing water.

The vortex generating member <NUM> may include a cylindrical rim <NUM>, an impeller-shaped vortex generator <NUM> arranged within the rim <NUM> to generate vortex current, and a fixing groove <NUM> arranged on the outside of the rim <NUM> and fixed to the vortex generating member fixer <NUM>.

The mixing water passing the impeller-shaped vortex generator <NUM> may form vortex current as the impeller-shaped vortex generator <NUM> that impedes flowing of the mixing water increases pressure and changes direction of the mixing water.

The fixing groove <NUM> may be put on a fixing projection <NUM> of the vortex generating member fixer <NUM>, which will be described later, enabling the vortex generating member <NUM> to be fixed to the vortex generating member fixer <NUM>.

Although the vortex generating member <NUM> is shown as being fixed to the vortex generating member fixer <NUM> not to be rotated, it is not limited thereto, and the vortex generating member <NUM> may be rotatably fixed to the vortex generating member fixer <NUM> to enable the impeller-shaped vortex generator <NUM> to be rotated.

The flow part <NUM> may be arranged over the vortex generating member <NUM> to have the shape of a hollow cylinder, providing space in which the mixing water having passed the vortex generating member <NUM> and thus having vortex current formed therein flows.

The vortex generating member fixer <NUM> may be arranged underneath the flow part <NUM>.

The vortex generating member fixer <NUM> may include a linkage part <NUM> to link the first connector <NUM> to the flow part <NUM>, and the fixing projection <NUM> to be put in and fixed to the fixing groove <NUM> of the vortex generating member <NUM>.

The mixing water pumped by the circulation pump <NUM> and flowing into the first connector <NUM> through the second circulation hose <NUM> may form vortex current by the vortex generating member <NUM> fixed inside the linkage part <NUM> while passing the linkage part <NUM> and flow to the flow part <NUM>. The mixing water having flowed into the flow part <NUM> may flow into the third circulation hose <NUM> through the second connector <NUM> and may be injected into the drum <NUM> through the injection nozzle <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>).

It is desired that the second connector <NUM> be arranged in the highest portion of the flow part <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a direction in which mixing water is circulated when a circulation pump is on, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, and <FIG> shows a direction in which mixing water is circulated when a circulation pump is off, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

As shown in <FIG>, when the circulation pump <NUM> is controlled to be on, the mixing water stored in the lower portion of the tub <NUM> may be supplied to the detergent dissolution device <NUM> through the first circulation hose <NUM> and the second circulation hose <NUM>.

The mixing water supplied to the detergent dissolution device <NUM> may have vortex current formed therein and may be supplied into the drum <NUM> through the third circulation hose <NUM>.

The mixing water supplied to the detergent dissolution device <NUM> and having vortex current formed therein may stay in the flow part <NUM> for a longer time, and mixing water with improved solubility of powder detergent as much as the increased time may be supplied into the drum <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, when the circulation pump <NUM> is controlled to be off, mixing water supplied into the detergent dissolution device <NUM> may be discharged by gravity in a direction toward the circulation pump <NUM> from the detergent dissolution device <NUM> through the second circulation hose <NUM>.

The mixing water to be discharged from the detergent dissolution device <NUM> stays in the detergent dissolution device <NUM> for a longer time due to the vortex current generated in the detergent dissolution device <NUM>, and mixing water with improved solubility of powder detergent as much as the increased time may be supplied to the tub <NUM> through the second circulation hose <NUM> and the first circulation hose <NUM>.

Mixing water that has not flowed to the circulation hose <NUM> but stayed in a lower portion of the tub <NUM> while the circulation pump <NUM> is controlled to be on may be mixed with mixing water flowing into to the tub <NUM> from the drum <NUM> and may flow together when the circulation pump <NUM> is off, so that the solubility of the powder detergent may be improved.

As the mixing water is circulated from the tub <NUM> to the drum <NUM> or from the drum <NUM> to the tub <NUM> by on/off controlling of the circulation pump <NUM>, flowing direction of the mixing water is changed, causing agitation of flowing, so that solubility of the powder detergent may be further improved.

The circulation pump <NUM> may control time to supply mixing water to the detergent dissolution device <NUM> and time to discharge the mixing water from the detergent dissolution device <NUM> to prevent the mixing water from overflowing from the flow part <NUM> through on/off controlling.

During a rinse course of the washing machine, the circulation hose <NUM> may be used as a circulation flow path by consistently keeping the circulation pump <NUM> on without on/off controlling.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a detergent dissolution device having a vortex generating member fixed therein, according to another embodiment of the disclosure, and <FIG> shows a vortex generating member of a detergent dissolution device being fixed to a vortex generating member fixer, according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

As shown in <FIG>, the detergent dissolution device <NUM> may include the vortex generating member <NUM> for generating vortex current, the flow part <NUM> in which mixing water having vortex current generated by the vortex generating member <NUM> flows, the vortex generating member fixer <NUM> arranged underneath the flow part <NUM> to fix the vortex generating member <NUM>, the first connector <NUM> arranged underneath the vortex generating member fixer <NUM> and coupled to the second circulation hose <NUM>, and the second connector <NUM> arranged in an upper portion of the flow part <NUM> and coupled to the third circulation hose <NUM>.

It is all the same as the detergent dissolution device <NUM> as shown in <FIG> except a vortex generator <NUM>, so the description of the other components than the vortex generating member <NUM> will not be repeated.

The vortex generating member <NUM> may include the cylindrical rim <NUM>, the vortex generator <NUM> having a baffle shape and arranged within the rim <NUM> to generate vortex current, and the fixing groove <NUM> arranged on the outside of the rim <NUM> and fixed to the vortex generating member fixer <NUM>.

Mixing water passing the baffle-shaped vortex generator <NUM> may form vortex current as the baffle-shaped vortex generator <NUM> that impedes flowing of the mixing water increases pressure and changes direction of the mixing water.

The fixing groove <NUM> may be put on a fixing projection <NUM> of the vortex generating member fixer <NUM>, enabling the vortex generating member <NUM> to be fixed to the vortex generating member fixer <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a detergent dissolution device, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in <FIG>, the detergent dissolution device <NUM> may include a flow part <NUM> in which mixing water flows, a vortex generating member <NUM> provided integrally with the flow part <NUM> on the inner side of the flow part <NUM> and having a spiral form to generate vortex current, a first connector <NUM> arranged underneath the flow part <NUM> and coupled to the second circulation hose <NUM>, and a second connector <NUM> arranged in an upper portion of the flow part <NUM> and coupled to the third circulation hose <NUM> (see <FIG>).

Mixing water pumped by the circulation pump <NUM> and flowing into the first connector <NUM> through the second circulation hose <NUM> may form vortex current by the vortex generating member <NUM> integrally formed inside the flow part <NUM> while passing the flow part <NUM>. The mixing water flowing in the flow part <NUM> with the vortex current formed therein may flow into the third circulation hose <NUM> through the second connector <NUM> and may be injected into the drum <NUM> through the injection nozzle <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>).

Claim 1:
A washing machine comprising:
a cabinet (<NUM>) having a detergent supplier (<NUM>);
a tub (<NUM>) arranged in the cabinet to be connected to the detergent supplier (<NUM>) and containing mixing water in which washing water supplied to the detergent supplier (<NUM>) and a powder detergent are mixed;
a drum (<NUM>) rotatably installed in the tub (<NUM>);
a circulation hose (<NUM>) connecting between the tub (<NUM>) and the drum (<NUM>) for the mixing water contained in a lower portion of the tub (<NUM>) to be circulated;
a detergent dissolution device (<NUM>) generating vortex current in mixing water circulated through the circulation hose (<NUM>) to improve solubility of the powder detergent; and
a circulation pump (<NUM>) arranged in the circulation hose (<NUM>) and configured to repeatedly supply and discharge mixing water to and from the detergent dissolution device (<NUM>) through on/off controlling,
wherein the detergent dissolution device (<NUM>) is arranged at a higher location than the circulation pump, and
the washing machine is configured that:
when the circulation pump (<NUM>) is controlled to be on, mixing water contained in a lower portion of the tub (<NUM>) is supplied to the detergent dissolution device (<NUM>) through the circulation hose (<NUM>) and mixing water supplied to the detergent dissolution device is supplied to the drum with improved solubility of the powder detergent by the vortex current generated in the detergent dissolution device, and
when the circulation pump (<NUM>) is controlled to be off, mixing water supplied into the detergent dissolution device (<NUM>) is discharged by gravity toward the circulation pump (<NUM>) from the detergent dissolution device (<NUM>),
wherein the circulation hose (<NUM>) comprises a first circulation hose (<NUM>) connecting the tub (<NUM>) to the circulation pump, a third circulation hose (<NUM>) connecting the detergent dissolution device (<NUM>) to the drum (<NUM>) and characterized in that the circulation hose comprises a second circulation hose (<NUM>) connecting the circulation pump (<NUM>) to the detergent dissolution device (<NUM>).