Patent Description:
The present invention relates to a laundry treating apparatus.

Generally, a laundry treating apparatus includes an apparatus for washing laundry (laundry for washing or laundry for drying), an apparatus for drying laundry, and an apparatus for performing both washing and drying laundry.

The laundry treating apparatus of the related art, which can wash laundry, includes a tub in which water is stored, a drum rotatably provided inside the tub to store laundry therein, and a detergent supply unit for supplying a detergent to the tub.

The laundry treating apparatus of the related art includes a storage body for providing a space where a detergent is stored, a storage unit water supply pipe for supplying water to the storage body, and a detergent supply unit that includes a siphon formation portion for moving the detergent and water to a tub by causing siphon if a water level inside the storage body exceeds a preset water level.

However, the detergent supply unit having the aforementioned structure has a problem in that a mixture of the detergent and water is not supplied to the tub if an outlet provided in the siphon formation portion is blocked or the siphon formation portion is damaged.

Also, the laundry treating apparatus which includes the aforementioned detergent supply unit is provided to further include a valve for opening or closing the storage unit water supply pipe. In this case, if the valve for opening or closing the storage unit water supply pipe is out of order, since water supplied from a water supply source is immediately supplied to the storage body, a problem may occur in that the detergent is supplied to the tub at an unwanted timing.

Also, the laundry treating apparatus of the related art needs a means for easily controlling water supply of the tub and water supply of the detergent supply unit.

<CIT> (A1) relates to a washing machine that includes a first washing unit, a second washing unit, a water inlet system and a drainage system. This document discloses an apparatus comprising a tub, a drum, a detergent supply unit, a connection pipe for connecting the detergent supply unit to the tub, a water supply pipe connected to a water supply source and valves provided to open or close the water supply pipe as well as to open or close the water pipe to the detergent supply unit, respectively.

<CIT> (A1) relates to a washing machine capable of reducing water supply time and water drainage time thereof, and a control method thereof.

Further related technologies are disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a laundry treating apparatus that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art. The invention is specified by the independent claim.

An object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating apparatus that includes a connector for controlling water supplied to a tub and water supplied to a detergent supply unit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating apparatus that may supply a detergent stored in a detergent supply unit to a tub even in the case that a means for causing siphon is damaged.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating apparatus that may supply a detergent stored in a detergent supply unit to a tub at a desired timing even in the case that a valve for controlling water supply to the detergent supply unit.

Further still another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating apparatus that prevents water stored in a tub from flowing backward to a detergent supply unit through a path that connects the tub with the detergent supply unit.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a laundry treating apparatus according to the subject-matter of the independent claim <NUM> has been provided.

The laundry treating apparatus of the present invention may further comprise a second tub for providing a space where water is stored, arranged above or below the tub; a second drum rotatably provided inside the second tub, for storing laundry therein; a second tub water supply pipe for guiding the water supplied from the water supply source to the second tub; and a second tub water supply pipe valve for opening or closing the second tub water supply pipe.

The second valve may include a valve housing fixed to the outside of the chamber; a piston of a metal material, which has one end provided to reciprocate inside the valve housing and a free end provided to reciprocate inside the chamber; a sealer fixed to the free end of the piston and provided in a shape for closing the third path; a spring provided inside the valve housing, pressurizing the piston to maintain the state of the third path closed by the sealer; and a coil for opening the third path by moving the piston to be far away from the position of the third path if a current is supplied thereto.

The detergent supply unit includes a cover provided with a detergent inlet; a storage body arranged below the cover, providing a space where the detergent is stored; a barrier for partitioning the inside of the storage body into a first space where the detergent entering through the detergent inlet is stored, and a second space detached from the second space; a storage unit water supply inlet connected to the supply unit water supply pipe, allowing water to enter the first space; a first body through hole provided to pass through a bottom of the storage body, communicating the first space with the connection pipe; a first discharge pipe protruded toward the cover from the first body through hole; a second discharge pipe provided on the bottom of the storage body, communicating the second space with the connection pipe; a siphon formation pipe provided to surround the first discharge pipe, moving a liquid inside the first space to the first body through hole if a water level inside the first space is higher than a height of the first discharge pipe; and a space communication unit provided on the barrier to move the liquid inside the first space to the second space if the liquid is not discharged to the outside of the first space through the first body through hole.

The space communication unit may include a barrier through hole provided to pass through the barrier and provided to be higher than the first discharge pipe and lower than the detergent inlet.

The barrier may be provided to be protruded toward the cover from the bottom of the storage body, and the space communication unit may be provided as a space formed by a free end of the barrier, which is formed to be higher than that of the first discharge pipe and lower than the detergent inlet.

The storage unit water supply inlet may be provided to pass through one surface of the storage body for forming the second space together with the barrier, among the space provided by the storage body, and may be provided to be higher than the free end of the barrier and lower than the detergent inlet.

The laundry treating apparatus of the present invention may further comprise a cabinet having an outlet on a front surface; a drawer body provided to be ejected from the inside of the cabinet to the outside of the cabinet through the outlet, providing a space where the tub is received; a drawer cover forming an upper surface of the drawer body; a tub inlet provided to pass through an upper surface of the tub; a cover through hole provided to pass through an upper surface of the drawer cover and arranged above the tub inlet; a fitting hole provided to pass through the drawer cover, providing a space where the detergent supply unit is provided; and a second cabinet mounted on an upper surface of the cabinet, providing a space where the second tub is received.

The cover may detachably be coupled to the drawer cover through the fitting hole, and the storage body may be fixed to the drawer cover and arranged below the fitting hole.

The cover may include a cover bottom arranged above the storage body; a cover side fixed to the cover bottom to form storage spaces together with the cover bottom and detachably coupled to the fitting hole; and a communication hole provided to pass through the cover bottom or the cover side, discharging the detergent inside the storage spaces to the first space.

The laundry treating apparatus may further comprise a cover water supply inlet provided to pass through the cover side, allowing the water discharged from the storage unit water supply inlet to partially enter the storage spaces.

The laundry treating apparatus may further comprise a guide extended toward the inside of the first space from an edge of the fitting hole to support the cover side, wherein a free end of the guide may be arranged between the cover side and the barrier to attenuate a flow velocity of the water discharged from the storage unit water supply inlet.

The first body through hole may be provided to discharge the liquid inside the first space to the second discharge pipe, and the connection pipe may be provided to connect the second discharge pipe with the tub.

The laundry treating apparatus of the present invention may further comprise a cabinet providing a space where the tub is received; a tub inlet provided to pass through the upper surface of the tub; a cabinet inlet provided to pass through the upper surface of the cabinet and arranged above the tub inlet; a fitting hole provided to the upper surface of the cabinet, providing a space where the cover is provided; and a second cabinet provided to support the bottom of the cabinet, providing a space where the second tub is received.

The laundry treating apparatus of the present invention may further comprise a second detergent supply unit providing a space where the detergent is stored, provided to supply the detergent to the tub through a second connection pipe; a second supply unit water supply pipe connected to the second detergent supply unit; and a fourth path provided in the housing and connected with the second supply unit water supply pipe, guiding the water inside the chamber to the second supply unit water supply pipe.

The first path and the second path may be fixed to the housing to be arranged on one straight line, the fourth path may be fixed to the housing and provided in parallel with the straight line formed by the first path and the second path, and the third path may be fixed to the housing and provided to be orthogonal to the straight line formed by the first path and the second path.

The second detergent supply unit may be provided to store a detergent required for washing of laundry, and the first detergent supply unit may be provided to store a detergent required for rinsing after washing is completed.

According to the present invention, a laundry treating apparatus is provided, which includes a connector for controlling water supplied to a tub and water supplied to a detergent supply unit.

According to the present invention, a laundry treating apparatus may be provided, which may supply a detergent stored in a detergent supply unit to a tub even in the case that a means for causing siphon is damaged.

Also, according to the present invention, a laundry treating apparatus may be provided, which may supply a detergent stored in a detergent supply unit to a tub at a desired timing even in the case that a valve for controlling water supply to the detergent supply unit.

Also, according to the present invention, a laundry treating apparatus may be provided, which prevents water stored in a tub from flowing backward to a detergent supply unit through a path that connects the tub with the detergent supply unit.

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Meanwhile, elements or control method of apparatuses which will be described below are only intended to describe the embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to restrict the scope of the present invention.

As shown in <FIG>, a laundry treating apparatus <NUM> according to the present invention may include a first treating apparatus A for washing laundry, and a second treating apparatus B arranged on the first treating apparatus to wash or dry laundry. Alternatively, as shown in <FIG>, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> according to the present invention may include a first treating apparatus A for washing laundry, and a second treating apparatus B provided to support a lower surface of the first treating apparatus.

As shown in <FIG>, the first treating apparatus A may include a cabinet <NUM>, a drawer <NUM> that may be ejected from the cabinet, a tub <NUM> provided inside the drawer, for storing water therein, and a drum <NUM> rotatably provided inside the tub, for storing laundry therein.

The cabinet <NUM> may be provided as a means for forming an external appearance of the first treating apparatus A, or may be provided as a space (space formed at a wall, etc.) for simply receiving the drawer <NUM>. In any case, it is preferable that an outlet <NUM> to which the drawer <NUM> may be inserted is provided on a front surface of the cabinet <NUM>.

The cabinet <NUM> may be provided to have a width direction (Y-axis direction) of which length is longer than a length of a height direction (Z-axis direction) (A width length of the drawer may be provided to be longer than a length of a height direction).

The drawer <NUM> may include a drawer body <NUM> inserted into the cabinet <NUM> through the outlet <NUM>, a drawer panel <NUM> fixed to a front surface of the drawer body <NUM>, opening or closing the outlet <NUM>, and a drawer cover <NUM> for forming an upper surface of the drawer body <NUM>.

If the drawer body <NUM> is inserted into the cabinet <NUM>, the drawer panel <NUM> will close the outlet <NUM>, and if the drawer body <NUM> is ejected from the cabinet <NUM>, the drawer panel <NUM> will open the outlet <NUM>.

The drawer panel <NUM> may include a control panel <NUM> (see <FIG>) for inputting a control command related to an operation of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> and displaying a message related to the operation of the laundry treating apparatus to a user.

The drawer body <NUM> may be inserted to the cabinet <NUM> through the inlet <NUM>, and may be provided in all shapes that may provide a space for receiving the tub <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an example of a hexahedral shaped hollow drawer body <NUM>.

The drawer cover <NUM> includes a first cover through hole <NUM> and a second cover through hole <NUM> that communicate the inside of the drawer body <NUM> with the outside thereof. The first cover through hole <NUM> should be provided for insertion and ejection of laundry, and the second cover through hole <NUM> should be provided for supply of water required for washing of laundry. A detailed description of the first and second cover through holes <NUM> and <NUM> will be given later.

The tub <NUM> includes a tub body <NUM> arranged inside the drawer body <NUM>, in which water is stored, and a tub cover <NUM> forming an upper surface of the tub body <NUM>. The tub body <NUM> may be provided in a hollow cylindrical shape. The tub cover <NUM> may include a tub inlet <NUM> for communicating the inside of the tub body <NUM> with the outside of the tub body <NUM>, and a water supply pipe connector <NUM> for flowing water into the tub body <NUM>.

The tub inlet <NUM> may be provided below the first cover through hole <NUM> provided in the drawer cover, and the water supply pipe connector <NUM> may be provided below the second cover through hole <NUM>.

The tub inlet <NUM> is a means for inserting laundry into the tub body <NUM> or ejecting the laundry inside the tub body <NUM> to the outside of the tub body, and may be opened or closed by a door <NUM> rotatably coupled to the tub cover <NUM>.

The tub <NUM> having the aforementioned structure may be fixed to the drawer body <NUM> through a tub support unit <NUM>. The tub support unit <NUM> may be provided as a means for attenuating vibration generated in the tub body <NUM>.

The drum <NUM> provided inside the tub <NUM> may include a cylindrical shaped drum body <NUM> provided with a drum inlet <NUM> provided on an upper surface. Since the drum inlet <NUM> is arranged below the tub inlet <NUM>, laundry supplied from the outside of the tub through the tub inlet <NUM> may be supplied to the drum body <NUM> through the drum inlet <NUM>.

A plurality of drum through holes <NUM> for communicating the inside of the drum body <NUM> with the tub body <NUM> may be provided on a bottom and a circumferential surface of the drum body <NUM>.

The drum body <NUM> is rotated inside the tub body <NUM> by a driving unit <NUM>. The driving unit <NUM> may include a stator <NUM> fixed to a bottom of the tub body and arranged outside the tub body <NUM>, a rotor <NUM> rotated by a rotating field provided by the stator, and a rotary shaft <NUM> provided to pass through the bottom of the tub body <NUM>, connecting the bottom of the drum body with the rotor.

In this case, the rotary shaft <NUM> may be provided to be orthogonal to the bottom of the tub body <NUM>, and the drum inlet <NUM> may be provided to be parallel with the ground. The expression that the rotary shaft <NUM> is to be orthogonal to the bottom of the tub body <NUM> means that an angle between the rotary shaft and the bottom of the tub body is <NUM>° within an error range (tolerance required during design or assembly).

The first treating apparatus A having the aforementioned structure discharges the water stored in the tub <NUM> to the outside of the cabinet <NUM> through a drainage unit. The drainage unit may include a drainage pump <NUM> fixed to the drawer body <NUM>, a first tub drainage pipe <NUM> for guiding the water inside the tub body <NUM> to the drainage pump <NUM>, and a second tub drainage pipe <NUM> for guiding the water discharged from the drainage pump <NUM> to the outside of the cabinet <NUM>. In this case, the second tub drainage pipe <NUM> may be provided as a corrugated pipe (pipe provided as an elastic material along a length direction or elastic pipe in a length direction).

The first treating apparatus A further includes a means for supplying a detergent to the tub body <NUM>. This detergent supply means for supplying a detergent to the first treating apparatus may include a detergent supply unit <NUM> only, or may include the detergent supply unit <NUM> (first detergent supply unit) and a second detergent supply unit <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates that the detergent supply means includes a first detergent supply unit <NUM> and a second detergent supply unit <NUM> as an example.

The detergent supplied to the tub body through the detergent supply unit includes a washing detergent supplied to laundry during a washing course to remove particles from the laundry, a rinsing detergent supplied to the laundry during a rinsing course of the laundry to soften the laundry, and a material, such as a bleaching agent, supplied to the laundry to make the laundry white.

If the detergent supply means includes the first detergent supply unit <NUM> and the second detergent supply unit <NUM>, the water supply unit <NUM> provided in the first treating apparatus A may include a first water supply pipe <NUM> connected with a water supply source, a second water supply pipe <NUM> for guiding water to the tub body <NUM>, a supply unit water supply pipe <NUM> (first supply unit water supply pipe) for guiding water to the detergent supply unit <NUM> (first detergent supply unit), and a second supply unit water supply pipe <NUM> for guiding water to the second detergent supply unit <NUM>. However, unlike the shown drawing, if the detergent supply means includes the first detergent supply unit <NUM> only, the water supply unit <NUM> may include the first water supply pipe <NUM>, the second supply unit water supply pipe <NUM>, and the supply unit water supply pipe <NUM>.

The first water supply pipe, the second water supply pipe, the first supply unit water supply pipe <NUM> and the second supply unit water supply pipe <NUM> are connected to one another through a connector <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the connector <NUM> may include a housing <NUM> provided with a chamber 511a for forming a space where water is stored, a first path <NUM> provided in the housing and connected with the first water supply pipe <NUM>, a second path <NUM> provided in the housing and connected with the second water supply pipe <NUM>, a third path <NUM> provided in the housing and connected with the first supply unit water supply pipe <NUM>, and a fourth path <NUM> provided in the housing and connected with the second supply unit water supply pipe <NUM>.

The first water supply pipe <NUM> may be provided as a corrugated pipe of which one end is fixed to the water supply source and the other end is fixed to the first path <NUM>. The first water supply pipe <NUM> is provided to be opened or closed by a first valve <NUM> (see <FIG>) provided to be operated under the control of a controller. Therefore, if the first valve <NUM> opens the first water supply pipe <NUM>, the water supplied from the water supply source will be supplied to the chamber 511a through the first path <NUM>. Unlike the aforementioned description, the first valve <NUM> may be provided in the connector <NUM> to open or close the first path <NUM>.

Since the second water supply pipe <NUM> is provided to connect the second path <NUM> with the water supply pipe connector <NUM> provided in the tub cover, the water stored in the chamber 511a will be supplied to the tub body <NUM> through the second path <NUM> and the second water supply pipe <NUM>.

One end of the first supply unit water supply pipe <NUM> is fixed to the third path <NUM> and its other end is connected to the first detergent supply unit <NUM>. The third path <NUM> is opened or closed by a second valve <NUM> operated under the control of the controller. Therefore, if the second valve <NUM> opens the third path <NUM>, the water in the chamber 511a will be supplied to the first detergent supply unit <NUM> through the third path and the first supply unit water supply pipe <NUM>.

The second valve <NUM> may include a valve housing 517a fixed to the outside of the chamber 511a, a piston 517b of a metal material, which has one end provided to reciprocate inside the valve housing 517a and a free end provided to reciprocate inside the chamber 511a, a sealer 517c provided in a shape for closing the third path <NUM> and fixed to the free end of the piston, a spring 517e pressurizing the piston 517b to allow the sealer 517c to maintain the closing state of the third path <NUM>, and a coil 517d for detaching the sealer 517c from the third path <NUM> by moving the piston 517e if a current is supplied. The spring 517e may be provided in the valve housing 517a to pressurize the piston 517b toward the third path <NUM>.

Meanwhile, one end of the second supply unit water supply pipe <NUM> is fixed to the fourth path <NUM> and its other end is connected to the second detergent supply unit <NUM>. If a separate valve is not provided in the fourth path <NUM>, the second detergent supply unit <NUM> will always be supplied with the water when the first valve <NUM> opens the first water supply pipe <NUM>. On the other hand, if a separate valve (the third valve) for opening or closing the fourth path <NUM> is further provided, the second detergent supply unit <NUM> will be supplied with the water when the first valve and the third valve open the first water supply pipe <NUM> and the fourth path.

As shown in <FIG>, the first detergent supply unit <NUM> (detergent supply unit) may be fixed to the drawer <NUM> through a fitting hole <NUM> (the first fitting hole) provided to pass through the drawer cover <NUM>. That is, the first detergent supply unit <NUM> may include a storage unit <NUM> (the first storage unit) fixed to the drawer cover <NUM> to be arranged below the fitting hole <NUM>, a cover <NUM> (the first cover) arranged above the storage unit <NUM> by being supported in the fitting hole <NUM> or fixed to the storage unit <NUM> by being inserted to the fitting hole <NUM>, and a connection pipe <NUM> (the first connection pipe) for connecting the storage unit <NUM> with the tub body <NUM>.

The storage unit <NUM> may be provided as a storage body <NUM> (the first storage body) for providing a space where a detergent is stored. The storage body <NUM> may be provided in all shapes that may provide a space for storing the detergent. In <FIG>, the storage body <NUM> may include a body upper surface <NUM> (the first body upper surface) provided with an opened surface, a body bottom <NUM> (the first body bottom) arranged below the fitting hole <NUM>, and a body side <NUM> (the first body side) provided along an edge of the body bottom, forming a space for storing the detergent, together with the body bottom <NUM>.

The body upper surface <NUM> may surround an edge of the fitting hole <NUM>, and may be provided in all shapes that may communicate the inside of the storage body <NUM> with the outside of the drawer cover through the fitting hole <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the storage unit <NUM> may further include a barrier <NUM> (the first barrier) for partitioning an inner space of the storage body <NUM> into a first space S1 (the first body first space) where the detergent is stored, and a second space S2 (the first body second space) detached from the first space, forming a path. The barrier <NUM> may be provided as a board extended from the body bottom <NUM> to the cover <NUM>.

The first space S1 may be provided to be communicated with the tub body <NUM> through a first body through hole 713a (the first body first through hole) passing through the body bottom <NUM>, and the second space S2 may be provided to be communicated with the tub body <NUM> through a second body through hole 713b (the first body second through hole) passing through the body bottom <NUM>.

A first discharge pipe <NUM> (the first body first discharge pipe) is connected to the first body through hole 713a, and a second discharge pipe <NUM> (the first body second discharge pipe) is connected to the second body through hole 713b. The first discharge pipe <NUM> is a pipe protruded toward the body upper surface from the body bottom <NUM>, and a liquid inside the first space S1 moves to the first body through hole 713a through the first discharge pipe <NUM>.

One end of the connection pipe <NUM> may be fixed to the second discharge pipe <NUM>. In this case, the first body through hole 713a may be provided to communicate the first space S1 with the second discharge pipe <NUM>. Although not shown, the first body through hole 713a may be provided to directly supply the liquid (mixture of detergent and water), which is discharged from the first space S1, to the connection pipe <NUM> without passing through the second discharge pipe <NUM>.

The first space S1 is supplied with water through a storage unit water supply inlet <NUM> (the first storage water supply inlet) provided to pass through the body side <NUM>, wherein the storage unit water supply inlet <NUM> is connected to the water supply source through the first supply unit water supply pipe <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the cover <NUM> (the first cover) may be provided as a cover body <NUM> (the first cover body) inserted to the fitting hole <NUM>. The cover body <NUM> includes a cover bottom <NUM> (the first cover bottom) arranged above the storage body <NUM>, a cover side <NUM> (the first cover side) fixed to the cover bottom, forming storage spaces together with the cover bottom, and a detergent inlet <NUM> (the first detergent inlet) provided on the cover body, allowing the detergent to enter the storage spaces <NUM> and <NUM>.

The fitting hole <NUM> may further include a guide <NUM> (the first guide) to allow the cover body <NUM> to be easily coupled to the fitting hole <NUM>. The guide <NUM> may be provided as a board extended toward the inside of the first space S1 from the edge of the fitting hole <NUM>. In this case, the cover side <NUM> may be provided in a shape that may be mounted on the guide <NUM>. That is, the cover side <NUM> may be supported in the guide <NUM> and detachably be coupled to the fitting hole <NUM>.

The guide <NUM> may be provided as an inclined surface protruded toward the center of the fitting hole <NUM> from the edge of the fitting hole <NUM> and downwardly inclined toward the center of the fitting hole <NUM>.

The storage spaces formed by the cover bottom <NUM> and the cover side <NUM> are communicated with the first space S1 through a communication hole <NUM> (the first communication hole). Therefore, the detergent entering the storage spaces <NUM> and <NUM> of the cover body <NUM> through the detergent inlet <NUM> is moved to the first space S1 through the communication hole <NUM>. To allow the detergent supplied to the spaces <NUM> and <NUM> to easily enter the first space S1, the cover bottom <NUM> may be provided to be downwardly inclined toward the communication hole <NUM>.

The detergent inlet <NUM> may be provided as an opened surface formed on an upper surface of the cover body <NUM>, or may be provided as a hole provided to pass through the upper surface of the cover body <NUM>.

The first detergent supply unit <NUM> further includes a siphon formation pipe <NUM> (the first siphon formation pipe) for forming a siphon guider together with the first discharge pipe <NUM> provided in the storage body <NUM>. The siphon formation pipe <NUM> is a means provided to surround the first discharge pipe <NUM>, moving a liquid (mixture of detergent and water) inside the first space S1 to the first body through hole 713a if a water level inside the first space S1 is higher than a height of the first discharge pipe <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates that the siphon formation pipe <NUM> is provided as a pipe protruded toward the body bottom <NUM> from the cover bottom <NUM> as an example.

In this case, the cover bottom <NUM> may include a first bottom 745a, a second bottom 743b provided to be higher than the first bottom, providing a space to which the siphon formation pipe <NUM> is fixed, and a connection surface 743c connecting the first bottom with the second bottom, provided with the communication hole <NUM>. Preferably, the first bottom 743a is provided to be downwardly inclined toward the communication hole <NUM>, and the second bottom 743b is provided to be downwardly inclined toward an upper end of the connection surface 743c.

The storage body <NUM> includes a spacer <NUM> which is a means for maintaining an interval between an inner circumferential surface of the siphon formation pipe <NUM> and an outer circumferential surface of the first discharge pipe <NUM> and an interval between a lower end of the siphon formation pipe <NUM> and the body bottom <NUM>.

Meanwhile, a problem may occur in that the first detergent supply unit <NUM> having the aforementioned structure only fails to supply the detergent stored in the first space S1 to the tub <NUM> if the siphon guider is damaged (if the first body through hole is blocked, the siphon formation pipe is damaged, etc.). That is, if water is supplied to the first space S1, a risk occurs in that the detergent stored in the first space S1 may leak into the cabinet <NUM> together with the water through the communication hole <NUM> and the detergent inlet <NUM>.

To solve the problem, the first detergent supply unit <NUM> includes a space communication unit (the first space communication unit) provided on the barrier <NUM>, communicating the first space S1 with the second space S2.

As shown in <FIG>, the space communication unit may be provided as a space S3 formed as a free end of the barrier <NUM> is higher than that of the first discharge pipe <NUM> and is lower than the detergent inlet <NUM>.

If the barrier <NUM> is provided as a board extended toward the cover <NUM> from the body bottom <NUM> so that an upper end of the barrier <NUM> is in contact with the cover <NUM>, the space communication unit may be provided as a barrier through hole provided to pass through the barrier <NUM>. In this case, the barrier through hole should be provided to be higher than the free end of the first discharge pipe <NUM> and lower than the detergent inlet <NUM>.

It is supposed that the aforementioned space communication unit S3 is provided in the barrier <NUM>. In this case, if the liquid inside the first space S1 is not discharged to the outside of the first space S1 through the first body through hole 713a, the liquid inside the first space S1 is moved to the second space S2, and the liquid moved to the second space S2 will be supplied to the tub body <NUM> through the second body through hole 713b and the second discharge pipe <NUM>. Therefore, the detergent supply unit provided in the present invention may supply the detergent to the tub body even though the siphon guider is damaged.

Meanwhile, since the first detergent supply unit <NUM> provided in the present invention has a structure that the detergent is stored in the first space S1 by being supplied to the communication hole <NUM> along the cover bottom <NUM>, the detergent may remain in the cover bottom <NUM>. If the detergent remains in the cover bottom <NUM>, a sanitary problem may be caused. To solve the problem, the first detergent supply unit <NUM> may further include a cover water supply inlet <NUM> (the first cover water supply inlet) for preventing the detergent from remaining in the cover bottom <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the cover water supply inlet <NUM> is a means provided to pass through the cover side <NUM>, allowing the water supplied from the storage unit water supply inlet <NUM> to partially enter the storage spaces formed by the cover bottom <NUM> and the cover side <NUM>. Therefore, the water supplied to the first space S1 through the storage unit water supply inlet <NUM> partially enters the cover body <NUM> through the cover water supply inlet <NUM>, and the water entering the cover body <NUM> will be supplied to the first space S1 through the communication hole <NUM> after washing the cover bottom <NUM>. Therefore, in the present invention, the problem that the detergent remains in the cover body may be minimized.

Meanwhile, a water pressure of water supplied from the water supply source may be varied depending on zones where the laundry treating apparatus is provided. If a water pressure of the zone where the laundry treating apparatus is provided is high, a pressure of water supplied to the first space S1 through the storage unit water supply inlet <NUM> will be high. Therefore, a problem may occur in that the water supplied to the first space S1 through the storage unit water supply inlet <NUM> may detach the cover <NUM> from the fitting hole <NUM> or discharge the detergent stored in the first space S1 to the outside of the first detergent supply unit <NUM>.

To solve the problem, a free end of the guide <NUM> may be provided to be arranged between the cover side <NUM> and the barrier <NUM>, thereby attenuating a flow velocity of the water supplied from the storage unit water supply inlet <NUM>. That is, as shown in <FIG>, the guide <NUM> may be extended toward the first space S1 from the fitting hole <NUM> to close a partial area of the storage unit water supply inlet <NUM> if the guider is projected in the cover side <NUM>.

The first detergent supply unit <NUM> having the aforementioned structure supplies the detergent to the tub body <NUM> through the connection pipe <NUM> as described above, and a diameter of each bottom of the drum body <NUM> and the tub body <NUM> provided in the present invention is set to be longer than its height, whereby a problem may occur in that the water inside the tub body may backward flow toward the first detergent supply unit <NUM> through the connection pipe <NUM> when the drum body <NUM> is rotated. To solve this problem, the present invention may further include a first backward flow preventer <NUM> and a second backward flow preventer <NUM>.

One end of the connection pipe <NUM> may be fixed to the second discharge pipe <NUM> and its other end may be fixed to a detergent inlet pipe <NUM> (the first detergent inlet pipe) provided to pass through the circumferential surface of the tub body <NUM>. In this case, it is preferable that the first backward flow preventer <NUM> is fixed to the second discharge pipe <NUM> and the second backward flow preventer <NUM> is fixed to the detergent inlet pipe <NUM>. This facilitates assembly of the backward flow preventers <NUM> and <NUM>.

That is, if the backward flow preventers <NUM> and <NUM> are respectively provided in the second discharge pipe <NUM> and the detergent inlet pipe <NUM>, they may be assembled more easily than the case that at least one of the backward flow preventers is provided inside the connection pipe <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the first backward flow preventer <NUM> (the first storage unit first backward flow preventer) may include a first communication pipe <NUM> inserted and fixed to the second discharge pipe <NUM>, a sealing unit <NUM> for allowing the liquid (mixture of detergent and water) to enter the first communication pipe <NUM>, a first communication pipe discharge outlet <NUM> for discharging the liquid inside the first communication pipe <NUM> to the connection pipe <NUM>, a ball <NUM> reciprocating inside the first communication pipe <NUM>, and a support unit <NUM> provided in the first communication pipe discharge outlet <NUM> to allow the ball <NUM> to be mounted thereon.

The first communication pipe <NUM> may be provided in a cylindrical shape in which both surfaces (upper surface and lower surface) facing each other are opened. In this case, the first communication pipe discharge outlet <NUM> may be an opened surface of the first communication pipe <NUM>.

The sealing unit <NUM> may include a sealing body 783a coupled to the opened upper surface of the first communication pipe <NUM>, and a first communication pipe inlet 783b provided to pass through the sealing body 783a. It is preferable that the sealing body 783a is provided as an elastic body such as rubber. A path formation portion <NUM> for forming a path between the ball <NUM> and the inner circumferential surface of the first communication pipe <NUM> is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the first communication pipe <NUM>.

Therefore, if the water inside the tub body <NUM> enters the first communication pipe <NUM> through the connection pipe <NUM> and the first communication pipe discharge outlet <NUM> in accordance with rotation of the drum body <NUM>, the ball <NUM> prevents the water inside the tub body <NUM> from being supplied to the first detergent supply unit <NUM> by closing the first communication pipe inlet 783b.

However, if the water inside the tub body <NUM> does not backward flow to the first communication pipe <NUM> through the first communication pipe discharge outlet <NUM>, the ball <NUM> maintains the state that it is mounted on the support unit <NUM>, by means of self-load. If the ball <NUM> maintains the state that it is mounted on the support unit <NUM>, a path is formed between the first communication pipe <NUM> and the ball <NUM> by the path formation portion. Therefore, in this state, if the water is supplied to the first space S1, the detergent will be supplied to the tub body <NUM> through the first discharge pipe <NUM>, the first communication pipe inlet 783b and the connection pipe <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the second backward flow preventer <NUM> (the first storage unit second backward flow preventer) may include a second communication pipe <NUM> inserted and fixed to the detergent inlet pipe <NUM>, a second communication pipe inlet <NUM> for allowing the liquid to enter the second communication pipe <NUM>, a second communication pipe discharge outlet <NUM> for discharging the liquid entering the second communication pipe <NUM> to the detergent inlet pipe <NUM>, and a blocking board <NUM> provided inside the second communication pipe <NUM> to block entrance of the liquid inside the tub body <NUM> to the connection pipe <NUM> and allowing the liquid inside the connection pipe <NUM> to enter the tub body <NUM>.

The second communication pipe <NUM> may also be provided in a cylindrical shape in which both surfaces (upper surface and lower surface) facing each other are opened. The blocking board <NUM> may rotatably be fixed into the second communication pipe <NUM> through a shaft <NUM>. Also, the second communication pipe <NUM> may include a stopper <NUM> for supporting the blocking board <NUM> to prevent the blocking board <NUM> from being rotated to be far away from the tub body <NUM>.

In the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> having the aforementioned structure only, a leakage may occur in that a small amount of water may enter the supply unit water supply pipe <NUM> when the first valve <NUM> opens the first supply pipe <NUM> in a state that the second valve <NUM> is damaged (wear of sealer). If the leakage occurs in the supply unit water supply pipe <NUM>, a problem may occur in that the detergent stored in the first detergent storage unit <NUM> is not supplied to the tub <NUM> at a desired timing.

To solve the problem, as shown in <FIG>, the storage unit water supply inlet <NUM> provided in the first detergent supply unit <NUM> is preferably provided to pass through one surface of the storage body <NUM> for forming the second space S2 together with the barrier <NUM> among the space provided by the storage body <NUM>. Also, the storage unit water supply inlet <NUM> is preferably provided to be higher than the free end of the barrier <NUM> and lower than the detergent inlet <NUM> so that the water supplied from the storage unit water supply inlet <NUM> may be supplied to the first space S1 by passing through the free end of the barrier <NUM>.

The water supplied from the storage unit water supply inlet <NUM> is supplied to the first space S1 by passing through the free end of the barrier <NUM> to allow the water discharged from the storage unit water supply inlet <NUM> to enter the second space S2 if the pressure of the water discharged from the storage unit water supply inlet <NUM> is low.

Therefore, the first detergent supply unit <NUM> provided in the present invention may prevent the detergent stored therein from being supplied to the tub at an unwanted timing even though the small amount of water leaks into the supply unit water supply pipe <NUM> due to a minor damage of the second valve <NUM>.

Moreover, the free end of the barrier <NUM> may be provided to be downwardly inclined toward a direction that the second body through hole 713b is arranged from a direction that the storage unit water supply inlet <NUM> is arranged. This is to prevent the water from remaining in the second space S2.

<FIG> illustrates an example of the second detergent supply unit <NUM>. The second detergent supply unit <NUM> provided in the present invention may be provided to have the same structure as that of the first detergent supply unit <NUM>. That is, the second detergent supply unit <NUM> may include a second cover <NUM> detachably coupled to a second fitting hole <NUM> (see <FIG>) provided to pass through the drawer cover, a second storage unit <NUM> fixed to the drawer cover <NUM> and arranged below the second fitting hole <NUM>, and a second connection pipe <NUM> for guiding the detergent stored in the second storage unit to the tub body <NUM>.

The second storage unit <NUM> may be provided as a second storage body <NUM> for providing a space where the detergent is stored. The second storage body <NUM> may include a second body bottom <NUM> arranged below the second fitting hole <NUM>, and a second body side <NUM> provided along an edge of the second body bottom <NUM>, forming a space for storing the detergent, together with the second body bottom <NUM>.

The second storage unit <NUM> may further include a second barrier <NUM> for partitioning an inner space of the second storage body <NUM> into a second storage unit first space S4 where the detergent is stored, and a second storage unit second space S5 detached from the second storage unit first space, forming a path. The second barrier <NUM> may include a second space communication unit S6. Since a function of the second space communication unit S6 is the same as that of the space communication unit S3 (the first space communication unit), its detailed description will be omitted.

The second storage unit first space S4 may be provided to be communicated with the tub body <NUM> through a second body first through hole 813a passing through the second body bottom <NUM>, and the second storage unit second space S5 may be provided to be communicated with the tub body <NUM> through a second body second through hole 813b passing through the second body bottom <NUM>.

A second body first discharge pipe <NUM> is connected to the second body first through hole 813a, and a second body second discharge pipe <NUM> is connected to the second body second through hole 813b. One end of the second connection pipe <NUM> may be fixed to the second body second discharge pipe <NUM>. In this case, the second body first through hole 813a may be provided to communicate the second storage unit first space S4 with the second body second discharge pipe <NUM>.

The second storage unit first space S4 is supplied with water through a second storage unit water supply inlet <NUM> provided to pass through the second body side <NUM>, wherein the second storage unit water supply inlet <NUM> is connected to the water supply source through the second supply unit water supply pipe <NUM>. The second storage unit water supply inlet <NUM> is preferably provided to pass through one surface of the second storage body <NUM> for forming the second storage unit second space S5 together with the second barrier <NUM> among the space provided by the second storage body <NUM>, thereby implementing the same effect as that of the storage unit water supply inlet <NUM> of the first detergent supply unit. Therefore, the second storage unit water supply inlet <NUM> is preferably arranged to be higher than the free end of the second barrier <NUM> and lower than the second detergent inlet <NUM>.

The second cover <NUM> may be provided as a second cover body <NUM> inserted to the second fitting hole <NUM>. The second cover body <NUM> includes a second cover bottom <NUM> arranged above the second storage body <NUM>, a second cover side <NUM> fixed to the second cover bottom, forming second storage space together with the second cover bottom, and a second detergent inlet <NUM> provided on the second cover body, allowing the detergent to enter the second storage spaces <NUM> and <NUM>.

The second fitting hole <NUM> may further include a second guide <NUM> to allow the second cover body <NUM> to be easily coupled to the second fitting hole <NUM>. The second guide <NUM> may be provided as a board extended toward the inside of the second storage unit first space S4 from the edge of the second fitting hole <NUM>. In this case, the second cover side <NUM> may be supported in the second guide <NUM> and detachably be coupled to the second fitting hole <NUM>. Since a shape and function of the second guide <NUM> are the same as those of the first guide <NUM> of the first detergent supply unit <NUM>, their detailed description will be omitted.

The second storage spaces <NUM> and <NUM> are communicated with the second storage unit first space S4 through a second communication hole <NUM> provided in a second connection surface 843c. Therefore, the detergent entering the storage spaces of the second cover body <NUM> through the second detergent inlet <NUM> is moved to the second storage unit first space S4 through the second communication hole <NUM>. Since the structure of the second cover bottom <NUM> is the same as that of the first cover bottom <NUM>, its detailed description will be omitted.

The second detergent supply unit <NUM> includes a second siphon formation pipe <NUM> coupled to the second body first discharge pipe <NUM> provided in the second storage body <NUM> to guide siphon. Since a function and shape of the second siphon formation pipe <NUM> are the same as those of the first siphon formation pipe <NUM>, their detailed description will be omitted.

Meanwhile, the second detergent supply unit <NUM> further includes a second cover water supply inlet <NUM> for preventing the detergent from remaining in the second cover bottom <NUM>. The second cover water supply inlet <NUM> is provided to implement the same effect as that of the cover water supply inlet <NUM> of the first detergent supply unit.

The second connection pipe <NUM> is provided to connect the second body second discharge pipe <NUM> with a second detergent inlet pipe <NUM> provided in the tub body. The second body second discharge pipe <NUM> may include a second storage unit first backward flow preventer <NUM>, and the second detergent inlet pipe <NUM> may include a second storage unit second backward flow preventer <NUM>. The second storage unit first backward flow preventer <NUM> and the second storage unit second backward flow preventer <NUM> may be provided to have the same structure of the aforementioned first backward flow preventer <NUM> and the aforementioned second backward flow preventer <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates another example of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> according to the present invention.

The laundry treating apparatus provided in this embodiment is different from that provided in the embodiment of <FIG> in that the first treating apparatus A is arranged above the second treating apparatus B.

The second treating apparatus shown in <FIG> and the second treating apparatus B shown in <FIG> may be provided to have the same structure, and <FIG> illustrates that the second treating apparatus B is provided for washing of laundry as an example.

The second treating apparatus B may include a second cabinet <NUM> that can support the cabinet <NUM> of the first treating apparatus A, a second tub <NUM> provided inside the second cabinet, for storing water therein, and a second drum <NUM> rotatably provided inside the second tub.

A second cabinet inlet <NUM> opened or closed by a second door <NUM> is provided on a front surface of the second cabinet <NUM>. The second tub <NUM> may be provided in a hollow cylindrical shape, and a second tub inlet <NUM> is provided on a front surface of the second tub <NUM>. The second cabinet inlet <NUM> and the second tub inlet <NUM> may be connected with each other through a gasket <NUM> to prevent water leakage from occurring.

The second tub <NUM> may be fixed into the second cabinet <NUM> through a second tub support unit <NUM>. The second tub <NUM> is supplied with water through a second water supply pipe <NUM>, and the water stored in the second tub <NUM> is discharged to the outside of the second cabinet <NUM> through a second drainage unit <NUM>. The second tub water supply pipe <NUM> is opened or closed by a second tub water supply pipe valve <NUM> controlled by a controller (not shown) of the second treating apparatus.

The second drum <NUM> may be provided in a hollow cylindrical shape, and may be provided with a second drum inlet <NUM> at the front, wherein the second drum inlet <NUM> is communicated with the second cabinet inlet <NUM> and the second tub inlet <NUM>.

An inner space of the second drum <NUM> is communicated with an inner space of the second tub <NUM> through a second drum through hole <NUM>. The second drum <NUM> is rotated by a second driving unit that may include a second stator <NUM>, a second rotor <NUM>, and a second rotary shaft <NUM> for connecting the second drum with the second rotor by passing through a rear surface of the second tub. The second rotary shaft <NUM> may be provided in parallel with a bottom of the second cabinet <NUM>.

If the first treating apparatus A provided in the present invention is provided to support the bottom of the second treating apparatus B (<FIG>), the first treating apparatus A may be provided as described with reference to <FIG>.

However, if the first treating apparatus A is provided to be mounted on the second treating apparatus B as shown in <FIG>, the first treating apparatus A provided in this embodiment may include a cabinet <NUM>, a tub <NUM> provided inside the cabinet, for storing water therein, a drum <NUM> rotatably provided inside the tub, for storing laundry therein, and a first detergent supply unit <NUM> and a second detergent supply unit <NUM> for supplying a detergent to the tub. That is, if the laundry treating apparatus is configured as shown in <FIG>, a drawer <NUM> may be omitted in the first treating apparatus A.

However, in the embodiment of <FIG>, a cabinet inlet <NUM> arranged above the door <NUM> and a cabinet door <NUM> for opening or closing the cabinet inlet should be provided on an upper surface of the cabinet <NUM>. Moreover, the first fitting hole <NUM> and the second fitting hole <NUM> to which the detergent supply units <NUM> and <NUM> are fixed should be provided to pass through the upper surface of the cabinet <NUM>. The first fitting hole <NUM> and the second fitting hole <NUM> may be provided to be opened or closed by a first fitting hole door (not shown) and a second fitting hole door <NUM>, which are rotatably provided on the upper surface of the cabinet.

Meanwhile, if a sectional area of the first water supply pipe <NUM> is greater than that of the supply unit water supply pipe <NUM> or energy required for operation of the first valve <NUM> is greater than that required for operation of the second valve, the first valve <NUM> and the second valve <NUM> are preferably controlled as follows. That is, if water is supplied to the first detergent supply unit <NUM>, it is preferable that the controller controls the first valve <NUM> to open the first water supply pipe <NUM> after controlling the second valve <NUM> to open the supply unit water supply pipe <NUM>. If the sectional area of the first water supply pipe <NUM> is greater than that of the supply unit water supply pipe <NUM> or energy required for operation of the first valve <NUM> is greater than that required for operation of the second valve, and if the first water supply pipe <NUM> is first opened, a problem may occur in that the second valve <NUM> fails to open the supply unit water supply pipe <NUM> due to a water pressure even though a power is supplied to the second valve <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A laundry treating apparatus comprising:
a cabinet (<NUM>);
a drawer (<NUM>) configured to insert in and withdraw from the cabinet (<NUM>), the drawer comprising a drawer cover (<NUM>) that defines an upper surface of the drawer and that has a cover through hole (<NUM>) configured to receive laundry and a fitting hole (<NUM>);
a tub (<NUM>) disposed in the drawer, the tub defining a space where water is stored;
a drum (<NUM>) rotatably provided inside the tub (<NUM>), for storing laundry therein;
a detergent supply unit (<NUM>) coupled to the drawer cover (<NUM>) by being inserted into the fitting hole (<NUM>) and defining a space where a detergent is stored, provided to supply the detergent to the tub (<NUM>);
a connection pipe (<NUM>) for connecting the detergent supply unit (<NUM>) to the tub (<NUM>);
a first water supply pipe (<NUM>) connected to a water supply source;
a second water supply pipe (<NUM>) for guiding water to the tub (<NUM>);
a supply unit water supply pipe (<NUM>) for guiding water to the detergent supply unit (<NUM>);
a connector (<NUM>) disposed above the drawer cover and comprising a housing (<NUM>) provided with a chamber (511a);
a first path (<NUM>) provided in the housing (<NUM>) and connected with the first water supply pipe (<NUM>), to allow the water supplied from the first water supply pipe (<NUM>) to enter the chamber (511a), a second path (<NUM>) provided in the housing (<NUM>) and connected with the second water supply pipe (<NUM>), to guide the water inside the chamber (511a) to the second water supply pipe (<NUM>), a third path (<NUM>) provided in the housing (<NUM>) and connected with the supply unit water supply pipe (<NUM>), to guide the water inside the chamber (511a) to the supply unit water supply pipe (<NUM>); and a first valve (<NUM>) provided to open or close the first water supply pipe (<NUM>) or provided to open or close the first path (<NUM>); and
a second valve (<NUM>) provided to open or close the third path (<NUM>);
wherein the supply unit water supply pipe (<NUM>) comprises a first end disposed above the drawer cover (<NUM>) and connected to the connector (<NUM>), and a second end disposed below the drawer cover (<NUM>) and connected to the detergent supply unit (<NUM>).