Patent Description:
Typical laundry treating apparatuses includes apparatuses for washing laundry, apparatuses for drying laundry, and apparatuses capable of performing both washing and drying of laundry.

A conventional laundry treating apparatus includes a cabinet, a tub which is provided inside the cabinet to store water therein, and a drum which is provided inside the tub to store laundry therein. Such laundry treating apparatuses are classified into a front-loading type laundry treating apparatus, in which laundry is inserted into a tub through an insertion port provided in the front of the apparatus, and a top-loading type laundry treating apparatus, in which laundry is inserted into a tub through an insertion port provided in the top of the apparatus.

Among them, there is also a laundry treating apparatus including a tub which may be withdrawn from a cabinet. Such a laundry treating apparatus includes a movable water supply part, which serves to supply water to the tub, and a movable discharge part, which serves to discharge water out of the cabinet, when the tub is withdrawn from or is inserted into the cabinet. However, in the laundry treating apparatus including the tub capable of being withdrawn from the cabinet, some of water may leak through the discharge part in the process of washing laundry.

<CIT> discloses a laundry treating device according to the preamble of claim <NUM> including a first draining pipe to guide water discharged from the first laundry treating device, a second draining pipe to guide water discharged from the second laundry treating device, and a joining pipe connected to the first and second draining pipes at a joining point of the first and second draining pipes.

<CIT> relates to a drain hose clip that includes a body configured to be coupled to the drain hose and to secure the drain hose to the household appliance.

<CIT> is directed to a laundry treating machine that is configured to achieve simultaneous or selective supply of water and simultaneous or selective draining of wash water for the laundry treating device and pedestal laundry treating device.

<CIT> discloses an appliance for treating textile items that comprises a diverting device that has an inlet, connected to a delivery section of a pump, a first outlet, connected to a second duct to run washing liquid into the tub, and a second outlet, connected with a drain duct.

<CIT> relates to a laundry treating apparatus that comprises a drain pipe unit guiding wash water discharged from a pump to the outside of a cabinet, and a communication unit selectively communicating a drain pipe unit with external air.

<CIT> is directed to a conveying device for a cleaning machine that has a heating section and a pump section, which is connected directly thereto in the flow direction.

<CIT> discloses a water drainage device for a washing machine that comprises a conduit, a drain pump and a drain pipe.

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.

An object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating apparatus capable of preventing water stored in a tub from leaking through a drainage unit in a process of washing laundry.

The objects of the present invention are achieved by the features defined in the independent claim.

The invention relates to a laundry treating apparatus including a cabinet, a drawer provided to be withdrawn from the cabinet, a tub provided in the drawer and receiving washing water, a drum rotatably provided in the tub and receiving laundry, a drainage pump allowing the washing water in the tub to be discharged out of the tub, a connection passage through which the washing water discharged by the drainage pump is guided out of the cabinet, and a connector provided on an outer surface of the cabinet and communicating with the connection passage, wherein the connector includes a connector inlet port, into which washing water is introduced, and a connector outlet port, from which washing water is discharged, and the connector outlet port is provided at a position higher than the connector inlet port.

The connector may be provided at a reference point that is set as a point higher than a maximum level of washing water stored in the tub.

The connector outlet port may be provided at a position higher than a maximum height of the connector inlet port.

The connector outlet port may be provided parallel to the ground.

The connector outlet port may be provided at a reference point that is set as a point higher than a maximum level of washing water stored in the tub.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include a connector fastening part provided at an end of the connection passage, and fastened to the connector inlet port, and position guide parts provided in a periphery of the connector fastening part and the connector inlet port, the position guide parts serving to fix the connector in place when the connector inlet port is coupled to the connector fastening part.

The position guide parts may include a first position guide part provided in the connector inlet port, and a second position guide part provided in the periphery of the connector fastening part, and rotation of the connector may be prevented, when the connector inlet port is coupled to the connector fastening part, by an interaction between the first and second position guide parts.

The first position guide part may be provided in a portion of an edge of the connector inlet port, the second position guide part may be provided in a portion of the periphery of the connector fastening part, and when the connector inlet port is coupled to the connector fastening part, the second position guide part may form a remaining portion of the edge of the connector inlet port.

The first position guide part may have a ring shape, the second position guide part may have a protrusion shape, and the second position guide part may be inserted into the ring-shaped first position guide part when the connector inlet port is coupled to the connector fastening part.

The first and second position guide parts may consist of a plurality of first and second position guide parts.

The position guide parts may include a protrusion portion provided in the connector inlet port, a circular groove provided in the periphery of the connector fastening part, the connector inlet port being seated in the circular groove, and a protrusion groove provided in the circular groove, and coupled to the protrusion portion.

The protrusion portion and the protrusion groove may consist of a plurality of protrusion portions and protrusion grooves.

However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet <NUM>, a drawer <NUM> which is withdrawably provided in the cabinet <NUM>, a tub <NUM> provided in the drawer <NUM>, and a drum <NUM> which is rotatably provided in the tub <NUM>.

The cabinet <NUM> may be provided as a means for defining the external appearance of the laundry treating apparatus, or may also be provided as a means for housing the drawer <NUM>. When the cabinet <NUM> houses the drawer <NUM>, the cabinet <NUM> may have an opening surface <NUM> such that the drawer <NUM> is insertable into or withdrawable from the cabinet <NUM>.

The drawer <NUM> includes a drawer body <NUM> which defines the external appearance thereof and is withdrawable from the cabinet <NUM>, a drawer panel <NUM> which forms the front surface of the drawer and opens and closes the opening surface <NUM> for the insertion and withdrawal of the drawer, and a drawer cover <NUM> which forms the upper surface of the drawer body <NUM>.

The drawer panel <NUM> includes a control panel <NUM>. The control panel <NUM> controls the operation of the drum <NUM> in the drawer <NUM>, and may serve to display the state of operation to a user.

The drawer cover <NUM> may have a first through-hole <NUM> and a second through-hole <NUM> therein. The first through-hole <NUM> may serve as a port for the insertion or withdrawl of laundry, dry clothes, etc., and the second through-hole <NUM> may serve to supply washing water therethrough.

Laundry must be inserted and withdrawn through the first through-hole <NUM>, and water must be supplied through the second through-hole <NUM>. Therefore, it is preferable for the first through-hole <NUM> to have a size larger than the second through-hole <NUM>.

In general, the drawer <NUM> is withdrawn forward from the cabinet <NUM>, and an external water supply source is provided on the back of the cabinet <NUM>. Therefore, it is preferable for the second through-hole <NUM> to be located behind the first through-hole <NUM>.

In addition, since a door, which will be described later, has a structure that is opened and closed, the first through-hole <NUM> is preferably formed to have a rectilinear portion formed on the back thereof and a curved portion connected to both ends of the rectilinear portion.

For example, the first through-hole <NUM> may have a semicircular shape or a half-track shape.

The first and second through-holes <NUM> and <NUM> will be described in more detail later. As illustrated in <FIG>, the tub <NUM> may include a tub body <NUM> which defines the external appearance thereof, a tub cover <NUM> which forms the upper surface of the tub body <NUM>, and a door <NUM> through which the inside and outside of the tub <NUM> communicate with each other and through which laundry is insertable and withdrawable.

The tub body <NUM> is arranged inside the drawer <NUM>. The tub body <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape that is partially opened at the upper surface thereof, and may include a heater <NUM> which heats washing water or air. The heater <NUM> is preferably provided in the lower portion of the tub body <NUM> in order to easily heat washing water. The tub cover <NUM> forming the upper surface of the tub body <NUM> may be provided with an insertion port <NUM> and a supply port <NUM>, through which the inside and outside of the tub communicate with each other. The insertion port serves as a passage for the insertion of laundry or dry clothes, and the supply port <NUM> serves as a passage for the supply of washing water.

The insertion port <NUM> communicates with the first through-hole <NUM>, and they serve as a passage for the movement of laundry or dry clothes. The supply port <NUM> communicates with the second through-hole <NUM>, and they serve as a passage for the supply of washing water.

The drum <NUM> is rotatably arranged inside the tub <NUM>. The drum <NUM> includes a drum body <NUM> which defines the external appearance thereof. The drum body <NUM> has an opening surface <NUM> which is opened at the upper portion thereof. The insertion port <NUM> provided in the tub communicates with the opening surface <NUM>, and laundry or dry clothes may be inserted into or withdrawn from the drum body <NUM> through the insertion port <NUM> and the opening surface <NUM>. In addition, the drum body <NUM> may have a drum through-hole <NUM> for the insertion and withdrawal of washing water.

The drum <NUM> may be rotated by a drive part, and may be fixed on the outer bottom of the tub body <NUM>. The drive part includes a stator M1 and a rotor M2, which is rotated by a rotating field generated in the stator, and may rotate clockwise or counterclockwise about a drive shaft M3 within the tub body <NUM>. The drive shaft M3 is provided so as to be perpendicular to the bottom of the tub body <NUM>.

In addition, the tub <NUM> is coupled to the drawer body <NUM> by a tub support part <NUM>. The tub support part <NUM> may include a first support part <NUM> provided in the drawer body <NUM>, a second support part <NUM> provided in the tub body <NUM>, and a connection part <NUM> which connects the first and second support parts <NUM> and <NUM>.

The laundry treating apparatus <NUM> having the above structure include a water supply unit <NUM> for supplying washing water and a drainage unit <NUM> for discharging the washing water supplied into the laundry treating apparatus <NUM>. The water supply unit <NUM> serves to supply water into the tub <NUM>, and the drainage unit <NUM> serves to discharge the water stored in the tub out of the cabinet <NUM>.

The tub <NUM> is supplied with washing water from the water supply unit <NUM>. In this case, the washing water is preferably supplied until it reaches a level that is at a predetermined distance below the opening surface <NUM> of the drum <NUM>.

Laundry is received in the drum <NUM>. Therefore, if washing water is supplied up to the opening surface <NUM> of the drum <NUM>, the washing water necessarily overflows into the tub <NUM> from the drum <NUM>.

Accordingly, the level, which is above the bottom of the tub <NUM> and is at a predetermined distance below the opening surface <NUM> of the drum <NUM>, may be referred to as a normal level or a first level (<NUM>st level).

When washing water is supplied above the first level, the washing water overflows. The overflowing washing may not be used to wash laundry, and causes the tub <NUM> to be heavier. Therefore, washing water is preferably supplied up to the first level.

In addition, washing water may be supplied through the tub <NUM> until it reaches the opening surface <NUM> of the drum <NUM>.

In this case, when washing water is supplied until it reaches the opening surface <NUM> of the drum <NUM> beyond the first level, the washing water necessarily overflows into the tub <NUM>.

Accordingly, the level in this state may be referred to as an abnormal level or a second level (<NUM>nd level).

Of course, the second level (<NUM>nd level) is a theoretical maximum level up to which washing water may be supplied into the drum <NUM> if laundry is not present in the drum <NUM> or the drum <NUM> is not rotated.

However, when washing water reaches the tub cover <NUM> in the tub <NUM>, the washing water may overflow from the tub <NUM>.

In addition, when washing water reaches the tub cover <NUM>, the washing water may flow to the drawer <NUM> from the tub <NUM> due to vibrations occurring when the drum <NUM> rotates.

The level in this state may be referred to as an overflow level or a third level (<NUM>rd level). The third level (<NUM>rd level) is a theoretical maximum level up to which washing water may be received in the tub <NUM>.

In addition, even when washing water is not supplied up to the third level (<NUM>rd level) in the tub <NUM>, the washing water may reach the third level (<NUM>rd level) when a large vibration occurs due to the rotation of the drum <NUM>.

In this case, the washing water may overflow from the tub <NUM> even if it is not supplied up to the third level (<NUM>rd level).

When the washing water overflows from the tub <NUM>, it may flow to the drawer <NUM>. However, since the washing water is discharged to a drainage passage to be described later, the amount of washing water in the tub <NUM> may be reduced.

Thus, it is necessary to include a connector <NUM> which prevents the washing water in the tub <NUM> from overflowing or being discharged therefrom. A detailed description thereof will be given later.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the tub cover <NUM> may be provided with the door <NUM> for opening and closing the insertion port <NUM>. The door <NUM> may include a frame <NUM> which is rotatably coupled to the tub cover <NUM> by a hinge <NUM>, a window <NUM> which is provided on the frame and is made of a transparent material such that the user may check the inside of the tub body <NUM>, and a door handle <NUM> which aids in detachably coupling the frame <NUM> to the tub cover <NUM>.

The door <NUM> may open or close the tub cover <NUM> while rotating up or down about the hinge <NUM>. The door <NUM> is preferably rotated only above the tub cover <NUM>.

This enables the user to easily open and close the door <NUM>, and is intended to prevent contact with washing water and laundry in the tub <NUM>.

Therefore, the door <NUM> may be seated on the upper portion of the tub cover <NUM>.

That is, the door <NUM> may be seated on the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion of the insertion port <NUM>.

In this case, the through-hole <NUM> may have the same shape as the door <NUM> such that the door <NUM> may open and close the insertion port <NUM> while rotating about the hinge <NUM>.

The door <NUM> may have a rectilinear portion at a position at which the hinge <NUM> is installed such that the door <NUM> is easily rotatable about the hinge <NUM>, and may have a curved portion at a position at which the hinge <NUM> is not installed such that the insertion and withdrawal of laundry is easily performed therethrough.

That is, the curved portion may have any curvature as long as both ends of the curved portion may be coupled to both ends of the rectilinear portion.

For example, the door <NUM> may have a semicircular shape or a half-track shape.

In this case, it is preferable for the through-hole <NUM> to have the same shape as the door <NUM>, and to have a size larger than the door <NUM>.

The through-hole <NUM> may further include a cut portion <NUM> which is formed at a position corresponding to the handle <NUM>, such that the user may easily grip the handle <NUM>.

In this case, the handle <NUM> may be disposed on the front surface of the frame <NUM> such that the door may be opened and closed in a balanced state.

That is, the handle <NUM> is preferably provided so as to have a symmetrical shape about the front central portion of the frame <NUM>.

This is intended to prevent the door <NUM> from leaning to either the left or right of the handle <NUM> due to the self-weight of the door <NUM> when the door <NUM> is opened or closed.

The first through-hole <NUM> may include the cut portion <NUM> which is formed at a position corresponding to the handle <NUM>, such that the user may easily grip the door handle <NUM>. The drawer cover <NUM> may further include extension ribs <NUM> which extend downward from both side ends thereof.

The extension ribs <NUM> may guide the drawer cover <NUM> such that they are coupled to the upper end of the drawer body <NUM>, whereby the drawer cover <NUM> is fixed to the drawer body <NUM>.

Although not shown, each of the extension ribs <NUM> may have a plurality of holes into which fastening members such as bolts or nuts are inserted, or may have a structure that is fitted into the drawer body <NUM>.

The fitting may be performed by coupling a slide (not shown), which is formed in one of the drawer body <NUM> and the inner surface of the extension rib <NUM>, to a rail which is formed in the other of the drawer body <NUM> and the extension rib <NUM>.

In addition, the fitting may be performed by coupling a hook (not shown) and a receiving groove (not shown).

That is, the fitting may be performed in any manner as long as the extension rib <NUM> may be fastened to the drawer body <NUM>.

A water supply passage <NUM>, which will be described later, may be provided with a fastening pipe <NUM> which is fixed and fastened to the drawer cover <NUM>.

The fastening pipe <NUM> may include fastening ribs <NUM> at both ends thereof, and the drawer cover <NUM> may further include fastening grooves <NUM> to which the fastening ribs <NUM> are coupled.

The fastening pipe <NUM> may serve to stably fix the water supply passage <NUM> when the drawer <NUM> vibrates due to the vibration of the tub <NUM>.

In addition, since the fastening pipe <NUM> stably fixes the water supply passage <NUM> when the drawer <NUM> moves forward or rearward, it is possible to prevent damage to the water supply passage <NUM>.

The connection part <NUM> may include a first connection part <NUM> which is seated in the first support part <NUM>, a second connection part <NUM> which supports the second support part <NUM>, and a bar <NUM> which connects the first and second connection parts.

It is preferable for the first connection part <NUM> to be seated in the first support part <NUM> and to have a shape that is rotatable within the first support part <NUM>, and for the second connection part <NUM> to support the second support part <NUM> and to have a shape that is rotatable within the second support part <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example in which each of the first and second connection parts <NUM> and <NUM> has a spherical shape, and an example in which the contact surface between each support part and an associated connection part has a semispherical shape.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the bar <NUM> may be formed so as to be perpendicular to the bottom of the cabinet <NUM>, and the tub body <NUM> may be coupled to the drawer body <NUM> by at least three tub support parts.

Meanwhile, if the water supply unit <NUM> and the drainage unit <NUM> are simply provided as a hose for connecting the water supply source and the supply port <NUM> and a hose for guiding the water in the tub to the outside of the cabinet, there is a risk that they will be damaged when the drawer <NUM> is withdrawn from the cabinet <NUM>. In order to prevent this risk, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> may further include a guide <NUM>, which is provided in the cabinet <NUM> and aids the smooth movement of the water supply unit <NUM> and the drainage unit <NUM>. The water supply unit <NUM>, the drainage unit <NUM>, and the guide <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

The guide <NUM> includes a first body <NUM> and a second body <NUM>. One end of the first body <NUM> is rotatably connected to a support part <NUM> fixed to the cabinet <NUM>, and the other end thereof is rotatably connected to one end of the second body <NUM>. The other end of the second body <NUM> is rotatably connected to the drawer cover <NUM>.

The first body <NUM> includes a base 97a which serves as a passage through which supplied water and discharged washing water are movable, and a cover 97b which seals the upper surface of the base 97a. In addition, the base 97a may further include a partition wall 97c therein such that the supplied water does not mix with the discharged washing water. The partition wall 97c serves to divide the base 97a into a water supply connection pipe <NUM>, which is a passage for the movement of water supplied from the water supply source, and a drainage connection pipe <NUM> which is a passage for the discharge of washing water in the tub.

The first body <NUM> is connected, at one end thereof, to the support part <NUM> so as to be rotatable about a first shaft <NUM>, and the first shaft is perpendicular to the ground. One end of the second body <NUM> may be connected to the other end of the first body such that the second body <NUM> is rotatable about a second shaft <NUM>, and the second shaft is also perpendicular to the ground. The second body <NUM> is connected, at the other end thereof, to the drawer cover <NUM> so as to be rotatable about a third shaft <NUM>, and the third shaft is perpendicular to the ground. Since the first and second bodies <NUM> and <NUM> are rotatable about the first, second, and third shafts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the drawer body <NUM> may be smoothly inserted into or withdrawn from the cabinet <NUM>.

The water supply unit <NUM> and the drainage unit <NUM> may be coupled to the guide <NUM>. Due to coupling with the guide <NUM>, it is possible to reduce damage to or tangles of the water supply unit <NUM> and the drainage unit <NUM> even when the drawer body <NUM> is inserted into or withdrawn from the cabinet <NUM>.

The water supply unit <NUM> may include a first water supply passage <NUM>, one end of which is connected to the support part <NUM> while the other end of which is connected to the water supply connection pipe <NUM>, a water supply valve <NUM> which may adjust the amount of water supplied to the first water supply passage <NUM>, and a second water supply passage.

The second water supply passage includes a first water supply pipe <NUM>, which is a passage for supplying water from the water supply connection pipe <NUM> into the tub <NUM>, a second water supply pipe <NUM>, which is connected to the supply port <NUM> provided in the tub cover <NUM> and has a corrugated shape, and a fastening pipe <NUM> which connects the first and second water supply pipes. The second water supply pipe <NUM> is provided so as to have a corrugated shape in order to prevent the vibration of the tub <NUM> from being transferred to the fastening pipe <NUM>.

The first water supply passage <NUM> is connected to the water supply connection pipe <NUM> through a water-supply-connection-pipe introduction port 973a, and the first water supply pipe <NUM> is connected to the water supply pipe <NUM> through a water-supply-connection-pipe discharge port 973b.

The supply path of water from the water supply source will be described below. The water supplied from the water supply source is introduced into the first water supply passage <NUM>, and is then introduced into the water supply connection pipe <NUM> through the water-supply-connection-pipe introduction port 973a. The water introduced into the water supply connection pipe <NUM> is supplied to the first water supply pipe <NUM> through the water-supply-connection-pipe discharge port 973b, and the water supplied to the first water supply pipe is finally supplied into the tub body <NUM> through the fastening pipe <NUM> and the second water supply pipe <NUM>.

The first water supply pipe <NUM> may have a hose shape made of rubber, or a corrugated shape. The second body <NUM> serves to support the first water supply pipe <NUM>. The second body <NUM> may have a water-supply-pipe receiving part <NUM> having a protrusion shape, and the water-supply-pipe receiving part <NUM> prevents the first water supply pipe <NUM> from being separated from the second body <NUM>. In addition, the first water supply pipe <NUM> may be detachably provided in the second body <NUM>.

The water-supply-pipe receiving part <NUM> may include a support <NUM> which extends from the lower portion of the third shaft <NUM>, receiving ribs <NUM> which extend upward from both ends of the support, and protruding portions <NUM> which protrude from the free ends of the receiving ribs <NUM> so as to be close to each other parallel to the support <NUM>.

The water-supply-pipe receiving part <NUM> may have an opened upper surface.

The support <NUM> and the receiving ribs <NUM> may be fixed in the state in which the first water pipe <NUM> is received in the water-supply-pipe receiving part <NUM>, and the protruding portions <NUM> may prevent the first water supply pipe <NUM> from being separated or dislocated due to external impact.

The second body <NUM> may include an inclined portion <NUM>, which is connected to the second shaft <NUM> and is spaced apart from the first body <NUM>.

The inclined portion <NUM> may prevent the first and second bodies <NUM> and <NUM> from being damaged due to collision therebetween when the tub <NUM> vibrates, by maintaining the distance from the first body <NUM>.

In addition, the water supply pipes <NUM> and <NUM> may allow the length that extends from the second body <NUM> to the second through-hole <NUM> to be minimized, thereby maximizing stability.

The second body <NUM> further includes a first rectilinear portion <NUM> provided parallel to the first body <NUM>, and the inclined portion <NUM> may extend from the end of the first rectilinear portion <NUM>.

The water-supply-pipe receiving part <NUM> may extend from the end of the inclined portion <NUM>.

The drainage unit <NUM> may include a drainage pump <NUM> which is fixed to the rear surface of the drawer <NUM> to discharge the washing water stored in the tub body <NUM>, a connection passage through which the washing water discharged by the drainage pump <NUM> is guided out of the cabinet <NUM>, a connector <NUM> which is provided outside the cabinet <NUM> and prevents the washing water discharged from the connection passage from leaking when the drainage pump <NUM> is not operated, a drainage passage <NUM> (see <FIG>) which is connected to the connector <NUM> and through which washing water is finally discharged out of the laundry treating apparatus.

The connection passage includes a first connection passage <NUM>, one end of which is connected to a drainage chamber <NUM> provided with the drainage pump <NUM> while the other end of which is connected to a first drainage pipe <NUM>, the first drainage pipe <NUM> which is connected to the first connection passage <NUM> through a passage connection part <NUM>, and a second drainage pipe <NUM>, one end of which is connected to the drainage connection pipe <NUM> while the other end of which is connected to the support part <NUM>.

In more detail, the washing water in the tub <NUM> is introduced into the drainage connection pipe <NUM> through the first drainage pipe <NUM> via the first connection passage <NUM> using the drainage pump <NUM>. In this case, the washing water in the first drainage pipe <NUM> is introduced into the drainage connection pipe <NUM> through a drainage-connection-pipe introduction port 975a. The washing water introduced into the drainage connection pipe <NUM> is discharged to the second drainage pipe <NUM> through a drainage-connection-pipe discharge port 975b, and the washing water introduced into the second drainage pipe <NUM> is discharged to the connector <NUM> provided outside the cabinet <NUM>.

The connector <NUM> serves to prevent the washing water introduced into the drainage pipe <NUM> from flowing out of the tub <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the connector <NUM> is connected to a connector fastening part <NUM> which is provided at the end of the connection passage while a portion thereof protrudes out of the cabinet <NUM>. In more detail, the connector fastening part <NUM> is connected to a connector inlet port <NUM> corresponding to the inlet of the connector <NUM> which is supplied with washing water from the connection passage.

In addition, the connector <NUM> includes a connector outlet port <NUM> which is an outlet for discharging the introduced washing water. That is, the washing water, which is introduced into the connector inlet port <NUM> from the connection passage, is discharged to the connector outlet port <NUM> via the inside of the connector <NUM>.

The connector inlet port <NUM> or the connector outlet port <NUM> may be provided at a point (S) higher than the third level (<NUM>rd level), the third level being a maximum level of water which may be stored in the tub <NUM>. This is intended to prevent the washing water in the tub <NUM> from leaking through the connector outlet port <NUM> in the process of washing laundry.

In the drainage unit <NUM> having the above structure, when the operation of the drainage pump <NUM> is stopped, the washing water remaining in the connector <NUM> and the connection passage will be introduced into the tub <NUM> by self-weight thereof. Moreover, when a level (K) of water introduced into the tub is higher than the portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the connection passage, water remains in the connection passage.

When washing water remains in the connection passage, the washing water may freeze when the temperature of outside air is low as in winter. For this reason, the connection passage may be damaged when the drawer <NUM> is withdrawn from the cabinet <NUM>.

Accordingly, when the connection passage is provided at a position (H) higher than the level (K) defined in the tub due to the movement of water, which is stored between the point (S) higher than the third level and the drainage pump <NUM>, to the tub <NUM>, it is possible to prevent water from remaining in the connection passage. It is based on the premise that the reference positions for measuring the level (K) and the position (H) are the same as each other, and it can be seen that a chamber communication pipe <NUM> is illustratively provided as the reference position, as illustrated in <FIG>.

Meanwhile, the drum <NUM> is rotated by the drive part when washing is performed in the laundry treating apparatus <NUM>. In this case, a water stream occurs in the washing water in the tub body <NUM> due to the rotation of the drum <NUM>, and vibrations occur in the tub and the drainage unit <NUM> and the guide <NUM>, which are adjacent thereto, due to the occurrence of the water stream. Due to the water stream, the vibrations, or the combination thereof, the washing water, which remains in the second drainage pipe <NUM> connected to the connector <NUM> and the drainage connection pipe <NUM> adjacent to the second drainage pipe, may leak out of the cabinet through the connector fastening part <NUM> provided at the end of the connection passage.

In order to resolve these problems, the connector outlet port <NUM> may be provided at a position higher the connector inlet port <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>.

The connector inlet port <NUM> or the connector outlet port <NUM> are provided at a point (S) equal to or higher than the maximum height (F) of washing water which may be received in the tub body <NUM> (see <FIG>). In this case, washing water does not generally leak, but some of washing water may leak in the above-mentioned situation. Therefore, when the connector outlet port <NUM> is provided at a position that is at a predetermined distance above the connector inlet port <NUM>, it is possible to remarkably prevent washing water from leaking.

<FIG> illustrates that the connector outlet port <NUM> is provided at a position that is at a distance of "L" above the uppermost portion of the connector inlet port <NUM>.

This is intended to be exemplary only, and the connector outlet port <NUM> may any shape as long as the connector outlet port <NUM> is provided at a position higher than the connector inlet port <NUM>.

In addition, the connector outlet port <NUM> may be directed in any direction as long as the connector outlet port <NUM> is provided at a position higher than the connector inlet port <NUM>. In the embodiment of the present invention, the connector outlet port <NUM> is directed upward. That is, the connector outlet port <NUM> may be provided parallel to the ground.

As described above, the connector outlet port <NUM> is preferably provided at a position (L) higher than the maximum height of the connector inlet port <NUM> in order to more securely prevent the leakage of washing water, and the drainage passage <NUM> may be detachably provided in the connector outlet port <NUM>. However, the drainage passage <NUM> may be integrally formed with the connector outlet port <NUM>.

The drainage passage <NUM> may be made of any material, but it preferably has a hose shape that is made of rubber such that the drainage direction is easily adjustable.

In order for the connector <NUM> to properly perform the above functions, position guide parts may be provided in the connector inlet port <NUM> and the connector fastening part <NUM>. The position guide parts prevent the connector <NUM> from rotating after it is coupled to the connector fastening part.

Hereinafter, the structure in which the connector <NUM> is connected to the connector fastening part <NUM> corresponding to the end of the connection passage protruding out of the cabinet <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

In the embodiment of the present invention, a first position guide part <NUM> may be provided in a portion of the edge of the connector inlet port <NUM>, and a second position guide part <NUM> may be provided in the periphery of the connector fastening part <NUM>.

When the connector inlet port <NUM> is coupled to the connector fastening part <NUM>, the first and second position guide parts <NUM> and <NUM> come into contact with each other. That is, the second position part <NUM> forms a remaining portion of the edge of the connector inlet port <NUM>, in which the first guide part <NUM> is not formed. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce a risk that the connector outlet port <NUM> will be located at a position lower than the connector inlet port <NUM> due to the rotation of the connector when the connector <NUM> is coupled to the connector fastening part <NUM>.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a connector inlet port <NUM> is provided with a first position guide part, which is located in the same plane as the connector inlet port and has a ring shape, and a second position guide part <NUM> located in the periphery of a connector fastening part <NUM> may protrude so as to have a protrusion shape. When the connector inlet port <NUM> is coupled to the connector fastening part <NUM>, the protrusion-shaped second position guide part <NUM> may be inserted into the ring-shaped first position guide part. That is, the coupling of the first and second position guide parts prevents the rotation of a connector <NUM> even when the connector is coupled to the connector fastening part. In addition the first and second position guide parts may be provided as a plurality of pairs consisting of first and second position guide parts.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate another example of position guide parts. The structure except for the position guide parts is identical to that of the above embodiments, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

A connector inlet port <NUM> may be provided with a protrusion portion 843a in the same plane as the connector inlet port <NUM>, and a protrusion groove 845a corresponding to the protrusion portion 843a may be provided in the periphery of a connector fastening part <NUM>. In addition, the periphery of a connector fastening part <NUM> may be provided with a circular groove 845b, which is located in the same plane as the protrusion groove 845a and has a shape corresponding to that of the connector inlet port <NUM>.

Accordingly, when the connector inlet port <NUM> is coupled to the connector fastening part <NUM>, the protrusion portion 843a is coupled to the protrusion groove 845a and the connector inlet port <NUM> is coupled to the circular groove 845b, thereby preventing the rotation of a connector <NUM> after it is coupled to the connector fastening part. In addition, the protrusion portion 843a and the protrusion groove 845a may be provided as a plurality of pairs consisting of protrusion portions and protrusion grooves.

In order to more securely couple the connector inlet port <NUM> and the connector fastening part <NUM>, magnets (not shown) may be respectively provided at the coupling portions between the connector inlet port <NUM> and the connector fastening part <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates another example of preventing washing water in the tub <NUM> from being randomly discharged.

The laundry treating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a valve <NUM>, which is provided in at least one of the drainage pump <NUM>, the connection passage including the first connection passage <NUM> and the first and second drainage pipes <NUM> and <NUM>, and the connector <NUM>, so as to adjust the flow rate of washing water passing through the drainage pump <NUM>, the connection passage, and the connector <NUM>.

That is, the valve <NUM> may prevent the washing water in the tub <NUM> from being actively discharged, and may prevent the washing water in the tub <NUM> from being randomly discharged.

The valve <NUM> may be an electrically controlled solenoid valve. The valve <NUM> may be provided in at least one of the drainage pump <NUM>, the connection passage, and the connector <NUM>, so as to open at least one of the drainage pump <NUM>, the connection passage, and the connector <NUM> in response to a drainage signal from a controller.

Although <FIG> illustrates that the valve <NUM> is provided in the second drainage pipe <NUM> of the connection passage, but the present invention does not exclude that the valve is provided in another one of the above components.

<FIG> illustrates still another example of preventing washing water in the tub <NUM> from being randomly discharged.

In the laundry treating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, a connection passage includes a first connection passage <NUM>, one end of which is connected to the drainage pump, a first drainage pipe <NUM>, and a second drainage pipe 87b through which the other end of the first connection passage communicates with the connector inlet port <NUM>. The second drainage pipe 87b may have a certain diameter that extends from one side of the upper surface of the tub to the other side thereof, and may extend by rotating at least once.

The second drainage pipe 87b may have a twisted shape or a consistent ring shape.

That is, the second drainage pipe 87b is provided in the form of a long passage, which may lead to maximization of passage resistance.

Accordingly, the washing water passing through the second drainage pipe <NUM> does not flow forward due to the passage resistance, but may remain or return due to the self-weight thereof.

That is, it is necessary to generate a pressure in the drainage pump <NUM> in order to overcome the passage resistance.

In other words, the washing water in the tub <NUM> may be discharged to the connector <NUM> only when the drainage pump <NUM> is operated, and the washing water may not pass through the second drainage pipe 87b due to only vibrations of the tub <NUM> and the drum <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates still a further example of preventing washing water in the tub <NUM> from being randomly discharged.

Similar to the above description, a connection passage includes a first connection passage <NUM>, one end of which is connected to the drainage pump <NUM>, a first drainage pipe <NUM>, and a second drainage pipe <NUM> through which the other end of the first connection passage <NUM> communicates with the connector inlet port. In this case, the second drainage pipe <NUM> may be provided at a position higher than the upper surface of the tub.

That is, the second drainage pipe <NUM> may be provided at a position higher than the tub cover <NUM> of the tub <NUM>.

Consequently, the head of the second drainage pipe <NUM> and the connector <NUM> connected to the second drainage pipe <NUM> is increased, and thus it is possible to prevent the washing water received in the tub <NUM> from flowing to the connector <NUM>.

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention has an effect of preventing water stored in a tub from leaking through a drainage unit in the process of washing laundry.

Claim 1:
A laundry treating apparatus comprising:
a cabinet (<NUM>);
a drawer (<NUM>) configured to be withdrawable from the cabinet (<NUM>);
a tub (<NUM>) provided in the drawer (<NUM>) and adapted to receive washing water;
a drum (<NUM>) rotatably provided in the tub (<NUM>) and adapted to receive laundry;
a support part (<NUM>) fixed to the cabinet (<NUM>);
a guider (<NUM>) including a first body (<NUM>) and a second body (<NUM>), wherein one end of the first body (<NUM>) is rotatably connected to the support part (<NUM>), and the other end is rotatably connected to one end of the second body (<NUM>), wherein the other end of the second body (<NUM>) is rotatably connected to the drawer (<NUM>);
a drain unit (<NUM>) includes a drainage pump (<NUM>) allowing the washing water in the tub (<NUM>) to be discharged out of the tub (<NUM>);
a connection passage (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) coupled to the first body (<NUM>) and guiding the washing water discharged by the drainage pump (<NUM>) out of the cabinet (<NUM>); and
a connector (<NUM>) communicating with the connection passage (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and provided on an outer surface of the cabinet (<NUM>) such that the washing water supplied to the connection passage is guided out of the cabinet (<NUM>),
characterized in that a part of the connection passage (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is provided at a position higher than a level, K, of the tub (<NUM>) such that remaining water in the connection passage (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is introduced into the tub (<NUM>) when the operation of the drainage pump (<NUM>) stops,
the connector (<NUM>) comprises a connector inlet port (<NUM>) into which washing water is introduced, and a connector outlet port (<NUM>) from which washing water is discharged,
and the connector inlet port (<NUM>) and the connector outlet port (<NUM>) are provided at a point higher than a maximum level of washing water stored in the tub (<NUM>).