Patent ID: 7272960

Claim:
A washing machine, comprising: a housing; a tub installed in the housing and configured to hold washing fluid therein; a drum rotatably installed in the tub and configured to hold laundry items therein; and a fluid level sensing apparatus configured to sense a washing fluid level and to provide an appropriate washing fluid level for each of a plurality of washing steps, the fluid level sensing apparatus comprising: an air chamber configured to be connected to a drain extension pipe which extendes from the drainpipe installed in communication with the tub, wherein the air chamber is configured to store a predetermined amount of air such that a pressure of the washing fluid held in the tub imposes a corresponding pressure on the stored air; a tube configured to be installed in communication with the air chamber; a sensor coupled to the tube and configured to sense a washing fluid level by sensing an air pressure in the tube; and a protecting member configured to enclose a connecting portion formed between the air chamber and the tube.