Patent ID: 8327673

Claim:
A washing machine, comprising: a tub to contain washing water; a pump to cause the washing water to be drawn from the tub and pumped back into the tub; an ejector unit coupled between the pump and the tub to mix air with the washing water being pumped back into the tub via the pump, the ejector unit including a water passageway defined by at least a first section and a second section which an effective inner diameter of the second section of the water passageway is smaller than an effective inner diameter of the first section, and an air inlet in communication with the water passageway, wherein the washing water rapidly passing through the water passageway of the ejector unit causes air to be inhaled via the air inlet and mixed with the washing water, forming air bubbles in the washing water exiting the ejector unit; and an air guide pipe coupled to the air inlet of the ejector unit to allow air to be supplied to the ejector unit, wherein the washing water with air bubbles from the ejector unit is supplied to the tub, and the air inlet of the ejector unit is in direct communication with the second section of the water passageway to directly allow air to be supplied to the second section of the water passageway.