Detergent supply device and clothes treatment device

Abstract

A detergent supply apparatus includes a housing, a drawer, and a flow passage, wherein the housing includes a storage space, a water supply unit for supplying water to the storage space, and a discharge unit provided in the housing and configured to discharge a substance in the storage space to the outside, the drawer includes a main body which is insertable into and removable from the storage space, a first detergent chamber provided in the main body to store a first detergent, first and second supply ports provided on an upper surface of the first detergent chamber and spaced apart from each other, and a discharge flow passage for discharging a liquid in the first detergent chamber to the storage space when a water level in the first detergent chamber is higher than a reference water level, and a flow passage unit is provided inside the storage space to guide water supplied from the water supply unit to the first and second supply ports.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a detergent supply device and a garment processing device having the detergent supply device. Background Technology

[0002] A garment processing apparatus is provided that uses water to separate contaminants from objects to be washed (e.g., clothes), comprising a tank in which water is stored, a roller rotatably disposed inside the tank and in which clothes are stored, a tank water supply section for supplying water to the tank, and a tank draining device for draining the water stored in the tank.

[0003] To facilitate the separation of contaminants, conventional laundry processing equipment already includes a detergent supply device that supplies detergent to a drum. This conventional detergent supply device comprises a drawer and a detergent flow path; the drawer is designed to be pulled out from the cabinet of the laundry processing equipment, and the detergent flow path is located within the drawer and guides the detergent to the drum.

[0004] In the aforementioned conventional detergent supply device, a bucket water supply unit is provided to supply water to the detergent flow path, and when the bucket water supply unit is operating, the detergent introduced into the detergent flow path is supplied to the bucket together with the water (Publication No. 10-2020-0007549).

[0005] Conventional detergent supply devices already include a detergent chamber and a discharge path for supplying liquid detergent to a drum. Because these devices have a siphon path within the detergent chamber, detergent and water can move from the chamber to the drum when the water level inside the chamber becomes equal to or higher than the siphon level. However, conventional detergent supply devices with this structure may have the following problem: when the viscosity of the liquid detergent is high, the detergent may not be able to move into the drum.

[0006] In traditional detergent supply systems, a first water inlet connects the cold water source and the detergent compartment, and a second water inlet connects the hot water source and the detergent compartment. When only one of the cold or hot water supply pipes exists in the installation space of the laundry handling equipment, the remaining water inlet cannot be connected to the water source and is installed with a cover or other obstruction. In a detergent supply system installed as described above, water may leak through the water inlet not connected to the water source when water is supplied to the system. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Technical Purpose

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a detergent supply device and a clothing treatment device that facilitates the discharge of high-viscosity liquid detergent.

[0009] The purpose of this invention is to provide a detergent supply device and a clothing treatment device that can reduce water leakage from water inlets not connected to a water supply unit.

[0010] The purpose of this invention is to provide a detergent supply device and clothing processing equipment with high user convenience.

[0011] The purpose of this invention is to provide a detergent supply device that minimizes detergent residue problems and a garment processing device having the detergent supply device.

[0012] Technical solution

[0013] The present invention provides a detergent supply device, comprising: a housing having a receiving space, a water supply section for supplying water to the receiving space, and a housing discharge section for discharging substances in the receiving space to the outside; a drawer having a main body capable of being pulled out from the receiving space, a first detergent chamber disposed in the main body and storing a first detergent therein, a first supply port and a second supply port disposed on the upper surface of the first detergent chamber and spaced apart from each other, and a discharge path for discharging liquid in the first detergent chamber to the receiving space when the water level in the first detergent chamber becomes higher than a reference water level; and a flow path section disposed in the receiving space and guiding water supplied from the water supply section to the first supply port and the second supply port.

[0014] The first supply port may be located in one of a first region and a second region defined relative to a horizontal line passing through the discharge flow path, and the second supply port may be located in the other of the first region and the second region.

[0015] The first and second supply ports can be configured to face each other, with the discharge flow path located between them.

[0016] The first supply port and the second supply port can be located in the front and rear areas of the first detergent chamber, respectively, or in the left and right areas of the first detergent chamber, respectively.

[0017] The flow path may include: a flow path body fixed to the housing and located within the receiving space; a supply flow path, namely a second supply flow path, disposed in the flow path body and guiding water supplied from the water supply section to the top of the first detergent chamber; a first discharge hole that discharges water from the supply flow path to a first supply port; and a second discharge hole that discharges water from the supply flow path to a second supply port.

[0018] The flow path section may include: a flow path body fixed to the housing and located within the receiving space; a supply flow path, namely a first supply flow path, disposed within the flow path body and guiding water supplied from the water supply section along the width direction of the receiving space; a first guide flow path guiding the water from the supply flow path to a position at the top of the first detergent chamber; a first discharge hole discharging the water from the first guide flow path to a first supply port; and a second discharge hole discharging the water from the first guide flow path to a second supply port.

[0019] The detergent supply device may also include a plurality of washing holes defined in the supply flow path and arranged along the width of the receiving space, wherein the plurality of washing holes discharge water in the supply flow path into a space located between the rear surface of the receiving space and the rear surface of the drawer.

[0020] The detergent supply device may also include a cover that is detachably disposed on the drawer and forms the upper surface of the first detergent chamber, and a first supply port and a second supply port may be disposed in the cover.

[0021] The discharge path may include: a discharge pipe extending through the bottom surface of the first detergent chamber and projecting from the bottom surface of the first detergent chamber toward a cover; and a flow path forming pipe extending from the cover toward the discharge pipe such that the discharge pipe is received therein, wherein the flow path forming pipe has a free end spaced apart from the bottom surface of the first detergent chamber.

[0022] The discharge path may include: a discharge pipe extending through the bottom surface of the first detergent chamber; a flow path forming pipe surrounding the upper surface and circumferential surface of the discharge pipe; and a spacer maintaining a gap between the lower end of the flow path forming pipe and the bottom surface of the first detergent chamber, and a gap between the inner circumferential surface of the flow path forming pipe and the outer surface of the discharge pipe.

[0023] The drawer may also include a second detergent compartment for storing a second detergent, a second detergent inlet disposed on the upper surface of the second detergent compartment, and a second detergent outlet communicating the second detergent compartment with the receiving space, and the flow path may also include a second guide flow path for guiding water from the supply flow path to the second detergent inlet.

[0024] The second guiding flow path may include: a connecting flow path formed by a first forming wall and a second forming wall extending from the supply flow path toward the second detergent inlet; and a diffusion flow path arranged in a shape surrounding the first forming wall and the second forming wall.

[0025] At least one of the first forming wall and the second forming wall can be configured to supply water in the connecting flow path to the diffusion flow path in an overflow manner.

[0026] At least one of the upper ends of the first forming wall and the second forming wall may be configured to slope downwards as at least one extends toward the second detergent inlet.

[0027] The diffusion path may include: a first surface, which is shaped to surround a first forming wall and a second forming wall and is located on top of a second detergent inlet; a first discharge hole of the diffusion path, which is configured to penetrate the first surface; a second surface, which is configured along the edge of the first surface, is located on top of the second detergent inlet, and slopes downward toward the edge of the first surface; and a second discharge hole of the diffusion path, which is configured to penetrate the second surface.

[0028] The water supply section may include a first water inlet and a second water inlet fixed to the housing and supplying water to the receiving space, and the flow path section may include an anti-backflow section disposed in the supply flow path, the anti-backflow section being located between the first water inlet and the second water inlet, and preventing water discharged from one of the first water inlet and the second water inlet from flowing to the other of the first water inlet and the second water inlet.

[0029] The backflow prevention section may include a baffle wall fixed to the supply flow path and located between the first water inlet and the second water inlet.

[0030] The barrier can be configured to slope toward the center of the supply flow path as it extends toward the second guide flow path.

[0031] The anti-backflow section may include an extension wall extending from the blocking wall toward the direction of the second guide flow path.

[0032] The detergent supply device may also include a plurality of washing holes defined in the supply flow path and arranged along the width of the receiving space, wherein the plurality of washing holes discharge water in the supply flow path into a space located between the rear surface of the receiving space and the rear surface of the drawer.

[0033] This invention provides a detergent supply device, comprising: a drawer having a detergent chamber, i.e., a second detergent chamber, providing space for storing detergent; a detergent inlet disposed on the upper surface of the detergent chamber through which detergent or water can be introduced into the detergent chamber; and a detergent outlet for discharging detergent or water from the detergent chamber; a housing having a receiving space for retractably accommodating the drawer, and a housing discharge portion for discharging substances from the receiving space; a first water inlet fixed to the housing and supplying water to the receiving space; and a second water inlet fixed to the housing. The device is fixed to the housing and supplies water to the containing space; a flow path section having a flow path body fixed in the containing space, a supply flow path disposed in the flow path body and guiding water supplied from the first water inlet and the second water inlet along the width direction of the containing space; a guiding flow path, namely a second guiding flow path, which guides the water in the supply flow path to the detergent inlet; and an anti-backflow section disposed in the supply flow path, located between the first water inlet and the second water inlet, and preventing water discharged from one of the first water inlet and the second water inlet from flowing to the other of the first water inlet and the second water inlet.

[0034] The backflow prevention section may include a baffle wall fixed to the supply flow path and located between the first water inlet and the second water inlet.

[0035] When the barrier extends in the direction of the guide flow path, the barrier can be tilted toward the center of the supply flow path.

[0036] The backflow prevention section may include an extension wall that extends from the barrier wall toward the direction of the guide flow path.

[0037] The extension wall can extend along the width of the accommodating space.

[0038] The anti-backflow section may also include an extension wall extending from the barrier wall in the opposite direction to the direction of the guide flow path.

[0039] The detergent supply device may also include a plurality of washing holes defined in the supply flow path and arranged along the width of the receiving space, wherein the plurality of washing holes discharge water in the supply flow path into a space located between the rear surface of the receiving space and the rear surface of the drawer.

[0040] The guiding flow path may include: a connecting flow path formed by a first forming wall and a second forming wall extending from the supply flow path toward the detergent inlet; and a diffusion flow path arranged in a shape surrounding the first forming wall and the second forming wall.

[0041] At least one of the first forming wall and the second forming wall can supply water in the connecting flow path to the diffusion flow path in an overflow manner.

[0042] At least one of the upper ends of the first forming wall and the second forming wall can be configured to slope downward toward the detergent inlet.

[0043] The diffusion path may include: a first surface, which is shaped to surround a first forming wall and a second forming wall and is located on top of a detergent inlet; a first discharge hole of the diffusion path, which is configured to penetrate the first surface; a second surface, which is configured along the edge of the first surface, located on top of a detergent inlet, and slopes downward toward the edge of the first surface; and a second discharge hole of the diffusion path, which is configured to penetrate the second surface.

[0044] The present invention provides a garment processing device, comprising: a bucket for storing water; a drum rotatably disposed within the bucket for storing clothes; a housing having a receiving space, a water supply section for supplying water to the receiving space, and a housing discharge section for discharging substances from the receiving space into the bucket or the drum; a drawer removable from the receiving space, the drawer having a first detergent chamber disposed within the drawer for storing a first detergent, a first supply port and a second supply port disposed on the upper surface of the first detergent chamber spaced apart from each other, and a discharge flow path for discharging liquid from the first detergent chamber into the receiving space when the water level in the first detergent chamber becomes higher than a reference water level; and a flow path section disposed within the receiving space for guiding water supplied from the water supply section to the first supply port and the second supply port.

[0045] The first supply port may be located in one of a first region and a second region defined relative to a horizontal line passing through the discharge flow path, and the second supply port may be located in the other of the first region and the second region.

[0046] Beneficial effects

[0047] This invention provides a detergent supply device and a garment processing device that can easily discharge high-viscosity liquid detergent.

[0048] The present invention provides a detergent supply device and a clothing treatment device, which can reduce the phenomenon of water leakage from water supply outlets not connected to the water supply unit.

[0049] This invention provides a detergent supply device and clothing processing equipment with high user convenience.

[0050] The present invention provides a detergent supply device that minimizes detergent residue problems and a garment processing device having the detergent supply device. Attached Figure Description

[0051] Figure 1 and Figure 2 An example of a garment processing device is shown.

[0052] Figure 3 An example of a detergent supply device is shown.

[0053] Figure 4 An example of a detergent supply unit and a water supply section is shown.

[0054] Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 An example of the housing, drawer, and flow path section provided in a detergent supply device is shown.

[0055] Figure 10 An example of a flow path section equipped with an anti-backflow section is shown.

[0056] Figure 11 An example of a flow path section provided with a retainer stop is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0057] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise defined, all terms in this specification have the same general meaning as the corresponding terms understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains, and if a term used in this specification conflicts with the general meaning of its corresponding term, the term shall follow the definition used in this specification.

[0058] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the garment processing device 100 can be configured to include: a cabinet 1; a tub 2 disposed inside the cabinet and storing water therein; and a drum 3 rotatably disposed inside the tub and storing objects to be washed, such as clothes.

[0059] like Figure 1 As shown, the cabinet 1 can be configured to include a cabinet 11 that provides space for accommodating the bin 2, and a cabinet cover 12 that is fixed to the cabinet 11 and forms the upper surface of the garment processing equipment.

[0060] A control panel 129 may be provided on the cabinet cover 12. The control panel 129 may be provided with an input unit 129a for receiving control commands from the user, and a display (not shown) for displaying control commands that the user can select or information related to the control commands selected by the user.

[0061] like Figure 2 As shown, the cabinet cover 12 is provided with a loading port 125 through which clothes are supplied to the roller 3. The loading port 125 can be opened and closed by a door 126 that is rotatably fixed to the cabinet cover 12.

[0062] Bucket 2 can be provided in various shapes, as long as water can be stored in it, and Figure 2 As an example, barrel 2 is provided in the form of a hollow cylindrical shape.

[0063] Bucket 2 can be configured as a cylindrical bucket body 21. Bucket body 21 is fixed to cabinet 1 by bucket support 23. Bucket support 23 can be configured as a rod with one end fixed to cabinet cover 12 or cabinet 11 and the other end fixed to the circumferential surface of bucket body 21.

[0064] A bucket lid 22 is fixed to the upper surface of the bucket body 21. The bucket lid 22 may be provided with a bucket dispensing port 24, which connects the inside and outside of the bucket body 21. The bucket dispensing port 24 may be located below the dispensing port 125.

[0065] The bucket 2 receives water through the bucket water supply unit 25, and the water stored in the bucket is discharged to the outside of the cabinet 1 through the bucket drainage device 26.

[0066] The bucket drain device 26 may be configured to include a drain pipe 261 that guides water inside the bucket 21 to the outside of the cabinet, and a drain valve 262 that controls the opening and closing of the drain pipe 261.

[0067] The roller 3 is a device located inside the tub 21 and provides space for storing clothes, and can be configured as a hollow cylindrical roller body 31.

[0068] The upper surface of the roller body 31 may be provided with a roller inlet 32 ​​located below the bucket inlet 24. Therefore, the user can put clothes into the roller body 31 through the inlet 125, the bucket inlet 24, and the roller inlet 32. The circumferential surface, bottom surface, etc. of the roller body 31 may be provided with roller through holes 311 that connect the bucket 21 and the internal space of the roller body 31.

[0069] A stirrer 33 may also be provided on the bottom surface of the drum body 31. The stirrer 33 is rotatably arranged inside the drum body and forms a water flow or stirs the clothes.

[0070] The drum body 31 and the agitator 33 can be rotated by a drum driver. The drum driver can be configured to include a stator 34 fixed to the bottom surface of the barrel 21 and forming a rotating magnetic field, a rotor 35 rotated by the rotating magnetic field, a drum shaft 37 extending through the barrel 21 and fixed to the drum body 31, and an agitator shaft 36 extending through the drum shaft 37 and connecting the rotor 35 and the agitator 33.

[0071] To control the connection between the roller shaft 37 and the rotor 35, the roller drive may be equipped with a connector 38 and an actuator 39. The actuator 39 is a device for controlling the position of the connector 38, and the connector 38 may be configured to reciprocate between a first point and a second point via the actuator 39. In this case, the first point may be set as the point where the connector 38 connects the roller shaft 37 and the rotor 35, and the second point may be set as the point where the connector 38 separates the roller shaft 37 and the rotor 35.

[0072] The laundry handling equipment 100 may be equipped with a detergent supply device D, which supplies detergent to the tub 21. The detergent supply device D may be configured to use water supplied from the water supply unit 25 to move the detergent to the tub 21. In other words, a water supply unit may be provided to supply water to the tub through a flow path provided inside the detergent supply device.

[0073] like Figure 3 As shown, the detergent supply device D can be configured to include: a housing 4 that guides water supplied from the tub water supply section 25 to the tub body 21; a drawer 7 that provides space for storing detergent and can be pulled out from the housing 4; and a flow path 5 that guides water introduced into the housing 4 to the drawer 7.

[0074] like Figure 4 As shown, the detergent supply device D can be fixed to the cabinet cover 12. The cabinet cover 12 can be provided with a front area 121 and a rear area 122, which are separated by a cover partition wall 123.

[0075] The cabinet cover 12 may be provided with a dispensing opening forming wall 125a surrounding the dispensing opening 125 of the cabinet. In this case, the cover partition wall 123 may be provided as part of the dispensing opening forming wall 125a.

[0076] The front area 121 is the front space of the cabinet cover 12, and the dispensing port 125 is located in the front area 121. The rear area 122 is the rear space of the cabinet cover 12, and the detergent supply device D and the water supply unit 25 can be located in the rear area 122.

[0077] The cover partition wall 123 may be provided with a mounting hole 124 for inserting the housing 4. The mounting hole 124 may be configured to penetrate the cover partition wall 123 and connect the dispensing port 125 and the rear area 122.

[0078] The laundry handling device 100 may be equipped with a support body 127, which is fixed to the cabinet cover 12 and supports the housing 4 of the detergent supply device. The support body 127 may be located in the rear area 122. In this case, the water supply unit 25 may be configured to include a water supply pipe 251 and a valve 252 that controls the opening and closing of the water supply pipe according to a control signal from a controller (not shown).

[0079] Valve 252 can be configured as a first valve 252a, a second valve 252b, and a third valve 252c fixed to support body 127, and water supply pipe 251 can be configured to include a first water supply pipe 251a connected to the first valve 252a, a second water supply pipe 251b connected to the second valve 252b, and a third water supply pipe 251c connected to the third valve 252c.

[0080] The first water supply pipe 251a and the third water supply pipe 251c can be configured to supply water at the same temperature to the detergent supply device D, i.e., cold water, while the second water supply pipe 251b can be configured to supply water at a different temperature to the detergent supply device D than that supplied by the water supply pipes 251a and 251c, i.e., hot water.

[0081] The support body 127 is provided with a support body through hole 128, which can be configured to connect with the mounting hole 124 and guide the housing 4 to the upper surface of the support body 127. Therefore, the housing 4 can be placed on the support body 127 by inserting it into the mounting hole 124 and the support body through hole 128, that is, it can be located in the rear region 122.

[0082] The housing 4 may be configured to include a receiving space 41, which provides space for accommodating the drawer 7.

[0083] like Figure 3 As shown, the accommodating space 41 can be formed by a lower surface 412 supported by a support body 127, a first side surface 413 and a second side surface 414 disposed at the two side edges of the lower surface, an upper surface 411 located at the top of the lower surface through the two side surfaces 413 and 414, and a rear surface 415.

[0084] like Figure 5 As shown, the front surface of the receiving space 41 may be provided with a pull-out opening 416 through which the drawer 7 enters and exits, and the lower surface 412 may be provided with a housing discharge section 417, which discharges the substance (i.e., a mixture of water and detergent) in the receiving space 41 to the outside of the receiving space, such as a bucket inlet. In order to facilitate the discharge of fluid in the receiving space 41 to the outside, that is, to minimize the possibility of fluid residue, the lower surface 412 may be provided as an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the housing discharge section 417.

[0085] The rear surface 415 may be provided with a water supply section for supplying water to the receiving space 41. As an example, Figure 5 The water supply unit is shown in a configuration where the first water inlet 417, the second water inlet 418, and the third water inlet 419 are fixed to the housing 4.

[0086] The first water inlet 417 can be configured to receive water from the first water supply pipe 251a, the second water inlet 418 can be configured to receive water from the second water supply pipe 251b, and the third water inlet 419 can be configured to receive water from the third water supply pipe 251c.

[0087] Drawer 7 may be configured to include: a body 71, i.e., a drawer body, which provides space for holding detergent and is inserted into the receiving space 41; and a panel 74, i.e., a drawer panel, which is fixed to the front surface of the body 71 and is capable of closing the mounting hole 124.

[0088] The main body 71 can be configured to include a first detergent storage section 72 for storing a first detergent and a second detergent storage section 73 for storing a second detergent. The first detergent can be a liquid detergent, such as liquid laundry detergent, and the second detergent can be a powder detergent, such as powder laundry detergent. As an example, Figure 5 Drawer 7 is shown, in which two first detergent storage compartments 72 and one second detergent storage compartment are disposed in the main body 71.

[0089] like Figure 6 As shown, the first detergent storage unit 72 may be configured to include a first detergent chamber 721 disposed in the main body 71, a discharge flow path 723 for discharging fluid inside the first detergent chamber 721 to the outside of the main body 71, and a cover 724 forming the upper surface of the first detergent chamber 721.

[0090] The cover 724 may be configured to include: a cover body 725, which is detachably disposed on the body 71 and forms the upper surface of the first detergent chamber 721; and supply ports 726 and 727, which are configured to penetrate the cover body 725 and allow water or detergent to be introduced into the first detergent chamber 721.

[0091] The first detergent chamber 721 can be divided into a first region 721a and a second region 721b based on a horizontal line H passing through the center of the discharge flow path 723, and the supply port can be configured to include a first supply port 726 disposed in one of the first region 721a and the second region 721b, and a second supply port 727 disposed in the other of the two regions 721a and 721b. Therefore, the first supply port 726 and the second supply port 727 will be located at points spaced apart from each other on the upper surface of the first detergent chamber 721.

[0092] Figure 6 As an example, a case is shown where the first region 721a is configured as the front space of the first detergent compartment and the second region 721b is configured as the rear space of the first detergent compartment. Figure 6 The situations shown are different. The first region 721a can be set as one of the left and right spaces of the first detergent chamber, and the second region 721b can be set as the other of the left and right spaces of the first detergent chamber.

[0093] The first supply port 726 and the second supply port 727 can be arranged facing each other, with the discharge flow path 723 located between them. Furthermore, the first supply port 726 and the second supply port 727 can be located at points symmetrical about the center of the discharge flow path 723.

[0094] The discharge path 723 is a path that discharges the substances (i.e., water, detergent, or a mixture of water and detergent) inside the first detergent chamber 721 into the containment space 41 when the water level inside the first detergent chamber 721 becomes higher than the reference water level.

[0095] The discharge path 723 can be configured to include a discharge pipe 723a protruding from the bottom surface of the first detergent chamber 721 toward the cover 725 and a flow path forming pipe 723b extending from the cover 725 toward the discharge pipe 723a, such that the discharge pipe 723a is accommodated therein. In this case, the free end of the flow path forming pipe 723b can be installed spaced apart from the bottom surface of the first detergent chamber 721.

[0096] The second detergent storage section 73 may be configured to include a second detergent chamber 731 for storing the second detergent, a second detergent inlet 732 disposed on the upper surface of the second detergent chamber, and a second detergent outlet 733 communicating the second detergent chamber with the receiving space 41. The second detergent outlet 733 may be configured as a through hole extending through the bottom or rear surface of the second detergent chamber 731. The second detergent may be the same detergent as the first detergent, or it may be a different detergent.

[0097] To prevent the main body 71 of the drawer from easily separating from the housing 4 when the drawer 7 is pulled out of the receiving space 41, the drawer 7 may also be provided with retainers 751 and 752.

[0098] The retainer can be configured as a first retainer 751 and a second retainer 752, which are fixed to the body 71 and spaced apart from each other along the width direction of the receiving space 41 (i.e., the width direction of the body and the X-axis direction).

[0099] The first retainer 751 may be configured as a first extended body 751a protruding from the body 71 toward the rear surface 415 of the housing and a first protruding body 751b protruding from the first extended body toward the upper surface 411 of the housing. Similarly, the second retainer 752 may be configured as a second extended body 752a protruding from the body 71 toward the rear surface 415 of the housing and a second protruding body 752b protruding from the second extended body toward the upper surface 411 of the housing (see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 9 ).

[0100] like Figure 7 As shown, the flow path 5 is a device fixed in the receiving space 41 and guides the water supplied from the water supply ports 417, 418, and 419 to the first detergent storage section 72 and the second detergent storage section 73.

[0101] The flow path section 5 may be configured to include a flow path body 54 fixed within the receiving space 41 and located at the top of the main body 71, supply flow paths 541 and 542 disposed within the flow path body 54 and providing a flow path for water, and guide flow paths 51 and 52. The flow path body 54 is fixed to the upper surface 411 of the housing, and the flow path may be configured to be located between the upper surface 411 and the flow path body 54.

[0102] The supply flow path may include a first supply flow path 541 and a second supply flow path 542, which provide a path for the movement of water supplied from water inlets 417, 418 and 419.

[0103] The first supply flow path 541 can be configured to guide water from the first water inlet 417 and the second water inlet 418 along the width direction (i.e., the X-axis direction) of the accommodating space 41. The X-axis direction is perpendicular to the drawer pull-out direction and is the width direction of the drawer. The second supply flow path 542 can be configured to guide water from the third water inlet 419 along the depth direction (i.e., the Z-axis direction) of the accommodating space 41. The Z-axis direction is the drawer pull-out direction.

[0104] The first supply flow path 541 can be configured as a groove, wherein the rear edge of the flow path body 54 is concavely curved toward the lower surface 412 of the receiving space (i.e., the bottom surface of the receiving space). The second supply flow path 542 can be configured as a groove, wherein the flow path body 54 is concavely curved toward the lower surface 412. The first supply flow path 541 and the second supply flow path 542 form flow paths that are separated from each other by the flow path partition wall 546, i.e., independent flow paths.

[0105] The first supply flow path 541 and the guide flow paths 51 and 52 can be configured to supply water to one of the second detergent storage section 73 and the two first detergent storage sections 72, and the second supply flow path 542 can be configured to supply water to the other of the two first detergent storage sections 72.

[0106] The second supply flow path 542 may be provided with a first discharge hole 544 for discharging water to the first supply port 726 of the first detergent storage section, i.e., the first discharge hole of the second supply flow path, and a second discharge hole 545 for supplying water to the second supply port 727 of the first detergent storage section, i.e., the second discharge hole of the second supply flow path.

[0107] The flow path can be configured to include a first flow path 51 that supplies water from the first supply flow path 541 to the first detergent storage unit 72 and a second flow path 52 that supplies water from the first supply flow path 541 to the second detergent storage unit 73.

[0108] The first guide flow path 51 may be provided with a first discharge hole 511 for discharging water to the first supply port 726 of the first detergent storage section, i.e., the first discharge hole of the first supply flow path, and a second discharge hole 512 for supplying water to the second supply port 727 of the first detergent storage section, i.e., the second discharge hole of the first supply flow path.

[0109] The second guide flow path 52 may be configured to include a connecting flow path 52a extending from the first supply flow path 541 toward the second detergent inlet 732, and a diffusion flow path 52b extending from the connecting flow path 52a and configured in a shape surrounding the edge of the second detergent inlet 732.

[0110] like Figure 8 As shown, the connecting flow path 52a can be formed by a first forming wall 521 extending from the first supply flow path 541 toward the second detergent inlet 732 and a second forming wall 522 extending from the first supply flow path 541 toward the second detergent inlet and located at a point spaced apart from the first forming wall. The connecting flow path 52a may be provided with a connecting flow path discharge hole 523 for discharging water to the second detergent inlet 732.

[0111] To minimize the amount of water remaining inside the connecting flow path 52a, the bottom surface of the connecting flow path 52a can be configured as an inclined surface that slopes downwards as the bottom surface extends toward the second detergent inlet 732.

[0112] The diffusion path 52b can be configured to guide water from the outlet of the connecting path 52a to the space between the edge of the first forming wall 521 and the edge of the second detergent inlet 732, and the space between the edge of the second forming wall 522 and the edge of the second detergent inlet 732.

[0113] The diffusion path 52b may include a first surface 524 and a second surface 526. The first surface 524 is shaped to surround the first forming wall 521 and the second forming wall 522 and is located on top of the second detergent inlet 732. The second surface 526 is shaped along the edge of the first surface 524 and is located on top of the second detergent inlet 732. The first surface 524 may be provided with a first discharge hole 525 for the diffusion path, and the second surface 526 may be provided with a second discharge hole 527 for the diffusion path.

[0114] To minimize the amount of water remaining inside the diffusion path 52b, the second surface 526 can be configured as an inclined surface sloping downward toward the edge of the first surface 524. The first surface 524 can be configured as a horizontal surface, or it can be configured as an inclined surface sloping downward toward the connecting path 52a.

[0115] The second guide flow path 52, with the above-described structure, can supply water not only to the central portion of the second detergent chamber 731 via the connecting flow path 52a, but also to the central portion of the second detergent chamber 731 from its edge via the diffusion flow path 52b. Therefore, the problem of detergent retention within the second detergent chamber 731 can be minimized.

[0116] When the pressure of the water supplied to the first water inlet 417 or the second water inlet 418 is high, the water discharged from the connecting flow path 52a may not be supplied to the entire area of ​​the diffusion flow path 52b, and water bias may occur. Figure 8 The phenomenon located in the right-hand area increases the likelihood that detergent remains in the second detergent compartment 731.

[0117] To minimize the aforementioned problems, at least one of the first forming wall 521 and the second forming wall 522 may be configured to supply water in the connecting flow path 52a to the diffusion flow path 52b in an overflow manner.

[0118] That is, at least one of the distance between the upper end of the first forming wall 521 and the upper surface 411 of the receiving space and the distance between the upper end of the second forming wall 522 and the upper surface 411 of the receiving space can be set to increase as the upper end extends toward the second detergent inlet 732.

[0119] This means that when at least one of the upper ends of the first forming wall 521 and the second forming wall 522 extends toward the second detergent inlet 732, the upper ends of the first forming wall 521 and the upper ends of the second forming wall 522 can be configured to slope downwards, and Figure 7 As an example, the upper ends of both forming walls 521 and 522 are set to be inclined.

[0120] When the upper ends of forming walls 521 and 522 are inclined, a space is formed between the upper ends of forming walls 521 and 522 and the upper surface 411 of the receiving space. Therefore, a portion of the water flowing from the inlet of connecting flow path 52a toward the outlet can pass through the forming walls and flow into diffusion flow path 52b. Thus, the phenomenon of water concentrating in a portion of the space of diffusion flow path 52b can be minimized.

[0121] Although not shown in the figure, the second guiding flow path 52 may be provided with a connecting hole that discharges water in the connecting flow path 52a to the diffusion flow path 52b. The connecting hole may be configured as a plurality of holes extending through the first forming wall 521 and a plurality of holes extending through the second forming wall 522.

[0122] The flow path section 5 may also be provided with supply guides 544 and 545, so that water in the first supply flow path 541 can be easily introduced into the guide flow paths 51 and 52.

[0123] The supply guide may be configured to include a first guide 544 protruding from the inlet of the first guide flow path 51 toward the edge of the first supply flow path 541, and a second guide 545 protruding from the inlet of the second guide flow path 52 toward the edge of the first supply flow path 541.

[0124] The detergent supply device D with the above structure can minimize detergent residue in drawer 7, but it is difficult to minimize detergent residue in the receiving space 41.

[0125] To minimize detergent residue inside the receiving space 41, the flow path 5 may also be provided with washing holes 543. For example... Figure 9 As shown, the washing hole 543 is a device for discharging water into the space between the rear surface 415 of the receiving space and the rear surface of the drawer 7, and can be configured as a plurality of grooves or holes provided along the rear edge of the flow path body 54, that is, provided along the width direction of the receiving space.

[0126] When water is supplied to the first supply flow path 541 through the first water inlet 417 and the second water inlet 418, a portion of the water in the first supply flow path 541 will be supplied to the first detergent storage section 72 through the first guide flow path 51, and the remainder will be supplied to the second detergent storage section 73 through the second guide flow path 52.

[0127] Water in the first guide flow path 51 moves through the first discharge hole 511 to the first supply port 726 of the first detergent storage section, and through the second discharge hole 512 to the second supply port 727 of the first detergent storage section. That is, the detergent supply device D supplies water to both the front and rear areas of the discharge flow path 723, i.e., simultaneously supplies water to both the left and right areas of the discharge flow path.

[0128] Since the first discharge port 511 is located in the first region 721a and the second discharge port 512 is located in the second region 721b, the detergent supply device D can reduce the concentration of detergent stored in the first detergent chamber 721 in a short time. Therefore, even when a high-viscosity detergent is introduced into the first detergent chamber 721, the detergent supply device D can reduce the phenomenon that detergent and water cannot leave through the discharge path 723.

[0129] As shown in the figure, the discharge flow path 723 may be provided with a spacer 723c. The spacer 723c may be configured as a device for maintaining the gap between the lower end of the flow path forming tube 723b and the bottom surface of the first detergent chamber 721, and the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the flow path forming tube 723b and the outer surface of the discharge tube 723a. In the case of a discharge flow path provided with a spacer 723c, the flow path forming tube 723b does not need to be fixed to the cover 725.

[0130] When water is supplied to the second supply flow path 542 through the third water supply port 419, the water in the second supply flow path 542 will be supplied to the first supply port and the second supply port of the first detergent storage section through the first discharge hole 544 and the second discharge hole 545 of the second supply flow path.

[0131] In the detergent supply device D described above, when water is supplied to the first supply flow path 541 when only one of the first water inlet 417 and the second water inlet 418 is connected to the water supply unit, leakage may occur through the water inlet that is not connected to the water supply unit.

[0132] When only one of the first water inlet 417 and the second water inlet 418 is connected to the water supply unit, the remaining water inlets can be closed with a cover or the like. However, when the pressure in the first supply flow path 541 is high, leakage may occur through the water inlets not connected to the water supply unit, even with a cover.

[0133] To prevent the above phenomenon, the detergent supply device D may also be equipped with an anti-backflow section 55. Figure 10 An example of the anti-backflow section 55 is shown.

[0134] like Figure 10 As shown, the anti-backflow section 55 can be configured as a wall disposed in the first supply flow path 541, located between the first water supply port 417 and the second water supply port 418, and restricting the flow of water discharged from one of the first water supply port and the second water supply port to the other of the first water supply port and the second water supply port.

[0135] The anti-backflow section 55 can be configured as a barrier wall 551 fixed to the first supply flow path 541 and located between the first water supply port 417 and the second water supply port 418, or it can be configured as a barrier wall 551 and an extension wall 552 extending from the barrier wall 551.

[0136] As the barrier wall 551 extends toward the guide flow paths 51 and 52, the barrier wall 551 can be configured as an inclined surface sloping toward the center of the first supply flow path 541. This is to minimize the reduction in the flow rate of water introduced through the second water inlet 418.

[0137] The extension wall 552 can be configured as a wall extending from the free end of the barrier wall 551 toward the direction of the guide flow paths 51 and 52. In this case, the extension wall 552 can be arranged parallel to the width direction of the receiving space 41, that is, the direction in which water flows along the first supply flow path. This is to minimize the reduction in the flow velocity of the water flowing along the first supply flow path.

[0138] When the anti-backflow section 55 is provided in the flow path section 5, the water supplied from the first water supply port 417 is unlikely to move in the direction of the second water supply port 418 due to the anti-backflow section 55. This is because the flow path resistance is small in the direction of the guide flow paths 51 and 52, so most of the water will flow in the direction of the guide flow paths. Therefore, when only the first water supply port 417 is connected to the water supply section, the anti-backflow section 55 can reduce the possibility of leakage through the second water supply port 418.

[0139] When only the second water inlet 418 is connected to the water supply unit, the amount of water supplied from the second water inlet 418 and moving along the anti-backflow section 55 in the direction of the guide paths 51 and 52 (i.e., the forward-moving water amount) will be greater than the amount of water moving in the direction of the first water inlet 417 (i.e., the reverse-moving water amount). Therefore, when only the second water inlet 418 is connected to the water supply unit, the anti-backflow section 55 can also reduce the possibility of leakage through the first water inlet 417.

[0140] like Figure 11 As shown, the detergent supply device D may also be provided with retaining stops 91 and 92 to prevent the drawer 7 from easily separating from the housing 4 when the drawer 7 is pulled out of the receiving space 41.

[0141] The stop member can be configured to include a first stop member 91 and a second stop member 92. The first stop member 91 contacts the first retainer 751 disposed on the drawer when the drawer 7 is pulled out of the housing 4 by a preset reference distance. The second stop member 92 contacts the second retainer 752 disposed on the drawer when the drawer 7 is pulled out of the housing 4 by a preset reference distance.

[0142] The first stop 91 can be configured to contact the side of the first retainer 751, and the second stop 92 can be configured to contact the side of the second retainer 752. For this purpose, the first stop 91 can be configured as a protrusion protruding from the first side 413 of the housing toward the second side 414, and the second stop 92 can be configured as a protrusion protruding from the second side 414 toward the first side 413.

[0143] When the stops 91 and 92 are set as the sides of the contact retainers 751 and 752, the possibility of the drawer body 71 separating from the receiving space 41 when the drawer 7 is pulled out of the housing 4 by a reference distance can be reduced, and the position of the body 71 can be stably fixed.

[0144] The first stop 91 may be configured to include a first inclined surface 911 and a second inclined surface 912 of the first stop.

[0145] As the first inclined surface 911 extends from the rear surface of the receiving space 41 along the drawer 7 extraction direction, the first inclined surface 911 of the first stop member can be configured as a surface protruding from one side (i.e., the first side 413) of the receiving space 41 toward one side (i.e., the other side of the receiving space) of the drawer 7.

[0146] As the second inclined surface 912 extends along the insertion direction of the drawer, the second inclined surface 912 of the first stop can be configured as a surface protruding from one side (i.e., the first side 413) of the receiving space 41 toward one side (i.e., the other side 414 of the receiving space) of the drawer, and the second inclined surface 912 is connected to the first inclined surface 911 of the first stop.

[0147] The second stop 92 can be configured to include a first inclined surface 921 of the second stop and a second inclined surface 922 of the second stop.

[0148] As the first inclined surface 921 extends from the rear surface of the receiving space 41 along the drawer 7's pull-out direction, the first inclined surface 921 of the second stop can be configured as a surface protruding from the other side of the receiving space 41 (i.e., the second side 414) toward the other side of the drawer 7 (i.e., one side 413 of the receiving space). As the second inclined surface 922 extends along the drawer's insertion direction, the second inclined surface 922 of the second stop can be configured as a surface protruding from the other side of the receiving space 41 (i.e., the second side 414) toward the other side of the drawer (i.e., one side 413 of the receiving space), and the second inclined surface 922 is connected to the first inclined surface 921 of the second stop.

[0149] When at least one of the first stop 91 and the second stop 92 is configured with a structure having two inclined surfaces, friction will be gradually applied to the drawer 7 when the drawer 7 is pulled out of the receiving space 41, thereby providing the user with a smooth operating feel for the drawer 7.

[0150] Unlike the above description, the first stop 91 and the second stop 92 may be provided in the flow path section 5.

[0151] Therefore, the flow path 5 can be configured to include a first support plate 93 disposed in the flow path body 54 and located between one side of the housing, namely the first side 413, and one side of the drawer, and a second support plate 94 located between the other side of the housing, namely the second side 414, and the other side of the drawer.

[0152] In this case, the first stop 91 can be disposed in the first support plate 93, and the second stop 92 can be disposed in the second support plate 94.

[0153] The first stop member 91 may include a first inclined surface 911 and a second inclined surface 912 of the first stop member, both of which are fixed to the first support plate 93, and the second stop member 92 may include a first inclined surface 921 and a second inclined surface 922 of the second stop member, both of which are fixed to the second support plate 94.

[0154] Since the above-described detergent supply device and clothing treatment equipment are merely preferred embodiments, the scope of this application is not limited to the above embodiments.

Claims

1. A detergent supply device, the detergent supply device comprising: A housing having a receiving space, a water supply section for supplying water to the receiving space, and a housing discharge section for discharging substances from the receiving space to the outside; A drawer having: a body capable of being pulled out from the receiving space; A first detergent chamber is disposed in the main body and stores a first detergent in the first detergent chamber; a first supply port and a second supply port are disposed in the upper surface of the first detergent chamber so as to be spaced apart from each other; And a discharge path, wherein the discharge path discharges the liquid inside the first detergent chamber into the containment space when the water level inside the first detergent chamber becomes higher than the reference water level; as well as A flow path section is disposed within the receiving space and guides water supplied from the water supply section to the first supply port and the second supply port. The first supply port is located in one of a first region and a second region defined relative to a horizontal line passing through the discharge flow path, and the second supply port is located in the remaining region of the first region and the second region.

2. The detergent supply device according to claim 1, wherein, The first supply port and the second supply port are configured to face each other, wherein the discharge flow path is inserted between the first supply port and the second supply port.

3. The detergent supply device according to claim 1, wherein, The first supply port and the second supply port are respectively located in the front area and the rear area of ​​the first detergent chamber, or respectively located in the left area and the right area of ​​the first detergent chamber.

4. The detergent supply device according to claim 1, wherein, The flow path section includes: A flow path body, which is fixed to the housing and located within the receiving space; A supply flow path is provided in the flow path body and guides the water supplied from the water supply unit to a position on top of the first detergent chamber; A first discharge port, which discharges water from the supply path to a first supply port; and The second discharge port discharges water from the supply flow path to the second supply port.

5. The detergent supply device according to claim 1, wherein, The flow path section includes: A flow path body, which is fixed to the housing and located within the receiving space; A supply flow path is provided in the flow path body and guides the water supplied from the water supply section along the width direction of the receiving space; A first guiding flow path guides the water from the supply flow path to a position at the top of the first detergent chamber; A first discharge port, which discharges water from the first guide flow path to the first supply port; and The second discharge port discharges water from the first guide flow path to the second supply port.

6. The detergent supply device according to claim 5, further comprising: A plurality of washing holes are defined in the supply flow path and arranged along the width direction of the receiving space, wherein the plurality of washing holes discharge water in the supply flow path into a space located between the rear surface of the receiving space and the rear surface of the drawer.

7. The detergent supply device according to claim 1, further comprising: A lid, which is removably mounted on the drawer and forms the upper surface of the first detergent compartment, The first supply port and the second supply port are disposed in the cover.

8. The detergent supply device according to claim 7, wherein, The discharge path includes: A discharge pipe extending through the bottom surface of the first detergent chamber and protruding from the bottom surface of the first detergent chamber toward the cover; and A flow path forming tube extends from the cover toward the discharge pipe such that the discharge pipe is accommodated within the flow path forming tube, wherein the flow path forming tube has a free end spaced apart from the bottom surface of the first detergent chamber.

9. The detergent supply device according to claim 1, wherein, The discharge path includes: A discharge pipe that extends through the bottom surface of the first detergent chamber; A flow path forming pipe, the flow path forming pipe surrounding the upper surface and circumferential surface of the discharge pipe; and A spacer maintains the distance between the lower end of the flow path forming tube and the bottom surface of the first detergent chamber, as well as the distance between the inner circumferential surface of the flow path forming tube and the outer circumferential surface of the discharge tube.

10. The detergent supply device according to claim 5, wherein, The drawer further includes: a second detergent compartment storing a second detergent; a second detergent inlet disposed on the upper surface of the second detergent compartment; and a second detergent outlet communicating with the receiving space. The flow path section further includes a second guiding flow path that guides the water from the supply flow path to the second detergent inlet.

11. The detergent supply device according to claim 10, wherein, The second guiding flow path includes: A connecting flow path is formed by a first forming wall and a second forming wall extending from the supply flow path toward the second detergent inlet; and A diffusion flow path, the diffusion flow path being arranged in a shape surrounding the first forming wall and the second forming wall.

12. The detergent supply device according to claim 11, wherein, At least one of the first forming wall and the second forming wall is capable of supplying water in the connecting flow path to the diffusion flow path in an overflow manner.

13. The detergent supply device according to claim 12, wherein, At least one of the upper ends of the first forming wall and the second forming wall slopes downward as it extends toward the second detergent inlet.

14. The detergent supply device according to claim 12, wherein, The diffusion path includes: A first surface, the first surface being arranged in a shape surrounding the first forming wall and the second forming wall and located on top of the second detergent inlet; A first discharge hole in the diffusion flow path is configured to penetrate the first surface; A second surface, disposed along the edge of the first surface, located above the second detergent inlet and sloping downward toward the edge of the first surface; and A second discharge port in the diffusion flow path is configured to penetrate the second surface.

15. The detergent supply device according to claim 10, wherein, The water supply unit includes a first water inlet and a second water inlet fixed to the housing and supplying water to the receiving space, and The flow path section includes an anti-backflow section, which is disposed in the supply flow path, located between the first water supply port and the second water supply port, and prevents water discharged from one of the first water supply port and the second water supply port from flowing to the other of the first water supply port and the second water supply port.

16. The detergent supply device according to claim 15, wherein, The backflow prevention section includes a baffle wall, which is fixed to the supply flow path and located between the first water inlet and the second water inlet.

17. The detergent supply device according to claim 16, wherein, The barrier is configured to slope toward the center of the supply flow path as it extends toward the second guide flow path.

18. The detergent supply device according to claim 16, wherein, The backflow prevention section includes an extension wall extending from the barrier wall toward the second guide flow path.

19. The detergent supply device according to claim 15, further comprising: A plurality of washing holes are defined in the supply flow path and arranged along the width direction of the receiving space, wherein the plurality of washing holes discharge water in the supply flow path into a space located between the rear surface of the receiving space and the rear surface of the drawer.

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