Detergent supply device and laundry treatment apparatus having the same

Abstract

The present application relates to a laundry treating apparatus including: a tub constructed to store water therein; a drum rotatably disposed inside the tub and constructed to accommodate laundry therein; and a detergent supply apparatus that receives water from a water supply and supplies detergent to the tub, wherein the detergent supply apparatus includes: a housing including a chamber defining a space therein, and a chamber outlet defined in a bottom surface of the chamber and constructed to discharge water and detergent to the tub; a drawer extendable through a front surface of the chamber and providing a space where detergent is stored; and a flow channel forming portion disposed in the chamber and constructed to guide water and detergent to the bottom surface of the chamber, wherein the flow channel forming portion includes a fixed body fixed to the chamber, and a flow channel body extending from a rear edge of the fixed body toward the bottom surface of the chamber to form a flow path of water and detergent with a rear surface of the chamber.

Description

[0001] Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a), this application claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0145129, filed on Oct. 22, 2024, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSUREField of the Disclosure

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a detergent supply apparatus and a laundry treating apparatus having the detergent supply apparatus.Discussion of the Related Art

[0003] A laundry treating apparatus that removes dirt from an object-to-be-washed (laundry or the like) using water includes a tub where water is stored, a drum that is rotatably disposed inside the tub and stores the laundry therein, a water supply that supplies water to the tub, and a water discharger that drains water stored in the tub.

[0004] To easily remove dirt, among existing laundry treating apparatuses, there is one having a detergent supply apparatus that supplies a detergent to the tub. Among existing detergent supply apparatuses, there is one including a drawer extendable from a cabinet of the laundry treating apparatus and a detergent flow channel that is defined in the drawer and guides the detergent to the tub.

[0005] Because the water supply is constructed to supply water to the detergent flow channel, the above-described existing detergent supply apparatus operates in a manner that the detergent introduced into the detergent flow channel is supplied to the tub together with water when the water supply is operated (Publication No. 10-2020-0007549). However, the above-described detergent supply apparatus has a possibility of injecting the detergent more than necessary, and there is an inconvenience in that a user has to inject the detergent into the detergent flow channel whenever washing is required.

[0006] To solve the above-described disadvantages, among the existing detergent supply apparatuses, there is an automatic detergent supply apparatus that automatically supplies the detergent to the tub during the washing (Patent Publication No. 10-2023-0059504). The existing automatic detergent supply apparatus has a structure including a housing that guides the water and detergent to be introduced into the tub, a drawer extendable from the housing, a storage that is defined in the drawer and provides a space in which the detergent is stored, a pump that allows the detergent inside the storage to flow to the housing when the drawer is inserted into the housing, and a water supply that supplies water into the housing.

[0007] In this case, an importance of an arrangement structure of a flow channel through which the water and detergent flow inside the housing is emphasized in consideration of a storage capacity or the like of the detergent relative to a volume of the detergent supply apparatus.

[0008] In addition, an arrangement of a point at which the water supply is connected to the housing and a point at which the detergent is supplied to the housing from the pump may become a problem.

[0009] For example, when a flow channel for guiding water supplied from the water supply to the tub and a flow channel for guiding the detergent inside the storage to the tub are arranged to overlap each other, a viscid detergent is easily dissolved in water and guided. Therefore, it is important in the art to effectively place the flow channel that guides the water and detergent in the housing.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0010] The present disclosure is intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus having a detergent supply apparatus in which a structure of a flow channel forming portion through which water and a detergent flow is optimized.

[0011] The present disclosure is intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus including a detergent supply apparatus in which an amount of a detergent, which has been discharged from a storage to a flow channel forming portion, remaining in a detergent discharge port is minimized.

[0012] The present disclosure is intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus including a detergent supply apparatus in which an arrangement of components is optimized.

[0013] The present disclosure is intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus including a detergent supply apparatus that is easy to manage and maintain.

[0014] The present disclosure is intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus including a detergent supply apparatus in which water supplied into the detergent supply apparatus and a detergent are easily guided to a tub.

[0015] The present disclosure provides a laundry treating apparatus including: a tub constructed to store water therein; a drum rotatably disposed inside the tub and constructed to accommodate laundry therein; and a detergent supply apparatus that receives water from a water supply and supply detergent to the tub, wherein the detergent supply apparatus includes: a housing including a chamber defining a space therein, and a chamber outlet defined in a bottom surface of the chamber and constructed to discharge water and detergent to the tub; a drawer extendable through a front surface of the chamber and providing a space where detergent is stored; and a flow channel forming portion disposed in the chamber and constructed to guide water and detergent to the bottom surface of the chamber, wherein the flow channel forming portion includes a fixed body fixed to the chamber, and a flow channel body extending from a rear edge of the fixed body toward the bottom surface of the chamber to form a flow path of water and detergent with a rear surface of the chamber.

[0016] The flow channel body may include: a flow channel assembly disposed to be spaced apart from the rear surface of the chamber to form a flow channel where water and detergent flow; and a guide assembly extending from the flow channel assembly to be in contact with the rear surface of the chamber and constructed to guide the path of water and detergent passing through the flow channel assembly.

[0017] The guide assembly may include: a first guide extending from a rear portion of the fixed body toward the rear surface of the chamber; a second guide extending from one end of the first guide toward the bottom surface of the chamber; and a third guide extending from a remaining end of the first guide toward the bottom surface of the chamber.

[0018] The guide assembly may include: a fourth guide positioned under the first guide; and a fifth guide positioned under the first guide so as to be spaced apart from the fourth guide.

[0019] A first outlet may be defined in the flow channel body, wherein the first outlet is defined between the fourth guide and the fifth guide and is constructed to discharge water and detergent introduced into a space between the flow channel body and the rear surface of the chamber to the bottom surface of the chamber.

[0020] The flow channel body may include a second outlet defined between the second guide and the fourth guide and constructed to discharge water and detergent introduced into the space between the flow channel body and the rear surface of the chamber to the bottom surface of the chamber.

[0021] The flow channel body may include a third outlet defined between the third guide and the fourth guide and constructed to discharge water and detergent introduced into the space between the flow channel body and the rear surface of the chamber to the bottom surface of the chamber.

[0022] The first outlet may be defined downward of the second outlet or the third outlet.

[0023] The flow channel assembly may include: a first flow channel formed by the first guide, the second guide, and the third guide and extending in a width direction of the housing; and a second flow channel formed under the first flow channel and formed by the fourth guide and the fifth guide.

[0024] A separation distance of the first flow channel to the rear surface of the chamber may be greater than a separation distance of the second flow channel to the rear surface of the chamber.

[0025] The second outlet or the third outlet may be defined under the first flow channel.

[0026] The water supply may supply water to the first flow channel.

[0027] The water supply may supply water to be biased toward one side in the width direction of the housing.

[0028] A plurality of water supply ports may extend through the rear surface of the chamber and transmit water supplied from the water supply to the flow channel forming portion, and the flow channel forming portion may include a water supply port partition wall extending from the flow channel assembly toward the rear surface of the chamber and constructed to prevent water discharged from one of the water supply ports from flowing back to another.

[0029] The detergent supply apparatus may further include a pump that withdraws detergent inside the drawer to the outside of the chamber and supplies withdrawn detergent to the flow channel forming portion, and

[0030] the pump may supply detergent to the second flow channel.

[0031] The present disclosure provides the laundry treating apparatus having the detergent supply apparatus in which the structure of the flow channel forming portion through which the water and detergent flow is optimized.

[0032] The present disclosure provides the laundry treating apparatus including the detergent supply apparatus in which the amount of the detergent, which has been discharged from the storage to the flow channel forming portion, remaining in the detergent discharge port is minimized. The present disclosure provides the laundry treating apparatus including the detergent supply apparatus in which the arrangement of the components is optimized.

[0033] The present disclosure provides the laundry treating apparatus including the detergent supply apparatus that is easy to manage and maintain.

[0034] The present disclosure provides the laundry treating apparatus including the detergent supply apparatus in which water supplied into the detergent supply apparatus and the detergent are easily guided to a tub.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] FIG. 1 shows an example of a laundry treating apparatus including a detergent supply apparatus.

[0036] FIGS. 2 and 3 show an example of a detergent supply apparatus.

[0037] FIGS. 4 and 5 show an example of a housing constituting a detergent supply apparatus.

[0038] FIGS. 6 and 7 show an example of a flow channel forming portion constituting a detergent supply apparatus.

[0039] FIG. 8 shows an example of a drawer constituting a detergent supply apparatus.

[0040] FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 show an example of coupling of a housing and a flow channel forming portion.

[0041] FIGS. 12, 13, and 14 show an example of a detergent supply apparatus.

[0042] FIG. 15 shows an example of coupling of a housing and a flow channel forming portion.

[0043] FIG. 16 shows an example of a detergent supply apparatus.

[0044] FIGS. 17 and 18 show an example of a cabinet cover.

[0045] FIGS. 19 and 20 show an example of coupling of a control panel and a cover rear panel.

[0046] FIG. 21 shows an example of coupling of a control panel to a cabinet cover.

[0047] FIG. 22 shows an example of coupling of a cabinet cover, a control panel, and a cover rear panel.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0048] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. When a term used herein conflicts with a general meaning of the corresponding term, the definition as used herein shall prevail.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 1, a laundry treating apparatus 100 may include a cabinet 1, a tub 2 that is disposed inside the cabinet and stores water therein, and a drum 3 that is rotatably disposed inside the tub and stores an object-to-be-washed (laundry or the like).

[0050] The cabinet 1 may include a cabinet body 11 providing a space in which the tub 2 is accommodated, and a cabinet cover 12 fixed to the cabinet body 11 and forming a top surface of the laundry treating apparatus.

[0051] The cabinet cover 12 may include a control panel 129. The control panel 129 may include an input part 129a that receives a control command from a user, and a display (not shown) that displays information (a control command selectable by the user or information related to a control command selected by the user).

[0052] The cabinet cover 12 includes an inlet 125 for supplying the laundry to the drum 3. The inlet 125 may be opened and closed by a door 126 pivotably fixed to the cabinet cover 12.

[0053] The tub 2 may be formed in various shapes as long as water may be stored. FIG. 2 shows a case in which the tub 2 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a hollow defined inside as an example.

[0054] The tub 2 may be formed as a cylindrical tub body 21. The tub body 21 is fixed to the cabinet 1 through a tub support 23. The tub support 23 may be formed as a bar having one end fixed to the cabinet cover 12 or the cabinet body 11 and the other end fixed to a circumferential surface of the tub body 21.

[0055] A tub cover 22 is fixed to a top surface of the tub body 21. The tub cover 22 may include a tub inlet 24 that allows an inside of the tub body 21 to be in communication with the outside. The tub inlet 24 may be located below the inlet 125.

[0056] The tub 2 receives water through a water supply 25, and water stored in the tub is discharged to the outside of the cabinet 1 through a water discharger 26.

[0057] The water discharger 26 may include a drain pipe 261 that guides water inside the tub body 21 to the outside of the cabinet, and a drain valve 262 that controls opening and closing of the drain pipe 261.

[0058] The drum 3, as a means positioned inside the tub body 21 to provide the space in which the laundry is stored, may be formed as a cylindrical drum body 31 having a hollow defined inside.

[0059] A drum inlet 32 defined to be positioned below the tub inlet 24 may be defined in a top surface of the drum body 31. Accordingly, the user may put the laundry into the drum body 31 through the inlet 125, the tub inlet 24, and the drum inlet 32. Drum through-holes 311 for allowing the tub body 21 and an inner space of the drum body 31 to be in communication with each other may be defined in a circumferential surface, a bottom surface, and the like of the drum body 31.

[0060] An agitator 33 that is rotatably disposed inside the drum body 31 and forms a water flow or agitates the laundry may be further disposed on the bottom surface of the drum body 31.

[0061] The drum body 31 and the agitator 33 are rotatable by a drum driver. The drum driver may include a stator 34 that is fixed to a bottom surface of the tub body 21 and forms a rotating magnetic field, a rotor 35 rotated by the rotating magnetic field, a drum shaft 37 fixed to the drum body 31 by extending through the tub body 21, and an agitator shaft 36 connecting the rotor 35 with the agitator 33 by extending through the drum shaft 37.

[0062] To control coupling between the drum shaft 37 and the rotor 35, a coupler 38 and an actuator 39 may be disposed in the drum driver. The actuator 39 may be a means for controlling a position of the coupler 38, and the coupler 38 may reciprocate between a first point and a second point by the actuator 39. In this case, the first point may be set as a point at which the coupler 38 connects the drum shaft 37 with the rotor 35, and the second point may be set as a point at which the coupler 38 separates the drum shaft 37 from the rotor 35.

[0063] The laundry treating apparatus 100 may include a detergent supply apparatus (detergent supply) D that supplies a detergent to the tub body 21. The detergent supply apparatus D may allow the detergent to flow to the tub body 21 using water supplied from the water supply 25 (the water supply may supply water to the tub body through a flow channel defined inside the detergent supply apparatus).

[0064] As shown in FIG. 2, the detergent supply apparatus D may include a housing 4 that guides water supplied from the water supply 25 to the tub body 21, a drawer 5 providing a space in which the detergent is stored and extendable from the housing 4, and pumps 7 and 8 that allow the detergent stored in the drawer 5 to flow into the housing 4.

[0065] The detergent supply apparatus D may be fixed to the cabinet cover 12. The cabinet cover 12 may include a first area 121 and a second area (rear space) 122 divided from each other by a partition wall 123. The first area 121 may be provided as a front space of the cabinet cover 12, and the inlet 125 may be defined in the first area 121. Further, the second area 122 may be provided as the rear space of the cabinet cover 12, and the detergent supply apparatus D and the water supply 25 may be positioned in the second area 122.

[0066] A partition wall through-hole 124 may be defined in the partition wall 123, and the partition wall through-hole 124 may connect the inlet 125 with the second area 122 by extending through the partition wall 123.

[0067] The laundry treating apparatus 100 may include a mounting space 127 fixed to the cabinet cover 12 so as to be located in the second area 122 and where the housing 4 of the detergent supply apparatus is mounted.

[0068] The water supply 25 may be fixed to the mounting space 127. The water supply 25 may include a water supply pipe 251 and a valve 252 that controls opening and closing of the water supply pipe in response to a control signal of a controller (not shown).

[0069] As shown in FIG. 3, the water supply pipe 251 may include a first water supply pipe 251a connected to a water supply source and a second water supply pipe 251b connected to a water supply source. The valve 252 may include a first valve 252a and a second valve 252b that control opening and closing of the first water supply pipe 251a, and a third valve 252c that controls opening and closing of the second water supply pipe 251b.

[0070] The first water supply pipe 251a and the second water supply pipe 251b may supply water of the same temperature to the detergent supply apparatus D or may supply water of different temperatures to the detergent supply apparatus D. In the former case, the first water supply source and the second water supply source may be the same water supply source. However, in the latter case, the first water supply source may be set as a water supply source for supplying cold water, and the second water supply source may be set as a water supply source for supplying hot water.

[0071] The housing 4 may include a chamber 41 providing a space in which the drawer 5 is accommodated.

[0072] The chamber 41 may be formed by a chamber bottom surface 412 supported in the mounting space 127, a chamber first side surface 413 and a chamber second side surface 414 disposed at both side edges of the chamber bottom surface, a chamber top surface 411 connected to the two side surfaces 413 and 414 to form a top surface of the housing, and a chamber rear surface 415 connected to the two side surfaces 413 and 414 to form a rear surface of the housing.

[0073] A flange 46 that guides a path through which the drawer 5 is extended from and retracted into the chamber 41 and supports the drawer 5 upwards may be disposed on each of the first side surface 413 and the second side surface 414 of the chamber 41.

[0074] A chamber entrance 416 allowing the chamber 41 to be in communication with the outside is defined in a front surface of the chamber 41. The drawer 5 may be inserted into the chamber 41 or withdrawn from the chamber 41 through the chamber entrance 416.

[0075] A chamber outlet 416 that discharges fluid inside the chamber 41 to the outside of the chamber (the tub inlet or the like) may defined in the bottom surface 412 of the chamber. The chamber bottom surface 412 may be formed as an inclined surface inclined downwards toward the chamber outlet 416 to facilitate the discharge of the fluid inside the chamber 41 to the outside (to minimize a possibility of remaining of the fluid).

[0076] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the chamber 41, and FIG. 5 is a front view of the chamber 41.

[0077] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a chamber water supply port 42 that supplies water into the chamber 41 is disposed on the chamber rear surface 415. The chamber water supply port 42 may include a first water supply port 421 to which the first valve 252a is connected, a second water supply port 422 to which the second valve 252b is connected, and a third water supply port 423 to which the third valve 252c is connected.

[0078] In addition, a detergent outlet 45 that discharges the detergent inside the drawer 5 to the outside of the chamber 41 and a chamber detergent supply port 43 that supplies the detergent into the chamber 41 are disposed on the chamber rear surface 415.

[0079] The detergent outlet 45 may include a first detergent outlet 451 and a second detergent outlet 452 in which suction ports of the pumps 7 and 8 are respectively mounted, and the chamber detergent supply port 43 may include a first detergent supply port 431 and a second detergent supply port 432 to which discharge ports of the pumps 7 and 8 are respectively connected.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 3, a flow channel forming portion 6 is disposed inside the chamber 41. The flow channel forming portion 6 is a means for guiding water introduced into the chamber water supply port 42 and the detergent introduced into the chamber detergent supply port 43 to the chamber bottom surface 412.

[0081] The flow channel forming portion 6 may include a fixed body 61 fixed to the chamber 41 and a flow channel body 62 fixed to a rear side of the fixed body 61 to form a flow path of the water and detergent.

[0082] The fixed body 61 may include a top surface 611 fixed to the chamber top surface 411, a first side surface 612 fixed to the chamber first side surface 413, and a second side surface 613 fixed to the chamber second side surface 414.

[0083] The flow channel body 62 may be formed as a plate bent from a rear edge of the top surface 611 toward the chamber bottom surface 612. A free end of the flow channel body 62 may not be in contact with the chamber bottom surface 612 such that water or the detergent flowing along the flow channel body 62 is easily discharged to the chamber 41.

[0084] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a rear surface of the flow channel forming portion 6 where the flow channel body 62 is formed, and FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the flow channel forming portion 6.

[0085] The flow channel body 62 may include a flow channel assembly 62b that is spaced apart from the chamber rear surface 415 and forms the flow channel through which the water and detergent flow together with the chamber rear surface 415, and a guide assembly 62a that extends from the flow channel assembly 62b so as to be in contact with the chamber rear surface 415 to prevent the water and detergent from leaking from the flow channel assembly 62a and guide a path.

[0086] The flow channel body 62 may include a first guide 621 protruding from the rear edge of the top surface 611 toward the chamber rear surface 415, a second guide 622 extending from one end of the first guide 621 toward the chamber bottom surface 412, and a third guide 623 extending from the other end of the first guide 621 toward the chamber bottom surface 412. The second guide 622 may be disposed parallel to the chamber first side surface 413, and the third guide 623 may be disposed parallel to the chamber second side surface 414.

[0087] Each of a free end of the first guide 621, a free end of the second guide 622, and a free end of the third guide 623 is disposed to be in contact with the chamber rear surface 415. Accordingly, the flowing path of water or the detergent is formed between the flow channel body 62 and the chamber rear surface 415.

[0088] In addition, the flow channel body 62 may include a fourth guide 624 positioned under the first guide 621 and a fifth guide 625 positioned under the first guide 621, but disposed at a point spaced apart from the fourth guide 624.

[0089] A first outlet 626 that discharges the fluid (the water and detergent) introduced into the space between the flow channel body 62 and the chamber rear surface 415 to the chamber bottom surface 412 may be disposed between the fourth guide 625 and the fifth guide 626.

[0090] To facilitate the discharge of the fluid introduced into the space between the flow channel body 62 and the chamber rear surface 415, a second outlet 627 may be disposed between the fourth guide 624 and the second guide 622, and a third outlet 628 may be disposed between the fifth guide 625 and the third guide 623.

[0091] The flow channel body 62 may include a first flow channel 629a defined in the first guide 621, the second guide 622, and the third guide 623 and extending in a width direction of the housing 4, and a second flow channel 629b defined under the first flow channel 629a and formed by the fourth guide 624 and the fifth guide 625.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 3, the drawer 5 may provide the space in which the detergent is stored and may be extendable from the chamber 41.

[0093] The drawer 5 may include a body (drawer body) 51 that provides the space in which the detergent is stored and is extendable from the chamber 41 through the chamber entrance 416, a cover (drawer cover) 52 fixed to the body and positioned at a top surface of the drawer, and a panel (drawer panel) 53 fixed to a front surface of the body 51 and exposed to the outside of the chamber 41.

[0094] The body 51 may include a storage that provides the space in which the detergent is stored, an outlet that discharges the detergent in the storage to the outside of the body 51, and a discharge valve that controls opening and closing of the outlet.

[0095] FIG. 3 shows an example in which the storage includes two storage spaces separated from each other by a body partition wall 513. The storage may include a first storage 511 and a second storage 512 separated from each other by the body partition wall 513.

[0096] In this case, the outlet may include a first storage outlet 514 disposed in the first storage 511 and a second storage outlet 516 disposed in the second storage 512, and the outlet valve may include a first outlet valve 515 that controls opening and closing of the first storage outlet 514 and a second outlet valve 517 that controls opening and closing of the second storage outlet 516.

[0097] The cover 52 includes a first detergent inlet 521 through which the detergent may be introduced into the first storage 511 and a second detergent inlet 522 through which the detergent may be introduced into the second storage 512. The first detergent inlet 521 may be opened and closed by a first lid 523, and the second detergent inlet 522 may be opened and closed by a second lid 524.

[0098] The first discharge valve 515 and the second discharge valve 517 are preferably formed as valves (check valves or the like) that allow the fluid to be discharged from the respective storages 511 and 512, but block external fluid from being into the respective storages 511 and 512.

[0099] The first discharge valve 515 and the second discharge valve 517 may be connected to the respective suction ports of the pumps 7 and 8 (open the respective storage outlets) when the body 51 is inserted into the first chamber 41, and may be separated from the respective suction ports of the pumps 7 and 8 (close the respective storage outlets) when the body 51 is extended from the first chamber 41.

[0100] The detergent supply apparatus D may include a detergent sensor 55 capable of sensing whether the detergent is present in the first storage 511 and the second storage 512. The detergent sensor 55 may be fixed to the body partition wall 513 and determine whether the detergent is present in the first storage 511 and whether the detergent is present in the second storage 512.

[0101] To prevent the detergent sensor 55 from interfering with the flow channel forming portion 6 and the chamber rear surface 415, a flow channel through-hole 63 (see FIG. 6) through which the detergent sensor 55 extends may be defined in the flow channel body 62 of the flow channel forming portion, and a housing through-hole 442 (see FIG. 5) through which the detergent sensor 55 extends may be defined in the housing 4.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 4, the housing through-hole 442 may include a second mounting guide 442a protruding rearwards from the rear surface of the housing 4 along a periphery of the housing through-hole 442, thereby preventing liquid immersion of the detergent sensor 55 and buffering an external impact.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 6, the flow channel through-hole 63 may include a first mounting guide 631 extending along a periphery of the flow channel through-hole 63 so as to be in contact with the chamber rear surface 415. Accordingly, the water and detergent flowing along the flow channel assembly 62b may be prevented from being introduced into the flow channel through-hole 63 and causing the liquid immersion of the detergent sensor 55.

[0104] The first mounting guide 631 and the second mounting guide 442a may be connected to each other to prevent leakage of the water and detergent flowing along the flow channel assembly 62b.

[0105] In one example, as shown in FIG. 3, a mounting sensor 9 may be further disposed in the detergent supply apparatus D such that the controller may determine whether the drawer 5 is inserted into the housing 4.

[0106] The mounting sensor 9 may include a sensor that is fixed to the housing 4 and generates an electrical signal when the drawer 5 is inserted into the chamber 41, and a connection terminal that supplies power to the sensor or transmits the signal generated by the sensor to the outside.

[0107] The sensor may be formed as a contact sensor that generates the electrical signal when coming into contact with a sensing protrusion 92 disposed on the rear surface of the body 51, and the connection terminal may transmit the electrical signal to the controller when the sensor generates the electrical signal. As shown in FIG. 4, a mounting portion 441 may be disposed in the housing 4 to fix the mounting sensor 9.

[0108] A sensing protrusion insertion hole 441a into which the sensing protrusion 92 is inserted may be defined in the mounting portion 441.

[0109] Even when the body 51 is inserted into the chamber 41, the panel 53 is positioned outside the housing 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the panel 53 may be formed in a shape capable of closing the partition through-hole 124 defined in the cabinet cover 12.

[0110] The pumps may include a first pump 7 that allows the detergent stored in the first storage 511 to flow to the first detergent supply port 431, and a second pump 8 that allows the detergent stored in the second storage 512 to flow to the second detergent supply port 432.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 3, the first pump 7 and the second pump 8 are fixed to a chamber rear surface 415 forming the rear surface of the housing. The first pump 7 may be connected to the first discharge valve 515 when the drawer 5 is inserted into the chamber 41, and the second pump 8 may be connected to the second discharge valve 517 when the drawer 5 is inserted into the chamber 41.

[0112] The first pump 7 may include a first pump body 71 that is fixed to the chamber rear surface 415 and positioned outside the chamber 41, a first pump suction port 72 that is inserted into the first detergent outlet 451, is positioned inside the chamber 41, and supplies the detergent into the first pump body 71, a first pump discharge port 73 that discharges the detergent inside the first pump body 71, and a first connection pipe 74 that connects the first pump discharge port 73 with the first detergent supply port 431 on the chamber rear surface 415.

[0113] The second pump 8 may include a second pump body 81 that is fixed to the chamber rear surface 415 and positioned outside the chamber 41, a second pump suction port 82 that is inserted into the second detergent outlet 452, is positioned inside the chamber 41, and supplies the detergent into the second pump body 81, a second pump discharge port 83 that discharges the detergent inside the second pump body 81, and a second connection pipe 84 that connects the second pump discharge port 83 with the second detergent supply port 432 on the chamber rear surface.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 8, the panel 53 may be fixed to the front surface of the body 51.

[0115] The body 51 may include a body front surface 51a to which the panel 53 is fixed, a body top surface 51b on which the cover 52 is mounted, a body bottom surface 51c forming a bottom surface of the drawer, and a body rear surface 51d forming a rear surface of the drawer.

[0116] To fix the panel 53, a panel mounting portion 54 may be defined in the body front surface 51a. The panel mounting portion 54 may be defined as a mounting groove having a shape in which the body front surface 51a is concavely bent towards the storages 511 and 512.

[0117] A fixing portion for fixing the panel 53 is disposed inside the mounting groove 54. The fixing portion may include a first fixing portion 543 protruding from the mounting groove 54 toward the panel 53 and a second fixing portion 544 protruding from the mounting groove 54 toward the panel 53. The first fixing portion 543 may be disposed in an upper area of the mounting groove, and the second fixing portion 544 may be disposed in a lower area of the mounting groove (located under the first fixing portion).

[0118] As shown in FIG. 8, the panel 53 may be formed as a panel body 533 fixed to the body front surface 51a. A handle 536 allowing the user to extend the drawer 5 from the housing 4 may be disposed at a lower end of the panel body 533.

[0119] The panel 53 includes a fastening portion 531 and 532 disposed on the panel body 533 and coupled to the fixing portion 543 and 544. When the fixing portion includes the first fixing portion 543 and the second fixing portion 544, the fastening portion may include a first fastening portion 531 coupled to the first fixing portion 543 and a second fastening portion 532 coupled to the second fixing portion 544.

[0120] The detergent sensor 55 may be fixed to the body partition wall 513 and at least partially extend through the first storage 511 or the second storage 512 to sense a presence or a remaining amount of the detergent in the first storage 511 or the second storage 512.

[0121] The detergent sensor 55 may include a first electrode and a second electrode in communication with the first storage 511. The first electrode and the second electrode may be electrically connected to each other when an amount of the detergent stored in the first storage 511 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. That is, when a current is applied to the first electrode, and when the amount of the detergent stored in the first storage 511 is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the current may be applied to the second electrode through the detergent inside. Accordingly, it may be sensed whether the predetermined amount or more of the detergent (a liquid detergent or a fabric softener) is stored in the first storage 511.

[0122] The detergent sensor 55 may include a third electrode and a fourth electrode in communication with the second storage 512. The first electrode and the third electrode may be electrically connected to each other when an amount of the detergent stored in the second storage 512 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. That is, when a current is applied to the third electrode, and when the amount of the detergent stored in the second storage 512 is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the current may be applied to the fourth electrode through the detergent inside. Accordingly, it may be sensed whether the predetermined amount or more of the detergent (the liquid detergent or the fabric softener) is stored in the second storage 512.

[0123] The detergent sensor 55 may sense the detergents inside the first storage 511 and the second storage 512. In this case, the first electrode, the second electrode, the third electrode, and the fourth electrode may be disposed in the detergent sensor 55, and the electrodes may be connected to each other for the current to be applied or for the applied current to be sensed.

[0124] The sensing protrusion 92 that is inserted into the sensing protrusion insertion hole 441a and sensed by the mounting sensor 9 may be disposed on the body rear surface 51d and extend rearwards.

[0125] To prevent the drawer 5 from being extended from the chamber 41 by a predetermined distance or more, not being fixed thereto, and falling, a limiting protrusion 518 that is interfered with by a stopper 614 to be described later may be disposed in the body 51 to restrict the drawer 5 from being extended from the chamber 41 by the predetermined distance or more.

[0126] The limiting protrusion 518 may be formed in a shape of a protrusion protruding upwards on a rib protruding rearwards from the body rear surface 51d. Accordingly, when the drawer 5 is extended from and retracted into the chamber 41 by a distance equal to or smaller than the predetermined distance, the interference with the stopper 614 may be minimized.

[0127] Support ribs 519 supported upwards by the flanges 46 disposed on the chamber first side surface 413 and the chamber second side surface 414 may be disposed on both side surfaces of the body 51 of the drawer 5.

[0128] The support rib 519 may extend in a direction in which the drawer 5 is extended from and retracted into the chamber 41 and guide the extension and the retraction of the drawer 5.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 7, the first side surface 612 and the second side surface 613 of the fixed body 61 of the flow channel forming portion 6 may press the support ribs 519 toward a center in the width direction of the chamber 41, respectively.

[0130] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first side surface 612 and the second side surface 613 may be disposed only at a front side of the top surface 611 of the fixed body 61, and press the support ribs 519 when the drawer 5 is almost fully extended. Accordingly, an increase in a separation distance between the chamber 41 and the drawer 5, which may occur because of a draft angle formed during molding of the chamber 41, may be compensated.

[0131] The stopper 614 may be formed at the first side surface 612 or the second side surface 613. The stopper 614 may have a shape of a groove in which a portion of the first side surface 612 or the second side surface 613 is recessed, and may be integrally formed with the first side surface 612 or the second side surface 613.

[0132] As shown in FIG. 5, the flange 46 may include a flow channel forming portion through-hole 461 through which the first side surface 612 or the second side surface 613 is inserted. Accordingly, the fixing of the flow channel forming portion 461 to the chamber 41 may be assisted, and flatness of a mold of the flow channel forming portion 461 may be improved.

[0133] FIGS. 9 and 10 show a state in which the flow channel forming portion 6 is inserted into the chamber 41 having the chamber water supply port 42, the chamber detergent supply port 43, and the detergent outlet 45.

[0134] The detergent outlet 45 may include the first detergent outlet 451 and the second detergent outlet 452 in which the suction ports of the pumps 7 and 8 are respectively mounted, and the chamber detergent supply port 43 may include the first detergent supply port 431 and the second detergent supply port 432 to which the discharge ports of the pump 7 and 8 are respectively connected.

[0135] Because the detergent that has flowed through the first detergent supply port 431 and the second detergent supply port 432 of the chamber detergent supply port 43 should be guided by the flow channel forming portion 6 to the chamber outlet 417 and be discharged to the tub 2, the first detergent supply port 431 and the second detergent supply port 432 may be disposed to be in communication with the flow channel assembly 62b.

[0136] The first detergent outlet 451 and the second detergent outlet 452 should be in communication with a relatively lower side of the drawer 5 so as to efficiently withdraw the detergent stored in the drawer 5 even when there is only a small amount of the detergent, and thus, may extend through a lower side of the chamber rear surface 415.

[0137] FIG. 11 shows that the flow channel forming portion 6 is fixed to the chamber 41. The first detergent outlet 451 and the second detergent outlet 452 do not interfere with the flow channel forming portion 6, thereby preventing the water and detergent in the flow channel assembly 62b from being withdrawn and contaminated, and simplifying a structure of the flow channel forming portion 6.

[0138] The chamber water supply port 42 may include the first water supply port 421 to which the first valve 252a is connected, the second water supply port 422 to which the second valve 252b is connected, and the third water supply port 423 to which the third valve 252c is connected.

[0139] Because water discharged through the first water supply port 421, the second water supply port 422, and the second water supply port 423 of the chamber water supply port 42 should be guided by the flow channel forming portion 6 to the chamber outlet 417 and be discharged to the tub 2, the first water supply port 421, the second water supply port 422, and the second water supply port 423 may be disposed to be in communication with the flow channel assembly 62b.

[0140] As described above, FIG. 11 shows that the first water supply port 421, the second water supply port 422, the third water supply port 423, the first detergent supply port 431, and the second detergent supply port 432 extend through the chamber rear surface 415 and are in communication with the flow channel forming portion 6, and the first detergent outlet 451 and the second detergent outlet 452 extends through the chamber rear surface 415, but are not in communication with the flow channel forming portion 6.

[0141] FIG. 12 shows that the drawer 5 is retracted into the chamber 41 in FIG. 10.

[0142] The water supply 25 connected to the chamber water supply port 42 and the pumps 7 and 8 may be fixed to the rear surface of the housing 4. A predetermined volume may be essential for control and operation of the water supply 25 and the pumps 7 and 8. Accordingly, a width in the width direction of the housing 4 may be set to be greater than a width in a height direction or the like of the housing 4, and the water supply 25 may be connected to one side in the width direction of the housing 4 and the pumps 7 and 8 may be connected to the other side in the width direction of the housing 4.

[0143] Different types of detergent may be accommodated in the first storage 511 and the second storage 512 within the drawer 5, and one storage may have a greater width such that more detergent may be accommodated therein depending on the type. In this case, because the detergent sensor 55 is fixed to the body partition wall 513, it may be fixed to be biased toward one side in the width direction of the housing 4.

[0144] Because the chamber water supply port 42 is disposed at a position extending in a front and rear direction of the housing 4 from the water supply 25, the chamber water supply port 42 may be disposed at the same position as the water supply 25 in the width direction of the housing 4.

[0145] In consideration of an arrangement between the chamber water supply port 42, the detergent sensor 55, and the pumps 7 and 8, when the chamber water supply port 42 is disposed at one side in the width direction of the housing 4 and the first pump 7 and the second pump 8 are disposed in parallel with each other at the other side in the width direction of the housing 4, the detergent sensor 55 may be fixed between the first pump 7 and the second pump 8 because it is relatively small in volume. That is, when the water supply 25 is fixed to one side in the width direction of the housing 4, the housing through-hole 442 and the second mounting guide 442a may be relatively disposed at the other side in the width direction of the housing 4.

[0146] The first water supply port 421, the second water supply port 422, the third water supply port 423, the first detergent supply port 431, and the second detergent supply port 432 may be in communication with the flow channel assembly 62b. In this case, in consideration of interference and arrangement between the first valve 252a, the second valve 252b, and the third valve 253c, and the first connection pipe 74 and the second connection pipe 84, the first water supply port 421, the second water supply port 422, and the third water supply port 423 may be disposed at one side in the width direction of the housing 4, and the first detergent supply port 431 and the second detergent supply port 432 may be relatively disposed at the other side in the width direction of the housing 4.

[0147] FIG. 13 shows a process in which the detergents stored in the first storage 511 and the second storage 512 flow to the chamber 41.

[0148] When the first pump 7 is in operation, the detergent inside the first storage 511 flows to the first pump body 71 through the first pump suction port 72. The detergent inside the first pump body 71 is discharged to the first detergent supply port 431 through the first connection pipe 74.

[0149] When the second pump 8 is in operation, the detergent inside the second storage 512 flows to the second pump body 81 through the second pump suction port 82. The detergent inside the second pump body 81 is discharged to the second detergent supply port 432 through the second connection pipe 84.

[0150] Hereinafter, a process of discharging the detergent that has flowed to the detergent supply ports 431 and 432 to the chamber bottom surface 412 will be described with reference to FIG. 15.

[0151] The detergents discharged into the chamber 41 through the first detergent supply port 431 and the second detergent supply port 432 will be positioned between the flow channel body 62 and the chamber rear surface 415. In this state, when water is supplied through one of the first water supply port 421, the second water supply port 422, and the third water supply port 423, the detergents may flow to the outside of the chamber 41 together with water.

[0152] When water is supplied through the first water supply port 421 as an example, when the first valve 252a opens the first water supply pipe 251a, water from the water supply source is supplied through the first water supply port 421 to the flow channel defined between the flow channel body 62 and the chamber rear surface 415 (the fluid flow path formed by the flow channel body and the chamber rear surface).

[0153] Water introduced into the flow channel flows together with the detergent supplied into the flow channel, and is discharged to the chamber bottom surface 412 through the first outlet 626, the second outlet 627, and the third outlet 628. The detergent discharged to the chamber bottom surface 412 may flow to the tub inlet 24 through the chamber outlet 417.

[0154] Because the first detergent supply port 431 to which the first connection pipe 74 is fixed and the second detergent supply port 432 to which the second connection pipe 84 is fixed are disposed inside the flow channel, the detergent supply apparatus of the present disclosure may prevent problems that may occur because of the remaining detergent in the first detergent supply port 431 and the second detergent supply port 432.

[0155] In one example, when the first water supply port 421 is positioned between the second water supply port 422 and the third water supply port 423, there is a possibility that water discharged from the first water supply port 421 may flow to the adjacent water supply ports 422 and 423.

[0156] In the case of the detergent supply apparatus D having the above-described structure (when the third outlet is located under the second water supply port), there is a possibility that water discharged from the first water supply port 421 may be supplied to the third water supply port 423. When water discharged from the first water supply port 421 is supplied to the third water supply port 423, there is a possibility of causing problems such as leakage or deterioration of durability of the third valve 252c. To prevent the above-described problems, a water supply port partition wall 64 positioned between the first water supply port 421 and the third water supply port 423 may be disposed in the flow channel body 62.

[0157] The first outlet 626 may be disposed downward of the second outlet 627 or the third outlet 628. Accordingly, the water and detergent that have not been discharged to the chamber outlet 417 through the second outlet 627 or the third outlet 628 may be finally discharged through the first outlet 626.

[0158] The second outlet 627 or the third outlet 628 may be disposed under the first flow channel 629a. Accordingly, the portion of the water and detergent discharged to the first flow channel 629a that is not guided to the second flow channel 629b may be discharged through the second outlet 627 and the third outlet 628.

[0159] Accordingly, a lower central portion of the first flow channel 629a may be in communication with the second flow channel 629b, and both ends of the first flow channel 629a may be in communication with the second outlet 627 and the third outlet 628.

[0160] The chamber water supply port 42 may supply water to the first flow channel 629a. Therefore, water may flow throughout the flow channel assembly 62b, thereby minimizing contamination caused by the remaining detergent.

[0161] The pumps 7 and 8 may supply the detergent to the second flow channel 629b. Accordingly, the detergent remaining in the first detergent supply port 431 and the second detergent supply port 432 may be minimized by water falling on the first flow channel 629a and a flow rate and a hydraulic pressure thereof, thereby preventing a clogging phenomenon.

[0162] The fourth guide 624 may be disposed to be biased to one side in the width direction of the housing 4, the fifth guide 625 may be disposed to be biased to the other side in the width direction of the housing 4, and at least portions of the fourth guide 624 and the fifth guide 625 may be inclined downwards toward the first outlet. Accordingly, a force by which water falls because of gravity is concentrated in one outlet, so that amounts of water and detergent remaining in the flow channel assembly 62b may be minimized.

[0163] The fourth guide 624 may include a first rib 624a extending from the first flow channel 629a toward the chamber bottom surface 412, a second rib 624b extending from an end of the first rib 624a toward the other side (the side on which the fifth guide 625 is disposed), and a third rib 624c inclined downwards from an end of the second rib 624b and in contact with the first outlet 626.

[0164] The fifth guide 625 may include a fourth rib 625a extending from the first flow channel 629a toward the chamber bottom surface 412, and a fifth rib 625b inclined downwards from an end of the fourth rib 625a and in contact with the first outlet 626.

[0165] Therefore, unlike the fifth guide 625, the fourth guide 624 includes the second rib 624b that guides water from one side where the water supply ports 421, 422, and 423 are disposed to the other side in the width direction of the housing 4, so that a flow rate of the water and detergent discharged to the third rib 624c is similar to that at the fifth rib 625b of the fifth guide 625, thereby minimizing a backflow phenomenon of the water and detergent.

[0166] The second outlet 627 may be formed between the first rib 624a and the second guide 622.

[0167] The third outlet 628 may be formed between the fourth rib 625a and the third guide 623.

[0168] At least one of the water supply ports 421, 422, and 423 in communication with the first flow channel 629a may be in communication with an upper portion of the first rib 624a, at least one thereof may be in communication with an upper portion of the second outlet 627, and at least one thereof may be in communication with an upper portion of the second rib 624c.

[0169] Specifically, the first water supply port 421 may be in communication with the upper portion of the first rib 624a, so that water discharged through the first water supply port 421 may be guided to the first discharge port 626 and the third outlet 628 by the first rib 624a.

[0170] The third water supply port 423 may be in communication with the second rib 624b and strongly push the detergent supplied to the second flow channel 629b with the hydraulic pressure, and the water supply port partition wall 64 may be disposed between the first water supply port 421 and the third water supply port 423 and minimize water of the first water supply 421 from flowing back to the third water supply port 423.

[0171] At least one of the detergent supply ports 431 and 432 in communication with the second flow channel 629b may be in communication with an upper portion of the first discharge port 626, and at least one thereof may be in communication with an upper portion of the second rib 624b.

[0172] Specifically, the first detergent supply port 431 may be disposed above the second rib 624b, so that the detergent may be smoothly discharged by the flow rate and the hydraulic pressure of water falling from the first water supply port 421 and the third water supply port 423, and an amount of the detergent remaining in the first detergent supply port 431 may be minimized.

[0173] The second detergent supply port 432 may be disposed adjacent to an upper side of the first discharge port 626, so that the detergent may be smoothly discharged by the hydraulic pressure and the flow rate of water falling by the third rib 624c of the fourth guide 624 and the fifth rib 625b of the fifth guide 625, and an amount of the detergent remaining in the second detergent supply port 432 may be minimized.

[0174] A partial area of the flow channel through-hole 63 may be disposed on the first flow channel 629a, and the remaining area thereof may be disposed on the second flow channel 629b. In addition, the flow channel through-hole 63 may be defined above the first discharge port 626.

[0175] Water flowing through the fourth guide 624 may be guided to the first outlet 626 through the flow channel through-hole 63 and the first mounting guide 631.

[0176] In addition, water flowing through the fifth guide 625 may be guided to the first outlet 626 through the flow channel through-hole 63 and the first mounting guide 631.

[0177] In addition, flow of water, discharged to the water supply ports 421, 422, and 423 through an upper end of the first flow channel 629a, the flow channel through-hole 63, and the first mounting guide 631, from one side to the other side of the first flow channel 629a may be assisted.

[0178] FIG. 14 shows that the detergent inside the drawer 5 is withdrawn through the first pump suction port 72 extending through the first detergent outlet 451, and FIG. 15 shows that the detergent withdrawn from the drawer 5 by the first pump 7 is discharged to the second flow channel 629b through the first detergent supply port 431.

[0179] FIGS. 14 and 15 show that the flow channel forming portion 6 is accommodated in the chamber 41. A separation distance t1 between the first flow channel 629a and the chamber rear surface 415 may be greater than a separation distance t2 between the second flow channel 629b and the chamber rear surface 415.

[0180] The water and detergent flowing through the first flow channel 629a are discharged in a dispersed manner to the first discharge port 626, the second outlet 627, and the third outlet 628, and the water and detergent flowing through the second flow channel 629b are discharged to the first discharge port 626, so that a difference between the separation distances may be formed.

[0181] Therefore, the water and detergent may be filled in the flow channels to a reference level or higher and flow such that the inside of the first flow channel 629a and the second flow channel 629b are continuously cleaned.

[0182] The separation distance t1 between the first flow channel 629a and the chamber rear surface 415 and the separation distance t2 between the second flow channel 629b and the chamber rear surface 415 may be designed such that the water and detergent in the second flow channel 629b do not flow back to the first flow channel 629a.

[0183] The first detergent outlet 451 and the second detergent outlet 452 of the detergent outlet 45 may be disposed at positions lower than the first detergent supply port 431 and the second detergent supply port 432 of the chamber detergent supply port 43 so as to increase a detergent suction efficiency of the drawer 5 (use a head difference when an amount of remaining detergent is small) and avoid interference with the flow channel forming portion 6.

[0184] Hereinafter, a process in which the water and detergent supplied to the flow channel body 62 are discharged to the chamber bottom surface 412 will be described with reference to FIG. 16.

[0185] The housing 4 may include the chamber 41 providing the space therein, the drawer 5 may be extendable from the chamber 41, and the flow channel forming portion 6 may be disposed inside the chamber 41.

[0186] The detergent stored in the first storage 511 or the second storage 512 of the drawer 5 may flow to the first pump body 71 or the second pump body 81 when the first pump 7 or the second pump 8 is in operation.

[0187] The detergent flowed to the first pump body 71 or the second pump body 82 may be discharged through the first detergent supply port 431 or the second detergent supply port 432 formed on the chamber rear surface 415.

[0188] The detergent discharged through the first detergent supply port 431 or the second detergent supply port 432 may be discharged to the second flow channel 629b of the flow channel body 62.

[0189] In this state, when water is supplied to the first flow channel 629a through one of the first water supply port 421, the second water supply port 422, and the third water supply port 423, the detergent discharged to the second flow channel 629b may be discharged through the first discharge port 626 or the like by a pressure or the like of water falling by gravity from the first flow channel 629a.

[0190] The first water supply port 421, the second water supply port 422, and the third water supply port 423 may be disposed to be biased to one side in the width direction of the detergent supply apparatus D.

[0191] A length of the fourth guide 624 disposed under the first guide 621 and extending to be biased toward the one side may be greater than a length of the fifth guide 625 extending to be biased toward the other side of the first guide 621, and the first detergent supply port 431 or the second detergent supply port 432 may be disposed to be adjacent to the fourth guide 624.

[0192] Accordingly, the detergent is smoothly discharged by the pressure or the like of water flowing from the one side to the other side, and the first detergent supply port 431 or the second detergent supply port 432 is cleaned, thereby preventing the clogging phenomenon of the pumps 7 and 8.

[0193] FIGS. 17 and 18 show an embodiment of the cabinet cover 12 of the present disclosure.

[0194] As described above, the cabinet cover 12 may include the first area 121 and the second area (rear space) 122 divided by the partition wall 123. The first area 121 may be defined as the front space of the cabinet cover 12 and the inlet 125 may be defined in the first area 121, and the second area 122 may be defined as the rear space of the cabinet cover 12 and the detergent supply apparatus D and the water supply 25 may be located in the second area 122.

[0195] The partition wall through-hole 124 may be defined in the partition wall 123, and the partition wall through-hole 124 may connect the inlet 125 with the second area 122 through the partition wall 123.

[0196] The partition through-hole 124 may extend through the partition 123 to connect the inlet 125 with a mounting space bottom surface 127c. Accordingly, water, the detergent, and the like to be leaked to the mounting space bottom surface 127c are guided to the inlet 125, thereby minimizing hygiene and safety issues.

[0197] The laundry treating apparatus 100 may include the mounting space 127 fixed to the cabinet cover 12 so as to be located in the second area 122 and in which the housing 4 of the detergent supply apparatus is mounted.

[0198] A drain hole 127a defined to be in communication with the tub 2 may be defined in the mounting space bottom surface 127c to drain water that has not been guided to the inlet 125.

[0199] The water supply 25 may be fixed to the mounting space 127. The water supply 25 may include the water supply pipe 251 and the valve 252 that controls the opening and closing of the water supply pipe in response to the control signal of the controller (not shown).

[0200] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the water supply 25 may be fixed to a water supply pipe mounting portion 127b disposed at a rear surface of the mounting space 127 and connected to the detergent supply apparatus D.

[0201] A control panel fixing portion 123a to which the control panel 129 is fixed may be disposed at the partition wall 123. Accordingly, the detergent supply apparatus D mounted in the mounting space 127 may be shielded by the control panel 129, thereby improving aesthetics of the laundry treating apparatus 100.

[0202] An embodiment of the control panel 129 is shown in FIGS. 19 and 20.

[0203] The control panel 129 may include a fixing protrusion 129b fixed to the control panel fixing portion 123a of the partition wall 123.

[0204] The control panel 129 may be formed as an inclined surface fixed to the partition wall 123 and extending upward rearwards, and a cover rear panel 129 connecting an end of the control panel 129 with the rear surface of the mounting space 127 may be disposed.

[0205] Accordingly, it may be advantageous for the user to manipulate the input part 129a or the like of the control panel 129 from a position in front of and upward of the laundry treating apparatus 100, and integrity of the exterior may be increased as the detergent supply apparatus D disposed in the mounting space 127 is not exposed to the outside because of the cover rear panel 128 even when viewing the laundry treating apparatus 100 from the rear.

[0206] A water supply pipe fixing portion 128b connected to the water supply pipe mounting portion 127b may be disposed at the cover rear panel 128. The water supply pipe 251 mounted on an upper portion of the water supply pipe mounting portion 127b may be fixed by the water supply pipe fixing portion 128b, so that the water supply 25 may be stably fixed to the inside of the cabinet 1.

[0207] The cover rear panel 128 may include a plurality of ventilation holes 128a that allowing the inside and the outside of the cabinet 1 to be in communication with each other. Accordingly, the detergent supply apparatus D, the tub 2, and the like in a wet environment may be assisted with ventilation, thereby improving the hygiene.

[0208] The ventilation holes 128b may assist cooling of an electrical component (PCB) accommodating portion 129c disposed in the control panel 129 to be described later, thereby improving safety of the laundry treating apparatus 100.

[0209] FIG. 21 shows a rear surface of the cabinet cover 12 from which the cover rear panel 128 is removed, and FIG. 22 shows the rear surface of the cabinet cover 12 on which the cover rear panel 128 is mounted.

[0210] The electrical component accommodating portion 129c in which a circuit board that controls the input part 129a, the display, or the like, and an electrical component (the PCB or the like) of the laundry treating apparatus 100 are accommodated may be disposed at the rear surface of the control panel 129.

[0211] The water supply pipe 251 may be exposed to the outside of the rear surface of the cabinet cover 12 to be in communication with the external water supply source.

[0212] One end of the detergent sensor 55 may be in communication with the drawer 5 and the other end thereof may be exposed to the outside of the cabinet cover 12, so that the current may be easily applied.

[0213] Because the above-described detergent supply apparatus and laundry treating apparatus are only the preferred embodiments, the scope of the present application is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0048]Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. When a term used herein conflicts with a general meaning of the corresponding term, the definition as used herein shall prevail.

[0049]As shown in FIG. 1, a laundry treating apparatus 100 may include a cabinet 1, a tub 2 that is disposed inside the cabinet and stores water therein, and a drum 3 that is rotatably disposed inside the tub and stores an object-to-be-washed (laundry or the like).

[0050]The cabinet 1 may include a cabinet body 11 providing a space in which the tub 2 is accommodated, and a cabinet cover 12 fixed to the cabinet body 11 and forming a top surface of the laundry treating apparatus.

[0051]The cabinet cover 12 may include a control panel 129. The control panel 129 may in...

[0001] Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a), this application claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0145129, filed on Oct. 22, 2024, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSUREField of the Disclosure

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a detergent supply apparatus and a laundry treating apparatus having the detergent supply apparatus.Discussion of the Related Art

[0003] A laundry treating apparatus that removes dirt from an object-to-be-washed (laundry or the like) using water includes a tub where water is stored, a drum that is rotatably disposed inside the tub and stores the laundry therein, a water supply that supplies water to the tub, and a water discharger that drains water stored in the tub.

[0004] To easily remove dirt, among existing laundry treating apparatuses, there is one having a detergent supply apparatus that supplies a detergent to the tub. Among existing detergent supply apparatuses, there is one including a drawer extendable from a cabinet of the laundry treating apparatus and a detergent flow channel that is defined in the drawer and guides the detergent to the tub.

[0005] Because the water supply is constructed to supply water to the detergent flow channel, the above-described existing detergent supply apparatus operates in a manner that the detergent introduced into the detergent flow channel is supplied to the tub together with water when the water supply is operated (Publication No. 10-2020-0007549). However, the above-described detergent supply apparatus has a possibility of injecting the detergent more than necessary, and there is an inconvenience in that a user has to inject the detergent into the detergent flow channel whenever washing is required.

[0006] To solve the above-described disadvantages, among the existing detergent supply apparatuses, there is an automatic detergent supply apparatus that automatically supplies the detergent to the tub during the washing (Patent Publication No. 10-2023-0059504). The existing automatic detergent supply apparatus has a structure including a housing that guides the water and detergent to be introduced into the tub, a drawer extendable from the housing, a storage that is defined in the drawer and provides a space in which the detergent is stored, a pump that allows the detergent inside the storage to flow to the housing when the drawer is inserted into the housing, and a water supply that supplies water into the housing.

[0007] In this case, an importance of an arrangement structure of a flow channel through which the water and detergent flow inside the housing is emphasized in consideration of a storage capacity or the like of the detergent relative to a volume of the detergent supply apparatus.

[0008] In addition, an arrangement of a point at which the water supply is connected to the housing and a point at which the detergent is supplied to the housing from the pump may become a problem.

[0009] For example, when a flow channel for guiding water supplied from the water supply to the tub and a flow channel for guiding the detergent inside the storage to the tub are arranged to overlap each other, a viscid detergent is easily dissolved in water and guided. Therefore, it is important in the art to effectively place the flow channel that guides the water and detergent in the housing.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0010] The present disclosure is intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus having a detergent supply apparatus in which a structure of a flow channel forming portion through which water and a detergent flow is optimized.

[0011] The present disclosure is intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus including a detergent supply apparatus in which an amount of a detergent, which has been discharged from a storage to a flow channel forming portion, remaining in a detergent discharge port is minimized.

[0012] The present disclosure is intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus including a detergent supply apparatus in which an arrangement of components is optimized.

[0013] The present disclosure is intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus including a detergent supply apparatus that is easy to manage and maintain.

[0014] The present disclosure is intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus including a detergent supply apparatus in which water supplied into the detergent supply apparatus and a detergent are easily guided to a tub.

[0015] The present disclosure provides a laundry treating apparatus including: a tub constructed to store water therein; a drum rotatably disposed inside the tub and constructed to accommodate laundry therein; and a detergent supply apparatus that receives water from a water supply and supply detergent to the tub, wherein the detergent supply apparatus includes: a housing including a chamber defining a space therein, and a chamber outlet defined in a bottom surface of the chamber and constructed to discharge water and detergent to the tub; a drawer extendable through a front surface of the chamber and providing a space where detergent is stored; and a flow channel forming portion disposed in the chamber and constructed to guide water and detergent to the bottom surface of the chamber, wherein the flow channel forming portion includes a fixed body fixed to the chamber, and a flow channel body extending from a rear edge of the fixed body toward the bottom surface of the chamber to form a flow path of water and detergent with a rear surface of the chamber.

[0016] The flow channel body may include: a flow channel assembly disposed to be spaced apart from the rear surface of the chamber to form a flow channel where water and detergent flow; and a guide assembly extending from the flow channel assembly to be in contact with the rear surface of the chamber and constructed to guide the path of water and detergent passing through the flow channel assembly.

[0017] The guide assembly may include: a first guide extending from a rear portion of the fixed body toward the rear surface of the chamber; a second guide extending from one end of the first guide toward the bottom surface of the chamber; and a third guide extending from a remaining end of the first guide toward the bottom surface of the chamber.

[0018] The guide assembly may include: a fourth guide positioned under the first guide; and a fifth guide positioned under the first guide so as to be spaced apart from the fourth guide.

[0019] A first outlet may be defined in the flow channel body, wherein the first outlet is defined between the fourth guide and the fifth guide and is constructed to discharge water and detergent introduced into a space between the flow channel body and the rear surface of the chamber to the bottom surface of the chamber.

[0020] The flow channel body may include a second outlet defined between the second guide and the fourth guide and constructed to discharge water and detergent introduced into the space between the flow channel body and the rear surface of the chamber to the bottom surface of the chamber.

[0021] The flow channel body may include a third outlet defined between the third guide and the fourth guide and constructed to discharge water and detergent introduced into the space between the flow channel body and the rear surface of the chamber to the bottom surface of the chamber.

[0022] The first outlet may be defined downward of the second outlet or the third outlet.

[0023] The flow channel assembly may include: a first flow channel formed by the first guide, the second guide, and the third guide and extending in a width direction of the housing; and a second flow channel formed under the first flow channel and formed by the fourth guide and the fifth guide.

[0024] A separation distance of the first flow channel to the rear surface of the chamber may be greater than a separation distance of the second flow channel to the rear surface of the chamber.

[0025] The second outlet or the third outlet may be defined under the first flow channel.

[0026] The water supply may supply water to the first flow channel.

[0027] The water supply may supply water to be biased toward one side in the width direction of the housing.

[0028] A plurality of water supply ports may extend through the rear surface of the chamber and transmit water supplied from the water supply to the flow channel forming portion, and the flow channel forming portion may include a water supply port partition wall extending from the flow channel assembly toward the rear surface of the chamber and constructed to prevent water discharged from one of the water supply ports from flowing back to another.

[0029] The detergent supply apparatus may further include a pump that withdraws detergent inside the drawer to the outside of the chamber and supplies withdrawn detergent to the flow channel forming portion, and

[0030] the pump may supply detergent to the second flow channel.

[0031] The present disclosure provides the laundry treating apparatus having the detergent supply apparatus in which the structure of the flow channel forming portion through which the water and detergent flow is optimized.

[0032] The present disclosure provides the laundry treating apparatus including the detergent supply apparatus in which the amount of the detergent, which has been discharged from the storage to the flow channel forming portion, remaining in the detergent discharge port is minimized. The present disclosure provides the laundry treating apparatus including the detergent supply apparatus in which the arrangement of the components is optimized.

[0033] The present disclosure provides the laundry treating apparatus including the detergent supply apparatus that is easy to manage and maintain.

[0034] The present disclosure provides the laundry treating apparatus including the detergent supply apparatus in which water supplied into the detergent supply apparatus and the detergent are easily guided to a tub.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] FIG. 1 shows an example of a laundry treating apparatus including a detergent supply apparatus.

[0036] FIGS. 2 and 3 show an example of a detergent supply apparatus.

[0037] FIGS. 4 and 5 show an example of a housing constituting a detergent supply apparatus.

[0038] FIGS. 6 and 7 show an example of a flow channel forming portion constituting a detergent supply apparatus.

[0039] FIG. 8 shows an example of a drawer constituting a detergent supply apparatus.

[0040] FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 show an example of coupling of a housing and a flow channel forming portion.

[0041] FIGS. 12, 13, and 14 show an example of a detergent supply apparatus.

[0042] FIG. 15 shows an example of coupling of a housing and a flow channel forming portion.

[0043] FIG. 16 shows an example of a detergent supply apparatus.

[0044] FIGS. 17 and 18 show an example of a cabinet cover.

[0045] FIGS. 19 and 20 show an example of coupling of a control panel and a cover rear panel.

[0046] FIG. 21 shows an example of coupling of a control panel to a cabinet cover.

[0047] FIG. 22 shows an example of coupling of a cabinet cover, a control panel, and a cover rear panel.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0048] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. When a term used herein conflicts with a general meaning of the corresponding term, the definition as used herein shall prevail.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 1, a laundry treating apparatus 100 may include a cabinet 1, a tub 2 that is disposed inside the cabinet and stores water therein, and a drum 3 that is rotatably disposed inside the tub and stores an object-to-be-washed (laundry or the like).

[0050] The cabinet 1 may include a cabinet body 11 providing a space in which the tub 2 is accommodated, and a cabinet cover 12 fixed to the cabinet body 11 and forming a top surface of the laundry treating apparatus.

[0051] The cabinet cover 12 may include a control panel 129. The control panel 129 may include an input part 129a that receives a control command from a user, and a display (not shown) that displays information (a control command selectable by the user or information related to a control command selected by the user).

[0052] The cabinet cover 12 includes an inlet 125 for supplying the laundry to the drum 3. The inlet 125 may be opened and closed by a door 126 pivotably fixed to the cabinet cover 12.

[0053] The tub 2 may be formed in various shapes as long as water may be stored. FIG. 2 shows a case in which the tub 2 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a hollow defined inside as an example.

[0054] The tub 2 may be formed as a cylindrical tub body 21. The tub body 21 is fixed to the cabinet 1 through a tub support 23. The tub support 23 may be formed as a bar having one end fixed to the cabinet cover 12 or the cabinet body 11 and the other end fixed to a circumferential surface of the tub body 21.

[0055] A tub cover 22 is fixed to a top surface of the tub body 21. The tub cover 22 may include a tub inlet 24 that allows an inside of the tub body 21 to be in communication with the outside. The tub inlet 24 may be located below the inlet 125.

[0056] The tub 2 receives water through a water supply 25, and water stored in the tub is discharged to the outside of the cabinet 1 through a water discharger 26.

[0057] The water discharger 26 may include a drain pipe 261 that guides water inside the tub body 21 to the outside of the cabinet, and a drain valve 262 that controls opening and closing of the drain pipe 261.

[0058] The drum 3, as a means positioned inside the tub body 21 to provide the space in which the laundry is stored, may be formed as a cylindrical drum body 31 having a hollow defined inside.

[0059] A drum inlet 32 defined to be positioned below the tub inlet 24 may be defined in a top surface of the drum body 31. Accordingly, the user may put the laundry into the drum body 31 through the inlet 125, the tub inlet 24, and the drum inlet 32. Drum through-holes 311 for allowing the tub body 21 and an inner space of the drum body 31 to be in communication with each other may be defined in a circumferential surface, a bottom surface, and the like of the drum body 31.

[0060] An agitator 33 that is rotatably disposed inside the drum body 31 and forms a water flow or agitates the laundry may be further disposed on the bottom surface of the drum body 31.

[0061] The drum body 31 and the agitator 33 are rotatable by a drum driver. The drum driver may include a stator 34 that is fixed to a bottom surface of the tub body 21 and forms a rotating magnetic field, a rotor 35 rotated by the rotating magnetic field, a drum shaft 37 fixed to the drum body 31 by extending through the tub body 21, and an agitator shaft 36 connecting the rotor 35 with the agitator 33 by extending through the drum shaft 37.

[0062] To control coupling between the drum shaft 37 and the rotor 35, a coupler 38 and an actuator 39 may be disposed in the drum driver. The actuator 39 may be a means for controlling a position of the coupler 38, and the coupler 38 may reciprocate between a first point and a second point by the actuator 39. In this case, the first point may be set as a point at which the coupler 38 connects the drum shaft 37 with the rotor 35, and the second point may be set as a point at which the coupler 38 separates the drum shaft 37 from the rotor 35.

[0063] The laundry treating apparatus 100 may include a detergent supply apparatus (detergent supply) D that supplies a detergent to the tub body 21. The detergent supply apparatus D may allow the detergent to flow to the tub body 21 using water supplied from the water supply 25 (the water supply may supply water to the tub body through a flow channel defined inside the detergent supply apparatus).

[0064] As shown in FIG. 2, the detergent supply apparatus D may include a housing 4 that guides water supplied from the water supply 25 to the tub body 21, a drawer 5 providing a space in which the detergent is stored and extendable from the housing 4, and pumps 7 and 8 that allow the detergent stored in the drawer 5 to flow into the housing 4.

[0065] The detergent supply apparatus D may be fixed to the cabinet cover 12. The cabinet cover 12 may include a first area 121 and a second area (rear space) 122 divided from each other by a partition wall 123. The first area 121 may be provided as a front space of the cabinet cover 12, and the inlet 125 may be defined in the first area 121. Further, the second area 122 may be provided as the rear space of the cabinet cover 12, and the detergent supply apparatus D and the water supply 25 may be positioned in the second area 122.

[0066] A partition wall through-hole 124 may be defined in the partition wall 123, and the partition wall through-hole 124 may connect the inlet 125 with the second area 122 by extending through the partition wall 123.

[0067] The laundry treating apparatus 100 may include a mounting space 127 fixed to the cabinet cover 12 so as to be located in the second area 122 and where the housing 4 of the detergent supply apparatus is mounted.

[0068] The water supply 25 may be fixed to the mounting space 127. The water supply 25 may include a water supply pipe 251 and a valve 252 that controls opening and closing of the water supply pipe in response to a control signal of a controller (not shown).

[0069] As shown in FIG. 3, the water supply pipe 251 may include a first water supply pipe 251a connected to a water supply source and a second water supply pipe 251b connected to a water supply source. The valve 252 may include a first valve 252a and a second valve 252b that control opening and closing of the first water supply pipe 251a, and a third valve 252c that controls opening and closing of the second water supply pipe 251b.

[0070] The first water supply pipe 251a and the second water supply pipe 251b may supply water of the same temperature to the detergent supply apparatus D or may supply water of different temperatures to the detergent supply apparatus D. In the former case, the first water supply source and the second water supply source may be the same water supply source. However, in the latter case, the first water supply source may be set as a water supply source for supplying cold water, and the second water supply source may be set as a water supply source for supplying hot water.

[0071] The housing 4 may include a chamber 41 providing a space in which the drawer 5 is accommodated.

[0072] The chamber 41 may be formed by a chamber bottom surface 412 supported in the mounting space 127, a chamber first side surface 413 and a chamber second side surface 414 disposed at both side edges of the chamber bottom surface, a chamber top surface 411 connected to the two side surfaces 413 and 414 to form a top surface of the housing, and a chamber rear surface 415 connected to the two side surfaces 413 and 414 to form a rear surface of the housing.

[0073] A flange 46 that guides a path through which the drawer 5 is extended from and retracted into the chamber 41 and supports the drawer 5 upwards may be disposed on each of the first side surface 413 and the second side surface 414 of the chamber 41.

[0074] A chamber entrance 416 allowing the chamber 41 to be in communication with the outside is defined in a front surface of the chamber 41. The drawer 5 may be inserted into the chamber 41 or withdrawn from the chamber 41 through the chamber entrance 416.

[0075] A chamber outlet 416 that discharges fluid inside the chamber 41 to the outside of the chamber (the tub inlet or the like) may defined in the bottom surface 412 of the chamber. The chamber bottom surface 412 may be formed as an inclined surface inclined downwards toward the chamber outlet 416 to facilitate the discharge of the fluid inside the chamber 41 to the outside (to minimize a possibility of remaining of the fluid).

[0076] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the chamber 41, and FIG. 5 is a front view of the chamber 41.

[0077] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a chamber water supply port 42 that supplies water into the chamber 41 is disposed on the chamber rear surface 415. The chamber water supply port 42 may include a first water supply port 421 to which the first valve 252a is connected, a second water supply port 422 to which the second valve 252b is connected, and a third water supply port 423 to which the third valve 252c is connected.

[0078] In addition, a detergent outlet 45 that discharges the detergent inside the drawer 5 to the outside of the chamber 41 and a chamber detergent supply port 43 that supplies the detergent into the chamber 41 are disposed on the chamber rear surface 415.

[0079] The detergent outlet 45 may include a first detergent outlet 451 and a second detergent outlet 452 in which suction ports of the pumps 7 and 8 are respectively mounted, and the chamber detergent supply port 43 may include a first detergent supply port 431 and a second detergent supply port 432 to which discharge ports of the pumps 7 and 8 are respectively connected.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 3, a flow channel forming portion 6 is disposed inside the chamber 41. The flow channel forming portion 6 is a means for guiding water introduced into the chamber water supply port 42 and the detergent introduced into the chamber detergent supply port 43 to the chamber bottom surface 412.

[0081] The flow channel forming portion 6 may include a fixed body 61 fixed to the chamber 41 and a flow channel body 62 fixed to a rear side of the fixed body 61 to form a flow path of the water and detergent.

[0082] The fixed body 61 may include a top surface 611 fixed to the chamber top surface 411, a first side surface 612 fixed to the chamber first side surface 413, and a second side surface 613 fixed to the chamber second side surface 414.

[0083] The flow channel body 62 may be formed as a plate bent from a rear edge of the top surface 611 toward the chamber bottom surface 612. A free end of the flow channel body 62 may not be in contact with the chamber bottom surface 612 such that water or the detergent flowing along the flow channel body 62 is easily discharged to the chamber 41.

[0084] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a rear surface of the flow channel forming portion 6 where the flow channel body 62 is formed, and FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the flow channel forming portion 6.

[0085] The flow channel body 62 may include a flow channel assembly 62b that is spaced apart from the chamber rear surface 415 and forms the flow channel through which the water and detergent flow together with the chamber rear surface 415, and a guide assembly 62a that extends from the flow channel assembly 62b so as to be in contact with the chamber rear surface 415 to prevent the water and detergent from leaking from the flow channel assembly 62a and guide a path.

[0086] The flow channel body 62 may include a first guide 621 protruding from the rear edge of the top surface 611 toward the chamber rear surface 415, a second guide 622 extending from one end of the first guide 621 toward the chamber bottom surface 412, and a third guide 623 extending from the other end of the first guide 621 toward the chamber bottom surface 412. The second guide 622 may be disposed parallel to the chamber first side surface 413, and the third guide 623 may be disposed parallel to the chamber second side surface 414.

[0087] Each of a free end of the first guide 621, a free end of the second guide 622, and a free end of the third guide 623 is disposed to be in contact with the chamber rear surface 415. Accordingly, the flowing path of water or the detergent is formed between the flow channel body 62 and the chamber rear surface 415.

[0088] In addition, the flow channel body 62 may include a fourth guide 624 positioned under the first guide 621 and a fifth guide 625 positioned under the first guide 621, but disposed at a point spaced apart from the fourth guide 624.

[0089] A first outlet 626 that discharges the fluid (the water and detergent) introduced into the space between the flow channel body 62 and the chamber rear surface 415 to the chamber bottom surface 412 may be disposed between the fourth guide 625 and the fifth guide 626.

[0090] To facilitate the discharge of the fluid introduced into the space between the flow channel body 62 and the chamber rear surface 415, a second outlet 627 may be disposed between the fourth guide 624 and the second guide 622, and a third outlet 628 may be disposed between the fifth guide 625 and the third guide 623.

[0091] The flow channel body 62 may include a first flow channel 629a defined in the first guide 621, the second guide 622, and the third guide 623 and extending in a width direction of the housing 4, and a second flow channel 629b defined under the first flow channel 629a and formed by the fourth guide 624 and the fifth guide 625.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 3, the drawer 5 may provide the space in which the detergent is stored and may be extendable from the chamber 41.

[0093] The drawer 5 may include a body (drawer body) 51 that provides the space in which the detergent is stored and is extendable from the chamber 41 through the chamber entrance 416, a cover (drawer cover) 52 fixed to the body and positioned at a top surface of the drawer, and a panel (drawer panel) 53 fixed to a front surface of the body 51 and exposed to the outside of the chamber 41.

[0094] The body 51 may include a storage that provides the space in which the detergent is stored, an outlet that discharges the detergent in the storage to the outside of the body 51, and a discharge valve that controls opening and closing of the outlet.

[0095] FIG. 3 shows an example in which the storage includes two storage spaces separated from each other by a body partition wall 513. The storage may include a first storage 511 and a second storage 512 separated from each other by the body partition wall 513.

[0096] In this case, the outlet may include a first storage outlet 514 disposed in the first storage 511 and a second storage outlet 516 disposed in the second storage 512, and the outlet valve may include a first outlet valve 515 that controls opening and closing of the first storage outlet 514 and a second outlet valve 517 that controls opening and closing of the second storage outlet 516.

[0097] The cover 52 includes a first detergent inlet 521 through which the detergent may be introduced into the first storage 511 and a second detergent inlet 522 through which the detergent may be introduced into the second storage 512. The first detergent inlet 521 may be opened and closed by a first lid 523, and the second detergent inlet 522 may be opened and closed by a second lid 524.

[0098] The first discharge valve 515 and the second discharge valve 517 are preferably formed as valves (check valves or the like) that allow the fluid to be discharged from the respective storages 511 and 512, but block external fluid from being into the respective storages 511 and 512.

[0099] The first discharge valve 515 and the second discharge valve 517 may be connected to the respective suction ports of the pumps 7 and 8 (open the respective storage outlets) when the body 51 is inserted into the first chamber 41, and may be separated from the respective suction ports of the pumps 7 and 8 (close the respective storage outlets) when the body 51 is extended from the first chamber 41.

[0100] The detergent supply apparatus D may include a detergent sensor 55 capable of sensing whether the detergent is present in the first storage 511 and the second storage 512. The detergent sensor 55 may be fixed to the body partition wall 513 and determine whether the detergent is present in the first storage 511 and whether the detergent is present in the second storage 512.

[0101] To prevent the detergent sensor 55 from interfering with the flow channel forming portion 6 and the chamber rear surface 415, a flow channel through-hole 63 (see FIG. 6) through which the detergent sensor 55 extends may be defined in the flow channel body 62 of the flow channel forming portion, and a housing through-hole 442 (see FIG. 5) through which the detergent sensor 55 extends may be defined in the housing 4.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 4, the housing through-hole 442 may include a second mounting guide 442a protruding rearwards from the rear surface of the housing 4 along a periphery of the housing through-hole 442, thereby preventing liquid immersion of the detergent sensor 55 and buffering an external impact.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 6, the flow channel through-hole 63 may include a first mounting guide 631 extending along a periphery of the flow channel through-hole 63 so as to be in contact with the chamber rear surface 415. Accordingly, the water and detergent flowing along the flow channel assembly 62b may be prevented from being introduced into the flow channel through-hole 63 and causing the liquid immersion of the detergent sensor 55.

[0104] The first mounting guide 631 and the second mounting guide 442a may be connected to each other to prevent leakage of the water and detergent flowing along the flow channel assembly 62b.

[0105] In one example, as shown in FIG. 3, a mounting sensor 9 may be further disposed in the detergent supply apparatus D such that the controller may determine whether the drawer 5 is inserted into the housing 4.

[0106] The mounting sensor 9 may include a sensor that is fixed to the housing 4 and generates an electrical signal when the drawer 5 is inserted into the chamber 41, and a connection terminal that supplies power to the sensor or transmits the signal generated by the sensor to the outside.

[0107] The sensor may be formed as a contact sensor that generates the electrical signal when coming into contact with a sensing protrusion 92 disposed on the rear surface of the body 51, and the connection terminal may transmit the electrical signal to the controller when the sensor generates the electrical signal. As shown in FIG. 4, a mounting portion 441 may be disposed in the housing 4 to fix the mounting sensor 9.

[0108] A sensing protrusion insertion hole 441a into which the sensing protrusion 92 is inserted may be defined in the mounting portion 441.

[0109] Even when the body 51 is inserted into the chamber 41, the panel 53 is positioned outside the housing 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the panel 53 may be formed in a shape capable of closing the partition through-hole 124 defined in the cabinet cover 12.

[0110] The pumps may include a first pump 7 that allows the detergent stored in the first storage 511 to flow to the first detergent supply port 431, and a second pump 8 that allows the detergent stored in the second storage 512 to flow to the second detergent supply port 432.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 3, the first pump 7 and the second pump 8 are fixed to a chamber rear surface 415 forming the rear surface of the housing. The first pump 7 may be connected to the first discharge valve 515 when the drawer 5 is inserted into the chamber 41, and the second pump 8 may be connected to the second discharge valve 517 when the drawer 5 is inserted into the chamber 41.

[0112] The first pump 7 may include a first pump body 71 that is fixed to the chamber rear surface 415 and positioned outside the chamber 41, a first pump suction port 72 that is inserted into the first detergent outlet 451, is positioned inside the chamber 41, and supplies the detergent into the first pump body 71, a first pump discharge port 73 that discharges the detergent inside the first pump body 71, and a first connection pipe 74 that connects the first pump discharge port 73 with the first detergent supply port 431 on the chamber rear surface 415.

[0113] The second pump 8 may include a second pump body 81 that is fixed to the chamber rear surface 415 and positioned outside the chamber 41, a second pump suction port 82 that is inserted into the second detergent outlet 452, is positioned inside the chamber 41, and supplies the detergent into the second pump body 81, a second pump discharge port 83 that discharges the detergent inside the second pump body 81, and a second connection pipe 84 that connects the second pump discharge port 83 with the second detergent supply port 432 on the chamber rear surface.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 8, the panel 53 may be fixed to the front surface of the body 51.

[0115] The body 51 may include a body front surface 51a to which the panel 53 is fixed, a body top surface 51b on which the cover 52 is mounted, a body bottom surface 51c forming a bottom surface of the drawer, and a body rear surface 51d forming a rear surface of the drawer.

[0116] To fix the panel 53, a panel mounting portion 54 may be defined in the body front surface 51a. The panel mounting portion 54 may be defined as a mounting groove having a shape in which the body front surface 51a is concavely bent towards the storages 511 and 512.

[0117] A fixing portion for fixing the panel 53 is disposed inside the mounting groove 54. The fixing portion may include a first fixing portion 543 protruding from the mounting groove 54 toward the panel 53 and a second fixing portion 544 protruding from the mounting groove 54 toward the panel 53. The first fixing portion 543 may be disposed in an upper area of the mounting groove, and the second fixing portion 544 may be disposed in a lower area of the mounting groove (located under the first fixing portion).

[0118] As shown in FIG. 8, the panel 53 may be formed as a panel body 533 fixed to the body front surface 51a. A handle 536 allowing the user to extend the drawer 5 from the housing 4 may be disposed at a lower end of the panel body 533.

[0119] The panel 53 includes a fastening portion 531 and 532 disposed on the panel body 533 and coupled to the fixing portion 543 and 544. When the fixing portion includes the first fixing portion 543 and the second fixing portion 544, the fastening portion may include a first fastening portion 531 coupled to the first fixing portion 543 and a second fastening portion 532 coupled to the second fixing portion 544.

[0120] The detergent sensor 55 may be fixed to the body partition wall 513 and at least partially extend through the first storage 511 or the second storage 512 to sense a presence or a remaining amount of the detergent in the first storage 511 or the second storage 512.

[0121] The detergent sensor 55 may include a first electrode and a second electrode in communication with the first storage 511. The first electrode and the second electrode may be electrically connected to each other when an amount of the detergent stored in the first storage 511 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. That is, when a current is applied to the first electrode, and when the amount of the detergent stored in the first storage 511 is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the current may be applied to the second electrode through the detergent inside. Accordingly, it may be sensed whether the predetermined amount or more of the detergent (a liquid detergent or a fabric softener) is stored in the first storage 511.

[0122] The detergent sensor 55 may include a third electrode and a fourth electrode in communication with the second storage 512. The first electrode and the third electrode may be electrically connected to each other when an amount of the detergent stored in the second storage 512 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. That is, when a current is applied to the third electrode, and when the amount of the detergent stored in the second storage 512 is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the current may be applied to the fourth electrode through the detergent inside. Accordingly, it may be sensed whether the predetermined amount or more of the detergent (the liquid detergent or the fabric softener) is stored in the second storage 512.

[0123] The detergent sensor 55 may sense the detergents inside the first storage 511 and the second storage 512. In this case, the first electrode, the second electrode, the third electrode, and the fourth electrode may be disposed in the detergent sensor 55, and the electrodes may be connected to each other for the current to be applied or for the applied current to be sensed.

[0124] The sensing protrusion 92 that is inserted into the sensing protrusion insertion hole 441a and sensed by the mounting sensor 9 may be disposed on the body rear surface 51d and extend rearwards.

[0125] To prevent the drawer 5 from being extended from the chamber 41 by a predetermined distance or more, not being fixed thereto, and falling, a limiting protrusion 518 that is interfered with by a stopper 614 to be described later may be disposed in the body 51 to restrict the drawer 5 from being extended from the chamber 41 by the predetermined distance or more.

[0126] The limiting protrusion 518 may be formed in a shape of a protrusion protruding upwards on a rib protruding rearwards from the body rear surface 51d. Accordingly, when the drawer 5 is extended from and retracted into the chamber 41 by a distance equal to or smaller than the predetermined distance, the interference with the stopper 614 may be minimized.

[0127] Support ribs 519 supported upwards by the flanges 46 disposed on the chamber first side surface 413 and the chamber second side surface 414 may be disposed on both side surfaces of the body 51 of the drawer 5.

[0128] The support rib 519 may extend in a direction in which the drawer 5 is extended from and retracted into the chamber 41 and guide the extension and the retraction of the drawer 5.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 7, the first side surface 612 and the second side surface 613 of the fixed body 61 of the flow channel forming portion 6 may press the support ribs 519 toward a center in the width direction of the chamber 41, respectively.

[0130] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first side surface 612 and the second side surface 613 may be disposed only at a front side of the top surface 611 of the fixed body 61, and press the support ribs 519 when the drawer 5 is almost fully extended. Accordingly, an increase in a separation distance between the chamber 41 and the drawer 5, which may occur because of a draft angle formed during molding of the chamber 41, may be compensated.

[0131] The stopper 614 may be formed at the first side surface 612 or the second side surface 613. The stopper 614 may have a shape of a groove in which a portion of the first side surface 612 or the second side surface 613 is recessed, and may be integrally formed with the first side surface 612 or the second side surface 613.

[0132] As shown in FIG. 5, the flange 46 may include a flow channel forming portion through-hole 461 through which the first side surface 612 or the second side surface 613 is inserted. Accordingly, the fixing of the flow channel forming portion 461 to the chamber 41 may be assisted, and flatness of a mold of the flow channel forming portion 461 may be improved.

[0133] FIGS. 9 and 10 show a state in which the flow channel forming portion 6 is inserted into the chamber 41 having the chamber water supply port 42, the chamber detergent supply port 43, and the detergent outlet 45.

[0134] The detergent outlet 45 may include the first detergent outlet 451 and the second detergent outlet 452 in which the suction ports of the pumps 7 and 8 are respectively mounted, and the chamber detergent supply port 43 may include the first detergent supply port 431 and the second detergent supply port 432 to which the discharge ports of the pump 7 and 8 are respectively connected.

[0135] Because the detergent that has flowed through the first detergent supply port 431 and the second detergent supply port 432 of the chamber detergent supply port 43 should be guided by the flow channel forming portion 6 to the chamber outlet 417 and be discharged to the tub 2, the first detergent supply port 431 and the second detergent supply port 432 may be disposed to be in communication with the flow channel assembly 62b.

[0136] The first detergent outlet 451 and the second detergent outlet 452 should be in communication with a relatively lower side of the drawer 5 so as to efficiently withdraw the detergent stored in the drawer 5 even when there is only a small amount of the detergent, and thus, may extend through a lower side of the chamber rear surface 415.

[0137] FIG. 11 shows that the flow channel forming portion 6 is fixed to the chamber 41. The first detergent outlet 451 and the second detergent outlet 452 do not interfere with the flow channel forming portion 6, thereby preventing the water and detergent in the flow channel assembly 62b from being withdrawn and contaminated, and simplifying a structure of the flow channel forming portion 6.

[0138] The chamber water supply port 42 may include the first water supply port 421 to which the first valve 252a is connected, the second water supply port 422 to which the second valve 252b is connected, and the third water supply port 423 to which the third valve 252c is connected.

[0139] Because water discharged through the first water supply port 421, the second water supply port 422, and the second water supply port 423 of the chamber water supply port 42 should be guided by the flow channel forming portion 6 to the chamber outlet 417 and be discharged to the tub 2, the first water supply port 421, the second water supply port 422, and the second water supply port 423 may be disposed to be in communication with the flow channel assembly 62b.

[0140] As described above, FIG. 11 shows that the first water supply port 421, the second water supply port 422, the third water supply port 423, the first detergent supply port 431, and the second detergent supply port 432 extend through the chamber rear surface 415 and are in communication with the flow channel forming portion 6, and the first detergent outlet 451 and the second detergent outlet 452 extends through the chamber rear surface 415, but are not in communication with the flow channel forming portion 6.

[0141] FIG. 12 shows that the drawer 5 is retracted into the chamber 41 in FIG. 10.

[0142] The water supply 25 connected to the chamber water supply port 42 and the pumps 7 and 8 may be fixed to the rear surface of the housing 4. A predetermined volume may be essential for control and operation of the water supply 25 and the pumps 7 and 8. Accordingly, a width in the width direction of the housing 4 may be set to be greater than a width in a height direction or the like of the housing 4, and the water supply 25 may be connected to one side in the width direction of the housing 4 and the pumps 7 and 8 may be connected to the other side in the width direction of the housing 4.

[0143] Different types of detergent may be accommodated in the first storage 511 and the second storage 512 within the drawer 5, and one storage may have a greater width such that more detergent may be accommodated therein depending on the type. In this case, because the detergent sensor 55 is fixed to the body partition wall 513, it may be fixed to be biased toward one side in the width direction of the housing 4.

[0144] Because the chamber water supply port 42 is disposed at a position extending in a front and rear direction of the housing 4 from the water supply 25, the chamber water supply port 42 may be disposed at the same position as the water supply 25 in the width direction of the housing 4.

[0145] In consideration of an arrangement between the chamber water supply port 42, the detergent sensor 55, and the pumps 7 and 8, when the chamber water supply port 42 is disposed at one side in the width direction of the housing 4 and the first pump 7 and the second pump 8 are disposed in parallel with each other at the other side in the width direction of the housing 4, the detergent sensor 55 may be fixed between the first pump 7 and the second pump 8 because it is relatively small in volume. That is, when the water supply 25 is fixed to one side in the width direction of the housing 4, the housing through-hole 442 and the second mounting guide 442a may be relatively disposed at the other side in the width direction of the housing 4.

[0146] The first water supply port 421, the second water supply port 422, the third water supply port 423, the first detergent supply port 431, and the second detergent supply port 432 may be in communication with the flow channel assembly 62b. In this case, in consideration of interference and arrangement between the first valve 252a, the second valve 252b, and the third valve 253c, and the first connection pipe 74 and the second connection pipe 84, the first water supply port 421, the second water supply port 422, and the third water supply port 423 may be disposed at one side in the width direction of the housing 4, and the first detergent supply port 431 and the second detergent supply port 432 may be relatively disposed at the other side in the width direction of the housing 4.

[0147] FIG. 13 shows a process in which the detergents stored in the first storage 511 and the second storage 512 flow to the chamber 41.

[0148] When the first pump 7 is in operation, the detergent inside the first storage 511 flows to the first pump body 71 through the first pump suction port 72. The detergent inside the first pump body 71 is discharged to the first detergent supply port 431 through the first connection pipe 74.

[0149] When the second pump 8 is in operation, the detergent inside the second storage 512 flows to the second pump body 81 through the second pump suction port 82. The detergent inside the second pump body 81 is discharged to the second detergent supply port 432 through the second connection pipe 84.

[0150] Hereinafter, a process of discharging the detergent that has flowed to the detergent supply ports 431 and 432 to the chamber bottom surface 412 will be described with reference to FIG. 15.

[0151] The detergents discharged into the chamber 41 through the first detergent supply port 431 and the second detergent supply port 432 will be positioned between the flow channel body 62 and the chamber rear surface 415. In this state, when water is supplied through one of the first water supply port 421, the second water supply port 422, and the third water supply port 423, the detergents may flow to the outside of the chamber 41 together with water.

[0152] When water is supplied through the first water supply port 421 as an example, when the first valve 252a opens the first water supply pipe 251a, water from the water supply source is supplied through the first water supply port 421 to the flow channel defined between the flow channel body 62 and the chamber rear surface 415 (the fluid flow path formed by the flow channel body and the chamber rear surface).

[0153] Water introduced into the flow channel flows together with the detergent supplied into the flow channel, and is discharged to the chamber bottom surface 412 through the first outlet 626, the second outlet 627, and the third outlet 628. The detergent discharged to the chamber bottom surface 412 may flow to the tub inlet 24 through the chamber outlet 417.

[0154] Because the first detergent supply port 431 to which the first connection pipe 74 is fixed and the second detergent supply port 432 to which the second connection pipe 84 is fixed are disposed inside the flow channel, the detergent supply apparatus of the present disclosure may prevent problems that may occur because of the remaining detergent in the first detergent supply port 431 and the second detergent supply port 432.

[0155] In one example, when the first water supply port 421 is positioned between the second water supply port 422 and the third water supply port 423, there is a possibility that water discharged from the first water supply port 421 may flow to the adjacent water supply ports 422 and 423.

[0156] In the case of the detergent supply apparatus D having the above-described structure (when the third outlet is located under the second water supply port), there is a possibility that water discharged from the first water supply port 421 may be supplied to the third water supply port 423. When water discharged from the first water supply port 421 is supplied to the third water supply port 423, there is a possibility of causing problems such as leakage or deterioration of durability of the third valve 252c. To prevent the above-described problems, a water supply port partition wall 64 positioned between the first water supply port 421 and the third water supply port 423 may be disposed in the flow channel body 62.

[0157] The first outlet 626 may be disposed downward of the second outlet 627 or the third outlet 628. Accordingly, the water and detergent that have not been discharged to the chamber outlet 417 through the second outlet 627 or the third outlet 628 may be finally discharged through the first outlet 626.

[0158] The second outlet 627 or the third outlet 628 may be disposed under the first flow channel 629a. Accordingly, the portion of the water and detergent discharged to the first flow channel 629a that is not guided to the second flow channel 629b may be discharged through the second outlet 627 and the third outlet 628.

[0159] Accordingly, a lower central portion of the first flow channel 629a may be in communication with the second flow channel 629b, and both ends of the first flow channel 629a may be in communication with the second outlet 627 and the third outlet 628.

[0160] The chamber water supply port 42 may supply water to the first flow channel 629a. Therefore, water may flow throughout the flow channel assembly 62b, thereby minimizing contamination caused by the remaining detergent.

[0161] The pumps 7 and 8 may supply the detergent to the second flow channel 629b. Accordingly, the detergent remaining in the first detergent supply port 431 and the second detergent supply port 432 may be minimized by water falling on the first flow channel 629a and a flow rate and a hydraulic pressure thereof, thereby preventing a clogging phenomenon.

[0162] The fourth guide 624 may be disposed to be biased to one side in the width direction of the housing 4, the fifth guide 625 may be disposed to be biased to the other side in the width direction of the housing 4, and at least portions of the fourth guide 624 and the fifth guide 625 may be inclined downwards toward the first outlet. Accordingly, a force by which water falls because of gravity is concentrated in one outlet, so that amounts of water and detergent remaining in the flow channel assembly 62b may be minimized.

[0163] The fourth guide 624 may include a first rib 624a extending from the first flow channel 629a toward the chamber bottom surface 412, a second rib 624b extending from an end of the first rib 624a toward the other side (the side on which the fifth guide 625 is disposed), and a third rib 624c inclined downwards from an end of the second rib 624b and in contact with the first outlet 626.

[0164] The fifth guide 625 may include a fourth rib 625a extending from the first flow channel 629a toward the chamber bottom surface 412, and a fifth rib 625b inclined downwards from an end of the fourth rib 625a and in contact with the first outlet 626.

[0165] Therefore, unlike the fifth guide 625, the fourth guide 624 includes the second rib 624b that guides water from one side where the water supply ports 421, 422, and 423 are disposed to the other side in the width direction of the housing 4, so that a flow rate of the water and detergent discharged to the third rib 624c is similar to that at the fifth rib 625b of the fifth guide 625, thereby minimizing a backflow phenomenon of the water and detergent.

[0166] The second outlet 627 may be formed between the first rib 624a and the second guide 622.

[0167] The third outlet 628 may be formed between the fourth rib 625a and the third guide 623.

[0168] At least one of the water supply ports 421, 422, and 423 in communication with the first flow channel 629a may be in communication with an upper portion of the first rib 624a, at least one thereof may be in communication with an upper portion of the second outlet 627, and at least one thereof may be in communication with an upper portion of the second rib 624c.

[0169] Specifically, the first water supply port 421 may be in communication with the upper portion of the first rib 624a, so that water discharged through the first water supply port 421 may be guided to the first discharge port 626 and the third outlet 628 by the first rib 624a.

[0170] The third water supply port 423 may be in communication with the second rib 624b and strongly push the detergent supplied to the second flow channel 629b with the hydraulic pressure, and the water supply port partition wall 64 may be disposed between the first water supply port 421 and the third water supply port 423 and minimize water of the first water supply 421 from flowing back to the third water supply port 423.

[0171] At least one of the detergent supply ports 431 and 432 in communication with the second flow channel 629b may be in communication with an upper portion of the first discharge port 626, and at least one thereof may be in communication with an upper portion of the second rib 624b.

[0172] Specifically, the first detergent supply port 431 may be disposed above the second rib 624b, so that the detergent may be smoothly discharged by the flow rate and the hydraulic pressure of water falling from the first water supply port 421 and the third water supply port 423, and an amount of the detergent remaining in the first detergent supply port 431 may be minimized.

[0173] The second detergent supply port 432 may be disposed adjacent to an upper side of the first discharge port 626, so that the detergent may be smoothly discharged by the hydraulic pressure and the flow rate of water falling by the third rib 624c of the fourth guide 624 and the fifth rib 625b of the fifth guide 625, and an amount of the detergent remaining in the second detergent supply port 432 may be minimized.

[0174] A partial area of the flow channel through-hole 63 may be disposed on the first flow channel 629a, and the remaining area thereof may be disposed on the second flow channel 629b. In addition, the flow channel through-hole 63 may be defined above the first discharge port 626.

[0175] Water flowing through the fourth guide 624 may be guided to the first outlet 626 through the flow channel through-hole 63 and the first mounting guide 631.

[0176] In addition, water flowing through the fifth guide 625 may be guided to the first outlet 626 through the flow channel through-hole 63 and the first mounting guide 631.

[0177] In addition, flow of water, discharged to the water supply ports 421, 422, and 423 through an upper end of the first flow channel 629a, the flow channel through-hole 63, and the first mounting guide 631, from one side to the other side of the first flow channel 629a may be assisted.

[0178] FIG. 14 shows that the detergent inside the drawer 5 is withdrawn through the first pump suction port 72 extending through the first detergent outlet 451, and FIG. 15 shows that the detergent withdrawn from the drawer 5 by the first pump 7 is discharged to the second flow channel 629b through the first detergent supply port 431.

[0179] FIGS. 14 and 15 show that the flow channel forming portion 6 is accommodated in the chamber 41. A separation distance t1 between the first flow channel 629a and the chamber rear surface 415 may be greater than a separation distance t2 between the second flow channel 629b and the chamber rear surface 415.

[0180] The water and detergent flowing through the first flow channel 629a are discharged in a dispersed manner to the first discharge port 626, the second outlet 627, and the third outlet 628, and the water and detergent flowing through the second flow channel 629b are discharged to the first discharge port 626, so that a difference between the separation distances may be formed.

[0181] Therefore, the water and detergent may be filled in the flow channels to a reference level or higher and flow such that the inside of the first flow channel 629a and the second flow channel 629b are continuously cleaned.

[0182] The separation distance t1 between the first flow channel 629a and the chamber rear surface 415 and the separation distance t2 between the second flow channel 629b and the chamber rear surface 415 may be designed such that the water and detergent in the second flow channel 629b do not flow back to the first flow channel 629a.

[0183] The first detergent outlet 451 and the second detergent outlet 452 of the detergent outlet 45 may be disposed at positions lower than the first detergent supply port 431 and the second detergent supply port 432 of the chamber detergent supply port 43 so as to increase a detergent suction efficiency of the drawer 5 (use a head difference when an amount of remaining detergent is small) and avoid interference with the flow channel forming portion 6.

[0184] Hereinafter, a process in which the water and detergent supplied to the flow channel body 62 are discharged to the chamber bottom surface 412 will be described with reference to FIG. 16.

[0185] The housing 4 may include the chamber 41 providing the space therein, the drawer 5 may be extendable from the chamber 41, and the flow channel forming portion 6 may be disposed inside the chamber 41.

[0186] The detergent stored in the first storage 511 or the second storage 512 of the drawer 5 may flow to the first pump body 71 or the second pump body 81 when the first pump 7 or the second pump 8 is in operation.

[0187] The detergent flowed to the first pump body 71 or the second pump body 82 may be discharged through the first detergent supply port 431 or the second detergent supply port 432 formed on the chamber rear surface 415.

[0188] The detergent discharged through the first detergent supply port 431 or the second detergent supply port 432 may be discharged to the second flow channel 629b of the flow channel body 62.

[0189] In this state, when water is supplied to the first flow channel 629a through one of the first water supply port 421, the second water supply port 422, and the third water supply port 423, the detergent discharged to the second flow channel 629b may be discharged through the first discharge port 626 or the like by a pressure or the like of water falling by gravity from the first flow channel 629a.

[0190] The first water supply port 421, the second water supply port 422, and the third water supply port 423 may be disposed to be biased to one side in the width direction of the detergent supply apparatus D.

[0191] A length of the fourth guide 624 disposed under the first guide 621 and extending to be biased toward the one side may be greater than a length of the fifth guide 625 extending to be biased toward the other side of the first guide 621, and the first detergent supply port 431 or the second detergent supply port 432 may be disposed to be adjacent to the fourth guide 624.

[0192] Accordingly, the detergent is smoothly discharged by the pressure or the like of water flowing from the one side to the other side, and the first detergent supply port 431 or the second detergent supply port 432 is cleaned, thereby preventing the clogging phenomenon of the pumps 7 and 8.

[0193] FIGS. 17 and 18 show an embodiment of the cabinet cover 12 of the present disclosure.

[0194] As described above, the cabinet cover 12 may include the first area 121 and the second area (rear space) 122 divided by the partition wall 123. The first area 121 may be defined as the front space of the cabinet cover 12 and the inlet 125 may be defined in the first area 121, and the second area 122 may be defined as the rear space of the cabinet cover 12 and the detergent supply apparatus D and the water supply 25 may be located in the second area 122.

[0195] The partition wall through-hole 124 may be defined in the partition wall 123, and the partition wall through-hole 124 may connect the inlet 125 with the second area 122 through the partition wall 123.

[0196] The partition through-hole 124 may extend through the partition 123 to connect the inlet 125 with a mounting space bottom surface 127c. Accordingly, water, the detergent, and the like to be leaked to the mounting space bottom surface 127c are guided to the inlet 125, thereby minimizing hygiene and safety issues.

[0197] The laundry treating apparatus 100 may include the mounting space 127 fixed to the cabinet cover 12 so as to be located in the second area 122 and in which the housing 4 of the detergent supply apparatus is mounted.

[0198] A drain hole 127a defined to be in communication with the tub 2 may be defined in the mounting space bottom surface 127c to drain water that has not been guided to the inlet 125.

[0199] The water supply 25 may be fixed to the mounting space 127. The water supply 25 may include the water supply pipe 251 and the valve 252 that controls the opening and closing of the water supply pipe in response to the control signal of the controller (not shown).

[0200] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the water supply 25 may be fixed to a water supply pipe mounting portion 127b disposed at a rear surface of the mounting space 127 and connected to the detergent supply apparatus D.

[0201] A control panel fixing portion 123a to which the control panel 129 is fixed may be disposed at the partition wall 123. Accordingly, the detergent supply apparatus D mounted in the mounting space 127 may be shielded by the control panel 129, thereby improving aesthetics of the laundry treating apparatus 100.

[0202] An embodiment of the control panel 129 is shown in FIGS. 19 and 20.

[0203] The control panel 129 may include a fixing protrusion 129b fixed to the control panel fixing portion 123a of the partition wall 123.

[0204] The control panel 129 may be formed as an inclined surface fixed to the partition wall 123 and extending upward rearwards, and a cover rear panel 129 connecting an end of the control panel 129 with the rear surface of the mounting space 127 may be disposed.

[0205] Accordingly, it may be advantageous for the user to manipulate the input part 129a or the like of the control panel 129 from a position in front of and upward of the laundry treating apparatus 100, and integrity of the exterior may be increased as the detergent supply apparatus D disposed in the mounting space 127 is not exposed to the outside because of the cover rear panel 128 even when viewing the laundry treating apparatus 100 from the rear.

[0206] A water supply pipe fixing portion 128b connected to the water supply pipe mounting portion 127b may be disposed at the cover rear panel 128. The water supply pipe 251 mounted on an upper portion of the water supply pipe mounting portion 127b may be fixed by the water supply pipe fixing portion 128b, so that the water supply 25 may be stably fixed to the inside of the cabinet 1.

[0207] The cover rear panel 128 may include a plurality of ventilation holes 128a that allowing the inside and the outside of the cabinet 1 to be in communication with each other. Accordingly, the detergent supply apparatus D, the tub 2, and the like in a wet environment may be assisted with ventilation, thereby improving the hygiene.

[0208] The ventilation holes 128b may assist cooling of an electrical component (PCB) accommodating portion 129c disposed in the control panel 129 to be described later, thereby improving safety of the laundry treating apparatus 100.

[0209] FIG. 21 shows a rear surface of the cabinet cover 12 from which the cover rear panel 128 is removed, and FIG. 22 shows the rear surface of the cabinet cover 12 on which the cover rear panel 128 is mounted.

[0210] The electrical component accommodating portion 129c in which a circuit board that controls the input part 129a, the display, or the like, and an electrical component (the PCB or the like) of the laundry treating apparatus 100 are accommodated may be disposed at the rear surface of the control panel 129.

[0211] The water supply pipe 251 may be exposed to the outside of the rear surface of the cabinet cover 12 to be in communication with the external water supply source.

[0212] One end of the detergent sensor 55 may be in communication with the drawer 5 and the other end thereof may be exposed to the outside of the cabinet cover 12, so that the current may be easily applied.

[0213] Because the above-described detergent supply apparatus and laundry treating apparatus are only the preferred embodiments, the scope of the present application is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0048]Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. When a term used herein conflicts with a general meaning of the corresponding term, the definition as used herein shall prevail.

[0049]As shown in FIG. 1, a laundry treating apparatus 100 may include a cabinet 1, a tub 2 that is disposed inside the cabinet and stores water therein, and a drum 3 that is rotatably disposed inside the tub and stores an object-to-be-washed (laundry or the like).

[0050]The cabinet 1 may include a cabinet body 11 providing a space in which the tub 2 is accommodated, and a cabinet cover 12 fixed to the cabinet body 11 and forming a top surface of the laundry treating apparatus.

[0051]The cabinet cover 12 may include a control panel 129. The control panel 129 may in...

Claims

1. A laundry treating apparatus comprising:a tub configured to store water therein;a drum rotatably disposed inside the tub and configured to accommodate laundry therein; anda detergent supply apparatus configured to receive water from a water supply and supply detergent to the tub,wherein the detergent supply apparatus includes:a housing including a chamber defining a space therein, and a chamber outlet defined in a bottom surface of the chamber and configured to discharge water and detergent to the tub;a drawer configured to be extendable through a front surface of the chamber and configured to provide a space where detergent is stored; anda flow channel forming portion disposed in the chamber and configured to guide water and detergent to the bottom surface of the chamber,wherein the flow channel forming portion includes a fixed body fixed to the chamber, and a flow channel body extending from a rear edge of the fixed body toward the bottom surface of the chamber and configured to form, with a rear surface of the chamber, a flow path of water and detergent.

2. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flow channel body includes:a flow channel assembly disposed spaced apart from the rear surface of the chamber to form a flow channel through which water and detergent flow; anda guide assembly extending from the flow channel assembly and configured to contact the rear surface of the chamber and constructed to guide the path of water and detergent passing through the flow channel assembly.

3. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 2, wherein the guide assembly includes:a first guide extending from a rear portion of the fixed body toward the rear surface of the chamber;a second guide extending from one end of the first guide toward the bottom surface of the chamber; anda third guide extending from a remaining end of the first guide toward the bottom surface of the chamber.

4. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 3, wherein the guide assembly includes:a fourth guide positioned under the first guide; anda fifth guide positioned under the first guide so as to be spaced apart from the fourth guide.

5. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 4, wherein a first outlet is defined in the flow channel body between the fourth guide and the fifth guide and is configured to discharge water and detergent introduced into a space between the flow channel body and the rear surface of the chamber to the bottom surface of the chamber.

6. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 5, wherein the flow channel body includes a second outlet defined between the second guide and the fourth guide and configured to discharge water and detergent introduced into the space between the flow channel body and the rear surface of the chamber to the bottom surface of the chamber.

7. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 6, wherein the flow channel body includes a third outlet defined between the third guide and the fourth guide and configures to discharge water and detergent introduced into the space between the flow channel body and the rear surface of the chamber to the bottom surface of the chamber.

8. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first outlet is defined downward of the second outlet or the third outlet.

9. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 7, wherein the flow channel assembly includes:a first flow channel formed by the first guide, the second guide, and the third guide and extending in a width direction of the housing; anda second flow channel disposed below the first flow channel and formed by the fourth guide and the fifth guide.

10. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 9, wherein a separation distance of the first flow channel from the rear surface of the chamber is greater than a separation distance of the second flow channel from the rear surface of the chamber.

11. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second outlet or the third outlet is defined under the first flow channel.

12. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 9, wherein the water supply is configured to supply water to the first flow channel.

13. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 12, wherein the water supply is configured to biased the supplied water toward one side in the width direction of the housing.

14. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 13, wherein a plurality of water supply ports extend through the rear surface of the chamber and are configured to deliver water supplied from the water supply to the flow channel forming portion,wherein the flow channel forming portion includes a water supply port partition wall extending from the flow channel assembly toward the rear surface of the chamber and configured to prevent water discharged from one of the water supply ports from flowing back to another of the water supply ports.

15. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 9, wherein the detergent supply apparatus further includes a pump configured to withdraw detergent from inside the drawer to outside of the chamber and to supply withdrawn detergent to the flow channel forming portion,wherein the pump is configured to supply detergent to the second flow channel.

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