Clothes treatment apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to a detergent supply device comprising: a drawer including a body having a storage part in which a detergent is stored, and a discharge valve provided at the body so that the detergent can be discharged to the outside of the storage part; a housing including a first chamber in which the body is retractably accommodated, a second chamber which forms a space separated from the first chamber and which is connected to the first chamber through a connection flow path, and a chamber discharge part for discharging materials from inside the first chamber to the outside of the first chamber; a pump which is fixed to the housing, and which is connected, when the body is inserted into the first chamber, to the discharge valve such that the detergent of the storage part can move to the second chamber; a first flow path for providing a path on which water moves in the direction orthogonal to the retraction direction of the body, and supplying the water to the first chamber; and a second flow path branching off from the first flow path so as to supply the water to the second chamber.

Description

Garment processing equipment

[0001] This application relates to a clothing treatment device.

[0002] A clothing treatment device that separates waste from laundry objects (clothes, etc.) using water is provided to include a tub in which water is stored, a drum rotatably provided inside the tub in which clothes are stored, a water supply unit that supplies water to the tub, and a drain unit that drains water stored in the tub.

[0003] For easy separation of waste, some conventional clothing treatment devices have been equipped with a detergent supply device that supplies detergent to the tub. Some conventional detergent supply devices include a drawer that is removable from the cabinet of the clothing treatment device, and a detergent channel provided in the drawer that guides detergent to the tub.

[0004] The above-described conventional detergent supply device is equipped with a water supply unit that supplies water to the detergent channel, so that when the water supply unit is operated, detergent injected into the detergent channel is supplied to the tub together with water (Publication No. 10-2020-0007549). However, the above-described detergent supply device has the inconvenience of having to inject detergent into the detergent channel every time laundry is needed.

[0005] To solve the above-described shortcomings, among conventional detergent supply devices, there was an automatic detergent supply device that automatically supplies detergent to a tub during washing (Patent Publication No. 10-2023-0059504). The conventional automatic detergent supply device had a structure including a housing that guides water and detergent to flow into the tub, a drawer that can be withdrawn from the housing, a storage unit that is provided in the drawer and provides a space for storing detergent, a pump that moves detergent inside the storage unit to the housing when the drawer is inserted into the housing, and a water supply unit that supplies water into the housing.

[0006] The above-described automatic detergent supply device has the advantage of being able to supply an appropriate amount of detergent to the tub because the storage unit can store a relatively large amount of detergent, and the control unit can control the operating point and operating time of the pump, and also resolving the inconvenience of the user having to pour detergent into the detergent reservoir every time washing is required. However, the conventional automatic detergent supply device described above has the advantage that the drawer can be separated from the housing when the drawer is pulled out of the housing.

[0007] The present application aims to solve the problem of providing a clothes treatment device that prevents a drawer in which detergent is stored from being separated from the housing.

[0008] In addition, the present application aims to solve the problem of providing a clothes treatment device that prevents the drawer from sagging when the drawer is pulled out to add detergent to the drawer.

[0009] In addition, the present application aims to solve the problem of providing a garment treatment device in which a drawer is fixed in position inside the housing when the drawer is inserted into the housing.

[0010] The present application provides a clothes treatment device comprising: a cabinet having a cabinet cover forming an upper surface, a partition wall dividing the cabinet cover into a first region and a second region, an inlet provided in the first region through the cabinet cover, and a partition wall penetration hole connecting the first region and the second region through the partition wall; a tub provided inside the cabinet and storing water; a drum rotatably provided inside the tub and storing clothes supplied to the inlet; a drawer for storing detergent supplied to the tub; a housing provided in the second region and providing a space for accommodating the drawer, the drawer outlet being connected to the partition wall penetration hole; and a catch projection that contacts an edge of the partition wall penetration hole when the drawer is withdrawn from the housing to prevent the drawer from being separated from the cabinet cover and that is released from contact with the partition wall penetration hole when an external force is input.

[0011] The second flow path may be provided to resupply water not supplied to the second chamber to the first flow path.

[0012] The above-mentioned stud may be characterized in that it protrudes to a position where at least a portion overlaps with the edge of the bulkhead penetration hole so as to be in contact with the edge of the bulkhead penetration hole.

[0013] The above-mentioned stumbling block may be characterized by being provided on the upper surface of the drawer.

[0014] The above drawer may include a release member provided on the upper surface of the drawer and configured to move the locking projection through the upper surface of the drawer so as to release contact with the upper edge of the bulkhead penetration hole.

[0015] The above-mentioned release unit may include a release button to which an external force is input; and a locking connecting member having one end fixed to the drawer and configured to connect the release button and the locking projection to transmit the external force to the locking projection.

[0016] The above-mentioned hooking member may be characterized by being made of an elastic member that provides a restoring force so that the hooking projection returns to its original position when the external force input to the hooking release button is removed.

[0017] The above-mentioned release member may include a button protection rib in the form of a rib that surrounds the periphery of the release button and the locking connecting member and protrudes upward from the upper surface of the drawer.

[0018] The drawer may include a mounting protrusion extending from the rear surface of the drawer in a direction in which the drawer is inserted into the housing; and the housing may include a mounting fixing part provided at the rear of the housing and contacting the mounting protrusion to fix the position of the drawer.

[0019] The above-mentioned mounting protrusion may include a mounting protrusion extending rearward from both edges of the drawer, but extending in an upwardly inclined manner.

[0020] The above-mentioned mounting fixing part may be provided at a position corresponding to the mounting protrusion on both edges of the housing, the front end of the mounting fixing part is fixed to the housing, the rear end of the mounting fixing part is movably seated on the housing back and forth, and may be characterized in that it extends downward from the front end to the rear end and then extends upward past an inflection point.

[0021] The above-mentioned mounting fixing member may be characterized in that, when an external force in the drawer extraction direction is applied to the above-mentioned mounting fixing member, the inflection point moves upward and the rear end of the above-mentioned mounting fixing member moves rearward, and when the external force is removed, the inflection point and the rear end of the above-mentioned mounting fixing member are formed of an elastic member having a restoring force so that they return to their original positions.

[0022] The above mounting protrusion may be characterized in that, when the drawer is inserted into the housing, the mounting protrusion moves from the front end of the mounting fixing part toward the rear end, and the uppermost end of the mounting protrusion moves from the front end of the mounting fixing part to the inflection point, applying the external force to the mounting fixing part, and the external force is removed when the inflection point is passed, such that at least a portion of the mounting fixing part and the housing overlap each other in the height direction.

[0023] The above-mentioned mounting protrusion may be characterized in that it is provided with a shape corresponding to the mounting fixing part so that it is forcibly fitted with the mounting fixing part when the uppermost end of the mounting protrusion is located rearward past the inflection point of the mounting fixing part.

[0024] The garment treatment device of the present application may include a sagging prevention part which is provided at the front of the housing and prevents sagging of the drawer by contacting the mounting protrusion when the edge of the partition wall penetration hole and the catch are in contact.

[0025] The above-mentioned sag prevention part may be fixed to the upper surface of the housing and provided to protrude downward so as to contact the uppermost end of the mounting protrusion, thereby preventing sagging of the drawer.

[0026] The present application provides a clothes treatment device that prevents a drawer in which detergent is stored from being separated from a housing.

[0027] In addition, the present application provides a clothes treatment device that prevents the drawer from sagging when the drawer is pulled out to add detergent to the drawer.

[0028] Additionally, the present application provides a garment treatment device in which the drawer is fixed in position within the housing when the drawer is inserted into the housing.

[0029] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate examples of a clothing treatment device.

[0030] Figure 3 illustrates an example of a detergent supply device.

[0031] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate examples of the detergent supply device and water supply unit.

[0032] Figures 6, 7, and 8 illustrate examples of drawers provided in the detergent supply device.

[0033] Figures 9 and 10 illustrate examples of housings provided in the detergent supply device.

[0034] Figure 11 illustrates an example of a flow forming part provided in the detergent supply device.

[0035] Figures 12, 13, 14, and 15 illustrate examples of the first and second flow paths provided in the detergent supply device.

[0036] Fig. 16 illustrates an example of a chamber outlet provided in the housing.

[0037] Figure 17 illustrates the drawer in its maximum open state.

[0038] Figure 18 illustrates a release mechanism provided to discharge the drawer.

[0039] Fig. 19 illustrates an anti-sagging member that prevents the drawer from sagging when fully open.

[0040] Figure 20 illustrates a closed state in which the drawer is maximally accommodated in the housing.

[0041] Figure 21 illustrates that the drawer is fixed in position when closed.

[0042] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. Unless otherwise defined, all terms in this specification have the same general meaning as those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. If a term used in this specification conflicts with the general meaning of the term, the definition used in this specification shall prevail.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a clothing treatment device (100) may be provided to include a cabinet (1), a tub (2) provided inside the cabinet to store water, and a drum (3) rotatably provided inside the tub to store laundry items (clothes, etc.).

[0044] As shown in Fig. 1, the cabinet (1) may be provided to include a cabinet body (11) that provides a space in which the tub (2) is accommodated, and a cabinet cover (12) that is fixed to the cabinet body (11) and forms the upper surface of the clothing storage device.

[0045] The above cabinet cover (12) may be equipped with a control panel (129), and the control panel (129) may be equipped with an input unit (129a) for receiving a control command from a user, and a display unit (not shown) for displaying information (indication of a control command selectable by the user or information related to a control command selected by the user).

[0046] As illustrated in Fig. 2, the cabinet cover (12) is provided with an inlet (125) for supplying clothes to the drum (3). The inlet (125) can be opened and closed by a door (126) rotatably fixed to the cabinet cover (12).

[0047] The above tub (2) can be provided in various shapes as long as water can be stored. FIG. 2 illustrates an example in which the tub (2) is provided in a cylindrical shape with an empty interior.

[0048] The tub (2) of Fig. 2 may be provided with a cylindrical tub body (21). The tub body (21) is fixed to the cabinet (1) via a tub support member (23). The tub support member (23) may be provided as a bar having one end fixed to the cabinet cover (12) or the cabinet body (11) and the other end fixed to the circumference of the tub body (21).

[0049] A tub cover (22) is fixed to the upper surface of the tub body (21), and the tub cover (22) may be provided with a tub inlet (24) that connects the inside of the tub body (21) with the outside. The tub inlet (24) may be located at the bottom of the inlet (125).

[0050] The above tub (2) is supplied with water through a water supply unit (25), and the water stored in the tub is discharged to the outside of the cabinet (1) through a drain unit (26).

[0051] The above drainage unit (26) may be provided to 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 the opening and closing of the drain pipe (261).

[0052] The above drum (3) is positioned inside the tub body (21) and serves as a means for providing a space for storing clothes, and may be provided as a cylindrical drum body (31) with an empty interior.

[0053] The upper surface of the drum body (31) may be provided with a drum inlet (32) positioned below the tub inlet (24). Accordingly, a user can insert clothes into the drum body (31) through the inlet (125), the tub inlet (24), and the drum inlet (32). A drum penetration hole (311) connecting the tub body (21) and the internal space of the drum body (31) may be provided on the circumference and bottom surface of the drum body (31).

[0054] The bottom surface of the drum body (31) may further include a stirring part (33) that is rotatable within the drum body and forms a water flow or stirs clothes.

[0055] The drum body (31) and the stirring unit (33) can be rotated by a drum driving unit. The drum driving unit may be provided to include a stator (34) that is fixed to the bottom surface of the tub body (21) to form a rotating magnetic field, a rotor (35) that rotates by the rotating magnetic field, a drum shaft (37) that penetrates the tub body (21) and is fixed to the drum body (31), and a stirring shaft (36) that penetrates the drum shaft (37) and connects the rotor (35) and the stirring unit (33).

[0056] In order to control the coupling of the drum shaft (37) and the rotor (35), the drum drive unit may be provided with a coupler (38) and an actuator (39). The actuator (39) is a means for controlling the position of the coupler (38), and the coupler (38) may be provided to 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 where the coupler (38) connects the drum shaft (37) and the rotor (35), and the second point may be set as a point where the coupler (38) separates the drum shaft (37) and the rotor (35).

[0057] The above-mentioned clothing treatment device (100) may be equipped with a detergent supply device (detergent supply unit, D) that supplies detergent to the tub body (21). The detergent supply device (D) may be equipped to move detergent to the tub body (21) using water supplied from the water supply unit (25) (the water supply unit may be equipped to supply water to the tub body through a path provided inside the detergent supply device).

[0058] As shown in FIG. 3, the detergent supply device (D) may be provided to include a housing (4) that guides water supplied from the water supply unit (25) to the tub body (21), a drawer (5) that provides a space for storing detergent and can be withdrawn from the housing (4), and a pump (6, 7) that moves the detergent stored in the drawer (5) into the housing (4).

[0059] As illustrated in Fig. 4, the detergent supply device (D) may be fixed to the cabinet cover (12). As illustrated in Fig. 5, the cabinet cover (12) may be provided with a first region (121) and a second region (122, rear space) divided by a partition wall (123). The first region (121) may be a front space of the cabinet cover (12), and the inlet (125) may be provided in the first region (121), and the second region (122) may be a rear space of the cabinet cover (12), and the detergent supply device (D) and the water supply unit (25) may be provided to be located in the second region (122).

[0060] The above bulkhead (123) may be provided with a bulkhead penetration hole (124), and the bulkhead penetration hole (124) may be provided to penetrate the bulkhead (123) and connect the inlet (125) and the second region (122).

[0061] The above-mentioned clothing treatment device (100) may be provided with a support body (127) that is fixed to the cabinet cover (12) so as to be positioned in the second area (122) and supports the housing (4) of the detergent supply device. In this case, the water supply unit (25) may be provided to include a water supply pipe (251) and a valve (252) that controls the opening and closing of the water supply pipe according to a control signal of a control unit (not shown).

[0062] The above valve (252) is provided with a first valve (252a) and a second valve (252b) fixed to the support body (127), and the water supply pipe (251) may be provided with a first water supply pipe (251a) connecting the first valve (252a) and a first water supply source (not shown), and a second water supply pipe (251b) connecting the second valve (252b) and a second water supply source (not shown).

[0063] The first water supply pipe (251a) and the second water supply pipe (251b) may be provided to supply water of the same temperature to the detergent supply device (D), or may be provided to supply water of different temperatures to the detergent supply device (D). In the former case, the first water supply source and the second water supply source will be the same water supply source. However, in the latter case, the first water supply source may be set as a water supply source that supplies cold water, and the second water supply source may be set as a water supply source that supplies hot water.

[0064] The support body (127) is provided with a support body through-hole (128), and the support body through-hole (128) may be provided to be connected to the partition wall through-hole (124) to guide the housing (4) to the upper surface of the support body (127). Accordingly, the housing (4) may be seated on the support body (127) by being inserted into the partition wall through-hole (124) and the support body through-hole (128) (may be located in the second region).

[0065] The above housing (4) may be provided to include a first chamber (41) that provides a space in which the drawer (5) is accommodated, and a second chamber (42) that receives detergent from the pump (6, 7).

[0066] The second chamber (42) is provided to provide a space separated from the first chamber (41). FIG. 5 illustrates an example where the second chamber (42) is located outside the first chamber (41). That is, the second chamber (42) may be provided as a space that protrudes from the rear surface of the first chamber (41) in the direction in which the drawer (5) is inserted (-Z-axis direction) but has a smaller volume than the first chamber. However, the second chamber (42) is connected to the first chamber (41) through a connecting passage (49).

[0067] If the second chamber (42) is provided to be located outside the first chamber (41), the volume of the drawer (5) can be increased (the amount of detergent that the drawer can store can be increased), and if the volume of the second chamber (42) is set to be small, the possibility that the detergent supplied from the pump (6, 7) will remain inside the second chamber (42) can be minimized. The reason that the space in the interior of the housing (4) where the detergent can remain is small is because the possibility that all the detergent inside the second chamber (42) will be discharged to the first chamber (41) through the water supply unit (25) is increased.

[0068] The above housing (4) is provided with a flow path forming part (43), which is a means for forming flow paths (431, 436) that guide water supplied from the water supply part (25) to the first chamber (41) and the second chamber (42).

[0069] In order to supply water to the above-described water pipes (431, 436), the housing (4) may be provided with a first water inlet (417) and a second water inlet (418). The first water inlet (417) may be provided to be connected to the first valve (252a), and the second water inlet (418) may be provided to be connected to the second valve (252b). FIG. 5 illustrates an example of the water inlets (417, 418) in which, when the housing (4) is mounted on the support body (127), the first water inlet (417) is connected to the first valve (252a), and the second water inlet (418) is connected to the second valve (252b).

[0070] The above drawer (5) provides a space for storing detergent and can be provided so that it can be withdrawn from the first chamber (41).

[0071] As shown in FIG. 6, the drawer (5) provides a space for storing detergent and may be provided to include a body (51, drawer body) inserted into the first chamber (41), a cover (52, drawer cover) fixed to the body and forming an upper surface of the drawer, a catch (55) formed by protruding upward from the drawer cover, a mounting protrusion (54) protruding rearward from the drawer body, and a panel (53, drawer panel) fixed to the front surface of the body (51) and exposed to the outside of the first chamber (41).

[0072] The above body (51) may be provided with a storage unit that provides a space for storing detergent, a discharge port that discharges the detergent in the storage unit to the outside of the body (51), and a discharge valve that controls the opening and closing of the discharge port.

[0073] FIG. 7 illustrates an example in which the storage unit is provided with two storage spaces separated by a body partition (513). The storage unit may be provided with a first storage unit (511) and a second storage unit (512) separated from each other by the body partition (513).

[0074] In this case, the discharge port may be provided with a first storage discharge port (514) provided in the first storage unit (511) and a second storage discharge port (516) provided in the second storage unit (512), and the discharge valve may be provided with a first discharge valve (515) that controls the opening and closing of the first storage unit discharge port (514) and a second discharge valve (517) that controls the opening and closing of the second storage unit discharge port (516).

[0075] The cover (52) is provided with a first detergent inlet (521) that allows detergent to be injected into the first storage unit (511) and a second detergent inlet (522) that allows detergent to be injected into the second storage unit (512). The first detergent inlet (521) can be opened and closed by a first lid (523), and the second detergent inlet (522) can be opened and closed by a second lid (524).

[0076] It is preferable that the first discharge valve (515) and the second discharge valve (517) above be equipped with valves (check valves, etc.) that allow fluid to be discharged from each storage unit (511, 512) but block external fluid from flowing into each storage unit (511, 512).

[0077] The first discharge valve (515) and the second discharge valve (517) may be provided to open each storage discharge port (514, 516) when the body (51) is inserted into the first chamber (41), and to close each storage discharge port (514, 516) when the body (51) is withdrawn from the first chamber (41).

[0078] FIG. 8 illustrates an example in which the first discharge valve (515) and the second discharge valve (517) are provided on the rear surface of the body (51). In this case, the first discharge valve (515) and the second discharge valve (517) will control the opening and closing of the respective storage discharge ports (514, 516) by the pump (6, 7).

[0079] Even if the body (51) is inserted into the first chamber (41), the panel (53) is provided to be positioned outside the housing (4). Therefore, the panel (53) can also function as a handle required when a user withdraws the body (51) from the housing (4). FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an example in which the panel (53) is provided in a shape capable of closing the bulkhead penetration hole (124) provided in the cabinet cover (12).

[0080] As shown in Fig. 9, the housing (4) may be provided with the first chamber (41), the second chamber (42), and the flow path forming portion (43).

[0081] The first chamber (41) may be formed by a lower surface (412) supported by the support body (127), a first side surface (413) and a second side surface (414) provided on both sides of the lower surface, an upper surface (411) positioned above the lower surface by the two side surfaces (413, 414), and a rear surface (415).

[0082] The front surface of the first chamber (41) may be provided as an open surface that provides a space for the body (51) of the drawer (5) to enter and exit, and a chamber discharge port (416) for discharging the fluid inside the first chamber (41) to the outside of the first chamber (such as a tub inlet) may be provided on the lower surface (412). The chamber discharge port (416) may be a drawer outlet (416) that is a space for the drawer to enter and exit. To facilitate the discharge of the fluid inside the first chamber (41) to the outside (to minimize the possibility of the fluid remaining), the lower surface (412) may be provided as a downwardly inclined surface toward the chamber discharge port (416, drawer outlet).

[0083] The first water supply port (417) and the second water supply port (418) are provided on the rear surface (415), and the second chamber (42) may be provided as a space protruding from the rear surface (415) toward the direction in which the drawer (5) is inserted (-Z-axis direction).

[0084] The second chamber (42) is connected to the first chamber (41) through the connecting passage (49) provided to penetrate the rear surface (415). It is preferable that the bottom surface of the second chamber (42) be positioned higher than the bottom surface of the first chamber (41) so that the fluid inside the second chamber (42) can be naturally drained. The second chamber (42) is connected to the pump (6, 7) through the first supply pipe (421) and the second supply pipe (422).

[0085] The above-mentioned euro-forming part (43) may be provided with a first euro body (43a) that forms a euro (first euro, 431) inside the first chamber (41), and a second euro body (43b) that forms a euro (second euro, 436) inside the second chamber (42).

[0086] The first euro body (43a) may be provided as a board fixed to the inside of the first chamber (41), and the second euro body (43b) may be provided as a board protruding from the edge of the first euro body (43a) toward the inside of the second chamber (42).

[0087] The first euro body (43a) may be fixed to the upper surface (411) to form the inner upper surface of the first chamber (41), and the second euro body (43b) may be positioned between the bottom surface and the upper surface of the second chamber (42) to divide the inside of the second chamber into an upper space and a lower space.

[0088] The edges of the second euro body (43b) may be provided so as to be in contact with all the inner surfaces of the second chamber (42). In this case, the upper space and the lower space will be completely separated spaces.

[0089] Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 10, at least one of the edges forming the edge of the second euro body (43b) may be provided so as not to contact the inner surfaces of the second chamber (42), in which case the upper space and the lower space will become interconnected spaces.

[0090] The first flow path (431) provides a path for water to move along the width direction (X-axis direction) of the first chamber (41). The first flow path (431) may be provided as a groove in which the upper surface of the first flow body (43a) is bent in a direction away from the upper surface (-Y-axis direction) of the first chamber. In this case, a step (434) will be formed in the first flow body (43a), and thus the bottom surface of the first flow path (431) will be positioned at a point lower than the upper surface of the first flow path forming portion (43a).

[0091] As illustrated in FIG. 11, water inside the first flow path (431) is discharged to the first chamber (41) through the first outlet (432) and the second outlet (433). The first outlet (432) may be provided with a plurality of holes arranged along the width direction (X-axis direction) of the first chamber on the left side of the connecting flow path (49) (the left side of the second flow path forming portion, the left side of the second flow path), and the second outlet (433) may be provided with a plurality of holes arranged along the width direction (X-axis direction) of the first chamber on the right side of the connecting flow path (49) (the right side of the second flow path forming portion, the right side of the second flow path).

[0092] As shown in Fig. 12, the second flow path (436) is branched from the first flow path (431) and is provided to guide water inside the first flow path (431) to the second chamber (42).

[0093] As illustrated in FIG. 13, the second flow path (436) may be provided to include a second flow path outlet (437) that is provided to penetrate the second flow path body (43b), a first branch flow path (436a) that is provided in the second flow path body (43b) to guide water of the first flow path (431) into the second chamber (42), and a second branch flow path (436b) that is provided in the second flow path body (43b) to connect the first flow path (436a) and the second flow path outlet (437).

[0094] The above second euro outlet (437) may be provided as a hole that penetrates the second euro body (43b) and connects the upper space of the second chamber (42) and the lower space.

[0095] The first branch flow path (436a) and the second branch flow path (436b) can be distinguished by a guide (438, first guide) provided in the second branch flow body (43b).

[0096] The first guide (438) may be provided as a wall protruding from the second euro body (43b) toward the upper surface of the second chamber (42). In this case, the first guide (438) may be provided as a wall extending from the first euro body (41) toward the inside of the second chamber (42) (extending along the insertion direction of the drawer, extending along the -Z-axis direction).

[0097] In order to enable water that has flowed into the second channel (436) but has not been discharged to the second chamber (42) through the second channel outlet (437) to be resupplied to the first channel (41), the second branch channel (436b) may be provided to connect the first branch channel (436a) and the first channel (41).

[0098] In this case, the second flow path (436) may further be provided with a guide (439, second guide) positioned between the first flow path and the second flow path outlet to form a boundary between the first flow path (41) and the second branch flow path (436b).

[0099] The second guide (439) is a means for guiding water flowing into the second branch channel (436b) to be supplied to the second channel outlet (437). The second guide (439) may be provided as a wall that protrudes from the second channel body (43b) toward the upper surface of the second chamber (42) and extends along the edge of the first channel (41).

[0100] Meanwhile, in order to allow water that was not discharged to the second chamber (42) through the second flow outlet (437) to be supplied to the first flow path (41), the upper end (free end) of the second guide (439) must be provided so as not to contact the upper surface of the second chamber (42). That is, it is preferable that the upper end (free end) of the second guide (439) be provided so as to be located between the bottom surface of the first flow path (41) and the upper end of the first guide (438).

[0101] In order to facilitate the supply of water from the first flow path (431) to the second flow path (436), it is preferable that the bottom surface of the first flow path (431) be positioned at a higher point than the bottom surface of the second flow path (436).

[0102] FIG. 14 illustrates an example in which the bottom surface of the first flow path (431) is positioned at a higher point than the bottom surface of the first branch flow path (436a), and the bottom surface of the first branch flow path (436a) is positioned at a higher point than the bottom surface of the second branch flow path (436b).

[0103] In order to minimize water remaining inside the second flow path (436) and to guide the water inside the second flow path (436) to the second flow path outlet (437), the second branch flow path (436b) may be provided with a downwardly inclined slope toward the second flow path outlet (437).

[0104] When the above pump (6, 7) is operated, the detergent stored in the drawer (5) will be supplied to the second chamber (42) through the first supply pipe (421) and the second supply pipe (422), and the detergent inside the second chamber (42) will move to the first chamber (41) through the connecting pipe (49) when water is supplied to the second flow path (436).

[0105] If the edge of the second flow body (43b) is provided so as not to contact the inner surface of the second chamber (42), some of the water inside the first branch flow path (436a) will move (F1) to the second flow path outlet (437) through the second branch flow path (436b), and the remainder will move (F2) to the bottom surface of the second chamber (42). Accordingly, the detergent supply device (D) will be able to minimize detergent remaining inside the second chamber (42).

[0106] As illustrated in Fig. 15, water inside the first flow path (431) is supplied into the first chamber (41) through the first outlet (432) and the second outlet (433). As described above, the first outlet (432) is provided with a plurality of outlet channels arranged along the width direction (X-axis direction) of the first chamber on the left side of the connecting flow path (49), and the second outlet (433) is provided with a plurality of outlet channels arranged along the width direction (X-axis direction) of the first chamber on the right side of the connecting flow path (49).

[0107] When the first outlet (432) and the second outlet (433) are arranged along the width direction of the first chamber with the connecting passage (49) between them, water can be supplied evenly to the entire bottom surface of the first chamber (41). Therefore, the detergent supply device (D) can minimize the possibility of detergent remaining inside the first chamber (41).

[0108] Furthermore, the first discharge port (432) and the second discharge port (433) may be provided to discharge water inside the first flow path (431) toward the rear surface (415) of the first chamber. This is to minimize detergent residue on the rear surface (415) of the first chamber.

[0109] When water is supplied to the first chamber (41) through the first outlet (432) and the second outlet (433), the detergent introduced into the first chamber (41) through the connecting passage (49) will move to the chamber outlet (416, drawer outlet).

[0110] The chamber discharge portion (416, drawer outlet) may be provided on the lower surface (412) of the first chamber (41). FIG. 16 illustrates an example in which the chamber discharge portion (416, drawer outlet) is formed by bending the lower surface (412) of the first chamber away from the bottom surface of the drawer (5).

[0111] Meanwhile, if the chamber discharge portion (416, drawer outlet) is positioned above the tub inlet (24), water and detergent discharged from the chamber discharge portion (416, drawer outlet) will be directly supplied to the tub body (21) through the tub inlet (24).

[0112] Figure 17 illustrates the maximum open state in which the drawer (5) is pulled out from the housing (4) and both the first detergent inlet (521) and the second detergent inlet (522) are exposed to the outside.

[0113] The above drawer (5) can be discharged from the housing toward the inlet (125) so that both the first detergent inlet (521) and the second detergent inlet (522) are exposed for injecting detergent.

[0114] When the detergent is put into the drawer (5), for the convenience of the user, it is necessary to ensure that the drawer (5) is fixed to the cabinet cover (12) without being separated from the cabinet cover (12). To this end, the drawer (5) may be provided with a catch (55) that prevents the drawer from being separated from the cabinet cover by contacting the edge of the bulkhead penetration hole (124) when the drawer is withdrawn from the housing (4) and releases the contact with the bulkhead penetration hole when an external force is input.

[0115] Specifically, the above-mentioned catch (55) is provided in a form that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the drawer (5), as illustrated in Fig. 17. Since the catch protrudes to a height that contacts the upper side of the edge of the partition wall penetration hole (124), when the drawer (5) is pulled out, movement may be restricted due to interference by the partition wall penetration hole (124).

[0116] Therefore, the drawer can no longer be discharged and stops at the position where the edge of the blocking protrusion (55) and the bulkhead penetration hole (124) come into contact.

[0117] That is, the length of discharge of the drawer (5) is determined according to the position of the catch (55). It may be preferable that the position of the catch (55) be positioned so that the first detergent inlet and the second detergent inlet are fully exposed, but the discharge length is short in order to reduce the rotational moment due to gravity, but it is not limited thereto, and it is acceptable for only a portion of the first detergent inlet and the second detergent inlet to be exposed.

[0118] In Fig. 17, the catch (55) is shown as being provided on the upper surface of the drawer, but the catch may be provided on the side as long as it can contact the edge of the bulkhead penetration hole (124). However, for convenience of explanation, it will be described as being provided on the upper surface.

[0119] Meanwhile, the drawer (5) may need to be disassembled for cleaning, repair, replacement, etc. Accordingly, the drawer may include a release member (56) that releases the contact between the edge of the catch (55) and the bulkhead penetration hole (124).

[0120] The above-mentioned release member (56) may be provided on the upper surface of the drawer, and the locking projection may be moved downward through the upper surface of the drawer to reduce the protruding height of the locking projection, thereby releasing the contact with the upper side of the edge of the bulkhead penetration hole (124).

[0121] In addition, referring to FIGS. 7 and 18, the drawer (5) includes the first storage section and the second storage section, and the cover (52) can shield the first storage section and the second storage section. The first storage section (511) and the second storage section (512) are partitioned by the body partition wall (513), and the locking release section (56) can be provided in the space between the first storage section (511) and the second storage section (512). In addition, the cover (52) can be cut at a position corresponding to the position of the locking release section so that the locking projection can protrude upward.

[0122] Accordingly, the catch can come into contact with the edge of the partition wall penetration hole (124) while preventing the detergent stored in the first storage unit and the second storage unit from leaking out to the outside.

[0123] The above-mentioned release member (56) may include a release button (561) to which an external force is input, and a locking connecting member (562) connecting the release button and the locking projection (55). The release button may be provided on one surface of the drawer (5) where the locking projection is located. The locking projection and the release member may be located anywhere as long as they can come into contact with the edge of the partition wall penetration hole (124), but for the convenience of explanation, it is limited to being located on the upper surface of the drawer (5).

[0124] The above-mentioned release button (561) may be provided on the upper surface of the drawer (5) as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. The release button (561) and the catch projection (55) are connected by the catch connection member (562), so that an external force input to the release button is transmitted to the catch projection, thereby allowing the catch projection to move.

[0125] By lowering the protruding height of the above-mentioned catch (55), it is possible to release it from contact with the edge of the above-mentioned bulkhead penetration hole (124). To this end, when an external force is input to the catch release button (561), the external force is transmitted to the catch (55) through the catch connecting member (562), and the catch can move downward.

[0126] When the above-mentioned catch moves downward through the upper surface of the drawer (5), the height of the catch protruding outward from the upper surface of the drawer is lowered, so that the contact with the bulkhead penetration hole (124) can be released. When the contact is released and the drawer (5) is pulled, the drawer can be discharged to the outside because there is no part that interferes with the edge of the bulkhead penetration hole (124).

[0127] Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 18, the hooking connecting member (562) may be in the form of a plate, and one side of the circumference of the hooking connecting member may form a fixed end fixed to the drawer (5), and the remaining sides excluding the one side may be spaced apart from the drawer and may be made movable when an external force is input.

[0128] The upper surface located near the fixed end may be provided with the above-mentioned hook (55), and the above-mentioned hook release button (561) may be provided on the upper surface located at a position spaced apart from the above-mentioned hook release button. In order to efficiently transmit the external force input to the above-mentioned hook release button (561), it is preferable that the distance between the above-mentioned hook release button and the above-mentioned hook be large.

[0129] Meanwhile, when the drawer (5) is inserted back into the housing (4), the catch (55) must prevent the drawer from being discharged, and therefore, it needs to protrude to a height where it comes into contact with the bulkhead penetration hole (124). Accordingly, the catch connection member (562) may be formed of an elastic member that provides a restoring force so that the catch (55) returns to its original position when the external force input to the catch release button (561) is removed.

[0130] Meanwhile, the release button (561) may need to prevent external force from being input unless the drawer (5) is to be discharged. Accordingly, the release portion (56) may include a button protection rib (564). The button protection rib may be formed in the form of a rib that surrounds the periphery of the release portion (56) and protrudes upward. The button protection rib (564) may protrude higher than the release button (561). This may prevent an external force that is not intended by the user from being input to the release button.

[0131] In addition, in order to block the input of external force, and to prevent the release button (561) from being excessively pressed, the button protection rib (564) may be provided with a bottom surface at a position spaced apart from the release button by a certain depth to prevent the release button from moving beyond a certain depth. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the release button (561) from being permanently deformed or damaged due to excessive external force being input.

[0132] Meanwhile, Fig. 19 shows a cross-section of the housing (4) and the drawer (5) cut in the direction in which the drawer (5) is inserted while the drawer (5) is pulled out and the catch (55) is in contact with the edge of the bulkhead penetration hole (124).

[0133] The above sagging prevention part (48) may be positioned on both front edges of the housing (4) and may be formed to protrude from the upper surface of the housing toward the internal space.

[0134] In addition, the mounting protrusion (54) may include a mounting protrusion (541) extending rearward from both edges of the drawer (5) but extending upwardly in an inclined manner, and the mounting protrusion (54) may be provided at a position facing the sagging prevention part (48) in the maximum open state.

[0135] That is, when the edge of the above-mentioned hook (55) and the above-mentioned bulkhead penetration hole (124) come into contact, the above-mentioned mounting protrusion (541) and the above-mentioned anti-sagging part (48) can come into contact at the same time.

[0136] The sum of the protruding length of the above-mentioned sag prevention part (48) and the protruding length of the above-mentioned mounting protrusion (541) may be equal to or similar to the height of the housing. As a result, the above-mentioned sag prevention part and the above-mentioned mounting protrusion may be forcefully fitted together to fix the position.

[0137] Specifically, in the maximum open state, the drawer is forced downward by gravity, so the mounting protrusion (54), which is located behind the support point where the drawer is supported on the housing, moves upward by rotation. At this time, the sum of the protruding length of the sag prevention part (48) and the protruding length of the mounting protrusion (541) is equal to or similar to the height of the housing, so the space in which the mounting protrusion (54) can move upward may be limited by the sag prevention part (48).

[0138] That is, the upward movement of the mounting protrusion (541) is restricted by the sagging prevention part (48) fixed to the housing (4), thereby preventing the drawer from sagging.

[0139] In addition, the mounting protrusion (54) can serve to fix the position of the drawer (5) when the drawer (5) is fully inserted into the housing (4). This will be described later.

[0140] Fig. 20 illustrates a closed state in which the drawer (5) is maximally accommodated in the housing (4). Since the garment treatment device is operated in the closed state, the drawer needs to be fixed in position inside the housing.

[0141] Figure 21 is a drawing showing a cross-section of the inside of the housing during the process of inserting and withdrawing the drawer (5) into the housing (4).

[0142] The above mounting protrusion (54) may extend from the rear surface of the drawer (5) in a direction in which the drawer is inserted into the housing (4), and the housing (4) may include a mounting fixing member (47) provided at a position corresponding to the mounting protrusion (54) when the drawer is inserted. When the drawer is inserted, the mounting protrusion (54) and the mounting fixing member (47) may be forcefully fitted to fix the position of the drawer to the housing.

[0143] Additionally, the mounting protrusion (54) may include a mounting protrusion (541) extending obliquely upward.

[0144] As illustrated in Fig. 21 (a), when the mounting protrusion is included, the mounting fixing member (47) may be provided such that the front end (471) is fixed to the upper surface of the housing and the rear end (473) is secured to the housing and is movable in the front-back direction. As the mounting fixing member extends from the front end to the rear end, the mounting fixing member may extend downward and then extend upward past an inflection point (472).

[0145] Referring to Fig. 21 (b), when the drawer (5) is inserted into the housing (4), the mounting protrusion (541) can apply an external force to the mounting fixing part (47). When the external force is applied, the inflection point of the mounting fixing part (47) can move upward, and the rear end (473) of the mounting fixing part, which is a free end, can move rearward.

[0146] When the drawer (5) above progresses and the uppermost end of the mounting protrusion (541) passes the inflection point (472), the external force applied by the mounting protrusion to the mounting fixing part (47) is removed, and the inflection point (472) can move downward and return to its original position. Therefore, it is preferable that the mounting fixing part (47) be made of an elastic member so as to have restoring force.

[0147] When the above inflection point is restored to its original position, the mounting fixing part (47) and the mounting protrusion (54) are forcibly fitted together, so that the drawer (5) can be fixed in position in the housing (4).

[0148] When the drawer (5) is withdrawn, as shown in Fig. 21 (c), the mounting protrusion (541) applies an external force to the mounting fixing portion (47) in the withdrawal direction of the drawer, and the inflection point (472) can move upward and the rear end (473) can move rearward. When the drawer continues to advance and the uppermost end of the mounting protrusion (541) passes the inflection point (472), as shown in Fig. 21 (d), the inflection point (472) can move downward and return to its original position, and the rear end (473) can move forward and return to its original position.

[0149] Fig. 21 illustrates the mounting protrusion (54) provided with the mounting protrusion (541) and the mounting fixing member (47) having a shape corresponding to the mounting protrusion, but any shape may be used as long as the drawer and the housing are combined to fix the position of the drawer.

[0150] The detergent supply device and clothing treatment device described above are merely preferred embodiments, and therefore the scope of the rights of the present application is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

Claims

1. A cabinet having a cabinet cover forming an upper surface, a partition wall dividing the cabinet cover into a first region and a second region, an inlet provided in the first region through the cabinet cover, and a partition wall penetration hole connecting the first region and the second region through the partition wall; A tub provided inside the cabinet to store water; A drum rotatably provided inside the tub and storing clothes supplied to the inlet; A drawer in which detergent supplied to the above tub is stored; A housing provided in the second area to provide a space for accommodating the drawer and including a drawer outlet connected to the bulkhead penetration hole; and A garment treatment device characterized by including a catch that prevents the drawer from being separated from the cabinet cover by contacting the edge of the bulkhead penetration hole when the drawer is withdrawn from the housing and releases contact with the bulkhead penetration hole when an external force is input.

2. In paragraph 1, A garment treatment device characterized in that the above-mentioned stud protrudes to a position where at least a portion overlaps the edge of the bulkhead penetration hole so as to be in contact with the edge of the bulkhead penetration hole.

3. In paragraph 2, A garment treatment device characterized in that the above-mentioned stud is provided on the upper surface of the drawer.

4. In paragraph 3, A garment treatment device characterized in that the drawer includes a catch release unit provided on the upper surface of the drawer and moving the catch protrusion through the upper surface of the drawer to release contact with the upper edge of the partition wall penetration hole.

5. In paragraph 4, The above release part Release button for external force input; A garment treatment device characterized by including a hook connection member that is fixed to the drawer and is provided to connect the hook release button and the hook projection to transmit the external force to the hook projection.

6. In paragraph 5, A garment treatment device characterized in that the above-mentioned hooking member is made of an elastic member that provides a restoring force so that the hooking projection returns to its original position when the external force input to the hooking release button is removed.

7. In paragraph 6, The above release part A garment treatment device characterized by including a button protection rib in the form of a rib that surrounds the periphery of the above-mentioned release button and the above-mentioned hooking member and protrudes upward from the upper surface of the drawer.

8. In paragraph 1, The drawer includes a mounting protrusion extending from the rear surface of the drawer in a direction in which the drawer is inserted into the housing; A garment treatment device characterized in that the housing includes a mounting fixing part provided at the rear of the housing and in contact with the mounting protrusion to fix the position of the drawer.

9. In paragraph 8, A garment treatment device characterized in that the above-mentioned mounting protrusion includes a mounting protrusion extending rearward from both edges of the drawer and extending in an upwardly inclined manner.

10. In paragraph 9, The above mounting fixing member is located on both edges of the housing, and is provided at a position corresponding to the mounting protrusion when the drawer is inserted into the housing. A clothing treatment device characterized in that the front end of the above-mentioned mounting fixing part is fixed to the housing, the rear end of the above-mentioned mounting fixing part is movably seated on the housing back and forth, and extends downward from the front end to the rear end and then extends upward past an inflection point.

11. In paragraph 10, A garment treatment device characterized in that the above-mentioned mounting fixing part is made of an elastic member having a restoring force such that when an external force in the drawer insertion direction is applied to the above-mentioned mounting fixing part, the inflection point moves upward and the rear end of the above-mentioned mounting fixing part moves rearward, and when the external force is removed, the inflection point and the rear end of the above-mentioned mounting fixing part return to their original positions.

12. In paragraph 11, A garment treatment device characterized in that the mounting protrusion moves from the front end of the mounting fixing part to the rear end when the drawer is inserted into the housing, and the mounting protrusion is provided so that the uppermost end moves from the front end of the mounting fixing part to the inflection point, applies the external force to the mounting fixing part, and when the inflection point is passed, the external force is removed, so that at least a portion of the mounting fixing part and the housing overlap each other in the height direction.

13. In paragraph 12, A clothing treatment device characterized in that the above-mentioned mounting protrusion is provided in a shape corresponding to the above-mentioned mounting fixing part so that it is forcibly fitted with the above-mentioned mounting fixing part when the uppermost end of the above-mentioned mounting protrusion is located rearward past the inflection point of the above-mentioned mounting fixing part.

14. In paragraph 8, A garment treatment device characterized by including a sagging prevention part provided at the front of the housing and preventing sagging of the drawer by contacting the mounting protrusion when the edge of the bulkhead penetration hole and the catch are in contact.

15. In paragraph 14, A garment treatment device characterized in that the above sagging prevention part is fixed to the upper surface of the housing and protrudes downward to contact the uppermost end of the mounting protrusion, thereby preventing sagging of the drawer.

Images