Clothing treatment device

Abstract

The present application relates to a clothing treatment device comprising: a cabinet having an opening in the front thereof; a tub installed inside the cabinet; a drum rotatably installed inside the tub; and a detergent storage container which is inserted into the opening in the front-rear direction and has a storage space for storing a detergent and, on the top surface thereof, a ventilation unit for communicating the storage space with the outside, the ventilation unit including an upper recess which faces the outside of the detergent storage container and is downwardly recessed, and a lower recess which faces the storage space, is upwardly recessed, and has a portion overlapping with the upper recess, wherein the rest of the lower recess, which does not overlap with the upper recess, is not exposed to the outside of the detergent storage container.

Description

Garment processing equipment

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

[0002] A garment treatment device is a device that removes contaminants from laundry, such as clothing and bedding (hereinafter referred to as "laundry"), by placing them inside a drum. Garment treatment devices can perform processes such as washing, rinsing, dehydration, and drying. Based on the method of loading laundry into the drum, garment treatment devices can be categorized into top-loading and front-loading.

[0003] A clothes treatment device may be configured to include a cabinet forming an exterior, a tub accommodated inside the cabinet, a drum rotatably mounted inside the tub and into which laundry is fed, and a detergent supply device supplying detergent into the drum.

[0004] When the drum rotates by a motor while washing water is supplied to the laundry contained in the drum, dirt on the laundry can be removed through friction between the drum and the washing water.

[0005] The detergent supply device is equipped with a detergent supply function to enhance washing performance. Here, "detergent" refers to substances that enhance washing performance, such as fabric detergents, fabric softeners, and fabric bleaches. Detergents can be in powder or liquid form.

[0006] Related document KR 10-2018-0090003 A1 discloses a detergent supply device included in a clothing treatment device. The detergent stored in the detergent supply device is discharged to the tub via a pump. However, the pump discharges the detergent stored in the detergent supply device using a hydraulic pressure. As the pump sucks in the detergent, there is an inconvenience in that the detergent supply device, which has a sealed detergent storage space, is deformed.

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned shortcomings, it is important to develop a structure that can resist pressure changes occurring in a sealed detergent storage space and to prevent detergent leakage when the detergent storage space is connected to the outside to resist pressure changes.

[0008] In addition, the above-described clothing treatment device includes a detergent storage container that is pulled out from the detergent supply device to store detergent.

[0009] However, the detergent storage container has a disadvantage in that the means for injecting the detergent are opened by vibration during the process of being inserted into and taken out of the cabinet of the garment treatment device, or the means for injecting the detergent are not properly opened and closed due to differences in shrinkage rates during molding, causing the detergent in the detergent storage container to leak to the outside.

[0010] Therefore, developing a structure that resists unnecessary vibration of the detergent storage container and prevents leakage of the detergent by resisting movement of the closing means has become an important task in the field of technology.

[0011] The present application aims to provide a clothing treatment device capable of minimizing deformation caused by pressure changes inside a detergent supply device.

[0012] In addition, the present application aims to solve the problem of providing a detergent supply device that is easy to maintain and a clothing treatment device equipped with the detergent supply device.

[0013] In addition, the present application aims to provide a clothing treatment device that can effectively prevent leakage of detergent stored in a detergent storage container, thereby improving convenience of use.

[0014] The present application provides a clothes treatment device comprising a cabinet having an opening at the front, a tub installed inside the cabinet, a drum rotatably installed inside the tub, a detergent storage container inserted into the opening in the front-back direction and having a storage space in which detergent is stored inside, a pump for moving the detergent stored in the storage space to the tub, and a ventilation unit provided to penetrate the upper surface of the storage space and capable of maintaining the pressure inside the storage space at an atmospheric pressure state, wherein the ventilation unit includes an upper groove facing the outside of the detergent storage container and recessed downward, and a lower groove facing the storage space and recessed upward, a portion of which overlaps the upper groove, and a remaining portion of the lower groove that does not overlap the upper groove is formed so as not to be exposed to the outside of the detergent storage container.

[0015] The upper groove includes a first groove having one end overlapping a portion of the lower groove and the other end facing the outside of the detergent storage container, and the first groove may be formed such that the length in the front-back direction is longer than the length in the left-right direction.

[0016] Except for the first groove of the upper groove, the remaining second grooves may be convex in a direction away from the first groove.

[0017] The above ventilation unit may be provided on the corner side where each side of the upper surface of the detergent storage container is connected.

[0018] The above ventilation unit may be provided in multiple numbers and may be provided at each corner where the front and side of the detergent storage container are connected.

[0019] The second groove may be convex in a direction toward a vertical line passing through the center of the detergent storage container.

[0020] The first surface forming the bottom surface of the second groove of the upper groove may be parallel to the ground.

[0021] The second surface forming the upper surface of the portion of the upper groove of the lower groove that does not overlap with the first groove may be parallel to the ground.

[0022] The second surface of the lower groove may be positioned higher than the first surface of the upper groove.

[0023] The above ventilation portion may further include an extension portion that is recessed downward from the upper surface of the detergent storage container and connected to the upper groove.

[0024] The detergent storage container includes an inlet portion having an inlet for injecting detergent on the upper surface, and a cap member for opening and closing the inlet portion, the inlet portion includes a fixed rib extending toward the center of the inlet portion, and when the inlet portion is closed, the fixed rib is inserted into the cap member so that upward movement can be restricted.

[0025] The above cap member may include an insertion portion at least partially inserted into the insertion port.

[0026] The above insertion part is inserted into the inlet and rotated in the forward direction by a certain amount to be fixed to the inlet, and the inlet part is formed along the circumference of the inlet, and a cap fixing part that restricts movement when the insertion part is fixed to the inlet part can be formed.

[0027] The insertion part has a fastening rib formed at one end that protrudes in the radial direction of the insertion part, and a fastening groove formed in the cap fixing part through which the fastening rib passes, so that when the fastening rib passes through the fastening groove and rotates in the forward direction by a certain amount, the insertion part can be fixed to the input part.

[0028] The above fixed rib may be provided on the cap fixing part.

[0029] The above-mentioned fixed ribs are provided in multiple numbers and can be arranged on the cap fixing part with the above-mentioned fastening grooves interposed therebetween.

[0030] The cap member may include a flange portion that extends along the circumferential direction of the inlet and is exposed to the outside of the detergent storage container, and the inlet portion may include a cap support portion that has one end connected to the cap fixing portion and the other end extends in the radial direction of the inlet to support the flange portion.

[0031] The cap support portion may include a cap sealer that is interposed between the flange portion and the cap support portion when the cap member closes the inlet port and seals between the flange portion and the cap support portion.

[0032] The above-mentioned injection portion may include a recessed portion that extends along the circumferential direction of the cap support portion and is formed to be recessed from the upper surface of the detergent storage container.

[0033] The above-mentioned indentation may be formed so that one end is formed at the same height as the upper surface of the detergent storage container and the other end is inclined downwards toward the cap support portion.

[0034] The above indentation may have a mark indicating the correct direction etched.

[0035] The cap fixing portion may include a maximum capacity display portion that protrudes toward the center of the inlet and has a corrosion-treated display indicating the maximum capacity of detergent that can be stored inside the storage space.

[0036] The above detergent storage container includes a discharge valve that discharges detergent in the storage space to the outside of the detergent storage container, and the discharge valve may have a valve hole provided on the bottom surface through which the detergent flowing into the discharge valve is discharged.

[0037] The above discharge valve may be inserted into the detergent storage container and fixed by rotating in one direction, and may include a rail guide that guides the valve to be inserted into and rotated in the detergent storage container.

[0038] The present application provides a clothing treatment device capable of minimizing deformation of the external shape due to pressure changes inside a detergent supply device.

[0039] In addition, the present application provides a detergent supply device that is easy to maintain and a clothes treatment device equipped with the detergent supply device.

[0040] In addition, the present application provides a clothing treatment device that can effectively prevent leakage of detergent stored in a detergent storage container, thereby improving convenience of use.

[0041] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate examples of a clothing treatment device.

[0042] Figure 3 illustrates an example of a detergent supply device provided in a cabinet.

[0043] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate examples of detergent supply devices.

[0044] Figures 6, 7, and 8 illustrate examples of detergent storage containers provided in a detergent supply device.

[0045] Figure 9 illustrates an example of a cover for a detergent storage container.

[0046] Figure 1O illustrates an example of a cap member of a detergent storage container.

[0047] Figure 11 illustrates an example of a cap member provided on a cover.

[0048] Figures 12 and 13 illustrate examples of ventilation units.

[0049] Figures 14 and 15 illustrate examples of exhaust valves.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.).

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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).

[0054] 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).

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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).

[0057] 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).

[0058] 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).

[0059] 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).

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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).

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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).

[0064] 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).

[0065] 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).

[0066] FIGS. 3 and 5 illustrate drawings of a detergent supply device (D) including a housing (4) that guides water supplied from the water supply unit (25) illustrated in FIG. 4 to the tub body (21), a detergent storage container (S) that provides a space for storing detergent and can be withdrawn from the housing (4), and a pump (8, 9) that moves detergent stored in the detergent storage container (S) into the interior of the housing (4), fixed to the cabinet cover (12).

[0067] 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).

[0068] 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).

[0069] 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).

[0070] 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).

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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).

[0073] The above housing (4) may be provided to include a first chamber (41) that provides a space for accommodating the detergent storage tank (S), and a second chamber (42) that receives detergent from the pump (8, 9).

[0074] 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).

[0075] The front surface of the first chamber (41) is 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). To facilitate the discharge of the fluid inside the first chamber (41) to the outside (to minimize the possibility of fluid remaining), the lower surface (412) may be provided as a sloped surface that slopes downward toward the chamber discharge port (416).

[0076] The second chamber (42) is provided to provide a space separated from the first chamber (41), and FIG. 5 illustrates an example in which 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 detergent storage container (S) 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.

[0077] 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).

[0078] If the second chamber (42) is provided to be located outside the first chamber (41), the volume of the detergent storage container (S) can be increased (the amount of detergent that the detergent storage container can store can be increased), and if the volume of the second chamber (42) is set to be small, the possibility of the detergent supplied from the pump (8, 9) remaining inside the second chamber (42) can be minimized. The reason why the space in the interior of the housing (4) where the detergent can remain is small is because the possibility of all the detergent inside the second chamber (42) being discharged to the first chamber (41) through the water supply unit (25) is increased.

[0079] 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).

[0080] 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).

[0081] The above detergent storage container (S) provides a space for storing detergent, and may be provided so as to be withdrawable from the first chamber (41).

[0082] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the detergent storage container (S) may be provided to include a body (5) that provides a space for storing detergent and is inserted into the first chamber (41), a cover (6) that is fixed to the body (5) and forms an upper surface of the detergent storage container, and a panel (7) that is fixed to the front surface of the body (5) and is exposed to the outside of the first chamber (41).

[0083] The above body (5) may be provided with a storage space (51) that provides a space for storing detergent, a discharge port (52) that discharges detergent in the storage space (51) to the outside of the body (5), and a discharge valve (53) that controls the opening and closing of the discharge port (52).

[0084] FIG. 7 illustrates an example in which the storage space (51) is provided as two storage spaces separated by a body partition (513). The storage space (51) may be provided as a first storage space (511) and a second storage space (512) separated from each other by the body partition (513).

[0085] In this case, the discharge port (52) may be provided as a first storage space discharge port (521) provided in the first storage space (511) and a second storage space discharge port (522) provided in the second storage space (512), and the discharge valve (53) may be provided as a first discharge valve (531) that controls the opening and closing of the first storage space discharge port (521) and a second discharge valve (532) that controls the opening and closing of the second storage space discharge port (522).

[0086] The cover (6) above includes an inlet (611) which is an opening for allowing detergent to be injected into the storage space (51) and a cap member (62) for opening and closing the inlet. Specifically, a first detergent inlet (611a) for allowing detergent to be injected into the first storage space (511) and a second detergent inlet (611b) for allowing detergent to be injected into the second storage space (512) are provided. The first detergent inlet (611a) can be opened and closed by the first cap member (62a), and the second detergent inlet (611b) can be opened and closed by the second cap member (62b).

[0087] It is preferable that the first discharge valve (531) and the second discharge valve (532) are provided as valves (check valves, etc.) that allow fluid to be discharged from the storage space (511, 512) but block external fluid from flowing into each storage space (511, 512).

[0088] The first discharge valve (531) and the second discharge valve (532) may be provided to open each storage space discharge port (521, 522) when the body (5) is inserted into the first chamber (41), and to close each storage space discharge port (521, 522) when the body (5) is withdrawn from the first chamber (41).

[0089] FIG. 8 illustrates an example in which the first discharge valve (531) and the second discharge valve (532) are provided on the rear surface of the body (5). In this case, the first discharge valve (531) and the second discharge valve (532) will control the opening and closing of each storage space discharge port (521, 522) by the pump (8, 9).

[0090] Even if the body (5) is inserted into the first chamber (41), the panel (7) is provided to be positioned outside the housing (4). Therefore, the panel (7) can also function as a handle required when a user withdraws the body (5) from the housing (4). FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an example in which the panel (7) is provided in a shape capable of closing the bulkhead penetration hole (124) provided in the cabinet cover (12).

[0091] A portion of the cover (6) is illustrated in Fig. 9. The cover (6) may include an inlet (61) in which the inlet (611) is formed and a ventilation portion (65) that connects the outside of the detergent storage container (S) and the storage space (51).

[0092] The inlet port (611) of the inlet portion (61) of the cover (6) can be opened and closed by the cap member (62) illustrated in Fig. 10. A cross-section of the cap member (62) coupled to the inlet portion (61) is illustrated in Fig. 11.

[0093] The process of combining the input portion (61) and the cap member (62) will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11.

[0094] The cap member (62) includes an insertion portion (621) that is at least partially inserted into the inlet (611), and when the insertion portion (621) is inserted into the inlet (61) and rotated in a certain direction, the cap member (62) can be fixed to the inlet (61).

[0095] The above-mentioned input portion (61) is formed along the circumference of the input port (611), and when the insertion portion (621) is fixed to the input portion (61), a cap fixing portion (612) that restricts movement can be formed.

[0096] The above insertion part (621) may include a fastening rib (622) that protrudes in the radial direction of the insertion part (621) at one end inserted into the inlet (611), and a fastening groove (614) through which the fastening rib (622) passes is formed in the cap fixing part (612), so that when the fastening rib (622) passes through the fastening groove (614) and rotates in the forward direction by a certain amount, the insertion part (621) may be fixed to the input part (61).

[0097] The above-mentioned fastening groove (614) may correspond to the entrance / exit of the fastening rib (622) during the process of joining and separating the cap member (62). The above-mentioned fastening groove (614) may be recessed into the inner circumferential surface of the cap fixing portion (612) so as to be away from the insertion portion (621). The above-mentioned fastening groove (614) may have the shape of a groove that penetrates one surface facing the storage space (51) of the cover (6) and the other surface on the opposite side.

[0098] The cross-sectional shape of the above fastening groove (614) may correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the above fastening rib (622), and may be formed to be larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the above fastening rib (622).

[0099] The user can insert the insertion portion (621) of the cap member (62) into the inlet (611) so that the fastening rib (622) of the cap member (62) is positioned on the fastening groove (614) of the cap fixing portion (612), and, with the fastening rib (622) having passed through the fastening groove (614), rotate the cap member (62) in one direction of the circumference of the inlet (61) so that the upward movement of the fastening rib (622) is restricted by the cap fixing portion (612), thereby fixing the cap member (62) to the inlet (61).

[0100] The above-mentioned input portion (61) includes a fixed rib (613) extending toward the center of the input port (611), and when the cap member (62) closes the input port (611), the fixed rib (613) is inserted so that the upward movement is restricted and the cap member (62) can be fixed to the input portion (61).

[0101] The cap member (62) is provided with a path through which the fixed rib (613) can be inserted and moved in the forward direction, so that when the cap member (62) is inserted into the inlet (611), the fixed rib (613) is secured on the path so as not to prevent the cap member (62) from moving along the forward rotation path.

[0102] Accordingly, when the above fixed ribs (613) are provided in multiple numbers, they can be arranged in parallel along the positive path of the cap member (62).

[0103] The above fixed rib (613) may be provided on the cap fixing part (612) and may serve as a means for assisting the cap fixing part (612) to prevent upward movement of the cap member (62).

[0104] The above-described fixed rib (613) may be arranged on the cap fixing portion (612) with the above-described fastening groove (614) therebetween. The above-described fastening groove (614) corresponds to an opening that extends in the radial direction of the inlet (611) and connects the inside and the outside of the storage space (51). However, when the insertion portion (621) is inserted and rotated to be fixed to the inlet portion (61), it is not shielded by the insertion portion (621), so the detergent inside the storage space (51) may easily leak out. Therefore, by arranging the above-described fixed rib (613) around the above-described fastening groove (614), the above-described detergent leakage problem can be minimized.

[0105] When the detergent storage container (S) is injected, the thickness of the inlet portion (61) and the cap member (62) are formed to vary at each point, so that a difference in shrinkage rate can easily occur, and in addition, distortion can occur due to residual stress or shrinkage anisotropy. Therefore, when the cap member (62) is fixed to the inlet portion (51), the cap member can be displaced up and down due to the difference in shrinkage rate. In particular, since the detergent storage container (S) can store fluid inside and can be withdrawn and inserted by the user, if the cap member (62) moves up and down in the inlet portion (61), detergent may leak, which may cause a hygiene and safety hazard. Since the fixing rib (613) serves as a means for limiting the vertical movement of the cap member (62), the above-described detergent leakage problem can be prevented.

[0106] The cap fixing part (612) may include a maximum capacity display part (615) that protrudes toward the center of the inlet (611) and indicates the maximum capacity of detergent that can be stored in the storage space (51). The maximum capacity display part (615) may have a mark indicating the maximum capacity that is corroded. The detergent stored in the storage space (51) may be composed of chemicals including sodium hydroxide, surfactants, and organic solvents. Therefore, when a marker indicating the maximum capacity is formed by coating or the like, it may constantly come into contact with the detergent and cause inconvenience to the user by peeling off. Therefore, by forming the maximum capacity display part (615) by a corrosion treatment, damage caused by the detergent can be minimized, and the maximum detergent capacity can be continuously notified to the user.

[0107] The cap member (62) extends along the circumferential direction of the inlet (611) and includes a flange portion (623) exposed to the outside of the detergent storage container (S), and the inlet portion (61) may include a cap support portion (616) that has one end connected to the cap fixing portion (612) and the other end extending in the radial direction of the inlet (611) to support the flange portion (623).

[0108] The flange portion (623) can be extended parallel to the upper surface of the cover (6), and a grip portion is provided so that a user can easily separate the cap member (62) from the input portion (61) by gripping it. The flange portion (623) can be extended parallel to the upper surface of the cover (6) to effectively block the movement of detergent flying or splashing from the storage space (51) and prevent the detergent from leaking.

[0109] The above flange portion (623) may be formed on the entire edge of the cap member (62), or may be formed on only a portion of the edge. When the insertion portion (621) is inserted into the inside of the inlet (611), it protrudes in the radial direction of the insertion portion (621) larger than the diameter of the inlet (611), and contacts the cap support portion (616) to restrict downward movement, thereby preventing the cap member (62) from falling into the storage space (51).

[0110] The above cap support portion (616) may include a cap sealer (617) that is interposed between the flange portion (623) and the cap support portion (616) when the cap member (62) closes the inlet (611) and seals between the flange portion (623) and the cap support portion (616).

[0111] The above cap sealer (617) serves as a support between the flange portion (623) and the cap support portion (616), and allows the flange portion (623) to be stably supported between the cap support portions (616), thereby improving the stability of the structure.

[0112] The cap sealer (617) may be provided separately from the inlet (61) or the cap member (62) and may be coupled to the inlet (61). Accordingly, it may be provided with a material having a higher frictional force than the material of the cap member (62) and the inlet (61), thereby preventing the cap member (62) from moving due to external force such as vibration of the drum drive unit or the user's insertion and withdrawal of the detergent storage container (S) on the inlet (61).

[0113] The cap sealer (617) may be made of a material having higher elasticity and superior deformability than the injection portion (61) and the cap member (62). Accordingly, the cap sealer (617) may be compressed and deformed between the flange portion (623) and the cap support portion (616), thereby preventing the detergent inside the storage space (51) from leaking.

[0114] The above-mentioned injection portion (611) may include an indentation portion (618) that extends along the circumferential direction of the cap support portion (616) and is formed to be indented from the upper surface of the detergent storage container (S).

[0115] Since the lowermost part of the above-mentioned indentation (618) is located lower compared to the upper surface of the detergent storage container (S), the detergent leaking from the storage space (51) through the inlet (611) can be prevented from being discharged to the outside along the upper surface of the detergent storage container (S) by allowing it to accumulate by gravity.

[0116] The above-mentioned indentation (618) may be formed in a shape in which one end is formed at the same height as the upper surface of the detergent storage container (S) and the other end is inclined downwards toward the cap support portion (616).

[0117] Accordingly, when the cap member (62) is fixed to the input portion (61), and the grip portion of the flange portion (623) extends to a height higher than the cap support portion (616), the indentation portion (618) compensates for the height difference and prevents it from being formed higher than the upper surface of the detergent storage container (S), thereby minimizing interference with the housing (4) when the detergent storage container (S) is inserted and removed by a user, thereby improving usability.

[0118] When the uppermost part of the indentation portion (618) is formed higher than the bottom surface of the flange portion (623), if the cap member (62) is unintentionally separated by the user due to vibration and the fixation with the insertion portion (61) is released, the radial movement of the flange member (623) is restricted by the indentation portion (618), thereby completely preventing the cap member (62) from being separated from the cover (6).

[0119] The above-mentioned indentation (618) may be provided with a direction indicator (618a) indicating the positive rotational direction in which the cap member (62) is fixed to the insertion portion (61). The indentation (618) may be exposed to the outside even when the cap member (62) is inserted into the insertion port (611), so that the user can easily check it, thereby improving the user's convenience.

[0120] As described above, the detergent stored in the storage space (51) may be composed of chemicals including sodium hydroxide, surfactants, and organic solvents. Therefore, when the direction indicator (618a) is formed by coating or the like, it may constantly come into contact with the detergent, causing inconvenience to the user due to peeling or the like. Therefore, by forming the direction indicator (618a) through a corrosion treatment, damage caused by the detergent can be minimized, thereby continuously indicating the correct direction to the user.

[0121] Figures 12 and 13 illustrate the ventilation unit (65) as seen from the top surface of the detergent storage container (S) and as seen from the cross-section A-A'. The ventilation unit (65) may be provided on the top surface of the detergent storage container (S) inserted in the front-back direction (Z) inside the cabinet (1).

[0122] The detergent stored in the storage space (51) can be discharged to the outside of the detergent storage container (S) by the pump (8, 9). At this time, the pump (8, 9) sucks the detergent in the storage space (51), so the empty space of the storage space (51) increases, and in the process of sucking the detergent by the pump (8, 9), the air inside the storage space (51) is also sucked in, so the pressure inside the storage space (51) decreases, which may damage the detergent storage container (S). At this time, the above-described damage can be minimized by providing the ventilation part (65) that connects the storage space (51) and the outside of the detergent storage container (S).

[0123] The above ventilation portion (65) may include an upper groove (652) that faces the outside of the detergent storage container (S) and is recessed downward, and a lower groove (656) that faces the storage space (51) and is recessed upward, with a portion overlapping the upper groove (652).

[0124] The remaining portion of the lower groove (656) that does not overlap with the upper groove (652) may be formed so as not to be exposed to the outside of the detergent storage container (S). Accordingly, the area exposed to the outside of the detergent storage container (S) is reduced compared to the cross-sectional area of ​​the upper groove (652) or the lower groove (656) constituting the ventilation portion (65), so that leakage of detergent inside the storage container (51) through the ventilation portion (65) can be minimized.

[0125] The upper groove (652) and the lower groove (656) of the above-mentioned ventilation portion (65) are formed in a columnar shape with a constant cross-section in the indented direction, and the central axes thereof are spaced apart from each other, and the first surface (655) forming the bottom surface of the upper groove (652) and the second surface (657) forming the upper surface of the lower groove may have a shape extending parallel to the upper surface of the detergent storage container (S). Accordingly, the detergent in the storage space (51) can be effectively prevented from leaking through the ventilation portion (65).

[0126] Specifically, the detergent storage container (S) is inserted forward and backward (Z direction) by the user through an opening formed in the front by the partition wall penetration hole (124) and the support body penetration hole (128) of the cabinet (1), and during this process, the detergent inside the detergent storage container (S) may leak to the outside through the ventilation part (65).

[0127] In the above-described case, the ventilation part (65) forms the first surface (655) and the second surface (657) which extend parallel to the upper surface (310) of the detergent storage container or at a predetermined angle between the upper groove (652) and the lower groove (656) which extend in the vertical direction (Y), thereby minimizing the area where the permanent storage space (51) and the outside of the detergent storage container (S) are directly connected in the vertical direction (Y), and the upward and downward movement path of the detergent is bent at least twice, so that detergent leakage can be minimized.

[0128] The first surface (655) of the upper groove (652) may be positioned lower than the second surface (657) of the lower groove (656). Accordingly, since the path of the detergent moving in the up-and-down direction (Y) is bent by more than 90°, the leakage of the detergent can be effectively prevented.

[0129] The upper groove (652) includes a first groove (653) whose end overlaps a portion of the lower groove (656) and whose other end faces the outside of the detergent storage container (S), and the first groove (653) may be formed such that the length in the front-back direction (Z) is longer than the length in the left-right direction (X).

[0130] Since the detergent storage tank (S) moves in the forward-backward direction (Z), the detergent in the storage space (51) can have momentum in the forward-backward direction (Z), and therefore, if the width in the left-right direction (X) becomes longer, the length of the detergent that moves forward and flows upward through the ventilation part (65) becomes relatively longer, so that the amount of detergent that flows out can increase. Therefore, the first groove (653) of the upper groove (652) is extended in the forward-backward direction (X), and the first surface (655) and the second surface (657) are arranged in the left-right direction (Y), so that detergent leakage can be effectively prevented.

[0131] The second groove (654) of the upper groove (652), excluding the first groove (653), may be formed to be convex in a direction away from the first groove (653). Since the first groove (653) directly communicates the storage space (51) with the outside of the detergent storage container (S), detergent may leak through the first groove (653) and the leaked detergent may accumulate in the second groove (654). Accordingly, if the second groove (654) has a rounded surface from the first groove (653), the detergent can easily accumulate due to the surface tension of the detergent in a fluid state, thereby minimizing the detergent from moving to the outside of the ventilation portion (65).

[0132] The above ventilation portion (65) may include an expansion portion (651) that is recessed downward from the upper surface of the detergent storage container (S) and connected to the upper groove (632). Accordingly, the width of the second groove (654) is increased to expand the area where detergent can accumulate, and the detergent leaking through the first groove (653) can be restricted from moving due to the expansion portion (651) and moved back to the storage space (51).

[0133] The molding can be performed using an injection molding method using an upper mold corresponding to the upper groove (652) of the above-mentioned ventilation section (65) and a lower mold corresponding to the lower groove (656), or a method of perforating the upper groove (652) and the lower groove (656) of the above-mentioned ventilation section (65), respectively.

[0134] In the molding method described above, in order to form the ventilation portion (65), an additional process may be required to form the first surface (655) and the second surface (657) that extend parallel to the upper surface of the detergent storage container (S) or at a predetermined angle. Considering the extension direction of the first surface (655) and the second surface (657), processing of the first surface (655) and the second surface (657) may be relatively difficult.

[0135] However, in the present invention, the upper groove (652) and the lower groove (656) of the ventilation part (65) are formed in a structure in which they overlap each other, and thus, the formation of the first surface (655) and the second surface (657) can be induced through processing of the upper groove (652) and the lower groove (656).

[0136] In addition, in the perforation method, the upper groove (652) and the lower groove (656) of the ventilation part (65) are each perforated to a certain depth, and if the upper groove (652) and the lower groove (656) are perforated so that they partially overlap, the first surface (655) and the second surface (657) are formed, so that the process is improved in an effective and simple manner.

[0137] The ventilation unit (65) may be arranged on the corner side where each side of the upper surface of the detergent storage container (S) is connected. The floor of the storage space (51) may be provided with a slope angle that is relatively inclined upward toward the edge side so as to communicate with the discharge port (52) and the discharge valve (53). In this case, when the user withdraws and retracts the detergent storage container (S), if the detergent flows due to inertia, the slope angle of the storage space (51) can suppress the detergent from jumping up toward the edge side. Therefore, when the ventilation unit (65) is arranged on the corner side, the detergent can be effectively prevented from leaking through the ventilation unit (65).

[0138] The ventilation part (65) may be provided at a corner where the upper surface and the front surface of the detergent storage container (S) are connected. When the user withdraws the detergent storage container (S), the detergent that has leaked into the ventilation part (65) and accumulated in the second groove (654) or the like can be conveniently checked and removed, thereby improving hygiene. Accordingly, the second groove (654) of the upper groove (652) may be provided to be convex in the direction toward the vertical line passing through the center of the detergent storage container (S). Accordingly, the detergent that has leaked into the ventilation part (65) can be prevented from flowing down toward the edge of the detergent storage container (S) and being separated from the detergent storage container (S).

[0139] In order to stably place the detergent storage container (S) inside the cabinet (1) during the process of being introduced into the cabinet (1), a fixing means or the like may be used. However, the detergent in the storage space (51) may leak due to vibration during the fixing process. In this case, since the detergent flows from the rear to the upper side, if the ventilation part (65) is located at the corner connecting the upper surface and the front surface of the detergent storage container (S), the amount of detergent leakage through the ventilation part (65) can be minimized.

[0140] An example of the discharge valve (53) is shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15. The discharge valve (53) can deliver detergent, preferably liquid detergent, stored in the first storage space (511) and the second storage space (512) to the tub (2) through the housing (4), etc.

[0141] The above discharge valve (53) is inserted into the discharge port (52) that penetrates the rear outer wall of the storage space (51), and the pump (8, 9) is coupled to discharge detergent in a preset amount. When the detergent is discharged, it can be moved to the pump through the valve hole (533) located at the bottom of the discharge valve (53).

[0142] The valve hole (533) of the discharge valve (53) may be positioned downward so as to be close to the bottom surface of the storage space (51). If the amount of detergent remaining in the storage space (51) is insufficient and falls below a certain level, it may become difficult for the detergent to be sucked into the valve hole (533). In this case, if the valve hole (533) is positioned downward, the amount of detergent remaining in the storage space (51) that is not sucked can be minimized.

[0143] When the valve hole (533) is located below the discharge valve (53), the air intake timing is delayed when discharging at the same pressure, so that the head loss of the pump (8, 9) can be reduced. In addition, the discharge path through the valve hole (533) is improved, so that the discharged flow rate increases, so that the efficiency of the pump (8, 9) can be increased.

[0144] The above discharge valve (53) may further include a rail guide (534) that guides the path through which it is inserted into the outer wall of the storage space (51). The rail guide (534) may be shaped so that the discharge valve (53) can be inserted and rotated in one direction by a certain amount. Accordingly, when the discharge valve (53) is inserted into the detergent storage container (S) along the rail guide (534) and then rotated by a preset angle, the valve hole (533) may be positioned to face the lower surface of the storage space (51).

[0145] 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 with an opening in the front; A tub installed inside the above cabinet; A drum rotatably installed inside the above tub; A detergent storage container having a storage space for storing detergent inside and being inserted into the opening in the forward-backward direction; A pump for moving the detergent stored in the storage space to the tub; and It includes a ventilation part which is provided to penetrate the upper surface of the storage space and is capable of maintaining the pressure inside the storage space at atmospheric pressure; The above ventilation part, An upper groove that faces the outside of the detergent storage container and is concave downward; and A lower groove is formed facing the storage space and is concave upward, and a portion of the lower groove overlaps the upper groove; A clothing treatment device characterized in that the remaining portion of the lower groove that does not overlap the upper groove is formed so as not to be exposed to the outside of the detergent storage container.

2. In paragraph 1, The upper groove includes a first groove having one end overlapping a portion of the lower groove and the other end facing the outside of the detergent storage container, A clothing treatment device, characterized in that the first groove is formed such that the length in the front-back direction is longer than the length in the left-right direction.

3. In paragraph 2, A clothing treatment device characterized in that the second grooves, excluding the first groove of the upper groove, are convex in a direction away from the first groove.

4. In paragraph 1, A clothing treatment device characterized in that the ventilation part is provided on the corner side where each side of the upper surface of the detergent storage container is connected.

5. In paragraph 4, A clothing treatment device characterized in that the above ventilation portions are provided in multiple numbers and are each provided at a corner side where the front and side of the detergent storage container are connected.

6. In paragraph 3, A clothes treatment device characterized in that the second groove is convex in the direction toward the vertical line passing through the center of the detergent storage container.

7. In paragraph 3, A clothing treatment device, characterized in that the first surface forming the bottom surface of the second groove of the upper groove is parallel to the ground.

8. In paragraph 7, A clothing treatment device characterized in that a second surface forming an upper surface of a portion of the upper groove of the lower groove that does not overlap with the first groove is parallel to the ground.

9. In paragraph 8, A clothing treatment device, characterized in that the second surface of the lower groove is located higher than the first surface of the upper groove.

10. In paragraph 1, A clothing treatment device characterized in that the ventilation part further includes an extension part that is recessed downward from the upper surface of the detergent storage container and connected to the upper groove.

11. In paragraph 1, The above detergent storage container includes an inlet provided on the upper surface for detergent injection, and a cap member for opening and closing the inlet. The above-mentioned input section includes a fixed rib extending toward the center of the input port, A clothing treatment device characterized in that the cap member is configured such that when the inlet is closed, the fixed rib is inserted to limit upward movement.

12. In paragraph 11, A garment treatment device, characterized in that the cap member includes an insertion portion at least partially inserted into the inlet.

13. In paragraph 12, The above insertion part is inserted into the insertion port and rotated in the forward direction by a certain amount to be fixed to the insertion part, A garment treatment device characterized in that the above-mentioned input portion is formed along the periphery of the input port and a cap fixing portion is formed to limit movement when the insertion portion is fixed to the input portion.

14. In paragraph 13, The above insertion part has a fastening rib formed at one end that protrudes in the radial direction of the insertion part, The cap fixing part above has a fixing groove formed through which the fixing rib passes. A clothing treatment device characterized in that when the fastening rib passes through the fastening groove and rotates in the forward direction by a certain amount, the insertion part is fixed to the input part.

15. In paragraph 14, A clothing treatment device characterized in that the above-mentioned fixed rib is provided on the above-mentioned cap fixing part.

16. In paragraph 15, A clothing treatment device characterized in that the above-mentioned fixed ribs are provided in multiple numbers and are arranged on the cap fixing part with the above-mentioned fastening grooves in between.

17. In paragraph 16, The above cap member extends along the circumference of the inlet and includes a flange portion exposed to the outside of the detergent storage container. A clothing treatment device characterized in that the above-mentioned input section includes a cap support section having one end connected to the cap fixing section and the other end extending in the radial direction of the input port to support the flange section.

18. In paragraph 17, A clothing treatment device characterized in that the cap support part includes a cap sealer that is interposed between the flange part and the cap support part and seals between the flange part and the cap support part when the cap member closes the inlet.

19. In Article 18, A clothing treatment device, characterized in that the injection portion includes a recessed portion that extends along the circumferential direction of the cap support portion and is formed to be recessed from the upper surface of the detergent storage container.

20. In paragraph 19, A clothing treatment device characterized in that the above-mentioned recessed portion is formed at one end at the same height as the upper surface of the detergent storage container and is provided in a shape that slopes downward as it goes toward the other end connected to the cap support portion.

21. In paragraph 20, A clothing treatment device characterized in that the above-mentioned indentation is provided with a mark indicating the correct direction that is corroded.

22. In paragraph 13, A clothes treatment device characterized in that the cap fixing part includes a maximum capacity display part that protrudes toward the center of the inlet and has a display that is etched to indicate the maximum capacity of detergent that can be stored inside the storage space.

23. In paragraph 1, The above detergent storage container includes a discharge valve that discharges the detergent in the storage space to the outside of the detergent storage container, A clothing treatment device characterized in that the discharge valve has a valve hole provided on the bottom surface through which detergent flowing into the discharge valve is discharged.

24. In paragraph 23, A clothes treatment device characterized in that the discharge valve is inserted into the detergent storage container and fixed by being rotated in one direction, and includes a rail guide that guides the discharge valve to be inserted into and rotated in the detergent storage container.

Images