KR102238354B1 - Washing agent pump and laundry treating apparatus having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laundry detergent pump and a laundry treatment apparatus having the same. A laundry treatment device provided with a laundry detergent pump of the present invention comprises: a laundry treatment device body; And a laundry detergent supply unit having a storage container for storing a liquid laundry detergent including a liquid detergent or a liquid softener, and a laundry detergent pump for providing the liquid laundry detergent in the storage container to the laundry treatment device body, wherein the laundry detergent The pump is a flow path forming member having a flow path and a pressurizing space for the liquid laundry detergent, a suction valve for opening and closing a suction port of the pressurized space and a discharge valve for opening and closing a discharge port of the pressurized space, and one of the flow path forming member A cylinder disposed in communication with the pressurizing space on the side, a piston disposed in a reciprocating manner within the cylinder, and an air pocket formed in communication with the flow path of the flow path forming member and temporarily accommodated in the air and liquid laundry detergent, and the air And an electrode disposed in the pocket so as to be in contact with the liquid laundry detergent, and a residual amount sensing unit configured to detect the residual amount of the liquid laundry detergent. Accordingly, since the remaining amount detecting means is not installed in the storage container, the storage container can be easily separated and combined.

Description

Laundry detergent pump and laundry treatment device equipped with it {WASHING AGENT PUMP AND LAUNDRY TREATING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a laundry detergent pump and a laundry treatment apparatus having the same.

As is well known, the laundry treatment device is a kind of device that treats (washes) clothes or laundry through a washing process and a rinsing process.

The laundry includes not only clothes, but also washable items such as bedding such as blankets, curtains, and stuffed animals.

The laundry treatment apparatus has a dehydration function of removing moisture by rotating the washed clothes or laundry at a preset speed.

Some of the laundry treatment apparatuses have a drying function of supplying heated air to washed clothes or laundry to dry them.

On the other hand, the laundry treatment apparatus has a laundry agent supply function for supplying detergent or laundry agent (hereinafter, referred to as'washing agent') so as to improve the laundry effect.

Here, the laundry agent includes a material that enhances the laundry effect, such as a fabric detergent, a fabric softener, and a fabric bleach.

The laundry detergent is a powder (powder) laundry detergent, a liquid (liquid) laundry detergent, or a gel laundry detergent.

The powder laundry detergent is relatively poor in solubility, so it does not dissolve after washing, and there is a problem in that the laundry detergent component remains in a water tank or laundry.

In recent years, in consideration of the problems of powder laundry detergents, the use of liquid laundry detergents having relatively excellent dissolution properties is increasing.

Some of the laundry treatment apparatuses are provided with a liquid laundry detergent supplying device to supply the liquid laundry detergent to the washing water.

The liquid laundry detergent supply device includes a storage container accommodating the liquid laundry agent and a pump provided at an outlet side of the storage container.

However, in such a conventional laundry treatment apparatus, there is a problem that the remaining amount of the liquid laundry detergent cannot be accurately detected.

Accordingly, there is an inconvenience of frequently checking the detergent container.

In addition, there is a problem in that washing is insufficient when washing is performed without preliminarily recognizing the insufficient amount of the liquid laundry detergent.

In consideration of this problem, some of the sensors are installed inside the detergent container. However, when the sensor is installed in the detergent container, it is difficult to withdraw the detergent container, and thus replenishment of the liquid laundry detergent becomes cumbersome.

KR 1020080089087 A (Open on October 6, 2008) KR 1020030061183 A (Published on July 18, 2003) KR 1020140128682 A (Open on November 6, 2014) EP 3479335 B1 (Announcement on Dec. 17, 2014)

Accordingly, the present invention is to provide a laundry detergent pump capable of easily withdrawing the storage container and a laundry treatment device having the same, since it is not necessary to provide a sensing means for detecting the remaining amount of liquid laundry detergent in the storage container. The purpose.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry detergent pump capable of suppressing erroneous detection of residual amounts caused by bubbles generated when liquid laundry detergent is moved, and a laundry treatment apparatus having the same.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry detergent pump and a laundry treatment apparatus having the same, capable of suppressing false detection of the residual amount of liquid laundry detergent and reducing variations in the supply amount of the liquid laundry detergent.

The present invention, in order to achieve the object as described above, the laundry treatment apparatus body; And a laundry detergent supply unit including a storage container for storing a liquid laundry detergent including a liquid detergent or a liquid softener, and a laundry detergent pump for providing the liquid laundry detergent in the storage container to the laundry treatment device body; The pump is a flow path forming member having a flow path and a pressurizing space for the liquid laundry detergent, a suction valve for opening and closing a suction port of the pressurized space and a discharge valve for opening and closing a discharge port of the pressurized space, and one of the flow path forming member A cylinder disposed in communication with the pressurizing space on the side, a piston disposed in a reciprocating manner within the cylinder, and an air pocket formed in communication with the flow path of the flow path forming member and temporarily accommodated in the air and liquid laundry detergent, and the air Provides a laundry treatment apparatus having a laundry detergent pump, comprising: a residual amount detecting unit, comprising an electrode disposed in a pocket so as to be in contact with the liquid laundry detergent, and detecting the residual amount of the liquid laundry detergent. do.

Here, the laundry treatment apparatus main body, the cabinet; A water tank provided inside the cabinet; And a rotating tank rotatably provided inside the water tank, and the laundry agent supply passage may be configured to be connected to the water tank.

In an embodiment, a laundry agent supply passage for supplying the liquid laundry agent may be provided between the laundry detergent pump and the water tank.

In an embodiment, the residual amount sensing unit may be disposed on the downstream side of the pressurized space along the moving direction of the liquid laundry detergent.

In an embodiment, the air pocket may include an inlet portion through which the liquid laundry agent flows and an outlet portion through which the liquid laundry agent flows out.

In an embodiment, the inlet portion and the outlet portion may be configured to be spaced apart from each other along the moving direction of the liquid laundry detergent.

In an embodiment, the outlet may be formed under the inlet.

In an embodiment, the upper end of the outlet may be formed at the same height as the lower end of the inlet.

In an embodiment, the upper end of the outlet may be configured to be disposed below the lower end of the inlet.

In an embodiment, the residual amount sensing unit may be configured to be disposed on the upstream side of the pressurized space along the moving direction of the liquid laundry detergent.

In an embodiment, the flow path forming member may be configured with an introduction space into which the liquid laundry agent is introduced at an upstream side of the pressurization space.

In an embodiment, the volume of the air pocket may be larger than the volume of the introduction space.

In an embodiment, the air pocket may be formed to protrude upward from the upper side of the flow path so that the liquid laundry detergent is temporarily accommodated at the bottom and air is accommodated above the liquid laundry detergent.

In an embodiment, the volume of the air pocket may be configured to be at least twice the volume of the introduction space.

In an embodiment, it may be configured with a suction valve spring and a discharge valve spring for returning the suction valve and the discharge valve to their initial positions, respectively.

In an embodiment, it may be configured to further include a piston driving unit for driving the piston.

In an embodiment, the introduction space may further include an inlet opening and closing member having an inlet formed on a circumferential surface of the passage forming member, and opening and closing the inlet.

In an embodiment, the inlet opening/closing member may open and close the inlet opening while moving along the lengthwise direction of the flow path forming member.

In an embodiment, the inlet opening and closing member may further include an inlet opening and closing member spring applying an elastic force in a direction blocking the inlet opening.

On the other hand, according to another field of the present invention, a flow path and a pressurized space for liquid laundry detergent containing a liquid detergent or a liquid softener are formed, a suction valve for opening and closing the suction port of the pressurized space, and a discharge for opening and closing the discharge port of the pressurized space A flow path forming member having a valve; A cylinder disposed at one side of the flow path forming member to communicate with the pressure space; A piston reciprocally disposed inside the cylinder; And an air pocket formed in communication with the flow path of the flow path forming member and temporarily accommodated therein, and an electrode disposed inside the air pocket so as to be in contact with the liquid laundry detergent, and the liquid laundry detergent There is provided a laundry detergent comprising a; residual amount detection unit for detecting the residual amount of.

In an embodiment, it may be configured to further include a; piston driving unit for reciprocating the piston.

In an embodiment, the residual amount sensing unit may be disposed on the downstream side of the pressurized space along the moving direction of the liquid laundry detergent.

In an embodiment, the air pocket includes an inlet portion into which the liquid laundry agent flows and an outlet portion through which the liquid laundry agent flows out, and the inlet portion and the outlet portion are spaced apart from each other along a moving direction of the liquid laundry agent, and the outflow The part may be configured to be formed under the inlet part.

In an embodiment, the upper end of the outlet may be formed to be disposed at the same height as the lower end of the inlet or lower than the lower end of the inlet.

In an embodiment, the flow path forming member has an introduction space into which the liquid laundry agent is introduced upstream of the pressure space, and the residual amount detection unit is located upstream of the pressure space along the moving direction of the liquid laundry agent. It may be arranged to be in communication with the introduction space.

In an embodiment, the volume of the air pocket may be larger than the volume of the introduction space.

In an embodiment, the suction valve is disposed inside the pressurized space, the discharge valve is disposed outside the pressurized space, and a suction valve spring and a discharge valve returning the suction valve and the discharge valve to their initial positions, respectively. It may be configured to further include a spring.

According to another field of the present invention, a cylinder for sucking and discharging a liquid laundry detergent including a liquid detergent or a liquid softener; A piston reciprocating within the cylinder; And an air pocket formed in communication with a suction side flow path or a discharge side flow passage of the cylinder and in which air and the liquid laundry detergent are temporarily accommodated, and an electrode disposed inside the air pocket so as to be in contact with the liquid laundry detergent. And a residual amount detecting unit configured to detect the residual amount of the liquid laundry detergent.

In an embodiment, the laundry detergent pump is provided with a suction valve for opening and closing a suction port of the pressurized space and a discharge valve for opening and closing a discharge port of the pressurized space, forming a flow path and a pressurizing space for the liquid laundry detergent, and the pressurized space It may be configured to further include a; flow path forming member disposed to communicate with the inside of the cylinder.

As described above, according to an embodiment of the present invention, since the laundry detergent pump for supplying the liquid laundry detergent has a residual amount detecting unit, there is no need to separately install the residual amount sensing means in the storage container in which the liquid laundry agent is stored. Withdrawal of the storage container can be facilitated.

In addition, since the residual amount detecting unit has an air pocket in which air is accommodated, it is possible to remarkably suppress the occurrence of erroneous detection of the residual amount of the liquid detergent due to bubbles generated when the liquid detergent is moved.

In addition, the remaining amount detection unit prevents the air in the air pocket from being discharged together with the liquid laundry detergent by allowing the outlet part to be provided below the bottom of the inlet part, thereby suppressing the occurrence of false detection of the remaining amount due to bubbles. , It is possible to reduce the dispersion of the supply amount of liquid laundry detergent due to air inflow.

1 is a perspective view of a laundry treatment apparatus having a laundry detergent pump according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a partial perspective view showing the interior of the cabinet of FIG. 1;
3 is a plan view of a laundry detergent supplying unit region of FIG. 2;
4 is a perspective view of the laundry detergent pump of FIG. 3;
5 is a cross-sectional view of a flow path forming member region of the laundry detergent pump of FIG. 4;
6 is a cross-sectional view of a piston driving area of the laundry detergent pump of FIG. 4;
7 is a cross-sectional view of a residual amount detection unit of the laundry detergent pump of FIG. 4;
8 is a view for explaining the detergent inflow process of FIG. 5;
9 is a view for explaining the detergent outflow process of FIG. 5;
10 is a perspective view of a laundry detergent pump according to another embodiment of the present invention,
11 is a cross-sectional view of the laundry detergent pump of FIG. 10;
12 is a modified example of the laundry detergent pump of FIG. 10.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments disclosed in the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification, the same/similar reference numerals are assigned to the same/similar configurations even in different embodiments, and the description is replaced with the first description. Singular expressions used in the present specification include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In addition, in describing the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, when it is determined that a detailed description of related known technologies may obscure the subject matter of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, it should be noted that the accompanying drawings are for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification and should not be construed as limiting the technical idea disclosed in the present specification by the accompanying drawings.

1 and 2, a laundry treatment device having a laundry detergent pump according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a laundry treatment device body 110; And a storage container 210 in which a liquid laundry detergent including a liquid detergent or a liquid softener is stored, and a laundry detergent pump 280 for providing the liquid laundry detergent in the storage container 210 to the laundry treatment device main body 110. It may be configured to include a laundry detergent supply unit (190).

The laundry treatment apparatus main body 110 includes a cabinet 120 forming an exterior, a water tank 130 provided inside the cabinet 120, and a rotating tank rotatably provided inside the water tank 130 ( 140) may be provided.

The cabinet 120 may be implemented in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, for example.

The water tank 130 may be implemented in, for example, a cylindrical shape with an open side.

The water tank 130 may have the opening facing the front of the cabinet 120.

The water tank 130 may be supported by, for example, a plurality of elastic members 142 and/or dampers 144.

As a result, vibration of the water tank 130 may be suppressed.

The rotation tank 140 may be rotated about a rotation shaft provided at one end (rear) of the water tank 130.

The rotating tub 140 may be implemented in, for example, a cylindrical shape with an open side.

The rotation tank 140 may be disposed such that the opening communicates with the opening of the water tank 130.

A driving motor 145 for rotationally driving the rotating tank 140 may be provided at a rear end of the water tank 130.

A door 125 may be provided on the front surface of the cabinet 120 to open and close the opening of the water tank 130.

The door 125 may be provided to be able to rotate relative to the cabinet 120, for example.

More specifically, for example, the door 125 may be rotatably coupled along the left and right directions of the cabinet 120 around a rotation axis disposed along the up-down direction of the cabinet 120.

An electric heater 132 may be provided in the lower region of the water tank 130 to heat water when power is applied, for example.

A water collecting part 134 may be provided in the bottom region of the water tank 130 so that water may be collected, for example.

The water collecting part 134 may be formed to protrude downward from the bottom of the water tank 130, for example.

The electric heater 132 may be installed to be submerged in the water of the water collecting part 134.

A drain pump 150 may be provided in a lower area of the water tank 130 to drain water to the outside.

In another area below the water tank 130, a circulation passage 160 for drawing water from the water tank 130 and circulating it into the water tank 130 may be provided.

A circulation pump 162 for moving water upward may be provided in the circulation passage 160.

The circulation passage 160 may include a bellows 164 connected to the lower end of the water tank 130 and a circulation pipe 166 connected to the bellows 164.

A filter unit 170 for collecting foreign substances of water drawn from the water tank 130 may be provided at one side of the drain pump 150.

The filter unit 170 may include, for example, a filter casing 172 and a filter 174 detachably accommodated in the filter casing 172.

The filter 174 may be provided with a filter handle 175 on the front side.

The filter 174 may be coupled such that the filter handle 175 is exposed to the outside and a rear region of the filter handle 175 is inserted into the filter casing 172.

The filter casing 172 may be connected to one end of the circulation pipe 166, for example.

The circulation pump 162 may be connected to protrude upward from the upper side of the circulation pipe 166, for example.

A bellows connection part 167 to which the bellows 164 is connected may be formed at the other end of the circulation pipe 166.

The bellows connection part 167 may be configured in, for example, a hemispherical shape with an open upper side.

The bellows connection part 167 may be connected to a water level detecting part pipe 169 for sensing the water level of the water tank 130.

A drain pipe 155 may be connected to a discharge side of the drain pump 150 to discharge water to the outside.

The circulation passage 160 may include a discharge pipe 168 connected to an upper region of the water tank 130 at one end on the discharge side of the circulation pump 162.

Meanwhile, a laundry detergent supply unit 190 for supplying a liquid laundry detergent to the water tank 130 may be provided inside the cabinet 120.

The laundry detergent supply unit 190 may be provided under the water tank 130, for example.

The liquid laundry agent refers to a material that enhances the laundry effect of laundry, such as a liquid fiber detergent, a liquid fabric softener, or a liquid fiber bleach.

The laundry detergent supply unit 190 accommodates a liquid laundry detergent including a liquid detergent or a liquid softener, and a storage container 210 capable of being withdrawn to the outside of the cabinet 120, the storage container 210, and the water tank 130 ) It may be configured to include a laundry detergent supply passage 260 formed to supply a liquid laundry detergent between and a laundry detergent pump 280 provided in the laundry detergent supply passage 260.

A storage container receiving part 220 in which the storage container 210 is retractably accommodated may be provided inside the cabinet 120.

A frame 230 having a drawout opening 232 through which the storage container 210 can be withdrawn may be disposed in front of the storage container receiving part 220.

A filter opening 234 may be formed through the frame 230 so that the filter 174 can be withdrawn.

A cover 235 for opening and closing the withdrawal opening 232 and the filter opening 234 may be provided in front of the frame 230.

The cover 235 may be configured to rotate along the vertical direction with respect to the frame 230.

The cover 235 may be rotated about a rotation shaft provided at the lower end of the frame 230.

The storage container 210 may include, for example, a detergent receiving part 212a in which a liquid detergent is accommodated and a softener receiving part 212b in which a liquid softener is accommodated.

A storage container handle 214 may be provided on the front of the storage container 210.

Accordingly, the storage container 210 may be easily withdrawn, stored, and moved.

The detergent receiving part 212a and the softening agent receiving part 212b are partitioned from each other by a separation wall 213 provided inside a single body to accommodate the detergent and the softener, respectively.

The detergent receiving part 212a and the softener receiving part 212b may each include injection port plugs 216a and 216b for opening and closing the injection port, respectively.

An installation space part 225 in which the laundry detergent pump 280 is received and installed may be provided at the rear of the storage container receiving part 220.

The installation space part 225 may be configured to be opened to the rear of the cabinet 120, for example.

A laundry agent supply passage 260 may be formed at one side of the installation space part 225, for example, at the rear side to supply the laundry agent.

The laundry detergent pump 280 may include, for example, a detergent pump 280a connected to the detergent receiving part 212a and a softener pump 280b connected to the softening agent receiving part 212b.

The laundry agent supply passage 260 may include, for example, a detergent supply passage 262 for supplying the detergent and a softener supply passage 266 for supplying the softener, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The detergent supply passage 262 is, for example, one end connected to the discharge side of the detergent pump 280a connected to the storage container receiving part 220 and the other end connected to the bellows connection part 167 A detergent outlet pipe 264 may be provided.

The softener supply passage 266 may include, for example, a softener discharge pipe 268 having one end connected to the discharge side of the softener pump 280b and the other end connected to the bellows connection part 167. have.

Here, the detergent outlet pipe 264 and the softener outlet pipe 268 are both connected to the bellows connecting portion 167, so that the bellows connecting portion 167 before the laundry agent flows into the water tank 130. ) May be supplied to the water tank 130 after being diluted by contacting with water.

According to this configuration, since the laundry agent comes into contact with the laundry after being diluted with water, there is no fear of damage to the laundry caused by direct contact of the laundry with a high concentration of laundry agent.

The detergent pump 280a and the softener pump 280b may be connected to the storage container receiving part 220 to communicate with the detergent receiving part 212a and the softening agent receiving part 212b, respectively.

The detergent receiving part 212a of the storage container 210 is connected in communication with the detergent pump 280a when the storage container 210 is stored, and when the storage container 210 is withdrawn, the detergent receiving part 212a A detergent pump connection part 217a may be provided to block leakage of the detergent of ).

The softener receiving part 212b of the storage container 210 is connected in communication with the softener pump 280b when the storage container 210 is stored, and when the storage container 210 is withdrawn, the softener receiving part 212b ) May be provided with a softener pump connection portion (217b) to block the leakage of the softener.

Hereinafter, a laundry detergent pump according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9.

4 to 6, the laundry detergent pump 280 according to an embodiment of the present invention, for example, a cylinder 310 that sucks and discharges a liquid laundry detergent including a liquid detergent or a liquid softener. ); A piston 320 reciprocating within the cylinder 310; And an air pocket 415 formed in communication with a suction side flow path or a discharge side flow passage of the liquid laundry detergent of the cylinder 310 and temporarily accommodates air and the liquid laundry detergent, and the liquid inside the air pocket 415 It may be configured with an electrode 421 disposed to be in contact with the laundry detergent, and a residual amount sensing unit 430a for sensing the residual amount of the liquid laundry detergent.

The laundry detergent pump 280 forms a flow path and a pressure space 363 for the liquid laundry detergent, and a suction valve 365 and the pressure space 363 for opening and closing the suction port 364 of the pressure space 363 A flow path forming member 360 provided with a discharge valve 375 for opening and closing the discharge port 374 of) so that the pressure space 363 communicates with the inside of the cylinder 310; may be provided.

The laundry detergent pump 280 may include, for example, a piston driving unit that reciprocates the piston 320.

The laundry detergent pump 280 may further include a case 330 for receiving and supporting the cylinder 310, the piston 320, and the piston driving part 440.

The case 330 may include, for example, a case body 332 forming an accommodation space therein and a case cover 335 opening and closing the case body 332.

Inside the case body 332, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the cylinder 310 may be coupled.

The piston 320 may be inserted into the cylinder 310 so as to reciprocate.

The piston driving part 440 may be provided on the other side of the case body 332.

The piston driving unit 440 includes, for example, an electric motor 442 that generates a driving force when power is applied, and a power transmission unit 445 that transmits the driving force of the electric motor 442 to the piston 320. It can be provided and configured.

The power transmission unit 445 may include, for example, a piston rod 447 having one end connected to the piston 320, a crankshaft 449 connected to the other end of the piston rod 447, and the crank The driven gear 451 provided on the rotation shaft 450 of the shaft 449 and integrally rotated, the driving gear 453 provided on the rotation shaft 443 of the electric motor 442 and the driving gear 453 and the Each of the driven gears 451 may be engaged with each other to include a power transmission gear 455 that transmits the rotational force of the driving gear 453 to the driven gear 451.

The drive gear 453 may be, for example, a worm formed on the rotation shaft 443 of the electric motor 442.

The power transmission gear 455, for example, is rotated by being integrally coupled to the rotation shaft of the worm wheel and a first gear 456 composed of a worm wheel that rotates while being meshed with the worm, and meshed with the driven gear 451 It may be configured with a second gear 457 that is rotated.

The case body 332 and the case cover 335 may include an engaging portion 340 that is engaged with each other.

The engaging portion 340 is, for example, to be engaged with the engaging rib 342 and the engaging rib 342 extending toward the other from any one of the case body 332 and the case cover 335 It may be configured with an engaging protrusion 345 protruding from the other.

A protrusion insertion hole 343 may be formed through the coupling rib 342 so that the engaging protrusion 345 may be inserted.

In this embodiment, the coupling rib 342 is formed on the case cover 335, and the engaging protrusion 345 is formed on the case body 332, but this is only an example. A coupling rib may be formed on the case body 332 and the engaging protrusion may be formed on the case cover 335.

To one side of the case body 332, for example, the flow path forming member 360 may be integrally coupled.

The flow path forming member 360 may include, for example, a first body 361a and a second body 361b coupled to each other along a length direction, as shown in FIG. 5.

The first body 361a and the second body 361b may be integrally coupled by a fastening member 362.

The flow path forming member 360 forms a flow path and a pressurizing space 363 of the liquid laundry detergent, and a suction valve 365 for opening and closing the suction port 364 of the pressurizing space 363 and the pressurizing space 363 ) May be configured with a discharge valve 375 that opens and closes the discharge port 374 of.

The flow path forming member 360 may be configured to have a substantially cylindrical shape.

The first body 361a and the second body 361b may each be configured to have, for example, a cylindrical shape.

A fastening part 392 may be formed on one side of the flow path forming member 360 so as to be fastened to the installation space part 225.

Inside the flow path forming member 360, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, a pressurizing space 363 communicating with the cylinder 310 may be formed.

The pressurization space 363 may be formed inside the second body 361b.

A communication path 313 for communicating the inner space 312 of the cylinder 310 and the pressure space 363 may be formed between the flow path forming member 360 and the case 330.

Accordingly, during the reciprocating motion of the piston 320, a suction force and a compressive force may each act in the inside of the pressurizing space 363.

The communication path 313 may be formed through, for example, the case 330 and the lower region of the flow path forming member 360.

A suction port 364 and a discharge port 374 may be formed at an upstream side and a downstream side of the pressurized space 363 along the moving direction of the liquid laundry detergent (detergent).

The suction valve 365 for opening and closing the suction port 364 may be provided at the suction port 364.

The suction valve 365 may be provided in the pressurization space 363.

A suction valve spring 367 for applying an elastic force in a direction in which the suction valve 365 blocks the suction port 364 may be provided at one side of the suction valve 365.

The suction valve 365 may be returned to an initial position blocking the suction port 364 by the suction valve spring 367.

The discharge valve 375 for opening and closing the discharge port 374 may be provided in the discharge port 374.

The discharge valve 375 may be provided outside the pressurized space 363 (downstream of the discharge port 374).

A discharge valve spring 377 for applying an elastic force in a direction in which the discharge valve 375 blocks the discharge port 374 may be provided at one side of the discharge valve 375.

The discharge valve 375 may be returned to an initial position blocking the discharge port 374 by the discharge valve spring 377.

Meanwhile, the flow path forming member 360 may be provided with a residual amount detecting unit 410a to detect the residual amount of the laundry detergent.

The residual amount detecting unit 410a may be configured to be disposed on the upstream side of the pressurized space 363 along the moving direction of the liquid laundry detergent, for example.

The remaining amount detecting unit 410a is formed to be in communication with the flow path of the flow path forming member 360, and the air pocket 415 and the air pocket 415 temporarily accommodate air and liquid laundry therein. It may be configured to have an electrode 421 disposed therein so as to be in contact with the liquid laundry detergent.

The flow path forming member 360 may include an inlet end 381 through which the liquid laundry agent flows and an outlet end 391 through which the liquid laundry agent flows out.

The outlet end 391 may be formed to extend from the discharge port 374 on the downstream side of the pressurization space 363.

The inlet end 381 may be formed to extend from the suction port 364 of the pressurization space 363 on the upstream side of the pressurization space 363.

An introduction space 380 into which the liquid laundry agent is introduced may be provided at an upstream side of the pressurization space 363.

An inlet 383 may be formed through one side of the inlet end 381 so that the liquid laundry detergent may be introduced into the introduction space 380.

The inlet 383 may be formed to penetrate downwardly along the circumferential direction of the introduction space 380, for example.

In this embodiment, although the introduction port is formed on the lower side of the drawing, it may be formed on the side or upper surface along the circumferential direction.

Here, the introduction space 380 is, for example, a liquid laundry detergent from the left end of the first body 361a of the flow path forming member 360 of FIG. 5 to the suction port 364 of the pressurized space 363 It can mean the volume of the flow path of.

The inlet end 381 may be inserted and coupled to the detergent pump connection part 217a or the softener pump connection part 217b.

An inlet opening and closing member 384 for opening and closing the inlet 383 may be provided at the inlet end 381.

The inlet opening and closing member 384 may be coupled to the periphery of the inlet end 381 and slidably move along the lengthwise direction of the flow path forming member 360.

When the inlet opening/closing member 384 is inserted into the detergent pump connection part 217a or the softener pump connection part 217b, the end of the inlet opening/closing member 384 is the detergent pump connection part. By contacting the end of 217a or the end of the softener pump connecting portion 217b, the inlet 383 may be opened by relative movement.

The inlet opening and closing member 384 may have a cylindrical shape, for example.

An inlet opening/closing member receiving part 386 may be formed around the inlet opening/closing member 384 to be disposed outside the inlet opening/closing member 384 so that the inlet opening/closing member 384 is accommodated when the inlet is opened. .

The inlet opening and closing member 384 may be provided with a coupling protrusion 388 protruding outward in a radial direction.

The coupling protrusion 388 may be formed in a plurality.

Each of the coupling protrusions 388 may be configured to be spaced apart from the outer surface of the inlet opening and closing member 384.

Each of the coupling protrusions 388 may be configured to be accessible and spaced apart from the inlet opening and closing member 384.

The inlet opening/closing member receiving part 386 may be provided with a coupling protrusion receiving part 387 for receiving the coupling protrusion.

The coupling protrusion receiving portion 387 is in contact with the coupling protrusion 388 to prevent the movement of the coupling protrusion 388, so that the inlet opening and closing member 384 is suddenly separated from the inlet opening and closing member receiving portion 386 (Separation) can be suppressed.

An inlet opening/closing member spring 385 for applying an elastic force so that the inlet opening/closing member 384 can be moved to a blocking position blocking the inlet 383 may be provided inside the inlet opening/closing member receiving part 386. .

A coupling part 389 coupled to the storage container receiving part 220 may be provided at an end of the inlet opening/closing member receiving part 386.

Sealing members 382a and 382b may be provided at both sides of the inlet at the inlet end 381, respectively.

When the storage container 210 is withdrawn, the sealing members 382a and 382b are brought into contact with the inner surface of the inlet opening and closing member 384, which is moved to the blocking position by the elastic force of the inlet opening and closing member spring 385. 383), it is possible to suppress the leakage of the liquid laundry detergent.

On the other hand, the air pocket 415, for example, the lower portion is in communication with the flow path of the liquid laundry detergent to temporarily accommodate the liquid laundry detergent and the upper side of the flow path so that air can be accommodated above the liquid laundry detergent. It may be formed to protrude upward.

More specifically, the air pocket 415 has an air pocket forming portion 412 protruding so that the lower end communicates with the flow path of the flow path forming member 360 and the upper end is open, and the upper end of the air pocket forming portion 412 It may be formed by the combined air pocket cover 414.

The air pocket forming part 412 may be configured in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, for example.

The air pocket forming part 412 may be provided with a fastening member coupling part 416 so that the fastening member 417 passing through the air pocket cover 414 may be coupled.

The fastening member coupling portions 416 may be formed at, for example, diagonal corners of the air pocket forming portion 412 and the air pocket cover 414.

The air pocket cover 414 may be provided with an electrode 421 extending downwardly into the air pocket forming part 412 and contacting the laundry detergent moving along the flow path of the flow path forming member 360.

The electrodes 421 may be formed as a pair, for example.

The electrode 421 may have a length such that a lower end may be disposed below the upper end of the cross section of the flow path.

More specifically, for example, the lower end of each electrode 421 may be disposed lower than the upper end of the cross-section of the flow path and in an upper range of the upper end of the cross-section of the flow path.

Accordingly, the remaining amount of the liquid laundry detergent can be accurately detected.

Meanwhile, the volume of the air pocket 415 may be larger than the volume of the introduction space 380.

More specifically, the volume of the air pocket 415 may be configured to be at least twice the volume of the introduction space 380.

Accordingly, it is possible to effectively suppress the occurrence of erroneous detection of the remaining amount of the liquid laundry detergent due to bubbles generated when the liquid laundry detergent (detergent) moves.

More specifically, when the liquid laundry detergent is moved, the air is compressed and stored in the air pocket 415, so that bubbles generated by the movement of the laundry detergent are inhibited from moving upward along the electrode 421 Occurrence of erroneous detection of the residual amount caused by the increase in can be suppressed.

With this configuration, when power is applied to the electric motor 442 and the electric motor 442 is rotated, the driving gear 453, the power transmission gear 455 and the driven gear 451 are rotated, thereby The crankshaft 449 may be rotated.

When the crankshaft 449 is rotated, the piston rod 447 may reciprocate, and the piston 320 may reciprocate within the cylinder 310.

When the piston 320 is moved in the direction in which the internal volume of the cylinder 310 is expanded, as shown in FIG. 8, a pressurized space communicated with the inside of the cylinder 310 by the communication path 313 A suction force is generated in 363, whereby the suction valve 365 opens the suction port 364.

When the suction port 364 is opened, the liquid laundry detergent inside the storage container 210 is introduced into the introduction space 380 through the inlet 383, and the pressure is pressed through the opened suction port 364. It can be sucked into the interior of the space 363.

When the piston 320 is moved in a direction in which the internal volume of the cylinder 310 decreases, as shown in FIG. 9, the inside of the pressurization space 363 is compressed, and the compression force of the piston 320 Accordingly, the discharge valve 375 opens the discharge port 374.

When the discharge port 374 is opened, the liquid laundry detergent (detergent, softener) applied by a compressive force by the piston 320 is passed through the discharge port 374 to the laundry agent supply channel 260 (detergent supply channel 262). ), it may be moved along the softener supply passage 266 and introduced into the inside of the bellows connection part 167.

The liquid laundry detergent (detergent) introduced into the bellows connector 167 may be mixed with water and introduced into the water tank 130 along the circulation passage 160.

When the driving of the electric motor 442 is stopped, the suction valve 365 and the discharge valve 375 return to their initial positions by the elastic force of the suction valve spring 367 and the elastic force of the discharge valve spring 377, respectively. As a result, the suction port 364 and the discharge port 374 may be blocked, respectively.

Meanwhile, when the supply of the liquid laundry detergent is completed, the residual amount detecting unit 410a may detect the residual amount of the liquid laundry detergent at the bottom of the air pocket 415.

Here, inside the air pocket 415, air is collected during the movement of the liquid laundry detergent, and a relatively large amount of air is collected and compressed as time passes, so bubbles generated during the movement of the liquid laundry detergent are formed. Rising along the electrode 421 may be suppressed.

Accordingly, when the remaining amount of the liquid laundry detergent is actually insufficient at the bottom of the air pocket 415, the foam, not the liquid laundry detergent, rises and comes into contact with the two electrodes 421 at the same time, so that the remaining amount of the liquid laundry detergent is erroneously sensed. The occurrence of phenomena can be suppressed.

Hereinafter, a laundry detergent pump according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the laundry detergent pump 280 of the present embodiment includes, for example, a cylinder 310 for sucking and discharging a liquid laundry detergent including a liquid detergent or a liquid softener; A piston 320 reciprocating within the cylinder 310; And an air pocket 415 formed in communication with a suction side flow path or a discharge side flow passage of the liquid laundry detergent of the cylinder 310 and temporarily accommodates air and the liquid laundry detergent, and the liquid inside the air pocket 415 It may be configured to include an electrode 421 disposed to be in contact with the laundry detergent, and a residual amount sensing unit 410b configured to detect the residual amount of the liquid laundry detergent.

The laundry detergent pump 280 forms a flow path and a pressure space 363 for the liquid laundry detergent, and a suction valve 365 and the pressure space 363 for opening and closing the suction port 364 of the pressure space 363 A flow path forming member 360 provided with a discharge valve 375 for opening and closing the discharge port 374 of) so that the pressure space 363 communicates with the inside of the cylinder 310; may be further provided.

The flow path forming member 360 may be configured to have a substantially cylindrical shape, for example.

The flow path forming member 360 may include an inflow end 381 into which the liquid laundry agent flows and an inflow end 391 through which the liquid laundry agent flows along a moving direction of the liquid laundry agent.

The laundry detergent pump 280 may further include a case 330 for receiving and supporting the cylinder 310, the piston 320, and the piston driving part 440.

The case 330 may include, for example, a case body 332 forming an accommodation space therein and a case cover 335 opening and closing the case body 332.

Meanwhile, the residual amount detecting unit 410b may be disposed on the downstream side of the pressurized space 363 along the moving direction of the liquid laundry detergent.

More specifically, the residual amount detecting unit 410b may be provided at the inlet end 391 of the flow path forming member 360.

The inlet end 391 includes an air pocket forming part 412 protruding upward so that an air pocket 415 can be formed therein, and an air pocket cover 414 blocking the upper end of the air pocket forming part 412. It can be provided.

The air pocket forming part 412 may be configured in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, for example.

The air pocket cover 414 may be provided with an electrode 421 disposed to extend downward in the vertical direction in the air pocket forming part 412.

The electrodes 421 may be configured as a pair.

The air pocket 415 may include an inlet portion 431a through which the liquid laundry agent flows and an outlet portion 433a through which the liquid laundry agent flows out.

The inlet portion 431a and the outlet portion 433a may be configured to be spaced apart from each other along the moving direction of the liquid laundry detergent.

The outlet portion 433a may be formed on the downstream side of the inlet portion 431a.

The inlet portion 431a and the outlet portion 433a may be formed at the same height as each other.

On the other hand, the remaining amount detection unit (410c) of another embodiment of the present invention, for example, as shown in Figure 12, the air pocket 415, the air pocket 415 is formed therein and the upper end is opened. An air pocket cover 414 blocking the upper end of the forming portion 412 and the air pocket forming portion 412, and an inlet portion 431b and an outlet portion respectively formed in the air pocket forming portion 412 to have different height differences It can be configured with (433b).

The air pocket cover 414 may be provided with a pair of electrodes 421 disposed in the air pocket forming part 412 along the vertical direction, respectively.

The inlet portion 431b may be formed to be spaced upward from the bottom surface to have a predetermined height from the bottom surface of the air pocket 415.

The outlet portion 433b may be formed to have a height lower than that of the inlet portion 431b.

More specifically, the outlet portion 433b may be configured such that the upper end is disposed below the lower end of the inlet portion 431b.

According to this configuration, the air inside the air pocket 415 can be suppressed from flowing out through the outlet 433b.

Accordingly, the distribution of the flow rate of the liquid laundry detergent flowing out through the outlet portion 433b may be further reduced.

Each of the electrodes 421 may be disposed at a lower height than the upper end of the inlet part 431b.

In this embodiment, all of the lower ends of the electrodes 421 are shown to have the same height and lower than the upper end of the inlet part 431b, but this is only an example and any one of the electrodes 421 having a higher height May be disposed to have a lower height than the upper end of the inlet part 431b.

In this embodiment, the upper end of the outlet portion 433b is disposed below the lower portion of the inlet portion 431b, but the upper end of the outlet portion 433b is the upper end of the inlet portion 431b. It may be configured to be disposed at the same height as the bottom.

With this configuration, when the piston 320 starts reciprocating due to the rotation of the electric motor 442, the suction valve 365 and the discharge valve 375 alternately operate and the pressurization space 363 ) May be sucked into the interior of the liquid laundry and flow out to the inflow end 391.

The liquid laundry detergent that has flowed out to the inlet end 391 flows into the air pocket 415 through the inlet portion 431b, and flows out through the outlet portion 433b to the bellows connection portion 167 Can flow into.

When the supply of the liquid laundry detergent is completed, the residual amount detection unit may detect the residual amount of the liquid laundry detergent.

When the liquid laundry detergent is moved inside the air pocket 415, air is stored under pressure, so that bubbles generated when the liquid laundry detergent is moved can be prevented from rising along the electrode 421. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of erroneous detection of the residual amount caused by the rise of the foam of the liquid laundry detergent, thereby improving the detection reliability. When the supply of the liquid laundry detergent is completed, the electrode 421 may detect the remaining amount of the liquid laundry detergent at the bottom of the air pocket 415.

Here, the air is stored (compressed) inside the air pocket 415 during the movement of the liquid laundry detergent, so that bubbles generated during the movement of the liquid laundry detergent are prevented from rising along the electrode 421. I can.

Accordingly, when the remaining amount of the liquid laundry detergent is actually insufficient at the bottom of the air pocket 415, the foam rises and comes into contact with the two electrodes 421 at the same time, so that the remaining amount of the liquid laundry detergent can be suppressed from being erroneously detected. .

In the above, it has been shown and described with respect to specific embodiments of the present invention. However, since the present invention may be implemented in various forms within a range not departing from its spirit or essential features, the embodiments described above should not be limited by the content of the detailed description.

In addition, even if the embodiments are not listed in detail in the detailed description described above, it should be broadly interpreted within the scope of the technical idea defined in the appended claims. In addition, all changes and modifications included within the technical scope of the claims and their equivalents should be covered by the appended claims.

110: laundry treatment device body 120: cabinet
125: door 130: water tank
140: rotating tank 150: drain pump
155: drain pipe 160: circulation passage
162: circulation pump 166: circulation pipe
167: bellows connection 169: water level sensing part piping
170: filter unit 172: filter casing
174: filter 190: laundry detergent supply unit
210: storage container 212a: detergent receiving part
212b: softener receiving part 214: storage container handle
216a, 216b: injection port plug 217a: detergent puff connection
217b: softener pump connection part 220: storage container receiving part
225: installation space part 260: laundry detergent supply flow path
262: detergent supply passage 264: detergent outflow pipe
266: softener supply channel 268: softener outlet pipe
280: laundry detergent pump 280a: detergent pump
280b; Softener pump 310; cylinder
313: communication path
320: piston 330: case
332: case body 335; Case cover
340: engaging portion 342: coupling rib
345: engaging projection 360: flow path forming member
363: pressurized space 364: suction port
365: suction valve 375: discharge valve
380: introduction space
381: inlet end 384: inlet opening and closing member
385: inlet opening and closing member spring 386: inlet opening and closing member receiving part
387: coupling protrusion receiving portion 388: coupling protrusion
410a,410b,410c: residual amount detection unit 415: air pocket
412: air pocket forming part 414: air pocket cover
421: electrode
440: piston drive unit 442: electric motor
445: power transmission unit 447: piston rod
449: crankshaft 451: driven gear
453: drive gear 455; Power transmission gear
456: first gear 457: second gear

Claims (18)

A flow path forming member that forms a flow path of the liquid laundry detergent, has a suction valve for opening and closing a suction port of the pressurized space, and a discharge valve for opening and closing a discharge port of the pressurized space;
A cylinder disposed at one side of the flow path forming member to communicate with the pressure space;
An inlet end protruding from a front portion of the flow path forming member and extending from a suction port of the pressurizing space;
An inlet opening and closing member installed to surround the inlet end and opening and closing an inlet formed at one side of the inlet end; And
Including an inlet opening and closing member spring for providing an elastic force to the inlet opening and closing member,
The inlet opening and closing member,
When the inlet end is coupled to the storage container in which the laundry agent is stored, the inlet is moved to open,
When the inlet end is separated from the storage container, laundry detergent pump, characterized in that positioned so as to cover the inlet by the inlet opening and closing member spring. The method of claim 1,
The inlet opening and closing member is made in a cylindrical shape,
A laundry detergent pump, characterized in that an inlet opening/closing member receiving part (386) is positioned at an outer periphery of the inlet opening/closing member so that the inlet opening/closing member is accommodated when the inlet opening is opened. The method of claim 2,
The inlet end is formed to protrude toward one side of the storage container to be inserted or withdrawn,
When the inlet end is coupled to the storage container, the inlet opening and closing member is pressurized to slide inside the inlet opening and closing member receiving portion. The method of claim 3,
When the inlet opening and closing member is pressed by an external force greater than the elastic force,
A laundry detergent pump, characterized in that sliding along the inlet end to form an opening of the inlet. The method of claim 1,
The inlet opening and closing member is a laundry detergent pump, characterized in that for opening and closing the inlet formed on the side of the flow path forming member by reciprocating motion. The method of claim 1,
A laundry detergent pump, characterized in that a fastening part protrudes from the outside of the flow path forming member, and the fastening part is fixed by screw fastening. The method of claim 6,
The inflow end portion, a laundry detergent pump, characterized in that located in front of the fastening portion. The method of claim 7,
The inlet end, a laundry detergent pump, characterized in that located on the upstream side of the pressurized space. The method of claim 1,
A piston reciprocally disposed inside the cylinder; And
A laundry detergent pump, characterized in that it further comprises a piston driving unit for reciprocating the piston. The method of claim 1,
The flow path forming member, a laundry detergent pump, characterized in that it has an introduction space in the upstream side of the pressurizing space into which the liquid laundry agent is introduced. The method of claim 1,
The suction valve is disposed inside the pressurized space, the discharge valve is disposed outside the pressurized space,
A laundry detergent pump further comprising a suction valve spring and a discharge valve spring for returning the suction valve and the discharge valve to their initial positions, respectively. The method of claim 9,
Laundry detergent pump further comprising a piston driving unit for transmitting a driving force to form a reciprocating motion of the piston. The method of claim 1,
A laundry detergent pump, characterized in that a sealing member is installed outside the inlet end. The method of claim 13,
The sealing member is a laundry detergent pump, characterized in that installed at a position adjacent to the inlet. The method of claim 14,
The sealing member is a laundry detergent pump, characterized in that installed in the rear portion of the inlet position. The method of claim 14,
The sealing member is a laundry detergent pump, characterized in that installed on both sides with the inlet therebetween. The method of claim 2,
A coupling protrusion protrudes toward the radial direction on the outside of the inlet opening/closing member,
One side of the inlet opening/closing member receiving part is formed to pass through the coupling protrusion receiving part,
The laundry detergent pump, characterized in that the coupling protrusion is movable while being inserted into the coupling protrusion receiving portion. The method of claim 17,
The coupling protrusion is in contact with one end of the coupling protrusion receiving portion, the laundry detergent pump, characterized in that to limit the separation of the inlet opening and closing member from the inlet opening and closing member receiving portion.

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