US20170233928A1

US20170233928A1 - Washing machine and liquid additive supply device for washing machine

Info

Publication number: US20170233928A1
Application number: US15/365,409
Authority: US
Inventors: Jong Jin Lee
Original assignee: Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corp
Current assignee: WiniaDaewoo Co Ltd
Priority date: 2016-02-16
Filing date: 2016-11-30
Publication date: 2017-08-17
Also published as: CN107083650A; KR20170096315A; CN107083650B

Abstract

A washing machine including a liquid additive supply device capable of supplying a liquid additive from a reservoir tank despite a low level of liquid additive left therein. The reservoir tank has an inclined bottom surface. A suction nozzle is disposed proximate to, or adjoins, the lower side of the inclined bottom surface. Due to the inclined bottom surface, the liquid additive tends to gather on its lower side and the suction nozzle opening can remain under the liquid additive even if there is only a small amount left in the reservoir tank. This advantageously improves usage efficiency of the liquid additive loaded in the washing machine by reducing the unusable amount thereof.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0017542, filed on Feb. 16, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to washing machines, and, more particularly, to liquid additive supply devices for washing machines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Washing machines are commonly used to wash laundry or other objects by using friction between water and the laundry in combination with emulsification of detergent. A modern automatic washing machine is capable of automatically performing washing, rinsing and dewatering in an integrated process once it is started.
Depending on the type of the washing tub used for containing laundry, washing machines may be classified into types including a top-loading type (in which a washing tub is upright) and a drum type (in which a washing tub is positioned horizontal). As compared with the top-loading type, a drum type washing machine generally has reduced overall height and increased washing capacity and causes less fabric twist. Thus, the drum type washing machine has become more popular.
A washing machine typically has a detergent supply device for dispensing detergent during a washing cycle. The amount of detergent to be dispensed may depend on the laundry load. When supplying washing water into a tub, the detergent supply device supplies detergent to the tub where water is also supplied, the detergent being solid-phase (e.g., powder) or liquid-phase, etc. The detergent dispensing systems in washing machines may have quite different configurations depending on what kind of detergent can be used.
In a washing machine using powder detergent, the detergent supply device can only be installed in the upper portion of the tub as it would not be easy to move powder detergent upward if it was added at a lower position. In contrast, a washing machine using liquid detergent has no such limitation because liquid detergent loaded at a lower position can be brought upward by using a pump or the like. For example, in a washing machine using liquid detergent, a detergent supply device may be installed under a tub.
However, in a conventional washing machine that can use liquid detergent, when only a small amount of liquid detergent is left in the liquid detergent container, it may be difficult to pump and supply the residual amount to the detergent supply device (see, e,g, Korea Patent Application Publication No. 10-2010-0081254 (published on Jul. 14, 2010)). Thus, a user commonly has to load extra liquid detergent that is not actually used in a washing operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a mechanism of continuously supplying a liquid additive from a container in a washing machine even when there is only a small amount left therein, thereby significantly reducing the unusable amount of liquid additive left in the container. In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a washing machine including: a drum configured to accommodate washing objects; and a liquid additive supply device configured to supply a liquid additive to the drum, wherein the liquid additive supply device includes: a reservoir tank configured to store the liquid additive; and a suction nozzle extending toward a bottom of the reservoir tank and configured to draw the liquid additive from the reservoir tank, wherein an opening end of the suction nozzle adjoins the bottom of the reservoir tank.
The washing machine may further include a washing water supply unit coupled to the drum and configured to supply washing water to the drum.
The bottom of the reservoir tank may include an inclined surface.
The end of the suction nozzle may be positioned lower than a highest vertical location of the inclined surface.
The reservoir tank may include a first compartment and a second compartment.
The liquid additive supply device may further include a filter disposed between the first compartment and the second compartment and configured to filter extraneous material in the liquid additive.
The liquid additive supply device may further include a level detection unit configured to detect a shortage of liquid additive in the reservoir tank.
The level detection unit may include: a buoyancy body, wherein a vertical position of the buoyancy body varies with a varying level of the liquid additive in the reservoir tank; and a sensor configured to sense proximity of the buoyancy body.
The liquid additive supply device may further include a suction pump coupled to the suction nozzle.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid additive supply device for a washing machine, the device including: a reservoir tank configured to store liquid additive and comprising an inclined bottom surface; a level detection unit coupled to the reservoir tank and configured to detect an amount of the liquid additive in the reservoir tank; and a suction nozzle configured to draw the liquid additive from the reservoir tank, wherein an opening end of the suction nozzle is disposed proximate to a lower side of the inclined bottom surface.
The reservoir tank may be divided into a first compartment and a second compartment. The opening end of the suction nozzle is disposed in the second compartment that has a lower bottom surface than the first compartment.
The opening end of the suction nozzle may be positioned lower than a highest vertical location of the inclined bottom surface.
The liquid additive supply device may further include a suction pump configured to drive liquid additive to be drawn through the suction nozzle.
The liquid additive supply device may further include a control unit configured to disable the suction pump responsive to a signal from the level detection unit. The signal is indicative of a shortage of liquid additive in the reservoir tank.
The liquid additive may be one of a detergent or a fabric softener.
The level detection unit may include a buoyancy body, a vertical position of the buoyancy body being varied with a varying level of liquid additive in the reservoir tank; and a sensor configured to sense proximity of the buoyancy body.
The liquid additive supply device may further include a filter disposed between the first compartment and the second compartment and configured to filter extraneous material in the liquid additive.
The reservoir tank of the present invention may have an inclined surface so that any amount of liquid additive left in the tank tends to gather on the lower side. Therefore, even if there is only a small amount left in the tank, the opening of the suction nozzle can remain under the liquid additive and thus still draw the liquid additive therefrom. This advantageously improves usage efficiency of the liquid additive loaded to the washing machine by reducing the unusable amount.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will be better understood from a reading of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, in which like reference characters designate like elements and in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary washing machine provided with a liquid additive supply device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a side sectional view illustrating a configuration of the exemplary washing machine illustrated in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of an exemplary liquid additive supply device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view illustrating the exemplary liquid additive supply device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary suction nozzle in the liquid additive supply device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates exemplary control logic of the liquid additive supply device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, configurations and operations of embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description is one of various patentable aspects of the disclosure and may form a part of the detailed description of the disclosure.
However, in describing the disclosure, detailed descriptions of known configurations or functions that make the disclosure obscure may be omitted.
The disclosure may be variously modified and may include various embodiments. Specific embodiments will be exemplarily illustrated in the drawings and described in the detailed description of the embodiments. However, it should be understood that they are not intended to limit the disclosure to specific embodiments but rather to cover all modifications, similarities, and alternatives which are included in the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
The terms used herein, including ordinal numbers such as “first” and “second” may be used to describe, and not to limit, various components. The terms simply distinguish the components from one another. When it is said that a component is “connected” or “linked” to another component, it should be understood that the former component may be directly connected or linked to the latter component or a third component may be interposed between the two components. Specific terms used in the present application are used simply to describe specific embodiments without limiting the disclosure. An expression used in the singular encompasses the expression of the plural, unless it has a clearly different meaning in the context.
Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary washing machine provided with a liquid additive supply device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1B is a side sectional view illustrating a configuration of the exemplary washing machine illustrated in FIG. 1A. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of an exemplary liquid additive supply device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view illustrating the exemplary liquid additive supply device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
Referring first to FIG. 1A, the drum type washing machine 1 includes a liquid additive supply device 10 capable of storing a liquid additive such as detergent or fabric softener for instance. The liquid additive supply device 10 may be installed in the front upper portion of the washing machine 1. FIG. 1A illustrates that the liquid additive supply device 10 is covered by a cover 2.
A liquid additive can be supplied from the liquid additive supply device 10 to the tub in the washing machine during a washing process. The drum type washing machine 1 may store not only liquid but also powder additives.
As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the drum type washing machine 1 may include: a drum 5; a drying device 20 configured to dry washing objects contained in the drum 5; a washing water supply unit 30 configured to supply washing water to the drum 5; a washing water drain part 40 configured to drain the washing water therethrough; an electricity supply device 45 configured to supply electric power to the washing machine 1; and a liquid additive supply device 10 configured to supply a liquid additive for use in washing the washing object.
The drum 5 is coupled to the drying device 20 and the washing water supply unit 30. During the drying process, drying air may be supplied from the drying device 20. During the washing process, washing water is supplied from the washing water supply unit 30. Washing water contained in the drum 5 may be drained through the washing water drain part 40.
The drying device 20 may dry the laundry contained in the drum 5. The drying device 20 may include: a circulation device configured to circulate air inside the drum 5; an exhaust part configured to exhaust air from the drum 5; and a heater configured to heat air inside the drum 5.
The washing water supply unit 30 may supply the washing water from the outside into the drum 5. The washing water supply unit 30 may be coupled to the liquid additive supply device 10. Washing water can be supplied from the washing water supply unit 30 to the drum 5 via the liquid additive supply device 10. The washing water supply unit 30 may include, for example, a pipe or a hose in the upper portion of the washing machine 1.
The washing water drain part 40 may allow washing water discharged from the drum 5 to be drained to the outside of the washing machine 1. The electricity supply device 45 may supply electric power to the washing machine 1.
The liquid additive supply device 10 is used to store a liquid additive which can be mixed with washing water and supplied to the drum 5. The liquid additive supply device 10 may include multiple compartments, e.g., for separately storing liquid detergent, powder detergent and fabric softener.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the liquid additive supply device 10 for a washing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a reservoir tank 100, a level detection unit 300 and a suction nozzle 400 and may further include a filter part 200.
It will be appreciated that a liquid additive supply device according to the present disclosure may include other suitable components that are well-known in the art. The well-known components are not described herein for brevity.
The reservoir tank 100 may contain a liquid additive such as a detergent or a fabric softener. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the reservoir tank 100 may be divided into a plurality of compartments to store different additives (e.g., detergent and fabric softener). The compartments may have different sizes. The compartments may have different or similar configurations. In an embodiment described herein, the compartments have different structure and thus different reference numerals and component names are used herein.
When using the washing machine 1, a user may select, e.g., through a user interface, the kind of liquid additive for a washing operation. For instance, if liquid additive is selected through the selection keys disposed on an outer wall of the washing machine 1, a washing operation is started with a suction pump 500 (see FIG. 5) being activated and washing water being supplied to the tub. Through the suction pump 500, the liquid additive stored in the reservoir tank 100 can be supplied to the tub.
The filter part 200 may be installed between a first compartment 110 and a second compartment 120 of the reservoir tank 100. In the illustrated example, the filter part 200 partitions the reservoir tank 100 into two compartments 110 and 120. The filter part 200 can filter out extraneous material in the liquid additive when the liquid additive flows from the first compartment 110 to the second compartment 120 for instance.
The level detection unit 300 can detect a surface level of the liquid additive and notify a shortage of liquid additive to a user. The level detection unit 300 may be installed in the lower portion of the first compartment 110.
The level detection unit 300 may include a buoyancy body 310 and a sensor 320. The vertical position of the buoyancy body 310 varies with the level of the liquid additive due to buoyancy force. The sensor 320 can sense the proximity of the buoyancy body 310, e.g., by detecting a distance therefrom. The buoyancy body 310 may be installed in the lower portion of the reservoir tank 100 and move vertically with the liquid additive level. The sensor 320 may be affixed to one side of the reservoir tank 100 to face the buoyancy body 310. If the sensor 320 detects that the buoyancy body 310 moves closer, it can output a signal indicating a shortage of liquid additive to a user.
The suction nozzle 400 may be vertically installed on the side of the second compartment 120. The suction nozzle 400 can draw the liquid additive stored in the second compartment 120 and supply the liquid to the tub via a supply line (not shown). The suction pump 500 illustrated in FIG. 5 may be part of the supply line. The suction pump 500 can be implemented in any suitable configuration that is well-known in the art.
More specifically, the suction nozzle 400 may extend to the bottom of the second compartment 120. In this configuration, the nozzle 400 can draw liquid additive even if there is only a small amount remaining in the second compartment 120.
FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary placement of the suction nozzle in the liquid additive supply device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary control logic of the liquid additive supply device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the bottom of the reservoir tank 100 may incline downward and deviate from the horizontal line W. As shown, the bottom of the second compartment 120 is positioned lower than the bottom of the first compartment 110. When only a small amount of liquid additive is left in the reservoir tank 100, it tends to gather at the lower corner of the second compartment 120. Given the same amount of liquid, the inclined bottom of the reservoir tank offers a higher level of liquid additive compared with a reservoir tank having a completely horizontal bottom. Thus the opening of the suction nozzle 400 can remain under the liquid and still draw the liquid even if there is only a small amount left.
The suction nozzle 400 may extend toward the bottom surface of the second compartment 120 as close as possible so that the opening end of the suction nozzle 400 is positioned lower than the horizontal line W, which marks the highest position of the bottom surface of the reservoir tank 100 as illustrated. The opening of the suction nozzle 400 may be spaced apart from the bottom of the second compartment 120 by a certain distance h.
The exemplary washing machine 1 may further include the suction pump 500 coupled to the suction nozzle 400. The suction pump 500 drives the liquid additive through the suction nozzle 400 to the tub. The suction pump 500 may be enabled when liquid additive is supplied to the tub.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the washing machine 1 may further include a control unit 600 configured to disable the suction pump 500 when the control unit 600 receives a signal from the level detection unit 300 and determines that the liquid additive stored in the reservoir tank 100 is deficient.
The control unit 600 may be integrated with another control unit in the washing machine.
According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a reservoir tank may have an inclined surface so that any amount of liquid additive left in the tank tends to gather on the lower side of the tank. Thus, the opening of the suction nozzle can remain under the liquid additive and still draw the liquid additive. This advantageously improves usage efficiency of a liquid additive loaded to the washing machine by reducing the unusable amount.
Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that the present disclosure may be implemented in various ways without changing the necessary features or the spirit of the present disclosure.
Therefore, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments described above are not limiting, but only an example in all respects. The scope of the present disclosure is expressed by claims below, not the detailed description, and it should be construed that all changes and modifications achieved from the meanings and scope of claims and equivalent concepts are included in the scope of the present disclosure.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. The exemplary embodiments disclosed in the specification of the present disclosure do not limit the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure will be interpreted by the claims below, and it will be construed that all techniques within the scope equivalent thereto belong to the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A washing machine comprising:

a drum configured to accommodate washing objects; and

a liquid additive supply device configured to supply a liquid additive to the drum,

wherein the liquid additive supply device comprises:

a reservoir tank configured to store the liquid additive; and

a suction nozzle extending toward a bottom of the reservoir tank and configured to draw the liquid additive from the reservoir tank, wherein an opening end of the suction nozzle adjoins the bottom of the reservoir tank.

2. The washing machine of claim 1 further comprising a washing water supply unit coupled to the drum and configured to supply washing water to the drum.

3. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the bottom of the reservoir tank comprises an inclined surface.

4. The washing machine of claim 3, wherein the end of the suction nozzle is positioned lower than a highest vertical location of the inclined surface.

5. The washing machine of claim 3 wherein the reservoir tank comprises a first compartment and a second compartment.

6. The washing machine of claim 5, wherein the liquid additive supply device further comprises a filter disposed between the first compartment and the second compartment and configured to filter extraneous material in the liquid additive.

7. The washing machine of claim 4, wherein the liquid additive supply device further comprises a level detection unit configured to detect a shortage of liquid additive in the reservoir tank.

8. The washing machine of claim 7, wherein the level detection unit comprises:

a buoyancy body, wherein a vertical position of the buoyancy body varies with a varying level of the liquid additive in the reservoir tank; and

a sensor configured to sense proximity of the buoyancy body.

9. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the liquid additive supply device further comprises a suction pump coupled to the suction nozzle.

10. A liquid additive supply device for a washing machine, the device comprising:

a reservoir tank configured to store liquid additive and comprising an inclined bottom surface;

a level detection unit coupled to the reservoir tank and configured to detect an amount of the liquid additive in the reservoir tank; and

a suction nozzle configured to draw the liquid additive from the reservoir tank, wherein an opening end of the suction nozzle is disposed proximate to a lower side of the inclined bottom surface.

11. The liquid additive supply device of claim 10, wherein the reservoir tank is divided into a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein the opening end of the suction nozzle is disposed in the second compartment that has a lower bottom surface than the first compartment.

12. The liquid additive supply device of claim 10, wherein the opening end of the suction nozzle is positioned lower than a highest vertical location of the inclined bottom surface.

13. The liquid additive supply device of claim 10 further comprising a suction pump configured to drive liquid additive to be drawn through the suction nozzle.

14. The liquid additive supply device of claim 13 further comprising:

a control unit configured to disable the suction pump responsive to a signal from the level detection unit, wherein the signal is indicative of a shortage of liquid additive in the reservoir tank.

15. The liquid additive supply device of claim 10, wherein the liquid additive is one of a detergent or a fabric softener.

16. The liquid additive supply device of claim 10, wherein the level detection unit comprises:

a buoyancy body, wherein a vertical position of the buoyancy body varies with a varying level of liquid additive in the reservoir tank; and

a sensor configured to sense proximity of the buoyancy body.

17. The liquid additive supply device of claim 10 further comprising a filter disposed between the first compartment and the second compartment and configured to filter extraneous material in the liquid additive.