DETERGENT FEEDING DEVICE AND WASHING MACHINE HAVING SAME

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application is a continuation application, under 35 U.S.C. § 111 (a), of international application No. PCT/KR2024/002025, filed Feb. 13, 2024, which claims priority under 35 U. S. C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0051011, filed Apr. 18, 2023, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0085270, filed Jun. 30, 2023, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a detergent feeding device that does not generate remaining water, and a washing machine having the same.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, a washing machine is a device that washes laundry by rotating a cylindrical rotating tub containing laundry and water. Such washing machines include drum washing machines, in which a rotating tub is horizontally arranged and rotates forward and backward about a horizontal axis to lift laundry along an inner circumferential surface of the rotating tub and drop the laundry for washing, and pulsator washing machines, in which a rotating tub equipped with a pulsator is vertically arranged and rotates forward and backward about a vertical axis to wash laundry using a water flow generated by the pulsator.

In such drum washing machines or pulsator washing machines, a detergent feeding device is installed at an upper portion of the washing machine to dissolve detergent using water supplied from an external water source into the rotating tub and to supply the detergent-mixed water into the rotating tub.

The detergent feeding device is equipped with a mixing device that rotates within a detergent drawer to improve the dissolving ability of the detergent, and the water is discharged through a siphon channel provided within the mixing device. However, the water flowing through the siphon channel provided within the rotating mixing device does not cause a siphon effect due to the vortex generated by rotation, resulting in the water frequently remaining in the detergent drawer.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a detergent feeding device that does not generate remaining water and a washing machine having the same.

Technical Solution

A washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes a case including a receiving portion configured to receive a detergent and an outlet provided on a bottom surface of the receiving portion, a siphon tube protruding from the bottom surface of the receiving portion and having a first flow path in communication with the outlet, a siphon cap configured to cover an outer side of the siphon tube to form a second flow path allowing the receiving portion and the first flow path to be in communication with each other, the siphon cap having an agitating blade configured to be rotated by water supplied to the receiving portion to agitate the water received in the receiving portion, and a plurality of support ribs extending from an inner surface of the siphon cap toward the siphon tube and configured to be supported by the siphon tube, wherein a cross-section of a corner at which the plurality of support ribs and the inner surface of the siphon cap meet has a curved shape.

A washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes a cabinet, a tub disposed inside the cabinet; a detergent feeding device configured to supply detergent into the tub, and a water supply device configured to supply water to the detergent feeding device, wherein the detergent feeding device includes a case including a siphon tube having a first flow path communicating with an outlet provided on a bottom of a receiving portion configured to receive a detergent, a siphon cap rotatably supported on the siphon tube to be rotated by the water supplied by the water supply device to agitate the water in the receiving portion, the siphon cap forming a second flow path communicating with the first flow path, and a plurality of support ribs positioned in the second flow path to support the siphon cap relative to the siphon tube, wherein a cross-section of a corner at which the plurality of support ribs and an inner surface of the siphon cap meet may have a rounded shape.

Advantageous Effects

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent water from remaining in the detergent feeding device.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a state in which a detergent feeding device is withdrawn from the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the detergent feeding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the detergent feeding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the detergent feeding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a siphon channel portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is an operational state diagram of the detergent feeding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an interior of a siphon cap according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 5 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating fluid flow within a second flow path when a plurality of support ribs have angled corners according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating fluid flow within the second flow path according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 5 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

MODES OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the disclosure and terms used herein are not intended to limit the technical features described herein to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of the corresponding embodiments.

In describing of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related elements.

The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in a related context.

In the disclosure, phrases, such as “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, “at least one of A or B”, “A, B or C”, “at least one of A, B and C”, and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one or all possible combinations of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Terms such as “1st”, “2nd”, “primary”, or “secondary” may be used simply to distinguish an element from other elements, without limiting the element in other aspects (e.g., importance or order).

When an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to as being “(functionally or communicatively) coupled” or “connected” to another element (e.g., a second element), the first element may be connected to the second element, directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third element.

It will be understood that when the terms “includes”, “comprises”, has”, “including”, “comprising”, and/or “having” are used in the disclosure, they specify the presence of the specified features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof.

When a given element is referred to as being “connected to”, “coupled to”, “supported by” or “in contact with” another element, it is to be understood that it may be directly or indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element. When a given element is indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with another element, it is to be understood that it may be connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element through a third element.

It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it may be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present.

A washing machine according to various embodiments may perform washing, rinsing, spin-drying, and drying processes. The washing machine is an example of a clothes treating apparatus, and the clothes treating apparatus is a concept including a device capable of washing clothes (objects to be washed, and objects to be dried), a device capable of drying clothes, and a device capable of washing and drying clothes.

The washing machine according to various embodiments may include a top-loading washing machine in which a laundry inlet for inserting or removing laundry is provided to face upward, or a front-loading washing machine in which a laundry inlet is provided to face forward. The washing machine according to various embodiments may include a washing machine of a loading type other than the top-loading washing machine and the front-loading washing machine.

For the top-loading washing machine, laundry may be washed using water current generated by a rotating body such as a pulsator. For the front-loading washing machine, laundry may be washed by repeatedly lifting and lowering laundry by rotating a drum. The front-loading washing machine may include a dryer combined washing machine capable of drying laundry stored in a drum. The dryer combined washing machine may include a hot air supply device for supplying high-temperature air into the drum and a condensing device for removing moisture from air discharged from the drum. For example, the dryer combined washing machine may include a heat pump device. The washing machine according to various embodiments may include a washing machine using a washing method other than the above-described washing method.

The washing machine according to various embodiments may include a housing accommodating various components therein. The housing may be provided in the form of a box including a laundry inlet on one side thereof.

The washing machine may include a door for opening and closing the laundry inlet. The door may be rotatably mounted to the housing by a hinge. At least a portion of the door may be transparent or translucent to allow the inside of the housing to be visible.

The washing machine may include a tub disposed within the housing to store water. The tub may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with a tub opening formed on one side thereof. The tub may be disposed inside the housing in such a way that the tub opening corresponds to the laundry inlet.

The tub may be connected to the housing by a damper. The damper may absorb vibration generated when the drum rotates, and the damper may reduce vibration transmitted to the housing.

The washing machine may include a drum provided to accommodate laundry.

The drum may be disposed inside the tub such that a drum opening provided on one side of the drum corresponds to the laundry inlet and the tub opening. Laundry may pass sequentially through the laundry inlet, the tub opening, and the drum opening and then be received in the drum or removed from the drum.

The drum may perform each operation according to washing, rinsing, and/or spin-drying while rotating in the tub. A plurality of through holes may be formed in a cylindrical wall of the drum to allow water stored in the tub to be introduced into or to be discharged from the drum.

The washing machine may include a driving device configured to rotate the drum. The driving device may include a drive motor and a rotating shaft for transmitting a driving force generated by the drive motor to the drum. The rotating shaft may penetrate the tub to be connected to the drum.

The driving device may perform respective operations according to washing, rinsing, and/or spin-drying, or drying processes by rotating the drum in a forward or reverse direction.

The washing machine may include a water supply device configured to supply water to the tub. The water supply device may include a water supply pipe and a water supply valve disposed in the water supply pipe. The water supply pipe may be connected to an external water supply source. The water supply pipe may extend from an external water supply source to a detergent feeding device and/or the tub. Water may be supplied to the tub through the detergent feeding device. Alternatively, water may be supplied to the tub without passing through the detergent feeding device.

The water supply valve may open or close the water supply pipe in response to an electrical signal from a controller. The water supply valve may allow or block the supply of water to the tub from an external water supply source. The water supply valve may include a solenoid valve configured to open or close in response to an electrical signal.

The washing machine may include the detergent feeding device configured to supply detergent to the tub. The detergent feeding device may include a manual detergent feeding device that requires a user to enter detergent to be used for each washing, and an automatic detergent feeding device that stores a large amount of detergent and automatically adds a predetermined amount of detergent during washing. The detergent feeding device may include a detergent container for storing detergent. The detergent feeding device may be configured to supply detergent into the tub during a water supply process. Water supplied through the water supply pipe may be mixed with detergent via the detergent feeding device. Water mixed with detergent may be supplied into the tub. Detergent is used as a term including detergent for pre-washing, detergent for main washing, fabric softener, bleach, etc., and the detergent container may be partitioned into a storage region for the pre-washing detergent, a storage region for the main washing detergent, a storage region for the fabric softener, and a storage region for the bleach.

The washing machine may include a drainage device configured to discharge water contained in the tub to the outside. The drainage device may include a drain pipe extending from a bottom of the tub to the outside of the housing, a drain valve disposed on the drain pipe to open or close the drain pipe, and a pump disposed on the drain pipe. The pump may pump water from the drain pipe to the outside of the housing.

The washing machine may include a control panel disposed on one side of the housing. The control panel may provide a user interface for interaction between a user and the washing machine. The user interface may include at least one input interface and at least one output interface.

The at least one input interface may convert sensory information received from a user into an electrical signal.

The at least one input interface may include a power button, an operation button, a course selection dial (or a course selection button), and a washing/rinsing/spin-drying setting button. The at least one input interface may include a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a jog dial, and/or a microphone.

The at least one output interface may visually or audibly transmit information related to the operation of the washing machine to a user.

For example, the at least one output interface may transmit information related to a washing course, operation time of the washing machine, and washing/rinsing/spin-drying settings to the user. Information about the operation of the washing machine may be output via a screen, an indicator, or a voice. The at least one output interface may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, or a speaker.

The washing machine may include a communication module for wired and/or wireless communication with an external device.

The communication module may include at least one of a short-range wireless communication module and a long-range wireless communication module.

The communication module may transmit data to an external device (e.g., a server, a user device, and/or a home appliance) or receive data from the external device. For example, the communication module may establish communication with a server and/or a user device and/or a home appliance, and transmit and receive various types of data.

For the communication, the communication module may establish a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the external devices, and support the performance of the communication through the established communication channel. According to an embodiment, the communication module may include a wireless communication module (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module, or a power line communication module). Among these communication modules, the corresponding communication module may communicate with an external device through a first network (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network WAN)). These various types of communication modules may be integrated as a single component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as a plurality of separate components (e.g., multiple chips).

The short-range wireless communication module may include a Bluetooth communication module, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication module, a near field communication module, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication module, and a Zigbee communication module, an IrDA communication module, a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication module, an ultrawideband (UWB) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, a microwave (uWave) communication module, etc., but is not limited thereto.

The long-range wireless communication module may include a communication module that performs various types of long-range wireless communication, and may include a mobile communication circuitry. The mobile communication circuitry transmits and receives radio signals with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server in a mobile communication network.

According to an embodiment, the communication module may communicate with an external device such as a server, a user device and other home appliances through an access point (AP). The AP may connect a LAN, to which a washing machine or a user device is connected, to a WAN to which a server is connected. The washing machine or the user device may be connected to the server via the WAN. The controller may control various components of the washing machine (e.g., the drive motor, and the water supply valve). The controller may control various components of the washing machine to perform at least one operation including water supply, washing, rinsing, and/or spin-drying according to a user input. For example, the controller may control the drive motor to adjust the rotational speed of the drum or control the water supply valve of the water supply device to supply water to the tub.

The controller may include hardware such as a CPU or memory, and software such as a control program. For example, the controller may include at least one memory for storing an algorithm and program-type data for controlling the operation of components in the washing machine, and at least one processor configured to perform the above-mentioned operation by using the data stored in the at least one memory. The memory and the processor may each be implemented as separate chips. The processor may include one or more processor chips or may include one or more processing cores. The memory may include one or more memory chips or one or more memory blocks. Alternatively, the memory and the processor may be implemented as a single chip.

Hereinafter, various embodiments according to the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cabinet 2 forming an exterior thereof, a tub 3 installed inside the cabinet 2 and configured to receive water, a drum 4 rotatably installed inside the tub 3, a water supply device 10 configured to supply water into the cabinet 2, and a detergent feeding device 20 configured to receive detergent and mix the water supplied from the water supply device 10 with the detergent and supply the mixture to the tub 3.

An upper portion of the cabinet 2 may be provided with an opening 5 for inserting and removing laundry, and the opening 5 may be opened or closed by an upper cover 6 coupled to the cabinet 2.

A control panel 7 with a plurality of operation buttons and a display portion for displaying the operation status may be installed on the upper front side of the cabinet 2, allowing a user to control operation of the washing machine.

The cabinet 2 may include the tub 3 for receiving water and the drum 4 rotating inside the tub 3 therein, and a pulsator 8 for generating water current may be installed on a lower inner portion of the drum 4.

In addition the cabinet 2 may include a drive mechanism (not shown) for driving the drum 4 and the pulsator 8 and a drain device 9 for draining the water on a lower portion thereof.

After the tub 3 is filled with water containing detergent and laundry is placed the drum 4, the washing machine may perform washing by repeatedly rotating the pulsator 8 in forward and reverse directions by the driving mechanism.

After the washing operation, rinsing of the laundry may be performed using the same operation as the washing operation while water is repeatedly supplied and drained. After the rinsing operation, draining may be performed using the drain device 9. In addition, after the draining operation, the drum 4 rotates at high speed to perform spin-draying of the laundry.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a state in which a detergent feeding device is withdrawn from the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the detergent feeding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the detergent feeding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the detergent feeding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a siphon channel portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 7 is an operational state diagram of the detergent feeding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 7, the water supply device 10 may be installed at a rear upper side of the cabinet 2. The water supply device 10 may include water supply pipes 11 and 12 extending from a water source, water supply valves 13 and 14 connected to the water supply pipes 11 and 12 and configured to open or close the water supply pipes 11 and 12, respectively, and a flow path member 15 connecting between the water supply valves 13 and 14 and the detergent feeding device 20.

The water supply pipes 11 and 12 may include a hot water supply pipe 11 connected to an external hot water source and a cold water supply pipe 12 connected to an external cold water source. The water supply valves 13 and 14 may include a hot water supply valve 13 connected to the hot water supply pipe 11 and a cold water supply valve 14 connected to the cold water supply pipe 12.

The flow path member 15 may have a flow path provided therein for supplying cold or hot water supplied from the water supply pipes 11 and 12 to the detergent feeding device 20.

The detergent feeding device 20 may include a housing 30 coupled to an inner side of the cabinet 2, and a case 40 accommodated in the housing 30 and having a space for accommodating detergent therein.

The housing 30 may have an open front for insertion and withdrawal of the case 40, and a space 31 capable of accommodating the case 40 may be provided inside the housing 30.

The flow path member 15 with a flow path formed therein may be coupled to a rear side of the housing 30. An upper portion of the flow path member 15 may be sealed by a flow path member cover 15a.

Inlets provided at both ends of the flow path member 15 may be connected to the water supply valves 13 and 14 that supply hot or cold water, respectively and an outlet of the flow path member 15 may be connected to a nozzle device 16 configured to supply water into the case 40. The nozzle device 16 may have a number corresponding to the number of the outlet of the flow path member 15.

The nozzle device 16 may be provided on a case cover 32 that covers an upper surface of the case 40. The case cover 32 may be coupled to the housing 30.

The case 40 may be detachable from the housing 30, and accordingly, a user may withdraw the case 40 from the housing 30 and add detergent to the case 40 as needed.

A front surface of the case 40 may be provided with a gripping portion 41 to allow the user to withdraw the case 40.

The case 40 may be provided with a receiving portion 42 capable of receiving detergent. The receiving portions 42 may be provided in a plurality. The plurality of receiving portions 42 may receive any one of detergents such as detergent, fabric softener, and bleach, and the like. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, an example in which a pair of receiving portions 42 is disposed inside the case 40 is shown, but it should be appreciated that only a sing receiving portion 42 may be present.

The receiving portion 42 may include a bottom surface 43 and a sidewall 44 extending upwardly from an edge of the bottom surface 43, and an upper portion thereof may be open and concave to receive the detergent.

The bottom surface 43 of the receiving portion 42 may be provided with an outlet 45 through which the water supplied to the receiving portion 42 is discharged. The bottom surface 43 of the receiving portion 42 may be formed to be inclined downwardly toward the outlet 45 for smooth discharge of the water.

The bottom surface 43 of the receiving portion 42 may include an inclined surface 43a inclined downwardly toward the outlet 45, and a recessed portion 43b formed to be recessed around the outlet 45. The water supplied to the receiving portion 42 may flow through a siphon channel installed in the receiving portion 42 and then be discharged to the tub 3 through the outlet 45, and any remaining water that is not discharged may be remained in the recessed portion 43b.

The recessed portion 43b may be in the form of a recess at a predetermined depth from a lower end of the inclined surface 43a, and a bottom of the recessed portion 43b may be formed in a flat shape.

The bottom of the recessed portion 43b may be provided with a remaining water drainage hole 46 for draining the water remaining in the recessed portion 43b.

The remaining water drainage hole 46 may include a small diameter portion 46a and a large diameter portion 46b having a diameter larger than the small diameter portion 46a. The small diameter portion 46a may be located adjacent to the receiving portion 42, and the large diameter portion 46b may be located adjacent to an outer side of the receiving portion 42. A pressure difference resulting from the difference in diameter between the large diameter portion 46b and the small diameter portion 46a may induce residual water remaining in the recessed portion 43b to be drawn into the remaining water drainage hole 46, thereby enhancing the discharge efficiency of the residual water.

An air hole 47 may be formed in one side of the receiving portion 42. The air hole 47 may be penetrated in one side of the sidewall 44 of the receiving portion 42 to allow air to enter and exit into and out of the receiving portion 42. The air hole 47 may relieve the pressure generated in the receiving portion 42 while the water received in the receiving portion 42 is being discharged to the outside of the receiving portion 42.

The detergent feeding device 20 may include a siphon tube 50 and a siphon cap 60 for forming a siphon channel that guides the water in the receiving portion 42 toward the outlet 45.

The siphon tube 50 may extend upwardly from the bottom surface 43 of the receiving portion 42, and the interior of the siphon tube 50 may be provided with a first flow path 51 in communication with the outlet 45. The siphon tube 50 may be shaped to protrude upwardly from the bottom of the recessed portion 43b. The siphon tube 50 may be formed as a hollow cylindrical shape. The first flow path 51 may have a first diameter and may be formed extending in a vertical direction.

The siphon cap 60 may be rotatably supported on the siphon tube 50. The siphon cap 60 may be installed to cover an outer side of the siphon tube 50, and may form a second flow path 61 in communication with the first flow path 51 between the siphon tube 50 and the siphon cap 60.

The siphon cap 60 may be rotated by the water supplied to the receiving portion 42 from the water supply device 10. The siphon cap 60 may include a cap body 62 covering the top and sides of the siphon tube 50, and a plurality of agitating blades 63 extending from an outer surface of the cap body 62. As shown in FIG. 7, the cap body 62 may be rotatably supported on the siphon tube 50, and the siphon cap 60 may rotate in response to the water supplied to the receiving portion 42 by the water supply device 10 striking the plurality of agitating blades 63. As the siphon cap 60 rotates, the plurality of agitating blades 63 may agitate the water received in the receiving portion 42 to dissolve the detergent received in the receiving portion 42.

The cap body 62 may be provided in a hollow cylindrical shape with an open lower portion, and the siphon tube 50 may be inserted into a hollow portion of the cap body 62 such that the cap body 62 covers the siphon tube 50. Accordingly, the second flow path 61 may be formed between an outer surface 52 of the siphon tube 50 and an inner surface 64 of the cap body 62.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an interior of a siphon cap according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 8, the inner surface 64 of the cap body 62 may be provided with a plurality of support ribs 70 supported by the siphon tube 50. The plurality of support ribs 70 may be spaced apart at given intervals along a circumferential direction on the inner surface 64 of the cap body 62. The plurality of support ribs 70 may be equally spaced apart from each other. The plurality of support ribs 70 may support three parts of the siphon tube 50 to allow stable rotation of the siphon cap 60 and smooth flow of water on the siphon tube 50. When the plurality of support ribs 70 are three or more, they may act as resistance during the rotation of the siphon cap 60, thereby reducing the siphon effect.

The plurality of support ribs 70 may be positioned on an upper portion from the inner surface 64 of the cap body 62. The plurality of support ribs 70 may be positioned on the open lower end of the siphon cap 60, i.e., on an upper side of the cap body 62 opposite an inlet 65 of the second flow path 61. Such a configuration may reduce the amount of residual water remaining in the receiving portion 42 by reducing the flow resistance to the flow of water when the water flows in from the receiving portion 42 through the inlet 65 of the second flow path 61.

The plurality of support ribs 70 may extend from an upper portion of the inner surface 64 of the cap body 62 toward the siphon tube 50. The plurality of support ribs 70 may be formed in a plate shape having a given thickness and width. The plurality of support ribs 70 may support an upper surface 54 of the siphon tube 50 and a portion of the outer surface 52 adjacent to the upper surface 54. The plurality of support ribs 70 may include a first support portion 71 that supports the upper surface 54 of the siphon tube 50, and a second support portion 72 that supports the outer surface 52 of the siphon tube 50.

The first support portion 71 may be formed to extend a given length in a lateral direction from the inner surface 64 of the siphon cap 60, and the second support portion 72 may be formed to extend a given length in a longitudinal direction intersecting the first support portion 71. The first support portion 71 may have a lower end 73 in surface contact with the upper surface 54 of the siphon tube 50, and the second support portion 72 may have a side end 74 in surface contact with the outer surface 52 of the siphon tube 50.

A lower end of the second support portion 72 may be provided with a chamfered surface 75. The chamfered surface 75 may be inclined downwardly toward the inner surface 64 of the cap body 62 from the side end 74 where the second support portion 72 contacts the outer surface 52 of the siphon tube 50. The chamfered surface 75 may facilitate smooth insertion of the siphon cap 60 when the siphon cap 60 is assembled to the siphon tube 50, and may relieve stress concentration caused by loads applied to the plurality of support ribs 70 during the rotation of the siphon cap 60.

A length L of the second support portion 72 extending downwardly from the first support portion 71 may be shorter than ½ of a height H of the siphon tube 50. This is to reduce the flow resistance of the water flowing through the second flow path 61 and into the first flow path 51 to induce a smooth siphon operation, thereby reducing the amount of water remaining in the receiving portion 42. In addition, the extended length L of the second support portion 72 may be greater than ⅓ of the height H of the siphon tube 50. This is to prevent vibration from occurring during the rotation of the siphon cap 60 because stable support is not achieved when the siphon cap 60 rotates while being supported by the siphon tube 50.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 5. FIG. 10 is a view illustrating fluid flow within a second flow path when a plurality of support ribs have angled corners according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a view illustrating fluid flow within the second flow path according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 9, the plurality of support ribs 70 may be provided in a shape such that a cross-section of a corner 76 that meets the inner surface 64 of the cap body 62 is curved. Specifically, the cross-section of the corner 76 at which the second support portion 72 extending from the inner surface 64 of the cap body 62 and the inner surface 64 of the cap body 62 meet may be formed as a curved portion having a given curvature. This is to reduce the flow resistance to the water flowing in the second flow path 61 during the rotation of the siphon cap 60.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10, in a case where a corner portion of the second support portion 72 that meets the inner surface 64 of the cap body 62 is formed in an angled shape, the angled corner may disturb the flow pattern of the water during the rotation of the siphon cap 60, thereby generating turbulence or vortices and increasing resistance. Such increased resistance may interfere with the siphon operation, resulting in an increase in remaining water. However, as shown in FIG. 11, in a case where the cross-section of the corner 76 portion of the second support portion 72 that meets the inner surface 64 of the cap body 62 has a curved shape, a smooth flow pattern of the water may be induced in the second flow path 61 during the rotation of the siphon cap 60, thereby minimizing the occurrence of turbulence or vortices and increasing the efficiency of the siphon operation, which may significantly reduce the occurrence of remaining water in the receiving portion 42.

Table 1 shows experimental data indicating the presence or absence of remaining water in the case of the angled corner shown in FIG. 10 using a remaining water test set, and Table 2 shows experimental data indicating the presence or absence of remaining water in the case of the curved corner shown in FIG. 11. The test conditions involved supplying water for 10 seconds, followed by 10 seconds of standing, and checking for the presence of remaining water, using the remaining water test set. A total of 20 experiments were performed. In addition, for the corner 76, the radius of curvature R was set to 0.75 mm.

TABLE 1
Position of	Left	Right	Left	Right	Left	Right	Left	Right	Left	Right
receiving
Portion

Trial Number

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

Presence of	X	◯	◯	X	X	◯	X	X	Δ	X
Remaining
Water

Trial Number

#11

#12

#13

#14

#15

Presence of	◯	X	◯	X	◯	X	◯	X	X	X
Remaining
Water
Position of	Left	Right	Left	Right	Left	Right	Left	Right	Left	Right
receiving
Portion

Trial Number

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

Presence of	◯	X	X	X	Δ	X	X	X	◯	X
Remaining
Water

Trial Number

#16

#17

#18

#19

#20

Presence of	◯	X	X	X	Δ	X	X	X	◯	X
Remaining
Water

TABLE 2
Position of	Left	Right	Left	Right	Left	Right	Left	Right	Left	Right
receiving
Portion

Trial Number

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

Presence of	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Remaining
Water

Trial Number

#11

#12

#13

#14

#15

Presence of	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Remaining
Water
Position of	Left	Right	Left	Right	Left	Right	Left	Right	Left	Right
receiving
Portion

Trial Number

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

Presence of	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Remaining
Water

Trial Number

#16

#17

#18

#19

#20

Presence of	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Remaining
Water

Referring to Table 1, it can be seen that when the angled corner was used, the occurrence of remaining water was 65%, whereas in the case of the curved corner shown in Table 2, no remaining water was observed. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 5.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 12, in the detergent feeding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a cross-sectional area A of the first flow path 51 may be provided to be smaller than a cross-sectional area B of an outlet 66 of the second flow path 61. This is to induce a higher flow rate and lower pressure while the water flows from the outlet 66 of the second flow path 61, which has a large cross-sectional area, into the first flow path 51, which has a small cross-sectional area. This may enhance the siphon effect, thereby preventing water from remaining in the receiving portion 42.

According to an embodiment, a ratio B/A of the cross-sectional area B of the outlet 66 of the second flow path 61 to the cross-sectional area A of the first flow path 51 may be provided in a range of 1.5 to 2.5. When the ratio of cross-sectional areas B/A is less than 1.5, it is difficult to induce a high flow rate and a low pressure, thereby reducing the efficiency of the siphon operation. On the other hand, when the ratio of cross-sectional areas B/A is greater than 2.5, the size of the plurality of support ribs 70 supported by the siphon tube 50 becomes larger, resulting in increased rotational resistance caused by the plurality of support ribs 70 during the rotation of the siphon cap 60, which also degrades the efficiency of the siphon operation. In other words, when the ratio of cross-sectional areas B/A is outside the range of 1.5 to 2.5, a phenomenon frequently occurs in which the water fails to reach the siphon level due to the rotational resistance generated while the siphon cap 60 rotates in the siphon tube 50, leaving remaining water in the receiving portion 42.

Table 3 shows experimental data indicating the presence or absence of remaining water when the siphon cap 60 has that: the ratio of cross-sectional areas B/A is 2.2, the corner 76 of the plurality of support ribs 70 meeting the inner surface 64 of the cap body 62 has the curved portion, and the length L of the second support portion 72 of the plurality of support ribs 70 is shorter than ½ of the height H of the siphon tube 50, using the remaining water test set. The test conditions involved supplying water for 10 seconds, followed by 10 seconds of standing, and checking for the presence of remaining water, using the remaining water test set. A total of 50 experiments were performed. In addition, for the corner 76, the radius of curvature R was set to 0.75 mm.

TABLE 3
Position of	Left	Right	Left	Right	Left	Right	Left	Right	Left	Right
receiving
Portion

Trial Number

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

Presence of	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Remaining
Water

Trial Number

#11

#12

#13

#14

#15

Presence of	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Remaining
Water

Trial Number

#21

#22

#23

#24

#25

Presence of	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Remaining
Water

Trial Number

#31

#32

#33

#34

#35

Presence of	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Remaining
Water

Trial Number

#41

#42

#43

#44

#45

Presence of	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Remaining
Water
Position of	Left	Right	Left	Right	Left	Right	Left	Right	Left	Right
receiving
Portion

Trial Number

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

Presence of	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Remaining
Water

Trial Number

#16

#17

#18

#19

#20

Presence of	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Remaining
Water

Trial Number

#26

#27

#28

#29

#30

Presence of	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Remaining
Water

Trial Number

#36

#37

#38

#39

#40

Presence of	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Remaining
Water

Trial Number

#46

#47

#48

#49

#50

Presence of	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Remaining
Water

Referring to Table 3, it was confirmed that no remaining water was observed even after 50 repeated experiments on the occurrence of remaining water. This is because, even when the siphon cap 60 rotates while being supported by the siphon tube 50 for agitating the water, the siphon channel is advantageous for siphon operation as it induces a high flow rate and low pressure due to the high ratio of cross-sectional areas B/A. In addition, it can be seen that the phenomenon in which the water fails to sufficiently rise in the second flow path 61 due to interference caused by the extended length of the plurality of support ribs 70 is minimized, and at the same time, the occurrence of remaining water is significantly improved due to the effect of the interaction that reduces the resistance generated during the rotation of the siphon cap 60 as the corners 76 of the plurality of support ribs 70 meeting the inner surface 64 of the cap body 62 have the curved portion. According to an embodiment, the detergent feeding device 20 may include the case 40 including the receiving portion 42 configured to receive a detergent and having the outlet 45 provided on the bottom surface 43 of the receiving portion, the siphon tube 50 protruding from the bottom surface of the receiving portion and having the first flow path 51 in communication with the outlet, the siphon cap 60 configured to cover an outer side of the siphon tube to form the second flow path 61 allowing the receiving portion and the first flow path to be in communication with each other, wherein the siphon cap 60 has the agitating blade 63 configured to be rotated by water supplied to the receiving portion to agitate the water received in the receiving portion, the plurality of support ribs 70 extending from the inner surface 64 of the siphon cap toward the siphon tube and configured to be supported by the siphon tube, wherein a cross-section of the corner 76 at which the plurality of support ribs and the inner surface of the siphon cap meet may has a curved shape. According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent the water from remaining in the detergent feeding device.

The ratio B/A of the cross-sectional area B of the outlet 66 of the second flow path to the cross-sectional area A of the first flow path may be in a range of 1.5 to 2.5. According to the present disclosure, when the ratio of cross-sectional areas B/A is outside the range of 1.5 to 2.5, a phenomenon where the water does not rise to the siphon level frequently occurs due to the rotational resistance generated while the siphon cap 60 rotates in the siphon tube 50, leaving remaining water in the receiving portion 42.

Each of the plurality of support ribs may include the first support portion 71 configured to support an upper surface of the siphon tube and the second support portion 72 extending from the first support portion and configured to support the outer surface 52 of the siphon tube, enabling stable rotation of the siphon cap 60.

The first support portion may extend in a lateral direction from the inner surface of the siphon cap, and the second support portion may have the length L extending from the first support portion in a longitudinal direction intersecting the first support portion, and the length L of the second support portion may be less than ½ of the height H of the siphon tube. According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent/reduce the water from remaining in the receiving portion 42 by reducing the flow resistance of the water flowing through the second flow path 61 to the first flow path 51 to induce a smooth siphon action.

The chamfered surface 75 may be provided at a lower end of the second support portion. According to the present disclosure, the chamfered surface 75 may guide smooth insertion when assembling the siphon cap 60 to the siphon tube 50, and may relieve stress concentration due to loads applied to the plurality of support ribs 70 during the rotation of the siphon cap 60.

A radius of curvature of the cross-section of the corner may be 0.75 mm.

The plurality of support ribs may consist of three support ribs equally spaced along a circumferential direction of the siphon cap to induce stable rotation of the siphon cap 60 and prevent a reduction in the siphon effect due to the rotational resistance of the plurality of support ribs.

The bottom surface may include the recessed portion 43b recessed around the outlet and the recessed portion may include a remaining water drainage hole 46, thereby preventing the retention of water.

The remaining water drainage hole may include the small diameter portion 46a adjacent to the receiving portion and the large diameter portion 46b having a diameter larger than the small diameter portion and adjacent to an outer side of the receiving portion, thereby increasing the discharge of remaining water.

A sidewall of the case may include the air hole 47 for entry and exit of external air into and out of the receiving portion, thereby relieving the pressure in the receiving portion 42 during the discharge of water.

The ratio B/A of the cross-sectional area of the second flow path to the cross-sectional area of the first flow path may be 1.5 to 2.5, and the length L of the plurality of support ribs extending in a longitudinal direction from an upper end of the siphon tube may be in a range of ⅓ to ½ of the height H of the siphon tube.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may include the cabinet 2, the tub 3 disposed inside the cabinet, the detergent feeding device 20 configured to supply a detergent into the tub, and the water supply device 10 configured to supply water to the detergent feeding device, wherein the detergent feeding device 20 includes the case 40 including the siphon tube 50 having the first flow path 51 communicating with the outlet 45 provided on a bottom of the receiving portion 42 for receiving a detergent, the siphon cap 60 rotatably supported on the siphon tube to be rotated by the water supplied by the water supply device to agitate the water in the receiving portion, the siphon cap forming the second flow path 61 communicating with the first flow path, and the plurality of support ribs 70 positioned in the second flow path to support the siphon cap relative to the siphon tube, wherein a cross-section of the corner 76 at which the plurality of support ribs and the inner surface 64 of the siphon cap meet may have a rounded shape.

The plurality of support ribs may extend from the inner surface 64 of the siphon cap toward the siphon tube.

The plurality of support ribs may be positioned closer to an upper side of the siphon tube, thereby inducing a smooth introduction of water from the receiving portion toward the siphon channel.

Each of the plurality of support ribs may include the first support portion 71 configured to be supported on the upper surface 54 of the siphon tube and the second support portion 72 extending from the first support portion and configured to be supported on an outer surface of the siphon tube.

The length L of the second support portion may be from ⅓ to ½ of the height H of the siphon tube.

The ratio B/A of the cross-sectional area B of an outlet of the second flow path to the cross-sectional area A of the first flow path may be from 1.5 to 2.5.

The plurality of support ribs may be provided in three equally spaced apart from each other to support three different parts of the siphon tube.

The siphon cap may include the cap body 62 configured to cover the siphon tube to form the second flow path, and the plurality of agitating blades 63 extending from the cap body, on which water supplied by the water supply device strikes.

The chamfered surface 75 may be provided at a lower end of the plurality of support ribs.

While the present disclosure has been particularly described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood by those of skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.