LAUNDRY TREATING APPARATUS

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a laundry treatment apparatus and a method of controlling the laundry treatment apparatus, and more particularly to a laundry treatment apparatus and a method of controlling the laundry treatment apparatus which are capable of performing a refresh operation such as sterilization, removal of wrinkles, deodorization and drying by supplying steam and hot air to laundry.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, a laundry treatment apparatus, which is an electrical appliance configured to eliminate foreign substances from laundry using water and detergent, includes a tub configured to store water therein, a water supply configured to supply water to the tub, and a detergent supply portion disposed on a flow passage between the water supply and the tub and configured to supply detergent to the tub together with the water.

In a conventional laundry treatment apparatus, the detergent supply portion may be merely provided as a space configured to store detergent therein, and a required amount of detergent is introduced into the detergent supply portion whenever a user performs washing of laundry.

Although the conventional laundry treatment apparatus allows a user to select required kind of and amount of detergent according to his/her intention, there is a fundamental problem in that it is difficult to introduce an appropriate amount of detergent.

Furthermore, because the conventional laundry treatment apparatus is constructed such that the entirety of the detergent stored in the detergent supply portion is introduced into the tub when water is supplied to the detergent supply portion, there is also the inconvenience that detergent must be newly introduced whenever washing is performed.

In order to overcome these problems, a laundry treatment apparatus in which a water supply is controlled by a controller provided at the laundry treatment apparatus so as to supply an appropriate amount of detergent was suggested (see Korean Patent Publication No. 2000-0009638).

The conventional laundry treatment apparatus is provided with an automatic detergent supply portion which includes a detergent container configured to store detergent therein and a valve configured automatically supply the detergent stored in the detergent container to a tub.

Because the laundry treatment apparatus is able to calculate the optimal amount of detergent according to an amount of laundry, an amount of water or the like by a controller, the laundry treatment apparatus has an advantage in that it is possible to supply only an appropriate amount of detergent to the tub even when a large amount of detergent is stored in the detergent container.

However, the conventional laundry treatment apparatus has a limitation in that the detergent container is formed integrally with the cabinet or the like and is thus impossible to separate. Therefore, because it is impossible to separately wash the detergent container when a foreign substance is introduced into the detergent container or the detergent container is contaminated, the automatic detergent supply portion of the laundry treatment apparatus can be damaged or laundry can be contaminated due to the detergent stored in the detergent container.

Particularly, when detergent or a foreign substance is wrongly introduced into the detergent container by a user, there is no solution for easily removing the detergent or foreign substance, thus offering a fundamental limitation in that maintenance thereof is difficult.

In order to overcome the problems, a laundry treatment apparatus with a separable detergent container was suggested (see Korean Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-2021-0027019).

The conventional laundry treatment apparatus is constructed such that the detergent container is separated from a flow passage for supply of detergent and is completely taken outwards out of the flow passage. Accordingly, the laundry treatment apparatus has advantages in that it is possible to easily wash the detergent container when the detergent container is contaminated or a foreign substance is introduced into the detergent container and that, when detergent other than proper detergent or a foreign substance is introduced into the detergent container, it is possible to easily remove the detergent or foreign substance.

Meanwhile, when the detergent container is capable of storing a large amount of detergent therein, the frequency with which a user needs to introduce the detergent into the detergent container can be reduced. Therefore, there is a need to increase the volume of the detergent container capable of accommodating an amount of detergent required to perform a washing operation multiple times.

The conventional laundry treatment apparatus includes a drawer type housing configured to accommodate and support the entire detergent container in order to stably support the heavy and large detergent container.

Because the housing is constituted by closed surfaces, except for an open surface through which the detergent container is taken out thereof, the housing is capable of supporting four or more surfaces of the detergent container. Accordingly, the conventional laundry treatment apparatus is capable of stably supporting the detergent container even when intense vibration is generated.

However, in order to construct the automatic detergent supply portion capable of completely accommodating the detergent container in the housing (referred to hereinafter as “drawer type”), the laundry treatment apparatus is generally constructed as a front-loading type in which an opening through which laundry is introduced is provided in the front side of the laundry treatment apparatus as in the conventional laundry treatment apparatus.

The front-loading type washing machine is constructed such that the drum configured to accommodate laundry therein is rotated about a rotating shaft which is disposed parallel to the ground or is slightly inclined and the tub accommodating the drum is also formed to have a cylindrical shape disposed in a forward-and-backward direction. Therefore, the conventional front-loading type washing machine has an advantage in that a space in which the drawer type automatic detergent supply portion is installed is provided at a front corner of the cabinet.

Particularly, because the front-loading type washing machine is not provided on the upper surface thereof with a door, the front-loading type washing machine has an advantage in that an additional automatic detergent supply portion can be installed at the upper portion of the cabinet.

However, there is a problem in that application of the drawer type automatic detergent supply apparatus to a top-loading type washing machine in which an introduction port for laundry is provided at the upper portion of the cabinet is difficult.

Meanwhile, in recent years, a laundry treatment apparatus a drawer type automatic detergent supply portion is provided at a top-loading type washing machine was suggested (see Korean Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-2018-0080013).

The laundry treatment apparatus is constructed such that a drawer type automatic detergent supply portion is applied to a top-loading type washing machine in which an opening through which laundry is introduced and a door configured to open and close the opening are provided at the upper portion of a cabinet.

Because the top-loading type washing machine is constructed such that a suspension of the line configured to support the tub is fixed to a corner portion of the cabinet, it is difficult to install the automatic detergent supply portion in the cabinet and it is difficult to increase the capacity of the detergent container or to install a water supply passage even if the suspension or the like is able to be installed.

Furthermore, in the top-loading type washing machine, when the automatic detergent supply portion is disposed in front of the door or the opening, the automatic detergent supply portion impedes introduction of laundry through the opening and opening of the door.

Therefore, the conventional laundry treatment apparatus is constructed such that the automatic detergent supply portion is disposed behind the door or the opening and the automatic detergent supply portion is designed to be of a drawer type in which the detergent container is drawn forwards.

The automatic detergent supply portion is essentially provided with a pump configured to discharge the detergent stored in the detergent container or a connector connecting the pump to the detergent container. When the automatic detergent supply portion is of a drawer type, the pump or the connector must be installed on a surface opposed to the surface through which the detergent container is introduced. As a result, the detergent container must be spaced forwards apart from the rear surface of the laundry treatment apparatus by a distance corresponding to a space in which the pump or the connector is installed.

In other words, when a drawer type automatic detergent supply portion, which is drawable forwards, is installed at the top-loading type washing machine as in the conventional laundry treatment apparatus, all of the detergent container, the pump and the connector must be installed in the space between the rear side of the cabinet and the introduction port or the rear surface of the door. As a result, the conventional laundry treatment apparatus has a fundamental problem in that the area of the opening or the door is reduced, thus making it inconvenient to introduce laundry and remove the laundry therefrom.

Furthermore, because it is difficult to assure a sufficient thickness of the detergent container in a forward-and-backward direction even when the area of the opening or the door is reduced, the conventional laundry treatment apparatus has a problem in that the volume of the detergent container cannot be sufficiently increased.

In order to overcome the problem, a drawer type automatic detergent supply portion in which a detergent container is pulled out upwards may be considered in the top-loading type washing machine. Here, because the pump and connector are disposed below the detergent container, the sufficient width of the detergent container in a forward-and-backward direction is assured and the area of the opening is also not reduced.

However, in the top-loading type washing machine, because the automatic detergent supply portion must be disposed behind the opening, it is difficult for a user to access the automatic detergent supply portion. If the detergent container is designed to be pulled out upwards in this situation, there is a problem in that a typical user is not physically capable of completely pulling the detergent container to the upper end of the drawer.

In order to overcome this problem, it is possible to consider a drawer type automatic detergent supply portion including a detergent container which is pulled out of a lateral side surface of the top-loading type washing machine.

Here, although it may be easy to pull the detergent container out of the lateral side surface, the direction in which the detergent container is pulled out must be maintained until the detergent container is completely pulled out of the drawer. If the lateral side of the laundry treatment apparatus is disposed near a wall or another electrical appliance and thus there is insufficient space to pull the detergent container out, there is a problem in that it is basically impossible to insert and withdraw the detergent container.

As a result, the conventional laundry treatment apparatus has a limitation on installation of the automatic detergent supply portion to the top-loading type washing machine in a drawer fashion.

Meanwhile, it is possible to consider the automatic detergent supply portion of the top-loading type washing machine which is coupled in a slide fashion rather than a drawer fashion. In other words, it is possible to consider a manner in which the detergent container in an exposed state is mounted on a mounting portion provided behind the door or the opening of the cabinet.

In this case, because the direction in which the detergent container is mounted and taken out is not limited to the shape or the like of the drawer, there is an advantage of being capable of being easily mounted on the mounting portion.

For example, it is possible to consider a coupling manner in which the detergent container is inserted from top down into the mounting portion provided behind the door on the upper portion of the cabinet. In this case, although increasing the depth by which the detergent container is inserted downwards enables the detergent container to be more stably secured to the mounting portion, it may be difficult to take the detergent container out of the mounting portion.

Therefore, it is possible to consider a coupling manner in which the detergent container is coupled to the mounting portion while sliding to the inside from the lateral side of the mounting portion by a predetermined distance. In this case, although there is an advantage in that the detergent container is easily mounted on and separated from the mounting portion, there is a limitation in that the detergent container may be arbitrarily separated from the mounting portion due to vibration or the like.

As a result, in the top-loading type washing machine, the manner in which the detergent container in the state of being exposed is slidably moved in a width direction of the cabinet and then mounted on the mounting portion is the easiest manner of coupling and separation of the detergent container, thereby improving applicability thereof.

However, because separation of the detergent container from the cabinet becomes easy as installation of the detergent container to the mounting portion becomes easy, research on easy mounting and stable holding of the detergent container is needed.

Furthermore, because it is possible to easily take out the detergent container, there is also a need for a method of accurately detecting whether or not the detergent container is normally coupled to the mounting portion.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Task

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus, such as a top-loading type washing machine, which includes an automatic detergent supply portion in which a detergent container configured to store detergent therein is stably secured to an outer side of a cabinet in a detachable manner in a state of being exposed to the outside.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus, such as a top-loading type washing machine, in which a detergent container is secured to and separated from an outer side of a cabinet in a sliding manner in a width direction and is capable of being maintained in the secured state, regardless of application of vibration.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus, such as a top-loading type washing machine, in which a detergent container cannot be arbitrarily separated although the detergent container is detachably coupled to a cabinet in a sliding manner in a width direction.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus, such as a top-loading type washing machine, in which a detergent container is capable of being separated from a cabinet according to user's intention although the detergent container is firmly coupled to a cabinet in a sliding manner in a width direction.

Technical Solutions

In order to solve the above-mentioned tasks, the present disclosure provides a laundry treatment apparatus including an automatic detergent supply portion which includes a mounting portion disposed behind the door or the introduction port and configured to receive the detergent and to transfer the detergent to the tub; and a detergent container configured to receive the detergent supplied to the mounting portion and detachably provided at the mounting portion in a width direction of the top cover.

The mounting portion may include a mounting body provided behind the door or the introduction port, a mounting groove depressed from the mounting body so as to guide movement of the detergent container and to support a lower portion of the detergent container, a restriction surface provided at an inner side or one end of the mounting groove in such a manner as to be detachably coupled to the detergent container and provided with a communication portion to which the detergent is supplied, and an obstructive protrusion projecting from an outer side or another end of the mounting groove to hold the detergent container.

The restriction surface may extend to the mounting body from the inner side or the one end of the mounting groove in a stepped shape to restrict movement of the detergent container.

The detergent container may include a storage body configured to store the detergent therein and seated in the mounting groove, a discharger provided at a lower portion or one side of the storage body and detachably coupled to the communication portion, and a hook portion provided at another side of the storage body and detachably coupled to the obstructive protrusion.

The hook portion may be detachably coupled to an outer surface or an exposed surface of the obstructive protrusion.

The detergent container may further include a holding portion projecting from a lower portion of the storage body to be supported by an inner surface of the obstructive protrusion.

The distance between the hook portion and the holding portion may correspond to a thickness of the obstructive protrusion.

The mounting portion may further include reception ribs provided at two opposite sides of the mounting groove so as to guide movement of the detergent container in the width direction of the top cover or to receive the lower portion of the detergent container therein.

The reception ribs may have a height set to be less than a half of a height of the detergent container.

The detergent container may include a storage body configured to receive the detergent therein and seated in the mounting groove, and a plate provided at a lower portion of the storage body and received between the reception ribs.

The detergent container may further include a storage body configured to receive the detergent therein and stored in the mounting groove, and support ribs extending from a lower portion to contact outer surfaces of the reception ribs and to hold the storage body.

The mounting portion may include lateral steps extending to the mounting body from lower portions of the reception ribs to allow the support ribs to be seated thereon.

Each of the lateral steps may receive a free end of a corresponding one of the support ribs and guide the support rib in a sliding manner.

Each of the reception ribs may have a height which increases toward an outer side from an inner side thereof.

Each of the support ribs may have a contact area with a corresponding reception rib that increases in size from an inner side to an outer side.

The support ribs may also support two lateral surfaces of the obstructive protrusion.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

The present disclosure has an effect of providing an automatic detergent supply portion of a top-loading type washing machine in which a detergent container configured to store detergent therein is stably secured to an outer side of a cabinet in a detachable manner in a state or being exposed to the outside.

The present disclosure has an effect of providing a top-loading type washing machine in which a detergent container is secured to and separated from an outer side of a cabinet in a sliding manner in a width direction and is capable of being maintained in the secured state, regardless of application of vibration.

The present disclosure has an effect of providing a top-loading type washing machine in which a detergent container cannot be arbitrarily separated although the detergent container is detachably coupled to a cabinet in a sliding manner in a width direction.

The present disclosure has an effect of providing a top-loading type washing machine in which a detergent container is capable of being separated from a cabinet according to user's intention although the detergent container is firmly coupled to a cabinet in a sliding manner in a width direction.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the appearance of a laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates structures of a top cover and a door of the laundry treatment apparatus;

FIG. 3 illustrates the internal structure of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates the structure of the top cover of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates the structure in which the automatic detergent supply portion is coupled to and separated from the laundry treatment apparatus;

FIG. 6 illustrates the structure in which the detergent container is capable of being separated and mounted in the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates a problem in that a space required for the detergent container to be slidably moved is insufficient;

FIG. 8 illustrates a procedure of separating the detergent container upwards from the mounting portion in the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates the mounting portion of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 illustrates the structure of a mounting groove of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 illustrates the structure of the detergent container of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 illustrates a holding structure in a width direction of the automatic detergent supply portion of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the holding structure in a width direction of the automatic detergent supply portion of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 illustrates the holding structure in a width direction of the automatic detergent supply portion of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 illustrates a holding structure in a forward-and-backward direction of the automatic detergent supply portion of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure;

FIGS. 16 to 18 illustrate the detailed structure of the detergent container;

FIG. 19 illustrates the structure of the holding portion;

FIG. 20 illustrates the operation of the holding portion;

FIG. 21 illustrates the operation of the holding portion;

FIG. 22 illustrates the operation of separating the detergent container from the mounting portion; and

FIG. 23 illustrates the structure of a detection unit.

BEST MODE FOR DISCLOSURE

Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification, the same or equivalent components may be denoted by the same reference numbers even in different drawings, and a description thereof will not be repeated. Singular forms as used herein are intended to include plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, in the following description of embodiments disclosed herein, if it is decided that a detailed description of known functions or configurations related to the present disclosure would make the subject matter of the present disclosure unclear, such detailed description is omitted. The accompanying drawings are used merely to assist in easy understanding of various technical features, and it should be understood that the technical idea presented in this specification should not be construed as being limited by the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the appearance of a laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure.

The laundry treatment apparatus 1 according to the present disclosure may include a top cover 20 coupled to the upper portion of the cabinet 10. Top cover 20 may define the upper surface of the laundry treatment apparatus 1, and may include the opening through which laundry is introduced into the laundry treatment apparatus.

Top cover 20 may be provided with a control panel 40 which includes an input unit to which a command for performing the course is input and a display unit capable of displaying the state in which the course is performed and the state of the automatic detergent supply portion 1000, to the outside.

The top cover 20 may be made of a material different from the cabinet 10.

Accordingly, even when the cabinet 10 is made of a metal material in order to assure durability, the top cover 20 may be made of a resin-based material such that other components are easily coupled to the top cover 20 even when the top cover 20 has a complicated structure.

For example, a door 30 configured to open and close the opening may be rotatably coupled to the top cover 20.

Because the volume of the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 is proportional to the amount of detergent capable of being stored therein, it is possible to reduce the frequency with which a user needs to refill the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 with detergent.

The automatic detergent supply portion 1000 may be detachably coupled to the laundry treatment apparatus 1 according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is possible for a user to easily wash the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 and to easily replace the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 when unwanted detergent or foreign substances are introduced thereinto.

Because the corner of the cabinet 10 is provided with a suspension 40 and the tub 50 is vertically disposed close to the inner and upper end of the cabinet 10, the internal space in the cabinet 10 is insufficient to accommodate the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 therein.

Therefore, the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 may be disposed outside the cabinet 10, and may thus be sufficiently enlarged without restriction by the internal space in the cabinet 10.

The automatic detergent supply portion 1000 may be coupled so as to be exposed to the outside from the top cover 20. As a result, the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 may be easily separated from and mounted on the top cover 20.

Meanwhile, when the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 is disposed in front of the door 30 or the opening or on two lateral side surfaces of the door 30 or the opening, the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 may obstruct opening of the door 30 or introduction of laundry through the opening.

Accordingly, the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 may be disposed behind the door 30 or the opening. Consequently, a user is able to open the door 30 or to introduce laundry through the opening without obstruction by the automatic detergent supply portion 1000. Furthermore, because the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 is capable of supporting the opened door 30, it is possible to prevent the door 30 from being excessively opened from the opening.

Meanwhile, because the drive unit 90 is disposed below the tub 50, the top cover 20 may vibrate to the maximum extent possible when the laundry treatment apparatus vibrates. Because the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 is capable of receiving a large amount of detergent therein, the automatic detergent supply portion may be heavy and thus have high inertial force. Therefore, when the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 is detachably coupled to the upper portion of the top cover 20, vibration of the maximum amplitude of the laundry treatment apparatus may be transmitted to the automatic detergent supply portion 1000, thus causing the automatic detergent supply portion to be arbitrarily separated from the top cover 20.

Therefore, the automatic detergent supply portion may be embodied as a drawer type automatic detergent supply portion which is completely accommodated in the housing provided at the top cover and is drawn out of one surface of the housing.

When the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 is embodied as a drawer type automatic detergent supply portion in the state in which the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 is coupled to the top cover 20 at which the rear side of the door 30 is positioned, the surface through which the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 is drawn out of the housing may correspond to one of the upper surface, the side surface and the front surface.

Because the top-loading type washing machine has a width or a breadth greater than a height in order to assure a sufficient washing capacity, it is very difficult for a user to completely draw the automatic detergent supply portion upwards from the housing of the top cover 20 and to insert the automatic detergent supply portion into the housing. Furthermore, because the automatic detergent supply portion is disposed behind the door 30, it may be very difficult for a user to draw the automatic detergent supply portion upwards from the housing of the top cover 20 or to insert the automatic detergent supply portion into the housing.

The type in which the automatic detergent supply portion is drawn out of the housing of the top cover and is inserted into the housing through a lateral side surface thereof may be easier than the type in which the automatic detergent supply portion is drawn out of the housing and is inserted into the housing in a vertical direction, from a user's point of view.

However, there is a need to provide the lateral side surface with a space required to withdraw the entire length of the automatic detergent supply portion in order to completely draw the automatic detergent supply portion out of the housing. Accordingly, when the laundry treatment apparatus does not assure the length required to withdraw the automatic detergent supply portion because a space in which the laundry treatment apparatus is installed is narrow, there is a problem in that the automatic detergent supply portion cannot be used by a user at all.

Meanwhile, a construction in which the automatic detergent supply portion is drawn out of the top cover 20 in a forward direction and is inserted into the top cover 20 is capable of always assuring the length required to draw the automatic detergent supply portion out of the top cover 20.

However, in order to couple the automatic detergent supply portion to the housing to thus communicate with the tub, the rear surface of the housing opposed to the surface through which the automatic detergent supply portion is inserted must be provided with a pump or a hose which is to be coupled to the automatic detergent supply portion so as to communicate therewith.

Accordingly, because the automatic detergent supply portion must be disposed in front of the pump or the hose, the door 30 and the rear surface of the introduction port must be additionally provided with a space in which the pump or the hose is installed. As a result, it may be impossible to assure a sufficient volume of the automatic detergent supply portion. If a sufficient length of the automatic detergent supply portion in an insertion-and-withdrawal direction is assured in order to obtain a desired volume of the automatic detergent supply portion, the area of the opening may decrease, thus making it difficult to withdraw and introduce laundry through the opening, or the opening and the door 30 may be eccentrically disposed at the front side of the top cover 20, thus causing laundry to be accumulated only at the front side of the drum 60. As a result, there may be a problem in that unbalanced weight distribution is caused in the laundry treatment apparatus.

As a result, the top-loading type washing machine such as the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure is preferably designed such that the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 is not of drawer type.

Accordingly, the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure may be mounted on the upper portion of the top cover 20 so as to be exposed to the outside.

Consequently, the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present invention may be less restricted by the direction in which the top cover 20 is mounted or separated than the drawer type automatic detergent supply portion, thus assuring design freedom, and may have at least one of sufficient height, width and length.

However, because the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure has difficulty accommodating and supporting the automatic detergent supply portion 1000, the laundry treatment apparatus may be additionally provided with a construction capable of firmly holding the automatic detergent supply portion 1000. The additional construction will be described later.

FIG. 2 illustrates the laundry treatment apparatus in the state in which the door thereof is open.

The automatic detergent supply portion 1000 may be disposed at the rear side of the door 30 so as to support the opened door 30 when the door 30 is opened.

The top cover 20 on which the door 30 and the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 are seated may be coupled to the upper portion of the cabinet 10.

The top cover 20 may include the opening 21, and the door 30 may be rotatably coupled to the top cover 20 so as to open and close the opening 21.

The top cover 20 may be provided with the control panel 40 in front of the opening 21. As a result, it is possible to allow a user to easily access the control panel 40.

The control panel 40 may be provided therein with a controller configured to receive a command for controlling the laundry treatment apparatus and to perform a predetermined course of treating laundry.

The control panel 40 may include at least one a power portion 41 for receiving a command for supplying power to the controller, an input portion 44 through which a predetermined course which is performed by the controller is input, a display portion 44 configured to display the state of the controller, and an execution portion 42 through which a command for executing the selected course is input.

The top cover 20 may be provided with a water supply which receives water therein and a manual detergent supply portion 100 communicating with the water supply and capable of storing detergent therein.

The manual detergent supply portion 100 may be withdrawn from the rear side of the inner circumferential surface of the opening 21 in a forward direction, thus reducing the flow passage connected to the water supply. However, the manual detergent supply portion 100 is merely one embodiment, and may have any construction and may be installed at any position as long as the manual detergent supply portion 100 is capable of storing and discharging detergent.

The automatic detergent supply portion 1000 may be disposed behind the opening 21. Accordingly, the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 may share the flow passage through which detergent is discharged from the manual detergent supply portion 100. Furthermore, if the flow passage through which detergent is discharged is provided independently of the automatic detergent supply portion 1000, the automatic detergent supply portion and the manual detergent supply portion 100 may be concentrically disposed in order to improve availability of the internal space of the top cover 20.

The automatic detergent supply portion 1000 may project from the upper surface of the top cover 20 in order to store a larger amount of detergent than the amount of detergent required to perform a course once.

Furthermore, the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 may support the door 30 to prevent the door 30 from colliding with a wall or the like which is disposed behind the automatic detergent supply portion 1000.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure.

The laundry treatment apparatus 1 according to the present disclosure may be constructed to perform a predetermined washing course of removing foreign substances from laundry using water and detergent.

The laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure may include a cabinet 10 defining the appearance of the laundry treatment apparatus, a tub 50 provided inside the cabinet 10 to store water, a drum 60 provided rotatably inside the tub 50 to receive laundry, and a drive unit 90 coupled to the tub 50 to rotate the drum 50.

The cabinet 10 may be provided at the upper portion thereof with the opening through which laundry is introduced into the cabinet 10, and each of the tub 50 and the drum 60 may also be provided at the upper portion thereof with the introduction port through which the laundry is introduced thereinto.

The drive unit 90 may be fixed to the lower surface of the tub 50 so as to rotate the drum 60.

The laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure may further include a suspension 70 configured to support the tub 50 in the cabinet 10, and the suspension may be embodied as a damper, a spring or the like, which connects the lower portion of the tub 50 to the inner and upper portion of the cabinet 10.

The laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure may include the water supply 70, which is disposed behind the cabinet 10 and communicates with an external water source to supply water to the tub 50, and a water discharger 80 which communicates with the lower portion of the tub 50 to discharge the water received in the tub 50 to the outside of the cabinet 10.

The laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure may include a detergent supply portion configured to supply detergent to the tub 50. The detergent supply portion may include at least one of the manual detergent supply portion 100 or the automatic detergent supply portion 1000.

The manual detergent supply portion 100 may be configured to allow a user to directly introduce detergent thereinto. The manual detergent supply portion 100 may be connected between the water supply 70 and the tub 50 such that the manual detergent supply portion 100 receives water supplied from the water supply 70 and supplies all of the introduced detergent to the tub 50. Accordingly, the manual detergent supply portion 100 may directly receive an appropriate amount of detergent from a user whenever the predetermined course is performed.

The automatic detergent supply portion 1000 may be configured to store a large amount of detergent which will be supplied to the tub 50. In other words, the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 may store an amount of detergent at one time which can be used in multiple executions of the predetermined course and may discharge an appropriate amount of detergent to the tub 50 whenever the predetermined course is performed.

The automatic detergent supply portion 1000 may be configured so as not to receive water from the water supply 70, unlike the manual detergent supply portion 100. Therefore, because the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 does not receive water from the water supply 70, it is possible to prevent the entirety of the detergent in the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 from being completely discharged by the water supplied to the water supply 70 even when the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 stores a large amount of detergent therein.

The automatic detergent supply portion 1000 may communicate at the downstream portion thereof with the water supply 70 or the tub 50 but may not communicate at the upstream portion thereof with the water supply 70.

The laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure may include both the manual detergent supply portion 100 and the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 or may include one of the manual detergent supply portion 100 and the automatic detergent supply portion 1000.

When both the manual detergent supply portion 100 and the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 are provided, the downstream portion of the manual detergent supply portion 100 and the downstream portion of the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 may communicate with each other to simplify the flow passage.

FIG. 4 illustrates the detergent supply portion of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure.

The detergent supply portion 1000 of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure may be installed to the top cover 20.

The top cover 20 may be made of plastic, and may be easily molded into a structure on which the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 is seated.

The water supply 70 may be installed on the rear surface of the top cover 20. The manual detergent supply portion 100 may be disposed behind and below the opening formed through the top cover 20.

The manual detergent supply portion 100 may be withdrawable from the top cover 20 in a forward direction so as to allow power detergent or liquid detergent to be introduced thereinto. The manual detergent supply portion 100 may communicate with the water supply 70 to receive water from the water supply 70 and to discharge the introduced detergent in a downward direction.

Because the introduction port of the tub 50 is disposed below the opening 21, the detergent discharged from the manual detergent supply portion 100 may be directly transmitted to the inside of the tub 50.

The manual detergent supply portion 100 may include a drawer 101 which is withdrawn and inserted in a forward-and-backward direction in the opening 21. Consequently, the manual detergent supply portion 100 may be drawn forwards only when detergent is introduced thereinto, and the manual detergent supply portion 100 may be maintained in the state of being received in the top cover 20 when detergent is not introduced thereinto, thereby preventing laundry, which is introduced through the opening, from interfering with the manual detergent supply portion 100.

The automatic detergent supply portion 1000 may be disposed at the rear side of the upper portion of the top cover 20. The automatic detergent supply portion 1000 may be disposed higher than the water supply 70, and may also be disposed higher than the manual detergent supply portion 100.

Therefore, the detergent discharged from the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 may be transmitted to the water supply 70 or the manual detergent supply portion 100, and may then be supplied to the tub 50.

The automatic detergent supply portion 1000 may include a detergent container 200 configured to store therein detergent to be supplied to the tub 50, and a mounting portion 300 configured to fix the detergent container 200 to the upper portion of the top cover 20.

The detergent container 200 may be detachably mounted on the mounting portion 300. Consequently, the detergent container 200 may be separated from the mounting portion 300 so as to allow easy washing and maintenance of the detergent container 200 when necessary.

Furthermore, the detergent container 200 may be separated from the mounting portion 300 when a user supplies detergent to the detergent container 200. Consequently, it is possible for a user to introduce detergent into the detergent container 200 without restriction by location, and it is possible to prevent contamination of the top cover 20 and the like during introduction of detergent into the detergent container 200.

The detergent container 200 may be composed of a plurality of detergent containers which store different detergents therein. The plurality of detergent containers 200 may be arranged in a width direction of the top cover 20, and may be mounted on the mounting portion 300.

The mounting portion 300 may be disposed at the rear side of the top cover 20 in the width direction. Although the mounting portion 300 may be formed integrally with the top cover 20, the mounting portion 300 may be mounted on the rear side of the upper surface of the top cover 20 behind the door 30.

The upper portion of the mounting portion 300 may be constructed so as to allow the detergent container 200 to be mounted thereon. The lower portion of the detergent container 200 may be detachably mounted on the mounting portion 200.

The detergent container 200 may be coupled to and separated from the mounting portion 300 in the state of being exposed to the outside from the top cover 20. Accordingly, the direction in which the detergent container 200 is coupled to or separated from the mounting portion 300 may not be limited to a certain direction. As a result, it is possible for a user to couple and separate the detergent container 200 to and from the mounting portion 300 without being greatly restricted by the height of the cabinet 10.

The entire length of the detergent container 200 may be greater than the height or the thickness of the detergent container 200. Consequently, it is possible to increase the detergent-storing capacity of the detergent container 200 while lowering the center of gravity of the detergent container 200 and to assure a sufficient area of the door 30 or the opening 21.

The mounting portion 300 may be provided with a transfer unit configured to receive detergent from the detergent container and to discharge the detergent to the tub 50. The transfer unit may include a detergent pump configured to discharge the detergent in the detergent container 200 and a detergent supply pipe configured to connect the detergent pump to at least one of the water supply 70, the tub 50 or the manual detergent supply portion 100.

FIG. 5 illustrates the structure in which the detergent container is coupled to and separated from the mounting portion.

Referring to (a) of FIG. 5, the detergent container 200 may include a first detergent container 200a, which stores a first detergent therein and is detachably coupled to the mounting portion 300, and a second detergent container 200b, which is constructed separately from the first detergent container 200a to store a second detergent therein and is detachably coupled to the mounting portion 300.

The first detergent may be a laundry detergent required to remove foreign substances from laundry, and the second detergent may be a bleaching agent configured to bleach laundry or a fabric softener configured to control toughness and fragrance of fabric.

Each of the first detergent and the second detergent may be provided in liquid form. Accordingly, the first detergent and the second detergent may be easily discharged to the mounting portion 300 due to gravity.

The manual detergent supply portion may be constructed so as to store a third detergent therein. The third detergent may be a kind of detergent different from the first detergent and the second detergent. The third detergent may be the same kind of detergent as the first detergent and the second detergent but may be of powder type rather than liquid type.

Naturally, the third detergent may be completely identical to one of the first detergent and the second detergent.

The first detergent container 200a and the second detergent container 200b may have the same shape, and may be symmetrical with each other based on the interface therebetween. Alternatively, the first detergent container 200a and the second detergent container 200b may be constructed to have completely different shapes.

However, the first detergent container 200a and the second detergent container 200b may be constructed to have the same function, and may be detachably coupled to the mounting portion 300 in the same manner.

Hereinafter, the structures of the detergent container 200 and the mounting portion 300, the coupling and holding structures between the detergent container 200 and the mounting portion 300, and the sensing structure between the detergent container 200 and the mounting portion 300 will be described with regard to the second detergent container 200b. However, this is merely to avoid redundant description, and the description thereof may also be similarly applied to the first detergent container 200a.

Referring to (b) of FIG. 5, the detergent container 200 may include a storage body 210 having a space configured to store detergent therein.

The storage body 210 may be coupled to and separated from the mounting portion 300 while sliding in a width direction of the top cover 20.

The storage body 210 does not need to be lifted from the mounting portion 300 when separated from and coupled to the mounting portion 300. Therefore, it is possible for a user to easily couple and separate the storage body 210 to and from the mounting portion 300 even when the storage body 210 is mounted on the rear side of the upper portion of the top cover 20.

The storage body 210 may be coupled to and separated from the mounting portion 300 in such a way as to push and pull the storage body 210 at the lateral side of the mounting portion 300. Accordingly, it is possible for a user to couple and separate the storage body 210 to and from the mounting portion 300 at the rear side of the door 30 in a sliding manner without interference even when the opening 21 is opened by the door 30.

Referring to (c) of FIG. 5, after the storage body 210 is moved to the lateral side and then separated from the other storage body on the mounting portion 300, the storage body 210 may be freely movable not only in a direction toward the lateral side of the mounting portion 300 but also in upward, forward and backward directions.

In other words, the storage body 210 may be completely separated from the mounting portion 300 although the inner surface of the storage body 210 is not moved to the outside of the mounting portion 300. For example, when the storage body 210 and the mounting portion 300 are separated from each other in the state of fluid communication, the storage body 210 may be completely separated from the mounting portion 300. Consequently, in the state in which the storage body 210 is supported by the mounting portion 300, the storage body 210 may be continuously movable toward the lateral side of the mounting portion 300, and may be lifted in all directions, except for in a downward direction, and then be separated from the mounting portion 300.

As a result, even in the case in which there is no space required to slide the storage body 210 by a distance as long as the length of the storage body 210 because a wall or another electrical appliance is disposed on the outer lateral side surface or the top cover 20 or the mounting portion 300, the storage body 210 may be separated from the mounting portion 300.

When the storage body 210 is coupled to the mounting portion 300, the above-described separation method may be performed in the reverse order.

Referring to (d) of FIG. 5, the mounting portion 300 may include a communication portion 370 configured to be detachably coupled to the storage body 210. The storage body 210 may be detachably coupled to the communication portion 370 such that the detergent stored in the storage body 210 is discharged through the communication portion 370.

The communication portion 370 may project in a width direction of the top cover 20 from the mounting portion 300. Accordingly, the storage body 210 may be moved in a width direction of the top cover 20 and then be coupled to the communication portion 370 The mounting portion 300 may be constructed such that the storage body 210 can slide on the mounting portion 300 until the storage body 210 is completely separated from the mounting portion 300.

However, the storage body 210 may also be moved in a sliding manner on the mounting portion 300 only when coupled to the communication portion 370. Here, when the state of being coupled to the communication portion 370 is released, the storage body 210 may be completely separated from the mounting portion 300 although the storage body 210 is not moved in a sliding manner on the mounting portion 300.

As a result, the storage body 210 may be moved in a sliding manner on the mounting portion 300 in a width direction of the top cover 20 and then be coupled to and separated from the mounting portion 300. Here, the storage body 210 may also be supported by the upper portion of the mounting portion 300 and be moved in a sliding manner only when the storage body 210 is coupled to and separated from the mounting portion 300 in terms of fluid communication. In other words, when the storage body 210 is separated from the mounting portion 300 in terms of fluid communication, the storage body 210 may be freely movable on the mounting portion, regardless of the shape of the mounting portion 300.

The mounting portion 300 may include a mounting groove 310 configured to receive and support at least a portion of the lower portion of the storage body 210.

The lower surface of the storage body 210 may be supported by two lateral side surfaces of the mounting groove 310 and be slidably guided in the state of being received in the mounting groove 310.

One end or the inner side of the mounting groove 310 may be provided with a restriction surface 320 configured to restrict inward movement or insertion of the storage body 210.

The restriction surface 320 may support the storage body 210 to prevent the storage body 210 from vibrating in an inward direction.

The communication portion 370 may project outwards from the restriction surface 320. The communication portion 370 may be disposed closer to the lower portion of the restriction surface 320 than to the upper portion of the restriction surface 320.

When the detergent container 200 is seated on the mounting portion 300, there is a need to prevent the detergent container 200 from being arbitrarily separated from the mounting portion 300. The fact that the detergent container 200 is slidably moved along the mounting groove 310 and is easily coupled to and separated from the mounting portion 300 means that the detergent container 200 is easily separable from the mounting portion 300.

Because the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure is of top-loading type, vibration of greater amplitude may be transmitted to the mounting portion 300. Accordingly, the mounting portion 300 may be constructed so as to be easily coupled to the detergent container 200 but to be separated from the detergent container 200 or be relatively vibrated with difficulty.

To this end, the mounting portion 300 may further include an obstructive protrusion 330 which prevents the storage body 210 from being withdrawn or being slidably moved toward the outer lateral side surface when the storage body 210 is coupled to the communication portion 370 or is completely mounted on the mounting portion 300.

The obstructive protrusion 330 may project from the other end or the outer side of the mounting groove 310.

The detailed structure in which the mounting portion 300 supports and hold the detergent container 200 will be described later.

FIG. 6 illustrates the structure in which the detergent container is coupled to and separated from the mounting portion with regard to the entire shape of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure.

Referring to (a) of FIG. 6, the first detergent container 200a and the second detergent container 200b may be seated and secured to the mounting portion 300 in the state of being exposed.

Because the opening 21 in the top cover 20 is positioned above the cabinet, the first detergent container 200a and the second detergent container 200b cannot be constructed into a structure in which the first detergent container 200a and the second detergent container 200b are received in a drawer or the like and withdrawn from the top cover. As a result, the lower portions of the first detergent container 200a and the second detergent container 200b may be seated on and secured to the upper portion of the mounting portion 300, or only portions of the first detergent container 200a and the second detergent container 200b may be received in the upper portion of the mounting portion 300 whereas the remaining portions of the first detergent container 200a and the second detergent container 200b may be held in the state of being exposed.

In order to increase the volumes of the first detergent container 200a and the second detergent container 200b while maintaining the area of the opening 21, the total length of the first detergent container 200a and the second detergent container 200b in a width direction of the top cover 20 may be greater than the thickness of the first detergent container 200a and the second detergent container 200b in a forward-and-backward direction of the top cover 20.

Accordingly, because the first detergent container 200a and the second detergent container 200b may be mounted on the mounting portion 300 so as to be slidably moved in a width direction of the mounting portion 300, the detergent container 200 and the mounting portion 300 may be stably coupled to and separated from each other.

Referring to (b) of FIG. 6, the first detergent container 200a and the second detergent container 200b may be slidably moved toward the outside of the mounting portion 300 from the center of the mounting portion 300 and then be separated from the mounting portion 300.

The detergent container 200 may be slidably moved on the mounting portion 300 until the detergent container 200 is separated from the mounting portion 300. Therefore, it is possible to assure stability in mounting and separation of the detergent container 200 to and from the mounting portion 30.

The mounting portion 300 may include a first mounting region 310a configured to support the first detergent container 200a and a second mounting region 310b configured to support the second detergent container 200b.

The first mounting region 310a may be embodied as a first mounting groove 310a which is formed in the mounting portion 300 so as to receive at least a portion of the first detergent container 200a and to support the first detergent container 200a. However, the first mounting region 310a may be embodied as any structure as long as the structure is capable of supporting the first detergent container 200a.

The second mounting region 310b may be embodied as a second mounting groove 310b which is formed in the mounting portion 300 so as to receive at least a portion of the second detergent container 200b and to support the second detergent container 200b. However, the second mounting region 310b may be embodied as any structure as long as the structure is capable of supporting the second detergent container 200b.

The length of the mounting portion 300 may be greater than the length D0 of the mounting region 310. In other words, the mounting portion 300 may further include an outer step 360 which projects toward the outer surface of the top cover 20 from the mounting region 310.

When the detergent container 200 is coupled to the mounting region 310, the region between the outer end of the mounting region 310 and the inner surface of the outer step 360 corresponds to an allowance region which does not directly support the detergent container 200. In other words, the mounting portion 300 may further include a region corresponding to the allowance length D2 at the outer side of the mounting region 310.

The length of the detergent container 200 may correspond to the length D0 of the mounting region 310. Accordingly, when the detergent container 200 is seated in the mounting region 310, the portion of the mounting portion 300 corresponding to the allowance length D2 may be exposed.

As a result, even when the detergent container 200 is slidably moved so as to completely escape from the mounting portion 310, the detergent container 200 may be supported by the portion of the mounting portion 300 corresponding to the allowance length D2.

Even when the detergent container 200 is slidably moved in the mounting region 310 by the length D0 of the detergent container 200, the detergent container 200 may be completely coupled to and separated from the mounting portion 300 although a portion of the detergent container 200 is supported by the portion of the mounting portion 300 corresponding to the allowance length D2.

Accordingly, even when the detergent container 200 receives therein at least a small amount of detergent and is thus somewhat heavy, a user is able to slidably move the detergent container 200 while supporting the weight of the detergent container 200 by the mounting portion 300 as much as possible, with the result that it is possible to easily separate the detergent container 200 from the mounting portion 300.

Furthermore, the user is able to slidably couple the detergent container 200 to the mounting region 310 while transmitting the weight of the detergent container 200 to the mounting portion 300 from the region of the mounting portion 300 corresponding to the allowance length D2.

As a result, although there is no guide member such as a drawer which guides sliding movement of the detergent container 200 in the state in which only the lower portion of the detergent container 200 is in contact with the mounting portion 300, the detergent container 200 may be stably coupled to and separated from the mounting portion 300 while slidably moving.

FIG. 7 illustrates situations in which it is difficult to separate the detergent container.

As described above, the detergent container 200 according to the present disclosure may be coupled to the mounting portion 300 while sliding toward the inside from the outside of the top cover 20, and may be separated from the mounting portion 300 while sliding toward the outside from the inside of the top cover 20.

Accordingly, even when the detergent container 200 is not slidably moved along the entire length of the mounting region 310, the detergent container 200 may be separated from or coupled to the mounting portion 300.

If the detergent container 200 is configured to be slidably moved in one direction from beginning to end, the detergent container 200 may be stably coupled to and separated from the mounting portion 300. However, there may be a case in which it is impossible to couple the detergent container 200 to the mounting portion 300 or it is basically impossible to separate the detergent container 200 from the mounting portion 300.

Referring to (a) of FIG. 7, there may be a case in which an electrical appliance such as a refrigerator 2 is disposed close to one side of laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure 1. In this case, because the second detergent container 200b is able to slide in the mounting region 310 beyond the length D0 of the second detergent container 200b, the second detergent container 200b may be easily coupled to and separated from the mounting region 310.

However, the distance between the first detergent container 200a and the refrigerator 2 may be less than the length D0 of the first detergent container 200a. Therefore, the first detergent container 200a may not be slidably moved in the mounting region 310 by the length D0 of the first detergent container 200a.

Furthermore, when the first detergent container 200a is completely separated from the mounting region 310, it may be basically impossible to introduce the first detergent container 200a into the mounting region 310.

Therefore, in the case in which the detergent container 200 is unable to be slidably moved in the mounting region 310 by the length D0 of the detergent container 200, it may be impossible to separate or couple the detergent container 200 from or to the mounting region 310.

Referring to (b) of FIG. 7, even when there is no electrical appliance 2 near the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure 1, the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure 1 may be disposed in a narrow space such as a laundry room or a utility room

For example, the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure 1 may be disposed in a utility room in which the distance between a wall W and the laundry treatment apparatus 1 according to the present disclosure is less than the length D0 of the detergent container 200.

In this case, it is impossible for both the first detergent container 200a and the second detergent container 200b to be slidably moved in the mounting region 310 by the lengths D0 of the respective detergent containers 200.

As a result, the first detergent container 200a and the second detergent container 200b may be prevented from being separated from or coupled to the mounting region 310.

As a result, if the detergent container 200 of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure must be forcibly slidably moved by the length D0 of the detergent container 200 when the detergent container 200 is coupled to or separated from the mounting portion 300, the actual efficiency of the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 may be lowered.

Accordingly, the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure may be constructed such that the detergent container 200 is capable of being coupled to or separated from the mounting portion 300 although the detergent container 200 is slidably moved by a distance less than the length D0 of the detergent container 200.

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the present disclosure which enables the detergent container to be coupled to or separated from the mounting portion.

Referring to (a) of FIG. 8, the first detergent container 200a and the second detergent container 200b may be mounted on the mounting portion 300.

Referring to (b) of FIG. 8, at least one 200 of the first detergent container 200a or the second detergent container 200b may be slidably movable on the mounting portion 300 in the lengthwise direction of the mounting portion 300 or in the width direction of the top cover 20.

Referring to (c) of FIG. 8, when the detergent container 200 is slidably moved on the mounting portion 300 and is separated from the communication portion 370, the detergent container 200 may further be slidably movable on the mounting portion 300 in the lengthwise direction of the mounting portion 300 or in the width direction of the top cover 20 and may be lifted upwards.

Referring to (d) of FIG. 8, the storage body 210 of the detergent container 200 may be completely separated from the mounting region 310 although the storage body 210 of the detergent container 200 does not escape from the mounting portion 300 at all.

The procedure of coupling the detergent container 200 to the mounting portion 300 may be accomplished by performing the above-described separation procedure in the reverse order.

As a result, even when the detergent container 200 according to the present disclosure is slidably moved by a distance less than the length D0 of the detergent container 200, the detergent container 200 may be completely coupled to or separated from the mounting portion 300.

Furthermore, even when the detergent container 200 is slidably moved only between the two opposite ends of the mounting portion 300 without projecting outwards from the mounting portion 300, the detergent container 200 may be completely coupled to or separated from the mounting portion 300.

As a result, even when a space required to allow the detergent container 200 to be slid to the outside of the mounting portion 300 or the top cover 20 is not assured because an electrical appliance 2, a wall W or the like is disposed near the outer surface of the mounting portion 300 or the top cover 20, the detergent container 200 may be coupled to or separated from the mounting portion 300 without restriction.

FIG. 9 specifically illustrates a procedure in which the detergent container is coupled to or separated from the mounting portion.

Referring to (a) of FIG. 9, the detergent container 200 may include the storage body 210 configured to store detergent therein, a plate 220 coupled to the storage body 210 or disposed on the lower portion of the detergent body 210 and supported by the mounting portion 300, and a discharger 230 installed on the plate 220 so as to communicate with the mounting portion and to discharge the detergent to the outside of the storage body 210.

The storage body 210 may include a reception body 211 disposed in the mounting groove 210. The storage body 210 may further include an installation portion 212 disposed outside the mounting groove 310 so as to hold the storage body 210.

The installation portion 212 may be provided therein with a holding portion 400 configured to secure the storage body 210 to the mounting groove 310. A detection unit 500 configured to notify that the detergent container 200 is coupled to the mounting portion 300 may be installed on the holding portion 400.

A partition plate 225 configured to isolate individual regions from each other may be disposed between the installation portion 212 and the reception body 211. The installation portion 212 may be provided with a coupler 250 configured to couple the outer side of the mounting groove 310 to the detergent container 200.

The mounting portion 300 may be provided with the communication portion 370 which is detachably coupled to the discharger 230. The communication portion 370 may receive the detergent stored in the reception body 211 and transmit the detergent to the detergent pump disposed in the top cover 20 so as to discharge the detergent to the tub 20.

The reception body 211 may be spaced backwards apart from the communication portion 370 by a distance equal to or greater than a coupling length D4 to be described later and may be supported by the mounting portion 300. A support surface 380 may be disposed between the two mounting grooves 310 so as to support the lower surface of the reception body 211 which is disposed behind the communication portion 370.

The entire length of the reception body 211 may be set to be greater than the entire length of the mounting groove 310. Consequently, the weight of the detergent container 200 may also be distributed to the outside of the mounting groove 310, and may thus be stably supported by the mounting portion 300.

The discharger 230 may be coupled to the communication portion 370 by being further moved to the fixed end of the communication portion 370 from the free end of the communication portion 370 by the coupling length D4.

When the discharger 230 is coupled to the communication portion 370, the discharger 230 may be separated from the communication portion 370 by being moved by the coupling length D4.

The communication portion 370 may be oriented to face the direction in which the detergent container 200 is slidably moved and mounted. The discharged portion 230 may be positioned at the region of the detergent container 200 that faces the communication portion 370 when the detergent container 200 is slidably moved on the mounting portion 300.

Referring to (b) of FIG. 9, the detergent container 200 may be movable toward the outside of the mounting portion 300 by a distance equal to or greater than the coupling length D4. The allowance length D2, which is located outside the mounting groove 310, may be equal to or greater than the coupling length D4. Consequently, even when the detergent container 200 is slidably moved outwards from the mounting groove 310 by the coupling length d4, the distal end of the detergent container 200 may not project outwards from the outer surface of the top cover 20. When the distal end of the detergent container 200 is disposed at the same vertical location as the outer surface of the top cover 20, the discharger 230 may be completely separated from the communication portion 370.

Referring to (c) of FIG. 9, when the discharger 230 is separated from the communication portion 370, the mounting portion 300 may not hold the detergent container 200. From that moment, the detergent container 200 may further be slidably moved on the mounting portion 300 toward the outer surface of the top cover 20, and may be lifted upwards from the mounting portion 300.

Even when the detergent container 200 is slidably moved by a distance less than the coupling length D4 in the state in which the discharger 230 is coupled to the communication portion 370, when the distal end of the detergent container 200 is lifted and rotated upwards, the discharger 230 may be moved from the communication portion 370 by a distance equal to or greater than the coupling length D4, and may thus be separated from the communication portion 370.

As a result, in the case in which the discharger 230 is capable of being separated from the communication portion 370, the detergent container 200 may be slidably moved on the mounting portion 300 in the width direction of the top cover 20, and the distal end of the detergent container 200 may be lifted upwards such that the detergent container 200 is rotated about the communication portion 370.

Referring to (d) of FIG. 9, the detergent container 200 may be completely separated from the mounting portion 300.

In the case in which the detergent container 200 includes a plurality of detergent containers which are arranged in the width direction of the top cover 200, when the detergent container 200 is slidably moved toward the outside of the top cover 200 by a distance corresponding to the coupling length D4, the detergent container 200 may be separated from the mounting portion 300. Furthermore, even when the detergent container 200 is slidably moved by a distance less than the coupling length D4, the detergent container 200 may be separated from the mounting portion 300 if the distal end of the detergent container 200 that is disposed adjacent to the outer side of the top cover 200 is lifted and thus the detergent container 200 is rotated.

The procedure of coupling the detergent container 200 to the mounting portion 300 may be accomplished by performing the above-described procedure in reverse order.

Therefore, regardless of a space in which the laundry treatment apparatus 1 according to the present disclosure is disposed, the detergent container 200 may be slidably moved on the mounting portion 300 in the width direction of the top cover 20 so as to be completely coupled and separated.

FIG. 10 illustrates the detailed structure of the mounting portion 300.

The mounting portion 300 may include a mounting body 301 disposed on the top cover 20 in the width direction of the top cover 20 so as to support the detergent container 200, and the mounting groove 310 depressed from the mounting body 301 so as to support and to receive therein the lower portion of the detergent container 200.

The mounting groove 310 may extend in the mounting body 301 in the width direction to guide slide movement of the detergent container 20. The mounting groove 310 may receive therein a portion of the lower portion of the detergent container 200 and may support or hold the detergent container 200 in a forward-and-backward direction.

The mounting portion 300 may include the restriction surface 320 which extends upwards from the inner side of the mounting groove 310 to form a step configured to prevent the detergent container 200 from being further moved inwards, and the communication portion 370 which is provided at the restriction surface 320 and is detachably coupled to the detergent container 200. At least a portion of the communication portion 370 may be inserted into the storage body 201 so as to receive the detergent received in the detergent container 200.

The communication portion 370 may project from the restriction surface 320 toward the other end or the outside of the mounting groove 310. The restriction surface 320 may support a portion of the inner surface or the lower surface of the storage body 210 to prevent the detergent container 200 from vibrating toward the inside of the restriction surface 320.

The mounting portion 300 may include reception ribs 340 which are provided at two opposite sides based on a direction in which the detergent container 200 is slidably moved and at a front or rear side of the top cover 20 so as to support the detergent container 200 Each of the reception ribs 340 may extend toward the other end or the outer side from one end or the inner side of the mounting groove 340, and may project upwards from the mounting body 301 to receive at least a portion of the lower portion of the detergent container 200.

The reception rib 340 may project to a level higher than the bottom surface of the mounting groove 301, and may extend outwards from the upper end of the restriction surface 320.

The mounting portion 300 may include the obstructive protrusion 330 which projects from the outer side or the other end of the mounting groove 310 to prevent the detergent container 200 from being withdrawn. The reception rib 340 may extend to the obstructive protrusion 330 from the restriction surface 320.

The reception rib 340 may also support the two opposite sides of the detergent container 200 to guide slide movement of the detergent container 200 in inward and outward directions of the mounting groove 310.

The obstructive protrusion 330 may be oriented so as to face the restriction surface 320 and may prevent the detergent container 200 from vibrating toward the outside of the obstructive protrusion 330.

Therefore, although the mounting groove 310 may be formed by being depressed from the mounting body 301, the mounting groove 301 may be formed in the mounting body 301 by the reception rib 340, the obstructive protrusion 330 and the restriction surface 320, which project from the mounting body 301.

The mounting groove 310 may completely receive the lower portion of the detergent container 200 to hold and support the detergent container 200, and may receive a projecting portion of the lower portion of the detergent container 200 to hold and support the detergent container 200.

The outer surface of the obstructive protrusion 330 may be provided with an engaging portion 334 which is detachably engaged with the detergent container 200. The engaging portion 334 may be embodied as a groove which is depressed from the outer surface of the obstructive protrusion 330 and is detachably engaged with a hook provided at the detergent container 200.

The mounting portion 300 may hold the lower portion of the detergent container when the detergent container is mounted in the mounting groove 310.

When the detergent container 200 is coupled to the communication portion 370, the restriction surface 320 and the obstructive protrusion 330 may hold the detergent container 200 to prevent vibration or further movement of the detergent container 200 in the width direction.

When the detergent container 200 is coupled to the communication portion 370, the reception rib 340 may hold the detergent container 200 to prevent vibration or movement of the detergent container 200 in a forward-and-backward direction.

The mounting portion 300 may receive or support the four surfaces of the lower portion of the detergent container 200 to prevent unintended separation of the detergent container 200 from the mounting portion 300.

When the detergent container 200 is coupled to the communication portion 370, the engaging portion 334 provided at the obstructive protrusion 330 may be detachably coupled to the detergent container 200 so as to further hold the detergent container 200.

The mounting portion 300 may further support the lower portion of the detergent container 200 by means of a side step 350 disposed at the outside of the reception rib 340, the support surface 380 disposed at the inside of the restriction surface 320, and the outer step 360 disposed at the outside of the obstructive protrusion 330.

Accordingly, when the detergent container 200 is seated on the mounting portion 300, the mounting portion 300 may hold the detergent container 200 to prevent arbitrary separation of the detergent container 200 and to prevent vibration of the detergent container 200 in a direction toward one of the four surfaces.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the mounting portion.

The mounting portion 300 may be constructed to have a shape capable of preventing withdrawal of the detergent container 200 while allowing the detergent container 200 to be easily mounted on the mounting portion, in addition to the detachable coupling and supporting structure.

The depth H1 of the portion of the mounting groove 310 adjacent to the discharger 370 may be greater than the depth H2 of the portion of the mounting groove 310 adjacent to the obstructive protrusion 330.

The mounting portion 300 may include the mounting groove 310 which is sloped in the width direction of the top cover.

The mounting groove 310 may be sloped such that the height thereof decreases toward the restriction surface 320 from the obstructive protrusion 330. Because the mounting groove 310 is sloped such that the height thereof decreases toward the one end or the inner side from the other end or the other side, the detergent container 200 seated in the mounting groove 310 may be guided so as to be slidably moved toward the communication portion 370 by gravity.

Furthermore, when the detergent container 200 is seated in the mounting groove 310, gravity may acts in a direction toward the communication portion 370, thereby preventing the detergent container 200 from being slidably moved in the mounting groove 310 in the opposite direction.

The detergent container 200 may have a gradient corresponding to the gradient of the mounting groove 310 such that the center of gravity is caused to further be moved toward the restriction surface 320.

Consequently, even when vibration of the detergent container 200 in the width direction is generated, the restriction surface 320 or the communication portion 370 may prevent the detergent container 200 from escaping outwards from the mounting groove 310 while supporting the weight of the detergent container 200.

In addition, the obstructive protrusion 330 may include an inner surface 331 supporting the outer surface of the lower portion of the detergent container 200 in order to prevent the detergent container 200 from escaping outwards beyond the obstructive protrusion 330.

In addition, the obstructive protrusion 330 may include the engaging portion 334 formed in the outer surface thereof to hold the detergent container 200, thereby preventing outward escape of the detergent container 200.

The obstructive protrusion 330 may include an exposed surface 332, which is connected between the inner surface and the outer surface of the obstructive protrusion 330 and is flush with the upper end of the restriction surface 320. The exposed surface 332 may support the lower portion of the detergent container 200.

FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of a detailed structure of the detergent container.

The detergent container 200 may include the storage body 210 configured to receive detergent and to store the detergent therein, and the plate 220 which is provided at the lower portion of the storage body 210 and is to be mounted in the mounting groove 310.

The plate 220 may constitute the lower portion of the detergent container 200. The plate 220 may be formed integrally with the storage body 210, and may be coupled to the lower portion of the storage body 210.

The plate 220 may be detachably coupled to the mounting portion 300, and may be secured to the mounting portion 300. The storage body 210 may be stably secured to the mounting portion 300 by virtue of the plate 220.

The plate 220 may include the discharger 230 provided at one side or the lower portion thereof, which is detachably coupled to the communication portion 370 so as to allow the detergent to be discharged therethrough.

The discharger 230 may be disposed closer to the one end or the inner side of the plate 220 than to the other end or the outer side of the plate 220.

The discharger 230 may be provided with a check valve which allows the detergent in the storage body 210 to be discharged therethrough only when the discharger 230 is coupled to the communication portion 370.

The plate 220 may include a lower surface 222 which defines the bottom surface of the storage body 210 and moves the detergent to the discharger 230.

The lower surface 222 may include a slope the height of which decreases toward the one end or the inner side from the other end or the outer side of the storage body 210. In other words, the lower surface 222 may include a slope the height of which decreases toward the discharger 230 in order to guide discharge of the detergent toward the discharger 230 and to prevent the detergent from remaining in the storage body 210.

Both the storage body 210 and the plate 220 may be received in the mounting groove 310 and be supported thereby.

However, when the detergent container 200 is completely received in the mounting groove 310, the detergent container 200 may be easily supported and held by the mounting groove 310 but be very difficult to be withdraw from the mounting groove 310.

Accordingly, only a portion of the detergent container 200 may be received in the mounting groove 310 and the remaining portion of the detergent container 200 may be disposed outside the mounting groove 310 in order for the detergent container 200 to be easily separated from the mounting portion 300.

To this end, the plate 220 and the storage body 210 may be formed so as to be longer than the length of the mounting groove 310 in the width direction such that portions of the plate 220 and the storage body 210 are disposed outside the mounting groove 310.

The plate 220 may include a coupling surface 223 which extends toward the other end or the outer side from the lower surface 222. The coupling surface 223 may be disposed outside the mounting groove 310, and may be supported by the outer surface of the obstructive protrusion 330.

The detergent container 200 may be constructed such that the discharger 270 is supported by the communication portion 370 and the coupling surface 223 is supported by the obstructive protrusion 330, thereby preventing the detergent container 200 from being further moved or vibrating toward the inside of the mounting groove 310.

The detergent container 200 may further include the holding portion 400 which is supported by the inner surface of the obstructive protrusion 330 when the detergent container 200 is mounted on the mounting portion 300.

The holding portion 400 may project downwards from the plate 220 so as to be supported by the inner surface of the obstructive protrusion 330.

Accordingly, because the holding portion 400 is supported by the inner surface of the obstructive protrusion 330, it is possible to prevent the detergent container 310 from being moved or vibrating toward the outside of the mounting groove 310.

Additionally, the plate 220 may further include at least one of a support protrusion 227, which is supported by the inner side of the restriction surface 320, or the coupler 250, which is provided at the coupling surface 223 and is removably engaged with the engaging portion 334 formed in the outer surface 333 of the obstructive protrusion 330.

The support protrusion 227 may project from the plate 220 by such a distance that it is possible to prevent the discharger 230 from contacting the bottom surface of the mounting groove 310.

The support protrusion 227 may be supported by the inner side of the restriction surface 320.

The coupler 250 may be formed to have the form of a hook which is removably engaged with the engaging portion 334 provided at the obstructive protrusion 330.

Accordingly, the support protrusion 227 is able to prevent the detergent container 200 from be excessively moved or vibrating toward the inside of the mounting groove 310. Furthermore, the coupler 250 is able not only to prevent the detergent container 200 from being moved or vibrating in the mounting groove 310 toward the inside of the mounting groove 310 but also to prevent the detergent container 200 from being moved or vibrating toward the outside of the mounting grove 310 to a certain extent by virtue of the coupling force with the engaging portion 334.

The entire length of the plate 220 may be greater than the distance between the support rib 227 and the holding portion 400, and the distance between the support rib 227 and the holding portion 400 may be equal to the distance or the length between the inner surface and the outer surface of the mounting groove 310.

Consequently, the storage body 210 of the detergent container 200 may have an increased volume by extending the storage body 210 more than the length of the mounting groove 310. In addition, a portion of the lower portion of the storage body 210 may be stably received in, supported by and secured to the mounting groove 310 via the plate 220. In other words, the detergent container 200 may be supported by the support surface 380 positioned more inward than the mounting groove 310 and may extend outwards further than the mounting groove 310, thereby further increasing the storage capacity. Furthermore, because the detergent container 200 projects downwards from the plate 220, the detergent container 200 may be stably seated and secured to the mounting groove 310.

The detergent container 200 may further include support ribs 240 which extend from the two lateral side thereof based on the direction in which the storage body 210 is slidably moved and shield a portion of the plate 220.

The support rib 240 may be supported by the reception rib 340 to be described later, and may accommodate all of the mounting groove 310 and the reception rib 240 The support ribs 240 may hold the detergent container 200 in a forward-and-backward direction of the top cover 20 in order to prevent vibration and movement of the top cover 20 in a forward-and-backward direction.

FIG. 13 illustrates the structure in which the detergent container is secured to the mounting portion in the width direction.

When the detergent container 200 is seated on the mounting portion 300, the support protrusion 227 or the inner surface of the detergent container 200 may be supported by the restriction surface 270.

Alternatively, the support protrusion 227 of the detergent container 200 may be supported by the restriction surface 270, and the discharger 270 may be supported by the communication portion 370.

Furthermore, when the detergent container 200 is seated on the mounting portion 300, the holding portion 400 may be supported by the obstructive protrusion 330.

The support protrusion 227 or the discharger 230 of the detergent container 200 may be supported by the inner side of the restriction surface 320 or the communication portion 370, and the holding portion 400 may be supported by the inner side of the obstructive protrusion 330.

Consequently, the lower portion of the detergent container 200 may be forcibly fitted between the restriction surface 320 and the obstructive protrusion 330, and may thus be held in the mounting groove 310 in the width direction.

Therefore, the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure is able to stably hold the detergent container 200 in the width direction even without a housing accommodating the detergent container 200.

Although the holding portion 400 is described as projecting from the detergent container 200, the holding portion 400 may also be constructed so as to be taken out of and retracted into the detergent container 200.

The holding portion 400 may be inserted into the detergent container 200. Accordingly, the holding portion 400 may be selectively secured to the obstructive protrusion 330.

The detergent container 200 may further include a pusher 260 which pushes and raises the holding portion 400 to separate the holding portion 400 from the obstructive protrusion 330.

The pusher 260 may be exposed to the outside of the detergent container 200 so as to be pushed inwards, and may raise and lower the holding portion 400.

Consequently, a user is able to push the pusher 260 to separate the detergent container 200 from the obstructive protrusion 330. As a result, even when the detergent container 200 is firmly secured to the mounting portion 300 in the width direction, the detergent container 200 may be easily separated from the mounting portion 300 when the pusher 260 is pushed.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state in which the detergent container is seated on the mounting portion.

The storage body 210 may include the reception body 211 configured to receive detergent and the installation portion 212 to which the holding portion 400 is installed.

Because the holding portion 400 is reciprocally moved in the storage body 210, the holding portion 400 needs to be separated from the detergent received in the storage body 210.

To this end, the storage body 210 may include the installation portion 212 having a space in which the holding portion 400 supported by the obstructive protrusion 330 is installed. The reception body 211 may be disposed inwardly of the installation portion 212, and the partition plate 225 may be vertically disposed between the reception body and the installation portion 212.

The partition plate 225 may be provided in the storage body 210 so as to isolate the installation portion 212 and the reception body 211 from each other.

The installation portion 212 may be provided with not only the holding portion 400 but also the coupler 250 to be coupled to the obstructive protrusion 330.

The plate 220 may define the lower surface of the detergent body 211, and may have a sloped surface to cause the detergent to be discharged to the discharger 230.

Specifically, the plate 220 may have a slope such that the distance between the upper surface of the storage body 210 and the plate 220 increases toward the discharger 230. The lower surface of the plate 220 may be disposed at an angle corresponding to the slope of the mounting groove 310.

As a result, the detergent container 200 may be constructed such that the height thereof increases toward the discharger 230 from the outside or the installation portion 212 The communication portion 370 may be detachably coupled to the discharger 230.

The detergent body 211 may extend backwards beyond the discharger 230, and may be supported by the support surface 380. Accordingly, most of the detergent body 211 may be exposed to the outside of the mounting groove 310, except for a portion of the lower portion thereof. Therefore, the detergent container 200 may assure a sufficient storage capacity for detergent without restriction by the volume of the mounting groove 310.

The installation portion 212 may extend beyond the obstructive protrusion 330, and may be disposed farther outward than the outer surface of the obstructive protrusion 330.

Accordingly, the detergent container 200 may be supported by the inner surface of the obstructive protrusion 330 and the coupler 250 is disposed outside the obstructive protrusion 330. Therefore, the detergent container 200 may be secured to the mounting portion 300 by supporting both the inner surface and the outer surface of the obstructive protrusion 300.

The distance between the holding portion 400 and the coupler 250 may correspond to the thickness of the obstructive protrusion 330. The distance between the holding portion 400 and the coupler 250 may correspond to the distance between the inner surface of the obstructive protrusion 330 and the outer surface of the obstructive protrusion 330.

Because the holding portion 400 and the coupler 250 grasp the two opposite surfaces of the obstructive protrusion 330, the detergent container 200 may be firmly secured to the top cover 20 in the width direction.

At least a portion of the detection unit 500 configured to detect the detergent container 200 mounted on the mounting portion 300 may be installed to the holding portion 400. The detailed structure thereof will be described later.

FIG. 15 illustrates the outer coupling structure between the detergent container and the mounting portion.

Referring to (a) of FIG. 15, the detergent 200 may be secured to the mounting portion 300 by supporting both the inner and outer surfaces of the obstructive protrusion 330 using the holding portion 400 and the coupler 250.

The obstructive protrusion 330 may further include the engaging portion 334 which is formed in the outer surface of the obstructive protrusion 330 and is additionally coupled to the coupler 250.

The engaging portion 334 and the coupler 250 may be coupled to each other in a hook engagement manner.

Because a user or laundry may be damaged if the engaging portion 334 is embodied as a hook, the engaging portion 334 may be embodied as an engaging groove with which the hook is engaged.

The engaging portion 334 may be formed in the obstructive protrusion 330 so as to extend in a forward-and-backward direction. Here, the height of the engaging portion 334 may be less than the width of the engaging portion 334.

Referring to (b) of FIG. 15, the detergent container 200 may be constructed such that the coupler 250 is disposed on the coupling surface 223 which extends downwards from the plate 220.

The coupler 250 may be embodied as a hook which projects from the inner surface of the coupling surface 223 and is removably engaged with the engaging portion 334.

The coupler 250 may extend in a width direction of the coupling surface 223, and may have a length corresponding to the engaging portion 334.

The coupler 250 may also prevent the detergent container 200 from being lifted upwards when the coupler 250 is engaged with the engaging portion 334. Furthermore, the coupler 250 may not be easily separated from the engaging portion 334 when the coupler 250 is engaged with the engaging portion 334, thereby preventing the detergent container 200 from being moved outwards from the mounting portion 300 and thus securing the detergent container 200 to the mounting portion 300 in the width direction of the mounting portion 300.

The detergent container 200 may further include an outer surface 254 configured to shield the installation portion 212 from the outside.

The holding uni 250 may be held between the outer surface 254 and the coupling surface 223, and the outer surface may be provided with a buffer member 280 which is supported by the mounting body 301 so as to prevent abrasion and to absorb vibration.

Referring to (c) of FIG. 15, the coupler 250 may include a coupling hook 251, which is inserted into the engaging portion 334 so as to be removably engaged therewith, a coupling body 252 supporting the coupling hook 251, and an engaging hook 253, which extends from the coupling body 252 and is secured to the outer surface 254 of the detergent container 200.

In the coupler 250, the coupling hook 251 may project and extend from the inner surface of the coupling body 252, and the engaging hook 253 may be provided on the outer surface of the coupling body 252.

The outer surface 254 of the detergent container 200 may be removably engaged with the engaging hook 253, thus holding the coupler 250.

Accordingly, the coupler 250 may be designed to have a complicated structure, regardless of the shape of the detergent container 200.

FIG. 16 illustrates a structure in which the detergent container is secured to the mounting portion in a forward-and-backward direction.

Referring to (a) of FIG. 16, the mounting portion 300 may be constructed such that the reception ribs 340 project from the front and rear sides of the mounting groove 310 to prevent forward or backward vibration or separation of the detergent container 200.

The reception ribs 340 may receive the lower surface of the plate 220.

The mounting portion 300 may further include a lateral step 350 positioned between the outer side of the reception rib 340 and the mounting body 301. The lateral step 350 may extend from the mounting body 301 in a direction in which the reception rib 340 extends.

The lateral step 350 may serve as a rail which supports the detergent container 300 and on which the detergent container 300 is slid.

In other words, the detergent container 200 may be seated on the lateral step 350, and the lateral step 350 may guide sliding of the detergent container 200.

The detergent container 200 may be received at the lower surface of the plate 220 thereof in the reception ribs 340 and may also be supported by the lateral step 350, thereby supporting the outer surfaces of the reception ribs 340.

In other words, the detergent container 200 may support both the inner and outer surfaces of the reception ribs 340 at the lower surface thereof to grasp the inner and outer surfaces of the reception ribs 340. Accordingly, because the detergent container 200 may be secured to the top cover 20 in a forward-and-backward direction, it is possible to prevent the detergent container 200 from being moved or vibrating in a forward-and-backward direction.

The mounting groove 310 may be constructed such that the depth at a location near the opening 21 is greater than the depth at a location near the rear surface. In other words, the mounting groove 310 may be constructed such that the depth L1 at a location adjacent to the reception rib 340 close to the rear surface is greater than the depth L2 at a location adjacent to the reception rib 340 close to the front surface.

The mounting groove 310 may have a slope such that the depth thereof increases backwards. Accordingly, even when the detergent container 200 storing detergent therein escapes from the mounting groove 310 due to severe vibration, it is possible to prevent the detergent container 310 from falling through the opening 21.

Furthermore, because a wall to which a water pipe or the like is installed is positioned behind the mounting groove 310, it is possible to guide the detergent container 200 toward the mounting groove 310 by the wall.

Referring to (b) of FIG. 16, the support ribs 240, which project downwards from the two lateral sides of the storage body 210, may be supported by the outer surfaces of the reception ribs 240.

The support ribs 240 may extend downwards beyond the plate 220.

The support ribs 240 may receive the outer surfaces of the reception ribs 240, and may be respectively supported by the outer surfaces of the reception ribs 240.

Consequently, because the plate 220 is received in the mounting groove 310 and the support ribs 240 receive the reception ribs 240, the detergent container 200 may be firmly held in a forward-and-backward direction. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the detergent container 200 from vibrating in a forward-and-backward direction.

The lower ends of the support ribs 240 may be gradually lowered toward the obstructive protrusion 330 from the discharger 270. The support ribs 240 may receive the two lateral side surfaces of the obstructive protrusion 330.

The gradient of the lower surface of each of the support ribs 240 may be opposite to the gradient of the mounting groove 310 and the gradient of the lower surface of the plate 220.

In response to this, the lateral step 350 may also be gradually lowered toward the outer side from the inner side of the reception ribs 310.

Consequently, when the support ribs 340 are coupled toward the inner side from the outer side, the support ribs 240 may be accurately engaged with the lateral steps 350 such that the detergent container 200 is slidably moved on the mounting portion 300 and is mounted on the mounting portion 300 in a close contact state.

Furthermore, when the detergent container 200 is moved toward the outer side of the mounting portion 300, it is possible to allow the support ribs 240 to be easily separated from the lateral steps 350.

As a result, the detergent container 200 may be held at four side surfaces by virtue of the support ribs 240, the holding portion 400, the coupler 250, the support protrusion 227 and the discharger 230.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the storage body of the detergent container.

The storage body 210 may be constructed such that the length thereof in a width direction is greater than the length thereof in a forward-and-backward direction and the length thereof in a height direction.

The inner surface 2113 of the storage container 210 may be vertical or almost vertical so as to be in close contact with the other storage body 210. The outer surface 2114 of the storage body 210 may be convex upwards at the upper side thereof so as to prevent accumulation of water on an upper surface 2111 and to prevent laundry from being damaged due to catch on the outer surface 2114 of the storage body 210.

The upper surface 2111 of the storage body 210 may include an introduction hole 2117 through which detergent is introduced.

The detergent may be introduced into the storage body 210 through the introduction hole 2117 and may be discharged to the discharger 230 which is disposed at a lower position of the storage body 210. Therefore, it is possible to prevent detergent from remaining in the storage body 210 The upper surface 2111 of the storage body 210 may be provided with a door hinge 2116 to which a cover door 214 configured to open and close the introduction hole 2117 is rotatably coupled. The cover door 214 may have the form of a plate which is capable of serving as the upper surface of the storage body 210 when the cover door 214 covers the introduction hole 2117, and may include a hinge coupler at one end thereof which is rotatably coupled to the door hinge 2116.

The introduction hole 2117 may be provided with a measuring portion which projects inwards to measure the amount of detergent received in the storage body 210.

The opposite lateral side surfaces 2112 of the storage body 210, which are exposed forwards or backwards from the top cover 20, may be grasped by a user.

The outer surface 254 may be additionally coupled to the outer surface 2114 of the storage body 210.

The outer surface 254 may serve to secure the above-mentioned coupler 250 to the storage body 210.

The lower portion of the storage body 210 may be provided with the plate 220 which defines the lower surface of the storage body 210 to prevent the detergent from flowing to the outside of the storage body 210.

The buffer member 280 configured to prevent friction, vibration and impact caused by the mounting portion 300 may be coupled to the lower portion of the plate 220 at each of the lower corners of the plate 220.

The plate 220 may be provided with the discharger 230 configured to discharge an appropriate amount of detergent from the detergent introduced into the storage body 210. The discharger 230 may be embodied as a check valve so as to discharge the detergent to the outside only when the discharger 230 is coupled to the communication portion 370 and to prevent the detergent or water from flowing back to the inside of the storage body 210.

The storage body 210 may include the support ribs 240 which project from individual edges thereof. The support ribs 240 may include lower ribs 241 configured to support the outer surfaces of the reception ribs 240 to hold the storage body 210 in a forward-and-backward direction, inner surface ribs 242 projecting from the inner surface of the storage body 210, and an extension rib 243 which is disposed at the lower portion of the inner surface of the storage body 210 and connects the two lower ribs 241 to each other.

The lower ribs 241 may serve to secure the storage body 210 to the mounting portion 300 and to guide sliding of the storage body 210 on the mounting portion 300.

The inner surface ribs 242 may serve to reinforce the durability of the storage body 210 in consideration of collision with the other adjacent storage body 210.

The extension rib 243 may serve to reinforce the durability of the lower ribs 241.

The holding portion 400 may include a holding body 410, which is received in the installation portion 212 and projects downwards beyond the plate 220, and a restoring portion 420 configured to push out the plate 220.

The pusher 260 may be provided at one of the two side surfaces 2112 of the storage body 211 so as to move or raise and lower the holding portion 400.

The pusher 260 may push one side of the holding portion 400 to move the holding portion 400.

When the pusher 260 is pressed, the holding portion 400 may be moved to the inside of the storage body 210 so as to avoid interference with the obstructive protrusion 330.

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the detergent container and the plate.

The plate 220, which is coupled to the lower portion of the storage body 210, may include a plate body 221 defining the lower surface of the storage body 210, and the lower surface 222 which is provided at the inside of the plate body 221 so as to be disposed in the mounting groove 310.

The lower surface 222 may include a guide groove 2221, which is depressed from the plate body 221 so as to guide detergent toward the discharger 230, and an installation groove 2222, which is further depressed from the guide groove 2221 so as to define a space in which the discharger 230 is installed.

The installation groove 2222 may include a discharge hole, which is formed toward the inner surface of the storage body 210 such that the discharger 230 is inserted and installed in the discharge hole and that the communication portion 370 is coupled to the discharge hole so as to allow the detergent to be discharged. The discharge hole is positioned at a side of the plate 220 corresponding to the direction in which the detergent container 200 is slidably moved.

The outer circumferential surface of the guide groove 2221 may be provided with a sealing rib 224 which is coupled to the inner surface, the partitioning surface and the side surface of the storage body 210 so as to prevent outflow of the detergent.

The plate 220 may include a holding installation portion 224 which is disposed outside the lower surface 222 and to which the holding portion 400 is installed.

The holding installation portion 224 may support the holding portion 400 such that the holding portion 400 is reciprocally movable in a vertical direction, and may be embodied as a housing or a drawer which allows the holding portion 400 to be withdrawn toward the lower surface.

The holding installation portion 224 may be constructed such that the pusher 260 passes through the holding installation portion 224 from the outside and the restoring portion 420 is seated on the holding installation portion 224.

The detergent body 211 may be seated on one side of the lower surface and the holding installation portion 224 may be disposed on the other side of the lower surface. The lower surface 222 may have a width or a surface area corresponding to the mounting groove 310, and at least a portion of the lower surface 222 may be received and seated between the reception ribs 240.

The coupling surface 223 may extend outwards beyond the lower surface 222.

The coupling surface 223 may have a slope the height of which increases outwardly from the lower surface 222 and which has a gradient opposite to the gradient of the lower surface 222. Accordingly, the inner surface of the coupling surface 223 may face the outer surface of the obstructive protrusion 330.

The above-described coupler 250 may be installed to the coupling surface 223, and the coupling surface 223 may be provided a removable hook 2232 which releasably holds the coupler 250.

The coupling surface 223 may be disposed farther outward than the holding installation portion 224, and may be disposed farther outward than the detergent body 211.

FIG. 19 illustrates a structure in which the holding portion is installed to the detergent container.

The holding installation portion 224 may extend toward the inside of the storage body 210 from the plate 220.

The holding installation portion 224 may include a guide post 2241 configured to support the holding portion 400 and to guide the holding portion 400 in a vertical direction, and an introduction hole 2242 which is formed through the side surface of the guide post 2241 and through which the pusher 260 extends.

The holding body 410 may have the form of a rectangular parallelepiped which has a height greater than a width, and may be received in the guide post 2241 and be reciprocally movable.

£ The restoring portion 420 may be received in the guide post 2241 and seated on the upper end of the guide post 2241 so as to push out the holding body 410 to the outside of the plate 220.

The pusher 260 may be coupled to the side surface of the storage body 210 so as to be pushed.

The side surface of the storage body 210 may be provided with a pusher installation portion to which the pusher 260 is installed. The pusher installation portion 213 may include a seating groove 2131, which is formed through the side surface of the storage body 210 or depressed from the side surface of the storage body 210 so as to receive the pusher 260, a support 2132 provided in the seating groove 2131 and supporting one end of the pusher 260, and an insertion hole 2133, which is formed through the storage body 210 from one side of the support 2132 and into which the other end of the pusher 260 is inserted.

The seating groove 2131 may be formed to have a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the pusher 260 so as to receive the entire pusher 260 therein, and the support 2132 may be depressed by a depth corresponding to the thickness of the pusher 260 such that the pusher 260 does not excessively project from the storage body 210.

The support 2132 may serve as the fulcrum point of a lever, that is, the fulcrum point of a seesaw.

Accordingly, when the pusher 260 is pressed, only the other end of the pusher 260 may be inserted into the insertion hole 2133. When the external force applied to the pusher 260 is released, the holding body 410 may be restored to the normal position by the restoring force of the restoring portion 420 while pushing out the support body 210, thereby restoring the pusher 260 to the normal position.

FIG. 20 illustrates the embodiment of the detailed structure of the fixing portion.

(a) of FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the holding portion 400. (b) of FIG. 20 is a side view of the holding portion 400.

The holding body 410 may be received in the guide post 2241 so as to be reciprocally movable in a vertical direction. The holding body 410 may be formed to have the form of a rod which is elongated upwards.

The holding body 410 may include a lower catch 411 which is provided at the lower end thereof and is supported by the obstructive protrusion 330.

The detection unit 500 to be described later may be installed to the lower catch 411.

The holding body 410 may include a movable groove 412 which is positioned above the lower catch 411 and is pressed by the pusher 260. The movable groove 412 may include a parallel surface 4122, which is formed to be parallel to the direction in which the pusher 260 is inserted, and a sloped surface 4121, which is inclined upwards toward the pusher 260 from the inner side of the parallel surface 4122.

The holding portion 410 may be provided at the upper portion thereof with a pusher seating portion 414 on which the restoring portion 420 is seated. The pusher seating portion 414 may be embodied as a protrusion which project from the upper portion of the holding body 410 and is coupled to the lower end of the restoring portion 420.

The restoring portion 420 may include a spring received in the guide post 2241 and seated on the pusher seating portion 414.

The holding body 410 may include an obstructive rib 413 projecting from one side surface thereof.

The obstructive rib 423 may be seated in a catch groove formed vertically in the guide post 2241. The obstructive rib 413 may be slidably moved in the catch groove formed in the guide post 2241 in order to guide the vertical movement of the holding body 410 in a normal direction and to prevent the holding body 410 from escaping outwards from the guide post 2241.

The obstructive rib 413 may project from two opposite side surfaces of the holding body 410 at positions below the movable groove 412.

The holding body 410 may be provided therein with the detection unit 500 to be described later. The detection unit 500 may include a generator 510 configured to generate a signal or magnetic force and a sensor 520 configured to detect the generator 510. Here, the generator 510 may be installed in the holding body 410.

The holding body 410 may include a detective reception portion 415 having a space which receives the generator 510 therein, and the detective reception portion 415 may be provided at one side of the holding body 410 so as to receive the generator 510 therein.

The holding body 410 may further include an obstructive rib 416 configured to prevent the generator 510 from escaping from the detective reception portion 415. The obstructive rib 415 may be formed so as to shield a portion of the opening of the detective reception portion 415.

The generator 510 may be embodied as a magnet, and may be forcibly fitted with the detective reception portion 415 and be fixed thereto. When the generator 510 is formed to have a polyhedral shape such as a rectangular parallelepiped, the generator 510 may be oriented such that the edge of the generator 510 comes into line contact with the inner surface of the detective reception portion 415. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the generator 510 from being displaced or vibrating.

FIG. 21 illustrates the structure in which the holding portion is raised and lowered by the pusher.

The pusher 260 may include a pusher body 261 coupled to one side of the storage body 210 and exposed to the outside and an insertion protrusion 263 which extends to the movable groove 412 in the holding portion 420 from the inner side of the pusher body 261.

The pusher body 261 may be pushed into the storage body 210 using external force, and the insertion protrusion 263 may extend through the insertion hole 2133 from the pusher body 261 and may be inserted into the movable groove 412.

When the insertion hole 2133 is eccentrically positioned at one side of the seating groove 2131, the insertion protrusion 263 may also project from one side of the pusher body 261 deviating from the center of the pusher body 261.

The free end of the insertion protrusion 263 may be formed to have a shape corresponding to the slope of the movable groove 412.

The free end of the insertion protrusion 263 may be formed to have a sloped surface which faces upwards. In other words, the length of the lower surface of the insertion protrusion 263 may be greater than the length of the upper surface of the insertion protrusion 263.

Referring (a) of FIG. 21, when the pusher body 261 is pressed, the insertion protrusion 263 may be moved to the lower portion of the movable groove 412 while pushing out the movable groove 412. Because the height of the insertion protrusion 263 is always maintained, the holding body 410 is moved upwards while compressing the restoring portion 420.

As a result, the lower catch 411 may be moved upwards and be received in the storage body 210.

Referring to (b) of FIG. 21, the holding installation portion 224 may include the guide post 2241 configured to support the holding portion 400 while guiding the holding portion in a vertical direction, and the introduction hole 2242 which is formed through the side surface of the guide post 2241 so as to allow the pusher 260 to pass therethrough.

The guide post 2241 may be formed have the form of a duct in which the holding portion 400 is reciprocally movable. The guide post 2241 may include a projection hole 2245 which penetrates the plate 220 and guides withdrawal of the lower catch 411 outwards. The projection hole 2245 may define an opening in the guide post 2241.

The holding installation portion 224 may further include a holding post 2244 which is provided in the guide post 24241 so as to face the projection hole 2245 and to hold the restoring portion 420.

When the external force applied to the pusher body 261 is released, the restoring portion 420 may start to be expanded, thus moving the holding body 410 downwards. Here, the movable groove 412 may push out the insertion protrusion 263 toward the pusher body 261 while moving downwards.

As a result, the lower catch 411 may project to the outside of the storage body 210 while moving downwards.

FIG. 22 illustrates an embodiment in which the detergent container is separated from the mounting portion.

Referring to (a) of FIG. 22, there is shown a state in which the detergent container 200 is mounted on the mounting portion 300. The outer region of the detergent container 200 including the installation portion 212 is seated on the upper portion of the obstructive protrusion 330.

Here, the holding portion 400 may project downwards from the installation portion and may be supported by the inner surface of the obstructive protrusion 330.

As a result, even when a portion of the lower surface 222 of the detergent container 200 is received in the mounting groove 310 and the remaining portion of the lower surface 222 is disposed outside the mounting groove 310 beyond the obstructive protrusion 330, the detergent container 200 may be maintained in the state of being mounted on the mounting portion 300.

Furthermore, even when vibration in a width direction is generated by the detergent container 200 or force of pulling the detergent container 200 toward the outside of the mounting body 301 is applied, the detergent container 200 may be maintained in the mounting portion 300 without moving outwards.

Referring to (b) of FIG. 22, when the pusher 260 is pressed, the holding portion 400 may be moved upwards.

As the holding portion 400 is moved upwards, the holding portion 400 may be received in the storage body 210, and the obstructive protrusion 330 may not interfere with any component of the detergent container 200.

Of course, if vibration is not transmitted to the detergent container 200 or force of pulling the detergent container 200 outwards is not applied, the detergent container 200 may be maintained in the state of being mounted on the mounting portion 300 because the discharger 230 and the communication portion 370 are coupled to each other.

If the external force applied to the pusher 260 is released and the holding portion 400 is lowered, the detergent container 200 may be secured to the mounting portion 300.

Referring to (c) of FIG. 22, when the pusher 260 is pressed and thus the holding portion 400 is raised higher than the upper surface of the obstructive protrusion 330, the lower portion of the detergent container 200 may be merely seated on the upper portion of the obstructive protrusion 330 and the obstructive protrusion 330 cannot hold the detergent container 200 anymore.

Of course, when vibration is transmitted to the detergent container 200 or the detergent container 200 is pulled outwards, the detergent container 200 may be maintained in the state of being secured to the mounting portion 300 by virtue of the coupling between the coupler 250 and the engaging portion 334 and the coupling between the discharger 230 and the communication portion 370.

However, when the detergent container 200 is pulled by force stronger than the coupling force between the coupler 250 and the engaging portion 334 or the coupling force between the discharger 230 and the communication portion 370, the detergent container 200 may escape from the mounting groove 310 and then be slidably moved.

The procedure of sliding the detergent container 200 toward the inner side from the outer side of the mounting portion 300 may be performed in the reverse order of the above-described procedure.

Accordingly, even when the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 is not received in a drawer or the like, the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 may be stably supported by virtue of the structures of the holding portion 400 and the obstructive protrusion 330. Furthermore, by virtue of the structure in which the holding portion 400 is selectively supported by the obstructive protrusion 330, the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 may be easily separated from the top cover 20 when a user intends to separate the automatic detergent supply portion 1000.

FIG. 23 illustrates the structure for detecting that the detergent container 200 is mounted on the mounting portion 300.

Because the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure is mounted on the top cover 20 while sliding on the top cover 20, the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 may have a coupling force lower than the coupling force in a drawer type automatic detergent supply portion. Furthermore, because the automatic detergent supply portion 1000 is slidably moved in a lateral direction, the coupling force of the automatic detergent supply portion is lower than the coupling force an automatic detergent supply portion which is slidably coupled in a vertical direction.

In other words, because the detergent container 200 is slidably moved in a lateral direction and then is coupled to the mounting portion 300, there may be the possibility that the detergent container 200 is arbitrarily moved in a lateral direction and is separated from the mounting portion 300 even when the mounting portion 300 holds the detergent container 200.

Accordingly, the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure may further include the detection unit 500 configured to detect that the detergent container 200 is coupled to the mounting portion 300.

The laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure may notify a user of separation of the detergent container 200 from the mounting portion 300 when the detergent container 200 is separated from the mounting portion 300.

When the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure detects that the detergent container 200 starts to be separated from the mounting portion 300 during performance of a washing course, the washing course may be stopped so as to prevent the detergent container 200 from being completely separated from the mounting portion 300.

The detection unit 500 may be provided at the mounting portion 300 so as to detect whether or not the detergent container 200 is mounted in such a manner as to directly contact the detergent container 200.

The contact type detection unit 500 may be provided at the restriction surface 320.

The contact type detection unit 500 is capable of detecting that the detergent container 200 is normally coupled to the mounting portion 300 in the case in which, when the detergent container 200 is slidably moved and mounted on the mounting portion 300, the detection unit 500 is also pressed.

Here, because the mounting groove 310 is formed so as to support only a portion of the lower portion of the detergent container 200, the depth of the mounting groove 310 is not deep. Accordingly, because the height of the restriction surface 320 is also not high, the contact type detection unit 500 must be disposed adjacent to the discharger 370.

As a result, when the detergent in the detergent container 200 flows into the mounting groove 310 or water discharged from laundry or the like is collected in the mounting groove 310, it is not possible to assure reliability because the contact type detection unit 500 is directly exposed to the detergent or the water.

Particularly, even if the contact type detection unit 500 is sealed with respect to the restriction surface 220, it is impossible to assure reliability as long as the detection unit 500 contacts water or detergent because the contact type detection unit 500 must be pressed or contact the surface while reciprocally moving.

When the contact type detection unit 500 is disposed in another region other than the restriction surface 320 and the mounting groove 310, it is difficult to orient the detergent container in a direction opposed to the direction in which the detergent container 200 is slidably moved.

Here, when the contact type detection unit 500 is disposed at a location far spaced apart from the discharger 370, such as the obstructive protrusion 330, there is high possibility that the detection unit 500 detects that the detergent container 200 is secured to the mounting portion 300 because the contact type detection unit 500 is pressed by another component, even though the detergent container 200 is not coupled to the discharger 370.

£ Furthermore, when the contact type detection unit 500 is disposed so as to face toward the upper surface of the mounting body 301, there is a problem in that the detection unit 500 restricts movement of the detergent container 200 or causes friction with the detergent container 200.

Accordingly, in the type in which detergent containers 200 are slidably moved inwards from opposite lateral sides as in the automatic detergent supply portion 100 according to the present disclosure, the detection unit 500 is preferably of non-contact type.

To this end, the detection unit 500 may be provided at one of the detergent container 200 and the mounting portion 300.

In the case in which the detection unit 500 is of a non-contact type, the detection unit 500 may be embodied as a light sensor, a radio-frequency sensor including an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor or the like, which is provided at the mounting portion 300 so as to detect the detergent container 200. However, the detection unit 500, which detects whether or not the detergent container 200 is mounted using light, radio-frequency including infrared ray, an ultrasonic or the like may also be weak to detergent or water.

Therefore, in order to efficiently detect mounting of the detergent container 200 without being affected by water and detergent, the detection unit 500 may include the generator 510 configured to generate magnetic force or a signal and the sensor 520 configured to detect the generator 510.

The sensor 520 may detect position of the generator 510 and a distance to the generator 510 by detecting intensity of magnetic force or a signal generated by the generator 510.

For example, the generator 510 may be embodied as a permanent magnet, and the sensor 520 may be embodied as a Hall sensor or the like configured to detect the permanent magnet.

Because the sensor 520 has to continuously receive current or has to be connected to the controller of the laundry treatment apparatus, the sensor 520 may be provided at the mounting portion 300, and the generator 510 may be provided at the detergent container 200.

The detection unit 500 needs to detect whether the first detergent container 200a and the second detergent container 200b are respectively coupled to the first mounting groove 310a and the second mounting groove 310b.

Therefore, the sensor 520 may include a first sensor 520a configured to detect that the first detergent container 200a is mounted in the first mounting groove 310a, and a sensor 520b configured to detect that the second detergent container 200b is mounted in the second mounting groove 310a.

The generator 510 may include a first generator 510a provided at the first detergent container 200a to stimulate the first sensor 510a, and a second generator 510b provided at the second detergent container 200b to stimulate the second sensor 520b.

Meanwhile, the first sensor 520a and the second 520b may be disposed on the discharger 370 or the restriction surface 320. The restriction surface 320 and the discharger 370 may be positioned at the center of the mounting body 301. In other words, because the detergent container 200 is composed of the first detergent container 200a and the second detergent container 200b which are moved inwards from two opposite sides of the mounting body 301and then coupled to each other, the obstructive protrusions 330 may be disposed at two opposite sides of the mounting body 301, and the restriction surface 320 and the discharger 370 may be disposed in the center of the mounting body 301.

The mounting groove 310 may also include the first mounting groove 310a depressed at one side of the mounting body 301 and the second mounting groove 301b spaced apart from the first mounting groove 310a in the width direction and depressed into the mounting body 301, and the support surface 380 and the restriction surfaces 320 may be disposed between the first mounting groove 310a and the second mounting groove 310b.

Here, when the first sensor 520a and the second sensor 520b are disposed on the support surface 380 and the restriction surfaces 320 and the generators 510 are disposed close to the support surface 380 and the restriction surfaces 320, the first sensor 520a and the second sensor 520b may wrongly determine that both the two detergent containers 200 are mounted even when only one generator 510 moves close to a corresponding sensor.

In other words, because the generator 510 provided at one of the first detergent container and the second detergent container stimulates both the sensors 520 which are configured to respectively detect the first detergent container and the second detergent container, it may be difficult to rely on the result of detection by the sensor 510.

Therefore, as the generator 510 and the sensor 520 provided at the first detergent container and the generator 510 and the sensor 520 provided at the second detergent container are disposed farther from each other, performance of the detection unit 500 can advantageously be better assured.

Therefore, the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure may be constructed such that each of the sensors 520 is installed closer to a corresponding obstructive protrusion 330 than to a corresponding restriction surface 320 and the generator 510 is installed at a location which faces the sensor 520 when the detergent container 200 is mounted on the mounting portion 300.

When the detergent container 200 is mounted on the mounting portion 300 and the discharger 240 is completely coupled to the communication portion 370, the holding portion 400 may escape from the upper surface of the obstructive protrusion 330 and project from the detergent container 210 and may be supported by the inner surface of the obstructive protrusion 330 Referring to FIG. 23, when the generator 510 is installed to the holding portion 400 and the sensor 520 is disposed in or below the mounting groove 310 close to the obstructive protrusion 330, the sensor 500 may detect whether or not the detergent container 200 is mounted on the mounting portion 300 and is normally coupled thereto.

In other words, when the detergent container 200 is not normally coupled to the mounting portion 300 although the detergent container 200 is mounted on the mounting portion 300, it is possible to determine that the detergent container 200 is not mounted on the mounting portion 300. Therefore, it is possible to assure that the detergent container 200 is coupled to the mounting portion 300 at the normal position.

When the pusher 260 is pressed, the sensor 520 is capable of detecting variation in position of the generator 510 even when the detergent container 200 is coupled to the mounting portion 300 at the normal position.

Accordingly, the sensor 520 is also capable of detecting whether a user intends to separate the detergent container 200 from the mounting portion 300.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure covers the modifications and variations of this present disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.