Detergent dispensing apparatus of washing machine

Abstract

There is provided a detergent dispensing apparatus of a washing machine. The detergent dispensing apparatus includes a main body of the washing machine, a detergent cartridge separately received in the main body and storing a detergent therein, a detergent outlet formed on the detergent cartridge to define a detergent dispensing passage, and an opening/closing assembly for selectively opening and closing the detergent outlet.

1 . A detergent dispensing apparatus of a washing machine, comprising: 
 a main body of the washing machine;    a detergent cartridge separately received in the main body and storing a detergent therein;    a detergent outlet formed on the detergent cartridge to define a detergent dispensing passage; and    an opening/closing assembly for selectively opening and closing the detergent outlet.    
   
   
       2 . The detergent dispensing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the opening/closing assembly includes a cap for opening and closing the detergent outlet.  
   
   
       3 . The detergent dispensing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the cap is opened and closed by a pressure difference between pressures of interior and exterior sides of the detergent outlet.  
   
   
       4 . The detergent dispensing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the opening/closing assembly includes a press portion for pressing the cap to selectively open the detergent outlet.  
   
   
       5 . The detergent dispensing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the main body is provided with a drawer insertion portion in which the cartridge receiving drawer can be inserted and the detergent cartridge is separately received in the cartridge receiving drawer.  
   
   
       6 . A detergent dispensing apparatus of a washing machine, comprising: 
 a main body of the washing machine;    a cartridge receiving body formed on the main body;    a detergent cartridge separately received in the cartridge receiving body and storing a detergent therein;    a detergent outlet form on the detergent cartridge to define a detergent dispensing passage; and    a cap for opening/closing the detergent outlet.    
   
   
       7 . The detergent dispensing apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the cap opens and closes the detergent outlet using an external force.  
   
   
       8 . The detergent dispensing apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the cap is placed at a front portion of the cartridge receiving body.  
   
   
       9 . The detergent dispensing apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the cap closes the detergent outlet using an elastic force generated by an elastic member.  
   
   
       10 . The detergent dispensing apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the elastic member is placed at a front portion of the cartridge receiving body.  
   
   
       11 . The detergent dispensing apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the cartridge receiving body is provided with a guide portion for guiding the movement of the cap.  
   
   
       12 . The detergent dispensing apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the guide portion is provided with a hole along which the cap is guided.  
   
   
       13 . The detergent dispensing apparatus according to claim  6 , further comprising a sealing member for sealing a space between the cartridge receiving body and the detergent outlet.  
   
   
       14 . The detergent dispensing apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the cartridge receiving body is provided with a fixing portion for fixing the detergent cartridge therein.  
   
   
       15 . The detergent dispensing apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the main body is provided with a drawer insertion portion in which the cartridge receiving drawer can be inserted and the detergent cartridge is separately received in the cartridge receiving drawer.  
   
   
       16 . A detergent dispensing apparatus of a washing machine, comprising: 
 a main body of the washing machine;    a drawer insertion portion formed on the main body;    a cartridge receiving drawer separately inserted in the drawer insertion portion; and    a detergent cartridge separately received the cartridge receiving drawer and storing a detergent therein.    
   
   
       17 . The detergent dispensing apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the cartridge receiving drawer is provided with a fixing portion for fixing the detergent cartridge therein.  
   
   
       18 . The detergent dispensing apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein corners of the fixing portion is rounded or chamfered.  
   
   
       19 . The detergent dispensing apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the detergent cartridge is provided with a detergent outlet.  
   
   
       20 . The detergent dispensing apparatus according to  claim 19 , further comprising an opening/closing assembly for opening and closing the detergent outlet.