Washing machine

Abstract

A washing machine may include a cabinet; a washing tub which is disposed in the cabinet and in which a washing operation is performed; a liquid detergent supplier which contains and supplies a liquid detergent; a drawer-type container to which the liquid detergent supplier is coupled so as to be easily attachable and detachable and in which the liquid detergent supplier is contained; and a liquid detergent storage unit which is coupled to the drawer-type container, uniformly supplies the liquid detergent supplied by the liquid detergent supplier into the washing tub and detects whether the liquid detergent supplied by the liquid detergent supplier is stored therein.

1 . A washing machine comprising:
 a cabinet;   a washing tub which is disposed in the cabinet;   a liquid detergent storage unit comprising:
 a storage drawer adapted to receive a liquid detergent supplier, which contains and dispenses a liquid detergent, in a coupling relationship, such that the liquid detergent supplier can be attached and detached; and 
 a liquid detergent reservoir, which is coupled to the storage drawer, is adapted to supply the liquid detergent, dispensed by the liquid detergent supplier, into the washing tub and is capable of detecting the presence or absence of the liquid detergent. 
   
   
   
       2 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a liquid detergent guidance path which guides the liquid detergent stored in the liquid detergent storage unit into the washing tub,
 the liquid detergent storage unit further comprising:
 a supply path guiding the liquid detergent supplied by the liquid detergent supplier; 
 a connector guiding the liquid detergent stored in liquid detergent storage unit into the liquid detergent guidance path; and 
 a liquid detergent detector to determine whether a liquid detergent is present in the liquid detergent storage unit. 
   
   
   
       3 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the liquid detergent detector is disposed above the liquid detergent reservoir. 
   
   
       4 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the liquid detergent detector includes a first electrode and a second electrode facing the first electrode, and the first and second electrodes are in electrical communication when contacting the liquid detergent. 
   
   
       5 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , the liquid detergent detector comprising:
 a floater that can float on the liquid detergent stored in the liquid detergent reservoir in accordance with a liquid level in the liquid detergent reservoir; and   a liquid level measurer that can determine the liquid level in the liquid detergent reservoir by measuring the distance of the floater from a bottom of the liquid detergent reservoir.   
   
   
       6 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , further comprising at least one protection unit which is disposed in the liquid detergent reservoir and protects the liquid detergent detector from improperly reading liquid detergent movement near inner sidewalls of the liquid detergent reservoir. 
   
   
       7 . The washing machine of  claim 6 , wherein the protection unit includes a first protection element preventing a liquid detergent supplied into the liquid detergent through the supply path from contacting the liquid detergent detector and a second protection element preventing the liquid detergent stored in the liquid detergent reservoir from contacting the liquid detergent detector due to external collisions with the inner sidewalls of the liquid detergent reservoir. 
   
   
       8 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , further comprising at least one protection unit which is disposed near the liquid detergent detector and prevents the liquid detergent stored in the liquid detergent reservoir from fluctuating in accordance with the movement of the liquid detergent reservoir. 
   
   
       9 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , further comprising an output unit which outputs a signal to a controller and notifies a user if a liquid detergent is present in the liquid detergent reservoir if the liquid detergent storage unit detects the presence of a liquid detergent. 
   
   
       10 . A method for controlling a liquid detergent dispenser in a washing machine comprising:
 dispensing a liquid detergent from a liquid detergent supplier into a liquid detergent reservoir;   detecting the presence of the liquid detergent in the liquid detergent reservoir after a predetermined amount of time has passed;   generating a signal indicating a liquid detergent level; and   indicating to a user the liquid detergent level.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 stopping operation of a pump adapted to dispense liquid detergent when an absence of liquid detergent is detected.   
   
   
       12 . A washing machine comprising:
 a cabinet;   a washing tub which is disposed in the cabinet;   a storage drawer adapted to receive a liquid detergent supplier, which contains and dispenses a liquid detergent, in a coupling relationship, such that the liquid detergent supplier can be attached and detached; and   a connecting part to receive the liquid detergent supplier such that the connecting part can fluidly receive and guide the liquid detergent along a supply path so that the liquid detergent can be automatically introduced into a washing cycle.   
   
   
       13 . The washing machine of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a liquid detergent detector disposed along the supply path to determine whether a liquid detergent is present.