Washing machine and method of controlling the washing machine

Abstract

A washing machine and a method of controlling the washing machine are provided. In the washing machine and the method of controlling the washing machine, a liquid detergent is automatically supplied into a washing tub, thereby improving user convenience. In addition, in the washing machine and the method of controlling the washing machine, a liquid detergent is supplied into the washing tub by water circulated by a circulation unit. Thus, no liquid detergent remains in a liquid detergent supply path, and the liquid detergent supply path can be prevented from being blocked due to the solidification of a liquid detergent.

1 . A washing machine comprising:
 a washing tub which contains laundry and water therein;   a circulation unit which circulates the water in the washing tub;   a liquid detergent container which contains a liquid detergent therein; and   a liquid detergent supply unit which supplies the liquid detergent into the circulation unit and injects a mixture of the liquid detergent and the water circulated by the circulation unit into the washing tub.   
   
   
       2 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the circulation unit comprises a circulation path which connects first and second portions of the washing tub and a circulation pump which is disposed on the circulation path, and the liquid detergent supply unit is connected to at least one of the circulation path and the circulation pump. 
   
   
       3 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid detergent supply unit comprises a liquid detergent supply path which connects the liquid detergent container and the circulation unit and a liquid detergent supply pump which is disposed on the liquid detergent supply path. 
   
   
       4 . The washing machine of  claim 3 , wherein the liquid detergent supply unit further comprises a check valve which is disposed on the liquid detergent supply path and prevents the liquid detergent from flowing backward from the circulation unit to the liquid detergent container. 
   
   
       5 . The washing machine of  claim 4 , wherein the check valve is disposed between the liquid detergent supply pump and the circulation unit. 
   
   
       6 . The washing machine of  claim 3 , wherein the liquid detergent supply unit further comprises a liquid detergent mixer which is connected to a connection between the liquid detergent supply path and the circulation unit and mixes the liquid detergent with the water circulated by the circulation unit. 
   
   
       7 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a drainage unit which is connected to the circulation unit and discharges water remained water in the liquid detergent mixer.   
   
   
       8 . The washing machine of  claim 7 , wherein the drainage unit comprises a drain path which is connected to the circulation unit and a drain pump which is disposed on the drain path. 
   
   
       9 . The washing machine of  claim 8 , wherein the circulation unit comprises a circulation path which connects first and second portions of the washing tub and a circulation pump which is disposed on the circulation path, and the circulation pump and the drain pump are formed in one body. 
   
   
       10 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a main body which includes the washing tub and the circulation unit; and   a frame which is disposed on one side of the main body and includes the liquid detergent container.   
   
   
       11 . The washing machine of  claim 10 , wherein the frame is disposed below the main body and supports the main body. 
   
   
       12 . A washing machine comprising:
 a washing tub which contains water therein;   a water supply path along which water is supplied from an external water source into the washing tub;   a liquid detergent container which contains a liquid detergent therein;   a circulation unit which circulates the water in the washing tub; and   a circulation path along which a mixture of the liquid detergent and the water circulated by the circulation unit is supplied into the washing tub.   
   
   
       13 . The washing machine of  claim 12 , further comprising a liquid detergent mixer which is disposed on the circulation path and mixes the liquid detergent with the water circulated by the circulation unit. 
   
   
       14 . The washing machine of  claim 13 , wherein, after the supply of the liquid detergent into the liquid detergent mixer is complete, the water circulated by the circulation unit is injected into the liquid detergent mixer. 
   
   
       15 . A method of controlling a washing machine, the method comprising:
 supplying water into a washing tub; and   discharging the water from the washing tub, mixing the discharged water with a liquid detergent in a liquid detergent container and injected the mixture of the discharged water and the liquid detergent into the washing tub.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the injecting comprises supplying the liquid detergent from the liquid detergent container into a liquid detergent mixer; and discharging the water in the washing tub into the liquid detergent mixer, mixing the discharged water with the liquid detergent, and injecting the mixture of the discharged water and the liquid detergent into the washing tub. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the injecting further comprises, after the supply of the liquid detergent into the liquid detergent mixer is complete, discharging the water from the washing tub into the liquid detergent mixer. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the injecting further comprises, if the water supplied into the washing tub reaches a predefined water level, supplying the liquid detergent into the liquid detergent mixer.