Drain device for washing machine

Abstract

A drain device for a washing machine includes a water storage unit connected to a tub and configured to receive wash water discharged from the tub; a drain pipe connected to the water storage unit and extending to an outside of a cabinet; and a supply pipe connected to the water storage unit and guiding external air to an inlet of the drain pipe.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drain device for a washing machine, comprising:
 a water storage unit connected to a tub and configured to receive wash water discharged from the tub;   a drain pipe connected to the water storage unit and extending to an outside of a cabinet; and   a supply pipe connected to the water storage unit and guiding external air to an inlet of the drain pipe.   
     
     
         2 . The drain device of  claim 1 , wherein the water storage unit has a first insertion hole at a side surface thereof, and a second insertion hole at a bottom or lowermost surface thereof, wherein the drain pipe passes through the first insertion hole, and the supply pipe passes through the second insertion hole. 
     
     
         3 . The drain device of  claim 2 , wherein the water storage unit is under the tub. 
     
     
         4 . The drain device of  claim 2 , further comprising a pump configured to introduce the external air through the supply pipe and into the inlet of the drain pipe. 
     
     
         5 . The drain device of  claim 2 , wherein the water storage unit comprises a support configured to fix the inlet of the drain pipe. 
     
     
         6 . The drain device of  claim 2 , wherein the supply pipe has an outer diameter less than an inner diameter of the drain pipe, and is at least partially in the inlet of the discharge pipe. 
     
     
         7 . The drain device of  claim 1 , further comprising a pump that pumps and/or forces the external air through the drain pipe. 
     
     
         8 . A washing machine, comprising:
 the drain device of  claim 1 ;   the tub; and   the cabinet, surrounding the tub and the drain device.   
     
     
         9 . A drain device for a washing machine, comprising:
 a water storage unit connected to a tub and configured to receive wash water from the tub;   a drain pipe receiving external air and extending through the water storage unit to an outside of a cabinet; and   a diverging pipe inside the water storage unit, the diverging pipe diverging from the drain pipe and guiding wash water in the water storage unit to the drain pipe.   
     
     
         10 . The drain device of  claim 9 , wherein the drain pipe passes into the water storage unit through a bottom or lowermost surface of the water storage unit, and extending outside of the water storage unit through a side surface of the water storage unit. 
     
     
         11 . The drain device of  claim 9 , wherein the diverging pipe extends toward the bottom or lowermost surface of the water storage unit. 
     
     
         12 . The drain device of  claim 9 , wherein the diverging pipe is at an angle of 15° to 85° with respect to the drain pipe. 
     
     
         13 . The drain device of  claim 9 , further comprising a pump that pumps and/or forces the external air through the drain pipe. 
     
     
         14 . A washing machine, comprising:
 the drain device of  claim 9 ;   the tub; and   the cabinet, surrounding the tub and the drain device.   
     
     
         15 . A method of draining water from a washing machine, comprising:
 discharging wash water from a tub in the washing machine into a drain device;   passing air through a first pipe passing into and/or through the drain device; and   removing wash water in the drain device using a second pipe over or joining the first pipe.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first pipe comprises a supply pipe that passes through a bottom or lowermost surface of the drain device, and is configured to pass the air through wash water in a lower or bottom portion of the drain device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the second pipe comprises a discharge pipe having an inlet over and surrounding an outlet of the supply pipe, and is configured to receive wash water from the lower or bottom portion of the drain device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first pipe comprises a discharge pipe that passes completely through the drain device and is configured to receive the air from a pump. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the second pipe comprises a diverging pipe inside the drain device, the diverging pipe diverging from the drain pipe, extending into wash water in a lower or bottom portion of the drain device, and guiding wash water in the drain device to the discharge pipe.