Water circulation in washing machine

Abstract

A washing machine capable of circulating washing water between a branch part and a washing tub. The branch part includes ports coupled to the inflow and outflow ports of the washing tub. Water flowing into the branch part can be returned to the washing tub. The branch part also includes a port coupled to the drain port of the washing machine through which washing water is drained out of the washing machine. The branch part including a filter accommodation member configured to removably accommodate a filter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A washing machine comprising:
 a washing tub configured to contain washing water and laundry, wherein the washing tub comprises:
 an outflow port configured to allow washing water to flow out of the washing tub; and 
 an inflow port configured to allow washing water flowing out of the washing tub to return to the washing tub; 
   a drain port configured to allow washing water to drain out of the washing machine; and   a branch part coupled to the inflow port, the outflow port and the drain port.   
     
     
         2 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the branch part comprises a filter accommodation member configured to accommodate a filter. 
     
     
         3 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the branch part further comprises:
 a first port coupled to the outflow port;   a second port coupled to the inflow port; and   a third port coupled to the drain port.   
     
     
         4 . The washing machine of  claim 3 , wherein washing water flowing into the branch part through the first port is returned to the washing tub through the second port; and wherein washing water is drained out of the washing machine through the third port. 
     
     
         5 . The washing machine of  claim 4  further comprising a drain device configured to drive water flow from the branch part to the drain port. 
     
     
         6 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the branch part further comprises a filter mount disposed in a front portion of the branch part and operable to be coupled to the filter. 
     
     
         7 . The washing machine of  claim 5 , wherein the branch part further comprises a drain device accommodation member coupled to the drain device, wherein drain device accommodation member is disposed in a rear portion of the branch part. 
     
     
         8 . The washing machine of  claim 3  further comprising:
 a circulation device configured to drive washing water in the branch part to return to the washing tub, 
 wherein the branch part further comprises a circulation device accommodation member coupled to the circulation device, wherein the circulation device accommodation member is disposed on a side portion of the branch part. 
 
     
     
         9 . The washing machine of  claim 8 , wherein the first port and the circulation device accommodation member are disposed on opposite sides of the branch part opposite to one side portion. 
     
     
         10 . The washing machine of  claim 7 , wherein the branch part further comprises a partition wall configured to separate the filter accommodation member from the drain device accommodation member, and wherein the partition wall comprises a through-hole. 
     
     
         11 . The washing machine of  claim 10 , wherein the drain device accommodation member comprises the partition wall and a circumferential wall that extends along an axial direction of the branch part. 
     
     
         12 . The washing machine of  claim 11 , wherein the through-hole is formed proximate to the circumferential wall. 
     
     
         13 . A washing machine comprising:
 a branch part;   a washing tub configured to contain washing water and washing objects;   a drain port through which washing water is drained out of the washing machine;   a drain device configured to drive washing water in the branch part to be discharged to the drain port,   wherein the washing tub comprises: an outflow port through which washing water flows out of the washing tub; and an inflow port through which washing water flowing out from the outflow port is returned to the washing tub; and   wherein the branch part comprising:
 a filter accommodation member configured to accommodate a filter; 
 a filter mount configured to be coupled to the filter; and 
 a drain device accommodation member coupled to the drain device. 
   
     
     
         14 . The washing machine of  claim 13 , wherein the drain device accommodation member is disposed in a rear portion of the branch part. 
     
     
         15 . The washing machine of  claim 13 , wherein the filter mount is disposed in a front portion of the branch part. 
     
     
         16 . The washing machine of  claim 13 , wherein the branch part further comprises a partition wall disposed between the filter accommodation member and the drain device accommodation member. 
     
     
         17 . The washing machine of  claim 16 , wherein a through-hole is formed on the partition wall, and wherein the through-hole allows washing water to flow between the filter accommodation member and the drain device accommodation member. 
     
     
         18 . The washing machine of  claim 17 , wherein the through-hole is formed on a lower portion of the partition wall. 
     
     
         19 . The washing machine of  claim 16 , wherein the drain device accommodation member comprises the partition wall and a circumferential wall extending along an axial orientation of the branch part. 
     
     
         20 . The washing machine of  claim 19 , wherein the through-hole is formed adjacent to the circumferential wall.