Method for controlling water supply path in washing machine, and washing machine configured to implement same

Abstract

A washing machine including a washing tub, a water supply unit, a front door, at least one hose connectable to the water supply unit to form a first water supply path and a second water supply path, a first valve, and a second valve. The first water path may supply water into the washing tub and the second water supply path may supply water to a front portion of the washing tub. The first valve may be connected to the water supply unit, the washing tub, and the second valve to form the first water supply path and the second water supply path, and the second valve may be connected to the first valve and the front portion of the washing tub to form the second water supply path.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A washing machine comprising:
 a washing tub;   a water supply unit connectable to an external water supply source;   a front door;   at least one hose connectable to the water supply unit such that while the at least one hose is connected to the water supply unit, water is supplied to the washing tub;   a first valve; and   a second valve,   wherein a first water supply path introduces water supplied from the external water supply source through the water supply unit into the washing tub,   a second water supply path supplies water to a front portion of the washing tub,   the first valve is connectable to the water supply unit, the washing tub, and the second valve such that while the first valve is connected to the water supply unit, the washing tub and the second valve, water flows through the first water supply path and the second water supply path, and   the second valve is connectable to the first valve such that while the second valve is connected to the first valve, water is introduced toward the front portion of the washing tub through the second water supply path.   
     
     
         2 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the washing machine is configured to identify whether the first valve normally operates, and based on the first valve being identified as not normally operating, to block the second water supply path by using the second valve. 
     
     
         3 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a third valve,
 wherein the third valve is connectable to the first valve and the second valve to form a third water supply path to supply water into the washing tub.   
     
     
         4 . The washing machine of  claim 3 , wherein the third valve is configured to be opened based on pressure of the second water supply path being equal to or greater than a certain threshold pressure to open the third water supply path. 
     
     
         5 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein
 the first valve is connected to the water supply unit and configured to adjust an amount of water supplied to the washing tub through at least one of the first water supply path and the second water supply path, and   the second valve is configured to adjust an amount of water supplied to the washing tub through the second water supply path.   
     
     
         6 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the washing machine is configured to identify whether the front door is opened, and based on the front door being identified as being opened, to block the second water supply path by using the second valve. 
     
     
         7 . A method of controlling, by a washing machine, a water supply path, the method comprising:
 supplying water into a washing tub through a first water supply path and supplying water to a front portion of the washing tub through a second water supply path; and   blocking the second water supply path by using a second valve,   wherein a first valve is connectable to a water supply unit, the washing tub, and the second valve such that while the first valve is connected to the water supply unit, the washing tub and the second valve, water flows through the first water supply path and the second water supply path, and   the second valve is connectable to the first valve such that while the second valve is connected to the first valve, water is introduced toward the front portion of the washing tub through the second water supply path.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 identifying whether the first valve normally operates; and   based on the first valve being identified as normally operating, blocking the second water supply path by using the second valve.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising opening a third water supply path to supply water into the washing tub by using a third valve,
 wherein the third valve is connectable to the first valve and the second valve to form the third water supply path.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the third valve is configured to be opened based on pressure of the second water supply path being equal to or greater than a certain threshold pressure to open the third water supply path. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein
 the first valve is connected to the water supply unit and configured to adjust an amount of water supplied to the washing tub through at least one of the first water supply path and the second water supply path, and   the second valve is configured to adjust an amount of water supplied to the washing tub through the second water supply path.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 identifying whether a front door is opened; and   based on the front door being identified as being opened, blocking the second water supply path by using the second valve.