Detergent storage container and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

A detergent storage container for a laundry treating apparatus includes a detergent storage member that defines a storage space configured to store laundry detergent, and a residual amount detecting unit disposed at the detergent storage member and configured to detect a residual amount of laundry detergent stored in the detergent storage member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A detergent supply device for a laundry treating apparatus, comprising:
 a housing;   a detergent storage container installed in the housing and storing laundry detergent;   a pump receiving portion disposed at one surface of the detergent storage container and through which laundry detergent flows out; and   a detecting unit disposed at the detergent storage container and configured to detect an amount of laundry detergent stored in the detergent storage container,   wherein the detecting unit comprises a connection terminal portion disposed at a position higher than the pump receiving portion at the one surface of the detergent storage container.   
     
     
         2 . The detergent supply device of  claim 1 , wherein the connection terminal portion and the pump receiving portion are arranged in a vertical direction of the one surface of the detergent storage container. 
     
     
         3 . The detergent supply device of  claim 1 , further comprising a connection terminal receiving member that is installed inside the housing and faces the connection terminal portion to connect to the connection terminal portion. 
     
     
         4 . The detergent supply device of  claim 1 , further comprising a laundry detergent pump that is located outside of the housing and connected to the pump receiving portion. 
     
     
         5 . The detergent supply device of  claim 4 , wherein the laundry detergent pump penetrates the housing and is connected to the connection terminal portion. 
     
     
         6 . The detergent supply device of  claim 1 , wherein the detergent storage container is inserted into the housing in one direction, and
 wherein the one surface of the detergent storage container is a surface that faces in the one direction.   
     
     
         7 . The detergent supply device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a connection terminal receiving member configured to connect to the connection terminal portion; and   a laundry detergent pump configured to connect to the pump receiving portion,   wherein the connection terminal receiving member and the laundry detergent pump are positioned in one direction with respect to the one surface of the detergent storage container.   
     
     
         8 . The detergent supply device of  claim 7 , wherein the connection terminal portion and the pump receiving portion protrude in the one direction from the one surface of the detergent storage container. 
     
     
         9 . The detergent supply device of  claim 6 , wherein the detergent storage container is inserted into the housing rearwards, and
 wherein the one surface of the detergent storage container is a rear surface of the detergent storage container that faces a rear surface of the housing.   
     
     
         10 . The detergent supply device of  claim 1 , further comprising a storage container frame configured to be mounted to the housing,
 wherein the detergent storage container is mounted to the storage container frame to be installed in the housing.   
     
     
         11 . The detergent supply device of  claim 10 , wherein the connection terminal portion and the pump receiving portion protrude from the one surface of the detergent storage container and pass through openings defined at one wall of the storage container frame. 
     
     
         12 . The detergent supply device of  claim 11 , further comprising a partition member that is disposed at the one wall of the storage container frame and partitions the openings. 
     
     
         13 . The detergent supply device of  claim 1 , wherein the detecting unit comprises a support bracket that is coupled to the one surface of the detergent storage container and defines a portion of the one surface of the detergent storage container. 
     
     
         14 . The detergent supply device of  claim 13 , wherein the pump receiving portion is disposed lower than the support bracket. 
     
     
         15 . The detergent supply device of  claim 13 , wherein the detecting unit further comprises an electrode installed to the support bracket, and
 wherein a portion of the electrode is exposed inside the detergent storage container, and another portion of the electrode protrudes to an outside of the detergent storage container to be coupled to the connection terminal portion.