Detergent dissolving device and washing machine having the same

Abstract

Disclosed are a detergent dissolving device for a washing machine capable of improving solubility of detergent, and a washing machine having the same. The detergent dissolving device includes a powdered detergent box, and the powdered detergent box includes a detergent receiving portion, and a water feed portion defined at a periphery of the detergent receiving portion to feed water into the detergent receiving portion so as to cause rotating motion of water received in the detergent receiving portion. The detergent dissolving device further includes a cover provided to open or close the detergent receiving portion. The cover includes a water discharge portion to discharge the water out of the detergent receiving portion.

1 . A detergent dissolving device for a washing machine, the detergent dissolving device comprising:
 a powdered detergent box including a detergent receiving portion, and a water feed portion defined at a periphery of the detergent receiving portion, to feed water into the detergent receiving portion, to cause rotating motion of water received in the detergent receiving portion; and   a cover to open or close the detergent receiving portion and including a water discharge portion to discharge the water out of the detergent receiving portion.   
   
   
       2 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a sealing member to seal a gap between the detergent receiving portion and the cover upon closure of the cover. 
   
   
       3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the water feed portion includes a water feed hole and a water feed channel disposed in a tangential direction of the detergent receiving portion. 
   
   
       4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the detergent receiving portion defines a receiving space having a circular horizontal cross section. 
   
   
       5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the detergent receiving portion defines a receiving space having a semispherical, cylindrical, truncated-conical or bowl shape. 
   
   
       6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the detergent receiving portion includes an auxiliary water discharge hole, and a first mesh provided at the auxiliary water discharge hole to prevent passage of powdered detergent while allowing passage of water. 
   
   
       7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the water discharge portion includes a water discharge hole formed at a center of the cover, corresponding to the detergent receiving portion. 
   
   
       8 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein the water discharge portion further includes a water discharge channel extending from the center of the cover. 
   
   
       9 . The device according to  claim 8 , wherein the water discharge hole is located at an inwardly inserted position of the detergent receiving portion, and the water discharge channel extends from the water discharge hole to the cover. 
   
   
       10 . The device according to  claim 8 , wherein the water discharge portion further includes a second mesh provided at the water discharge hole or the water discharge channel to prevent passage of powdered detergent while allowing passage of the water. 
   
   
       11 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cover further includes a perforated hole to direct the water discharged from the water discharge portion into a water tub of the washing machine. 
   
   
       12 . A detergent dissolving device for a washing machine, the detergent dissolving device comprising:
 a detergent receiving portion in which detergent is received;   a water feed portion to feed water into the detergent receiving portion to create a rotating water stream within the detergent receiving portion; and   a water discharge portion to discharge the water upward from a center of the rotating water stream.   
   
   
       13 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein the water feed portion is formed at an inner surface of the detergent receiving portion, and includes a water feed hole disposed in a tangential direction of a horizontal cross section of the detergent receiving portion. 
   
   
       14 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein the detergent receiving portion defines a receiving space having a circular horizontal cross section and having a semispherical, cylindrical, truncated-conical or bowl shape. 
   
   
       15 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein the detergent receiving portion includes an auxiliary water discharge hole, and a first mesh provided at the auxiliary water discharge hole to prevent passage of powdered detergent while allowing passage of the water. 
   
   
       16 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein the water discharge portion includes a water discharge hole provided on a center axis of the detergent receiving portion. 
   
   
       17 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein the water discharge portion further includes a water discharge channel extending along the center axis of the detergent receiving portion. 
   
   
       18 . A washing machine comprising:
 a body;   a water tub provided in the body;   a water feeder to feed water into the water tub; and   a detergent dissolving device in which detergent is received, the detergent dissolving device to dissolve the detergent in the water fed from the water feeder prior to feeding the detergent into the water tub,   wherein the detergent dissolving device includes a detergent receiving portion, a water feed hole formed at the detergent receiving portion to cause rotating motion of the water fed into the detergent receiving portion, and a water discharge portion formed on the center axis of rotating water stream.   
   
   
       19 . The washing machine according to  claim 18 , wherein the water feed hole is provided in a tangential direction of the detergent receiving portion, to cause the water fed into the detergent receiving portion to perform rotating motion in a predetermined direction. 
   
   
       20 . The washing machine according to  claim 18 ,
 wherein the detergent dissolving device further includes a cover to open or close the detergent receiving portion, and   wherein the water discharge portion includes a water discharge hole formed on a center axis of the cover opposite the detergent receiving portion, and a water discharge channel extending on the center axis of the cover.   
   
   
       21 . The washing machine according to  claim 18 , further comprising a sealing member to prevent leakage of water, is the sealing member being at a connection between the water feeder and the detergent dissolving device. 
   
   
       22 . The washing machine according to  claim 20 ,
 wherein the body includes a receptacle defining a receiving space into which the detergent dissolving device is slidably mounted, and   wherein the cover and detergent receiving portion are pressed by upper and lower surfaces of the receptacle to maintain a sealed state.   
   
   
       23 . A detergent dissolving device for a washing machine, the detergent dissolving device comprising:
 a detergent receiving portion; and   a water feed portion at a periphery of the detergent receiving portion, to feed water into the detergent receiving portion, to cause rotating motion of water received in the detergent receiving portion.