Washing machine

Abstract

A washing machine having a water supply unit provided with a branch pipe. The washing machine includes a main body, a tub provided within the main body, a water supply hose connected to a water supply source to supply water to the tub, the water supply unit including channels defined by at least one inlet and at least one outlet and at least one structure discriminated from the channels, at least one of the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet being connected to the water supply hose, and a branch pipe provided on the water supply unit to allow a portion of water introduced into the water supply unit to branch off and be discharged to the outside of the water supply unit.

1 . A washing machine comprising:
 a main body;   a tub provided within the main body;   a water supply hose connected to a water supply source to supply water to the tub;   a water supply unit including channels defined by at least one inlet and at least one outlet and at least one structure discriminated from the channels, at least one of the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet being connected to the water supply hose; and   a branch pipe provided on the water supply unit to allow a portion of water introduced into the water supply unit to branch off and thus be discharged to the outside of the water supply unit.   
     
     
         2 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the water supply unit is a detergent supply device provided to supply detergents to the tub. 
     
     
         3 . The washing machine according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the detergent supply device includes at least one inlet pipe protruded from the at least one inlet so as to be connected to the water supply hose; and   the branch pipe branches off from the at least one inlet pipe.   
     
     
         4 . The washing machine according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 the at least one inlet includes a first inlet into which water is introduced during a main washing cycle and a second inlet into which water is introduced during a preliminary washing cycle;   the at least one inlet pipe includes a first inlet pipe protruded from the first inlet and a second inlet pipe protruded from the second inlet; and   the branch pipe is fixed to the second inlet pipe so as to communicate with the second inlet pipe.   
     
     
         5 . The washing machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the branch pipe is extended downwards. 
     
     
         6 . The washing machine according to  claim 3 , wherein a cross-sectional area of the branch pipe is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the at least one inlet pipe from which the branch pipe branches off. 
     
     
         7 . The washing machine according to  claim 4 , wherein a length of the second inlet pipe is greater than a length of the first inlet pipe. 
     
     
         8 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the water supply unit is a backflow prevention device provided to prevent wash water from flowing backward and being introduced into the water supply source. 
     
     
         9 . The washing machine according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 the backflow prevention device includes a case provided with the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet and a backflow blocking unit disposed within the case to block a backflow of water into the at least one inlet; and   the at least one inlet is connected to the water supply hose and the at least one outlet is a plurality of outlets provided so as to discharge water in different directions.   
     
     
         10 . The washing machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the case includes a nozzle part provided with the at least one inlet and a connector part provided with the at least one outlet. 
     
     
         11 . The washing machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the nozzle part and the connector part are coupled with each other by screw connection. 
     
     
         12 . The washing machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the backflow blocking unit includes a moving member moving within the case according to a water flow so as to selectively open and close the at least one inlet. 
     
     
         13 . The washing machine according to  claim 12 , wherein the backflow blocking unit further includes a separation member disposed around the at least one outlet so as to separate the moving member from the at least one outlet. 
     
     
         14 . The washing machine according to  claim 12 , wherein the backflow blocking unit further includes an inclined surface part formed on the inner wall of the case so as to guide the moving member to the at least one inlet. 
     
     
         15 . The washing machine according to  claim 12 , wherein:
 the moving member is a spherical ball having a designated diameter; and   the diameter of the ball is greater than a diameter of the at least one inlet.   
     
     
         16 . The washing machine according to  claim 12 , wherein the moving member is closely adhered to the at least one inlet due to water pressure and thus closes the at least one inlet when water flows backward in the direction of the at least one inlet. 
     
     
         17 . The washing machine according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 the case includes an outlet pipe connected to one of the plurality of outlets and protruded to the outside of the case; and   at least one of the plurality of outlets is formed on the side wall of the outlet pipe.   
     
     
         18 . The washing machine according to  claim 17 , wherein the branch pipe communicates with the at least one of the plurality of outlets formed on the side wall of the outlet pipe and is protruded to the outside of the outlet pipe. 
     
     
         19 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a door to open and close the main body; and   a door washing hose to guide water to the rear surface of the door,   wherein the branch pipe is connected to the door washing hose.   
     
     
         20 . A washing machine comprising:
 a main body;   a tub provided within the main body;   a water supply hose connected to a water supply source to supply water to the tub; and   a backflow prevention device mounted on the water supply hose to prevent wash water in the tub from flowing backward and being introduced into the water supply source, wherein:   the backflow prevention device includes a backflow prevention part provided with an inlet and an outlet, an inlet channel communicating with the inlet, outlet channels communicating with the outlet, and a backflow blocking unit disposed in the backflow prevention part to prevent water from flowing backward into the inlet channel; and   the outlet channels include a first outlet channel and a second outlet channel formed separately from the first outlet channel.   
     
     
         21 . The washing machine according to  claim 20 , wherein the second outlet channel branches off from the first outlet channel. 
     
     
         22 . The washing machine according to  claim 20 , wherein the second outlet channel directly communicates with the backflow prevention part. 
     
     
         23 . A washing machine comprising:
 a main body;   a tub provided within the main body;   a water supply hose connected to a water supply source to supply water to the tub; and   a detergent supply device connected to the water supply hose to supply detergents to the tub, wherein:   the detergent supply device includes a housing, inlet pipes protruded to the outside of the housing so as to be connected to the water supply hose, and a branch pipe branching off from at least one of the inlet pipes.   
     
     
         24 . A washing machine comprising:
 a main body provided with an inlet through which laundry is put into the main body;   a tub formed within the main body and provided with an opening corresponding to the inlet;   a door to open and close the inlet;   a gasket to shield a space between the inlet and the opening;   a water supply hose connected to a water supply source to supply water to the tub;   a door washing hose connected to a wash water spray hole formed on the gasket; and   a backflow prevention device mounted on the water supply hose to prevent wash water from flowing backward along the water supply hose and being introduced into the water supply source, wherein:   the backflow prevention device includes a case, an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe communicating with the inside of the case and protruded to the outside of the case, a backflow blocking unit disposed at the inside of the case, and a branch pipe forming a channel separately from the outlet pipe; and   the branch pipe is connected to the door washing hose.   
     
     
         25 . A detergent supply device comprising:
 a housing;   a detergent container provided within the housing so as to receive detergents;   inlet pipes protruded to the outside of the housing so as to supply water to the detergent container; and   a branch pipe fixed to at least one of the inlet pipes so as to allow a portion of water introduced into the inlet pipe to branch off.   
     
     
         26 . A backflow prevention device comprising:
 a case including a nozzle part provided with an inlet and a connector part provided with an outlet;   a backflow blocking unit disposed within the case to prevent water within the case from flowing backward and being introduced into the inlet; and   a branch hole forming a channel separately from the outlet,   wherein the nozzle part and the connector part are coupled with each other by screw connection.