Washing machine

Abstract

A washing machine in which a coupling structure between a subsidiary washing tub and a rotary tub is improved. The washing machine includes a cabinet configured to form an exterior, a tub included in the cabinet and configured to contain washing water, a rotary tub included in the tub and configured to receive laundry, a driving device configured to rotate the rotary tub, a subsidiary washing tub included in the rotary tub and coupled to be removable from the rotary tub, and a connection shaft configured to extend from a lower portion of the rotary tub to couple the subsidiary washing tub to the rotary tub, such that the subsidiary washing tub is rotated together with the rotary tub.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A washing machine comprising:
 a cabinet configured to form an exterior;   a tub included in the cabinet and configured to contain washing water;   a rotary tub included in the tub and configured to receive laundry;   a driving device configured to rotate the rotary tub;   a subsidiary washing tub included in the rotary tub and coupled to be removable from the rotary tub; and   a connection shaft configured to extend from a lower portion of the rotary tub to couple the subsidiary washing tub to the rotary tub, such that the subsidiary washing tub is rotated together with the rotary tub.   
     
     
         2 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotary tub further comprises a first pulsator rotatably installed at the lower portion of the rotary tub to generate a water current and circulate the laundry. 
     
     
         3 . The washing machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the connection shaft extends from a center portion of the first pulsator. 
     
     
         4 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the subsidiary washing tub further comprises a second pulsator rotatably included at a lower portion of the subsidiary washing tub to generate a water current and circulate the laundry. 
     
     
         5 . The washing machine according to  claim 4 , wherein the connection shaft is coupled to a lower portion of the second pulsator. 
     
     
         6 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the connection shaft comprises a base portion coupled to the first pulsator, a neck portion configured to extend from the base portion, and a head portion configured to extend from the neck portion and coupled to the subsidiary washing tub. 
     
     
         7 . The washing machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the head portion is provided so that a width of the head portion tapers toward an end thereof to guide coupling to the subsidiary washing tub. 
     
     
         8 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein a coupling hole, to which the connection shaft is coupled, is formed at a lower surface of the subsidiary washing tub. 
     
     
         9 . The washing machine according to  claim 8 , wherein a sealing member configured to seal the coupling hole is coupled inside the subsidiary washing tub. 
     
     
         10 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein a coupling groove, to which the connection shaft is coupled, is formed at a lower surface of the subsidiary washing tub. 
     
     
         11 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a balancer included on the tub, wherein the subsidiary washing tub is removably coupled to the balancer. 
     
     
         12 . The washing machine according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one protruding portion is provided along a circumference of the subsidiary washing tub, and the balancer has at least one receiving groove to accommodate the protruding portion. 
     
     
         13 . The washing machine according to  claim 12 , wherein a magnet is included inside the receiving groove, and a magnetic member reacting with the magnet is included inside the protruding portion, and the subsidiary washing tub and the balancer are coupled to each other by a magnetic force. 
     
     
         14 . A washing machine comprising:
 a cabinet configured to form an exterior;   a tub included in the cabinet and configured to contain washing water;   a rotary tub included in the tub, configured to receive laundry, and comprising a first pulsator configured to generate a water current and circulate laundry;   a driving device configured to rotate the rotary tub;   a subsidiary washing tub included in the rotary tub and coupled to be removable from the rotary tub and comprising a second pulsator configured to generate a water current and circulate laundry; and   a connection shaft configured to extend from the first pulsator and connect the first pulsator and the second pulsator so that the first pulsator and the second pulsator are interlocked and rotated together.   
     
     
         15 . The washing machine according to  claim 14 , wherein the connection shaft comprises a base portion coupled to the first pulsator, a neck portion configured to extend from the base portion, and a head portion configured to extend from the neck portion and coupled to the subsidiary washing tub. 
     
     
         16 . The washing machine according to  claim 15 , wherein a coupling hole, through which the head portion of the connection shaft passes, is formed at a lower surface of the subsidiary washing tub, and further comprising a sealing member configured to seal the coupling hole. 
     
     
         17 . The washing machine according to  claim 15 , wherein a coupling groove, to which the connection shaft is coupled, is formed at a lower surface of the subsidiary washing tub. 
     
     
         18 . The washing machine according to  claim 14 , further comprising a balancer included on the tub, wherein the subsidiary washing tub is removably coupled to the balancer. 
     
     
         19 . The washing machine according to  claim 18 , wherein at least one protruding portion is provided along a circumference of the subsidiary washing tub, and the balancer has at least one receiving groove to accommodate the protruding portion, and the subsidiary washing tub and the balancer are coupled to each other by coupling the protruding portion and the receiving groove. 
     
     
         20 . The washing machine according to  claim 18 , wherein a magnet is included inside the receiving groove, and a magnetic member reacting with the magnet is included inside the protruding portion, and the subsidiary washing tub and the balancer are coupled to each other by a magnetic force. 
     
     
         21 . A washing machine comprising:
 a cabinet configured to form an exterior;   a tub included in the cabinet and configured to contain washing water;   a rotary tub included in the tub and configured to receive first laundry, the rotary tub comprising a first pulsator rotatably installed at the lower portion of the rotary tub to generate a first water current and circulate the first laundry;   a driving device configured to rotate the rotary tub;   a subsidiary washing tub included in the rotary tub and coupled to be removable from the rotary tub, the subsidiary washing tub comprising a second pulsator rotatably included at a lower portion of the subsidiary washing tub to generate a second water current and circulate second laundry; and   a connection shaft configured to extend from a center portion of the first pulsator to a lower portion of the second pulsator to couple the subsidiary washing tub to the rotary tub, such that the subsidiary washing tub is rotated together with the rotary tub.