Washing Machine and Micro-Bubble Generator Thereof

Abstract

A washing machine includes a cabinet; an outer basket in the cabinet and configured to accommodate wash water; an inner basket in the outer basket and configured to accommodate laundry; a water supply valve unit in the cabinet and connected to an external water supply source to receive wash water; and a micro-bubble generator configured to receive the wash water from the water supply valve unit, generate micro-bubbles, and supply the micro-bubbles to a washing space. The micro-bubble generator includes a dissolving unit configured to mix or dissolve gas into the wash water from the water supply valve unit; and a pressure regulating unit in a water supply line connecting the water supply valve unit and the dissolving unit, configured to discharge the wash water in the water supply line when the pressure in the water supply line equals or exceeds a set pressure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a cabinet;   an outer basket in the cabinet and configured to accommodate wash water;   an inner basket in the outer basket and configured to accommodate laundry;   a water supply valve unit in the cabinet and connected to an external water supply source to receive wash water; and   a micro-bubble generator configured to receive the wash water from the water supply valve unit, generate micro-bubbles, and supply the micro-bubbles to a washing space, wherein the micro-bubble generator includes:
 a dissolving unit configured to dissolve gas into the wash water from the water supply valve unit; and 
 a pressure regulating unit in a water supply line connecting the water supply valve unit and the dissolving unit, configured to discharge the wash water in the water supply line when the pressure in the water supply line equals or exceeds a set pressure. 
   
     
     
         2 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure regulating unit includes:
 a wash water inflow portion connected to the water supply valve unit via a water supply line; and   an auxiliary drain connected to the wash water inflow portion and configured to discharge the wash water in the water supply line.   
     
     
         3 . The washing machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the pressure regulating unit further includes an upper flow path portion connected to the wash water inflow portion, a regulated flow path portion at a lower end of the upper flow path portion, and an elevating member in the regulated flow path portion, capable of shielding the upper flow path portion and the regulated flow path portion. 
     
     
         4 . The washing machine according to  claim 3 , wherein a cross-sectional area of the regulated flow path portion is larger than that of the upper flow path portion, and the elevating member has an area larger than a cross-sectional area of the upper flow path portion and smaller than the cross-sectional area of the regulated flow path portion. 
     
     
         5 . The washing machine according to  claim 4 , wherein the elevating member includes an upper guide extending towards the upper flow path portion. 
     
     
         6 . The washing machine according to  claim 4 , wherein the pressure regulating unit includes a lower flow path portion, the lower flow path portion is between the auxiliary drain and the regulated flow path portion, and the lower flow path portion has a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the regulated flow path portion, and
 wherein the elevating member includes a lower guide extending towards the lower flow path portion.   
     
     
         7 . The washing machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the pressure regulating unit further includes an elastic member in the lower flow path portion and supporting the elevating member. 
     
     
         8 . The washing machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the lower flow path portion includes a vertical guide. 
     
     
         9 . The washing machine according to  claim 8 , wherein an upper end portion of the vertical guide protrudes and/or inclines inwardly. 
     
     
         10 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a detergent container accommodating portion configured to contain a detergent container,
 wherein the pressure regulating unit is in the detergent container accommodating portion.   
     
     
         11 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a control unit configured to control components including the water supply valve unit to supply the wash water to the micro-bubble generator during a rinsing process. 
     
     
         12 . A micro-bubble generator configured to receive wash water, generate micro-bubbles in the wash water, and supply the wash water containing the micro-bubbles to a washing machine, comprising:
 a dissolving unit configured to receive the wash water and mix or dissolve gas in the dissolving unit into the wash water;   a nozzle unit configured to receive the wash water having the gas or mixed therein from the dissolving unit, generate the micro-bubbles, and discharge the wash water including the micro-bubbles into the washing machine; and   a pressure regulating unit in a water supply line configured to supply the wash water to the dissolving unit and discharge the wash water in the water supply line when the pressure in the water supply line equals or exceeds a set pressure.   
     
     
         13 . The micro-bubble generator according to  claim 12 , wherein the pressure regulating unit includes:
 a wash water inflow portion connected to a front water supply line;   a wash water supply portion connected to the dissolving unit via a rear water supply line; and   an auxiliary drain connected to the wash water inflow portion, configured to discharge the wash water in the water supply line.   
     
     
         14 . The micro-bubble generator according to  claim 13 , wherein the pressure regulating unit includes:
 a first body portion adjacent to the wash water inflow portion and on one side of the wash water supply portion, the first body portion having an upper flow path portion connected to the wash water inflow portion and the wash water supply portion and a regulated flow path portion connected to an inner central region of the upper flow path portion; and   an accommodating portion accommodating a lower portion of the first body portion, and a second body portion between the accommodating portion and the auxiliary drain.   
     
     
         15 . The micro-bubble generator according to  claim 14 , wherein the pressure regulating unit further includes a gasket between a lower end of the first body portion and an inner lower surface of the accommodating portion. 
     
     
         16 . The micro-bubble generator according to  claim 14 , wherein a cross-sectional area of the regulated flow path portion is larger than that of the upper flow path portion, and
 the pressure regulating unit further includes an elevating member in the regulated flow path portion, configured to shield the upper flow path portion and the regulated flow path portion.   
     
     
         17 . The micro-bubble generator according to  claim 16 , wherein the pressure regulating unit further includes an elastic member in the lower flow path portion and supporting the elevating member. 
     
     
         18 . The micro-bubble generator according to  claim 17 , wherein the lower flow path portion includes a vertical guide portion. 
     
     
         19 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a cabinet;   an outer basket in the cabinet and configured to accommodate wash water;   an inner basket in the outer basket and configured to accommodate laundry;   a water supply valve unit in the cabinet and connected to an external water supply source to receive wash water;   a micro-bubble generator configured to receive the wash water from the water supply valve unit, generate micro-bubbles, and supply the micro-bubbles to a washing space in the washing machine; and   a control unit configured to control components of the washing machine, including the water supply valve unit to supply the wash water to the micro-bubble generator during a rinsing process.   
     
     
         20 . The washing machine according to  claim 19 , wherein the micro-bubble generator includes:
 a dissolving unit configured to mix or dissolve gas into the wash water, and   a pressure regulating unit in a water supply line connecting the water supply valve unit and the dissolving unit, configured to discharge the wash water in the water supply line when the pressure in the water supply line equals or exceeds a set pressure.