Patent ID: 9574296
Date: 2017-02-21
CPC Classifications: D06F

Claim:
1. A washing machine comprising: an integrated tub/drum that includes a drum main body that has a cylindrical or truncated conical shape, is configured to store water, hold or accommodate laundry, and rotate, and a plurality of hollow lifters that protrude or extend outward from a circumferential surface of the drum main body and inward from the circumferential surface of the drum main body; a hollow rotary shaft coupled to and/or penetrating one surface of the drum main body; and a drain pipe in the integrated tub/drum through the hollow rotary shaft, configured to discharge water in the drum main body or the hollow lifters, wherein the plurality of hollow lifters includes a water collecting portion that extends or protrudes outward from the circumferential surface of the drum main body, and a lifting portion that extends or protrudes inward from the circumferential surface of the drum main body, wherein the water collecting portions are longer than the lifting portions, and the water collecting portions are closer to the drain pipe than the lifting portions, wherein the integrated tub/drum further includes a water collecting chamber that protrude or extend outward from a circumferential surface of the drum main body at an end of the drum main body nearest to the hollow rotary shaft, enclosing a circumferential surface of the drum main body and connecting the water collecting portions of the plurality of hollow lifters to each other, and wherein one end of the drain pipe extends into the water collecting chamber.