Washing machine with integrated tub/drum

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a washing machine for washing laundry. The washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes an integrated tub/drum that provides a washing space in which laundry and water are accommodated together. The integrated tub/drum includes a drum side, a first end panel connected to one side of the drum side, and a second end panel connected to the other side of the drum side. A drive shaft is connected to the first end panel, and a flow path shaft is connected to the second end panel, and as a result, both the ends of the integrated tub/drum are rotatably and stably supported.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A washing machine comprising:
 an integrated tub/drum that provides a washing space, accommodates laundry and water together, and includes a drum side, a first end panel on one end of the drum side, and a second end panel connected to another side of the drum side;   a drive shaft connected to the first end panel;   a rotatable drive shaft bearing that supports the drive shaft;   a drive motor connected to the drive shaft;   a flow path shaft connected to the second end panel, including a passage configured to supply water into the washing space of the integrated tub/drum and/or discharge water from the washing space of the integrated tub/drum; and   a rotatable flow path shaft bearing that supports the flow path shaft.   
     
     
         2 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the second end panel has a rim at a center thereof that extends in a direction of a rotation axis of the integrated tub/drum, and the flow path shaft is connected to the rim and encloses an inner or outer surface of the rim. 
     
     
         3 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the flow path shaft has a flange that extends in a radial direction and is coupled to an inner or outer surface of the second end panel. 
     
     
         4 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the flow path shaft includes an inner coupling portion that is coupled to an inner surface of the second end panel, and an outer coupling portion that is coupled to an outer surface of the second end panel. 
     
     
         5 . The washing machine of  claim 4 , wherein the inner coupling portion of the flow path shaft includes an inner flange that extends in a radial direction and is coupled to the inner surface of the second end panel, and the outer coupling portion includes an outer flange that extends in the radial direction and is coupled to the outer surface of the second end panel. 
     
     
         6 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the flow path shaft includes an outer coupling portion that is coupled and/or that encloses the outer surface of the rim, and an inner coupling portion that is coupled to and/or that encloses the inner surface of the rim. 
     
     
         7 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a hollow fixed shaft in the flow path shaft;   a bearing between the fixed shaft and the flow path shaft;   a water supply passage and/or a drain passage in the fixed shaft, configured to supply water into the washing space of the integrated tub/drum or discharge water from the washing space of the integrated tub/drum; and   a seal between the fixed shaft and the flow path shaft.   
     
     
         8 . The washing machine of  claim 7 , wherein the water supply passage and the drain passage are in the fixed shaft, and the water supply pipe and the drain pipe extend into the interior of the second end panel. 
     
     
         9 . The washing machine of  claim 8 , wherein the water supply pipe extends upward with respect to a rotation axis of the integrated tub/drum, and the drain pipe extends downward with respect to the rotation axis. 
     
     
         10 . The washing machine of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a supporting frame on which the flow path shaft bearing is installed, and through which the fixed shaft passes; and   a shaft fixing portion that is connected between the fixed shaft and the supporting frame configured to support the fixed shaft, and through which the water supply passage or the water drain passage passes.   
     
     
         11 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the flow path shaft has a flange that extends in a radial direction and is coupled to an inner or outer surface of the second end panel. 
     
     
         12 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the flow path shaft includes an inner coupling portion that is coupled to an inner surface of the second end panel, and an outer coupling portion that is coupled to an outer surface of the second end panel. 
     
     
         13 . The washing machine of  claim 12 , wherein the inner coupling portion of the flow path shaft includes an inner flange that extends in a radial direction and is coupled to the inner surface of the second end panel, and the outer coupling portion includes an outer flange that extends in the radial direction and is coupled to the outer surface of the second end panel. 
     
     
         14 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a hollow fixed shaft in the flow path shaft;   a bearing between the fixed shaft and the flow path shaft;   a water supply passage and/or a drain passage in the fixed shaft, configured to supply water into the washing space of the integrated tub/drum or discharge water from the washing space of the integrated tub/drum; and   a seal between the fixed shaft and the flow path shaft.   
     
     
         15 . The washing machine of  claim 14 , wherein the water supply passage and the drain passage are in the fixed shaft, and the water supply pipe and the drain pipe extend into the interior of the second end panel. 
     
     
         16 . The washing machine of  claim 15 , wherein the water supply pipe extends upward with respect to a rotation axis of the integrated tub/drum, and the drain pipe extends downward with respect to the rotation axis. 
     
     
         17 . An integrated tub/drum for a washing machine, comprising:
 a drum side that has an inner surface with one or more lifters thereon;   a first end panel that is connected to the drum side and is configured to close one side of the drum side;   a second end panel that is connected to the drum side and is configured to close another side of the drum side, and has a through hole at or in a center thereof;   a drive shaft that is connected to the first end panel, and that receives a rotational force from a motor; and   a hollow shaft that provides a passage that communicates with the through hole of the second end panel for a flow path configured to supply or discharge water, and that overlaps and is coupled to an inner or outer surface of a rim that extends from the through hole of the second end panel, or extends outward in a radial direction with respect to the through hole and is configured to overlap and be coupled to an inner or outer surface of the second end panel.