Washing machine

Abstract

A washing machine that includes an integrated tub/drum that holds water, holds laundry, and rotates; a hollow rotary shaft coupled to an end and/or surface of the integrated tub/drum; a drain pipe in the integrated tub/drum and through at least part of the hollow rotary shaft; an air supply pipe in communication with an interior of the integrated tub/drum and through at least part of the hollow rotary shaft; and a blower that blows air into the integrated tub/drum through the air supply pipe.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A washing machine comprising:
 an integrated tub/drum configured to hold water, hold laundry and rotate;   a hollow rotary shaft coupled to an end and/or surface of the integrated tub/drum;   a drain pipe in the integrated tub/drum and through at least part of the hollow rotary shaft;   an air supply pipe in communication with an interior of the integrated tub/drum and through at least part of the hollow rotary shaft; and   a blower configured to blow air into the integrated tub/drum through the air supply pipe.   
     
     
         2 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the integrated tub/drum is sealed when the blower blows air into the integrated tub/drum. 
     
     
         3 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the integrated tub/drum has a truncated conical shape, and the end and/or surface of the integrated tub/drum to which the hollow rotary shaft is coupled has a relatively large surface area. 
     
     
         4 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the drain pipe in the integrated tub/drum bends away from the hollow rotary shaft in a downward direction. 
     
     
         5 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a drive shaft coupled to another end and/or surface of the integrated tub/drum that is opposite the end and/or surface to which the hollow rotary shaft is coupled; and   a drive motor configured to rotate the drive shaft.   
     
     
         6 . The washing machine of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a water supply pipe in the integrated tub/drum and through at least part of the hollow rotary shaft.   
     
     
         7 . The washing machine of  claim 6 , wherein a portion of the water supply pipe in the integrated tub/drum bends away from the hollow rotary shaft in at least one of an upward, leftward, and rightward direction. 
     
     
         8 . The washing machine of  claim 5 , wherein the drive shaft includes a passage, and the washing machine further comprises:
 a water supply pipe in the integrated tub/drum and through the passage of the drive shaft.   
     
     
         9 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a drive shaft coupled to another end and/or surface of the integrated tub/drum that is opposite the end and/or surface to which the hollow rotary shaft is coupled; and   a drive motor configured to rotate the drive shaft.   
     
     
         10 . The washing machine of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a water supply pipe in the integrated tub/drum and through at least part of the hollow rotary shaft.   
     
     
         11 . The washing machine of  claim 10 , wherein a portion of the water supply pipe in the integrated tub/drum bends away from the hollow rotary shaft in at least one of an upward, leftward, and rightward direction. 
     
     
         12 . The washing machine of  claim 9 , wherein the drive shaft includes a passage, and the washing machine further comprises:
 a water supply pipe in the integrated tub/drum and through the passage of the drive shaft.   
     
     
         13 . The washing machine of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a drive shaft coupled to another end and/or surface of the integrated tub/drum that is opposite the end and/or surface to which the hollow rotary shaft is coupled; and   a drive motor configured to rotate the drive shaft.   
     
     
         14 . The washing machine of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a water supply pipe in the integrated tub/drum and through at least part of the hollow rotary shaft.   
     
     
         15 . The washing machine of  claim 14 , wherein a portion of the water supply pipe in the integrated tub/drum bends away from the hollow rotary shaft in at least one of an upward, leftward, and rightward direction. 
     
     
         16 . The washing machine of  claim 13 , wherein the drive shaft includes a passage, and the washing machine further comprises:
 a water supply pipe in the integrated tub/drum and through the passage of the drive shaft.   
     
     
         17 . The washing machine of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a drive shaft coupled to another end and/or surface of the integrated tub/drum that is opposite the end and/or surface to which the hollow rotary shaft is coupled; and   a drive motor configured to rotate the drive shaft.   
     
     
         18 . The washing machine of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a water supply pipe in the integrated tub/drum and through at least part of the hollow rotary shaft.   
     
     
         19 . The washing machine of  claim 18 , wherein a portion of the water supply pipe in the integrated tub/drum bends away from the hollow rotary shaft in at least one of an upward, leftward, and rightward direction. 
     
     
         20 . The washing machine of  claim 17 , wherein the drive shaft includes a passage, and the washing machine further comprises:
 a water supply pipe in the integrated tub/drum and through the passage of the drive shaft.