The present invention relates to a washing machine in which a lower balancer is assembled by using a fastening structure that connects an existing hub and tub base without an addition of a fastening member for fastening the lower balancer, thereby significantly reducing manufacturing process and manufacturing cost.

A hub for an overmolded basket base assembly of a laundry appliance is provided. The hub includes a central core defining an opening along an axis configured to receive a drive shaft. The hub further includes a disc, extending radially outwardly from the core about the axis, the disc configured to be overmolded in polymeric material that forms an overmolded plastic base, the disc including a plurality of posts arranged around the core and extending upward from a top surface of the disc to form a circumferentially-extending array to align the hub when applying torque to the hub.

A hub for an overmolded basket base assembly of a laundry appliance is provided. The hub includes a central core defining an opening along an axis configured to receive a drive shaft. The hub further includes a disc, extending radially outwardly from the core about the axis, the disc configured to be overmolded in polymeric material that forms an overmolded plastic base, the disc including a plurality of posts arranged around the core and extending upward from a top surface of the disc to form a circumferentially-extending array to align the hub when applying torque to the hub.

A drum of a washing machine, which is configured to receive laundry and to perform washing or dehydration, includes a circumferential surface that defines a plurality of first patterns that protrude from the circumferential surface toward an interior of the drum, a second pattern that is recessed from the circumferential surface toward an exterior of the drum and that is surrounded by the plurality of first patterns, and a through hole located at the second pattern.

A drum of a washing machine, which is configured to receive laundry and to perform washing or dehydration, includes a circumferential surface that defines a plurality of first patterns that protrude from the circumferential surface toward an interior of the drum, a second pattern that is recessed from the circumferential surface toward an exterior of the drum and that is surrounded by the plurality of first patterns, and a through hole located at the second pattern.

A laundry treatment apparatus is configured to directly heat a drum containing laundry therein. The laundry treatment apparatus includes: a tub; a drum configured to rotate within the tub and to contain laundry therein, the drum being formed of a metallic material; and an induction module provided at an outer surface of the tub and configured to heat a surface of the drum within the tub via induction, the induction module comprising: a coil that comprises a wire through which an electric current is configured to pass so as to generate a magnetic field; a base housing configured to accommodate the coil therein, the base housing being mounted on the outer surface of the tub; an at least one magnet configured to be arranged above the base housing in which the coil is accommodated, and arranged to be lengthwise perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the wire of the coil.

A laundry treatment apparatus is configured to directly heat a drum containing laundry therein. The laundry treatment apparatus includes: a tub; a drum configured to rotate within the tub and to contain laundry therein, the drum being formed of a metallic material; and an induction module provided at an outer surface of the tub and configured to heat a surface of the drum within the tub via induction, the induction module comprising: a coil that comprises a wire through which an electric current is configured to pass so as to generate a magnetic field; a base housing configured to accommodate the coil therein, the base housing being mounted on the outer surface of the tub; an at least one magnet configured to be arranged above the base housing in which the coil is accommodated, and arranged to be lengthwise perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the wire of the coil.

A washing machine appliance may include a tub, a basket, and a retractable agitation element. The basket may be rotatably positioned within the tub. The retractable agitation element may be positioned within the basket. The retractable agitation element may define a rotation axis. The retractable agitation element may include a lower shaft, an upper shaft, and a resilient fin. The upper shaft may be slidably mounted on lower shaft in telescoping cooperation to move axially along the rotation axis. The resilient fin may be movably attached to the lower shaft apart from the upper shaft.

A washing machine appliance may include a tub, a basket, and a retractable agitation element. The basket may be rotatably positioned within the tub. The retractable agitation element may be positioned within the basket. The retractable agitation element may define a rotation axis. The retractable agitation element may include a lower shaft, an upper shaft, and a resilient fin. The upper shaft may be slidably mounted on lower shaft in telescoping cooperation to move axially along the rotation axis. The resilient fin may be movably attached to the lower shaft apart from the upper shaft.

A laundry treating apparatus includes a main body and a washing tub. The main body and the washing tub are coupled to each other through a suspension assembly. The suspension assembly includes a support rod, an elastic member, and a damper. The support rod is formed in a rod shape, and one end of the support rod is coupled to the main body. The elastic member is arranged about the support rod to surround the support rod. The damper is supported on the elastic member, and is configured to move along the longitudinal direction of the support rod. In addition, the damper is coupled to an outer circumference of the support rod, and forms a compartment, which is an empty space surrounding the support rod. The compartment is provided with a friction member.