U.S. patent application number 11/892937 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-06 for combined laundry machine.
Invention is credited to Phal Jin Lee, Sang Ho Park.
Application Number | 20080053162 11/892937 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39149655 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080053162 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park; Sang Ho ; et
al. |
March 6, 2008 |
Combined laundry machine
Abstract
A combined laundry machine including a new conceptional pedestal
dryer that is capable of performing a drying operation while
serving as a base for supporting a washer or a dryer is disclosed.
The combined laundry machine includes a washer, a first pedestal
dryer including a first container for supporting the washer, the
first container having a drying space for drying an object to be
dried using hot air supplied from a first hot air supply unit, a
clothes dryer, and a second pedestal dryer including a second
container for supporting the clothes dryer, the second container
having a drying space for drying an object to be dried using hot
air supplied from a second hot air supply unit.
Inventors: |
Park; Sang Ho; (Changwon-si,
KR) ; Lee; Phal Jin; (Jinhae-si, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE LLP
1900 K STREET, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Family ID: |
39149655 |
Appl. No.: |
11/892937 |
Filed: |
August 28, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/13R |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 39/125 20130101;
D06F 58/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
068/013.00R |
International
Class: |
D06F 29/00 20060101
D06F029/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 29, 2006 |
KR |
10-2006-0082283 |
Claims
1. A combined laundry machine comprising: a washer; a first
pedestal dryer including a first container for supporting the
washer, the first container having a drying space for drying an
object to be dried using hot air supplied from a first hot air
supply unit; a clothes dryer; and a second pedestal dryer including
a second container for supporting the clothes dryer, the second
container having a drying space for drying an object to be dried
using hot air supplied from a second hot air supply unit.
2. The combined laundry machine according to claim 1, wherein the
first pedestal dryer and the second pedestal dryer have different
drying capacities.
3. The combined laundry machine according to claim 1, wherein the
first hot air supply unit is provided at the first container, and
the second hot air supply unit is provided at the second
container.
4. The combined laundry machine according to claim 1, wherein the
first hot air supply unit and the second hot air supply unit are
configured of a hot air supply unit provided at the clothes
dryer.
5. The combined laundry machine according to claim 1, further
comprising: a first steam supply unit for supplying steam into the
drying space of the first container; and a second steam supply unit
for supplying steam into the drying space of the second
container.
6. The combined laundry machine according to claim 5, wherein the
first steam supply unit is provided at the first container, and the
second steam supply unit is provided at the second container.
7. The combined laundry machine according to claim 5, wherein the
first steam supply unit and the second steam supply unit are
configured of a steam supply unit provided at the washer or the
clothes dryer.
8. The combined laundry machine according to claim 5, wherein the
first steam supply unit is configured of a steam supply unit
provided at the washer, and the second steam supply unit is
configured of a steam supply unit provided at the clothes
dryer.
9. The combined laundry machine according to claim 3, wherein the
first hot air supply unit includes a heater for heating air and a
blowing fan for guiding the heated air to the drying space, and the
second hot air supply unit includes a heater for heating air and a
blowing fan for guiding the heated air to the drying space.
10. The combined laundry machine according to claim 9, wherein the
first container includes a drawer for receiving the object, and the
second container includes a drawer for receiving the object.
11. The combined laundry machine according to claim 10, wherein the
first container is provided at predetermined positions thereof with
an inlet port for allowing air to be introduced therethrough and an
outlet port for allowing air to be discharged therethrough, the
second container is provided at predetermined positions thereof
with an inlet port for allowing air to be introduced therethrough
and an outlet port for allowing air to be discharged therethrough,
the respective heaters are located in front of the corresponding
inlet ports, and the respective blowing fans are located in front
of the corresponding outlet ports.
12. The combined laundry machine according to claim 11, wherein the
respective inlet ports are formed at the upper part of a rear wall
of the first container and at the upper part of a rear wall of the
second container, and the respective outlet ports are formed at the
lower part of the rear wall of the first container and at the lower
part of the rear wall of the second container.
13. The combined laundry machine according to claim 12, wherein the
first pedestal dryer further includes a shelf, on which the object
is placed, the shelf dividing the inner space of the corresponding
drawer into upper and lower spaces such that the upper and lower
spaces communicate with each other, and the second pedestal dryer
further includes a shelf, on which the object is placed, the shelf
dividing the inner space of the corresponding drawer into upper and
lower spaces such that the upper and lower spaces communicate with
each other.
14. The combined laundry machine according to claim 13, wherein the
respective shelves are mounted in an inclined fashion.
15. The combined laundry machine according to claim 13, wherein the
drawer of the first container is provided at the upper part of a
rear wall thereof with an air guide for guiding air introduced
through the corresponding inlet port, and the drawer of the second
container is provided at the upper part of a rear wall thereof with
an air guide for guiding air introduced through the corresponding
inlet port.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2006-0082283, filed on Aug. 29, 2006, which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set
forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a combined laundry machine,
and more particularly, to a combined laundry machine including a
new conceptional pedestal dryer that is capable of performing a
drying operation while serving as a base for supporting a washer or
a dryer.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, laundry treating apparatuses are electric home
appliances that are capable of washing and/or drying laundry.
Specifically, the respective laundry treating apparatuses perform a
washing operation, a drying operation, or a washing-and-drying
operation. Recently, there has been increasingly used a laundry
treating apparatus, including a steam supply unit, that is capable
of performing a refreshing operation to remove wrinkles, smells,
and static electricity from laundry.
[0006] Based on the direction in which laundry is removed, the
conventional laundry treating apparatuses are classified into a
front loading type laundry treating apparatus and a top loading
type laundry treating apparatus. Based on the washing method, on
the other hand, the conventional laundry treating apparatuses are
classified into a vertical-shaft type laundry treating apparatus,
in which a pulsator or a washing tub is rotated, and a horizontal
type laundry treating apparatus. A representative example of the
horizontal type laundry treating apparatus is a drum type washing
machine or a drum type drying machine.
[0007] The sizes of the laundry treating apparatuses have been
gradually increased to satisfy consumers' demand. Specifically, the
exterior sizes of the laundry treating apparatuses for home use
have been gradually increased.
[0008] However, the large-sized laundry treating apparatuses are
operated even to dry a small quantity of laundry, with the result
that energy consumption is excessively increased.
[0009] For the drum type drying machine, on the other hand, a drum
is rotated to tumble an object to be dried. Consequently, the drum
type drying machine is not suitable for drying shoes. When shoes
are necessary to be washed, a small number of shoes, for example
one pair or two pairs of shoes, are normally washed. When the
conventional drying machine is used to dry such a small quantity of
something to be dried, it is required to drive a drum and, in
addition, to drive a large-capacity heater and a large-capacity
fan. Consequently, it is very inefficient in an energy saving
aspect.
[0010] In addition, some consumers may have a desire for a system
completely equipped with all the related machines and apparatuses.
However, conventional washing-related systems have come into the
market very restrictively.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional
laundry treating apparatus 1.
[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional laundry treating
apparatus 1 includes a main body 10 forming the external appearance
of the laundry treating apparatus and a control panel 11 mounted at
the front or the top of the main body. Here, the control panel 11
may include a control unit for controlling the operation of the
laundry treating apparatus. Consequently, a user manipulates the
control panel for the laundry treating apparatus to perform a
laundry treating operation, such as washing or drying.
[0013] Here, the laundry treating apparatus may be a washing
machine, a drying machine, or a washing-and-drying machine.
[0014] On the other hand, the conventional laundry treating
apparatus may further include a base 20 for supporting the main
body 10 on the floor. The main body 10 is mounted on the base
20.
[0015] However, the base 20 is utilized only to support the
conventional washing machine or drying machine. In other words, the
utilizability of the base 20 is very low.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a combined
laundry machine that substantially obviates one or more problems
due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
[0017] An object of the present invention is to provide a combined
laundry machine completely equipped with all the washing-related
apparatuses, especially with at least one new conceptional pedestal
dryer.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
combined laundry machine, including a clothes dryer and two
pedestal dryers having different capacities, that is capable of
efficiently and effectively performing a drying operation depending
upon the amount of an object to be dried or the kind of the
object.
[0019] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the
invention will be set forth in part in the description which
follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary
skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be
learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other
advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the
structure particularly pointed out in the written description and
claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
[0020] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in
accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and
broadly described herein, a combined laundry machine includes a
washer, a first pedestal dryer including a first container for
supporting the washer, the first container having a drying space
for drying an object to be dried using hot air supplied from a
first hot air supply unit, a clothes dryer, and a second pedestal
dryer including a second container for supporting the clothes
dryer, the second container having a drying space for drying an
object to be dried using hot air supplied from a second hot air
supply unit.
[0021] Preferably, the first pedestal dryer and the second pedestal
dryer have different drying capacities. Consequently, it is
possible to suitably select and use any one of the clothes dryer,
the first pedestal dryer, and the second pedestal dryer, depending
upon the amount of the object.
[0022] Also, when it is necessary to dry a small quantity of
something to be dried, the pedestal dryers may be operated
selectively depending upon the kind of the object. For example,
shoes may be dried by the first pedestal dryer, whereas
underclothes may be dried by the second pedestal dryer.
[0023] The first hot air supply unit may be provided at the first
container, and the second hot air supply unit may be provided at
the second container. Alternatively, the first hot air supply unit
and the second hot air supply unit are configured of a hot air
supply provided at the clothes dryer in the form of an integrated
hot air supply unit.
[0024] When the integrated hot air supply unit is provided at the
clothes dryer, it is necessary to provide a transfer member, such
as a pipe, through which hot air is transferred from the integrated
hot air supply unit to the first container or the second
container.
[0025] Each hot air supply unit may include a heater for heating
air and a blowing fan for guiding the heated air into the drying
space of the corresponding container.
[0026] Generally, the blowing fan serves to blow the air, heated by
the heater, into the drying space. According to circumstances,
however, the blowing fan may serve to discharge air from the drying
space to the outside such that the heated air is introduced into
the drying space. The latter case is suitable when the respective
hot air supply units are provided at the corresponding
containers.
[0027] Also, the combined laundry machine further includes a first
steam supply unit for supplying steam into the drying space of the
first container and a second steam supply unit for supplying steam
into the drying space of the second container.
[0028] In the same manner, the first steam supply unit is provided
at the first container, and the second steam supply unit is
provided at the second container. However, the first steam supply
unit and the second steam supply unit may be configured of a steam
supply unit provided at the washer or the clothes dryer. For
example, the first steam supply unit may be provided at the washer,
and the second steam supply unit may be provided at the clothes
dryer.
[0029] Preferably, the first and second pedestal dryers are
securely fixed to the washer and the dryer, which is located on the
first and second pedestal dryer by coupling units. The washer and
the dryer vibrate while the drums of the washer and the dryer are
rotated, and therefore, it is necessary to securely support the
washer and the dryer on the corresponding pedestal dryers.
[0030] Each pedestal dryer includes an input unit, a display unit,
and a main control unit. Consequently, each pedestal dryer may be
independently operated without reliance on other machines, such as
the washer or the clothes dryer. Any one of the input unit, the
display unit, and the main control unit may be mounted to the
washer or the clothes dryer.
[0031] When a user wishes to use each pedestal dryer, the user
inputs a command for a drying operation through the input unit, the
main control unit controls the corresponding pedestal dryer based
on the inputted command. Also, information related to the operation
of the pedestal dryer is displayed on the display unit.
[0032] Preferably, each container includes a drawer that can be
withdrawn outward. The drawer has advantages in that the drawer
allows convenient insertion and withdrawal of an object to be
dried, and, in addition, the washing of the drawer is very
easy.
[0033] The main body of each pedestal dryer may be provided at the
upper part of the rear wall thereof with an inlet port, through
which air is introduced. Also, the main body of each pedestal dryer
may be provided at the lower part of the rear wall thereof with an
outlet port, through which air is discharged. Preferably, the upper
part of the rear wall of each drawer communicates with the
corresponding inlet port, and the lower part of the rear wall of
each drawer communicates with the corresponding outlet port.
[0034] Also preferably, the respective heaters are located in front
of the corresponding inlet ports, and the respective blowing fans
are located in front of the corresponding outlet ports.
[0035] When the hot air supply unit and the steam supply unit are
provided at each container, on the other hand, the hot air supply
unit and the steam supply unit are preferably provided between the
rear wall of the corresponding drawer and the rear wall of the main
body of the corresponding pedestal dryer.
[0036] Each pedestal dryer may further include a shelf, on which
laundry is placed. Preferably, the shelf divides the inner space of
the corresponding drawer into upper and lower spaces such that the
upper and lower spaces communicate with each other. For example,
the shelf may be provided with a plurality of through-holes,
through which the upper and lower spaces communicate with each
other.
[0037] Preferably, each shelf is mounted in an inclined fashion.
More preferably, the shelf is inclined downward toward the region
where air is introduced. In this case, hot air is uniformly
supplied to the laundry placed on the shelf, and therefore, the
laundry is effectively dried.
[0038] When the shelf is inclined as described above, water
contained in each shoe flows downward and is collected in the lower
part of the shoe, and therefore, the shoe is more effectively
dried.
[0039] When the shelf is inclined as described above, on the other
hand, the introduced hot air collides with the shelf and flows
downward through the through-holes of the shelf, and therefore, the
circulation of hot air is smoothly accomplished.
[0040] Preferably, each drawer is provided at the rear wall thereof
with an air guide for guiding air to the upper part of the drawer.
In this case, the air, introduced into the upper part of the rear
wall of the drawer, is not directed downward but is guided to an
object to be dried. Consequently, the drying operation is more
effectively performed.
[0041] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description of the present
invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide
further explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0042] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the invention. In the drawings:
[0043] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional
laundry treating apparatus including a base;
[0044] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a clothes dryer
and a second pedestal dryer included in a combined laundry machine
according to the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the second
pedestal dryer;
[0046] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the second pedestal dryer;
and
[0047] FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating the combined laundry
machine according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0048] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the
same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to
refer to the same or like parts.
[0049] First, a combined laundry machine according to the present
invention, especially a clothes dryer 100 and a second pedestal
dryer 120 of the combined laundry machine, will be described below
in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.
[0050] A first pedestal dryer of the combined laundry machine is
not very different from the second pedestal dryer 120, and
therefore, the details of the first pedestal dryer will not be
given because the overall structure of the first pedestal dryer can
be fully understood from the following description of the second
pedestal dryer 120.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 2, the second pedestal dryer 120 serves as
a base for supporting a main body 110 of the clothes dryer 100.
[0052] The second pedestal dryer 120 includes a second container
121 having a space defined therein for receiving clothes, and a
coupling unit 130 mounted to the upper part of the second container
121 for coupling the main body 110 of the clothes dryer 100 and the
second container 121 to each other. Here, the second pedestal dryer
120 supports the main body 110 of the clothes dryer 100 on the
floor.
[0053] Also, the second pedestal dryer 120 is provided at the top
thereof with leg supporters 125 for supporting lower legs 116 of
the clothes dryer 100.
[0054] Each leg supporter 125 includes a panel having a first
fitting hole 126, in which a corresponding leg 116 of a washer is
fitted when the leg supporters 125 support the washer instead of
the clothes dryer, and a second fitting hole 127, in which the
corresponding leg 117 of the clothes dryer is fitted.
[0055] The respective leg supporters 125 are fixed to the top of
the second container 121 by screws.
[0056] Specifically, the leg supporters 125 are fixed to the top of
the second container 121 at the respective corners of the second
container 121. The first fitting holes 126 and the second fitting
holes 127 formed in the two leg supporters fixed to the front
corners of the second container 121 are connected to each other. On
the other hand, the first fitting holes 126 and the second fitting
holes 127 formed in the two leg supporters fixed to the rear
corners of the second container 121 are separated from each other.
This is to accomplish easy and convenient fitting of the legs 116
and 117 in the corresponding fitting holes of the leg supporters
125.
[0057] Also, the first fitting holes 126 are positioned outside the
corresponding second fitting holes 127 on diagonal lines at the
bottom of the main body 110 of the clothes dryer 100. This is
because the size of the main body of the washer is generally
greater than that of the main body of the clothes dryer.
[0058] The coupling unit 130 includes a plurality of coupling
members 138 mounted to the side of the washer or the clothes dryer
and to the side of the second container 121 disposed below the
washer or the clothes dryer, and a plurality of fixing members 135
for fixing the coupling members 138 to the side of the washer or
the clothes dryer and to the side of the second container 121.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 3, the coupling members 138 may be provided
such that two coupling members 138 fix the second container 121 and
the main body 110 of the clothes dryer 100 to each other at each
lateral side of the second container 121 and the main body 110 of
the clothes dryer 100, especially at the interface between the
second container 121, which is constructed in a hexahedral shape,
and the main body 110 of the clothes dryer 100, which is
constructed in a hexahedral shape.
[0060] In addition, additional coupling members (not shown) may be
mounted to the rear of the second container 121 and to the rear of
the main body 110 of the clothes dryer 100 for fixing the second
container 121 and the main body 110 of the clothes dryer 100 to
each other.
[0061] The coupling unit 130 may be modified depending upon the
change in height of the legs 116 of the washer or the legs 117 of
the clothes dryer.
[0062] Each fixing member 135 includes a first fixing member 136
for fixing the upper part of the corresponding coupling member 138
to the lower part of the washer or the clothes dryer at each
lateral side of the washer or the clothes dryer, and a second
fixing member 137 for fixing the lower part of the corresponding
coupling member 138 to the upper part of the second container 121
at each lateral side of the second container 121.
[0063] Here, at least one of the first fixing member 136 and the
second fixing member 137 may be a member having an adhesive
material applied to opposite major surfaces thereof, for example, a
double-sided adhesive tape.
[0064] On the other hand, at least one of the first fixing member
136 and the second fixing member 137 may be a connecting member,
such as a screw.
[0065] When the fixing member is the screw, connection holes are
preferably formed at the corresponding coupling member 138 while
the connection holes are spaced a predetermined distance from each
other.
[0066] Unlike the above description, on the other hand, the means
for coupling between the main body 110 of the clothes dryer 100 and
the second container 121 may be modified in various forms.
[0067] In consideration of the safety and the external design, it
is preferable that at least one of the left-to-right width and the
front-to-rear width of the second container 121 be equal to or
greater than the left-to-right width or the front-to-rear width of
the main body 110 of the clothes dryer 100.
[0068] Hereinafter, the structure of the second pedestal dryer 120
will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4.
[0069] FIG. 4 is a sectional view schematically illustrating the
structure of the second pedestal dryer 120.
[0070] The second pedestal dryer 120 has a drying space for
receiving an object to be dried. Here, the drying space may be
constructed in the form of a drawer 122 that can be withdrawn
outward from the front of the second container 121. The second
pedestal dryer 120 includes a second hot air supply unit 140
mounted in the second container 121 for forcibly supplying hot air
into the drying space.
[0071] Also, the second pedestal dryer 120 further includes a
second steam supply unit 150 mounted in the second container 121
for supplying steam into the drying space. The second steam supply
unit 150 includes a spray port (not shown), through which the steam
is sprayed into the drying space from the upper part or the rear
part of the second container 121.
[0072] The operation of the second hot air supply unit 140 and the
second steam supply unit 150 is controlled by a main control unit
included in a controller 123.
[0073] The controller 123 further includes an input unit and a
display unit. As shown in FIG. 2, the input unit includes a knob
212 for allowing a user to select a drying course and various
selection buttons 211. The display unit includes a liquid crystal
display (LCD) screen 201, and light emitting diodes 202.
[0074] The second hot air supply unit 140 includes a blowing fan
141 for blowing air and a heater 142 for heating air. When the
blowing fan 141 is operated, external air is introduced into the
drawer 122, and is then discharged out of the drawer 122. The
external air is heated by the heater 142, and is then introduced
into the drawer 122.
[0075] The heater 142 may be an electric heater or a gas heater.
Preferably, however, the heater 142 is an electric heater in
consideration of the installation space of the pedestal dryer.
[0076] Consequently, the second pedestal dryer 120 may perform a
drying function through the second hot air supply unit 140. Here,
the heater 142 is preferably a heater the capacity of which is
adjustable to change the temperature of air heated by the heater
142. This is because specific clothes have a low heat resistance,
and rubber products, such as shoes, have a lower heat
resistance.
[0077] The second steam supply unit 150 supplies steam into the
drawer 122. The steam is brought into contact with clothes received
in the drawer 122 to sterilize the clothes and remove wrinkles from
the clothes. Consequently, it is possible to perform a refreshing
function through the second steam supply unit 150. Of course, the
above-described drying function may be performed in addition to the
refreshing function.
[0078] On the other hand, the second container 121 is preferably
provided at the upper part of the rear wall thereof with an inlet
port 171, through which air is introduced. Also, the second
container 121 is preferably provided at the lower part of the rear
wall thereof with an outlet port 172, through which air is
discharged. The upper part of the rear wall of the drawer 122
communicates with the inlet port 171, and the lower part of the
rear wall of the drawer 122 communicates with the outlet port 172.
Consequently, external air is introduced into the drawer 122
through the upper part of the rear wall of the second container 121
and the upper part of the drawer 122, and is then discharged out of
the drawer 122 through the lower part of the drawer 122 and the
lower part of the rear wall of the second container 121.
[0079] Here, the blowing fan 141, which moves air, and the heater
142, which heats air, may be mounted between the rear wall of the
drawer 122 and the rear wall of the second container 121. However,
the present invention is not limited to the above-specified
position, and therefore, the second hot air supply unit 140,
including the blowing fan 141 and the heater 142, may be mounted at
any position on a channel along which air is introduced and
discharged.
[0080] FIG. 4 illustrates a structure in which air is introduced
through the upper part of the drawer and is discharged through the
lower part of the drawer. However, it is also possible to provide a
structure in which air is introduced through the lower part of the
drawer and is discharged through the upper part of the drawer.
[0081] As shown in FIG. 4, on the other hand, laundry 162 is put in
the drawer 122. The inner space of the drawer 122 is divided into
upper and lower spaces. In the drawer 122 is mounted a shelf 160
for allowing the upper and lower spaces to communicate with each
other. The shelf 160 is provided to smoothly discharge air supplied
to the laundry 162 out of the drawer 122.
[0082] Preferably, the shelf 160 is provided with a plurality of
through-holes 160a, through which air is introduced from the upper
part to the lower part of the drawer 122.
[0083] Also, the shelf 160 may be mounted in an inclined fashion.
In this case, it is preferable for the shelf 160 to be inclined
downward toward the region where air is introduced. As a result,
air is uniformly supplied to the laundry placed on the shelf
160.
[0084] Preferably, the drawer is provided at the upper part of the
rear wall thereof with an air guide 161. The air guide 161 serves
to guide air such that the air can be smoothly supplied toward the
front of the drawer 122, and, at the same time, to divide the air
introduction channel and the air discharge channel from each other.
Consequently, the collision between the introduced air and the
discharged air is minimized, and therefore, the drying efficiency
is improved.
[0085] On the other hand, it is possible to perform various kinds
of drying modes through the second pedestal dryer.
[0086] First, a user withdraws the drawer 122 and places a small
quantity of clothes, shoes, or hats, on the shelf 160. For the
clothes, it is preferable for the user to spread the clothes on the
shelf.
[0087] Subsequently, the user selects a desired operation mode
based on the kind of the laundry through the input unit of the
controller 123. The operation mode may include various drying modes
and a refreshing mode.
[0088] The various drying modes may be classified based on drying
time or drying temperature. This may be different depending upon
the kinds of laundry to be dried. For example, a drying mode having
a short drying time and a high drying temperature may be selected
to dry a small quantity of clothes made of cotton. On the other
hand, a drying mode having a long drying time and a lower drying
temperature may be selected to dry shoes.
[0089] Specifically, air is forcibly supplied into the laundry
receiving space based on the operation mode selected by the user;
however, the air temperature or the air supply time may be
changed.
[0090] When the operation mode is the refreshing mode, on the other
hand, high-temperature steam is supplied to the laundry.
Consequently, the laundry is refreshed by the steam. Specifically,
smells or wrinkles are removed from the laundry, or the laundry is
sterilized. Subsequently, air may be supplied to dry the laundry,
if necessary.
[0091] The first pedestal dryer, constituting the combined laundry
machine according to the present invention, is constructed in the
same structure as the second pedestal dryer. However, the first
pedestal dryer may have a drying capacity different from that of
the second pedestal dryer. Preferably, the drying capacity of the
first pedestal dryer is greater than that of the second pedestal
dryer.
[0092] Because the first pedestal dryer and the second pedestal
dryer have different drying capacities, a first hot air supply unit
of the first pedestal dryer has a capacity greater than that of the
second hot air supply unit. At least, the capacity of a heater
constituting the first hot air supply unit is greater than that of
the heater constituting the second hot air supply unit.
[0093] Except for the difference in capacity between the first
pedestal dryer and the second pedestal dryer, the first pedestal
dryer is substantially identical in construction and operation to
the second pedestal dryer, and therefore, a detailed description of
the first pedestal dryer will not be given.
[0094] The coupling between the washer and the first pedestal dryer
is very similar to the coupling between the clothes dryer and the
second pedestal dryer, and therefore, a detailed description of the
coupling between the washer and the first pedestal dryer will not
be given.
[0095] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the overall structure of the
combined laundry machine according to the present invention.
[0096] As shown in FIG. 5, the first pedestal dryer 320 is disposed
below the washer 300 to support the washer 300 as a base for the
washer 300, and the second pedestal dryer 120 is disposed below the
clothes dryer 100 to support the clothes dryer 100 as a base for
the clothes dryer 100.
[0097] The first pedestal dryer 320 has a drying capacity greater
than that of the second pedestal dryer 120.
[0098] After washing clothes using the washer 300, a user may sort
the clothes and then dry the clothes using the clothes dryer 100,
the first pedestal dryer 320, and the second pedestal dryer
120.
[0099] While general clothes are being dried by the clothes dryer
100, the user may wash shoes and then dry the shoes using the first
pedestal dryer 320 or the second pedestal dryer 120.
[0100] According to circumstances, the user may use the clothes
dryer 100 to dry general clothes, the second pedestal dryer 120,
having a relatively small capacity, to dry underclothes, and the
first pedestal dryer 320, having a relatively large capacity, to
dry shoes.
[0101] As apparent from the above description, the present
invention provides a new conceptional combined laundry machine
including a washer, a clothes dryer, a first pedestal dryer, and a
second pedestal dryer.
[0102] According to the present invention, object to be dried can
be sorted and individually dried. For example, it is possible to
sort laundry into underclothes, general clothes, and shoes, and to
individually dry the underclothes, the general clothes, and the
shoes. Consequently, it is possible to conveniently and sanitarily
dry the laundry.
[0103] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present invention
without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus,
it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications
and variations of this invention provided they come within the
scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *