U.S. patent application number 11/896100 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-06 for auxiliary dryer and multiple laundry machine.
Invention is credited to Phal Jin LEE, Sang ho PARK.
Application Number | 20080053164 11/896100 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39079013 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080053164 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PARK; Sang ho ; et
al. |
March 6, 2008 |
Auxiliary dryer and multiple laundry machine
Abstract
An auxiliary dryer that can be coupled to a general laundry
machine and a multiple laundry machine constructed in a structure
in which the auxiliary dryer is coupled to the general laundry
machine are disclosed. The multiple laundry machine includes a
laundry machine that performs washing or drying laundry received in
a body thereof, an auxiliary dryer body having a laundry receiving
part defined therein for receiving laundry, a coupling unit for
coupling the auxiliary dryer body to one side of the laundry
machine, and an ultraviolet ray sterilizing unit provided at the
auxiliary dryer body for sterilizing the laundry, received in the
laundry receiving part, using ultraviolet rays. According to the
present invention, it is possible to treat and sterilize a small
quantity of laundry using the auxiliary dryer without the operation
of the relatively large-sized laundry machine. Consequently, the
present invention has the effect of accomplishing convenient use
and reducing the energy consumption.
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: |
39079013 |
Appl. No.: |
11/896100 |
Filed: |
August 29, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/13R |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 29/005 20130101;
D06F 29/00 20130101; D06F 58/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
68/13.R |
International
Class: |
D06F 29/00 20060101
D06F029/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 31, 2006 |
KR |
10-2006-0083383 |
Claims
1. A multiple laundry machine comprising: a laundry machine that
performs washing or drying laundry received in a body thereof; an
auxiliary dryer body having a laundry receiving part defined
therein for receiving laundry; a coupling unit for coupling the
auxiliary dryer body to one side of the laundry machine; and an
ultraviolet ray sterilizing unit provided at the auxiliary dryer
body for sterilizing the laundry, received in the laundry receiving
part, using ultraviolet rays.
2. The multiple laundry machine according to claim 1, wherein the
auxiliary dryer body has a volume and height less than those of the
body of the laundry machine.
3. The multiple laundry machine according to claim 1, wherein the
ultraviolet ray sterilizing unit includes at least one ultraviolet
light emitting diode (LED) or an ultraviolet lamp.
4. The multiple laundry machine according to claim 3, wherein the
ultraviolet LED is mounted to a rotary blade, which is disposed at
the upper part of the laundry receiving part.
5. The multiple laundry machine according to claim 1, further
comprising: an air supply unit for forcibly supplying air into the
laundry receiving part.
6. The multiple laundry machine according to claim 5, wherein the
air supply unit is provided at the auxiliary dryer body.
7. The multiple laundry machine according to claim 5, wherein the
air supply unit is configured of an air supply unit provided at the
laundry machine.
8. The multiple laundry machine according to claim 5, further
comprising: a steam supply unit for supplying steam into the
laundry receiving part.
9. The multiple laundry machine according to claim 8, wherein the
steam supply unit is provided at the auxiliary dryer body.
10. The multiple laundry machine according to claim 8, wherein the
steam supply unit is configured of a steam supply unit provided at
the laundry machine.
11. The multiple laundry machine according to claim 6, wherein the
air supply unit includes a heater for heating air, and a blowing
fan for guiding the heated air to the laundry receiving part.
12. The multiple laundry machine according to claim 11, wherein the
laundry receiving part is constructed in the form of a drawer that
can be withdrawn outward from the front of the auxiliary dryer
body.
13. The multiple laundry machine according to claim 12, wherein the
auxiliary dryer body is provided at predetermined positions thereof
with an inlet port, through which air is introduced, and an outlet
port, through which air is discharged, and wherein the heater is
located in front of the inlet port, and the blowing fan is located
in front of the outlet port.
14. The multiple laundry machine according to claim 13, wherein the
inlet port is formed at the upper part of a rear wall of the
auxiliary dryer body, and the outlet port is formed at the lower
part of the rear wall of the auxiliary dryer body.
15. The multiple laundry machine according to claim 14, further
comprising: a shelf mounted in the drawer such that laundry is
placed on the shelf, the shelf dividing the inner space of the
drawer into upper and lower spaces such that the upper and lower
spaces communicate with each other.
16. The multiple laundry machine according to claim 15, wherein the
shelf is mounted in an inclined fashion.
17. The multiple laundry machine according to claim 15, wherein the
drawer is provided at the upper part of a rear wall thereof with an
air guide for guiding air introduced through the inlet port.
18. The multiple laundry machine according to claim 1, wherein the
auxiliary dryer body is coupled to the lower part of the laundry
machine for supporting the laundry machine.
19. An auxiliary dryer comprising: an auxiliary dryer body having a
laundry receiving part defined therein for receiving laundry; an
air supply unit provided at the auxiliary dryer body for forcibly
supplying air into the laundry receiving part; a coupling unit for
coupling the auxiliary dryer body to one side of a laundry machine
having a volume and height greater than that of the auxiliary dryer
body; and an ultraviolet ray sterilizing unit provided at the
auxiliary dryer body for sterilizing the laundry, received in the
laundry receiving part, using ultraviolet rays.
20. The auxiliary dryer according to claim 19, wherein the
ultraviolet ray sterilizing unit includes at least one ultraviolet
LED or an ultraviolet lamp.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2006-0083383, filed on Aug. 31, 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 an auxiliary dryer, and
more particularly, to an auxiliary dryer that can be coupled to a
general laundry machine. Also, the present invention relates to a
multiple laundry machine constructed in a structure in which the
auxiliary dryer is coupled to the general laundry machine.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, laundry machines are electric home appliances
that are capable of washing and/or drying laundry. Specifically,
the respective laundry machines perform a washing operation, a
drying operation, or a washing-and-drying operation. Recently,
there has been increasingly used a laundry machine, 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 machines may be classified into a front
loading type laundry machine and a top loading type laundry
machine. Based on the washing method, on the other hand, the
conventional laundry machines may be classified into a
vertical-shaft type laundry machine, in which a pulsator or a
washing tub is rotated, and a horizontal type laundry machine. A
representative example of the horizontal type laundry machine is a
drum type washing machine or a drum type drying machine.
[0007] The sizes of the laundry machines have been gradually
increased to satisfy consumers' demand. Specifically, the exterior
sizes of the laundry machines for home use have been gradually
increased.
[0008] On the other hand, there is a washing machine having no
drying function among the conventional laundry machines. In this
case, it is required for a user to have an additional drying
machine, when the user wishes to dry laundry. Alternatively, it is
required for the user to have a washing machine including a drying
function. Consequently, the expense that consumers bear to
performing both the washing operation and the drying operation is
increased.
[0009] For laundry machines with drying functions, the sizes of the
laundry machines have been gradually increased. However, the
large-sized laundry machines are operated even to dry a small
quantity of laundry, with the result that energy consumption is
excessively increased. Of course, a rack may be mounted in the
drum, such that shoes are placed on the rack, and the rack may be
maintained horizontally during the rotation of the drum to dry the
shoes. In this case, however, the user must separate the rack from
the drum, if necessary, and this is very troublesome.
[0010] Furthermore, the conventional laundry machines are
constructed in a structure in which the drum is rotated, and
therefore, it is difficult to perform sterilization using
ultraviolet rays.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional
laundry machine 1.
[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional laundry machine 1
includes a main body 10 forming the external appearance of the
laundry machine 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 machine.
Consequently, a user manipulates the control panel for the laundry
machine to perform a laundry treating operation, such as washing or
drying.
[0013] Here, the laundry machine may be a washing machine, a drying
machine, or a washing-and-drying machine.
[0014] On the other hand, the conventional laundry machine 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 an
auxiliary dryer and a multiple laundry machine that substantially
obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages
of the related art.
[0017] An object of the present invention is to provide an
auxiliary dryer that is capable of treating a small quantity of
laundry without the operation of a relatively large-sized laundry
machine, thereby accomplishing convenient use and reducing the
energy consumption.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
multiple laundry machine constructed in a structure in which a
drying function is easily added to a washing machine that is
capable of performing only a washing operation.
[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
multiple laundry machine that is capable of easily drying laundry
articles, such as shoes or hats, which are difficult to be dried
through a conventional drum type drying machine.
[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
multiple laundry machine constructed in a structure in which an
auxiliary space, such as a base for conventional laundry machines,
is utilized as an auxiliary dryer.
[0021] A further object of the present invention is to provide an
auxiliary dryer that is capable of sterilizing laundry using
ultraviolet rays and a multiple laundry machine including the
same.
[0022] 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.
[0023] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in
accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and
broadly described herein, an auxiliary dryer includes an auxiliary
dryer body having a laundry receiving part defined therein for
receiving laundry, an air supply unit provided at the auxiliary
dryer body for forcibly supplying air into the laundry receiving
part, a coupling unit for coupling the auxiliary dryer body to one
side of a laundry machine having a volume and height greater than
those of the auxiliary dryer body, and an ultraviolet ray
sterilizing unit provided at the auxiliary dryer body for
sterilizing the laundry, received in the laundry receiving part,
using ultraviolet rays.
[0024] The auxiliary dryer may be mounted and used separately from
the laundry machine. Preferably, however, the auxiliary dryer is
coupled to one side of the laundry machine by the coupling unit.
This is because the auxiliary dryer is an auxiliary apparatus for
treating laundry, and therefore, it is preferable for the laundry
treating apparatuses to be located at one place in an integrated
fashion such that a series of laundry treating processes are
smoothly carried out. In addition, the auxiliary dryer is
preferably coupled to the laundry machine in a spatial utilization
aspect.
[0025] Of course, the laundry machine may be a washing machine that
washes laundry, a drying machine that dries laundry, or a
washing-and-drying machine that washes and dries laundry. However,
the present invention is not limited to the above-specified
machines. For example, the laundry machine according to the present
invention may be a spin-drying machine that only spin-dries
laundry.
[0026] Preferably, the auxiliary dryer is a base for supporting the
laundry machine on the floor. Here, the laundry receiving part is
preferably constructed in the form of a drawer that can be
withdrawn outward from the front of the auxiliary dryer body.
[0027] Also, the ultraviolet ray sterilizing unit may include at
least one ultraviolet light emitting diode (LED) or an ultraviolet
lamp.
[0028] In another aspect of the present invention, a multiple
laundry machine includes a laundry machine that performs washing or
drying laundry received in a body thereof, an auxiliary dryer body
having a laundry receiving part defined therein for receiving
laundry, a coupling unit for coupling the auxiliary dryer body to
one side of the laundry machine, and an ultraviolet ray sterilizing
unit provided at the auxiliary dryer body for sterilizing the
laundry, received in the laundry receiving part, using ultraviolet
rays.
[0029] Preferably, the auxiliary dryer body has a volume and height
less than those of the body of the laundry machine.
[0030] The construction of the ultraviolet ray sterilizing unit
constituting the multiple laundry machine is identical to that of
the ultraviolet ray sterilizing unit constituting the auxiliary
dryer.
[0031] The multiple laundry machine may further include an air
supply unit for forcibly supplying air into the laundry receiving
part. The air supply unit may be provided at the auxiliary dryer
body. Alternatively, the air supply unit may be configured of an
air supply unit provided at the laundry machine.
[0032] In addition, the multiple laundry machine may further
include a steam supply unit for supplying steam into the laundry
receiving part. The steam supply unit may be provided at the
auxiliary dryer body. Alternatively, the steam supply unit may be
configured of a steam supply unit provided at the laundry
machine.
[0033] According to the present invention, it is possible for a
user to wash laundry or dry a large quantity of laundry through the
laundry machine and to dry a small quantity of laundry through the
auxiliary dryer. Consequently, the convenient use of the multiple
laundry machine is accomplished, and the energy consumption is
reduced. Also, it is possible to easily dry laundry articles, such
as shoes or hats, which are difficult to be dried through a
conventional drum type drying machine. Furthermore, it is possible
to sterilize laundry or the interior of the laundry receiving part
through the ultraviolet ray sterilizing unit.
[0034] 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
[0035] 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:
[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional
laundry machine including a base;
[0037] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a multiple laundry
machine including an auxiliary dryer according to the present
invention;
[0038] FIG. 3 is a sectional view schematically illustrating the
multiple laundry machine according to the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the auxiliary
dryer according to the present invention; and
[0040] FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a multiple laundry
machine according to another embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0041] 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. In the present invention, a
laundry machine may be a washing machine, a drying machine, or a
washing-and-drying machine, and a detailed description thereof will
not be given.
[0042] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a multiple laundry
machine including an auxiliary dryer according to the present
invention, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view schematically
illustrating the multiple laundry machine.
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the multiple laundry machine 100
according to the present invention includes a laundry machine body
110 forming the external appearance of the multiple laundry
machine, the laundry machine body 110 being constructed to receive
laundry such that the laundry is washed and dried in the laundry
machine body 110, an auxiliary dryer body 121 having a space
defined therein for receiving laundry, and a coupling unit 130 for
coupling the auxiliary dryer body 121 to one side of the laundry
machine body 110.
[0044] Specifically, an auxiliary dryer 120 according to the
present invention is coupled to the laundry machine body 110 so as
to constitute the multiple laundry machine 100. In this case,
laundry is received in the laundry machine body 110, forming the
external appearance of the laundry machine, such that the laundry
is washed or dried. That is, the laundry machine may be a washing
machine, a drying machine, or a washing-and-drying machine.
[0045] In the multiple laundry machine 100 according to the present
invention, the coupling unit 130 couples the auxiliary dryer body
121 to one side of the laundry machine body 110. Details of the
coupling unit 130 will be described below with reference to FIG.
4.
[0046] According to the present invention, the auxiliary dryer body
121 is mounted to one side of the laundry machine body 110.
Specifically, the auxiliary dryer body 121 may be mounted to the
bottom of the laundry machine body 110, as shown in FIG. 2.
Alternatively, the auxiliary dryer body 121 may be mounted to the
top of the laundry machine body 110. In the latter case, a control
unit, especially a control panel 111, of the laundry machine is
preferably mounted at the front of the laundry machine body
110.
[0047] On the other hand, the auxiliary dryer 120 may be disposed
at the side of the laundry machine. However, the auxiliary dryer
120 is preferably located at the top or the bottom of the laundry
machine body 110, in consideration of a spatial utilization aspect
or a design aspect.
[0048] The auxiliary dryer 120 has a laundry receiving part for
performing an auxiliary function for laundry treatment. The laundry
receiving part may be constructed in the form of a drawer 122 that
can be withdrawn outward from the front of the auxiliary dryer body
121. Also, the auxiliary dryer 120 includes an air supply unit 140
mounted in the auxiliary dryer body 121 for forcibly supplying air
into the laundry receiving part.
[0049] Preferably, the auxiliary dryer body 121 has a volume and
height less than that of the laundry machine body 110, to which the
auxiliary dryer body 121 is coupled.
[0050] Also, the auxiliary dryer 120 further includes a steam
supply unit 150 mounted in the auxiliary dryer body 121 for
supplying steam into the laundry receiving part. The steam supply
unit 150 includes a spray port (not shown), through which the steam
is sprayed into the laundry receiving part from the upper part or
the rear part of the auxiliary dryer body 121.
[0051] The operation of the air supply unit 140 and the steam
supply unit 150 is controlled by a control unit 123. The control
unit 123 is preferably mounted at the front of the auxiliary dryer
body 121. Here, the control unit 123 may includes a control panel
for allowing a user to manipulate the control unit 123.
[0052] On the other hand, the control unit 123 may control the
operation of the auxiliary dryer separately from the control panel
111 of the laundry machine.
[0053] Of course, it is possible to control the operation of the
auxiliary dryer through the control panel 111 of the laundry
machine. In this case, the omission of the control unit 123 is
possible.
[0054] The 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.
[0055] 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 auxiliary dryer.
[0056] Consequently, the auxiliary dryer 120 according to the
present invention may perform a drying function through the air
supply unit 140. Specifically, when both the blowing fan 141 and
the heater 142 are operated, the auxiliary dryer 120 according to
the present invention performs a drying function using hot air.
When only the blowing fan 141 is operated, the auxiliary dryer 120
according to the present invention performs a drying function using
room-temperature air. Here, the heater 142 is preferably a heater
having a capacity 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.
[0057] The 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, the auxiliary dryer 120 according to the
present invention performs a refreshing function through the steam
supply unit 150. Of course, the above-described drying function may
be performed in addition to the refreshing function.
[0058] On the other hand, the auxiliary dryer body 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
auxiliary dryer body 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 auxiliary dryer body
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 auxiliary dryer body
121.
[0059] 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 auxiliary dryer body 121.
However, the present invention is not limited to the
above-specified position, and therefore, the 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.
[0060] FIG. 3 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.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 3, on the other hand, a shelf 160, on which
laundry 162 is placed, is mounted in the drawer 122. The shelf 160
divides the inner space of the drawer 122 into upper and lower
spaces such that the upper and lower spaces communicate with each
other. The shelf 160 is provided to smoothly discharge air supplied
to the laundry 162 out of the drawer 122.
[0062] 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.
[0063] 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.
[0064] 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.
[0065] The auxiliary dryer 120 according to the present invention
further includes an ultraviolet ray sterilizing unit 180. The
ultraviolet ray sterilizing unit 180 is mounted in the auxiliary
dryer body 121 for sterilizing the interior of the laundry
receiving part 12 and the laundry 162 placed in the laundry
receiving part 12. The ultraviolet ray sterilizing unit 180 emits
ultraviolet rays having a predetermined wavelength band to perform
a sterilizing operation.
[0066] The ultraviolet ray sterilizing unit 180 may include at
least one ultraviolet light emitting diode (LED) or an ultraviolet
lamp. The installation of the ultraviolet LED is easier than that
of the ultraviolet lamp. Furthermore, it is easy to mount a
plurality of ultraviolet LEDs in the auxiliary dryer body 121,
whereas it is difficult to mount a plurality of ultraviolet lamps
in the auxiliary dryer body 121. In addition, it is easy to
manufacture the ultraviolet LED such that the ultraviolet LED emits
ultraviolet rays having a specific wavelength most effective in
sterilization as compared to the ultraviolet lamp.
[0067] Also, the installation space of the ultraviolet LED is less
than that of the ultraviolet lamp. Furthermore, the ultraviolet LED
has advantages in that the energy consumption of the ultraviolet
LED is relatively low, and the life span of the ultraviolet LED is
relatively long. Consequently, the ultraviolet LED is more
preferably used than the ultraviolet lamp as the ultraviolet ray
sterilizing unit 180.
[0068] Although not shown in FIG. 3, on the other hand, the
ultraviolet LED may be mounted to a rotary blade (not shown) that
is rotated at the upper part of the laundry receiving part 122. In
this case, the ultraviolet LED may uniformly irradiate ultraviolet
rays into the interior space of the laundry receiving part during
the rotation of the rotary blade. At the same time, the movement of
air is caused by the rotation of the rotary blade, and therefore,
the ultraviolet ray sterilization effect is further improved.
[0069] On the other hand, FIG. 3 illustrates the ultraviolet ray
sterilizing unit 180 mounted at the top of the laundry receiving
part 122; however, the present invention is not limited to the
above-specified position. For example, the ultraviolet ray
sterilizing unit 180 may be mounted at the side or the bottom of
the laundry receiving part 122.
[0070] The auxiliary dryer according to the present invention may
perform the ultraviolet ray sterilizing operation together with the
drying operation. Of course, only the ultraviolet ray sterilizing
operation may be individually performed by the auxiliary dryer
according to the present invention.
[0071] It is possible to perform various kinds of drying modes
through the auxiliary dryer according to the present invention.
[0072] 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.
[0073] Subsequently, the user selects a desired operation mode
based on the kind of the laundry through the control unit 123,
including the control panel. The operation mode may include various
drying modes and a refreshing mode.
[0074] 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.
[0075] 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.
[0076] 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.
[0077] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the auxiliary
dryer according to the present invention.
[0078] Referring to FIG. 4, the auxiliary dryer 120 according to
the present invention includes an auxiliary dryer body 121 having a
space defined therein for receiving clothes, and a coupling unit
130 mounted to the upper part of the auxiliary dryer body 121 for
coupling the laundry machine body 110 and the auxiliary dryer body
121 to each other. Here, the auxiliary dryer 120 supports the
laundry machine body 110 on the floor.
[0079] Also, the auxiliary dryer 120 is provided at the top thereof
with leg supporters 125 for supporting lower legs 116 and 117 of
the laundry machine.
[0080] Each leg supporter 125 includes a panel having a first
fitting hole 126, in which a corresponding leg 116 of a washer is
fitted, and a second fitting hole 127, in which the corresponding
leg 117 of a dryer is fitted. The respective leg supporters 125 are
fixed to the top of the auxiliary dryer body 121 by screws. Here,
the washer and the dryer are examples of the laundry machine. The
washer has an exterior size greater than that of the dryer.
[0081] Specifically, the leg supporters 125 are fixed to the top of
the auxiliary dryer body 121 at the respective corners of the
auxiliary dryer body 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 auxiliary dryer body 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 auxiliary dryer body 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.
[0082] Also, the first fitting holes 126 are positioned outside the
corresponding second fitting holes 127 on diagonal lines at the
bottom of the laundry machine body 110. 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.
[0083] The coupling unit 130 includes a plurality of coupling
members 138 mounted to the lower part of the side of the washer or
the clothes dryer and to the side of the auxiliary dryer body 121,
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 auxiliary dryer body 121.
[0084] As shown in FIG. 3, the coupling members 138 may be provided
such that two coupling members 138 fix the auxiliary dryer body 121
and the laundry machine body 110 to each other at each lateral side
of the auxiliary dryer body 121 and the laundry machine body 110,
especially at the interface between the auxiliary dryer body 121,
which is constructed in a hexahedral shape, and the laundry machine
body 110, which is constructed in a hexahedral shape.
[0085] In addition, additional coupling members (not shown) may be
mounted to the rear of the auxiliary dryer body 121 and to the rear
of the laundry machine body 110 for fixing the auxiliary dryer body
121 and the laundry machine body 110 to each other.
[0086] 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.
[0087] 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 auxiliary dryer body
121 at each lateral side of the auxiliary dryer body 121.
[0088] 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.
[0089] 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.
[0090] 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.
[0091] Unlike the above description, on the other hand, the means
for coupling between the laundry machine body 110 and the auxiliary
dryer body 121 may be modified in various forms.
[0092] According to the present invention, the volume of the
auxiliary dryer body 121 is preferably less than that of the
laundry machine body 110, to which the auxiliary dryer body 121 is
fixed. Also, the height of the auxiliary dryer body 121 is
preferably less than that of the laundry machine body 110. This is
because the auxiliary dryer according to the present invention is
constructed to perform an auxiliary function of the laundry
machine.
[0093] In consideration of the safety and the external design of
the multiple laundry machine 100, it is preferable that at least
one of the left-to-right width and the front-to-rear width of the
auxiliary dryer body 121 be equal to or greater than the
left-to-right width or the front-to-rear width of the laundry
machine body 110, when the auxiliary dryer serves as a base for
supporting the laundry machine. When the auxiliary dryer is fixed
to the top of the laundry machine, on the other hand, it is
preferable that at least one of the left-to-right width and the
front-to-rear width of the auxiliary dryer body 121 be equal to or
less than the left-to-right width or the front-to-rear width of the
laundry machine body 110.
[0094] Hereinafter, a multiple laundry machine according to another
embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to FIG. 5.
[0095] In the previously described embodiment, the air supply unit
140, which forcibly supplies air into the laundry receiving part
122 of the auxiliary dryer 120, is mounted in the auxiliary dryer
body 121. In this embodiment, on the other hand, an air supply unit
is mounted in the laundry machine body 110. Specifically, this
embodiment is characterized in that air is forcibly supplied into
the laundry receiving part 122 of the auxiliary dryer 120 by the
operation of the air supply unit mounted in the laundry machine
body 110.
[0096] As shown in FIG. 5, the air supply unit is mounted in the
laundry machine body 110 for forcibly supplying air into a drum 40
of the laundry machine. The air supply unit includes a heater 90
for heating air and a blowing fan 60 for blowing air. In addition,
the air supply unit further includes a drying channel 44 for
guiding air such that the air is introduced into the drum 40 and a
discharge channel 80 for guiding air such that the air is
discharged from the drum 40.
[0097] The air supply unit supplies air into the drum 40, and, in
addition, air into the interior space of the auxiliary drier 120,
i.e., the laundry receiving part 122. To this end, the air supply
unit further includes an auxiliary drying channel 45 and an
auxiliary discharge channel 81.
[0098] The auxiliary drying channel 45 may diverge from the drying
channel 44. One end of the auxiliary drying channel 45 is connected
to a through-hole 271 formed at one side of a base 212. The
through-hole 271 communicates with an introduction port 128 formed
at the top of the auxiliary dryer body 121 such that dried air is
introduced into the interior space of the drawer.
[0099] The auxiliary discharge channel 81 may diverge from the
discharge channel 80. One end of the auxiliary discharge channel 81
is connected to a through-hole 272 formed at the other side of the
base 212. The through-hole 272 communicates with a discharge port
129 formed at the top of the auxiliary dryer body 121 such that air
is discharged from the interior space of the drawer, i.e., the
laundry receiving part 122.
[0100] However, the discharge port 129 may not be connected to the
through-hole 272. Specifically, air may be directly discharged from
the interior space of the laundry receiving part 122 through the
discharge port 129. In this case, the omission of the auxiliary
discharge channel 81 is possible.
[0101] On the other hand, the heater 90 is preferably mounted in
the drying channel 44 at a position where the auxiliary drying
channel 45 does not diverge from the drying channel 44. In this
case, it is possible to supply hot air into the,drum 40 and the
drawer 122 by the provision of only a single heater. Of course,
room-temperature air is supplied into the drum 40 and the drawer
122, when the heater is not operated.
[0102] Also, the blowing fan 60 is preferably mounted in the
discharge channel 80 at a position where the auxiliary discharge
channel 81 diverges from the discharge channel 80. In this case, it
is possible to supply air into the drum 40 and the laundry
receiving part 122 by the provision of only a single blowing
fan.
[0103] The multiple laundry machine 100 according to the present
invention supplies air into the drum, and, in addition, air into
the laundry receiving part 122. According to circumstances, it is
possible to supply air into the drum or the drawer. Of course, it
is possible to supply air into the both the drum and the drawer. To
this end, channel opening and closing members, such as dampers 280,
may be mounted in the drying channel 44 and the auxiliary drying
channel 45 for selectively opening and closing the drying channel
44 and the auxiliary drying channel 45.
[0104] On the other hand, the multiple laundry machine 100
according to the present invention may further include a steam
supply unit 300 mounted in the laundry machine body 110 for
supplying steam into the drum 40 and the laundry receiving part
122. Specifically, this embodiment is characterized in that steam
is supplied into the laundry receiving part 122 by the steam supply
unit 300 mounted in the laundry machine body 110.
[0105] The steam supply unit 300 includes a steam spray port 350
for spraying steam into the drum and a steam spray port (not shown)
for spraying steam into the drawer. Consequently, it is possible to
supply steam into the drum or the drawer through the steam spray
ports.
[0106] Unlike the above description, on the other hand, only a
single steam spray port 355 may be provided to supply steam into
the drum and the laundry receiving part 122. In this case, the
steam spray port 355 sprays steam into the drying channel 44 at a
position where the auxiliary drying channel 45 does not diverge
from the drying channel 44. Specifically, when steam is sprayed
into the drying channel 44, the sprayed steam is supplied into the
drum and the laundry receiving part through the drying channel 44
and the auxiliary drying channel 45, respectively. In this case,
the fan 60 is also preferably operated. Furthermore, it is not
necessary to form an introduction port, through which steam is
supplied into the auxiliary dryer body 121, at the auxiliary dryer
body 121. This is because the steam is supplied through the
auxiliary drying channel 45.
[0107] According to the present invention, the supply of steam into
the drum and the drawer is to refresh laundry. Specifically,
high-temperature steam is supplied to the drum and the laundry
receiving part to remove wrinkles from the laundry, prevent the
generation of static electricity, remove smells from the laundry,
and sterilize the laundry. Consequently, it is preferable to supply
heated dried air into the drum and the drawer after the supply of
the steam. This is to remove moisture, which may remain in some
clothes, from the clothes, such that a user can immediately wear
the clothes.
[0108] According to the present invention, the operation of the
heater 90, the blowing fan 60, the dampers 280, and the steam
supply unit 300 is controlled by a control unit (not shown). The
control unit is preferably mounted at the front of the laundry
machine body 110. Here, the control unit may include a control
panel 111 for allowing a user to manipulate the control unit.
[0109] Consequently, it is possible to selectively supply air into
the drum and the laundry receiving part under the control of the
control unit. Also, it is possible to control the temperature of
the air and the supply time of the air. Furthermore, it is possible
to selectively supply steam into the drum and the laundry receiving
part under the control of the control unit.
[0110] According to the present invention, the heater 90 is
preferably a heater having a capacity adjustable to change the
temperature of air heated by the heater 90. This is because
specific clothes have a low heat resistance, and especially rubber
products, such as shoes, have a lower heat resistance. The
adjustment of the capacity of the heater 90 may be controlled by
the control unit.
[0111] On the other hand, the multiple laundry machine according to
this embodiment includes an ultraviolet ray sterilizing unit
identical to that of the previously described embodiment.
[0112] In this embodiment, a discharge type drying machine is
illustrated and described as the laundry machine according to the
present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to
the above-specified type drying machine. For example, the present
invention is applicable to a condensation type drying machine.
[0113] As apparent from the above description, the present
invention provides an auxiliary dryer that is capable of treating a
small quantity of laundry without the operation of a relatively
large-sized laundry machine. Consequently, the present invention
has the effect of accomplishing convenient use and reducing the
energy consumption.
[0114] Also, the present invention provides a multiple laundry
machine constructed in a structure in which a drying function is
easily added to a washing machine that is capable of performing
only a washing operation.
[0115] Furthermore, the present invention provides a multiple
laundry machine that is capable of easily drying laundry articles,
such as shoes or hats, which are difficult to be dried through a
conventional drum type drying machine. Also, the multiple laundry
machine is constructed in a structure in which an auxiliary space,
such as a base for conventional laundry machines, is utilized as an
auxiliary dryer.
[0116] Consequently, the present invention has the effect of
manufacturing the multiple laundry machine at low costs, and
maximizing the spatial utilization of the multiple laundry machine,
thereby accomplishing convenient use of the multiple laundry
machine.
[0117] In addition, the present invention has the effect of
sterilizing laundry using ultraviolet rays, thereby improving the
sterilizing efficiency.
[0118] 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.
* * * * *