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.

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 ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[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.

[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.

Problems solved by technology

Consequently, the expense that consumers bear to performing both the washing operation and the drying operation is 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.

In this case, however, the user must separate the rack from the drum, if necessary, and this is very troublesome.

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.

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