Multiple laundry treating machine

Abstract

A multiple laundry treating machine having an auxiliary laundry treating space that is capable of performing a drying operation and a refreshing operation using an auxiliary space serving as a base is disclosed. The multiple laundry treating machine includes a laundry treating machine including a main laundry treating unit for performing various laundry treating operations by the rotation of a drum and an auxiliary laundry treating unit, separated from the main laundry treating unit, for performing a laundry treating operation using circulating air or steam, and a monitor device for remotely controlling and monitoring the operation of the main laundry treating unit and the auxiliary laundry treating unit through a data communication with the laundry treating machine.

1 . A multiple laundry treating machine comprising: 
 a laundry treating machine including a main laundry treating unit for performing various laundry treating operations by the rotation of a drum and an auxiliary laundry treating unit, separated from the main laundry treating unit, for performing a laundry treating operation using circulating air or steam; and    a monitor device for remotely controlling and monitoring the operation of the main laundry treating unit and the auxiliary laundry treating unit through a data communication with the laundry treating machine.    
   
   
       2 . The multiple laundry treating machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the monitor device includes 
 a communication unit for communicating with the laundry treating machine to transmit a control command for the main laundry treating unit or the auxiliary laundry treating unit to the laundry treating machine or receive the operation state of the main laundry treating unit or the auxiliary laundry treating unit from the laundry treating machine,    an image output unit for displaying the operation state of the main laundry treating unit or the auxiliary laundry treating unit received through the communication unit,    a sound output unit for outputting a sound signal corresponding to the operation state of the main laundry treating unit or the auxiliary laundry treating unit received through the communication unit, and    a monitor control unit for controlling the driving of the main laundry treating unit or the auxiliary laundry treating unit through the communication with the laundry treating machine or controlling the operation state of the main laundry treating unit or the auxiliary laundry treating unit received from the laundry treating machine to be outputted through the image output unit or the sound output unit.    
   
   
       3 . The multiple laundry treating machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the communication unit includes a communication module that performs a power line communication and/or a wireless communication.  
   
   
       4 . The multiple laundry treating machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the monitor device further includes 
 a first manipulation unit for allowing a user to input a command for controlling the operation and monitoring of the main laundry treating unit, and    a second manipulation unit for allowing the user to input a command for controlling the operation and monitoring of the auxiliary laundry treating unit.    
   
   
       5 . The multiple laundry treating machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the image output unit includes 
 a first display part for displaying the operation state of the main laundry treating unit, and    a second display part for displaying the operation state of the auxiliary laundry treating unit.    
   
   
       6 . The multiple laundry treating machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the laundry treating machine includes 
 a drum defining a laundry treating space of the main laundry treating unit,    a laundry receiving part defining a laundry treating space of the auxiliary laundry treating unit,    a first drive unit for generating a drive force necessary to rotate the drum,    a second drive unit for supplying circulating air or steam to the laundry receiving part,    a communication unit for performing a data communication with the monitor device,    a manipulation unit for allowing a user to input a command for the main laundry treating unit and the auxiliary laundry treating unit, and    a main body control unit for controlling the operation state of the main laundry treating unit or the auxiliary laundry treating unit to be transmitted to the monitor device through the communication unit or controlling the first drive unit or the second drive unit under the control of the monitor device or the manipulation unit.    
   
   
       7 . The multiple laundry treating machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the second drive unit includes an air supply unit for supplying air to the laundry receiving part.  
   
   
       8 . The multiple laundry treating machine according to  claim 7 , wherein the second drive unit further includes a heater for heating the air supplied by the air supply unit.  
   
   
       9 . The multiple laundry treating machine according to  claim 7 , wherein the second drive unit further includes a steam supply unit for supplying high-temperature steam to the laundry receiving part.  
   
   
       10 . The multiple laundry treating machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the second drive unit further includes a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature in the laundry receiving part and/or a humidity sensor for sensing the humidity in the laundry receiving part.  
   
   
       11 . The multiple laundry treating machine according to  claim 7 , wherein the air supply unit includes a blowing fan for introducing external air into the laundry receiving part.  
   
   
       12 . The multiple laundry treating machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the laundry treating machine includes 
 a drum defining a laundry treating space of the main laundry treating unit,    a laundry receiving part defining a laundry treating space of the auxiliary laundry treating unit,    a first drive unit for generating a drive force necessary to rotate the drum,    a second drive unit for supplying circulating air or steam to the drum or the laundry receiving part,    a communication unit for performing a data communication with the monitor device,    a manipulation unit for allowing a user to input a command for the main laundry treating unit and the auxiliary laundry treating unit, and    a main body control unit for controlling the operation state of the main laundry treating unit or the auxiliary laundry treating unit to be transmitted to the monitor device through the communication unit or controlling the first drive unit or the second drive unit under the control of the monitor device or the manipulation unit.    
   
   
       13 . The multiple laundry treating machine according to  claim 12 , wherein the second drive unit includes an air supply unit for supplying air to the drum or the laundry receiving part.  
   
   
       14 . The multiple laundry treating machine according to  claim 13 , wherein the second drive unit further includes a heater for heating the air supplied by the air supply unit.  
   
   
       15 . The multiple laundry treating machine according to  claim 13 , wherein the second drive unit further includes temperature sensors mounted in the drum and the laundry receiving part for sensing the temperature in the drum and the laundry receiving part and/or humidity sensors mounted in the drum and the laundry receiving part for sensing the humidity in the drum and the laundry receiving part.  
   
   
       16 . The multiple laundry treating machine according to  claim 13 , wherein the air supply unit includes a blowing fan for introducing external air into the drum or the laundry receiving part.  
   
   
       17 . The multiple laundry treating machine according to  claim 13 , wherein the second drive unit further includes 
 a main introduction channel for guiding the air, circulated by the air supply unit, to the drum, and    an auxiliary introduction channel for guiding the air, circulated by the air supply unit, to the laundry receiving part.    
   
   
       18 . The multiple laundry treating machine according to  claim 17 , wherein the auxiliary introduction channel diverges from the main introduction channel.  
   
   
       19 . The multiple laundry treating machine according to  claim 17 , wherein the main introduction channel and the auxiliary introduction channel have dampers mounted therein for opening and closing the main introduction channel and the auxiliary introduction channel under the control of the main body control unit to selectively control the introduction of the circulating air into the drum or the laundry receiving part.  
   
   
       20 . The multiple laundry treating machine according to  claim 12 , wherein the second drive unit further includes a steam supply unit for supplying high-temperature steam to the drum or the laundry receiving part.  
   
   
       21 . The multiple laundry treating machine according to  claim 20 , wherein the second drive unit further includes temperature sensors mounted in the drum and the laundry receiving part for sensing the temperature in the drum and the laundry receiving part and/or humidity sensors mounted in the drum and the laundry receiving part for sensing the humidity in the drum and the laundry receiving part.  
   
   
       22 . The multiple laundry treating machine according to  claim 20 , wherein the steam supply unit includes 
 a tank for storing wash water,    a heater for heating the wash water stored in the tank,    a main hose and an auxiliary hose for guiding steam, generated from the wash water heated by the heater, to the drum and the laundry receiving part, respectively, and    steam spray ports connected to the ends of the main hose and the auxiliary hose for spraying the steam.    
   
   
       23 . The multiple laundry treating machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary laundry treating unit is mounted to one side of the main laundry treating unit, and the auxiliary laundry treating unit has a volume and height less than that of the main laundry treating unit.  
   
   
       24 . A multiple laundry treating machine comprising: 
 a laundry treating machine including a main laundry treating unit for performing various laundry treating operations by the rotation of a drum and an auxiliary laundry treating unit, separated from the main laundry treating unit, for performing a laundry treating operation using circulating air or steam;    a monitor device for remotely controlling and monitoring the operation of the main laundry treating unit and the auxiliary laundry treating unit; and    communication units mounted in the laundry treating machine and the monitor device for enabling a data communication between the laundry treating machine and the monitor device.