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.

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.