[001] This invention relates to a combined household appliance which is designed by combining a cooling device, a cooking device and/or a dishwasher.

[002] Cooling devices referred to as "split" are utilized in state of the art. In this type of cooling devices, the group formed by the compressor and the condenser and the group formed by the evaporator and the capillary tubes constitute a closed circuit; however they can be positioned separately inside the kitchen furniture. Consequently a flexibility of design is achieved and the user can utilize the compartments of the kitchen furniture for different purposes.

[003] In split type cooling devices, the compressor and the condenser which are part of the refrigeration cycle can be assembled inside a compartment in the kitchen furniture, insulated from the surroundings. Furthermore, there is a fan for the condenser to operate more efficiently. Heat transfer is increased by blowing air over the condenser with the help of the fan. Consequently the temperature of the compartment where the condenser and the compressor are situated is higher than the ambient temperature of the kitchen furniture surroundings due to the effect of both the condenser and the compressor. (For example, when the ambient temperature is 20 ⁰ C -25°C, the temperature of the compartment is 30 ⁰ C - 35°C)

[004] In state of the art United States Patent no. US4355521, the description is given for a cooling device and a cooking device which are combined together so as to provide a structure for utilizing the refrigeration cycle in the cooking device. In this application the cooling device and the cooking device are used alternately.

[005] In state of the art European Patent no. EP0777998, the description is given for a dryer where the heat energy created by the refrigeration cycle is stored and used when necessary.

[006]

[007] The object of the present invention is to design a combined household appliance which efficiently utilizes the air that increases in temperature as a result of the operation of the compressor in the refrigeration cycle and the thermal energy of the hot refrigerant delivered to the condenser from the compressor.

[008] The combined household appliance designed to fulfill the object of the present invention is shown in the attached figures, where:

[009] Figure 1 - is the schematic view of a cooling device.

[010] Figure 2 - is the schematic view of a kitchen where a combined household appliance is accommodated.

[011] Figure 3 - is the schematic view of a compressor cabinet and a heating cabinet

connected by an air duct. [012] Figure 4 - is the schematic view of a compressor cabinet and a cooking device connected by an air duct. [013] Figure 5 - is the schematic view of a compressor cabinet and the door of a cooking device connected by an air duct.

[014] Figure 6 - is the side view a cooking device door.

[015] Figure 7 - is the schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. [016] Figure 8 - is the schematic view of a compressor cabinet and a dishwasher connected by an air duct. [017] Elements shown in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Combined household appliance

2. Cooling device

3. Heating cabinet

4. Cooking device

5. Compressor cabinet

6. Heater

7. Compressor

8. Condenser

9. Evaporator

10. Capillary tube

11. Fan

12. Air duct

13. Damper

14. Door

15. Outer panel

16. Intermediary panel

17. Inner panel

18. Filter

19. Cooling cabinet

20. Dishwasher

[018] The combined household appliance (1) comprises a cooling device (2), a heating cabinet (3) where items and/or foods are stored which should preferably be kept dry, and/or a cooking device (4) where items to be cooked are placed, and/or a dishwasher (20) containing a cleaning chamber, inside which items to be cleaned and dried are placed. (Figure 2)

[019] The cooling device (2) comprises a compressor cabinet (5) having a compressor (7) which activates the refrigerant, a condenser (8) which condenses the refrigerant, and a

fan (11) that blows air over the condenser (8) and/or the compressor (7) increasing heat transfer, one or more evaporators (9) assembled together with the compressor cabinet (5) so as to form a closed circuit, where the condensed refrigerant is transferred and cools the surroundings by absorbing the ambient heat, being positioned separately from the compressor cabinet (5), one or more capillary tubes (10) and one or more cooling cabinets (19) cooled by the evaporator (9). (Figure 1)

[020] The combined household appliance (1) which is the object of the present invention comprises an air duct (12) in between the compressor cabinet (5) and the heating cabinet (3) where items to be dried are placed and/or the cooking device (4) and/or the dishwasher (20), helping to transfer the air heated by the effect of the operation of the compressor (7) and the hot refrigerant passing to the condenser (8) from the compressor (7), the air inside the compressor cabinet (5) being hotter than the ambient air of its surroundings is transferred to the heating cabinet (3) and/or the cooking device (4) and/or the dishwasher (20) (Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 7, Figure 8)

[021] The combined household appliance (1) comprises a damper (13) positioned on in the air duct (12) connecting the heating cabinet (3) to the compressor cabinet (5) of the cooling device (2), helping to open or close the air duct (12).

[022] The combined household appliance (1) comprises a filter (18) in the air duct (12) preventing the unwanted particles like dust etc. accumulated in the compressor cabinet (5) to be passed on to the heating cabinet (3)

[023] The combined household appliance (1) comprises a heater (6) positioned on the air duct (12) connecting the heating cabinet (3) to the compressor cabinet (5) of the cooling device (2), which is activated when more hot air is needed serving to heat the air flowing through the air duct (12).

[024] In the combined household appliance (1) which is the object of the present invention, the heating cabinet (3), the cooking device (4) and/or the dishwasher (20) are utilized in various combinations with or without depending on the others.

[025] The heating cabinet (3), for storing items and/or food substances that should preferably be kept dry, is formed as a compartment in the kitchen furniture, separate from the other household appliances fitted in the kitchen furniture. The heating cabinet (3) is a special compartment where food cooled or frozen by the cooling device (2) is kept for a certain time period to be warmed/ thawed or hot cooked meal is kept hot until the moment it's to be served. Furthermore the heating cabinet (3) can be used for drying of hands or wet items. (Figure 3)

[026] The cooking device (4) which is connected to the combined household appliance (1) by an air duct (12), comprises a cooking chamber where items to be cooked are placed and a door (14) that separates the cooking chamber from the external sur¬ roundings, allowing user to access the cooking chamber. (Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 7)

The door (14) comprises an inner panel (17) forming the surface in contact with the cooking chamber, an outer panel (15) forming the surface in contact with the external surroundings, and an intermediary panel (16) interposed between the inner panel (17) and the outer panel (15) (Figure 6). There are ventilation holes in between the in¬ termediary panel (16) and the outer panel (15) in the upper and lower edges of the door (14). In this embodiment the air duct (12) is situated between the compressor cabinet (5) and the cooking device (4) door (14). When the cooking device (4) is operated, the damper (13) closing the air duct (12) is brought to open position and the heat created by the operation of the compressor (7) and the hot refrigerant delivered to the condenser (8) from the compressor (7), increases the temperature of the compressor cabinet (5) air. The compressor cabinet (5) air that is hotter than its surroundings but cooler than the operating temperature of the cooking device (4), is transferred through the holes on the door (14) in between the outer panel (15) and the intermediary panel (16) which are positioned in the door (14). Subsequently the air entering through the ventilation holes being cooler than the cooking chamber, is circulated between the in¬ termediary panel (16) and the outer panel (15), resulting in cooling of the outer panel (15) to a temperature that will not harm the user (Figure 6).

[027] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the air duct (12) is situated between the compressor cabinet (5) and the cooking chamber of the cooking device (4). In this embodiment when the cooking device (4) is operated, the damper (13) closing the air duct (12) is brought to open position and the compressor cabinet (5) air, heated by the effect of the operation of the compressor (7) and the hot refrigerant delivered to the condenser (8) from the compressor (7), being hotter than its immediate surroundings and the initial temperature of the cooking device (4) at the start of its operation, is delivered into the cooking chamber of the cooking device (4) through the air duct (12). Consequently just as the cooking device (4) starts operating, the air which is comparatively hotter than the cooking chamber, flows into the cooking chamber by way of the air duct (12) resulting in the preliminary heating period to last shorter and the cooking chamber to reach the desired temperature in a shorter time period.

[028] In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the heating cabinet (3) and the cooking device (4) are utilized at the same time but being separate from the other. In this embodiment, the compressor cabinet (5) is connected to the cooking device (4) and to the heating cabinet (3) by two different air ducts (12). When the cooking device (4) is not in use, the damper (13) in the air duct (12) between the compressor cabinet (5) and the cooking device (4) is in closed position and the damper (13) in the air duct (12) between the compressor cabinet (5) and the heating cabinet (3) is in open position. In this manner the hot air delivered from the compressor cabinet (5)

is directly transferred to the heating cabinet (3) by way of the air duct (12). When the cooking device (4) is activated, the damper (13) in the air duct (12) between the compressor cabinet (5) and the heating cabinet (3) is in closed position, the damper (13) in the air duct (12) between the compressor cabinet (5) and the cooking device (4) is in open position. Consequently the hot air received from the compressor cabinet (5) is transferred to the cooking chamber by means of the air duct (12) to shorten the preliminary heating process or to cool the door (14) of the cooking device (4) (Figure 7).

[029] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the air duct (12) in the combined household appliance (1) is positioned between the compressor cabinet (5) and the cleaning chamber of the dishwasher (20). In this embodiment when the dishwasher (20) starts the drying process, the damper (13) closing the air duct (12) is brought to open position and the compressor cabinet (5) air heated by the operation of the compressor (7) and the effect of the hot refrigerant delivered to the condenser (8) from the compressor (7), is transferred to the cleaning chamber of the dishwasher (20) by way of the air duct (12). In this manner the hot and dry air necessary for the drying process is transferred to the dishwasher (20) by way of the air duct (12) between the compressor cabinet (5) and the cleaning chamber (Figure 8).

[030] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the hot and dry air delivered to the dishwasher (20) by way of the air duct (12) is not used for drying purposes but for heating the interior of the dishwasher (20) before or during washing. Furthermore, in yet one of the alternative embodiments, the hot and dry air is circulated through the section of the water supply delivery (water pocket) during water inlet of the dishwasher (20), resulting in reducing energy consumption of the heater that heats the water supply in the dishwasher (20) to work for a short time or not work at all depending on the washing temperature requirement of the washing program.

[031] In another embodiment, when the dishwasher (20) is being used, the air with increased temperature resulting from the thermal energy created in the compressor cabinet (5) is delivered to the dishwasher (20) by way of an air duct (12), and when the dishwasher (20) is not in use, the air delivered from the compressor cabinet (5) is circulated within the dishwasher (20), refreshing the air inside the dishwasher (20) preventing the formation of a bad odor.

[032] With the present invention, the compressor cabinet (5), within which the compressor (7) and the condenser (8) are situated, where the operation of the compressor (7) and the heat of the hot refrigerant delivered to the condenser (8) from the compressor (7), results in increasing the temperature of the compressor cabinet (5) air that is transferred to the heating cabinet (3) and/or the cooking device (4) and/or the dishwasher (20) by means of one or more air ducts (12). Consequently keeping the

items and/or food placed in the heating cabinet (3) under dry conditions, the heating/ thawing of cooled and/or frozen food, keeping cooked food hot until serving time is possible in an efficient manner, without utilizing an extra heat source. In addition to this, energy is saved by shortening the preliminary heating process and a possible harm to the user is prevented by cooling the door (14) of the cooking device (4). Furthermore, it is possible to carry out the drying step of the dishwasher (20) with the hot air provided from the compressor cabinet (5), heating of the water supply taken into the dishwasher (20) without the need for a heater, releasing out of the machine the bad odor due to the dirty dishes placed and kept waiting in the cleaning chamber. Since the hot air in the compressor cabinet (5) is discharged via the air duct (12), the cooling cabinets (19) near the compressor cabinet (5) utilized for cooling purposes are also prevented from being adversely affected by the heat of the compressor cabinet (5) with the present invention.