The present invention relates to a laundry treatment system comprising a first household appliance and a second household appliance which are connected to each other in fluid communication. Preferably, the first household appliance is a laundry dryer and the second household appliance is a washing machine.

Today, with the technological developments, the rapid increase in the world population and the acceleration of industrialization, the need for energy is increasing. Only a small part of the energy need, which is increasing rapidly and will continue to increase in the future, is obtained from sustainable energy sources. Today, in addition to the problem of using unsustainable energy sources, water consumption and water pollution are also increasing uncontrollably. Especially during pandemics, various chemicals such as detergents are used more to protect against viruses. Excessive use of detergents leads to the contamination of very valuable clean water resources. In order to reduce water consumption, regulations are put into effect in various sectors. Various structures and systems are designed to reduce water consumed by white goods. In particular, there are various embodiments to reduce the energy and water consumption of washing machines. In one of said embodiments, when the washing machine and the laundry dryer are used together, the condensate formed in the laundry dryer is stored in a tank and sent to the washing machine as washing water by means of a delivery line. Another problem with the state of the art embodiments is that the use of excessive amount of detergent causes environmental pollution if the amount of detergent to be used in the washing process cannot be determined properly. In addition, excessive foam forms due to the use of excessive detergent, which leads to the need to increase the duration of the washing program to remove the foam. This causes the washing machine to consume more energy and consume more water.

In the state of the art International Patent Application No. W02009020309, a washing-drying system is disclosed, comprising a laundry washing machine and a laundry drying machine installed at one side of the laundry washing machine, wherein the water transmission is controlled in a manner suitable for the use, in the laundry program, of high-temperature waste water, which is generated after the drying or dehumidification of the laundry.

In the state of the art European Patent Application No. EP4012091, a method is disclosed, which is used in a laundry washing machine and a laundry drying machine installed above the laundry washing machine, wherein according to the progress of the drying process, at least one of the heater in the washing machine which provides the heating of the washing water, the duration of the washing program and the operation of the washing machine is controlled.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a laundry treatment system wherein the washing efficiency of the second household appliance, which is connected to the first household appliance in water communication, is increased.

The laundry treatment system realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a first household appliance wherein the washing and/or drying processes is carried out, having at least one discharge line through which the water used during the washing process and/or the water generated as a result of the drying process is discharged and a first control unit which enables the washing and/or drying process to be controlled; a second household appliance having a tub wherein the washing process is carried out, at least one water inlet through which the washing water to be used for cleaning the laundry is taken through the mains line and/or the discharge line so as to be delivered to the tub, a detergent dispenser which is suitable for placing cleaning agents, a dosing unit which enables the amount of cleaning agent to be sent to the tub from the detergent dispenser to be adjusted and at least one heater which increases the temperature of the washing water delivered into the tub; at least one sensor which is suitable for detecting the amount of washing water sent through the discharge line to the second household appliance; and a second control unit which enables at least one of the washing program parameters of the second household appliance to be determined according to the amount of water sent to the second household appliance through the discharge line detected by the sensor and the washing process to be performed according to the determined washing program parameter. The second control unit provides that at least one washing parameter such as energy consumption, operating time, amount of cleaning agent is readjusted according to the amount of water delivered from the first household appliance to the second household appliance via the discharge line, as predetermined by the manufacturer. Thus, the washing program parameters of the first household appliance are adapted according to the amount of water taken from the first household appliance. Thus, extra water and detergent consumption is prevented without compromising the washing performance of the second household appliance, and an environmentally- friendly laundry treatment system is realized by reducing energy consumption.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the second household appliance comprises the sensor which is suitable for detecting the total amount of washing water sent to the tub through the discharge line and the mains line, and the second control unit provides that a hardness value is determined by dividing the amount of washing water taken into the tub through the discharge line to the total amount of washing water delivered to the tub, and at least one washing program parameter is determined according to the determined hardness value. The information about the total amount of washing water in the tub detected by the sensor and the amount of washing water taken into the tub through the discharge line is transmitted to the second control unit. The second control unit controls at least one washing parameter or various combinations of washing parameters of the second household appliance according to the ratio of two different washing water amount detected by the sensor. Thus, a laundry treatment system is realized wherein the washing efficiency is increased by reducing the use of cleaning agents and energy consumption according to the amount of water taken through the discharge line.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the laundry treatment system has at least one hardness sensor which is suitable for detecting the hardness value of the washing water sent into the tub through the discharge line and the mains line, and a second control unit which enables at least one washing program parameter to be determined according to the hardness value determined by comparing the detected hardness value with a hardness value predetermined by the manufacturer. In a version of this embodiment, there is one hardness sensor on each of the discharge line and the mains line. In another preferred version of this embodiment, the hardness sensor is provided on the tub and detects the hardness of the water taken into the tub through the discharge line first, and then the hardness of the mixed water taken through the discharge line and the mains line by taking water through the mains line. The hardness value of the washing water, the amount of cleaning agent, the temperature of the washing water, the duration of the washing program, etc. have a direct effect on the determination of the washing program parameters. By means of detecting the hardness value of the washing water taken into the tub, the parameters of the washing program are controlled much more precisely and accurately than the hardness value of the washing water. Moreover, significant savings are achieved in the amount of detergent and washing water used in the washing program, and in energy consumption.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the second control unit enables the dosing unit to be controlled such that an amount of cleaning agent predetermined by the manufacturer is sent to the tub according to the amount of washing water taken through the discharge line to the tub and/or according to the hardness value of the washing water taken through the discharge line to the tub. Thus, less amount of cleaning agents is used for washing the laundry, since the hardness value of the total washing water taken into the tub is lower than the hardness value of the washing water taken through the mains line. Consequently, water savings are achieved by using optimum amount of cleaning agents. Moreover, serious problems such as excessive foam formation in the tub, excessive use of detergent, excessive energy consumption due to the increase in the duration of the rinsing program carried out to cleanse the laundry of detergent are solved in a cost-effective manner.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the laundry treatment system has the second control unit which enables the operating time of the heater to be adjusted such that the washing water taken into the tub reaches a temperature value predetermined by the manufacturer according to the amount of and/or the hardness value of the washing water taken through the discharge line. As the amount of water taken through the discharge line to the tub increases, the operating time of the heater is reduced. Thus, the energy consumption of the second household appliance is improved by reducing the operating time of the heater without reducing the efficiency of the washing performance.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the second control unit enables the duration of the washing program to be decreased when it is determined that the amount of washing water taken through the discharge line and/or the hardness value of the washing water taken into the tub is lower than a threshold value predetermined by the manufacturer. As the amount of water taken through the discharge line to the tub increases, the duration of the washing program is reduced for a period predetermined by the manufacturer. Thus, customer satisfaction is effectively increased by performing the same washing performance in a shorter time.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the sensor is a flowmeter which is provided on the discharge line and which enables the amount of washing water taken into the tub through the discharge line to be measured. Thus, the amount of washing water taken into the tub through the discharge line is determined according to the flow amount of the washing water collected in the first household appliance and transferred from the first household appliance to the second household appliance by the effect of gravity.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the sensor is a level sensor which is provided on the first household appliance and which enables the level of washing water collected in the first household appliance to be measured. Thus, the amount of washing water generated/used in the first household appliance and delivered to the second household appliance as the washing water is precisely measured.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the laundry treatment system has a wireless transmission means which enables the information of the amount of washing water collected in the first household appliance to be sent into the tub to be shared with the second control unit, and the second control unit enables the amount of washing water to be taken through the mains line to the tub according to the collected washing water amount information. Thus, the need for using any cable between the sensor and the second control unit is eliminated. Moreover, the user is encouraged to use the environmentally-friendly application by sharing information on the amount of washing water saved or the tariff (cost) of the saved washing water via a device owned by the user via wireless transmission tools such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the laundry treatment system has a user interface which enables the user to make a selection for detergent saving or energy saving, and the second control unit which enables the detergent dosing unit and the heater to be controlled such that the amount of detergent is reduced or the operating time of the heater is reduced as per the user's request. Thus, in case the detergent price is more expensive than the energy tariff, the user is enabled to choose the detergent saving option. Similarly, when the energy tariff is more expensive than the detergent price, the user is enabled to choose the energy saving option. Thus, consumer satisfaction is improved.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the laundry treatment system comprises the second household appliance having a drum wherein the laundry to be washed is placed, a motor which rotates the drum around its own axis, and the second control unit which is suitable for calculating a remaining water amount and determining the amount of water to be taken through the discharge line according to the calculated remaining water amount depending on at least one electrical parameter of the motor and/or the maximum rotation speed of the drum, the rotation time at maximum speed thereof and a load data such as the weight of the laundry in the drum determined by a weight sensor suitable for detecting the weight of the laundry placed in the drum. The remaining water amount is the amount of water remaining on the laundry at the end of the washing program of the second household appliance. The amount of water to be collected in the first household appliance to be used as washing water in the second household appliance is predetermined by the second control unit in the second household appliance. In a preferred version of this embodiment, the first household appliance is a laundry dryer and the second household appliance is a washing machine, and by determining the amount of water remaining on the laundry after the washing process, the amount of water to be collected from the laundry to be dried after the washing process and sent to the second household appliance to be used in the next washing process is determined by the second control unit. Thus, a cost advantageous laundry treatment system is realized by eliminating the need for a sensor in the first household appliance.

By means of the present invention, a laundry treatment system is realized, which enables the parameters of the washing program performed in the second household appliance to be controlled according to the amount of washing water transferred from a first household appliance, which is preferably a laundry dryer, to a second household appliance, which is preferably a washing machine.

The laundry treatment system realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figure, where:

Figure 1- is the schematic view of the laundry treatment system related to an embodiment of the present invention, where the first household appliance and the second household appliance are installed one above the other.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1- Laundry treatment system

2- First household appliance

3- Second household appliance

4- Discharge line

5- First control unit

6- Tub

7- Mains line

8- Water inlet

9- Detergent dispenser

10- Dosing unit

11- Heater

12- Second control unit 13- Sensor

14- Wireless transmission means

15- Drum

The laundry treatment system (1) comprises a first household appliance (2) wherein the washing and/or drying process is carried out, having at least one discharge line (4) through which the water to be discharged is discharged and a first control unit (5) which enables the washing and/or drying process to be controlled; and a second household appliance (3) having a tub (6) wherein the washing process is carried out, at least one water inlet (8) through which the washing water to be used in the washing process is taken through a mains line (7) and/or a discharge line (4) so as to be delivered to the tub (6), a detergent dispenser (9) which is suitable for placing cleaning agents, a dosing unit (10) which enables the amount of cleaning agent to be sent to the tub (6) to be adjusted, at least one heater (11) which heats the washing water delivered into the tub (6), and a second control unit (12) which enables the washing process to be controlled. Preferably, the first household appliance (2) is a laundry dryer and the second household appliance (3) is a washing machine. The condensate generated and collected in the first household appliance (2) is sent to the second household appliance (3) as washing water through the discharge line (4). The drying process performed in the first household appliance (2) is controlled by the first control unit (5). The washing water is sent through both the mains line (7) and the discharge line (4) simultaneously or at different times into the tub (6) through the water inlet (8). The laundry treatment system (1) comprises at least one valve which is provided on the water inlet (8) and the second control unit (12) which enables the valve to be controlled so as to adjust the amount of washing water taken into the tub (6) through the discharge line (4) and/or the mains line (7). A portion of the amount of washing water which is required for washing the laundry in the second household appliance (3) and which is predetermined by the manufacturer is sent through the discharge line (4) to the tub (6) such that less washing water is drawn from the mains line (7), thus saving water. The laundry treatment system (1) of the present invention comprises at least one sensor (13) which is suitable for detecting the amount of washing water sent through the discharge line (4) to the second household appliance (3); and the second control unit (12) which enables the washing program parameters of the second household appliance (3) to be determined according to the amount of water taken through the discharge line (4) detected by the sensor (13) and the washing process to be performed according to the determined washing program parameters. Thus, the amount of washing water sent through the discharge line (4) to the tub (6) is detected, and according to the amount of washing water sent through the discharge line (4) to the tub (6), the second control unit (12) determines preferably, the washing program parameters predetermined by the manufacturer such as the amount of detergent to be sent to the tub (6), the washing water temperature, the operating time of the heater (11), which increases the washing water temperature, the duration of the washing program, or various combinations of these parameters. Thus, both the amount of detergent is saved and energy usage is reduced, increasing customer satisfaction.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the laundry treatment system (1) comprises the sensor (13) which is suitable for detecting the total amount of washing water received through both the discharge line (4) and the mains line (7) and delivered to the tub (6), and the second control unit (12) which determines a hardness value according to the ratio of the amount of washing water taken through the discharge line (4) to the total amount of washing water delivered to the tub (6) and enables at least one washing program parameter to be determined according to the determined hardness value. The hardness value of the washing water sent from the first household appliance (2) to the second household appliance (12) through the discharge line (4) and the hardness value of the washing water taken through the mains line (7) to the tub (6) are predetermined by the manufacturer. The hardness value of the washing water taken into the tub (6) through the mains line (7) is higher than the hardness value of the washing water taken into the tub (6) through the discharge line (4). Therefore, when the washing water is taken into the tub (6) through both the mains line (7) and the discharge line (4), the hardness value of the total washing water delivered into the tub (6) is lower than the hardness value of the washing water taken through the mains line (7). By means of the sensor (13), the amount of washing water delivered into the tub (6) through the discharge line (4) and the mains line (7) is detected and this information is transferred to the second control unit (12). The second control unit (12) determines a hardness value according to the ratio of the amount of washing water taken through the discharge line (4) to the total amount of washing water delivered to the tub (6), and controls at least one washing program parameter according to the hardness value. By determining a hardness value according to the ratio of the amount of washing water taken through the discharge line (4) to the total amount of washing water delivered to the tub (6), the need for an additional sensor for measuring the hardness value of the washing water is eliminated. Thus, the control of the washing program parameters of the second household appliance (3) is ensured in a cost-effective manner.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the laundry treatment system (1) comprises at least one hardness sensor which is suitable for detecting the hardness value of the washing water taken through the discharge line (4) and/or and the mains line (7) to be delivered into the tub, and the second control unit (12) enables at least one washing program parameter to be determined according to the hardness value determined by comparing the detected hardness value with a hardness value predetermined by the manufacturer. The hardness sensor is provided in the second household appliance (3) so as to detect the hardness value of the washing water taken into the tub (6) through the mains line (7) and the discharge line (4). The hardness value detected by the hardness sensor is transmitted to the second control unit (12). By means of the second control unit (12), the hardness value detected by the hardness sensor is compared with the hardness value predetermined by the manufacturer, and at least one of the washing program parameters required for the washing process is controlled. Thus, a laundry treatment system (1) is realized, wherein the washing performance and efficiency are increased by precisely determining the hardness value of the washing water and controlling the washing parameters.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the laundry treatment system (1) comprises the second control unit (12) which enables the dosing unit (10) to be controlled such that the amount of cleaning agent to be sent to the tub (6) is adjusted in the amount predetermined by the manufacturer according to the amount of and/or the hardness value of the washing water taken through the discharge line (4). The hardness value of the washing water taken through the discharge line (4) is lower than the hardness value of the washing water taken through the mains line (7). As the hardness value of the washing water decreases, the same washing performance is obtained with less detergent. According to the amount of washing water taken into the tub (6) through the discharge line (4), the amount of detergent predetermined by the manufacturer according to the hardness value of the washing water or both the amount of washing water and the hardness value of the washing water is dosed into the tub (6) by means of the second control unit (12). Thus, less detergent is used without compromising the washing performance and user satisfaction is increased.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the second control unit (12) enables the heater (11) to be controlled such that the washing water taken into the tub (6) reaches a temperature value predetermined by the manufacturer according to the amount of and/or the hardness value of the washing water taken through the discharge line (4). The hardness value of the washing water in the tub (6) is lower than the hardness value of the washing water delivered into the tub (6) through the mains line (7). As the hardness value of the washing water decreases, the same washing performance is obtained by heating the washing water to lower temperatures. Thus, energy consumption is reduced by controlling the operating time of the heater (11) according to the amount of and/or the hardness value of the washing water taken through the discharge line (4). Consequently, by means of the laundry treatment system (1), customer satisfaction is increased by both saving water and reducing energy consumption.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the second control unit (12) provides that the duration of the washing program is shortened by the amount predetermined by the manufacturer according to the amount of and/or the hardness value of the washing water taken through the discharge line (4). When the hardness value of the washing water decreases, the effect of the detergent in the washing water increases. By means of shortening the program duration according to the amount of washing water taken through the discharge line (4) and/or the hardness value of the washing water, the laundry is washed in a much shorter time. Thus, consumer satisfaction is improved.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the sensor (13) is a flowmeter which is provided on the discharge line (4) and which enables the amount of washing water delivered into the tub (6) through the discharge line (4) to be measured. Thus, the amount of washing water sent through the discharge line (4) to the tub (6) is detected by the sensor (13), which is a flowmeter provided on the discharge line (4). Consequently, it becomes possible to place the sensor (13) along the discharge line (4) in a section where there is no space constraint in terms of volume.

In another embodiment of the invention, the sensor (13) is a level sensor which is provided on the first household appliance (2) and which enables the amount of washing water collected in the first household appliance (2) to be measured. Thus, the amount of washing water collected in the first household appliance (2) to be sent to the tub (6) is determined before being sent through the discharge line (4).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the first control unit (5) is suitable for providing data communication with the second control unit (12) via at least one wireless transmission means (14) and provides that the information on the amount of washing water collected in the first household appliance (2) is transmitted to the second control unit (12) via the wireless transmission means (14), and the second control unit (12) enables the amount of washing water to be taken through the mains line (7) to be determined according to the transmitted information on the amount of washing water. The first control unit (5) is connected to the second control unit (12) via the wireless transmission means (14), and the need for using transmission means such as cables to transfer the information on the amount of washing water detected by the sensor (13) to the second control unit (12) is eliminated. Thus, the communication between the first household appliance (2) and the second household appliance (3) is performed in a cost-effective manner. In another embodiment of the present invention, the laundry treatment system (1) has a user interface which enables the user to make a selection for detergent saving or energy saving, and the second control unit (12) which enables the detergent dosing unit (10) and the heater (11) to be controlled such that the amount of cleaning agent is reduced or the operating time of the heater (11) is reduced as per the user preference. In this embodiment, detergent saving or energy saving options are offered to the user via the user interface. Thus, when the user wants to save energy, h/she selects energy saving via the user interface. Then, the second control unit (12) reduces the operating time of the heater (11) in a predetermined amount according to the amount of water taken through the discharge line (4) and enables the laundry to be washed at lower temperatures. When the user wants to save detergent, he/she selects detergent saving via the user interface. Then, the second control unit (12) controls the detergent dosing unit (10) and provides that less cleaning agent is sent to the tub (6) in a predetermined amount according to the amount of water taken through the discharge line (4).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the laundry treatment system (1) comprises the second control unit (12) which is suitable for calculating a remaining water amount predetermined by the manufacturer and determining the amount of water to be taken through the discharge line (4) according to the calculated remaining water amount by using at least one electrical parameter of a motor which rotates a drum (15) wherein the laundry is loaded and/or according to a load amount data determined by a weight sensor suitable for detecting the weight of the laundry in the drum (15). The weight of the laundry in the drum (15) is calculated by means of the second control unit (12) by using at least one of the electrical parameters such as the rotational speed of the motor, the motor current, the variation of the motor current over time, the motor voltage, the variation of the motor voltage over time or various combinations of a plurality of electrical parameters. Then, by using these electrical parameters, the maximum rotational speed of the drum (15) and the rotation time at maximum rotational speed are determined. The weight of the laundry in the drum (15) is determined by using at least one of the electrical parameters or the weight sensor. The weight of dry laundry at the beginning of the washing program and the weight of wet laundry at the end of the washing program is measured. The amount of washing water remaining on the laundry at the end of the washing program is determined according to the weight of the wet laundry, the weight of the dry laundry, the maximum rotation speed of the drum (15) and the rotation time at maximum speed. According to the determined amount of washing water, the second control unit (12) determines the amount of water to be taken through the discharge line (4). Thus, the need for using an additional sensor is eliminated.

By means of the present invention, an environmentally-friendly laundry treatment system (1) is realized, wherein water waste, energy consumption and the amount of detergent used are reduced.