The present disclosure relates generally to washing machine. More specifically, the present invention relates to a washing machine for reusing water drained from the washing machine, also determines amount of detergent needed for a wash load.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. [0003] Water is a valuable resource, which is under constant threat due to climate change and resulting drought, explosive population growth and indiscriminate waste disposal. Current and future demand for fresh water can be only met by enhancing water use efficiency and demand management. Domestic wastewater is generated from bathrooms, kitchens, laundries and toilets. Thus, a large potential exists for reducing the demand for freshwater for domestic use. One of the ways to reduce the impact of water scarcity and pollution is to expand onsite water and wastewater reuse at home.
[0004] Washing machine is a very common facility used in most households. A fully automatic washing machine regulates every part of the washing process, from the water level and temperature to the agitation time and intensity. The user load the clothes in the washing machine input the required settings, depend upon the various factors like type of clothes, level of dirtiness, and get washed and dried clothes from the washing machine. Fully automatic washing machines come in a variety of forms. Some load from the front, while others load from the top; some are high-efficiency, while others are geared for commercial or industrial use. Despite their distinctions, the majority of them operate in a similar manner. A fully automatic washing machine completes the entire laundry cycle without the user exerting any effort. Therefore, the problem associated with fully automatic machine is that it consumes large quantity of water. Preserving the water is an

essential as most of the countries/cities as Cape Town, Chennai etc. about to declare as zero water. To help our Earth, in preserving its blue colour, we must use the water optimally and recycle the water.
[0005] Also, excess detergent may also cause excess suds which may be undesirably left on the clothes after a wash cycle, cause damage to the washing machine, and/or cause the spin speed to decrease therefore causing the clothes to retain too much water. Therefore, there is a need of a washing machine that measure amount of detergent in grey water and a determination of the proper amount of detergent for supplementing such grey water would be beneficial. [0006] There is a need to overcome above mentioned problem and other limitation of existing and utilized techniques by bringing a solution which is, storing grey water of the washing machine to reduce consumption of the water in the washing machine, also controlling amount of detergent to be used to wash the articles in the washing machine.
OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0007] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one
embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[0008] The primary object of the invention is to reduce consumption of water
in washing machines.
[0009] Another object of the present disclosure is to save amount of detergent
used for washing clothes.
[0010] Another object of the present disclosure is to store grey water drained
from the washing machine efficiently.
SUMMARY
[0011] Various aspect of the present disclosure relates to washing machine. More specifically, the present invention relates to a washing machine for reusing water drained from the washing machine, also determines amount of amount of detergent needed for a wash load.

[0012] An aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a washing machine to reuse water, the washing machine may include a wash chamber for receiving and accommodating articles to be washed, an agitation device may be coupled in the wash chamber for moving the articles to be washed within the wash chamber, one or more containers may be configured to receive and store grey water from the wash chamber, a processing unit may be configured to receive a first signal from an interface for reusing the water, execute a washing process, when water and detergent added to the wash chamber to wash the articles;, control a valve to store water drained from the wash chamber, upon completion of the washing process, and the grey water stored in the one or more containers, and supply the grey water to the wash chamber upon receiving a second signal from the interface to wash another wash load.
[0013] In an aspect, the processing unit may be further configured to actuate a sensor to measure amount of detergent present in the grey water, activate an alert unit to produce acoustic signals, upon detection of the detergent below a pre-defined amount, wherein the acoustic signals pertain information regarding amount of the detergent to be added in the wash chamber.
[0014] In an aspect, the sensor may include any or a combination of pH sensor, optical sensor, electrical conductivity sensor, and surface tensiometer. [0015] In an aspect, the one or more containers may be detachably coupled with the washing machine by a plurality of hoses.
[0016] In an aspect, at least one of the one or more containers may be configured to receive water drained in a rinsing cycle from the wash chamber. [0017] In an aspect, at least one of the one or more containers may be configured to receive water drained in a spinning cycle from the wash chamber. [0018] In an aspect, upon filling the one or more containers, excess grey water received from the wash chamber is drained out via at least one of the plurality of hoses.
[0019] Another aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a method for operating a washing machine, firstly loading a first wash load into a wash chamber, adding water and detergent in the wash chamber, receiving via an

interface, a first signal for reusing the water, executing a washing process to wash the first set of articles, controlling a valve, to store grey water drained from the wash chamber, in one or more containers, upon completion of the washing process, where the grey water received from a rinse cycle and a spin cycle may be stored, and supplying the grey water to the wash chamber, upon receiving a second signal from the interface to wash a second wash load. [0020] Another aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a method for controlling amount of detergent in a washing machine, the method may include actuating a sensor to measure the detergent available in grey water, and activating an alert unit to produce acoustic signals, upon detection of the detergent below a pre-defined amount, wherein the acoustic signals pertain information regarding amount of the detergent to be added in the wash chamber.
[0021] In an aspect, the amount of the detergent to be added in the wash chamber is determined based on any or a combination of dirt level, water hardness, and type of washing machine.
[0022] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in
order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present
invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the
present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of the proposed washing
machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary representation of the proposed washing
machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary method for reusing grey water of a
washing machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary method for controlling amount of
detergent in a washing machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary flow chart disclosing working of the
proposed washing machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the
disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such
detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail
offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the
contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives
falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended
claims.
[0030] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in
order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present
invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the
present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
[0031] Embodiments explained herein relates to washing machine. . In
particular the present invention relates to washing machine for reusing water
drained from the washing machine, also determines amount of detergent needed
for a wash load.
[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of the proposed
apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0033] As used herein, the term "article" may refer to but need not be limited
to fabrics, textiles, garments (or clothing), and linens. Furthermore, the term
"load" or "wash load" refers to the combination of articles that may be washed
together in a washing machine and may include a mixture of different or similar
articles of different or similar types and kinds of fabrics, textiles, garments and
linens within a particular laundering process. The term "water" is intended to

broadly refer to a liquid phase used during a "wash cycle" or "rinse cycle" of a laundering process. "Grey water" refers to water that was previously used in a wash or rinse cycle and, therefore, may contain detergents. "Fresh water" refers to water that does not contain detergents from a previous wash cycle. [0034] The term "wash cycle" is intended to refer to one or more periods of time, in which a washing machine that contains the articles to be laundered operates using a detergent and water, preferably with agitation to e.g., remove dirt and odors from the articles. The term "rinse cycle" is intended to refer to one or more periods of time in which the washing machine operates to remove residual detergents that were retained by the articles after completion of the wash cycle. The term "spin cycle" is intended to refer to one or more periods of time during which the washing machine rotates the article so as to create centrifugal forces to remove water, typically grey water, from the article after a wash or rinse cycle. As used herein, the terms "laundering" or "laundering cycle" refers to an article cleaning process by which articles to be cleaned are exposed to one or more cleaning agents and to rinsing. The laundering process typically includes at least one wash cycle, rinse cycle, and spin cycle, and may include multiple such cycles in various combinations.
[0035] As depicted in FIG. 1, a block diagram of a washing machine 100 for washing laundry is disclosed. The washing machine 100 can include a wash chamber 102 configured to receive and accommodate articles or clothes (interchangeably referred as laundry, hereinafter). An agitation device 104 can be configured to impart an oscillatory motion to articles and water in the wash chamber. The agitation device 104 can be agitator, impeller, or oscillatory basket mechanism, and etc. In addition, a motor (not shown) can be configured to provide movement to the agitation device 104 through connection by a shaft. [0036] In an embodiment, one or more containers 106 (collectively referred as containers 106, and individually referred as container 106, hereinafter) can be configured to store grey water received from the wash chamber 102, drained in the rinse cycle and the spin cycle. First container 106-1 can be configured to store grey water received from the wash chamber 102 after each of the rinse cycle.

Second container 106-2 can be configured to receive grey water from the wash chamber 102 after the spin cycle. With valve(s) and one or more hoses, the grey water can be transported back and forth between washing machine 100 and the wash chamber 102. Other configurations may be used as well. If desired, filtration devices could be added to remove certain materials from the grey water. Washing machine 100 can also be connected with a tap to receive fresh water. The wash chamber 102 and container(s) can be connected to an outlet hose for draining water outside.
[0037] In an embodiment, the washing machine 100 can be controlled by a processing unit 108. The processing unit 108 can include one or more processor(s) that can be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate data based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the one or more processor(s) can be configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory of the processing unit 108. The memory can store one or more computer-readable instructions or routines, which may be fetched and executed to create or share the data units over a network service. The memory can include any non-transitory storage device including, for example, volatile memory such as RAM, or non-volatile memory such as EPROM, flash memory, and the like. [0038] In an embodiment, a processing engine(s) can be implemented as a combination of hardware and programming (for example, programmable instructions) to implement one or more functionalities of the processing engine(s). In examples described herein, such combinations of hardware and programming may be implemented in several different ways. For example, the programming for the processing engine(s) may be processor executable instructions stored on a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium and the hardware for the processing engine(s) may include a processing resource (for example, one or more processors), to execute such instructions. In the present examples, the machine-readable storage medium may store instructions that, when executed by the processing resource, implement the processing engine(s) 208. In such examples,

the processing unit 108 can include the machine-readable storage medium storing the instructions and the processing resource to execute the instructions, or the machine-readable storage medium may be separate but accessible to processing unit 108 and the processing resource. In other examples, the processing engine(s) may be implemented by electronic circuitry.
[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, the processing engine(s) can be
further configured in the form of a learning engine like the following, but not limited to machine learning algorithms and deep learning algorithms. In an exemplary embodiment, the processing engine(s) can include deep learning algorithms such as but not limited to support vector machines, decision trees, artificial neural networks, and convolutional neural networks. [0040] In an embodiment, when the grey water is transferred to the wash chamber 102 to wash another wash load (i.e. dirty clothes such as kitchen clothes, duster, and the likes). The processing unit 108 can actuate a sensor 110 to measure to measure amount of detergent present in the grey water, and correspondingly transmit signals to the processing unit 108. The sensor can include any or a combination of pH sensor, optical sensor, electrical conductivity sensor, and surface tensiometer.
[0041] In an embodiment, the processing unit 108 can be configured to extract amount of detergent from the received signals, compare the received amount with a set of pre-defined amount stored in the memory. Upon detection of the detergent below the pre-defined amount, the processing unit 108 transmit signals to activate an alert unit 112. Upon activation, the alert unit 112 can produce acoustic signals, where the acoustic signals can pertain information regarding amount of the detergent to be added in the wash chamber 102. The alert unit 112 can include a buzzer, vibration unit, LEDs, and the likes.
[0042] For example, he amount of detergent present in the grey water is measured by e.g., sensing the concentration of detergent in the grey water. When one more tablespoon detergent is required, the used can be notified by displaying a message on the screen, or a sound can be produced, or LEDs can start blinking.

[0043] In an embodiment, the machine learning algorithms can be
configured to determine amount of detergent to be pour in the wash chamber 102 based on any or a combination of dirt level, water hardness, type of washing machine, and etc. For example, when duster found dirtier, the washing machine 100 can notify the user to pour two tablespoon detergent in the wash chamber 102.
[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, the dirt level can be determined by
applying machine learning algorithms on the images of the clothes accommodated in the wash chamber 102, or based on the dirt particles found in the water. Similarly, water hardness can be detected by testing water with a water hardness sensor, and upon received information is transmitted to the processing unit 108, that can determine amount of detergent required correspondingly. Also, type of washing machine can be stored in the memory of the processing unit already, based on the model of the washing machine 100.
[0045] In an embodiment, upon filling the one or more containers 106,
excess grey water received from the wash chamber is drained out via at least one of a hoses 202. For example, the grey water is released from the wash chamber 102 to the first container 102-1, and the first container 102-1 is full, then the remaining grey water in the wash chamber 102 can be drained out through the outlet hose.
[0046] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary representation of the proposed washing machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [0047] In an embodiment, a washing machine 100 is disclosed. The washing machine 100 can include wash chamber 102 to receive and accommodate articles such as clothes, shoes, and the likes. The washing machine 100 can include a first container 106-1, and a second container 106-2, that can be detachably coupled with the washing machine 100. When the user needs to wash clothes in more than one wash loads, these containers 106 can be attached and used, else can be detached. One or more hoses 202 and valve(s) can be configured that facilitates in transferring water in between the wash chamber 102, the first container 106-1,

and the second container 106-2. In addition, various other pipes, valves can be
attached to the washing machine 100 to control various operations.
[0048] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary method for reusing grey water of a
washing machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0049] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method 300
for operating a washing machine 100 is disclosed. At step 302, first wash load (i.e.
clothes to be washed) can be loaded in a wash chamber 102 of the washing
machine 100 by a user.
[0050] At step 304, fresh water and detergent can be added in the wash
chamber 102. The water can be added by turning on the tap, and the detergent can
be added manually or by selecting amount from an interface.
[0051] At step 306, when the user needs to reuse the water of the washing
machine, an option of "reuse water" can be chosen from the interface of the
washing machine, and correspondingly a first signal can be transmitted to a
processing unit 108. Also, other options can be chosen by the user from the
interface.
[0052] At step 308, the processing unit 108 can execute a washing process
already stored in a memory of the processing unit 108, upon execution of the
washing process, the set of articles in the wash chamber 102 can be washed (i.e.
cleaned due to agitation device 104), and rotation of the wash chamber 102.
[0053] At step 310, the processing unit 108 can be configured to control a
valve (not shown) upon completion of the washing process, that facilitates in
draining (releasing) water (grey water) from the wash chamber 102 to one or more
containers 106. The grey water of the wash cycle can be drained out, only the grey
water received from a rinse cycle and a spin cycle can be stored.
[0054] At step 312, the processing unit 108 can be configured to supply the
grey water to the wash chamber 102 again, upon receiving a second signal from
the interface to wash a second wash load (i.e., duster, kitchen clothes, and some
other clothes). For example, when washing of first wash load is completed, the
user can choose the option from the interface to reuse the grey water store in the
containers 106 for second wash load.

[0055] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary method for controlling amount of detergent in a washing machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0056] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method 400 for controlling amount of detergent in a washing machine 100 is disclosed. At step 402, a processing unit 108 of the washing machine 100 can actuate a sensor 110 to measure amount of detergent available in the stored grey water. [0057] At step 404, the processing unit 108 can activate an alert unit to produce acoustic signals, upon detection of the amount of detergent below a pre¬defined amount. The acoustic signal can pertain information regarding amount of the detergent to be added in the wash chamber 102. The acoustic signal pertaining sound o notify the use that add one tablespoon detergent to the wash chamber to wash the second wash load, i.e. to wash kitchen clothes, and duster. [0058] In an embodiment, the amount of the detergent to be added in the wash chamber 102 can be determined based on any or a combination of dirt level, water hardness, and type of washing machine. For example, when clothes are dirty, more detergent is required, similarly water is hard, and more detergent is required. Also, the washing machine having large wash chamber 102 require more amount of detergent in comparison with a small wash chamber.
[0059] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary flow chart disclosing working of the proposed washing machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0060] As depicted in FIG. 5, a flowchart 500 disclosing working of a washing machine 100, firstly clothes (also referred as clothing, herein) are loaded in a wash chamber 102 of the washing machine 100. The user select wash program from an interface provided o the washing machine 100, the user can change wash cycle i.e. two or three based on clothes delicacies. Also, when reservoir door (i.e. door of the washing machine) is found open, the washing machine can request for closure of the reservoir door.
[0061] In an embodiment, upon selection of wash heavy option, and closed reservoir door, fresh water can be filled in the washing machine 100

automatically, only the user have to open the tap. Firstly, the washing cycle initiates, in this cycle the dirt is removed from the clothes and mix with the water. Upon completion of the washing cycle, the water can be drained out from the wash chamber 102, and new water is provided in the wash chamber to initiate the rinsing cycle, in the rinsing cycle, the detergent can be removed from the clothes, the rinsing cycle can be repeated many time. The water drained in the rinsing cycle can be stored in the first container 106-1. Further, spin cycle initiates, where the wash chamber 102 can spin at full speed to dry the clothes, as wash heavy option is selected, the water drained at the time of spin can be stored in the second container 106-2.
[0062] In another embodiment, upon selection of wash delicacies option, the washing machine 100 can operate at low speed. Upon completion of the washing cycle, the water can be drained out from the wash chamber 102, and new water is provided in the wash chamber to initiate the rinsing cycle, in the rinsing cycle, the detergent can be removed from the clothes, the rinsing cycle can be repeated many time. The water drained in the rinsing cycle can be stored in the first container 106-1. Further, spin cycle initiates, where the wash chamber 102 can spin at half speed to dry the clothes, as wash delicacies option is selected, the water drained at the time of spin can be stored in the second container 106-2. [0063] In an embodiment, when dirty clothes (such as kitchen clothes, duster, and the likes) are loaded in the washing machine 100, water collected in the first container 106-1 can be transferred to the wash chamber to wash the dirty clothes, and at the time of rinsing cycle, the water stored in the second container 106-2 can be used. The drying cycle can be low spin dry or high spin dry based on the user's selection. Upon completion of spin cycle, an alert unit 112 can be activated to notify the user to unload the clothes from the washing machine 100. [0064] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the foregoing specific exemplary processes and/or devices and/or technologies are representative of more general processes and/or devices and/or technologies taught elsewhere herein, such as in the claims filed herewith and/or elsewhere in the present application.

[0065] The features described with respect to one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments or combined with or interchanged with the features of other embodiments, as appropriate, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0066] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.
ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0067] The present disclosure provides a washing machine to reduce
consumption of water.
[0068] The present disclosure provides a washing machine that minimize
amount of detergent used for washing clothes.
[0069] The present disclosure provides a washing machine that is intelligent
to take decision of adding amount of detergent.
[0070] The present disclosure provides a washing machine to store grey water
drained from the washing machine efficiently.

We Claim:

1. A washing machine 100 to reuse water, the washing machine comprising:
a wash chamber 102 for receiving and accommodating articles to be washed;
an agitation device 104 coupled in the wash chamber for moving the
articles to be washed within the wash chamber;
one or more containers 106 configured to receive and store grey water
from the wash chamber;
a processing unit 108 configured to:
receive a first signal from an interface for reusing the water;
execute a washing process, when water and detergent added to the wash chamber to wash the articles;
control a valve to store water drained from the wash chamber, upon completion of the washing process, and the grey water stored in the one or more containers; and
supply the grey water to the wash chamber upon receiving a second signal from the interface to wash another wash load; and the processing unit is further configured to:
actuate a sensor 110 to measure amount of detergent present in the grey water; and
activate an alert unit 112 to produce acoustic signals, upon detection of the detergent below a pre-defined amount, wherein the acoustic signals pertain information regarding amount of the detergent to be added in the wash chamber.
2. The washing machine to reuse grey water as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises any or a combination of pH sensor, optical sensor, electrical conductivity sensor, and surface tensiometer.
3. The washing machine to reuse rinse water as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more containers 106 are detachably coupled with the washing machine by a plurality of hoses 202.

4. The washing machine to reuse rinse water as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water used in a wash cycle is drained out from the wash chamber.
5. The washing machine to reuse rinse water as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more containers 106-1 configured to receive water drained in a rinsing cycle from the wash chamber.
6. The washing machine to reuse rinse water as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more containers 106-2 configured to receive water drained in a spinning cycle from the wash chamber.
7. The washing machine to reuse rinse water as claimed in claim 1, wherein upon filling the one or more containers, excess grey water received from the wash chamber is drained out via at least one of the plurality of hoses 202.
8. A method 300 for operating a washing machine comprising the steps of:
loading a first wash load into a wash chamber;
adding water and detergent in the wash chamber;
receiving via an interface, a first signal for reusing the water;
executing a washing process to wash the first set of articles;
controlling a valve, to store grey water drained from the wash chamber, in one or more containers, upon completion of the washing process, wherein the grey water received from a rinse cycle and a spin cycle is stored; and
supplying the grey water to the wash chamber, upon receiving a second signal from the interface to wash a second wash load.
9. A method 400 for controlling amount of detergent in a washing machine, the
method comprising:
actuating a sensor to measure the detergent available in grey water; and activating an alert unit to produce acoustic signals, upon detection of the detergent below a pre-defined amount, wherein the acoustic signals pertain information regarding amount of the detergent to be added in the wash chamber.
10. The method for controlling amount of detergent in a washing machine as
claimed in claim 9, wherein the amount of the detergent to be added in the

wash chamber is determined based on any or a combination of dirt level, water hardness, and type of washing machine.