KR20110130957A - Dishwasher and controlling method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A dish washer and a control method thereof are provided to minimize the condensation of air in an exhaust duct without the degradation of drying performance by reiterating the driving and stopping of an exhaust fan. CONSTITUTION: A control method of a dish washer comprises the following steps. The steam or the hot air is supplied to a washing chamber and the temperature of the washing chamber inside is increased. The air of the washing chamber inside is shut after the supply of the steam or hot air is stopped. The air of the washing chamber inside is discharged to outside. In the heat-up step, a steam generating apparatus(300) for generating the steam is operated and the steam is supplied to the washing chamber inside.

Description

Dishwasher and Control Method {Dishwasher and controlling method for the same}

The present invention relates to a dishwasher and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a dishwasher and a control method thereof to minimize condensation of air in an exhaust duct through which air in a washing chamber is exhausted during drying.

In general, the dishwasher is a household appliance that automatically washes dishes by spraying the washing water on the dishes stored in the washing room to remove foreign substances such as food residues on the surface of the dishes, rinsing and drying them.

Such dishwashers generally include a washing step of spraying detergent-dissolved wash water onto the dish to remove foreign substances on the dish, and a rinsing step of spraying fresh water to remove excess foreign substances and detergent after the washing is performed. Performing a drying step for drying.

When drying the dishwasher, there are two methods of treating high temperature steam in the washing chamber, an exhaust type drying method and a circulation drying method. The exhaust drying method is a method in which a drying fan discharges the humid air inside the washing chamber to the outside. In addition, the circulation drying method includes a condensation means provided in the washing chamber so that the discharged wet air passes through the condensing means to allow condensation to occur and then flows back into the washing chamber.

In the exhaust drying method, the humid air inside the washing chamber is condensed when it is exhausted through the exhaust duct to generate condensate. When the condensed water is discharged to the exhaust duct together with the exhaust air, there is a problem that the lower part of the exhaust duct and the dishwasher are contaminated by the condensed water and become dirty.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a dishwasher and a control method for minimizing the condensation of air in the exhaust duct during drying.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher and a method of controlling the same, which efficiently controls driving of the exhaust fan during drying to minimize condensation of air in the exhaust duct without deterioration of drying performance.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

In order to achieve the above object, the control method of the dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention, in the control method of the dishwasher for drying the dishes stored in the washing room, by supplying steam or hot air into the washing room A heating step of raising the temperature inside the washing chamber; A standby step of confining the air inside the washing chamber after stopping the supply of the steam or hot air; And an exhausting step of discharging air inside the washing chamber to the outside.

In order to achieve the above object, the dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention, the washing chamber for storing the dishes; A heating device for supplying steam or hot air into the washing chamber to increase a temperature inside the washing chamber; And a discharge fan which is driven after a predetermined time has elapsed after the supply of steam or hot air from the heating device is stopped to discharge the air trapped inside the washing chamber to the outside.

Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and the drawings.

According to the dishwasher of the present invention and its control method, one or more of the following effects are provided.

First, after drying, the temperature inside the washing chamber is confined for a certain period of time after raising the temperature inside the washing chamber to reduce the temperature and humidity of the air inside the washing chamber.

Second, after drying, the temperature inside the washing chamber is raised and then the inside of the washing chamber is trapped and discharged to the outside to minimize the condensation of air generated in the exhaust duct.

Third, there is an advantage in minimizing the condensation of air generated in the exhaust duct without deterioration of the drying performance by efficiently controlling the driving of the exhaust fan during drying.

Fourth, there is an advantage in minimizing the condensation of air generated in the exhaust duct without deterioration of the drying performance by driving the exhaust fan for a longer time than the waiting time after stopping the exhaust fan during drying.

Fifth, there is an advantage of minimizing the condensation of air generated in the exhaust duct without deterioration of drying performance by driving the exhaust fan and stopping again after stopping the exhaust fan during drying.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

1 is a perspective view showing a dish washer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view of the dishwasher shown in FIG. 1.
3 is a view showing a control method of a dish washer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a view showing the operation of the steam generator and the exhaust fan in the control method of the dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a graph comparing the temperature change of the discharge portion of the exhaust duct with or without the standby step in the control method of the dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a view showing the operation of the steam generator and the exhaust fan in the control method of the dishwasher according to another embodiment of the present invention.
7 and 8 are views showing the drying performance according to the driving conditions of the exhaust fan after the heating step in the dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will be apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various different forms, and only the embodiments make the disclosure of the present invention complete, and the general knowledge in the art to which the present invention belongs. It is provided to fully inform the person having the scope of the invention, which is defined only by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings for describing the dishwasher and its control method according to embodiments of the present invention.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the dishwasher shown in FIG. 1.

Dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention, the case 100 to form the appearance, the door 120 for opening and closing the case 100, and the washing room 150 is a space for storing the dishes are stored A tub 110, a steam generator 300 for supplying steam to the washing chamber 150, and an exhaust fan 190 for discharging humid air inside the washing chamber 150.

A tub 110 is formed in the case 100 to form a washing room 150, which is a space in which dishes are stored and washed. Below the tub 110 is a sump 200 in which the washing water is stored.

The sump 200 includes a washing pump 210 for pumping the washing water stored in the sump 200, a sump heater 290 for heating the washing water stored in the sump 200, and a filter for filtering the contaminated washing water. Is provided.

The sump 200 is connected to a first water supply pipe 250 capable of receiving water from an external water supply source, and a drain pipe 270 for draining the washing water stored in the sump 200 to the outside. The first water supply pipe 250 is provided with a first water supply valve 255 for controlling water supply from the external water supply source to the sump 200. The case 100 is provided with a detergent supply device (not shown) for generating washing water mixed with detergent and water supplied from an external water source.

The washing chamber 150, which is the inside of the tub 110, includes at least one rack 160 and 170 for mounting dishes and at least one spray arm for spraying the washing water pumped by the washing pump 210 toward the rack. 220 and 230 are provided. In the present embodiment, the upper rack 160 and the lower rack 170 are disposed on the upper and lower portions of the washing chamber 150, respectively, and spray the washing water pumped by the washing pump 210 toward the upper rack 160. The lower injection arm 220 for discharging the washing water pumped by the washing pump 210 toward the upper injection arm 230 and the lower rack 170 is disposed. In addition, a top nozzle 240 may be disposed to spray the washing water pumped by the washing pump 210 from the upper portion of the washing chamber 150.

The steam generator 300 generates steam to supply steam to the washing chamber 150 inside the tub 110 to increase the temperature inside the washing chamber 150. The steam generator 300 includes a steam heater 310 that heats the water supplied into the steam generator 300, and a water level sensor 320 that can sense the level of water in the steam generator 300. .

The steam generator 300 is branched from the first water supply pipe 250 and connected to the second water supply pipe 260 that can receive water from an external water supply source. The second water supply pipe 260 is provided with a second water supply valve 265 for controlling the water supply from the external water supply source to the steam generator 300.

The steam generator 300 is connected to a steam supply pipe 280 through which steam generated by the steam generator 300 is supplied into the washing chamber 150. The steam supply pipe 280 may be connected to one side of the tub 110 and may be connected to the injection arms 220 and 230 or the top nozzle 240 according to an embodiment. The steam supply pipe 280 may be provided with a steam supply valve (not shown) for controlling the opening and closing of the steam supply pipe 280 to regulate the steam supply.

The door 120 is provided with an exhaust fan 190 and an exhaust duct 180 for discharging the humid air in the washing chamber 150. After drying, the steam generator 300 supplies steam into the washing chamber 150 to heat the inside of the washing chamber 150, and after a predetermined time passes, the exhaust fan 190 is driven to drive the inside of the washing chamber 150. Air trapped in the discharge through the exhaust duct 180. Detailed description thereof will be described later with reference to FIG. 3.

The dishwasher may be equipped with a pollution degree sensor (not shown) capable of measuring the degree of contamination of the washing water for washing the dishes. The pollution degree sensor may be installed at one side of the sump 200 to measure the degree of contamination of the washing water.

The outside of the case 100 or the door 120 is provided with a control panel 130 that receives a user's operation and displays the operation state of the dishwasher. The control panel 130 includes an operation unit for receiving a user's operation and a display unit for displaying an operation state of the dishwasher. The user may select a course for washing dishes through the control panel 130.

The course selected through the control panel 130 includes a soaking course, an economizing course, a rapid course, and the like, and the dishwasher is appropriately mixed with a washing step, a rinsing step, and a drying step according to the selected course.

3 is a view showing a control method of a dish washer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a view showing the operation of the steam generator and the exhaust fan in the control method of the dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The dishwasher performs preliminary washing (P) step, washing (W) step, rinsing (R) step and drying (D) step. The control method of the dish washing machine shown in FIG. 3 is a general course, and some steps may be deleted or added according to embodiments.

The pre-washing (P) step is a step of first removing foreign substances on the dishes by spraying the water stored in the sump 200 supplied from an external water source to the dishes stored in the washing chamber 150.

Water supplied from an external water supply source through the first water supply pipe 250 is stored in the sump 200, and the water stored in the sump 200 is pumped by the washing pump 210 so that the upper injection arm 230, the lower portion Through the spray arm 220 and / or the top nozzle 240 is sprayed toward the dishes mounted on the upper rack 160 and / or lower rack 170. The upper injection arm 230 and the lower injection arm 220 may alternately spray water or simultaneously spray water. According to an embodiment, the water stored in the sump 200 may be heated by the sump heater 290. In addition, according to the embodiment, the steam generator 300 may operate to supply steam into the washing chamber 150.

At the end of the pre-cleaning step P, the water stored in the sump 200 is preferably pumped by the washing pump 210 and drained to the outside through the drain pipe 270.

The washing (W) step is a step of spraying the washing water in which the detergent is dissolved in the dishware and spraying steam into the washing chamber 150 to remove foreign substances on the dishware.

Water supplied from an external water supply source through the first water supply pipe 250 is mixed with the detergent in the detergent supply device to form washing water and stored in the sump 200. The wash water stored in the sump 200 is heated by the sump heater 290 and is then pumped by the washing pump 210 through the upper spray arm 230, the lower spray arm 220 and / or the top nozzle 240. It is sprayed toward the dishes placed on the upper rack 160 and / or lower rack 170. The upper injection arm 230 and the lower injection arm 220 may alternately spray or simultaneously spray the washing water.

After the washing water spray process, the steam heater 310 of the steam generator 300 generates steam by heating the water supplied into the steam generator 300, and the generated steam is washed through the steam supply pipe 280. ) Is supplied internally.

After the steam supply process, the washing water spraying process is repeated, and the washing water spraying process and the steam supplying process are repeatedly performed. The washing water spraying process removes foreign matters from the dishes and washes them out. The steam supply process functions to remove foreign matters from the dishes. When the washing water injection process and the steam supply process are alternately repeated, the sump heater 290 and the steam heater 310 are preferably operated alternately to prevent the power consumption surge.

At the end of the washing (W) step, the washing water stored in the sump 200 is pumped by the washing pump 210 and drained to the outside through the drain pipe 270.

The rinsing (R) step is a step of spraying freshly supplied water from an external water source to the dishes stored in the washing chamber 150 to remove excess foreign substances and detergents from the dishes.

Water supplied from an external water supply source through the first water supply pipe 250 is stored in the sump 200, and the water stored in the sump 200 is pumped by the washing pump 210 so that the upper injection arm 230, the lower portion Through the spray arm 220 and / or the top nozzle 240 is sprayed toward the dishes mounted on the upper rack 160 and / or lower rack 170. The upper injection arm 230 and the lower injection arm 220 may alternately spray water or simultaneously spray water. In the rinsing stage R, the washing pump 210 and the steam generating device 300 are preferably not operated. At the end of the rinsing (R) step, the wash water stored in the sump 200 is pumped by the washing pump 210 and drained to the outside through the drain pipe 270.

Rinsing (R) step is a first rinsing (R1) step is a process of draining the water supplied from an external water source and then drained again and a second rinse to inject and then drain the water supplied from an external water source ( It is preferred to include the step R2).

In the drying (D) step, the dishes are heated by supplying steam or hot air into the washing chamber 150, and after evaporating the moisture from the dishes, the humid air inside the washing chamber 150 is discharged to the outside to dry the dishes. Step.

Drying (D) step is a heating (D1) step to increase the temperature inside the washing chamber by supplying steam or hot air into the washing chamber 150, and after stopping the supply of steam or hot air inside the washing chamber 150 Atmospheric (D2) step of trapping the air, and the exhaust (D3) step of discharging the air in the washing chamber 150 to the outside.

In the heating step D1, a heating device for generating steam or hot air is operated to supply steam or hot air into the washing chamber 150. As the heating device, various devices for generating steam or hot air may be used, and in the present embodiment, the steam generating device 300 generates steam. According to an exemplary embodiment, a hot air generator may be provided to suck air from the outside of the case 100 to be heated by a heater and then supply the inside of the washing chamber 150.

The steam heater 310 of the steam generator 300 generates steam by heating water supplied into the steam generator 300, and the generated steam is supplied into the washing room 150 through the steam supply pipe 280. do. When steam is supplied into the washing chamber 150, the temperature inside the washing chamber 150 gradually increases, and the dishes in the washing chamber 150 are heated. As the dishes in the washing chamber 150 are heated, moisture remaining in the dishes is evaporated and the surfaces of the dishes are sterilized.

The steam generator 300 stops after supplying the steam inside the washing chamber 150 to a set temperature. In the present embodiment, the steam generator 300 supplies steam such that the temperature inside the washing chamber 150 is 60 degrees Celsius or more.

In the present embodiment, the heating (D1) step is described as being performed in the heating (D1) step, but according to the embodiment may be performed after the second rinsing (R2) step in the rinsing (R) step.

In the standby (D2) step, after stopping the operation of the heating device to trap the air inside the washing chamber 150 for a predetermined time to relieve the humidity and temperature conditions of the air. The standby step D2 traps the air inside the washing chamber 150 without the inflow of air from the outside or the outflow of the air inside the washing chamber 150 after the completion of the heating D1 step.

In the waiting step D2, since the dishes are heated, additional moisture remaining in the dishes is evaporated. In the atmospheric (D2) step, the air inside the washing chamber 150 gradually decreases in temperature and condensation occurs on the surface of the tub 110 forming the washing chamber 150, thereby decreasing humidity. The standby (D2) stage lasts for a period of time, preferably from 5 to 10 minutes. In addition, the condensation of the air inside the washing chamber 150 may be continued until 50% or more occurs. In this embodiment, the standby D2 step lasts 10 minutes.

In the exhaust D3 stage, the exhaust fan 190 is driven so that the air inside the washing chamber 150 is discharged to the outside through the exhaust duct 180. When the exhaust fan 190 is driven, the humid air inside the washing chamber 150 confined in the atmospheric stage D2 is discharged to decrease the temperature and humidity inside the washing chamber 150.

The exhaust duct 180 is coupled to the door 120 to maintain a low temperature in the atmosphere (D2) stage, so that when hot air passes through the exhaust duct 180 in the exhaust (D3) stage, condensation occurs, but the atmosphere ( In the step D2), the air inside the washing chamber 150 is discharged due to a decrease in temperature and humidity to some extent, so that less condensation occurs than when the air is exhausted without the atmospheric step (D2).

In the exhaust D3 stage, the exhaust fan 190 is driven for a predetermined time and then stopped, and the exhaust D3 stage is preferably performed for a longer time than the standby D2 stage. In the present embodiment, the exhaust D3 stage is performed for 20 minutes, which is twice the atmospheric D2 stage. After the exhaust fan 190 is stopped, the control panel 130 preferably notifies the outside of the entire operation of the dishwasher through the screen and / or sound.

Figure 5 is a graph comparing the temperature change of the discharge portion of the exhaust duct with or without the standby step in the control method of the dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 5, the thick line is a graph showing the temperature change of the discharge portion of the exhaust duct 180 when the exhaust fan 190 is driven immediately after the heating (D1) step without the atmospheric (D2) step, and the thin line is the atmosphere ( When the exhaust fan 190 is driven through the step D2), it is a graph showing the temperature change of the discharge portion of the exhaust duct 180.

When the exhaust fan 190 is driven immediately at the time t1 after the heating (D1) step, the hot air escapes to the exhaust duct 180 and the temperature is very high. However, after the heating (D1) step, the air inside the washing chamber 150 decreases in temperature during the waiting (D2) step from t1 to t2 hours, and when the exhaust fan 190 is driven at t2 time, the exhaust duct ( 180) air at a temperature as low as delT escapes.

The temperature of the air exiting to the exhaust duct 180 through the atmospheric (D2) step is lower than the temperature of the air exiting to the exhaust duct 180 without passing the atmospheric (D2) step, so that less condensation occurs.

6 is a view showing the operation of the steam generator and the exhaust fan in the control method of the dishwasher according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In the control method of the dishwasher according to another embodiment of the present invention, the drying step (D) further includes an additional waiting (D4) step of stopping the exhaust fan 190 after the exhaust (D3) step.

In the additional standby (D4) step, the exhaust fan 190 stops and traps the air inside the washing chamber 150 for a predetermined time. The atmospheric stage D2, the exhaust stage D3 and the additional stage stage D4 are preferably performed for the same time, and in this embodiment, each stage is performed for 10 minutes.

After the additional waiting (D4) step, the control panel 130 preferably notifies the outside that the entire operation of the dishwasher through the screen and / or sound.

7 and 8 are views showing the drying performance according to the driving conditions of the exhaust fan after the heating step in the dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a case in which the total driving time of the exhaust fan 190 is 20 minutes and the total stop time is 10 minutes. In this case, the driving of the exhaust fan 190 after the heating (D1) step is performed according to time.

10 minutes 10 minutes 10 minutes case 1 On On Off case 2 On Off On case 3 Off On On

Referring to FIG. 7, the driving performance of the exhaust fan 190 after stopping the exhaust fan 190 for 10 minutes after the heating (D1) step is shown to be excellent in drying performance. Therefore, as in an embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable to perform the exhaust D3 step for twice as long as the atmospheric D2 step after performing the standby D2 step for a predetermined time.

8 illustrates a case in which the total driving time of the exhaust fan 190 is 10 minutes and the total stop time is 20 minutes. In this case, the driving of the exhaust fan 190 after the heating D1 step is performed according to time.

10 minutes 10 minutes 10 minutes case 1 On Off Off case 2 Off On Off case 3 Off Off On

Referring to FIG. 8, when the exhaust fan 190 is stopped for 10 minutes after the heating (D1) step, the exhaust fan 190 is driven for 10 minutes and the exhaust fan 190 is stopped for 10 minutes. appear. Therefore, as in another embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that after performing the waiting step D2 for a predetermined time, the exhausting D3 step is performed for the same time, and the additional waiting D4 step is performed for the same time.

Although the above has been illustrated and described with respect to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, but in the art to which the invention pertains without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed in the claims. Various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or the prospect of the present invention.

100: case 110: tub
120: door 130: control panel
150: washing chamber 160: upper rack
170: lower rack 180: exhaust duct
190: exhaust fan 200: sump
210: washing pump 220: lower injection arm
230: upper spray arm 240: top nozzle
250: first water supply pipe 255: first water supply valve
260: second water supply pipe 265: second water supply valve
270: drain pipe 280: steam supply pipe
290: sump heater 300: steam generator
310: steam heater 320: water level sensor

Claims (13)

In the control method of the dishwasher for drying the dishes stored in the washing room,
A heating step of raising a temperature of the inside of the washing chamber by supplying steam or hot air into the washing chamber;
A standby step of confining the air inside the washing chamber after stopping the supply of the steam or hot air; And
Control method of the dishwasher comprising the step of exhausting the air in the washing chamber to the outside. The method of claim 1,
The heating step is a control method of the dishwasher for supplying steam into the washing room by operating a steam generating device for generating steam. The method of claim 1,
The exhausting step is a control method of the dishwasher is driven by the exhaust fan for discharging the air in the washing chamber is discharged to the outside through the exhaust duct. The method of claim 1,
And said evacuating step is performed for a longer time than said waiting step. The method of claim 1,
And a further waiting step for confining the air inside the washing chamber after the evacuating step. The method of claim 5, wherein
And the waiting step, the evacuating step and the additional waiting step are performed for the same time. A washing room for storing dishes;
A heating device for supplying steam or hot air into the washing chamber to increase a temperature inside the washing chamber; And
And a discharge fan which is driven after a predetermined time has passed after the supply of steam or hot air from the heating device is stopped to discharge the air trapped inside the washing chamber to the outside. The method of claim 7, wherein
And an exhaust duct through which the air inside the washing chamber is discharged when the exhaust fan is driven. The method of claim 7, wherein
The heating device is a dish washer that generates steam to supply steam to the interior of the washing chamber. The method of claim 7, wherein
And the discharge fan is driven for a longer time period than the predetermined time elapsed after the supply of steam or hot air from the heating device is stopped. The method of claim 7, wherein
The discharge pan is a dish washer that stops after discharging the air inside the washing chamber to the outside to trap the air inside the washing chamber. The method of claim 11,
And the discharge fan is driven for the predetermined time that has elapsed after the supply of steam or hot air from the heating device is stopped and stopped for the predetermined time. The method of claim 11,
And a control panel which notifies the outside that the entire operation of the dishwasher has ended after a predetermined time has elapsed since the discharge fan is stopped.

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