KR20070040468A - Method of controlling a dish washer - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a dish washing machine, comprising: operating a heater mounted in a sump to perform steam washing of a dish; Measuring the level of the wash water stored in the sump; Determining whether the level of the measured wash water is below a dangerous level; And performing additional water supply of the washing water when the measured level of the washing water becomes below the dangerous level.

The dangerous water level represents the amount of washing water required to prevent the heater from generating heat in the air, and is preferably set in consideration of the height at which the heater is mounted.

By the control method of the dishwasher as proposed, when the steam washing is performed by detecting the level of the washing water stored in the sump, there is an advantage that can prevent the heater from generating heat in the air.

In addition, when the water level of the wash water stored in the sump is less than the dangerous level during the steam washing is performed, there is an advantage that the washing water is additionally watered to perform the steam washing safely.

Heater, steam wash, water level detector

Description

Method of controlling a dish washer

1 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a dish washer according to the spirit of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating a dishwasher according to the spirit of the present invention.

3 is a flow chart illustrating a first embodiment of a control method of a dish washing machine according to the spirit of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of a method for controlling a dish washing machine according to the spirit of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: dishwasher 110: tub 111: door

112: lower rack roller guide 113: rack weight detection unit 114: sump seating groove

120: upper rack 130: lower rack 140: water guide

150: upper nozzle 160: lower nozzle 170: sump

181: cleaning motor 190: heater 191: water level detector

200: control unit 210: water supply valve 220: display unit

230: notification sound generator 240: memory unit

The present invention relates to a control method of a dishwasher, and more particularly, to measure the level of the washing water while the washing water stored in the sump is heated, so that the safe operation of the heater is performed when the measured water level is below the dangerous level. The present invention relates to a control method of a dishwasher to make additional water supply of washing water.

In general, the dishwasher is a home appliance for cleaning the food residue on the surface of the dish by the high-pressure washing water sprayed from the spray nozzle.

In detail, the dishwasher includes a tub in which a washing tank is formed and a sump mounted on the bottom of the tub to store washing water. Then, the washing water is moved to the spray nozzle by the pumping action of the washing pump mounted inside the sump, and the washing water moved to the spray nozzle is sprayed at high pressure through the spray hole formed at the dispensing nozzle end. In addition, the washing water sprayed at a high pressure hits the surface of the tableware, and dirt, such as food residues on the tableware, falls to the bottom of the tub.

In addition, a heater is mounted in the sump, and when the heater is operated, the washing water stored in the sump is heated. In addition, steam generated from the heated washing water is moved into the tub through predetermined holes formed in the upper surface of the sump and the bottom of the tub. Then, steam washing of the dishes stored in the washing tank is performed using the steam moved into the tub.

On the other hand, while the heater is operated and the steam washing is performed, the amount of the washing water stored in the sump is reduced, so that the heater is exposed to the air.

In addition, when the heater generates heat in the air, there is a problem in that the heater is damaged or various types of pumps and motors mounted on the sump are damaged.

In addition, when the heater generates heat in the air causing damage to the peripheral device, there is a problem that the life of the dishwasher is also reduced.

The present invention is proposed to solve the above problems, when the steam washing is performed to detect the level of the washing water stored in the sump, the control method of the dishwasher that can prevent the heater from generating heat in the air It is for the purpose of suggestion.

In addition, it is an object of the present invention to propose a control method of the dishwasher in which the washing water is additionally introduced into the sump when the water level of the washing water stored in the sump becomes lower than the set level while steam washing is performed.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to propose a control method of a dishwasher, which can prevent the heater from generating heat in the air, thereby preventing the life of the dishwasher from being shortened.

The control method of the dish washing machine according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a step of operating a heater mounted in the sump to perform steam washing of the dish; Measuring the level of the wash water stored in the sump; Determining whether the level of the measured wash water is below a dangerous level; And performing additional water supply of the washing water when the measured level of the washing water becomes below the dangerous level.

The dangerous water level represents the amount of washing water required to prevent the heater from generating heat in the air, and is preferably set in consideration of the height at which the heater is mounted.

By the control method of the dishwasher as proposed, when the steam washing is performed by detecting the level of the washing water stored in the sump, there is an advantage that can prevent the heater from generating heat in the air.

In addition, when the water level of the wash water stored in the sump is less than the dangerous level during the steam washing is performed, there is an advantage that the washing water is additionally watered to perform the steam washing safely.

In addition, there is an advantage that can prevent the heater from generating heat in the air to prevent shortening the life of the dishwasher.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. However, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments in which the present invention is presented, and those skilled in the art who understand the spirit of the present invention can easily make other embodiments by adding, changing, deleting, and adding components within the scope of the same idea. It may be suggested, but this will also fall within the scope of the spirit of the present invention.

1 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a dish washer according to the spirit of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the dishwasher 100 according to the present invention includes a tub 110 in which a dish washing tank is formed therein, a door 111 formed on the front surface of the tub 110 to open and close the washing tub, and the The sump 170 is formed at the center of the bottom surface of the tub 110 to store the washing water.

In addition, the bottom surface of the sump 170 is equipped with a water level detection unit 191 capable of measuring the level of the wash water stored in the sump. In addition, a heater 190 for heating the washing water to a high temperature is mounted at an approximately center portion of the sump 170.

In addition, a washing pump (not shown) connected to the sump 170 and pumping the washing water stored in the sump 170 at a high pressure, and a washing motor 181 driving the washing pump are included.

In addition, the dishwasher 100 is provided on the water guide 140 and the upper surface of the sump 170, which is a path for the washing water pumped from the washing pump, and is formed on the bottom of the washing tank to wash water upwards. A lower nozzle 160 for spraying the water, a branch branched from one point of the water guide 140, an upper nozzle 150 positioned at an approximately central portion of the tub 110, and formed on a ceiling of the tub and vertically formed. A top nozzle 155 for spraying the washing water downward is included.

In detail, the water level detecting unit 191 measures the level of the washing water stored in the sump 170, and may be configured with a predetermined pressure sensor to measure the level of the washing water. For example, the water level detection unit 191 is installed on one side of the bottom of the sump 170, it is possible to estimate the level of the wash water by measuring the pressure of the wash water stored in the sump 170.

Meanwhile, when the steam washing process is included in the course of the dish washing machine selected by the user, the operation of the dish washing machine according to the present invention will be described below.

First, the user opens the door 111 of the dishwasher and pulls the upper rack 120 and / or the lower rack 130 to the outside of the washing tank. In addition, dishes are stored in the racks 120 and 130. Then, the door 111 is closed and power is applied to the dishwasher.

Then, after the wash water flows into the sump 170, the heater 190 is operated to heat the wash water stored in the sump 170 to a high temperature.

In addition, steam generated from the washing water heated to a high temperature exits a predetermined hole formed in the bottom of the tub 110 and is moved into the tub 110 to perform a steam washing process in which the stored dishes are washed with steam. do.

When the heater 190 is operated, the water level of the washing water stored in the sump 170 is continuously measured by the water level detecting unit 191.

In addition, when the steam washing process is completed, the washing water is re-introduced into the sump 170, and a washing process such as a main washing or a rinsing process is performed. In other words, by rotating the impeller provided in the washing pump axially connected to the washing motor 181, the washing water is alternately pumped to the lower nozzle 160 or the water guide 140.

In addition, the wash water pumped to the water guide 140 is finally moved to the top nozzle 155, the upper nozzle 150 is injected into the washing tank. In addition, the dishes stored in the racks 120 and 130 are washed by the sprayed washing water.

In addition, the top nozzle 155 sprays the washing water vertically downward, and the upper nozzle 150 sprays the washing water vertically upward, thereby washing the dishes stored in the upper rack 120.

In addition, the lower nozzle 160 is sprayed the washing water vertically upward, the dishes stored in the lower rack 130 is washed. In addition, the dirty washing water collected in the sump 170 in the washing process is filtered foreign matter by the filter. In addition, the washing water filtered with foreign matter is discharged to the outside of the dishwasher 100 through a drain pump when the washing step is finished and the draining step is started.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a dish washing machine according to the spirit of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the dishwasher according to the present invention is provided with a water supply valve 210 for allowing the washing water to flow into the sump 170, and a water level sensing unit mounted on the bottom of the sump 170 to measure the level of the washing water. The memory unit 240 is installed inside the sump 170, the heater 190 for heating the washing water to a high temperature, and the reference value for the water level of the washing water stored in the sump 170, etc. And a controller 200 for determining whether the heater 190 is operated and whether additional water is supplied to the washing water according to the measured level of the washing water.

In addition, a warning device that displays a predetermined warning message or generates a warning sound when the heater 190 generates heat in the air while steam washing is performed is included. In addition, the warning device includes a display 220 for displaying a predetermined text and a notification sound generating unit 230 for generating a predetermined notification sound.

In detail, the water level detecting unit 191 is mounted on the bottom of the sump 170 to measure the level of the washing water, and to transmit the measured level of the washing water to the controller 200.

In addition, the water level detection unit 191 is preferably installed as a pressure sensor using a physical characteristic that is deformed by the pressure of the washing water, may be installed as a pressure sensor using the piezo resistance effect which is a phenomenon causing a resistance change by the pressure. Do.

In addition, the memory unit 240 stores the value of the danger level and the value of the safety level for the level of the wash water. In more detail, the dangerous water level represents the minimum level of the washing water to prevent the heater 190 from being heated in the air, and is preferably set in consideration of the height of the heater 190 installed in the sump 170. . In addition, the safety level is for setting the amount of the wash water to be additionally supplied water, when the washing water is additionally supplied water level of the wash water reaches the safety level, the inflow of the wash water is stopped.

In addition, the display unit 220 is a device for displaying the washing process of the washing machine, a warning message such as a text is displayed when the level of the washing water in the sump 170 is below the dangerous level during steam cleaning.

The alarm sound generator 230 is a sound device that generates a predetermined warning sound, and generates a predetermined alarm sound when the water level of the wash water in the sump 170 falls below the dangerous level during steam washing. .

In addition, the control unit 200 reads the water level of the washing water measured by the water level detecting unit 191, and compares the value of the dangerous water level stored in the memory unit 240 to determine whether the additional water supply of the washing water. In addition, when the washing water is additionally supplied, whether or not the operation of the heater 190 is stopped depends on the control of the controller 200.

The controller 200 controls the display unit 220 and / or the notification sound generator 230 when the level of the wash water stored in the sump 170 is lower than or equal to the dangerous level so that the user can know it. Make sure

3 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of a method for controlling a dish washing machine according to the spirit of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, a first embodiment of a method of controlling a dish washing machine according to the present invention relates to a step in which a washing machine is operated by the controller 200 while steam washing is performed.

First, while the heater 190 is operated and steam washing is performed, the controller 200 reads the level of the washing water measured from the water level detector 191 mounted on the bottom of the sump 170 (S1). In step S2, it is determined whether or not the dangerous water level is stored in the memory unit 240.

In addition, when the level of the washing water in the sump 170 is below the dangerous level, the water supply valve 210 is operated to allow the washing water to flow into the sump 170 (S3). When the water level of the washing water in the sump 170 falls below a dangerous level during steam washing, a predetermined warning message and a warning sound may be generated through the display unit 220 or the alarm sound generator 230.

In addition, the control unit 200 determines whether the level of the washing water measured by the water level detecting unit 191 reaches the safety level stored in the memory unit 240 (S4). In addition, when the washing water is additionally watered to reach the safety level, the operation of the water supply valve 210 is turned off to stop the inflow of the washing water (S5).

As such, when the water level of the washing water is less than the dangerous level by measuring the level of the washing water in the steam washing step, the washing water is additionally supplied, thereby preventing the heater 190 from being heated in the air.

4 is a view for explaining a second embodiment of a method for controlling a dish washing machine according to the spirit of the present invention.

First, the course and the option of the washing process is selected by the user, when the operation button is input (S10), the water supply valve 210 is turned on (ON) and the wash water flows into the sump (170) (S11).

Then, the heater 190 mounted in the sump 170 is operated to heat the washing water to a high temperature (S12). In addition, the level of the washing water is measured by the water level detector 191 while the heater 190 is operated (S13).

In addition, the controller 200 reads the measured level of the washing water, and determines whether the measured level of the washing water is equal to or less than the dangerous level stored in the memory unit 240 (S14). In addition, when the measured level of the washing water is not below the dangerous level, the washing water is continuously heated by the heater 190 (S12).

If the measured level of the washing water is below the dangerous level, the operation of the heater 190 is stopped, and the water supply valve 210 is turned on to perform additional water supply (S15). Then, it is determined whether the water level of the washing water in the sump 170 reaches the safety level stored in the memory unit 240 by the washing water introduced (S16).

When the water level of the washing water reaches the safety level, the water supply valve 210 is turned off by the controller 200, and the inflow of the washing water is stopped (S17). Then, the heater 190 is re-operated to continue the steam washing process or the next stroke of washing, rinsing, etc. is performed (S18).

As such, the phenomenon in which the heater 190 generates heat in the air during the steam washing process may be prevented, thereby preventing the life of the dishwasher from being shortened.

By the control method of the dishwasher as proposed, when the steam washing is performed by detecting the level of the washing water stored in the sump, there is an advantage that can prevent the heater from generating heat in the air.

In addition, when the water level of the wash water stored in the sump is less than the dangerous level during the steam washing is performed, there is an advantage that the washing water is additionally watered to perform the steam washing safely.

In addition, there is an advantage that can prevent the heater from generating heat in the air to prevent shortening the life of the dishwasher.

Claims (11)

While the washing water stored in the sump is heated to a high temperature to perform the steam washing of the dishes, when the level of the washing water stored in the sump is below the set level, additional water supply of the washing water is performed. The method of claim 1, The level of the washing water stored in the sump is measured by a water level sensor mounted on the bottom of the sump control method of the dishwasher. The method of claim 2, And the water level detecting unit is a pressure sensor. The method of claim 1, And the set water level is set in consideration of a position of a heater mounted in the sump. The method of claim 1, The control method of the dishwasher, characterized in that a warning message is displayed or a warning sound is generated through a predetermined warning device while additional water supply of the washing water is performed. Operating a heater mounted in the sump to perform steam washing of the dishes; Measuring the level of the wash water stored in the sump; Determining whether the level of the measured wash water is below a dangerous level; And If the measured level of the washing water is below the dangerous level, the step of performing additional water supply of the washing water; control method of a dishwasher comprising a. The method of claim 6, The level of the washing water stored in the sump is measured, the control method of the dishwasher, characterized in that the level of the washing water is measured by a pressure sensor mounted on the bottom of the sump. The method of claim 6, If the measured level of the washing water is below the dangerous level, a warning message is displayed through the warning device or a warning sound is generated, characterized in that a warning sound is generated. The method of claim 6, The step of the additional water supply of the washing water is a control method of the dishwasher, characterized in that the washing water is introduced until the water level of the washing water reaches a safety level. The method of claim 6, In the step of the additional water supply of the washing water is the operation of the heater is stopped, the control method of the dishwasher, characterized in that the washing water is introduced. The method of claim 6, The risk level is set in consideration of the height of the heater mounted in the sump control method of the dishwasher.

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