KR20100037456A - Control method of washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A control method of a dish washer is provided to improve washing performance by changing the washing course according to the turbidity of washing water. CONSTITUTION: A control method of a dish washer is as follows. After completion of pre-washing, the turbidity of washing water is measured during water supply(S2,S3,S4). After completion of water supply, a washing motor is operated. When a first set time has passed after the washing motor stops, the turbidity of washing water is measured(S5,S6,S7,S8). When a second set time has passed after the washing motor is operated again, the turbidity of washing water is measured(S9,S10,S11,S12). After a third set time has passed, the turbidity of washing water is measured(S13,S14). One of the turbidity values measured in the first through third turbidity measuring steps with that measured in the fourth turbidity measuring step, and a washing course is decided according to the difference(S15,S16).

Description

Control method of dishwasher {Control method of washing machine}

The present invention relates to a control method of a dishwasher, and more particularly, to a control method of a dishwasher that can improve the washing performance and efficiency by measuring the turbidity of the washing water more accurately.

In general, a dishwasher is a device that cleans contaminants such as food waste on dishware or cooking utensils (hereinafter, referred to as 'dishware') using detergent and washing water.

The dishwasher includes a main body including a washing tank, a door for opening and closing the opening of the main body, a rack assembly disposed inside the washing tank for storing dishes, and a sump disposed under the washing tank for storing the washing water. And a washing pump for pumping the washing water stored in the sump, a washing motor for driving the washing pump, and injection nozzles for spraying the washing water pumped from the washing pump into the washing tank.

When the user enters the washing course and turns on the operation, the dishwasher performs washing and rinsing according to the course selected by the user. In the washing and rinsing operation, the washing motor is operated to pump the washing water in the sump. Pumped wash water is sprayed toward the rack assembly through the spray nozzles, thereby washing or rinsing the dishes placed on the rack assembly.

Meanwhile, a turbidity sensor that detects turbidity of the wash water is disposed in the sump, and the controller determines the degree of contamination of the wash water from the turbidity value measured by the turbidity sensor. The cleaning course depends on the determined degree of contamination of the wash water.

However, since the dishwasher according to the prior art flows contaminants in the circulating washing water, it may occur that the contamination level of the washing water is not accurately measured, and thus, an appropriate washing course is not selected. There is a problem of this deterioration.

An object of the present invention is to provide a control method of a dish washer that can more accurately determine the turbidity of the washing water and change the washing method according to the determined turbidity, thereby improving washing performance and efficiency.

In the method of controlling the dish washing machine according to the present invention, after the preliminary washing is completed, the first turbidity measuring step of measuring the turbidity of the wash water at the time of water supply, the washing motor is operated after the water supply is completed, and after the washing motor is stopped A first turbidity measurement step of measuring turbidity of the washing water when the first setting time has elapsed; and a third measuring turbidity of the washing water when the second setting time elapses after the washing motor is operated and the washing motor is stopped. Turbidity measurement step, when the third set time after the third turbidity measurement step, the fourth turbidity measurement step of measuring the turbidity of the wash water, and among the turbidity values measured in the first, second, third turbidity measurement step Comparing any one value and the turbidity value measured in the fourth turbidity measurement step, and comprises a washing course determination step of determining the washing course differently according to the difference value.

In the present invention, in the washing course determination step, a maximum value may be selected from the turbidity values measured in the first, second, and third turbidity measurement steps, and compared with the turbidity values measured in the fourth turbidity measurement step.

In the present invention, in the washing course determination step, an average value of the turbidity values measured in the first, second and third turbidity measurement steps may be selected, and the turbidity values measured in the fourth turbidity measurement step may be compared.

In the present invention, the second set time may be set longer than the first set time, and the third set time may be set longer than the second set time.

In the present invention, in the second turbidity measurement step, turbidity may be measured a plurality of times.

In the present invention, in the third turbidity measurement step, turbidity may be measured a plurality of times.

In the control method of the dish washing machine according to the present invention, by detecting the turbidity value of the washing water a plurality of times, it is possible to minimize the erroneous detection of the turbidity value.

In addition, after stopping the operation of the washing motor and waiting for the flow of the washing water to stabilize, since the turbidity value is measured, it is possible to minimize the erroneous detection of the turbidity value.

In addition, by setting the time for measuring the turbidity value differently after the washing motor is stopped, the turbidity value can be measured more accurately.

Therefore, the erroneous detection of the turbidity value is minimized, and if the turbidity value is detected more accurately, an appropriate washing stroke can be selected, so that washing performance and efficiency can be improved.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a dish washer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, the dishwasher according to the present invention is mounted in the sump turbidity sensor (2) for measuring the contamination of the wash water, and the cleaning course according to the contamination value, that is measured by the turbidity sensor (2) The control unit 10 for controlling differently, and the washing pump 12, the heater 14, the water supply valve 16 and the drain valve 18 to be driven according to the signal of the control unit 10 and the like.

In addition, the dishwasher is provided with an input unit 4 for the user to select a washing course. The input unit 4 may be provided in plural so that different functions are provided. One of the plurality of input units 4 includes an auto course input unit for automatically selecting a suitable washing course according to the degree of contamination of the washing water.

The sump is disposed under a washing tank in which dishes are stored, thereby forming a space in which washing water is temporarily stored. Washing water supplied through the feed valve is circulated to the washing tank through the sump.

The wash pump is disposed below the sump, and the wash pump 12 is connected to the wash mode.

The turbidity sensor 2 includes a light emitting part mounted in the sump and emitting light to the outside, and a light receiving part detecting light emitted from the light emitting part.

The light detected by the light receiving unit is converted into a predetermined voltage value and transmitted to the control unit 10. Here, the voltage value means a haze value. When there is a contaminant between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, light emitted from the light emitting unit is blocked by the contaminant, and only a part of the light is transmitted to the light receiving unit. The voltage value transmitted to the controller 10 is lowered. Therefore, as the voltage value transmitted to the controller 10 is lower, it may be determined that the degree of contamination of the washing water is high.

The controller 10 may control the turbidity sensor 2 to detect turbidity a plurality of times in order to measure the turbidity of the washing water.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a dish washer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, when the user selects the auto course through the input unit and presses the operation button, the washing water is supplied (S1).

Then, the washing pump is operated to perform a preliminary washing process. (S2) The preliminary washing process is a process of wetting the dishes sufficiently or removing foreign substances from the dishes.

After the preliminary washing is completed, the washing water is supplied. (S3)

The turbidity sensor 2 performs a first turbidity measurement step of measuring turbidity of the wash water. (S4) In the first turbidity measurement step, the turbidity of the wash water is measured. Here, the washing water may be supplied at 200 Hz. The turbidity value measured in the first turbidity measurement step is stored as the first turbidity value.

After the water supply is completed, the washing motor 13 is operated. (S5) When the washing motor 13 is operated, the washing pump is operated and the pumped washing water is injected into the washing tank. Foreign matters such as food debris on the tableware may be separated by the sprayed washing water. The control unit 10 controls the washing motor 13 to be operated for a set time.

After the washing motor 13 stops (S6), it is determined whether the first set time has elapsed. (S7)

If it is determined that the first set time has elapsed, a second turbidity measurement step of measuring turbidity of the wash water is performed. (S8) The first set time is the flow of the wash water is stabilized after the washing motor 13 is stopped. It is set to secure the time to become. Here, the first setting time is described as an example of 10 seconds. Ten seconds after the washing motor 13 stops, the turbidity sensor 2 detects the turbidity of the washing water. The turbidity value measured in the second turbidity measurement step is stored as the second turbidity value.

In the second turbidity measurement step, the turbidity sensor 2 may detect turbidity a plurality of times. Here, the description will be limited to detecting the turbidity sensor 2 twice. Therefore, in the second turbidity measurement step, two second turbidity values are stored.

Thereafter, the washing motor 13 is operated (S9) and after the washing motor 13 is stopped (S10), it is determined whether the second set time has elapsed (S11).

When it is determined that the second set time has elapsed, a third turbidity measurement step of measuring turbidity of the washing water is performed. (S12) The second set time may be set longer than the first set time. That is, the second setting time is 30 seconds, for example. 30 seconds after the washing motor 13 stops, the turbidity sensor 2 detects the turbidity of the washing water. The turbidity value measured in the third turbidity measurement step is stored as the third turbidity value.

In the third turbidity measurement step, the turbidity sensor 2 may detect turbidity a plurality of times. Here, the description will be limited to detecting the turbidity sensor 2 three times. Therefore, three third turbidity values are stored in the third turbidity measurement step.

It is determined whether a third predetermined time has elapsed after the third turbidity measurement step.

If it is determined that the third set time has elapsed, a fourth turbidity measurement step of detecting turbidity of the washing water is performed. (S14) The third set time may be set to a time elapsed from when the preliminary washing is completed. It is also possible to set the time elapsed from the time point at which the third turbidity value was measured. Here, it will be explained that the third set time is limited to 5 minutes, and when 5 minutes have elapsed from the time point when the third turbidity value is measured, the turbidity of the washing water is measured. The turbidity value performed in the fourth turbidity measurement step is stored as the fourth turbidity value. Although the fourth turbidity value may be detected a plurality of times, it will be described here as one detection.

When all the steps of detecting the turbidity of the wash water are completed, the controller 10 selects any one of the first, second, and third turbidity values measured in the first, second, and third turbidity measurement steps. At this time, it is possible to select the maximum value among the first, second, and third turbidity values, and to select the average value. Here, the description will be limited to selecting the maximum turbidity value among the first, second, and third turbidity values.

The controller 10 compares the maximum turbidity value with the fourth turbidity value. (S15) The difference value between the maximum turbidity value and the fourth turbidity value is the pollution degree of the wash water, and the washing course is different depending on the pollution degree. (S16)

For example, the auto course may be classified into auto course 1, auto course 2, and auto course 3. According to the auto courses 1,2 and 3, the amount of water to be supplied, the number of times of water supply, the number of times of drainage, the number of times of rinsing, and the operation of the heater may be set differently. When the difference is less than the first set value, the washing is performed according to the auto course 1. When the difference is greater than the first set value and less than the second set value, washing is performed according to the autocourse 2. In addition, when the difference value is greater than the second set value and less than the third set value, washing is performed according to the autocourse 3 (S17).

Therefore, in the present embodiment, by detecting the turbidity value of the washing water a plurality of times, it is possible to minimize the erroneous detection of the turbidity value. Since any one of autocos 1,2,3 is selected according to the turbidity value, when the turbidity value is accurately detected, a washing stroke corresponding to the turbidity value may be performed, thereby improving washing performance and efficiency.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a dish washer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a dish washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig.

2: turbidity sensor 10: control unit

12: washing pump 13: washing motor

Claims (6)

A first turbidity measuring step of measuring turbidity of the washing water when the water is supplied after the preliminary washing is completed; A second turbidity measurement step of operating a washing motor after water supply is completed and measuring turbidity of the washing water when a first preset time elapses after the washing motor is stopped; A third turbidity measurement step of operating the washing motor and measuring turbidity of the washing water when a second preset time elapses after the washing motor is stopped; A fourth turbidity measurement step of measuring turbidity of the wash water when a third predetermined time elapses after the third turbidity measurement step; A washing course comparing any one of the turbidity values measured in the first, second, and third turbidity measurement steps with the turbidity values measured in the fourth turbidity measurement step, and determining the washing course differently according to the difference value. Control method of the dishwasher comprising a determining step. The method according to claim 1, The control method of the dishwasher in the washing course determination step to select the maximum value from the turbidity values measured in the first, second, third turbidity measurement step, and to compare with the turbidity value measured in the fourth turbidity measurement step. The method according to claim 1, In the washing course determination step, the average value of the turbidity values measured in the first, second, third turbidity measurement step is selected, and compared with the turbidity value measured in the fourth turbidity measurement step. The method according to claim 1, The second set time is set longer than the first set time, And the third setting time is set longer than the second setting time. The method according to claim 1, In the second turbidity measurement step, the control method of the dishwasher to measure the turbidity multiple times. The method according to claim 1, The control method of the dishwasher to measure the turbidity a plurality of times in the third turbidity measurement step.

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