KR20170139804A - Method for controlling water-supply of a dishwasher - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method to control a dishwasher, capable of ensuring an operation environment of a drain pump. According to one embodiment of the present invention, in a method to control a dishwasher comprising a washing tub to form a washing space wherein dishes are loaded and washed, a reception part capable of loading the dishes, a spray part to spray washing water to the dishes, a sump placed in a lower part of the washing tub, a driving part to supply and circuit the washing water stored in the sump to the spray part, and the drain pump to drain the washing water of the sump, the method comprises: a water supply step of supplying the washing water to the dishwasher; a washing step of using the washing water to wash the dishes; a rinsing step of rinsing the washed dishes; a drying step of drying the rinsed dishes; and an air discharge step of operating the drain pump for a predetermined time to discharge air from the drain pump after the water supply step.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of controlling a dishwasher,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dishwasher, and more particularly, to a dishwasher control method for controlling a drain pump when water is supplied to the dishwasher so as to prevent cavitation of a drain pump installed in the dishwasher.

Generally, a dishwasher is a device for spraying washing water to a dishwasher accommodated therein and spraying the washing water at high pressure, followed by drying. Specifically, in the dishwasher, washing water is sprayed at a high pressure in a washing tank in which the dishware is stored, and washing water to be sprayed is applied to the dishware, and the impurities such as food waste remaining on the surface of the dishware are cleaned.

Such a dishwasher can filter the food waste contained in the washing water by a filter, recycle the used washing water, and supply the detergent to the washing water so that the food waste can be smoothly separated.

In recent years, a dishwasher has been widely used in which the temperature of the washing water is raised by a heater, or steam is generated to increase the efficiency of washing.

The dishwasher according to the related art includes a cabinet for forming an outer shape, a washing tank provided inside the cabinet for forming a washing space for the tableware, a door for opening and closing the washing tank located in front of the washing tank, A sump for supplying, collecting, circulating and draining wash water for washing, a lower / upper arm for spraying washing water supplied by the sump to the tableware, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > and / or < / RTI >

Meanwhile, in order for the user to clean the tableware or the like using the dishwasher, the door of the dishwasher is opened, the rack inside the washing tank is taken out, the tableware is stored in the drawn rack, the drawn rack is pushed into the washing tank, To close the dishwasher.

Then, when the dishwasher is operated, the washing water is individually or simultaneously supplied to the upper / lower arms according to the operation of the driving unit, and the dishes loaded on the lower / upper racks are cleaned.

In order to clean the tableware, the washing water must be supplied and drained, and the supplied washing water is supplied to the sump and supplied to the lower / upper arm by a separate pump. The washing water whose dishes have been cleaned is discharged to the outside of the dishwasher Respectively.

Here, in the case of the drainage pump, generally, the washing water is introduced into the drainage space of the drainage pump as the washing water of the washing water is supplied to the lower side of the sump.

In the case of the air remaining in the drainage space, it is necessary to discharge the air through the drainage pipe according to the inflow of the washing water, but the air may not be discharged due to the height difference and pressure difference between the drainage pipe and the drainage space.

In the meantime, in order to discharge residual air in the drainage space, a separate air discharge hole may be provided in the drainage space. However, if the air discharge hole is clogged by the pollutant discharged as wash water in the drainage of the wash water, There is a problem in that the drainage operation of the drainage pump is not smooth and the drainage water to be drained may flow backward.

Therefore, when the air remaining in the drainage space of the drainage pump is not discharged as described above, discharge pressure by the drainage pump is not formed, and thus smooth operation of the drainage pump can not be guaranteed.

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem [8] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher control method capable of discharging air remaining in a drain pump when supplying water to a dishwasher, It has its purpose.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a dishwasher, including: a washing tank forming a washing space in which a tableware is loaded and washed; a storage unit in which the tableware can be loaded; A control method of a dishwasher including a sprayer, a sump located at a lower portion of the washing tub, a driving unit for supplying and circulating the washing water stored in the sump to the spray unit, and a drain pump for draining the washing water of the sump, A water supply step of supplying washing water to the washing water supply unit; A washing step of washing the tableware using the washing water; A rinsing step of rinsing the washed dishes; And an air discharging step of operating the drain pump for a predetermined period of time to discharge the air of the drain pump after the water supply step.

The drain pump may further include a drain chamber in which the wash water is stored, an impeller for draining the wash water in the drain chamber, and a drainage channel connected to the drainage chamber, It is preferable that the air is rotated so as to move toward the drainage passage.

In addition, it is preferable that the air discharge step repeatedly performs the hepatic operation for the drain pump for a predetermined time.

It is preferable that the air discharge step repeatedly turns off the drain pump for 1 to 2 seconds / 1.5 to 2.5 seconds.

Preferably, the air discharge step is performed when the washing water supplied in the water supplying step reaches a predetermined water supply water level.

According to the control method of the dishwasher according to the present invention, it is possible to discharge the air remaining in the drain pump when supplying water to the dishwasher, thereby ensuring a smooth operating environment of the drain pump.

1 is a schematic view showing a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is an exploded perspective view showing a drainage device of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal structure of a drainage device of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a side sectional view showing the internal structure of a drainage device of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the drain pump for air pocket removal according to one embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a flowchart showing the operation of a drain pump for air pocket removal according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In describing the present invention, the names of the individual components to be defined are defined in consideration of the functions of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be construed as limiting the technical elements of the present invention. Further, the respective names defined for each component may be referred to by other names in the art.

Hereinafter, a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic view showing a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1, the dishwasher 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet 110 for forming an outer shape, a washing tub 110 provided inside the cabinet 110 for forming a washing space for washing a washing object, A plurality of racks 130a and 130b on which the object to be cleaned is mounted and detachably mounted on the rack 120 and a plurality of spraying arms 122 for spraying water onto the object to be cleaned, , 124), a sump 140 for circulating the washing water to the spraying arms 122, 124 and collecting and collecting washing water in the washing space.

The washing tub 120 is formed with a charging port 112 through which the front surface is opened and communicates with the outside of the cabinet 110 through the charging port 112. The input port 112 is opened and closed by a door 113 pivotally coupled to the cabinet 110.

Accordingly, the user can open the loading port 112 by rotating the door 113, and then take out the racks 130a and 130b from the washing tub 120. [

The rack may be provided with an upper rack 130a provided in an upper region of the washing tub and a lower rack 130b provided in a lower portion of the upper rack. .

When the rack on which the object to be cleaned is mounted is provided as the upper rack 130a and the lower rack 130b, the spraying rocks 122 and 124 include an upper arm 122 for spraying water to the upper rack 130a, And a lower arm 124 for spraying water to the rack 130b. The washing water (water remaining in the washing tub 120) sprayed to the object to be cleaned by the minute sandstone 122, 124 can be recovered to the sump 140. [

The sump 140 may be provided at a lower portion of the washing tub 120 to store water and may be separated from the washing tub 120 through a sump cover 142. In this case, the sump cover 142 may be provided with a recovery hole 144 for allowing the water inside the washing tub 120 to flow into the sump 140.

The sump 140 may be connected to a water supply source (not shown) through a water supply unit 150 and the water supply unit 150 may be provided to be opened and closed by a water supply valve 152. In addition, the water supply unit is provided with a separate flow rate sensor (not shown) for sensing the amount of wash water supplied through the water supply valve 152.

A drainage unit 160 for discharging washing water and food waste flowing into the sump is provided at a lower portion of the sump 140. A discharge port 146 for discharging wash water and food waste flowing into the sump 140 is formed at a lower side of the sump 140 and the discharge port 146 is provided to communicate with the discharge port 146.

The drainage unit 160 includes a drainage pipe 161 in which the drainage pump 165 is installed and a drainage pipe 163 through which the drainage water and the food waste discharged from the drainage chamber 161 are guided by the drainage pump 165 . The drainage unit 160 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The water stored in the sump 140 is supplied to the spraying arms 122 and 124 through the pump 180 and the supply passage 170. The supply passage 170 is connected to the connection passage 172 connected to the pump 180, An upper flow path 174 connecting the connection flow path 172 and the upper arm 122 and a lower flow path 176 connecting the connection path 172 and the lower arm 124.

The upper arm 122 may be rotatably coupled to the upper flow path 174 and the lower arm 124 may be rotatably coupled to the lower flow path 176.

The upper flow path 174 and the lower flow path 176 may be formed by branching the connection flow path 172. In this case, the flow paths 174 and 176 And a switching valve 178 for controlling the opening and closing of the valve.

The pump 180 includes a pump body 182 fixed inside the cabinet 110 and a space inside the pump body 182 so as to form a pumping chamber 184 and a heating chamber 186 inside the pump body 182 A partition wall 183a provided in the partition 183 for communicating the pumping chamber 184 and the heating chamber 186 and an impeller 181a provided in the pumping chamber 184 .

The heating chamber 186 is connected to the sump 140 through a pump inlet 187 which is adapted to pass through the pump body 182 and the pumping chamber 184 is connected to a pump discharge And is connected to the connection passage 172 through the connection portion 185.

The impeller 181a is rotated by a motor 181 fixed to the upper surface of the pump body 182 so that the rotational axis of the motor 181 passes through the upper surface of the pump body 182 and is located in the pumping chamber 184 To the impeller 181a.

On the other hand, a heating portion 188 is provided on the bottom surface of the heating chamber 186. When the pump body 182 is provided in a cylindrical shape with its lower surface opened, the heating portion 188 may be provided to form the bottom surface of the heating chamber 186.

In this case, the heating unit 188 includes a heating plate 188a that forms the bottom surface of the heating chamber 186, a heater 189 that is fixed to the bottom of the heating plate 188a and is located outside the heating chamber 186 . It is preferable that the heating plate 188a is made of a metal that facilitates heat transfer.

Since the heating unit 188 is provided to form the bottom surface of the heating chamber 186, the present invention can be applied to a pump capable of simultaneously performing a function of supplying water to the spraying arms 122 and 124 and a function of heating water 180 < / RTI >

The dishwasher 100 provided with the pump 180 may supply the steam to the washing tub 120 through the heating unit 188 provided in the pump 180. To this end, the dishwasher 100 may further include a steam supply unit 190.

The steam supply unit 190 includes a nozzle 192 for spraying steam into the washing tub 120, a steam supply pipe 194 for connecting the nozzle 192 and the heating chamber 186, a steam valve 196 for opening and closing the steam supply pipe, As shown in FIG. 1 shows an example in which the nozzle 192 is provided on the door 113. In this case, it is preferable that the nozzle 192 is installed below the inner surface of the door 113 forming the washing space.

Hereinafter, the main part drainage unit 160 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a drainage device of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an internal structure of a drainage device of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention, 1 is a side sectional view showing an internal structure of a drainage device of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 to 4, a drainage unit 160 according to an embodiment of the present invention communicates with the discharge port 146 of the sump 140 at a lower side of the sump to form a pumping space of the wash water to be drained, A chamber 161 and a drain pump 165 connected to the drain chamber 161 and provided with a drainage impeller 166 for draining the wash water, and a drain pump 166 connected to one side of the drainage chamber 161 and connected to the rotation of the impeller 166 And a drain pipe 163 connected to the discharge pipe 162 and guiding the wash water discharged from the discharge pipe 162.

The drain pump 165 is provided between the motor 68 and the drain chamber 161 to form a surface of the drain chamber 161 and is coupled to the drain chamber 161. The drain pump 161 is provided between the motor 68 and the drain chamber 161, And an impeller 166 which is coupled to the rotating shaft of the motor 168 and forcibly discharges the washing water in the drain chamber 161 by the centrifugal force to the discharge pipe 162.

The discharge port 146 of the sump 140 communicating with the drainage chamber 161 is associated with the position of the impeller of the drainage pump 165 provided in the drainage pump 165. In accordance with the rotation of the impeller 166, Is located at the center of rotation of the impeller 166 so that it can be discharged.

The discharge tube 162 provided in the drainage chamber 161 discharges the washing water in accordance with the rotation of the impeller 166 and at the same time discharges the washing water and food waste flowing into the drainage chamber 161 into the drainage chamber 161 ).

Here, the discharge pipe 162 is positioned eccentrically to the upper or lower side of the drainage chamber 161 for discharging the washing water by the impeller 166.

The drain pipe 163 is connected to the discharge pipe 162 and guides the washing water and the food waste drained by the drain pump 165 to the outside of the dishwasher 100. The small portion of the drain pipe 163 may further include a check valve 164 for preventing the wash water and the food waste sold back from being returned.

Hereinafter, the operation of the dishwasher 100 according to the present invention will be briefly described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Each element mentioned below should be understood with reference to the above description and drawings.

5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, the user can start the washing of the tableware by receiving the tableware in the upper rack of the dishwasher and / or the lower racks 130a and 130b, and then selecting a dishwashing operation button (not shown).

On the other hand, when the operation of the dishwasher 100 is started, a water supply step (S110) for proceeding water supply to the washing tub 120 proceeds. When the water supplying step S110 is completed, a preliminary washing step S1210 is performed in which the dirt on the tableware is called.

When the preliminary washing step (S120) is completed, the main washing step (S130) is performed in which the washing water mixed with the detergent is sprayed to remove the dirt on the tableware.

When the main washing step (S130) is completed, a rinsing step (S140) is performed. When the rinsing step (S140) is finished, a drying step (S150) for drying the dishes is performed and the dish washing process is terminated.

Also, before the preliminary washing step (S120) is completed and the main washing step (S130) is started, a drainage process is performed in which the washing water injected in the preliminary washing step (S120) is collected and drained.

The washing water is pumped by the pump 180 and is injected into the washing tub 120 through the upper arm 122 and the lower arm 124. Then, the washing water injection process is repeatedly performed during the set time.

Alternatively, the number of times of washing water injection is set and the main washing step (S130) is performed until the number of times of spraying is reached. Then, when the main washing step S130 is completed, the process proceeds to the rinsing step S140, and the washing water supplied in the main washing step S130 may be drained before the start of the rinsing step S130.

On the other hand, when the rinsing step (S140) is completed, a drying step (S150) for removing water from the tableware is performed. In the drying step (S150), hot air may be introduced into the washing tub (120) to evaporate moisture from the dishware.

Here, the air changed into a high-temperature and high-humidity state can be discharged to the outside of the dishwasher 100 by a separate drying module (not shown).

Since the water supply step S110, the preliminary cleaning step S120, the main cleaning step S130, the rinsing step S140 and the drying step S150 may be similar to those of a typical dishwasher, Is omitted.

Meanwhile, in the above-described processes, the washing water supplied as the washing water is supplied flows into the drainage chamber 161 through the discharge port 146 from the sump 140, and as the washing water flows into the drainage chamber 161 The unpleasant air is discharged through the drain pipe 161 to the upper side of the drainage chamber 161 as the washing water flows into the drainage chamber 161 through the air pocket 161 161b.

That is, the washing water flowing into the drainage chamber 161 flows into the top height H1 of the outlet 146 located at the center of the drainage chamber 161, Can be introduced up to the top height H2.

The maximum water level of the washing water flowing into the drainage chamber 161 may be located in the drainage space 161a between the top height H1 of the outlet 146 and the top height H2 of the discharge pipe 162, The upper portion of the water level of the washing water stored in the drainage chamber 161 may form air pockets 161b by leaving air that is not discharged to the outside of the drainage chamber 161. [

The air pockets 161b formed in the drain chamber 161 may interfere with the formation of water by the impeller of the drain pump 165 and may interfere with smooth drainage of the wash water in the drain chamber 161. [

In the meantime, the present invention removes the air pockets formed in the drain chamber 161 of the drainage unit 160 so that the impeller 166 of the drain pump 165 can operate smoothly.

Therefore, in the operation of the dishwasher as described above, it may be repeatedly performed in the water supply step S110, the preliminary cleaning step S120, the main cleaning step S130, the rinsing step S140, It may be performed only in the water supplying step (S110) in which the washing water is supplied.

In the following description, it is assumed that the air pocket 161b is removed in the water supply step S110 in which the first wash water is supplied.

Hereinafter, the operation of the drainage unit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a drain pump according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As described above, as the water supply step S110 proceeds, the washing water supplied into the sump 140 flows into the drainage chamber 161 through the outlet 146 of the sump 140. As the washing water flows into the drainage chamber 161, Thereby filling up the inside of the opening 161.

The washing water supplied to the drainage chamber 161 flows into the upper end of the outlet 146 located at the center of the drainage chamber 161 and reaches the top height H1 of the drainage chamber 161. In accordance with the arrangement of the drainage pipe 163, Can be introduced up to the top height H2.

The control unit determines that the water level of the wash water supplied after the water supply step S110 starts is positioned between the top height H1 of the discharge port 146 of the drainage chamber 161 and the top height H2 of the discharge pipe 162 (S210).

On the other hand, the water level determination of the wash water can be judged as the water supply time of the wash water. That is, when a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of the supply of the washing water, the wash water level of the drainage chamber 161 is located between the upper end height H1 of the discharge port 146 and the upper end height H2 of the discharge pipe 162 .

Thereafter, the control unit repeatedly operates the motor 168 of the drain pump 165 to discharge air remaining in the drainage chamber 161 through the discharge pipe 162 (S220). Here, the operation of the motor 168 is rotated in the same direction as the direction in which the washing water is drained, and the impeller 166 is rotated in accordance with the rotation of the motor 168 to rotate the impeller 166 into the drainage chamber 161 The inflowing wash water and air are discharged together.

Here, the rotation of the motor 168 may be intermittently operated, and the intermittent operation period may be operated for about 1 to 2 seconds and then for about 1.5 to 2.5 seconds to be repeated 2 to 4 times.

By this operation, the wash water in the drainage chamber 161 can be drained together with the accelerator simultaneously with some air, thereby minimizing the air format formed in the drainage chamber 161.

Hereinafter, the operation of the drainage section according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a drain pump according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As described above, as the water supply step S110 proceeds, the washing water supplied into the sump 140 flows into the drainage chamber 161 through the outlet 146 of the sump 140. As the washing water flows into the drainage chamber 161, Thereby filling up the inside of the opening 161.

The washing water supplied to the drainage chamber 161 flows into the upper end of the outlet 146 located at the center of the drainage chamber 161 and reaches the top height H1 of the drainage chamber 161. In accordance with the arrangement of the drainage pipe 163, Can be introduced up to the top height H2.

The control unit determines that the water level of the wash water supplied after the water supply step S110 starts is positioned between the top height H1 of the discharge port 146 of the drainage chamber 161 and the top height H2 of the discharge pipe 162 (S210).

On the other hand, the water level of the washing water can be determined by accumulating the amount of water supplied from the washing water. That is, the water level of the wash water in the drainage chamber 161 flows through the flow sensor provided in the water supply unit after the water supply of the wash water starts, between the upper height H1 of the discharge port 146 and the upper height H2 of the discharge pipe 162 As shown in FIG.

Thereafter, the control unit repeatedly operates the motor 168 of the drain pump 165 to discharge air remaining in the drainage chamber 161 through the discharge pipe 162 (S220). Here, the operation of the motor 168 is rotated in the same direction as the direction in which the washing water is drained, and the impeller 166 is rotated in accordance with the rotation of the motor 168 to rotate the impeller 166 into the drainage chamber 161 The inflowing wash water and air are discharged together.

Here, the rotation of the motor 168 may be intermittently operated, and the intermittent operation period may be operated for about 1 to 2 seconds and then for about 1.5 to 2.5 seconds to be repeated 2 to 4 times.

By this operation, the wash water in the drainage chamber 161 can be drained together with the accelerator simultaneously with some air, thereby minimizing the air format formed in the drainage chamber 161.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, The present invention may be modified in various ways. Therefore, modifications of the embodiments of the present invention will not depart from the scope of the present invention.

100: washer 110: cabinet
120: washing tank 122, 124: upper and lower arms
130a, 130b: upper rack, lower rack 140: sump
150: water supply unit 160: drainage unit
161: drainage chamber 163: drain pipe
165: Drain pump 170: Supply flow
180: Pump 190: Steam supply

Claims (5)

The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a washing tub which forms a washing space in which the tableware is loaded and cleaned; a receiving portion in which the tableware is loaded; a spraying portion that injects washing water into the tableware; A control method of a dishwasher including a driving part for supplying and circulating the sludge, and a drain pump for draining the sludge washing water,
A water supply step of supplying wash water to the dishwasher;
A washing step of washing the tableware using the washing water;
A rinsing step of rinsing the washed dishes;
And a drying step of drying the tableware rinsed,
Further comprising an air discharging step of operating the drain pump for a predetermined time to discharge the air of the drain pump after the water supplying step. The method according to claim 1,
The drain pump further includes a drain chamber in which wash water is stored, an impeller for draining wash water in the drain chamber, and a drainage channel connected to the drainage chamber,
Wherein the air discharging step is performed such that the rotating direction of the impeller is rotated so that the air is moved toward the drain passage. 3. The method according to claim 2,
And the drain pump is repeatedly operated for hepatic blood flow for a predetermined period of time. 4. The method according to claim 3,
And the drain pump is repeatedly turned off for 1 to 2 seconds / 1.5 to 2.5 seconds. 3. The method according to claim 2,
Wherein the control is performed when the washing water supplied in the water supplying step reaches a predetermined water supply water level.

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