KR20210096941A - Dishwasher - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a dishwasher. The dishwasher can easily put contents contained in a dispenser into a tub using a terminal device possessed by a user. In addition, the dishwasher can easily inject a washing aid into the tub by disposing an additional dispenser containing the washing aid for removing odors generated in the tub.

Description

Dishwasher {DISHWASHER}

The present invention relates to a dishwasher.

BACKGROUND ART A dishwasher is a home appliance that removes foreign substances remaining on the object to be washed by spraying washing water on the object to be washed, such as dishes or cooking tools.

Such a dishwasher includes a tub that provides a washing space, a rack provided in the tub to accommodate dishes, a jet arm that sprays washing water to the rack, a sump that stores washing water, and a sump that supplies washing water stored in the sump to the jet arm. It is common to include a washing pump.

At this time, the washing water is moved to the jet arm by the pumping action of the washing pump mounted inside the sump, and the washing water moved to the jet arm is injected at a high pressure through a jet port formed in the jet arm. The washing water sprayed at high pressure hits the surface of the washing target to remove foreign substances remaining on the washing target.

Dishwasher washes dishes using a dedicated detergent and a dedicated rinse aid. At this time, it is difficult to wash the dishes with a lot of grease, and a cleaning aid such as baking soda is added into the tub to wash the dishes. Also, an odor may be generated inside the tub, and the user injects a odor remover such as baking soda, citric acid, vinegar, or the like, that is, a cleaning aid, into the tub to remove the odor of the tub.

However, according to the prior art, since the user directly puts the cleaning aid into the tub, inconvenience to the user may be caused.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a dishwasher capable of easily introducing a washing aid into a tub.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher capable of easily putting washing-related contents contained in a dispenser into a tub using a user's terminal device.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects and advantages of the present invention not mentioned may be understood by the following description, and will be more clearly understood by the examples of the present invention. Moreover, it will be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention may be realized by the means and combinations thereof indicated in the claims.

The dishwasher according to the present invention can easily put the contents contained in the dispenser into the tub using a terminal device possessed by the user.

In addition, the dishwasher of the present invention can easily inject the cleaning aid into the tub by disposing an additional dispenser containing the washing aid for removing odors generated in the tub.

A dish washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet with an open side, a door opening and closing the open front of the cabinet, a tub disposed inside the cabinet and having a washing room for storing dishes, a door at least one dispenser disposed on one side of the , a communication unit receiving dispenser control information for controlling each of the at least one dispenser from the user terminal device, and a controller controlling each of the at least one dispenser based on the dispenser control information.

According to the present invention, the cleaning aid can be easily introduced into the tub.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily wash greasy dishes.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily remove the smell generated in the tub.

In addition to the above-described effects, the specific effects of the present invention will be described together while describing specific details for carrying out the invention below.

1 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of a dishwasher with an open door according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a schematic front cross-sectional view of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a view showing a perspective view of a turbidity sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a diagram illustrating a shape of a dispenser unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a method for controlling an operation of a third dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The above-described objects, features and advantages will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains will be able to easily implement the technical idea of the present invention. In describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a known technology related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar components.

Although the first, second, etc. are used to describe various elements, these elements are not limited by these terms, of course. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from other components, and unless otherwise stated, the first component may be the second component, of course.

In the following, the arrangement of an arbitrary component on the "upper (or lower)" of the component or the "top (or below)" of the component means that the component is disposed in contact with the upper surface (or lower surface) of the component. rather, it may mean that other components may be interposed between the component and any component disposed on (or under) the component.

Also, when it is described that a component is "connected", "coupled" or "connected" to another component, the components may be directly connected or connected to each other, but other components are "interposed" between each component. Alternatively, it will be understood that each component may be “connected”, “coupled” or “connected” through another component.

Throughout the specification, unless otherwise stated, each element may be singular or plural.

As used herein, the singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as "consisting of" or "comprising" should not be construed as necessarily including all of the various components or various steps described in the specification, some of which components or some steps are It should be construed that it may not include, or may further include additional components or steps.

Throughout the specification, when “A and/or B” is used, it means A, B or A and B, unless specifically stated to the contrary, and when “C to D” is used, it means that there is no specific contrary description. Unless otherwise specified, it means that it is greater than or equal to C and less than or equal to D.

Hereinafter, dish washing machines according to some embodiments of the present invention will be described.

1 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of a dishwasher with an open door according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a schematic front cross-sectional view of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the overall structure of the dishwasher according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 2 .

The dishwasher 10 according to the present invention forms an external shape, and includes a cabinet 20 having an open front (F), a door 22 and a cabinet 20 coupled to the cabinet 20 to open and close the interior of the cabinet 20 . ) is installed therein, and includes a tub 24 for processing dishes disposed therein. The cabinet 20 and the tub 24 have an open front on which the door 22 is disposed. A washing chamber in which dishes are accommodated is formed in the tub 24 .

The dish washing machine 10 includes a dispenser unit 120 for storing dish washing-related contents input by a user and injecting the contents into the tub 24 in the washing step. The dispenser unit 120 includes at least one dispenser and may be disposed on the inner surface 22a of the door 22 .

The cabinet 20 forms an external shape, and one side may be opened.

The tub 24 forms a space in which the dishes are arranged in order to wash the dishes. In the tub 24 according to the present invention, when the pressure inside the tub 24 increases, an air guide hole (not shown) may be formed on one side to discharge air to the outside to reduce the pressure.

The dishwasher 10 includes racks 32 and 140 for accommodating dishes in the tub 24, a spray module that sprays washing water toward the dishes accommodated in the racks 32 and 140, and a sump that supplies washing water to the spray module. 26) and a washing pump 50 for pumping the washing water stored in the sump 26 to the spray module.

The dishwasher 10 is provided with racks 32 and 140 accommodating objects to be washed, such as dishes, inside the tub 24 . The dishwasher 10 may include at least one or more racks 32 and 140 . The racks 32 and 140 include a lower rack 32 disposed below the tub 24 and an upper rack 140 disposed above the lower rack 32 .

The spray module may include a spray arm disposed below the racks 32 and 140 and spraying washing water toward the dishes accommodated in the racks 32 and 140 , and a supply pipe for supplying the washing water to the spray arm. In addition, the spray module may further include a top nozzle 34 for spraying washing water toward the racks 32 and 140 disposed on the lower side of the tub 24 .

The spray arm is disposed on the lower side (D) of the upper rack 140 , the upper spray arm 100 sprays washing water in the direction of the upper rack 140 , and the lower spray arm sprays the wash water in the direction of the lower rack 32 . (38) can be distinguished.

The dishwasher 10 may include at least one spray arm and a top nozzle 34 . The dishwasher 10 is provided inside the tub 24 and includes a lower spray arm 38 for washing the object to be washed stored in the lower rack 32 , and an upper spray arm for cleaning the object to be washed stored in the upper rack 140 . (100), a top nozzle (34) positioned at the top of the tub (24) and spraying washing water is included.

The supply pipe supplies the washing water supplied from the washing pump 50 to the spray arms 38 and 100 and the top nozzle 34 .

The supply pipe includes a lower supply pipe 42 for supplying washing water to the lower jet arm 38 , and an upper supply pipe 44 for supplying washing water to the upper jet arm 100 and the top nozzle 34 .

The upper supply pipe 44 supplies the washing water supplied to the washing pump 50 to the top nozzle 34 . The dishwasher 10 may further include a branch pipe 46 branched from the upper supply pipe 44 to supply washing water to the upper jet arm 100 . The branch pipe 46 is connected from one side of the upper supply pipe 44 . The branch pipe 46 is connected to the upper supply pipe 44 so that the height can be adjusted. The branch pipe 46 is disposed below the upper rack 140 .

The branch pipe 46 has a height spaced apart from the upper surface of the tub 24 together with the upper rack 140 and/or the upper injection arm 100 according to the type or amount of dishes disposed on the upper rack 140 . can be adjusted. The branch pipe 46 is connected to the upper supply pipe 44 through a branch pipe connection part 47 .

The branch pipe 46 is connected to the upper supply pipe 44 at one end so as to be adjustable in height. The branch pipe 46 is adjustable in height in three steps.

The top nozzle 34 is disposed at a higher position than the upper rack 140 . The top nozzle 34 is disposed above the tub 24 . The top nozzle 34 receives the washing water from the upper supply pipe 44 and sprays the washing water to the upper rack 140 and the lower rack 32 .

The dishwasher 10 further includes a washing motor 52 for driving the washing pump 50 , and a brushless direct current motor (BLDC) capable of controlling the rotation speed of the washing motor 52 may be used. Since the washing motor 52 is a BLDC motor, it is possible to set a target revolution per minute (RPM). When the RPM of the BLDC motor is changed, the pressure-feeding force of the washing pump 50 is changed.

The dishwasher 10 is installed in a sump 26 or a water supply module 60 that supplies water to the spray module, a drain module 62 that is connected to the sump 26 and discharges washing water to the outside, and a sump 26. It may further include a filter module 70 for filtering the washing water and a washing water heating module 56 installed on the sump 26 to heat the washing water.

The dishwasher 10 includes a flow path switching unit 40 for supplying the washing water stored in the sump 26 to the upper supply pipe 44 and/or the lower supply pipe 42 . The flow path switching unit 40 may include a flow path switching motor (not shown) generating a rotational force and a rotating plate (not shown) rotating by the flow path switching motor to control the flow of washing water. The rotary plate may selectively open and close a plurality of connectors (not shown) formed at a branching point of a plurality of supply pipes. A plurality of switching holes (not shown) may be formed in the rotating plate. The rotating plate is rotated step by step by a flow path switching motor. When the rotation plate is rotated by the flow path switching motor, a plurality of switching holes formed in the rotation plate are located at a location corresponding to at least one of the plurality of connectors, and the washing water flowing from the washing pump 50 is a plurality of injection arms (38, 100). And it may be sprayed toward at least one of the top nozzle (34).

The washing water discharged from the sump 26 through the washing pump 50 moves to the flow path switching unit 40 through the pump pipe 48 . The flow path switching unit 40 may supply the washing water introduced from the sump 26 to at least one pipe among the plurality of spray arms 38 and 100 and the top nozzle 34 .

The upper injection arm 100 may be located at the lower side (D) of the upper rack 140 . The upper jet arm 100 is preferably rotatably coupled to the branch pipe 46 so that it can be rotated by the repulsive force of the washing water when the washing water is sprayed.

The water supply module 60 is configured to receive water from the outside and supply it to the sump 26 , and opens and closes the water supply valve 65 to supply external water into the sump 36 . Water is supplied to the sump 26 via the filter module 70 .

The drain module 62 is for discharging the washing water stored in the sump 26 to the outside, and includes a drain pipe 64 and a drain pump 66 .

The filter module 70 is for filtering out foreign substances such as food waste contained in the washing water, and is disposed on the flow path of the washing water flowing from the tub 24 to the sump 26 .

To this end, the filter mounting part 72 in which the filter module 70 is installed may be formed in the sump 26 , and a filter passage connecting the filter mounting part and the inside of the sump 26 may be disposed.

The dishwasher 10 may include a water level sensor for detecting the water level in the tub 24 .

For example, the water level sensor may be a floater (not shown) for detecting the water level in the tub 24 , and may detect the water level by detecting a rising height of the floater.

As another example, the water level sensor may be a turbidity sensor (not shown). The turbidity sensor is disposed in the sump 26, measures the turbidity of the washing water, that is, the contamination level, and may determine the level of the washing water based thereon. The turbidity sensor may be disposed at the upper end of the sump 26 with respect to the central portion of the sump 26 .

3 is a view showing a perspective view of a turbidity sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the turbidity sensor 300 includes a sensing region 310 through which washing water flows, and a light emitting unit 320 disposed to face the sensing region 310 and emitting light to pass through the sensing region 310 . and a light receiving unit 330 that receives the light that has passed through the sensing region 310 .

The washing water supplied into the sump 26 flows through the sensing area 310 of the turbidity sensor 300 . The light emitted from the light emitting unit 320 passes through the washing water flowing through the sensing area 310 and is received by the light receiving unit 330 . When light is received by the light receiving unit 330 , it is converted into a predetermined voltage value and output. Here, the voltage value is inversely proportional to the turbidity value (the degree of turbidity).

When a contaminant is present between the light emitting unit 320 and the light receiving unit 330, the light output from the light emitting unit 320 is blocked by the contaminant, and only a portion of the light output from the light emitting unit 320 is received by the light receiving unit ( 330). Therefore, when the voltage value is low, the turbidity value of the washing water is high, and when the voltage value is high, the turbidity value of the washing water is decreased.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the dishwasher 10 may further include an input unit (not shown) for receiving a command from a user and a display unit (not shown) for displaying a progress state of the dishwasher or displaying a notification to the user. can The input unit may use a touch input method or a button input method, and the display unit may use a display or a warning lamp.

4 is a view showing the shape of the dispenser unit 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the dispenser unit 120 includes a first dispenser 120a, a second dispenser 120b, and a third dispenser 120c.

The dispenser unit 120 may be disposed on the inner surface 22a of the door 22 . For example, the dispenser unit 120 may be disposed on the upper side of the upper injection arm 100 .

The first dispenser 120a temporarily stores detergent, and injects the stored detergent into the tub 24 .

The first dispenser 120a includes a case 121 that forms an exterior. The case 121 is disposed to protrude from the inner surface 22 of the door 22 . The inside of the case 121 may be concave. A chamber (not shown) capable of temporarily accommodating a detergent may be formed inside the case 121 . An opening 122 opened in an inner direction of the tub 24 in the chamber may be formed at one side of the case 121 .

The chamber formed inside the first dispenser 120a may communicate with the inside of the tub 24 through the opening 122 opened in the inner direction of the tub 24 .

The first dispenser 120a may include a first cover 123 that opens and closes the opening 122 . The first cover 123 performs a function of opening and closing the opening 122 . When the first cover 123 is opened, the detergent temporarily stored in the chamber may be introduced into the tub 24 through the opening 122 .

The second dispenser 120b temporarily stores the rinse aid, and puts the stored rinse aid into the tub 24 .

A space for temporarily storing the rinse aid is formed in the second dispenser 120b, and a portion of the second dispenser 120b may be opened so that the rinse aid is supplied to the inside of the tub 24 . The second dispenser 120b may include a second cover 124 that opens and closes the opened portion.

The third dispenser 120c temporarily stores the cleaning aid, and injects the stored cleaning aid into the tub 24 .

The cleaning aid may be a odor remover capable of removing odors generated in the tub 24 . For example, the deodorant may be baking soda, citric acid, vinegar, or the like.

A space for temporarily storing the cleaning aid is formed therein in the third dispenser 120c, and a part of the third dispenser 120c may be opened so that the cleaning aid is supplied to the inside of the tub 24 . The third dispenser 120c may include a third cover 125 that opens and closes the opened portion.

That is, the dispenser unit 120 according to the present invention may further include an additional dispenser for storing and injecting a cleaning aid, that is, a third dispenser 120c, together with the conventional dispenser unit for storing and inputting detergent and rinse aid. can

Accordingly, the user does not need to directly open the door 22 to inject the washing aid, and since the third dispenser 120c automatically stores and injects the washing aid, the user's convenience in using the dishwasher 10 is guaranteed.

The dishwasher 10 may further include a communication unit (not shown) and a control unit (not shown).

The communication unit communicates with the terminal device possessed by the user, that is, the user terminal device. The dishwasher 10 may be directly communicated with the user terminal device without going through a relay server.

For example, the communication unit may include a short-distance communication module such as a Bluetooth module, an NFC module, a WIFI module, and the like, and a long-distance communication module such as an LTE communication module and a 5G communication module.

The user terminal device may be a smart phone or a tablet PC. In the user terminal device, a software application for controlling the dishwasher 10 is installed. The user terminal device transmits control information for controlling the operation of the dishwasher 10 to the communication unit through a software application.

The controller controls driving of components included in the dishwasher 10 , and thus controls the operation of the dishwasher 10 . In particular, the controller may control the operation of the dispenser unit 120 , that is, the input operation of the contents included in the dispenser unit 120 .

According to the present invention, the controller may control the operation of the dispenser unit 120 based on a control command transmitted from the user terminal device. Of course, the controller may control the operation of the dispenser unit 120 based on a user input event input to the input unit.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller may independently control each of the first to third dispensers 120a, 120b, and 120c. That is, based on the dispenser control command received from the user terminal device, the controller may open the first dispenser 120a to inject detergent, open the second dispenser 120b to inject rinse aid, or , the third dispenser 120c may be opened to inject a cleaning aid.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention for controlling the operation of the third dispenser 120c of the dispenser unit 120 based on the control command transmitted from the user terminal device will be described in more detail.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the operation of the third dispenser 120c according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Meanwhile, the contents described with reference to FIG. 5 may be similarly applied to the first dispenser 120a and the second dispenser 120b.

Hereinafter, the process performed for each step will be described in detail.

In step S502 , the control unit determines whether the cleaning aid is added to the third dispenser 120c.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit may determine whether the washing aid is input using a water level sensor.

That is, the controller partially opens the third dispenser 120c to inject the cleaning aid in liquid or solid form into the tub 24 . At this time, the water level value measured by the water level sensor increases due to the input of the washing aid, and the controller may check whether the washing aid is added to the third dispenser 120c based on the increased water level value.

If the washing aid is not added, in step S504 , the controller may perform a washing cycle of a basic course in which the washing aid is not used. Here, the basic course is a washing process using detergent and rinse aid.

Conversely, when the washing aid is not added, in step S506 , the communication unit transmits information that the washing aid is added to the user terminal device.

Thereafter, in step S508, the communication unit receives the dispenser control information transmitted from the user terminal device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the dispenser control information may include at least one of information on when the cleaning aid is introduced into the tub 24 and information on the amount of the cleaning aid is injected into the tub 24 .

That is, the user inputs the desired input time of the washing aid and the desired input amount of the washing aid to the user terminal device through an input event, and the user terminal device generates dispenser control information based on the inputted information to the communication unit can be sent to

In step S510 , the controller may perform a washing cycle according to the washing aid based on the dispenser control information.

If dispenser control information is not received, the controller may control the dishwasher 10 to perform washing in a standard setting mode. Herein, the standard setting mode refers to a mode in which a washing cycle is performed with a default amount at the time of the default input.

6 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the control unit includes a microcomputer and a driving circuit unit. The microcomputer receives dispenser control information from the communication unit, and outputs a dispenser control command based thereon. The driving circuit unit controls driving of the third dispenser 120c based on the dispenser control command.

Meanwhile, the washing course by the dishwasher 10 includes a preliminary washing process, a main washing process, and a rinsing process.

The preliminary washing process is a process of preliminarily removing dirt attached to the washing target by spraying washing water onto the washing target. The main washing process is a main cycle of the dishwasher 10 in which heated washing water is sprayed onto the washing target to remove dirt attached to the washing target. The rinsing process is a process of removing residual dirt attached to the object to be cleaned.

In this case, when a cleaning aid is added while the rinsing process is performed, there is a problem in that the rinsing process must be performed again.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when dispenser control information is received from the communication unit before the rinsing process starts, the control unit may control the third dispenser 120c based on the dispenser control information.

Also, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when dispenser control information is received from the communication unit after the rinsing process is started, the control unit may not perform a control operation of the third dispenser 120c based on the dispenser control information. In this case, the controller may transmit information indicating that the driving of the third dispenser 120c is not controlled by the dispenser control information to the user terminal device through the communication unit.

In other words, the dishwasher 10 of the present invention may inject the contents of the dispenser unit 120 , such as a cleaning aid, into the tub 24 at a time and amount desired by the user. Accordingly, the contents contained in the dispenser unit 120 can be easily put into the tub 24 using the user terminal device.

In addition, in the dishwasher of the present invention, by arranging an additional dispenser (that is, the third dispenser 120c) containing the washing aid for removing odors generated in the tub 24, the washing aid can be easily introduced into the tub 24. can be put in

Therefore, according to the present invention, the cleaning aid can be easily introduced into the tub, greasy dishes can be easily washed, and odors generated in the tub can be easily removed.

In addition, even if all the components constituting the embodiment of the present invention are described as being combined or operated as one, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this embodiment, and all components within the scope of the present invention are One or more may be selectively combined to operate. In addition, although all of the components may be implemented as one independent hardware, some or all of the components are selectively combined to perform some or all functions of the combined hardware in one or a plurality of hardware program modules It may be implemented as a computer program having Codes and code segments constituting the computer program can be easily deduced by those skilled in the art of the present invention. Such a computer program is stored in a computer readable storage medium (Computer Readable Media), read and executed by the computer, thereby implementing the embodiment of the present invention. The storage medium of the computer program includes a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, and a storage medium including a semiconductor recording device. In addition, the computer program implementing the embodiment of the present invention includes a program module that is transmitted in real time through an external device.

As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the illustrated drawings, but the present invention is not limited by the embodiments and drawings disclosed in the present specification. It is obvious that variations can be made. In addition, although the effects according to the configuration of the present invention are not explicitly described and described while describing the embodiments of the present invention, it is natural that the effects predictable by the configuration should also be recognized.

Claims (7)

Forming an external shape, one side of the open cabinet;
a door opening and closing the opened front of the cabinet;
a tub disposed inside the cabinet and having a washing room in which dishes are accommodated;
a dispenser disposed on one side of the door;
a communication unit configured to receive dispenser control information for controlling each of the dispensers from a user terminal device; and
and a controller configured to control each of the at least one dispenser based on the dispenser control information.
According to claim 1,
The at least one dispenser includes a first dispenser for supplying detergent to the inside of the tub, a second dispenser for supplying rinse aid to the inside of the tub, and a third dispenser for supplying a cleaning aid to the inside of the tub which, dishwasher.
3. The method of claim 2,
The washing aid is a odor remover capable of removing the odor inside the tub.
According to claim 1,
The dispenser control information includes at least one of information on when the contents contained in the at least one dispenser are put into the tub and information on the amount of the contents into the tub.
5. The method of claim 4,
The washing course by the dishwasher includes a preliminary washing process, a main washing process, and a rinsing process,
When the dispenser control information is received from the communication unit before the rinsing process starts, the control unit performs a control operation of the dispenser based on the dispenser control information;
When the dispenser control information is received from the communication unit after the rinsing process is started, the control unit does not perform a control operation of the dispenser based on the dispenser control information.
According to claim 1,
a sump disposed under the washing chamber and storing washing water; and
A water level sensor disposed in the sump and measuring the level of the washing water;
The control unit determines whether the contents contained in the at least one dispenser are supplied into the tub based on the level of the washing water.
7. The method of claim 6,
The water level sensor is a turbidity sensor for measuring a level of the washing water by measuring a turbidity value of the washing water.

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