Dishwasher and controlling method therefor
AssigneeLG Electronics Inc.
InventorYongtae Kwon
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a dishwasher for washing the dishes or the cooking utensils by spraying washing water and steam and a controlling method therefor. The method of controlling a dishwasher includes: a steam supply step of supplying washing water to the sump from an external water source; and a steam generation step of maintaining a water level of the washing water existing inside the washing pump at a certain water level or higher and heating the washing water.
Claims20
A method of controlling a dishwasher that includes a plurality of spray arms configured to spray washing water to a washing chamber, a steam nozzle configured to spray steam, a sump configured to store washing water, and a washing pump configured to receive washing water from the sump and to heat washing water in the washing pump, the method comprising:
- performing a preliminary washing process that comprises supplying washing water to the sump from an external water source, operating the washing pump to supply washing water in the sump to at least one of the plurality of spray arms, and operating a drain pump to discharge washing water in the sump to an outside;
- after performing the preliminary washing process, washing the sump by supplying washing water to the sump through a water supply flow path that connects the external water source to the sump and draining washing water from the sump, the water supply flow path being located outside of the washing chamber;
- and
- after washing the sump, performing a steam washing process that comprises:
- supplying washing water to the sump from the external water source,
- supplying washing water from the sump to the washing pump,
- maintaining a water level of washing water in the washing pump vertically higher than or equal to a reference water level, and
- generating steam from the washing pump by heating washing water in the washing pump while the water level of washing water in the washing pump is maintained vertically higher than or equal to the reference water level, and
- wherein draining washing water during washing the sump comprises receiving, at the sump, washing water from the washing pump, and discharging the received washing water through a drainage flow path connected to the sump,
- wherein the dishwasher further comprises a check valve located at a washing water intake pipe that connects the sump to the washing pump, and
- wherein receiving washing water from the washing pump during washing the sump comprises receiving washing water from the washing pump through a gap defined between an end of the check valve and an inner surface of the washing water intake pipe.
A method of controlling a dishwasher that includes a plurality of spray arms configured to spray washing water to a washing chamber, a steam nozzle configured to spray steam, a sump configured to store washing water, and a washing pump configured to receive washing water from the sump and to heat washing water in the washing pump, the method comprising:
- performing a preliminary washing process that comprises supplying washing water to the sump from an external water source, operating the washing pump to supply washing water in the sump to at least one of the plurality of spray arms, and operating a drain pump to discharge washing water in the sump to an outside;
- after performing the preliminary washing process, washing the sump by supplying washing water to the sump through a water supply flow path that connects the external water source to the sump and draining washing water from the sump, the water supply flow path being located outside of the washing chamber;
- and
- after washing the sump, performing a steam washing process that comprises:
- supplying washing water to the sump from the external water source,
- supplying washing water from the sump to the washing pump,
- maintaining a water level of washing water in the washing pump vertically higher than or equal to a reference water level, and
- generating steam from the washing pump by heating washing water in the washing pump while the water level of washing water in the washing pump is maintained vertically higher than or equal to the reference water level, and
- wherein draining washing water during washing the sump comprises receiving, at the sump, washing water from the washing pump, and discharging the received washing water through a drainage flow path connected to the sump,
- wherein the dishwasher further comprises a heater located in the washing pump, and
- wherein draining washing water from the sump during washing the sump is performed until a water level in the washing pump is lower than an upper end of the heater.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.