# US 2013/0152969 A1 · Dishwasher and method for controlling the same

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- Number: US 2013/0152969 A1
- Document ID: US20130152969A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/718,266
- Filed: 2012-12-18
- Published: 2013-06-20
- Earliest claimed: 2011-12-20
- Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Su Jin SEONG; Bo Kyung Lee; Jong Ho Lee; Ae Lee Im; Jung Soo Lim; Jung Min Choi; Jea Won Lee
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130152969A1

## CPC

- A47L 15/42: Details
- A47L 15/0057: {Cleaning of machines parts, e.g. removal of deposits like lime scale or proteins from piping or tub}
- A47L 15/4238: {by using electrolytic cells}
- A47L 15/4291: {Recovery arrangements, e.g. for the recovery of energy or water}
- A47L 15/4217: {Fittings for water supply, e.g. valves or plumbing means to connect to cold or warm water lines, aquastops}
- A47L 2301/04: Operation mode, e.g. delicate washing, economy washing, reduced time, sterilizing, water softener regenerating, odor eliminating or service
- A47L 2401/04: Crockery or tableware details, e.g. material, quantity, condition
- A47L 2401/09: Water level
- A47L 2401/10: Water cloudiness or dirtiness, e.g. turbidity, foaming or level of bacteria
- A47L 2401/11: Water hardness, acidity or basicity
- A47L 2401/12: Water temperature
- A47L 2401/20: Time, e.g. elapsed operating time
- A47L 2401/30: Variation of electrical, magnetical or optical quantities
- A47L 2501/01: Water supply, e.g. opening or closure of the water inlet valve
- A47L 2501/03: Water recirculation, e.g. control of distributing valves for redirection of water flow
- A47L 2501/05: Drain or recirculation pump, e.g. regulation of the pump rotational speed or flow direction
- A47L 2501/06: Water heaters
- A47L 2501/07: Consumable products, e.g. detergent, rinse aids or salt
- A47L 2501/16: Sterilisers
- A47L 2501/26: Indication or alarm to the controlling device or to the user
- A47L 2501/30: Regulation of machine operational steps within the washing process, e.g. performing an additional rinsing phase, shortening or stopping of the drying phase, washing at decreased noise operation conditions
- Y02B 40/00: Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers
- A47L: DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING (brushes A46B; cleaning quantities of bottles or of other hollow articles of one kind B08B9/00; laundry D06F); SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL (cleaning in general B08)
- Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS

## Abstract

A dishwasher, in which a reservoir provided with an electrolyzer is connected to a water collector via a flow path change valve, and wash water in the reservoir is electrolyzed by the electrolyzer during non-operation of the wash water, to generate sterilizing water and to circulate the sterilizing water into the dishwasher, thereby achieving an enhancement in sterilizability of the dishwasher. A method for controlling a dishwasher makes it possible to suppress propagation of microorganisms left in the dishwasher and to remove organic substances, using a sterilizing agent or high-temperature water. It is also possible to reduce generation of offensive odor caused by decomposition of bacteria, through a reduction in the amount of bacteria in the dishwasher. Since sterilization of the dishwasher is automatically carried out, enhanced user convenience is provided.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A dishwasher comprising:
a water collector to collect wash water from a wash chamber;
a reservoir to store a portion of the wash water;
an electrolyzer disposed in the reservoir;
a flow path change valve to open and close a flow passage between the water collector and the reservoir;
a circulation pump to circulate the water stored in the water collector and the reservoir into the wash chamber; and
a controller to control the electrolyzer to electrolyze the wash water in the reservoir during non-operation of the dishwasher, for production of sterilizing water, and to control the flow path change valve and the circulation pump to circulate the produced sterilizing water through an interior of the dishwasher.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The dishwasher according to claim 1, further comprising:
a water level detector disposed at one side of the reservoir, to detect a water level of the reservoir.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The dishwasher according to claim 2, wherein the controller detects the water level of the reservoir, through the water level detector, and turns on the electrolyzer when the detected water level is equal to or more than a predetermined value.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein, when the dishwasher operates, the controller turns on the electrolyzer, to cause the electrolyzer to electrolyze the wash water stored in the reservoir, for production of sterilizing water, and opens the flow path change valve, to supply the produced sterilizing water to be supplied to the water collector, for circular sterilization.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The dishwasher according to claim 4, further comprising:
a water level detector disposed at one side of the reservoir, to detect a water level of the reservoir,
wherein the controller detects the water level of the reservoir, and turns on the electrolyzer when the detected water level is equal to or more than a predetermined value.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The dishwasher according to claim 4, wherein, when the dishwasher executes a preliminary wash operation, the controller turns on the electrolyzer, and opens the flow path change valve after a predetermined time elapses.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The dishwasher according to claim 4, wherein, after completion of a final rinsing operation executed when the dishwasher operates, the controller controls the circulation pump and the flow path change valve, to store water used in the final rinsing operation in the reservoir.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The dishwasher according to claim 7, wherein, after completion of the final rinsing operation, the controller opens the flow path change valve, detects the water level of the reservoir, and closes the flow path change valve when the detected water level is equal to or more than a predetermined value.

### Claim 9

A method for controlling a dishwasher including a water collector to collect wash water from a wash chamber, a reservoir to store a portion of the wash water, an electrolyzer disposed in the reservoir, a flow path change valve to open and close a flow passage between the water collector and the reservoir, and a circulation pump to circulate the water stored in the water collector and the reservoir into the wash chamber, comprising:
electrolyzing the wash water in the reservoir during non-operation of the dishwasher, thereby producing sterilizing water; and
circulating the produced sterilizing water through an interior of the dishwasher, thereby sterilizing the interior of the dishwasher.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method according to claim 9, wherein the producing sterilizing water comprises detecting a water level of the reservoir, through a water level detector disposed at one side of the reservoir to detect the water level of the reservoir, and turning on the electrolyzer when the detected water level is equal to or more than a predetermined value.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The method according to claim 9, further comprising:
electrolyzing the wash water stored in the reservoir, when the dishwasher operates, thereby producing sterilizing water, and opening the flow path change valve, thereby supplying the produced sterilizing water to the water collector, for circular sterilization.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method according to claim 11, wherein the producing sterilizing water comprises detecting a water level of the reservoir, through a water level detector disposed at one side of the reservoir to detect the water level of the reservoir, and turning on the electrolyzer when the detected water level is equal to or more than a predetermined value.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The method according to claim 11, further comprising:
turning on the electrolyzer when the dishwasher executes a preliminary wash operation;and
opening the flow path change valve after a predetermined time elapses.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The method according to claim 11, further comprising:
storing, in the reservoir, water used in a final rinsing operation executed when the dishwasher operates, after completion of the final rinsing operation.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method according to claim 14, wherein the storing water used in the final rinsing operation comprises opening the flow path change valve, detecting the water level of the reservoir, and closing the flow path change valve when the detected water level is equal to or more than a predetermined value.

### Claim 16

A dishwasher comprising:
a wash tub;
a wash assembly, in which water flows to wash dishes received in the wash tub;
a sterilizer to produce sterilizing water; and
a controller to control driving of the sterilizer in a sterilization mode, for production of sterilizing water, and to control driving of the wash assembly in the sterilization mode, to cause the sterilizing water to circulate through an interior of the wash tub and an interior of the wash assembly.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The dishwasher according to claim 16, further comprising:
a dish detector to detect whether there are dishes received in the wash tub,
wherein the controller stops entrance of the sterilization mode when it is determined that there are dishes in the wash tub.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The dishwasher according to claim 17, wherein:
the dish detector comprises a weight sensor to detect a weight of a receiver to receive dishes;
the controller determines that there are dishes in the wash tub, when the detected weight is equal to or greater than a reference weight.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The dishwasher according to claim 17, wherein:
the dish detector comprises an optical sensor to output light and to detect an amount of the output light; and
the controller determines that there are dishes in the wash tub, when the detected light amount is equal to or greater than a reference light amount.

### Claim 20 (depends on 16)

The dishwasher according to claim 16, wherein the sterilizer comprises a heater to heat water in the wash tub.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The dishwasher according to claim 20, wherein:
the sterilizer further comprises a temperature detector to detect a temperature of the water in the wash tub; and
the controller stops driving of the heater, based on the detected water temperature.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The dishwasher according to claim 21, wherein the sterilizing water is water of about 50 to 90° C.

### Claim 23 (depends on 21)

The dishwasher according to claim 21, wherein:
the sterilization mode comprises a preliminary sterilization operation, a main sterilization operation, and a rinsing operation; and
the controller controls water supply, water circulation, water injection and water drainage during the preliminary sterilization and rinsing operations, and controls water supply, water heating, water circulation, water injection and water drainage during the main sterilization operation.

### Claim 24 (depends on 23)

The dishwasher according to claim 23, wherein the main sterilization operation is executed for about 15 minutes or more.

### Claim 25 (depends on 23)

The dishwasher according to claim 23, further comprising:
a water level detector to detect a water level of the wash tub,
wherein the controller stops the water supply, based on the detected water level.

### Claim 26 (depends on 16)

The dishwasher according to claim 16, further comprising:
a memory to store an execution interval of the sterilization mode,
wherein the controller determines whether a current point of time is a time when the sterilization mode is to be executed, based on the stored sterilization mode execution interval, and controls execution of the sterilization mode when the current point of time is the time when the sterilization mode is to be executed.

### Claim 27 (depends on 26)

The dishwasher according to claim 26, wherein the sterilization mode execution interval is about 30 days.

### Claim 28 (depends on 26)

The dishwasher according to claim 26, further comprising:
a user interface to inform a user of the sterilization mode execution interval.

### Claim 29 (depends on 16)

The dishwasher according to claim 16, further comprising:
a user interface to receive a command to execute the sterilization mode,
wherein the controller controls execution of the sterilization mode when it is determined that the sterilization mode execution command is received.

### Claim 30 (depends on 16)

The dishwasher according to claim 16, wherein the sterilizer comprises a sterilizing agent storage unit to store a sterilizing agent and to discharge the sterilizing agent into the wash tub in the sterilization mode.

### Claim 31 (depends on 29)

The dishwasher according to claim 29, wherein the sterilizing agent storage unit comprises:
an opening/closing member to enable the discharge of the sterilizing agent in an opened state thereof; and
a guide tube to guide the sterilizing agent to the wash tub.

### Claim 32 (depends on 29)

The dishwasher according to claim 29, wherein the controller controls the opening/closing member of the sterilizing agent storage unit to be opened in the sterilization mode.

### Claim 33 (depends on 29)

The dishwasher according to claim 29, wherein:
the sterilization mode comprises a preliminary sterilization operation, a main sterilization operation, and a rinsing operation; and
the controller controls water supply, water circulation, water injection and water drainage during the preliminary sterilization and rinsing operations, and controls water supply, sterilizing agent discharge, sterilizing water circulation, sterilizing water injection and sterilizing water drainage during the main sterilization operation.

### Claim 34 (depends on 33)

The dishwasher according to claim 33, further comprising:
a sterilizing agent detector to detect an amount of the sterilizing agent left in rinsing water used in the rinsing operation,
wherein the controller controls the rinsing operation to be repeatedly executed when the detected sterilizing agent amount is equal to or more than a reference amount, and stops the rinsing operation when the detected sterilizing agent amount is less than the reference amount.

### Claim 35 (depends on 34)

The dishwasher according to claim 34, wherein the sterilizing agent detector comprises a turbidity sensor to detect a turbidity of the rinsing water, an electric conductivity sensor to detect an electric conductivity of the rising water, or a pH sensor to detect a pH of the rinsing water.

### Claim 36 (depends on 33)

The dishwasher according to claim 33, further comprising:
a water level detector to detect a water level of the wash tub,
wherein the controller stops the water supply, based on the detected water level.

### Claim 37 (depends on 16)

The dishwasher according to claim 16, wherein the wash assembly comprises:
a water supplier to supply water from an external water supply source;
a water collector to store the supplied water;
a circulator to pump the water from the water collector, for circulation of the water;
an injector to inject the circulated water into the wash tub; and
a drainer to outwardly drain the water.

### Claim 38 (depends on 16)

The dishwasher according to claim 16, further comprising:
a contamination degree detector to detect a degree of contamination in the wash tub; and
a user interface to provide, to a user, information representing a requirement of execution of a wash mode,
wherein the controller controls the user interface to execute the information provision when the detected contamination degree is equal to or more than a reference contamination degree.

### Claim 39

A method for controlling a dishwasher including a wash tub, and a wash assembly to circulate water received in the wash tub for washing of dishes, comprising:
determining whether a sterilization mode to wash and sterilize the wash tub and the wash assembly has been received, and detecting whether there are dishes received in the wash tub, when it is determined that the sterilization mode information has been received;
controlling a water supplier, to supply water, when it is determined that there are no dishes in the wash tub;
heating the supplied water, thereby producing sterilizing water;
controlling the wash assembly to circulate and inject the produced sterilizing water into the wash tub and the wash assembly; and
controlling a drainage unit to outwardly drain the sterilizing water after completion of the circulation and the injection.

### Claim 40 (depends on 39)

The method according to claim 39, further comprising:
stopping entrance of the sterilization mode when it is determined that there are dishes in the wash tub.

### Claim 41 (depends on 39)

The method according to claim 39, further comprising:
controlling the water supplier to supply water;
detecting a level of the supplied water;
controlling the water supplier to stop the water supply when the detected water level is a first reference water level; and
executing a preliminary sterilization operation for a first reference time while circulating and injecting the supplied water.

### Claim 42 (depends on 41)

The method according to claim 41, wherein the circulation and injection of the sterilizing water produced by the water heating are executed in a main sterilization operation to be executed after completion of the preliminary sterilization operation.

### Claim 43 (depends on 42)

The method according to claim 42, wherein the main sterilization operation is executed for a second reference time, using water supplied to a second reference water level.

### Claim 44 (depends on 42)

The method according to claim 42, further comprising:
controlling the water supplier to supply water when the main sterilization operation is completed;
detecting a level of the supplied water;
controlling the water supplier to stop the water supply when the detected water level is a third reference water level; and
executing a rinsing operation for a third reference time while circulating and injecting the supplied water.

### Claim 45 (depends on 39)

The method according to claim 39, wherein the determining whether the sterilization mode has been received comprises:
determining whether a current point of time is a time when the sterilization mode is to be executed; and
outputting a sterilization mode execution command when the current point of time is the time when the sterilization mode is to be executed.

### Claim 46 (depends on 39)

The method according to claim 39, wherein the determining whether the sterilization mode has been received comprises:
detecting a degree of contamination in the wash tub; and
outputting a sterilization mode execution command, based on the detected contamination degree.

### Claim 47 (depends on 39)

The method according to claim 39, further comprising:
discharging a sterilizing agent into the wash tub, based on a degree of contamination in the wash tub.

### Claim 48 (depends on 39)

The method according to claim 39, wherein the determining whether the sterilization mode has been received comprises determining whether a sterilization mode execution command has been input through a user interface.

### Claim 49

A method for controlling a dishwasher including a wash tub, and a wash assembly to circulate water received in the wash tub for washing of dishes, comprising:
determining whether a sterilization mode to wash and sterilize the wash tub and the wash assembly has been received, and detecting whether there are dishes received in the wash tub, when it is determined that the sterilization mode information has been received;
controlling a water supplier, to supply water, when it is determined that there are no dishes in the wash tub;
discharging a sterilizing agent into the supplied water, thereby producing sterilizing water;
controlling the wash assembly to circulate and inject the produced sterilizing water into the wash tub and the wash assembly; and
controlling a drainage unit to outwardly drain the sterilizing water after completion of the circulation and the injection.

### Claim 50 (depends on 49)

The method according to claim 49, further comprising:
stopping entrance of the sterilization mode when it is determined that there are dishes in the wash tub.

### Claim 51 (depends on 49)

The method according to claim 49, further comprising:
controlling the water supplier to supply water;
detecting a level of the supplied water;
controlling the water supplier to stop the water supply when the detected water level is a first reference water level; and
executing a preliminary sterilization operation for a first reference time while circulating and injecting the supplied water.

### Claim 52 (depends on 51)

The method according to claim 51, wherein the circulation and injection of the sterilizing water are executed in a main sterilization operation to be executed after completion of the preliminary sterilization operation.

### Claim 53 (depends on 52)

The method according to claim 52, wherein the main sterilization operation is executed for a second reference time, using water supplied to a second reference water level.

### Claim 54 (depends on 52)

The method according to claim 52, further comprising:
controlling the water supplier to supply rinsing water when the main sterilization operation is completed;
detecting a level of the supplied rinsing water;
controlling the water supplier to stop the water supply when the detected water level is a third reference water level; and
executing a rinsing operation for a third reference time while circulating and injecting the supplied rinsing water.

### Claim 55 (depends on 54)

The method according to claim 54, further comprising:
detecting an amount of the sterilizing agent left in the rinsing water after completion of the rinsing operation;
again executing the rinsing operation when the detected sterilizing agent amount is less than a reference amount; and
stopping the rinsing operation when the detected sterilizing agent amount is equal to or more than the reference amount.

### Claim 56 (depends on 49)

The method according to claim 49, further comprising:
providing dish unloading requirement information to a user when there are dishes in the wash tub.