KR20230142250A - Dish Washer and Control Method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dishwasher.
The dishwasher of the present invention includes a tub, a sump disposed below the tub and forming a space in which washing water is stored, a pump connected to the sump and supplying washing water stored in the sump to the tub, and A drain pipe connected to the sump at the lower end of the sump to discharge the wash water stored in the sump, a drain pump disposed in the drain pipe and discharging the wash water stored in the sump to the outside, and a drain pipe to dry the sump. It includes an exhaust pipe connected to the sump at the top, and an exhaust pipe valve disposed on the exhaust pipe and opening or closing between the exhaust pipe and the sump.

Description

Dish Washer and Control Method thereof}

The present invention relates to a dishwasher and a control method thereof, and more specifically, to a dishwasher that dries the inside of a sump and a control method thereof.

A dishwasher is a device that removes dirt from dishes and cleans them.

The dishwasher sprays washing water into the tub where the dishes are placed, removes dirt on the dishes, and goes through rinsing and drying steps to return the dishes to their original purpose.

However, when this process proceeds, the space inside the tub may be dried, but the inside of the sump where the washing water is stored may remain moist. If the sump remains humid, contamination may occur inside the enclosed space.

The structure or control method of an existing dishwasher discloses a drying method or structure for drying dishes.

Korean published patent KR 10-2017-0081473 A also discloses a step of drying the inside of the tub.

Registered utility model KR 20-0155465 Y1 discloses a structure in which a sterilizing lamp is placed inside a sump. However, this structure has a problem in that contamination can only be prevented when the sterilizing lamp is operating, and if residual water exists inside the sump, internal contamination may still increase.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a dishwasher that can keep the sump inside the dishwasher clean. Additionally, a method of controlling a dishwasher is provided so that the inside of the dishwasher can be maintained in a clean state.

Another problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a dishwasher that minimizes sump drying time.

Another problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a dishwasher that can keep the inside of the pump connected to the sump clean.

The problems of the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

In order to achieve the above object, a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a tub, a sump disposed below the tub and forming a space in which washing water is stored, connected to the sump, and stored in the sump. A pump that supplies washing water to the tub, a drain pipe connected to the sump at the lower end of the sump to discharge the washing water stored in the sump, and a drain pump disposed in the drain pipe and discharging the washing water stored in the sump to the outside. and an exhaust pipe connected to the sump at an upper side of the drain pipe to dry the sump, and an exhaust pipe valve disposed in the exhaust pipe and opening or closing between the exhaust pipe and the sump, and an inside of the sump where washing water is stored. can be dried.

It is mounted on the sump and includes a filter including a mesh network that filters out foreign substances in the wash water flowing through the pump, the drain pipe is connected to the lower part of the filter from which the mesh network is removed, and the exhaust pipe is connected to the mesh network. It is opened to face the circumferential surface of the filter, so that the filter placed in the sump can be dried.

An exhaust fan is disposed in the exhaust pipe to exhaust air inside the sump to the outside, and the exhaust fan is disposed downstream of the exhaust valve on the exhaust pipe to prevent washing water stored in the sump from flowing into the exhaust fan. You can.

A sensor is disposed in the exhaust pipe to detect the humidity of the air flowing inside the exhaust pipe, and can detect the humidity of the air flowing into the exhaust pipe.

When the exhaust valve opens the inside of the exhaust pipe, the exhaust fan operates, and when the humidity of the air detected by the sensor is below the set humidity, the operation of the exhaust fan is stopped, reducing the time to dry the inside of the sump. It can be.

It includes a connection pipe connecting the sump and the pump, and a connection valve disposed inside the connection pipe and opening or closing the inside of the connection pipe, to prevent the flow of washing water back from the pump to the sump. .

The exhaust valve operates in a solenoid manner, and the connection valve may use a check valve whose upper side is rotatably fixed.

When the exhaust valve closes the exhaust pipe, it seals the flow path inside the exhaust pipe, and when the connection pipe valve closes the inside of the connection pipe, a gap is formed below the connection pipe valve, so that the remaining inside the pump Water may enter the sump.

The exhaust pipe is connected to the sump above the connection pipe, thereby preventing residual washing water inside the sump from flowing into the exhaust pipe.

The control method of the dishwasher of the present invention includes a supply step of storing wash water supplied from an external water source into a sump, a spray step of operating a pump to spray the wash water stored in the sump into the tub, and operating a drain pump to Including a draining step of discharging the washing water stored in the sump into a drain pipe and a sump drying step of communicating the sump with an external space of the sump, the inner space of the sump in addition to the tub can be dried.

The sump drying step includes operating an exhaust valve to open the inside of an exhaust pipe connecting the sump and an external space of the sump, and operating an exhaust fan to exhaust air from the sump to the outside. The exhaust fan can operate with the exhaust valve open.

The sump drying step includes detecting the humidity of the air discharged from the sump with a sensor, and when the humidity of the air detected by the sensor is less than the set humidity, stopping the operation of the exhaust fan and closing the exhaust pipe. By detecting the humidity level of the sump, including operating the exhaust valve, the drying time inside the sump can be adjusted.

It further includes a tub drying step of drying the inside of the tub by operating the heater inside the pump, and the sump drying step is performed after the tub drying step is completed to dry the inside of the tub and the inside of the sump. there is.

Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

According to the dishwasher of the present invention, one or more of the following effects are achieved.

First, it has the advantage of keeping the inside of the sump clean by including a separate exhaust pipe, exhaust valve, and exhaust fan for drying the inside of the sump.

Second, by detecting the humidity of the air discharged from the sump, the time to dry the sump can be minimized. Therefore, there is also the advantage of reducing the time and power waste required for sump drying.

Third, the connection valve placed on the connection pipe uses a check valve, so even when the connection valve is closed, a gap is formed at the bottom, and the space in the sump and the inside of the pump connected to the sump are dried due to the operation of the exhaust fan. There is also the advantage of maintaining cleanliness inside the pump.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

1 is a schematic diagram of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a sump, an exhaust pipe, a drain pipe, and a connection pipe connected to the sump according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a block diagram of a control unit and its related components according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method for controlling a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a flow chart including a specific method of a sump drying method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described in detail below along with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be implemented in various different forms. The present embodiments are merely provided to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to be understood by those skilled in the art. It is provided to fully inform those who have the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings for explaining a dishwasher and its control method according to embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, the overall configuration of the dishwasher will be described.

The dishwasher of the present invention includes a cabinet 10 forming the outer shape, a tub 12 disposed inside the cabinet 10 and forming a washing space 12a therein, and disposed on the lower side of the tub 12 and containing washing water. A sump 14 forming a storage space, a pump 16 disposed on one side of the sump 14 and supplying the washing water stored in the sump 14 to the tub 12, and washing the washing water pumped from the pump 16. It may include a plurality of spray arms (30a, 30b, 30c) that spray into space.

The tub 12 has a structure in which one side is open, and a door 34 is disposed on one open side of the tub 12. The door 34 can open and close one open side of the tub 12.

Washing water sprayed into the washing space of the tub 12 may flow downward and be collected in the sump 14.

A filter 36 is disposed inside the sump 14. The filter 36 can filter out foreign substances contained in the washing water flowing from the sump 14 to the pump 16. The filter 36 is open in the vertical direction, and a mesh network may be placed on the peripheral surface. Water collected from the tub 12 can flow into the filter 36 through the open upper side. The filter 36 may be connected to the drain pipe 38, which will be described below, on the lower side of the opening.

The filter 36 may have a cylindrical shape and a structure in which the peripheral surface is surrounded by a mesh network. The filter 36 may have a mesh network removed in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the drain pipe 38 is connected to the lower part of the filter 36 from which the mesh network has been removed, and the exhaust pipe 42 is arranged to face the peripheral surface of the filter 36 where the mesh network is disposed.

The sump 14 is connected to the pump 16 on one side. The dishwasher includes a connection pipe 24 connecting the sump 14 and the pump 16. A connector valve 26 is disposed inside the connector 24. The connection pipe valve 26 opens and closes the internal flow path of the connection pipe 24 to send the washing water stored in the sump 14 to the pump 16.

The connector valve 26 can be a check valve. The upper end of the connector valve 26 is rotatably connected. The lower end of the connecting pipe valve 26 may be disposed at a certain distance from the lower end of the connecting pipe 24. Therefore, even when the connection valve 26 is closed, the washing water or moist air remaining in the pump 16 can flow into the sump 14.

The sump 14 is connected to the drain pipe 38 on one side. The drain pipe 38 is connected at the lower end of the sump 14. A drain pump 40 is disposed in the drain pipe 38 to discharge the washing water stored in the sump 14 to the outside. The drain pipe 38 is connected to the open lower side of the filter 36. Accordingly, residual foreign matter accumulated inside the filter 36 may be discharged to the outside through the drain pipe 38.

The sump 14 is connected to the exhaust pipe 42 on one side. The exhaust pipe 42 is connected to the sump 14 above the drain pipe 38. The area where the exhaust pipe 42 is connected to the sump 14 may be formed at a higher position than the area where the connection pipe 24 is connected to the sump 14.

The sump 14 may be connected to the supply pipe 50 on one side. The supply pipe 50 may be connected to the sump 14 above the drain pipe 38. The supply pipe 50 can supply washing water supplied from an external water source to the sump 14. A supply valve 52 that opens and closes the internal flow path is disposed in the supply pipe 50.

The pump 16 is connected to the sump 14 through a connection pipe 24. The sump 14 includes a housing 18, an impeller 20 rotatably disposed inside the housing 18, and a heater 22 disposed at the lower portion of the housing 18 and heating the wash water inside the housing 18. Includes.

A wash water flow pipe 28 is connected to one side of the pump 16 to send the wash water flowing by the impeller 20 to a plurality of spray arms. In addition, a steam flow pipe 30 through which steam generated by the heater 22 flows is connected to one side of the pump 16. The steam flow pipe 30 can supply steam generated by the pump 16 to the steam nozzle 32.

Referring to FIG. 2, the sump 14 and its related configuration will be described in detail.

The sump 14 forms a space where washing water is stored. A filter 36 may be disposed in the sump 14. The filter 36 filters out foreign substances in the circulating wash water, which is supplied from the sump 14 to the tub 12 through the pump 16 and then flows back into the sump 14. The filter 36 may have a cylindrical shape, and a mesh network may be disposed on the circumferential surface.

An exhaust pipe 42 is formed on one side of the sump 14, and a connection pipe 24 connected to the pump 16 may be disposed in the opposite direction to the exhaust pipe 42. The exhaust pipe 42 is disposed above the drain pipe 38. The exhaust pipe 42 may be connected to the sump 14 above the drain pipe 38. The exhaust pipe 42 may be connected to the sump 14 above the connection pipe 24. A drain pipe 38 may be connected to the sump 14 between the exhaust pipe 42 and the connection pipe 24.

Referring to FIG. 2, the exhaust pipe 42 includes an exhaust valve 44 that opens and closes a flow path formed inside the exhaust pipe 42, and an exhaust valve 44 disposed inside the exhaust pipe 42 and discharging the air in the sump 14 to the outside. An exhaust fan 46 and a sensor 48 that is disposed inside the exhaust pipe 42 and detects the humidity of the discharged air may be disposed.

The exhaust fan 46 may be disposed farther from the sump 14 than the exhaust valve 44. Therefore, the exhaust fan 46 can operate while the exhaust valve 44 opens the passage inside the exhaust pipe 42.

Sensor 48 may be placed between the exhaust fan 46 and the exhaust valve 44. The sensor 48 can detect the humidity of the air discharged from the sump 14 by the exhaust fan 46 while the exhaust valve 44 opens the internal flow path of the exhaust pipe 42. Sensor 48 may be located farther from sump 14 than exhaust valve 44.

Inside the connection pipe 24, a connection pipe valve 26 is disposed to communicate or partially close the sump 14 and the pump 16. The connector valve (26) can use a check valve. The connector valve 26 may be rotatably disposed at the top of the connector 24. The connection valve 26 can move in the direction of the pump 16 to send the washing water stored in the sump 14 to the pump 16. Additionally, the connection valve 26 uses a check valve to prevent the wash water stored in the pump 16 from flowing back into the sump 14.

However, when the connector valve 26 is closed, its lower end may be arranged to be spaced upward from the lower end of the connector 24. Therefore, even when the connection pipe valve 26 closes the internal flow path of the connection pipe 24, the remaining washing water of the pump 16 can flow into the sump 14. In addition, even when the connection pipe valve 26 closes the internal flow path of the connection pipe 24, moist air inside the pump 16 can flow into the exhaust pipe 42 through the sump 14.

The exhaust pipe 42 and the connection pipe 24 may be opened toward the peripheral surface of the filter 36. The exhaust pipe 42 and the connection pipe 24 may be arranged in opposite directions with the filter 36 interposed therebetween.

Hereinafter, the control unit 60 and its related configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

The dishwasher of the present invention may include a control unit 60 that operates the exhaust valve 44 and the exhaust fan 46.

The control unit 60 can operate the drainage pump 40 and pump 16. The control unit 60 can operate the supply valve 52 and the drain pump 40 according to the washing cycle. The control unit 60 may operate the exhaust valve 44 and the exhaust fan 46 after the operation of the drainage pump 40 is completed. The control unit 60 can stop the operation of the exhaust valve 44 and the exhaust fan 46 based on the humidity of the air detected by the sensor 48.

Hereinafter, the control method of the dishwasher of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

The dishwasher may include a preliminary washing step (S100), a main washing step (S200), a rinsing step (S300), and a drying step (S400).

The preliminary washing step (S100) is a step of removing protein-centered dirt with washing water, supplying washing water to the sump 14, spraying the washing water into the tub 12, and draining the washing water from the sump 14. goes through

The main washing step (S200) is a step of removing foreign substances on dishes, etc. using a washing detergent. Washing water is supplied to the sump (14), washing water is sprayed into the tub (12), and washing water in the sump (14) is drained. Go through the steps. In this cleaning, foreign substances can be removed by heating the washing water with a heater.

The rinsing step (S300) is a step in which dishes that have undergone the main washing step are washed using water. Washing water is supplied to the sump (14), washing water is sprayed into the tub (12), and washing water from the sump (14) is drained. Go through the steps.

The drying step (S400) is a process of removing moisture from dishes that have been washed and rinsed, and moisture remaining on the dishes can be removed using air heated by a heater.

The preliminary washing step (S100), main washing step (S200), and rinsing step (S300) each include steps (S110, S210, S310) of storing washing water supplied from an external water source into the sump (14), and pump (16). ) to spray the washing water stored in the sump 14 into the tub 12 (S120, S220, S320), and operating the drain pump 40 to discharge the washing water stored in the sump 14 into the drain pipe. You can go through (S130, S230, S330). Afterwards, in the drying step (S400), a drying step (S420) may be performed on the sump 14, which communicates the sump 14 with the external space of the sump 14.

The drying step (S400) may include drying the tub 12 (S410) and drying the sump 14 (S420).

In the step (S410) of drying the washing space inside the tub 12, the washing space can be dried by supplying heated steam or air to the washing space through heating of the heater 22. The step of drying the tub 12 (S410) may include opening the door 34 to discharge the moist air inside the tub 12 to the outside.

The step of drying the sump 14 (S420) may be performed after the step of drying the tub 12 (S410).

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 5, the step (S420) of drying the sump 14 will be described.

The step of drying the sump 14 (S420) includes the step of opening the exhaust valve 44 to communicate with the sump 14 and the external space (S421). The exhaust valve 44 may open the flow path inside the exhaust pipe 42 to allow the moist air in the sump 14 to be discharged to the outside.

When the exhaust valve 44 is opened, a step (S422) of operating the exhaust fan 46 can be performed. By operating the exhaust fan 46, the moist air inside the sump 14 can be discharged to the outside. At this time, since the exhaust pipe 42 is formed in the opposite direction to the connection pipe 24, the humid air inside the pump 16 can also be discharged to the outside by the operation of the exhaust fan 46.

Afterwards, a step (S423) of sensing the humidity of the air flowing through the exhaust pipe 42 is performed. The sensor 48 is disposed in the exhaust pipe 42 and can detect the humidity of the air flowing through the exhaust pipe 42.

Thereafter, when the humidity detected by the sensor 48 is less than the set humidity (S424), the operation of the exhaust fan 46 may be stopped and the exhaust valve 44 may be operated to close the inside of the exhaust pipe 42 (S425) ).

In the above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, but the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and can be used in the technical field to which the invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the patent claims. Of course, various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art, and these modifications should not be understood individually from the technical idea or perspective of the present invention.

10: cabinet 12: tub
12a: Washing space 14: Sump
16: pump 22: heater
24: connector 26: connector valve
36: filter 38: drain pipe
40: drainage pump 42: exhaust pipe
44: exhaust valve 46: exhaust fan
48: sensor

Claims (13)

tub;
a sump disposed below the tub and forming a space in which washing water is stored;
a pump connected to the sump and supplying washing water stored in the sump to the tub;
a drain pipe connected to the sump at a lower end of the sump to discharge washing water stored in the sump;
a drain pump disposed in the drain pipe and discharging the washing water stored in the sump to the outside;
an exhaust pipe connected to the sump at an upper side of the drain pipe to dry the sump;
A dishwasher including an exhaust pipe valve disposed in the exhaust pipe and opening or closing a space between the exhaust pipe and the sump. According to claim 1,
A filter mounted on the sump and including a mesh network that filters out foreign substances in the wash water flowing through the pump,
The drain pipe is connected to the lower part of the filter from which the mesh net has been removed,
A dishwasher wherein the exhaust pipe opens toward a peripheral surface of the filter where the mesh net is disposed. According to claim 1,
An exhaust fan is disposed in the exhaust pipe to exhaust air inside the sump to the outside,
The exhaust fan is disposed downstream of the exhaust valve on the exhaust pipe. According to claim 3,
A dishwasher in which a sensor that detects the humidity of air flowing inside the exhaust pipe is disposed in the exhaust pipe. According to claim 3,
When the exhaust valve opens the inside of the exhaust pipe, the exhaust fan operates,
A dishwasher in which operation of the exhaust fan is stopped when the humidity of the air detected by the sensor is below the set humidity. According to claim 1,
A connector connecting the sump and the pump,
A dishwasher disposed inside the connection pipe and including a connection pipe valve that opens or closes the inside of the connection pipe. According to claim 6,
A dishwasher in which the exhaust valve operates in a solenoid manner, and the connector valve uses a check valve whose upper side is rotatably fixed. According to claim 6,
When the exhaust valve closes the exhaust pipe, it seals the flow path inside the exhaust pipe,
A dishwasher in which a gap is formed below the connector valve when the interior of the connector valve is closed. According to claim 6,
A dishwasher wherein the exhaust pipe is connected to the sump above the connecting pipe. A supply step of storing washing water supplied from an external water source in a sump;
A spraying step of operating a pump to spray the washing water stored in the sump into the tub;
A drain step of operating a drain pump to discharge the washing water stored in the sump into a drain pipe;
A control method of a dishwasher including a sump drying step of communicating the sump with an external space of the sump. According to claim 10,
The sump drying step is,
operating an exhaust valve to open the inside of an exhaust pipe connecting the sump and an external space of the sump;
A method of controlling a dishwasher including operating an exhaust fan to exhaust air from the sump to the outside. According to claim 11,
The sump drying step is,
detecting the humidity of the air discharged from the sump with a sensor;
A method of controlling a dishwasher comprising stopping the operation of the exhaust fan and operating the exhaust valve to close the exhaust pipe when the humidity of the air detected by the sensor is less than the set humidity. According to claim 10,
It further includes a tub drying step of drying the inside of the tub by operating the heater inside the pump,
The sump drying step is a control method of a dishwasher that is performed after the tub drying step is completed.

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