Patent Application
20100043827
This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2008-0081796, filed on Aug. 21, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure generally relates to dishwashers. In particular, the present disclosure relates to controls for a dishwasher which improves washing efficiency and speed when used or dirty and new or clean dishes are washed together.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
A conventional dishwasher is a machine that sprays washing water on dishes placed in a tub to remove foreign matter, such as food scraps left on the dishes. Generally, the dishwasher is operated based on a washing cycle that sprays washing water mixed with detergent in a tub that contains dishes, in order to remove foreign matter left on the dishes. The dishwasher may also heat the washing water to improve performance. Typically, after the washing cycle, a rinsing cycle occurs which sprays washing water that is not mixed with the detergent in the tub to remove any remaining foreign matter. After the washing cycle, a drying cycle takes place, which dries the dishes.
Typically, more than one spraying arm and at least one rack (for placing dishes, which need to be washed) are provided in a single tub of the conventional dishwasher. For example, a dishwasher usually has an upper rack and a lower rack in a bi-level configuration within the tub. A number of holders are then provided on the upper rack, which hold small dishes, such as small cups with a small washing load, and a smaller number of holders are provided on the lower rack, which hold large dishes, such as dinner dishes or large bowls with a larger washing load. An upper spraying arm and a lower spraying arm are then provided which spray washing water at the upper and lower racks, respectively.
Often, users of a dishwasher desire to wash new dishes, which may be purchased recently and washed during the manufacturing process, as well as old dishes, which may be washed after a prior use. The reasons for rewashing new (referred to herein alternatively as “clean dishes” and “unused dishes”) and old dishes (referred to herein alternatively as “dirty dishes” and “used dishes”) can vary, but may include bacteria growth or dust collecting during storage or distribution. Typically, unused dishes include relatively little foreign matter compared to dishes used at meals and thus have substantially different washing loads. Unfortunately, the conventional dishwasher is not well-suited for washing unused dishes with used dishes. For example, it may be an inefficient use of time and energy to wash used dishes, which have a large washing load, with unused dishes, which have a small washing load in the same dishwasher (and in particular, the same washing compartment).
The present disclosure is generally directed to a dishwasher that improves washing efficiency and methods of control and operation of the dishwasher. In some embodiments, used and unused dishes having varying washing loads can be washed in a single washing compartment of the dishwasher.
Advantages and features of the invention in part may become apparent in the description which follows and in part may become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the embodiments described herein. The advantages and features of the embodiments of the present invention may be realized and attained by the structures and processes described in the written description, the claims, and in the appended drawings.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, a controlling method of a dishwasher including a washing compartment, a sump configured to contain water, a sump heater configured to heat the water, a steam generator, and at least one spraying arm is provided. The method may include performing a washing cycle by spraying water toward a rack provided in the washing compartment by using the spraying arm; draining water contained in the sump after being used in the washing cycle and supplying new water to the sump; preheating the steam generator during the draining, supplying, or draining and supplying; and rinsing including spraying steam to the washing compartment and spraying water by using the spraying arm, the spraying of the steam and the spraying of the water being performed sequentially.
In exemplary embodiments, the sump heater may be turned on in the performing of the washing cycle and the rinsing. In addition, the sump heater may be turned on for the temperature of the sump heater to be over a preset first temperature during the rinsing. The first temperature may be between 60° C. and 64° C. The preheating of the steam generator may be performed simultaneously with at least one of draining water and supplying new water. The steam generator may be preheated for 2 to 4 minutes.
In an embodiment, a controlling method of a dishwasher including a washing compartment, a sump configured to contain water, a sump heater configured to heat the water, a steam generator, and at least one spraying arm may be provided. The controlling method may include performing a washing cycle by spraying water to an upper rack and a lower rack provided in the washing compartment by using an upper spraying arm and a lower spraying arm, respectively. Having the sump heater in a turned on state during the washing cycle. Rinsing by spraying steam generated at the steam generator into the washing compartment continuously, after draining the water used in the washing cycle and supplying new water, and spraying water to the washing compartment by using the upper spraying arm and the lower spraying arm alternately; and drying dishes placed in the rack.
In some embodiments, the steam generator may be preheated during the draining water contained in the sump and the supplying new water. A steam heater provided in the steam generator may be preheated for 2 to 4 minutes.
In an embodiment, a dishwasher including a washing compartment, at least one rack to hold dishes, a sump configured to contain water, the sump including a sump heater configured to heat the washing water may be provided. The dishwasher may also include a steam generator preheated for a predetermined time period, where the preheating occurs simultaneously with at least one of performing a washing cycle, draining water, and supplying new water; and at least one spraying arm configured to spray water toward the rack.
In an embodiment, the steam can be sprayed at the same time that the performing of the washing cycle is complete, if the steam generator is preheated at the same time that the performing of the washing cycle starts. The steam may also be sprayed at the same time that the draining water and the supplying water is complete if the steam generator is preheated at the same time that the performing of the washing cycle starts.
In some embodiments, a controlling method of a dishwasher including a washing compartment, a sump configured to contain water, a sump heater configured to heat the washing water, a steam generator and at least one spraying arm may be provided. The controlling method may include performing a washing cycle, draining water and supplying new water, and rinsing. The controlling method may further include supplying steam to the washing compartment prior to the rinsing, where rinsing may comprise spraying water into the washing compartment.
In some embodiments, the supplying steam can include a period overlapped (partially or fully) with the draining water. The supplying of the steam may also include a period overlapped with the supplying new water. In an embodiment, the supplying of the steam may be continuously performed after the performing of the washing cycle. The steam generator may be preheated for a preset time period before the supplying steam.
According to embodiments of the present disclosure, washing efficiency of the dishwasher may be improved when dishes with different washing loads, such as used and unused dishes, are washed in a single washing compartment. Advantageously, the time taken to wash the dishes can be reduced. In addition, the energy and water consumption of the dishwasher can be reduced.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.
The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure, and are incorporated herein and constitute a part of this application. The drawings together with the description serve to explain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In the drawings:
Reference will now be made in detail to the specific embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
In an embodiment, a sump 200 that may contain washing water can be positioned under the tub 110. A pump 210 and a filter (not shown) can be provided in the sump 200. The pump 210 can pump the washing water held in the sump 200. The filter can advantageously filter contaminated water. In addition, a sump heater 290 may be provided in the sump 200 to heat water inside the sump 200.
With continued reference to
In some embodiments, at least one rack and spraying arm may be provided in the tub 110, such as inside the washing compartment 150, for example. When dishes are placed on the rack, the pump 210 pumps water and the spraying arm sprays the pumped water toward the rack. As shown, an upper rack 160 and a lower rack 170 can be disposed in an upper portion and a lower portion of the washing compartment 150, respectively. In addition, an upper spraying arm 230 and a lower spraying arm 220 can then be placed near the upper rack 160 and the lower rack 170 to spray the water pumped by the pump 210 at each respective rack. Washing compartment 150 may also include a top nozzle 240 in its upper portion to spray the water pumped by the pump 210 downward.
Dishwasher may include a steam generator 300 to supply steam to the washing compartment 150. Washing water may be circulated in the washing compartment 150 using the pump 210, and, for example, the lower spraying arm 220 and/or upper spraying arm 230. In some embodiments, steam generator 300 can be operated separately from the sump heater 290. As shown, the steam generator 300 may be in communication with the first water supply pipe 250. The steam generator 300 may be in communication with the washing compartment 150 via a steam supply pipe 280. A second water supply valve 265 may be installed at a second water supply pipe 260 to control the supply of the water to the steam generator 300.
Steam generator 300 can include a steam heater 310 for heating the water supplied to the steam generator 300 and a water level sensor 320 for sensing a water level inside the steam generator 300. The water level sensor 320 may sense a low level and a high level of water, for example. The low level can be predetermined or set to protect the steam heater 310 of the steam generator 300 and the high level can be predetermined or set to prevent the water supplied to the steam generator 300 from overflowing. In addition, the steam generator 300 may include a steam supply valve (not shown) for controlling the opening and closing of the steam supply pipe 280 so that the steam can be supplied to the washing compartment 150 at various times or intervals.
The sump 200 may include a pollution level sensor (not shown) in a predetermined portion of the sump 200, which measures a pollution level of the washing water circulated in the tub 110, for example. In an embodiment, the door 120 may include an exhaust fan 190 and an exhaust duct 192 to exhaust damp air from the washing compartment 150. In some embodiments, a control unit 102, which controls the dishwasher, may be operationally connected with the control panel 130, the pump 210, and the steam generator 300.
The controller 102 may control the dishwasher in accordance with predetermined instructions stored in a memory (not shown). The controller 102 may be operationally coupled with at least the control panel 130, the washing pump 210, and the steam generator 300 so that they may be operated in accordance with a user's selection on the control panel 130.
A variety of operational modes may be predetermined in the dishwasher. For example, an operational mode of the dishwasher may be determined based on a user's selection or a type of a dish. In addition, the operational mode may be determined based on a pollution or contamination level of a dish. Advantageously, when the operational mode(s) is determined, operating parameters, such as the number of rotations per minute of the motor or the amount of detergent can be selected based on the determined operational mode.
The method of controlling or operating the dishwasher may include performing a washing cycle (W), rinsing (R) cycle, and drying cycle. During the washing cycle (W), food scraps on the dishes can be removed. During the rinsing cycle (R), the dishes are rinsed. The rinsing cycle (R) may occur after the washing cycle (W). During the drying cycle, the moisture remaining on the dishes can be removed. In addition, smaller cycles may be performed within each of the washing, rinsing, or drying cycles and/or other cycles may be included.
The dishwasher can include a washing compartment 150 having at least one rack to hold dishes, such as upper rack 160 and lower rack 170, a sump 200, which may be configured to contain water, and a steam generator 300. In an embodiment, dishwasher can preheat the steam generator 300 at substantially the same time as performing a washing cycle (W) for a preset time period, draining water, and/or supplying new water, or using one or more spraying arms 220 and 230 to spray water to at least one rack 160 and 170.
Dishwasher may increase a temperature of used and unused dishes to improve its efficiency and speed. When the temperature of the dishes is increased, food scraps on the dishes can also be soaked with water or steam, and germs or bacteria on the dishes may be removed. In an embodiment, during the washing cycle (W) water heated by the sump heater 290 can be sprayed at dishes placed in the washing compartment 150. In addition, steam generated by the steam generator 300 can be supplied to the washing compartment 150.
Of note, the use of steam can provide a more efficient use of energy than spraying water that is heated by the sump heater 290. This can occur because the energy consumed by the sump heater 290 to heat the water may be larger than the energy consumed by the steam generator 300 to generate steam. The use of steam during various cycles of the dishwasher, such as a washing (W) or rinsing (R) cycle can economize the amount of energy and water needed to operate the dishwasher.
In some embodiments, a heater inside the steam generator 300 can preheat the steam generator 300 and/or water used to generate steam over the boiling temperature for a predetermined period of time to generate steam faster. This can be advantageous because steam may not be generated at the moment the steam generator 300 is switched into an on state to generate steam. In an embodiment, when steam is not sprayed substantially simultaneously with the start of the washing cycle (W), the dishwasher can use the spraying arms 220 and 230 to spray water and at substantially the same time it operates the sump heater 290 to heat the water at a gradual or expedited pace.
After the washing cycle (W) is complete, the washing water used in the washing cycle (W) can be drained. New water may then be supplied for the rinsing cycle (R). During the rinse cycle (R), steam can be generated or supplied to the washing compartment 150 and newly supplied water may be sprayed in the washing compartment 150. For example, the steam generator 300 can be preheated for a predetermined time period so that steam can be sprayed substantially simultaneously with the start of the rinsing cycle (R). In an embodiment, the predetermined time period can be two to four minutes. In exemplary embodiments, an electric current can be applied to an electric heater 310 provided in the steam generator 300 to preheat it.
Of note, the rinse cycle (R) can be performed right after the wash cycle (W) is complete. It may be advantageous to allow preheating of the steam generator 300 for a predetermined time period substantially simultaneously with the performance of the washing cycle (W) when this occurs.
As shown, the exemplary methods can include a washing cycle (W) and a rinsing cycle (R). During the washing cycle (W), the sump heater 290 can be operated after the washing water is supplied to the washing compartment 150. The supplying of the water during the washing cycle (W) may include spraying water using the upper spraying arm 230 and/or the lower spraying arm 220. The spraying of water by the upper 230 and lower 220 spraying arms can be alternately repeated for a predetermined time period (hereinafter, “alternate upper and lower spraying”). For example, the alternate upper and lower spraying may be repeated alternately or sequentially for one or more predetermined time periods.
The water used during the washing cycle can be supplied from an external water source. An external water source may include a city or household water system connected to first water supply pipe 250, and may also include the sump 200. The supplied water may be cold, room temperature, or heated to a predetermined temperature to reduce the washing time. In
During the alternate upper and lower spraying of the washing cycle (W), the sump heater 290 may be operated. For example, the sump heater 290 can be turned on for a predetermined time period. When the sump heater 290 is turned on, the washing cycle (W) may be preset to be performed for a preset time period and may continue until the temperature of the water contained in the sump 200 reaches a preset temperature.
When the washing cycle (W) is complete, the washing water used in the washing cycle (W) can be drained and water can be newly supplied (DS). The newly supplied water may be cold, warm, or heated. Because the temperature of the sump 200 may have increased from the sump heater 290 being turned on during the washing cycle (W), the newly supplied water may not drop in temperature drastically as can occur during the washing cycle (W).
In an embodiment, the electric heater 310 of steam generator 300 can be preheated during the draining of the washing water and the supplying of the new water (DS). Preheating steam generator 300 can advantageously allow steam to be supplied and sprayed during rinse cycle (R) after (or immediately after) the draining of the washing water and the supplying of new water (DS). For example, steam can be sprayed in a primary period of the rinsing cycle (R) to enhance washing efficiency. Soaking and washing dishes using steam enables new dishes and old (unused) dishes with substantially smaller washing loads to be washed quickly and efficiently.
With continued reference to
In some embodiments, the temperature of the water during the washing cycle (W) and the rinsing cycle (R) may increase gradually. When the temperature of the washing water or rinsing water increases, the overall washing time can be reduced. For example, the water used during the rinsing cycle (R) may be heated by the sump heater 290 up to a preset temperature (T2), which can be approximately 60° C. Of note, preheating steam generator 300 during the draining of the water and the supplying of the new water (DS) (hereinafter “drained/supplied” or “DS”) can be used to drained which has been used and new clean water may be supplied to the washing compartment 150 and/or sprayed.
In some embodiments, when the sump heater 290 and the steam generator 300 may be operated simultaneously, the steam can begin to be supplied (st) to the washing compartment 150 after or shortly after the washing cycle (W) completes. In addition, steam can be supplied (st) before or shortly before the draining of the water and the supplying of the new water (DS) completes.
With continued reference to both
Preheating of the steam generator 300 can overlap with the time that upper spraying arm 230 and lower spraying arm 220 spray water, which may be heated by the sump heater 290, in an alternating manner. The supplying of the steam (st) using the steam generator 300 may then overlap with the time that the spraying of the water (ws) in the washing cycle (W) occurs and/or before the draining of the water and the supplying of the new water cycle (DS) occurs. The steam generator 300 and the sump heater 290 can then be operated substantially simultaneously or partially overlap for a preset time period.
In an embodiment, after the spraying of the water (ws) in the washing cycle (W) is complete, the sump heater 290 may be turned on continuously. The sump heater 290 can also be turned off during the supplying of the steam (st) to the washing compartment 150 using the steam generator 300.
The water draining and the new water supplying cycle (DS) cycle may occur for a substantially short period of the overall operation of the dishwasher. In some embodiments, when the preheating of the steam generator 300 overlaps with the time that the water draining and the new water supplying (DS) cycle starts, the overall washing time and efficiency can be improved. In some embodiments, when the supplying of the steam (st) starts at the beginning, middle, during, or after the water draining and the new water supplying of the (DS) cycle, the overall washing time and efficiency can be improved.
When the supplying of the steam (st) completes, the spraying of the rinsing water (ws) can start. Of note, the sump heater 290 can be turned on during the spraying of the rinsing water (ws) to improve efficiency. When the supplying of the steam (st) and the spraying of the water (ws) occur for respective preset time periods during the washing cycle (W), the time period to supply the steam (st) and the spray the water (ws) during the rinsing cycle (R) can be determined. Thus, the overall washing time can be determined.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover any modifications and variations within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2008-0081796 | Aug 2008 | KR | national |
