U.S. patent application number 12/007124 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-02 for dish washer and method of controlling the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Shimotera Kennichi, Young Ho Kwon, Jung Chan Ryu.
Application Number | 20080236630 12/007124 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39792189 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080236630 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kennichi; Shimotera ; et
al. |
October 2, 2008 |
Dish washer and method of controlling the same
Abstract
Disclosed are a dish washer and a method of controlling the
same, in which the amount of water consumed is reduced and a
washing time is maintained while assuring a washing performance.
The dish washer includes a washing tub; dish baskets provided in
the washing tub to accommodate dishes; and a plurality of nozzles
to spray washing water to the dish baskets, where spray holes to
spray the washing water are formed through each of the plurality of
nozzles, and the spray holes formed through the plurality of
nozzles have areas different from one another.
Inventors: |
Kennichi; Shimotera; (Seoul,
KR) ; Kwon; Young Ho; (Seongnam-si, KR) ; Ryu;
Jung Chan; (Suwon-si, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STAAS & HALSEY LLP
SUITE 700, 1201 NEW YORK AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
39792189 |
Appl. No.: |
12/007124 |
Filed: |
January 7, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
134/25.2 ;
134/18; 134/199; 134/57D |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 2501/03 20130101;
A47L 2501/05 20130101; A47L 15/22 20130101; A47L 15/0028 20130101;
A47L 15/4278 20130101; Y02B 40/00 20130101; A47L 15/0047 20130101;
Y02B 40/42 20130101; A47L 2501/01 20130101; A47L 15/0026 20130101;
A47L 2401/09 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
134/25.2 ;
134/18; 134/199; 134/57.D |
International
Class: |
A47L 15/16 20060101
A47L015/16; A47L 15/46 20060101 A47L015/46 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 28, 2007 |
KR |
10-2007-0030566 |
Claims
1. A dish washer, comprising: a washing tub; dish baskets provided
in the washing tub to accommodate dishes; and a plurality of
nozzles spraying washing water to the dish baskets, each of the
nozzles having spray holes spraying the washing water formed
through each of the nozzles, the spray holes being sized
differently from one another for each of the nozzles.
2. The dish washer according to claim 1, wherein: the plurality of
nozzles includes upper and lower nozzles installed above and below
the dish baskets and a middle nozzle installed between the dish
baskets; and the spray holes formed through the middle nozzle have
an area larger than an area of the spray holes formed through the
lower nozzle so that an amount of the washing water sprayed from
the middle nozzle is larger than an amount of the washing water
sprayed from the lower nozzle.
3. The dish washer according to claim 2, wherein the middle nozzle
has a first set of spray holes to spray the washing water upwardly
from the middle nozzle and a second set of spray holes to spray the
washing water downwardly from the middle nozzle formed there
through.
4. The dish washer according to claim 2, further comprising a
control unit to control a flow of the washing water supplied to the
upper, middle, and lower nozzles, the control unit setting an
amount of the washing water in at least one mode out of a plurality
of modes of washing the dishes with the washing water to be smaller
than an amount of the washing water in other modes of the plurality
of modes.
5. The dish washer according to claim 4, wherein the at least one
mode is a preliminary washing mode or a preliminary rinsing
mode.
6. The dish washer according to claim 5, further comprising a
circulation pump to circulate the washing water in the washing tub
to guide the washing water to the upper, middle, and lower nozzles,
wherein the control unit controls the upper and middle nozzles to
spray the washing water by an operation of the circulation pump in
the preliminary washing mode or the preliminary rinsing mode.
7. A method of controlling a dish washer having a washing tub, dish
baskets provided in the washing tub to accommodate dishes, a
plurality of nozzles to spray washing water to the dish baskets,
and a heater to heat the washing water, the method comprising:
supplying an amount of the washing water in at least one mode out
of a plurality of modes of washing the dishes with the washing
water less than an amount of the washing water supplied in other
modes of the plurality of modes.
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the at least one mode
is a mode in which the heater is not operated.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the mode in which the
heater is not operated is a preliminary washing mode or a
preliminary rinsing mode.
10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the supply of the
washing water is controlled such that a level of the washing water
in the washing tub is sensed, and when the sensed level is less
than a predetermined low water level during an operation of the
heater, the washing water is supplied to the washing tub.
11. The dish washer according to claim 2, wherein a nozzle area
ratio of the middle nozzle to the lower nozzle is 1.5 to 1.
12. A method of controlling a dish washer having upper, middle and
lower nozzles and a heater, comprising: supplying washing water
only through the upper and middle nozzles in a mode in which the
heater is not operated, an amount of the water supplied through the
middle nozzle being greater than an amount of the water supplied
through the upper and lower nozzles.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the washing water is
supplied through only the upper and middle nozzles in a preliminary
washing mode or a preliminary rinsing mode, the preliminary washing
mode and the preliminary rinsing modes being modes prior to a main
washing mode and a main rinsing mode, respectively.
14. A dishwasher, comprising: a plurality of nozzles including at
least a middle nozzle, the middle nozzle being provided at a middle
portion of the dishwasher, the middle nozzle having a water
supplying capacity greater than that of a water supplying capacity
of other nozzles of the plurality of nozzles.
15. The dishwasher according to claim 14, wherein the middle nozzle
has a plurality of spray holes formed there through having a larger
area than an area of a plurality of spray holes formed through the
other nozzles.
16. The dishwasher according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of
nozzles includes an upper nozzle provided at an upper portion of
the dishwasher, the middle nozzle supplying the water only with the
upper nozzle in a preliminary washing mode or a preliminary rinsing
mode, the preliminary washing and rinsing modes being modes prior
to a main washing mode and a main rinsing mode, respectively.
17. A method of controlling a dishwasher having upper, middle and
lower nozzles and a heater, the method comprising: supplying water
through only the upper and middle nozzles in a preliminary washing
mode or a preliminary rinsing mode, the preliminary washing and
rinsing modes being modes prior to a main washing mode and a main
rinsing mode, respectively; and supplying water through all of the
upper, middle and lower nozzles in the main washing mode and a main
rinsing mode.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 2007-0030566, filed Mar. 28, 2007, in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] The present invention relates to a dish washer and a method
of controlling the same, and more particularly, to a dish washer
and a method of controlling the same, in which the amount of water
consumed is reduced while assuring a washing performance.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, dish washers are apparatuses that wash out
contaminants (i.e., food waste, etc.) stuck to dishes by spraying
cold or warm washing water at a high pressure onto the dishes.
Korean Patent Laid-open Publication No. 10-2005-0105721 discloses a
dish washer.
[0006] The dish washer disclosed in the above Publication includes
a washing tub to wash dishes supplied thereinto, a plurality of
dish baskets provided in multiple stages in the washing tub to
receive the dishes, spray nozzles provided above and below the
plurality of dish baskets to spray washing water, and a sump
connected to the spray nozzles to pump the washing water to the
spray nozzles.
[0007] In the above dish washer, when washing water is supplied to
an inside of the washing tub under the condition that dishes to be
washed are put in the dish baskets, a circulation pump in the sump
is operated to supply the washing water to the spray nozzles, thus
washing the dishes by the high injection pressure of the washing
water. This washing process, including washing and rinsing steps,
is divided into main modes, including a main washing mode and a
last rinsing mode, and preliminary modes, including a preliminary
washing mode and a preliminary rinsing mode, and the modes are
repeated four to six times according to courses. The temperature of
the washing water and the time of each of the modes are determined
according to the courses.
[0008] In the dish washer, an amount of the washing water required
to operate the circulation pump, which is needed by the spray
nozzles, is supplied in each of the modes. In the case that the
amount of the washing water required in each of the modes is 5 L,
as the total number of the main modes and the preliminary modes in
a standard course is four, thus 20 L of the washing water is
required. A criterion to calculate the energy required in the dish
washer is the sum of the electric energy consumed by electric field
products, such as the circulation pump, a heater, etc., during the
course and the heat energy of temperature conversion efficiency in
proportion to the amount of the washing water consumed.
Accordingly, in order to reduce the energy, it is important to
reduce the amount of the washing water consumed.
[0009] In order to reduce the amount of the washing water consumed
for the purpose of energy saving, a method in which a small-sized
circulation pump and the number of spray holes of spray nozzles are
reduced was proposed. However, this method has several problems,
such as the deterioration of the washing performance of the dish
washer due to the increase of a portion of the inside of a dish
washer, to which the washing water is not sprayed, and the increase
in washing time to obtain a desired washing performance of the dish
washer.
SUMMARY
[0010] Therefore, one aspect of the embodiment is to provide a dish
washer and a method of controlling the same, in which the amount of
water consumed is reduced and a washing time is maintained while
assuring a washing performance.
[0011] Another aspect of the embodiment is to provide a dish washer
and a method of controlling the same, in which an area ratio of
spray holes of upper, middle, and lower nozzles is converted such
that the amount of water sprayed from the middle nozzle is
maximized, so as to increase a washing performance.
[0012] Yet another aspect of the embodiment is to provide a dish
washer and a method of controlling the same, in which the amount of
water consumed in preliminary modes carried out prior to main modes
is decreased, to decrease the amount of water required in the
entirety of the modes.
[0013] Additional aspects and/or advantages will be set forth in
part in the description which follows and, in part, will be
apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention.
[0014] The foregoing and/or other aspects are achieved by providing
a dish washer including a washing tub; dish baskets provided in the
washing tub to accommodate dishes; and a plurality of nozzles to
spray washing water to the dish baskets, each of the nozzles having
spray holes to spray the washing water formed through each of the
nozzles, the spray holes formed through the plurality of nozzles
being size differently from one another and thus having areas
different from one another for each of the nozzles.
[0015] The plurality of nozzles may include upper and lower nozzles
installed above and below the dish baskets and a middle nozzle
installed between the dish baskets, and the spray holes formed
through the middle nozzle may have an area larger than an area of
the spray holes formed through the lower nozzle so that an amount
of the washing water sprayed from the middle nozzle is larger than
an amount of the washing water sprayed from the lower nozzle.
[0016] The middle nozzle may have a first set of spray holes to
spray the washing water upwardly from the middle nozzle and a
second set of spray holes to spray the washing water downwardly
from the middle nozzle formed there through.
[0017] The dish washer may further include a control unit to
control a flow of the washing water supplied to the upper, middle,
and lower nozzles, the control unit setting an amount of the
washing water in at least one mode out of a plurality of modes of
washing the dishes with the washing water to be smaller than an
amount of the washing water in other modes of the plurality of
modes.
[0018] The at least one mode may be a preliminary washing mode or a
preliminary rinsing mode.
[0019] The dish washer may further include a circulation pump to
circulate the washing water in the washing tub to guide the washing
water to the upper, middle, and lower nozzles, and the control unit
may control the upper and middle nozzles to spray the washing water
by an operation of the circulation pump in the preliminary washing
mode or the preliminary rinsing mode.
[0020] A nozzle area ratio of the middle nozzle to the lower nozzle
is 1.5 to 1.
[0021] The foregoing and/or other aspects are achieved by providing
a method of controlling a dish washer having a washing tub, dish
baskets provided in the washing tub to accommodate dishes, a
plurality of nozzles to spray washing water to the dish baskets,
and a heater to heat the washing water, the method including
supplying an amount of the washing water in at least one mode out
of a plurality of modes of washing the dishes with the washing
water less than an amount of the washing water supplied in other
modes of the plurality of modes.
[0022] The at least one mode may be a mode in which the heater is
not operated.
[0023] The mode in which the heater is not operated may be a
preliminary washing mode or a preliminary rinsing mode.
[0024] The supply of the washing water may be controlled such that
a level of the washing water in the washing tub is sensed, and when
the sensed level is less than a predetermined low water level
during an operation of the heater, the washing water is supplied to
the washing tub.
[0025] The foregoing and/or other aspects are achieved by providing
a method of controlling a dish washer having upper, middle and
lower nozzles and a heater, including supplying washing water only
through the upper and middle nozzles in a modes in which the heater
is not operated, an amount of the water supplied through the middle
nozzle being greater than an amount of the water supplied through
the upper and lower nozzles.
[0026] The washing water may be supplied through only the upper and
middle nozzles in a preliminary washing mode or a preliminary
rinsing mode, the preliminary washing mode and the preliminary
rinsing modes being modes prior to a main washing mode and a main
rinsing mode, respectively.
[0027] The foregoing and/or other aspects are achieved by providing
a dishwasher, including: a plurality of nozzles including at least
a middle nozzle, the middle nozzle being provided at a middle
portion of the dishwasher, the middle nozzle having a water
supplying capacity greater than that of a water supplying capacity
of other nozzles of the plurality of nozzles.
[0028] The middle nozzle may have a plurality of spray holes formed
there through having a larger area than an area of a plurality of
spray holes formed through the other nozzles.
[0029] The plurality of nozzles may include an upper nozzle
provided at an upper portion of the dishwasher, the middle nozzle
supplying the water only with the upper nozzle in a preliminary
washing mode or a preliminary rinsing mode, the preliminary washing
and rinsing modes being modes prior to a main washing mode and a
main rinsing mode, respectively.
[0030] The foregoing and/or other aspects are achieved by providing
a method of controlling a dishwasher having upper, middle and lower
nozzles and a heater, the method including: supplying water through
only the upper and middle nozzles in a preliminary washing mode or
a preliminary rinsing mode, the preliminary washing and rinsing
modes being modes prior to a main washing mode and a main rinsing
mode, respectively; and supplying water through all of the upper,
middle and lower nozzles in the main washing mode and a main
rinsing mode.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] These and/or other aspects and advantages will become
apparent and more readily appreciated from the following
description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0032] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a dish washer in
accordance with the present embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of a dish washer in
accordance with an embodiment; and
[0034] FIGS. 3A to 3C are flow charts to illustrate a method of
controlling a dish washer in accordance with the present
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0035] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiment, an
example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings,
wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.
The embodiment is described below to explain the present invention
by referring to the annexed drawings.
[0036] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a dish washer in
accordance with the present embodiment.
[0037] In FIG. 1, the dish washer of the present embodiment
includes a main body 10 having a washing space formed therein, and
a door 12 to open and close the front surface of the main body 10.
The main body 10 and the door 12 form the external appearance of
the dish washer.
[0038] A washing tub 20 is provided in the main body 10. In the
washing tub 20, upper and lower dish baskets 22a and 22b to
accommodate dishes, racks 24a and 24b slidably supporting the upper
and lower dish baskets 22a and 22b, and upper, middle, and lower
spray nozzles 26a, 26b, and 26c located above and below the dish
baskets 22a and 22b to spray washing water are provided.
[0039] The upper and middle spray nozzles 26a and 26b are connected
to a sump 42, which will be described later, by a first supply pipe
28a, and the lower spray nozzle 26c is connected to the sump 42 by
the second supply pipe 28b. Thereby, the washing water is supplied
from the sump 42 to the upper, middle, and lower spray nozzles 26a,
26b, and 26c.
[0040] Here, the washing water supplied to the upper and middle
spray nozzles 26a and 26b through the first supply pipe 28a and the
washing water supplied to the lower spray nozzle 26c through the
second supply pipe 28b are independently sprayed by an operation of
the upper and middle spray nozzles 26a and 26b and an operation of
the lower spray nozzle 26c. For this reason, a separated water flow
converting device is provided, or valves are respectively provided
in the first and second supply pipes 28a and 28b.
[0041] The upper, middle, and lower spray nozzles 26a, 26b, and 26c
are designed such that the area ratio of spray holes of the upper,
middle, and lower spray nozzles 26a, 26b, and 26c to inject the
washing water is set to 0.5:1.5:1, for example, to maximize an
amount of the washing water sprayed from the middle spray nozzle
26b. That is, the amount of the washing water sprayed from the
middle spray nozzle 26b is larger than the amount of the washing
water sprayed from the lower spray nozzle 26c, and thus it is
possible to sufficiently carry out the preliminary washing and
preliminary rinsing of dishes accommodated in the lower dish basket
22b with the washing water sprayed downwardly from the middle spray
nozzle 26b and the falling water.
[0042] The middle spray nozzle 26b is provided with a plurality of
spray holes to upwardly spray the washing water and a plurality of
spray holes to downwardly spray the washing water, thereby
simultaneously spraying the washing water upwardly and
downwardly.
[0043] A heater 30 to heat the washing water is provided on the
bottom of the washing tub 20. The heater 30 is seated in a heater
mounting groove 32 formed in the bottom of the washing tub 20.
[0044] A machinery chamber 40 is prepared under the washing tub 20.
The sump 42, which collects and pumps the washing water supplied to
the inside of the washing tub 20 to transfer the washing water to
the upper, middle, and lower spray nozzles 26a, 26b, and 26c, is
provided in the machinery chamber 40, and a temperature sensor 44
to sense the temperature of the washing water is installed in the
sump 42.
[0045] Various channels and a circulation pump 46 to pump the
washing water to the channels are provided in the sump 42, and a
drain pump 48 to drain the contaminated washing water to the
outside through a drain pipe 52 and a drain valve 50 are provided
at one side of the sump 42.
[0046] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of a dish washer in
accordance with an embodiment. In addition to the components, which
are shown in FIG. 1, the dish washer further includes a water level
sensing unit 58, an input unit 60, a control unit 62, a driving
unit 64, and a display unit 68.
[0047] The water level sensing unit 58 senses the amount (level) of
water (washing water) supplied to the washing tub 20. The input
unit 60 inputs various washing courses (for example, a standard
course and a manual course) and operation data, such as a washing
water temperature and the addition of a rinsing mode, to the
control unit 62 according to a user's instructions.
[0048] The washing courses include a standard course and a manual
course. In the standard course, a water supplying mode to supply
washing water, a washing mode to wash dishes by spraying the
washing water onto the dishes after the water supplying mode, a
heating mode to heat the washing water to a temperature suitable to
wash and rinse before spraying the washing water onto the dishes, a
draining mode to drain the washing water to the outside after the
washing mode, and a drying mode to dry the dishes after the washing
mode are sequentially operated. Further, in the manual course, the
respective modes, which are selected according to conditions, are
operated.
[0049] The control unit 62 is a microcomputer, for example, to
operate the dish washer according to the operation data inputted
from the input unit 60 to control the washing, rinsing, and drying
modes. The control unit 62 sets an amount of the washing water in
preliminary modes, including a preliminary washing mode and a
preliminary rinsing mode, in which the heater 30 is not operated,
to be smaller than an amount of the washing water in main modes,
including a main washing mode and a last rinsing mode, in which the
heater 30 is operated. For example, in the standard course, in the
case that the amount of the washing water required in each of the
respective modes is a first water level (approximately 5 L), the
above necessary amount (5 L) of the washing water is supplied in
each of the main modes, including the main washing mode and the
last rinsing mode, and an amount (i.e., 4 L, a second water level)
of the washing water that is smaller than the necessary amount of
the washing water by approximately 20% is supplied in each of the
preliminary modes, i.e., the preliminary washing mode and the
preliminary rinsing mode. Thereby, the total amount of the washing
water consumed in the entirety of the modes is reduced by
approximately 10%.
[0050] In order to assure the washing performance of the dish
washer, which may be deteriorated due to the reduction of the
amount of the washing water consumed, the control unit 62 carries
out a circulation operation in which only the upper and middle
spray nozzles 26a and 26b spray the washing water in the
preliminary modes, i.e., the preliminary washing mode and the
preliminary rinsing mode. Thereby, dishes accommodated in the lower
dish basket 22b are washed out by the washing water sprayed from
the middle spray nozzle 26b and the falling water.
[0051] The driving unit 64 drives the heater 30, the circulation
pump 46, the drain pump 48, the drain valve 50, a water supply
valve 66, etc. according to driving control signals from the
control unit 62. The water supply valve 66 controls the supply of
the washing water to the inside of the washing tub 20.
[0052] The display unit 68 displays the operating state and errors
of the dish washer according to a display control signal from the
control unit 62.
[0053] Hereinafter, the operation and effects of the above dish
washer and a method of controlling the same will be described.
[0054] FIGS. 3A to 3C are flow charts to illustrate a method of
controlling a dish washer in accordance with the present
embodiment.
[0055] When a user selects a washing course (for example, the
standard course) and desired operation data under the condition
that dishes to be washed are accommodated in the dish baskets 22a
and 22b in the washing tub 20, the operation data selected by the
user is inputted to the control unit 62 through the input unit
60.
[0056] Thus, the control unit 62 performs washing and rinsing modes
according to the operation data inputted from the input unit 60.
First, the control unit 62 determines whether or not the washing
course selected by the user is a standard course (100).
[0057] When it is determined that the washing course selected by
the user is the standard course, the control unit 62 operates the
water supply valve 66 through the driving unit 64, and thus the
washing water required in the preliminary washing mode is supplied
to the inside of the washing tub 20 (102). When it is determined
that the washing course selected by the user is not the standard
course, the procedure returns to operation 100.
[0058] Thereafter, the water level sensing unit 58 senses the
amount of the washing water supplied to the inside of the washing
tub 20 in the preliminary washing mode, and determines whether or
not the sensed amount reaches the predetermined second water level
(104). The amount of the washing water is smaller than the amount
of the washing water required in the main washing mode by
approximately 20%, for example, approximately 4 L.
[0059] When it is determined that the sensed amount does not reach
the second water level, the washing water is continuously supplied
to the inside of the washing tub 20 until the sensed amount reaches
the predetermined second water level, and when it is determined
that the sensed amount reaches the second water level, the control
unit 62 switches off the water supply valve 66, and thus the supply
of the washing water is stopped (106).
[0060] The washing water supplied to the inside of the washing tub
20 is collected in the sump 42 provided under the washing tub 20,
and is transferred to the upper spray nozzle 26a and the middle
spray nozzle 26b through the first supply pipe 28a by the pumping
action of the circulation pump 46 in the sump 42. Then, the upper
and middle spray nozzles 26a and 26b spray the washing water onto
the dishes having contaminants stuck thereto that are accommodated
in the dish baskets 22a and 22b at a high pressure. Thereby, the
preliminary washing mode to moisten the dishes and expand the
contaminants stuck to the dishes is performed (108).
[0061] In the preliminary washing mode, although the lower spray
nozzle 26c is not operated and only the upper and middle spray
nozzles 26a and 26b spray the washing water, since the area ratio
of the spray holes of the middle and lower nozzles 26b and 26c is
approximately 1.5:1, the dishes accommodated in the lower dish
baskets 22b are sufficiently moistened by the washing water sprayed
through the middle spray nozzle 26b and the falling water.
[0062] When the preliminary washing mode is carried out, the
control unit 62 measures a time, and determines whether or not a
predetermined preliminary washing time, approximately 15 minutes,
for example has elapsed, i.e., whether or not the preliminary
washing mode has been completed (110). When it is determined that
the preliminary washing mode has not been completed, the procedure
returns to operation 108, and the preliminary washing mode is
continuously carried out until the preliminary washing time has
elapsed.
[0063] As a result of the above determination, when it is
determined that the preliminary washing mode has been completed,
since the contaminants stuck to the dishes as well as the washing
water are collected in the sump 42, the control unit 62 drains the
washing water containing the contaminants through the drain pipe 52
by the operations of the drain pump 48 and the drain valve 50
(112).
[0064] Thereafter, the control unit 62 operates the water supply
valve 66 to carry out the main washing mode after the preliminary
washing mode, and thus the washing water required in the main
washing mode is supplied to the inside of the washing tub 20
(114).
[0065] The water level sensing unit 58 senses the amount of the
washing water supplied to the inside of the washing tub 20 in the
main washing mode, and determines whether or not the sensed amount
reaches the predetermined first water level, which is the amount of
the washing water required in the main washing mode, i.e.,
approximately 5 L (116).
[0066] When it is determined that the sensed amount does not reach
the first water level, the procedure returns to operation 114, and
the washing water is continuously supplied to the inside of the
washing tub 20 until the sensed amount reaches the predetermined
first water level, and when it is determined that the sensed amount
reaches the predetermined first water level, the control unit 62
switches off the water supply valve 66 so that the supply of the
washing water is stopped (118).
[0067] The washing water supplied to the inside of the washing tub
20 is collected in the sump 42 provided under the washing tub 20 in
the same manner as the preliminary washing mode, and the washing
water collected in the sump 42 is heated to a predetermined
temperature (approximately 50.degree.) by the heater 30 (120), and
simultaneously a detergent is put into the washing tub 20 through a
detergent supply device (not shown).
[0068] Then, the warm washing water, having a temperature of
approximately 50.degree., containing the detergent is transferred
to the upper, middle, and lower spray nozzles 26a, 26b, and 26c
through the first and second supply pipes 28a and 28b by the
pumping action of the circulation pump 46 in the sump 42. Then, the
upper, middle, and lower spray nozzles 26a, 26b, and 26c spray the
washing water onto the dishes accommodated in the dish baskets 22a
and 22b at a high pressure. Thereby, the main washing mode to
remove the contaminants from the dishes is performed (122).
[0069] In the main washing mode, all of the upper, middle, and
lower spray nozzles 26a, 26b, and 26c spray the washing water so
that the washing water is sprayed to the dishes to effectively
remove the contaminants from the dishes.
[0070] Further, in the main washing mode, when the sensed amount of
the washing water becomes less than a predetermined low water level
during the operation of the heater 30, the supply of the washing
water is carried out so that the amount of the washing water is not
less than the predetermined low water level.
[0071] When the main washing mode is carried out, the control unit
62 measures a time, and determines whether or not a predetermined
main washing time, approximately 30 minutes, for example, has
elapsed, i.e., whether or not the main washing mode has been
completed (124). When it is determined that the main washing mode
has not been completed, the procedure returns to operation 122, and
the main washing mode is continuously carried out until the main
washing time has elapsed.
[0072] As a result of the above determination, when it is
determined that the main washing mode has been completed in the
same manner as the preliminary washing mode, since the contaminants
stuck to the dishes as well as the washing water are collected in
the sump 42, the control unit 62 drains the washing water
containing the contaminants through the drain pipe 52 by the
operations of the drain pump 48 and the drain valve 50 (126).
[0073] Thereafter, the control unit 62 operates the water supply
valve 66 to carry out the preliminary rinsing mode after the main
washing mode, and thus the washing water (specifically, rinsing
water) required in the preliminary rinsing mode is supplied to the
inside of the washing tub 20 (128).
[0074] The water level sensing unit 58 senses the amount of the
washing water (rinsing water) supplied to the inside of the washing
tub 20 in the preliminary rinsing mode, and determines whether or
not the sensed amount reaches the predetermined second water level
(130). The amount of the washing water is smaller than the amount
of the washing water required in the main rinsing mode by
approximately 20%, i.e., approximately 4 L.
[0075] When it is determined that the sensed amount does not reach
the second water level, the procedure returns to operation 128, and
the washing water (rinsing water) is continuously supplied to the
inside of the washing tub 20 until the sensed amount reaches the
predetermined second water level. When it is determined that the
sensed amount reaches the predetermined second water level, the
control unit 62 switches off the water supply valve 66, and thus
the supply of the washing water (rinsing water) is stopped
(132).
[0076] The washing water (rinsing water) supplied to the inside of
the washing tub 20 is collected in the sump 42 in the same manner
as the preliminary washing mode and the main washing mode, and is
transferred to the upper spray nozzle 26a and the middle spray
nozzle 26b through the first supply pipe 28a by the pumping action
of the circulation pump 46 in the sump 42. Then, the upper spray
and middle spray nozzles 26a and 26b spray the washing water widely
onto the dishes at a high pressure. Thereby, the preliminary
rinsing mode to wash off the contaminants and the detergent fallen
by the main washing mode is performed (134).
[0077] In the preliminary rinsing mode, although the lower spray
nozzle 26c is not operated and only the upper and middle spray
nozzles 26a and 26b spray the washing water, since the area ratio
of the spray holes of the middle and lower nozzles 26b and 26c is
approximately 1.5:1, the dishes accommodated in the lower dish
baskets 22b are sufficiently rinsed by the washing water sprayed
through the middle spray nozzle 26b and the falling water.
[0078] When the preliminary rinsing mode is carried out, the
control unit 62 measures a time, and determines whether or not a
predetermined preliminary rinsing time, approximately 5 minutes,
for example, has elapsed, i.e., whether or not the preliminary
rinsing mode has been completed (136). When it is determined that
the preliminary rinsing mode has not been completed, the procedure
returns to operation 134, and the preliminary rinsing mode is
continuously carried out until the preliminary rinsing time has
elapsed.
[0079] As a result of the above determination, when it is
determined that the preliminary rinsing mode has been completed,
since the contaminants and the detergent washed off by the washing
water (rinsing water), as well as the washing water (rinsing water)
are collected in the sump 42, the control unit 62 drains the
washing water (rinsing water) containing the contaminants and the
detergent through the drain pipe 52 by the operations of the drain
pump 48 and the drain valve 50 (138).
[0080] Thereafter, the control unit 62 operates the water supply
valve 66 to carry out the last rinsing mode after the preliminary
rinsing mode, and thus the washing water (rinsing water) required
in the last rinsing mode is supplied to the inside of the washing
tub 20 (140).
[0081] The water level sensing unit 58 senses the amount of the
washing water (rinsing water) supplied to the inside of the washing
tub 20 in the last rinsing mode, and determines whether or not the
sensed amount reaches the predetermined first water level, which is
the amount of the washing water required in the main rinsing mode,
i.e., approximately 5 L, for example (142).
[0082] When it is determined that the sensed amount does not reach
the first water level, the procedure returns to operation 140, and
the washing water (rinsing water) is continuously supplied to the
inside of the washing tub 20 until the sensed amount reaches the
predetermined first water level. When it is determined that the
sensed amount reaches the first water level, the control unit 62
stops the supply of the washing water (rinsing water) (144).
[0083] The washing water (rinsing water) supplied to the inside of
the washing tub 20 is collected in the sump 42 in the same manner
as in the preliminary rinsing mode, the washing water (rinsing
water) collected in the sump 42 is heated to a predetermined
temperature (approximately 65.degree.) by the heater 30 (146), and
simultaneously a fabric softener is put into the washing tub 20
through a softener supply device (not shown).
[0084] The warm washing water, having a temperature of
approximately 60.degree., for example, containing the fabric
softener is transferred to the upper, middle, and lower spray
nozzle 26a, 26b, and 26c through the first and second supply pipes
28a and 28b by the pumping action of the circulation pump 46. Then,
the upper, middle, and lower spray nozzles 26a, 26b, and 26c spray
the washing water (rinsing water) onto the dishes accommodated in
the dish baskets 22a and 22b at a high pressure. Thereby, the last
rinsing mode to remove fine particles of the contaminants from the
dishes is performed (148).
[0085] In the last rinsing mode, all of the upper, middle, and
lower spray nozzles 26a, 26b, and 26c spray the washing water
(rinsing water) so that the washing water is sprayed to the dishes
to effectively remove the fine particles of the contaminants from
the dishes.
[0086] Further, in the last rinsing mode, when the sensed amount of
the washing water (rinsing water) becomes less than a predetermined
low water level during the operation of the heater 30, the supply
of the washing water (rinsing water) is carried out so that the
amount of the washing water (rinsing water) is not less than the
predetermined low water level.
[0087] When the last rinsing mode is carried out, the control unit
62 measures a time, and determines whether or not a predetermined
last rinsing time, approximately 30 minutes, for example, has
elapsed, i.e., whether or not the last rinsing mode has been
completed (150). When it is determined that the last rinsing mode
has not been completed, the procedure returns to operation 148, and
the last rinsing mode is continuously carried out until the last
rinsing time has elapsed.
[0088] As a result of the above determination, when it is
determined that the last rinsing mode has been completed, since the
contaminants stuck to the dishes as well as the washing water
(rinsing water) are collected in the sump 42 in the same manner as
in the preliminary rinsing mode, the control unit 62 drains the
washing water (rinsing water) containing the contaminants through
the drain pipe 52 by the operations of the drain pump 48 and the
drain valve 50 (152).
[0089] Consequently, the total amount of the washing water consumed
in the standard course of the method of the present embodiment is
18 L, i.e., the sum of 4 L in the preliminary washing mode, 5 L in
the main washing mode, 4 L in the preliminary rinsing mode, and 5 L
in the last rinsing mode. Thus, the amount of the washing water in
the standard course of the method of the present embodiment is
reduced by approximately 10% compared with the amount of the
washing water (5 L.times.4=20 L) in the standard course of the
conventional method. Further, the increased area of the spray holes
of the middle spray nozzle 26b prevents an increase of a washing
time and a deterioration of a washing efficiency due to the
reduction of the amount of the washing water consumed. Moreover,
the operation of the lower spray nozzle 26c is decreased, and thus,
when the dish washer is used for a long period of time, the
maintenance of electric field products is easily achieved.
[0090] As apparent from the above description, the present
embodiment provides a dish washer and a method of controlling the
same, in which the amount of water consumed is reduced and a
washing time is maintained while assuring a washing
performance.
[0091] Further, the area ratio of spray holes of upper, middle, and
lower nozzles is converted such that the amount of water sprayed
from the middle nozzle is maximized, so as to increase the washing
performance. Moreover, the amount of water consumed in preliminary
modes carried out prior to main modes is decreased, so as to reduce
the amount of water required in the entirety of the modes.
[0092] Although an embodiment has been shown and described, it
would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may
be made in this embodiment without departing from the principles
and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *