Method For Controlling Water Supply Of Dishwasher

Abstract

A dishwasher and a method for controlling a dishwasher are provided. The dishwasher may include a washing tub that defines a washing space in which one or more dishes may be placed; an injection unit that injects wash water to the dishes; a sump provided underneath of the washing tub; a drive that supplies and circulates the wash water stored in the sump to the injection unit; and a drainage pump that drains the wash water from the sump. The method for controlling the dishwasher may include supplying wash water to the dishwasher; washing dishes using the wash water; rinsing the washed dishes; and drying the dishes. The method may further include exhausting by operating the drainage pump for a predetermined period of time to exhaust air from the drainage pump after the supplying of the wash water to the dishwasher.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0072196, filed in Korea on Jun. 10, 2016, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

[0002] A dishwasher and a method for controlling a dishwasher by controlling a drainage pump in a water supply so as to prevent cavitation of the drainage pump provided in the dishwasher are disclosed herein.

2. Background

[0003] Generally, a dishwasher is an electric appliance configured to wash dishes held therein by injecting wash water at a high pressure to the dishes and dry them. More specifically, wash water is injected into a washing tub, in which the dishes are held, at a high pressure in the dishwasher and the injected wash water is configured to contact with the dishes so as to remove food scraps from surfaces of the dishes.

[0004] Such a dishwasher is capable of filtering the food scraps or contaminants contained in the wash water using a filter and re-using the filtered water. Also, detergent is dissolved in the wash water and supplied mixedly together with the wash water.

[0005] Recently, dishwashers a motor of which raises a temperature of the wash water or generates steam to enhance efficiency of a washing performance have been broadly developed. Such a conventional dishwasher includes a case that defines an external appearance; a washing tub provided in the cabinet and defining a washing space for the dishes; a door coupled to a front of the washing tub to open and close the washing tub; a sump provided under the washing tub and configured to supply, collect, circulate and drain wash water for washing>the dishes; lower and upper arms that inject the wash water supplied by the sump to the dishes; and lower and upper racks slidingly provided in the tub and selectively disposed according to kinds and sizes of the dishes.

[0006] To wash dishes, using the dishwasher, a user has to open the door and draw out the rack from the washing tub. Then, the user puts dishes to be washed on the drawn out rack and pushes the rack back into the washing tub. Finally, the user closes the door. Once the user thereafter puts the dishwasher into operation, the dishes disposed on the lower and upper rack start to be washed while wash water is independently or simultaneously supplied to the upper/lower arm.

[0007] For the washing of the dishes, wash water has to be supplied and drained. The supplied wash water is guided into the sump and supplied to the lower and upper arms by an auxiliary pump. The wash water having been used in the washing is drained outside of the dishwasher by a drainage pump.

[0008] The drainage pump is typically located below the sump and the wash water is suctioned into a drainage space defined in the drainage pump, as wash water is supplied. Air remaining in the drainage space has to be exhausted via a drainage pipe as the wash water is drawn into the drainage space. Because of differences between the drainage pipe and the drainage space in height and pressure, the air might fail to be exhausted.

[0009] An auxiliary air outlet hole may be provided in the drainage space to exhaust the air remaining in the drainage space. Such an air outlet hole might be blocked by contaminants drained together with the wash water during the wash water drainage. In a case in which the air outlet hole is blocked, the drainage of the drainage pump might be performed smoothly and the drained wash water might counter-flow disadvantageously.

[0010] Accordingly, there is a disadvantage that smooth and efficient operation of the drainage pump might fail, because an exhaustion pressure not formed by the drainage pump in a case in which air remaining in the drainage space of the drainage pump is not exhausted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, and wherein;

[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a dishwasher in accordance with an embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a drainage unit of the dishwasher in accordance with an embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal structure of the drainage unit In accordance with an embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a side sectional view illustrating the internal structure of the drainage unit n accordance with an embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating operation of the dishwasher in accordance with an embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating operation of the drainage pump to remove an air pocket in accordance with an embodiment; and

[0018] FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating operation of the drainage pump to remove an air pocket in accordance with another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Referring to, the accompanying drawings, embodiments will be described Use of such terminology for structures and control methods herein is merely intended to facilitate description of the specification, and the terminology itself is not intended to give any special meaning or function. That which is well-known to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art has generally been omitted for the sake of brevity. Regardless of numeral references, the same or equivalent components may be provided with the same reference numbers and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0020] Hereinafter, referring to the accompanying drawings, a dishwasher in accordance with an embodiment will be described.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a dishwasher in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the dishwasher 100 may include a cabinet 110 that defines an external appearance; a washing tub 120 provided in the cabinet 110 and defining a washing, space in which one or more washing objects or dishes may be washed; a plurality of racks 130a and 130b detachably mounted in the washing tub 120 and having the washing objects or dishes disposed thereon; a plurality of injection arms 122 and 124 that injects wash water to the washing objects disposed on the racks 130a and 130b; and a sump 140 that calculates and supplies wash water to the injection arms 122 and 124 and collects and receives the wash water supplied to the washing space.

[0022] An opening may be formed in the washing tub 120, with a closable front side, to allow the washing tub 120 to communicate with the outside of the cabinet 110. The opening may be opened and closed by a door 113 rotatably coupled to the cabinet 110. Accordingly, a user may draw the racks 130a and 130b from the washing tub 120 after opening the opening by rotating the door 113.

[0023] The plurality of racks 130a and 130b on which the washing objects may be disposed may be provided in the washing tub 120. The plurality of racks 130a and 130b may include an upper rack 130a provided in an upper portion of the washing tub, and a lower rack provided under the upper rack 130a. In a case in which the plurality of racks 130a and 130b is configured of the upper rack 130a and the lower rack 130b, the injection arms 122 and 124 may include an upper arm 122 that injects water to the upper rack 130a, and a lower arm 124 that injects water to the lower rack 130b. The wash water (the water remaining in the washing tub 120) injected to the washing objects from the injection arms 112 and 124 may be collected in the sump 140.

[0024] The sump 140 may be provided underneath the washing tub 120 and function as a means for storing water. The sump 140 may be partitioned off from the washing tub 120 by a sump cover 142. One or more hole 144 may be provided in the sump cover 12 to suction the water into the sump 140 from the washing tub 120 into a sump collection chamber 143.

[0025] The sump 140 may be connected to a water supply source (not shown) via a water supply unit 150. The water supply unit 150 may be opened and closed by a water supply valve 152. In addition, the water supply unit 150 may include a water flow sensor (not shown) that senses an amount of the wash water supplied through the water supply valve 152.

[0026] A drainage unit 160 may be provided in a lower portion of the sump 140 to exhaust the wash water and food scraps drawn into the sump 140. An outlet hole 146 through.sub.>which the wash water and food scraps suctioned into the sump 140 may be exhausted may be provided in a lower portion of the sump 140 and communicate with the drainage pipe.

[0027] The drainage unit 160 may include a drainage chamber 61 in which the drainage pump 165 may be installed, and, a drainage pipe 183 that guides the wash water and food scraps exhausted from the drainage chamber 161 by the drainage pump 165. Referring to the accompanying drawings, the drainage unit 160 will be described hereinafter.

[0028] The water stored in the sump 140 may be supplied to the injection arms 122 and 124 via a water supply path 170 by a pump 180. The water supply path 170 may include a connection path 172 connected to the pump 180; an upper path 174 that connects the connection path 172 and the upper arm 122 with each other; and a lower path 176 that connects the connection path 172 and the lower arm 174 with each other.

[0029] The upper arm 122 may be rotatably connected to the upper path 174 and the lower arm 124 may be rotatably connected to the lower path 176. The upper path 174 and the lower path 176 may be formed by a branching of the connection path 172. transfer valve 178 that controls opening/closing of the paths 174 and 176 may be provided in or at a branched point between the upper path 174 and the lower path 176.

[0030] The pump 180 may include a pump body 82 fixed in the cabinet 110; a partition wall 183 that defines a pumping chamber 184 and a heating chamber 186 by portioning off an internal space of the pump body 182; a partition through hole 183a provided in the partition wall 183 to allow the pumping chamber 184 and the heating chamber 186 to communicate with each other; and an impeller 181a provided in the pumping chamber 184.

[0031] The heating chamber 186 may be connected with the sump 140 by a pump inlet 187 that penetrates the pump body 182, and the pumping chamber 184 may be connected with the connection path 172 by a pump outlet 185 that penetrates the pump body 182. The impeller 181a may be rotated by a motor 181 fixed to an upper surface of the pump body 182. A shaft of the motor 181 may be connected to the impeller 181a located in the pumping chamber 184 through an upper surface of the pump body 182.

[0032] A heating unit 188 may be provided in a bottom surface of the heating chamber 186. When the pump body 182 is cylindrical-shaped with an open bottom surface, the heating unit 188 may define the bottom surface of the heating chamber 186.

[0033] The heating unit 188 may include a heating plate 188a defining the bottom surface of the heating chamber 186, and a heater 189 fixed to a bottom surface of the heating plate 188a and located outside of the heating chamber 186. The heating plate 188a may be formed, for example of a metal which is easily to transmits heat. In addition, the heating unit 188 may be configured to define the bottom surface of the heating chamber 186, to provide the pump 180 which is capable of performing the function of water supply to the, injection arms 122 and 124 and the function of water heating simultaneously.

[0034] The dishwasher 100 including the pump 180 discussed above may supply steam to the washing tub 120 using the heating unit 188 provided in the pump 180. For that, a steam supply unit 190 may be further provided in the dishwasher 100.

[0035] The steam supply unit 190 may include a nozzle 192 that injects steam into the washing tub 120; a steam supply pipe 194 that connects the nozzle 192 to the heating chamber 186; and a steam valve 196 that opens d closes the steam supply pipe. FIG. 1 illustrates the nozzle 192 provided'in the door 113 as one example. In this instance, the nozzle 192 may be installed or provided'in or at a lower portion of an inner surface of the door 113.

[0036] Hereinafter, a drainage unit will be described, referring to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective diagram illustrating a drainage unit of the dishwasher in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal structure of the drainage unit in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view illustrating the internal structure of the drainage unit in accordance with an embodiment.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 2 through 4, drainage unit 160 in accordance with an embodiment may include drainage chamber 161 provided in a lower portion of the sump 140 and defining a predetermined pumping space for pumping the drained wash water, in communication with the outlet hole 146 of the, sump 140; drainage pump 165 connected to the drainage chamber 171 and including a drainage impeller 166 that drains the wash water; an outlet pipe 162 that exhausts wash water and food scraps along with rotation of the impeller 166, in communication with one side of the drainage chamber 161; and drainage pipe 163 connected to the outlet pipe 162 and guiding the exhausted wash water.

[0039] The drainage pump 165 may include a motor 168 that defines one surface of the drainage chamber 161 and coupled to the drainage chamber 161; a sealing member 167 provided between the motor 168 and, the drainage chamber 161 and preventing leakage of wash water; and impeller 166 coupled to a shaft of the motor 168 and configured to forcibly exhausting the wash water from the drainage chamber 161 to the outlet pipe 162 by a centrifugal force.

[0040] The outlet hole 146 of the sump 140 in communication with the drainage chamber 161 is related to a location of the impeller 166 provided in the drainage pump 165. The outlet hole 146 may be provided at a center of rotation performed by the impeller 166 to exhaust the wash water along with the rotation of the impeller 166. The outlet pipe 162 provided in the drainage chamber 161 may be connected to or at a predetermined portion of the drainage chamber 161 to exhaust the wash water along the rotation of the impeller 166 and the wash water and food scraps drawn into the drainage chamber 161 simultaneously.

[0041] The drainage pipe 163 may be connected to the outlet pipe 162 to guide the wash water containing food scraps drained by the drainage pump 165 outside of the dishwasher 100. A check valve 164 may be further provided in a predetermined region of the drainage pipe 163 to prevent the exhausted rash water and food scraps from counter-flowing.

[0042] Next operation of the dishwasher 100 will be described referring to the accompanying drawings. Each of the components which will be discussed hereinafter, with reference to the description and drawings discussed above.

[0043] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating operation of the dishwasher in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, a user may place dishes on upper rack or lower rack 130a or 130b of dishwasher 100 and then select a wash start button (not shown) to, start the washing for the dishes.

[0044] Once operation of the dishwasher 100 starts, a water supply step or operation (S110) for supplying water to washing tub 120 may be performed. After the water supply step (S110) is complete, a preliminary washing step or operation (S120) for soaking contaminants or food scraps which are stuck on the dishes may be performed.

[0045] After the preliminary washing step (S120) a main washing step or operation (S130) for spraying the wash water mixed with detergent may be performed to remove the contaminants and food scraps. Once the main washing step (S130) is complete, a rinsing step or operation (S140) may be performed and then a drying step or operation (S150) for drying the dishes may be performed after the rinsing step (S140).

[0046] Before the main washing step (S130) starts after the preliminary washing step (S120), water drainage for collecting the wash water injected in the preliminary washing step (S120) may be performed. Wash water ay be pumped by the pump 180 and injected into the washing tub 120 via upper arm 122 and lower arm 124. The wash water injecting process may be repeated for a preset or predetermined time period.

[0047] The wash water injection may be performed a preset or predetermined number of times and the main washing step (S130) may be performed the preset number of times. The main washing step (S130) may be completed and the rinsing step (S140) may then be performed. The wash water supplied in the main washing step (S130) may be drained before the rinsing step (S130) starts.

[0048] After the rinsing step (S140), a drying step or operation (S150) may be performed to remove moisture contained on the dishes. In the drying step (S150) hot air may be supplied to the washing, tub 120 and the moisture evaporated from the dishes. Air changed into high-temperature humid air may be exhausted outside of the dishwasher 100 by an auxiliary dry module (not shown).

[0049] The water supply step (S110), the preliminary washing step (S120), the main washing step (S130), the rinsing step (S140) and the drying step (S150) discussed above may be similar to corresponding steps provided in a conventional dishwasher. Detailed description regarding these steps has been omitted accordingly.

[0050] The wash water supplied in those steps may be drawn into the drainage chamber 161 via the outlet hole 146 from the sump 140. As it is being drawn into the drainage chamber 161, the wash water fills a drainage space 161a defined in the drainage chamber 161 so that the air not exhausted via the drainage pipe 163 may form an air pocket 161b in an upper portion of the drainage chamber 161a. In other words, the wash water drawn into the drainage chamber 161 is filled to a height (H1) which reaches an upper end of the outlet hole 146 located in the center of the drainage chamber 161 Alternatively, the wash water may be filled in the drainage chamber 167 to a height (H2) which reaches an upper end of the outlet pipe 162 according to an arrangement of the drainage pipe 163.

[0051] At this time, a maximum water level the wash water drawn into the drainage chamber 161 in the drainage space 161a may be between the height (H1), that is, the upper end of the outlet hole 146, and the height (H2), that is, the upper end of the outlet pipe 162. The air pocket 161b may be formed above the wash water level stored in the drainage chamber 161 by the air not exhausted outside of the drainage chamber 161. Accordingly, the air pocket 161b formed in the drainage chamber 161 may interfere with water currents formed by the impeller 166 of the drainage pump 165 and then interfere with smooth drainage from the drainage chamber 161.

[0052] Thus, embodiments disclosed herein are provided to facilitate operation of the impeller 166 of the drainage pump 165 by removing the air pocket formed in the drainage chamber 161 of the drainage unit 160. A process of removing the air pocket may be repeatedly performed in the water supply step (S110), the preliminary washing step (S120), the main washing, step (S130) and the rinsing step (S140) during which water supply is performed Alternatively, the process of removing the air pocket may be performed only in the water supply step (S110), for example, during which wash water is initially supplied.

[0053] Hereinafter, a process of removing air pocket 161b will be described which is performed only in the water supply step (S110) for supplying the wash water initially. Referring to the drawings, operation of the drainage unit in accordance with an embodiment will be described.

[0054] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating operation of the drainage pump to remove an air pocket in accordance with an embodiment. As discussed above, the water supply step (S110) starts to be performed, and the supplied wash water is drawn into the drainage chamber 161 via the outlet hole 146 of the sump 140. The supplied wash water may fill in the internal space of the drainage chamber 161.

[0055] In this instance, the wash water supplied to the drainage chamber 161 may fill to the height (H1), that is, to the upper end of the outlet hole 146 located in the center of the drainage chamber 161. Alternatively, the supplied wash water may fill to the height (H2), that is, to the upper end of the outlet pipe 162 according to the arrangement of the drainage pipe 163.

[0056] A control unit or controller may determine whether a water level of the wash water after the water supply step (S110) starts is located between the height (H1), that is, the upper end of the outlet hole 146, and the height (H2), that is, the upper end of the outlet pipe 162 (S210). The determination of the water level may be performed based on a water supply time. In other words, it may be determined that the wash water level in the drainage chamber 161 is between the height (H1), that is, the upper end of the outlet hole 146, and the height (H2), that is the upper end of the outlet pipe 162, when a preset or predetermined time passes after the water supply starts.

[0057] The control unit may operate the motor 168 intermittently to exhaust the air remaining in the drainage chamber 161 via the outlet pipe 162 (S220). The motor 168 may be rotated in a same direction as the wash water is drained. The impeller 166 may be rotated along with the rotation of the motor 168 and the wash water together with air inside of the drainage chamber 161 may be exhausted along with the rotation of the impeller 166.

[0058] The rotation of the motor 168 may be performed intermittently. The intermittent rotation may be performed for approximately 1.about.2 sec. and then paused for approximately 1.5.about.2.5 sec. and the intermittent rotation may be repeatedly performed two through four times. The wash water in the drainage chamber 161 may fluctuate and be partially drained together with air by the intermittent rotation at the same time, so that the air pocket formed in the drainage chamber 161 may be minimized.

[0059] Next, referring to the accompanying drawings, operation, of the drainage unit in accordance with another embodiment will be described.

[0060] FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating operation of the drainage pump to remove an air pocket in accordance with another embodiment. As discussed above, the water supply step (S110) may be performed and the supplied wash water drawn into the drainage chamber 161 via the outlet hole 146 of the sump 140. The wash water drawn into the drainage chamber 161 may fill the drainage chamber 161.

[0061] The wash water supplied to the drainage chamber 161 may fill up to height (H1) which reaches the upper end of the outlet hole 146 located in the center of the drainage chamber 161 or the height (H2) which reaches the upper end of the outlet pipe 162 according, to the arrangement of the drainage pipe 163. The control unit may determine whether a water level of the wash water after the water supply step (S110) starts is located between the height (H1), that is, the upper end of the outlet hole 146, and the height (H2), that is, the upper end of the outlet pipe 162 (S310).

[0062] The determination of the wash water level may be performed based on an accumulation of the supplied wash water amount. In other words, once the wash water supply starts, a water flow sensor provided in the water supply unit may determine whether the wash water level, in the drainage chamber 161 is located between the height (H1), that s, the upper end of the outlet hole 146, and the height (H2) that is, the upper end of the outlet pipe 162.

[0063] Thus, the control unit operates the motor 168 intermittently to exhaust the air remaining in the drainage chamber 161 via the outlet pipe 162 (S320). The motor 168 may be rotated in the same direction as the wash water drained. The impeller 166 may be rotated along with the rotation of the motor 168 and the wash water together with air inside of the drainage chamber 161 may be exhausted along with the rotation of the impeller 166.

[0064] The rotation of the motor 168 may be performed intermittently. The intermittent rotation may be performed for approximately 1.about.2 sec. and then paused for approximately 1.5.about.2.5 sec. and the intermittent rotation may be repeatedly operated two through four times. The wash water in the drainage chamber 161 may fluctuate and be partially drained together with air by the intermittent rotation at the same time, so that the air pocket formed in the drainage chamber 161 may minimized.

[0065] Accordingly, embodiments disclosed herein address the above-noted and other problems and provide a method for controlling a dishwasher which is capable of securing operational environments for a drainage pump by facilitating exhaustion of air remaining in a drainage pump, while water is supplied to the dishwasher.

[0066] Embodiments disclosed herein provide a method for controlling a dishwasher that may include a water supply step or operation for supplying wash water to the dishwasher; an air exhausting step, or operation for exhausting the air remaining in a path of the wash water in the water supply step; a washing step or operation for washing dishes by injecting wash water tea the dishes; a rinsing, step or operation for rinsing the dishes; and a drying step or operation for drying the dishes. The air exhausting step may be performed in a preset or predetermined time period when the water supply step starts to be performed.

[0067] The exhausting step may be performed after a preset or predetermined amount of wash water is supplied in the water supply step. The air exhausting step may operate a drainage pump for draining the wash water.

[0068] The drainage pump may include a drainage pump, in which wash water may be stored; an impeller that drains the wash water from the drainage chamber; and a drainage path connected to the drainage chamber. The air exhausting step may rotate the impeller in a preset or predetermined direction in which the air is rotated to move toward the drainage path.

[0069] The air exhausting step may repeatedly and intermittently operate the drainage pump for a preset or predetermined time period. The air exhausting step may repeat the intermittent operation process in which the drainage pump operates for approximately 1.about.2 seconds and pause the drainage pump for approximately 1.5.about.2.5 seconds.

[0070] Embodiments disclosed herein may also provide a method for controlling a dishwasher including a washing tub that defines a washing space in which one or more dishes may be placed; an injection unit that injects wash water to the dishes; a sump provided underneath the washing tub; a driving unit or drive that supplies and circulates the wash water stored in the sump to the injection unit; and a drainage pump that drains the wash water from the sump. The, method for controlling the dishwasher may include a water supply step or operation for supplying wash water to the dishwasher; a washing step or operation for washing dishes using the wash water; a rinsing step or operation for rinsing the washed dishes; and a drying step or operation for drying the dishes. The method may further include an air exhausting step or operation for operating the drainage pump for a preset or predetermined time period to exhaust air from the drainage pump after the water supply step.

[0071] The drainage pump may include a drainage pump in which wash water may be stored; an impeller that drains the wash water from the drainage chamber; and a drainage path connected to the drainage chamber. The air exhausting step may rotate the impeller in a preset or predetermined direction in which the air is rotated to move toward the drainage path. The air exhausting step may repeatedly and intermittently operate the drainage pump for a preset or predetermined time period.

[0072] The air exhausting step may repeat the intermittent operation process in which the drainage pump operates for approximately 1.about.2 seconds and pause the drainage pump for approximately 1.5.about.2.5 seconds. The air exhausting step may be performed in a preset or predetermined time period when the water supply step starts to be performed. The air exhausting step may be performed after a preset or predetermined amount of wash water is supplied in the water supply step.

[0073] The embodiments have at least the following advantageous effect. The method for controlling a dishwasher is capable of securing operational environments for a drainage pump by facilitating exhaustion of air remaining in a drainage pump, while water is supplied to the dishwasher.

[0074] Further scope of applicability will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating embodiments, are given by illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

[0075] The embodiments are merely exemplary and are not to be considered as limiting. The teachings, can be readily applied to other types of methods and apparatuses. This description is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods, and other characteristics of the embodiments described herein may be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or alternative embodiments. As the present features may be embodied in several forms without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be considered broadly within its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds, are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

[0076] Any reference in this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "example embodiment," etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

[0077] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various, variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a dishwasher, the method comprising: supplying wash water to the dishwasher; exhausting air remaining in a path of the wash water in the supplying of the wash water to the dishwasher; washing dishes by injecting wash water to the dishes; rinsing the dishes; and drying the dishes.

2. The method for controlling the dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the exhausting of the air remaining in the path of the wash water is performed for a predetermined period of time when the supplying of the wash water to the dishwasher starts to be performed.

3. The method for controlling the dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the air exhausting of the air remaining in the path of the wash water is performed after a predetermined amount of wash water is supplied in the supplying of the wash water to the dishwasher.

4. The method for controlling the dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the air exhausting of the air remaining in the path of the wash water includes operating a drainage pump for draining the wash water.

5. The method for controlling the dishwasher of claim 4, wherein the drainage pump includes: a drainage chamber in which wash water is stored; an impeller that drains the wash water from the, drainage chamber; and a drainage path connected to the drainage chamber, and wherein the exhausting of the air remaining in the path of the wash water includes rotating the impeller in a predetermined direction in which the air is rotated to move toward the drainage path.

6. The method for controlling the dishwasher of claim 5, wherein the exhausting of the air remaining in the path, of the wash water includes repeatedly and intermittently operating the drainage pump for a predetermined period of time.

7. The method for controlling the dishwasher of claim 6, wherein the exhausting of the air remaining in the path of the wash water includes repeating the intermittent operation process in which the drainage pump is operated for 1.about.2 seconds and paused for 1.5.about.2.5 seconds.

8. A method for controlling a dishwasher including a washing tub that defines a washing space in which one or more dishes are placed; an injection unit that injects wash water to the dishes; a sump provided underneath the washing tub; a drive that supplies and circulates the wash water stored in the sump to the injection unit; and a drainage pump that drains the wash water from the sump, the method for controlling the dishwasher comprising: supplying wash water into the dishwasher; washing dishes using the wash water; rinsing the washed dishes; drying the dishes; and exhausting air by operating the drainage pump for a predetermined period of time to exhaust air from the drainage pump after the supplying of the wash water to the dishwasher.

9. The method for controlling the dishwasher of >claim 8, wherein the drainage pump includes; a drainage chamber in which wash, water is stored; an impeller that drains the wash water from the drainage chamber; and a drainage path connected to the drainage chamber, and wherein the exhausting of air includes rotating the impeller in a predetermined direction in which the air is rotated to move toward the drainage path.

10. The method for controlling the dishwasher of claim 9, wherein the exhausting of air by operating the drainage pump for the predetermined period of time to exhaust air from the drainage pump after the supplying of the wash water to the dishwasher includes repeatedly and intermittently operating the drainage pump for the predetermined period of time.

11. The method for controlling the dishwasher of claim 10, wherein exhausting of air by operating the drainage pump for the predetermined period of time to exhaust air from the drainage pump after the supplying of the wash water to the dishwasher includes repeating the intermittent operation process in which the drainage pump is operated for 1.about.2 seconds and paused for 1.5.about.2.5 seconds.

12. The method for controlling the dishwasher of claim 8, wherein the exhausting of air by operating the drainage pump for the predetermined period of time to exhaust air from the drainage pump after the supplying of the wash water to the dishwasher is performed in the predetermined period of time when the supplying of wash water to the dishwasher starts to be performed.

13. The method for controlling the dishwasher of claim 8, wherein the exhausting of air by operating the drainage pump for the predetermined period of time to exhaust air from the drainage pump after the supplying of the wash water to he dishwasher is performed after a predetermined amount of wash water is supplied in the supplying wash water to the dishwasher.

14. The method for controlling the dishwasher of claim 13, wherein the predetermined amount is a first reference level or a second reference level.

15. The method for controlling the dishwasher of claim 14, wherein the drainage pump includes: a drainage chamber in which wash water is stored; an impeller that drains the wash water from the drainage chamber; and a drainage path connected to the drainage chamber, and wherein the exhausting of air includes rotating the impeller in a predetermined direction in which the air is rotated to move toward the drainage path.

16. The method for controlling the dishwasher of claim 15, wherein the first reference level is a water level to a height of an upper end of an outlet hole of the sump located in a center of the drainage chamber and the second reference level is a water level to a height of an upper end of an outlet pipe of the drainage chamber

17. A method for controlling a dishwasher including a washing tub that defines a washing space in which one or more dishes are placed; an injection unit that injects wash water to the dishes; a sump provided underneath the washing tub; a drive that supplies and circulates the wash water stored in the sump to the injection unit; and a drainage pump that drains the wash water from the sump, the method for controlling the dishwasher comprising: supplying wash water into the dishwasher; washing dishes using the wash water; rinsing the washed dishes; drying the dishes; and exhausting air by operating the drainage pump for a predetermined period of time to exhaust air from the drainage pump after the supplying of the wash water to the dishwasher, wherein the exhausting of air by operating the drainage pump for the predetermined period of time to exhaust air from the drainage pump after the supplying of the wash water to the dishwasher is performed after a predetermined amount of wash water is supplied in the supplying wash water to the dishwasher, the predetermined amount of wash water being sensed by a water level sensor.

18. The method for controlling the dishwasher of claim 17, wherein the predetermined amount is a first reference level or a second reference level.

19. The method for controlling the dishwasher of claim 18, wherein the drainage pump includes: a drainage chamber in which wash water is stored; an impeller that drains the wash water from the drainage chamber; and a drainage path connected to the drainage chamber, and wherein the exhausting of air includes rotating the impeller in a predetermined direction in which the air is rotated to move toward the drainage path.

20. The method for controlling the dishwasher of claim 19, wherein the first reference level is a water level to a height of an upper end of an outlet hole of the sump located in a center of the drainage chamber and the second reference level is a water level to a height of an upper end of an outlet pipe of the drainage chamber.