DISHWASHER AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SAME

Abstract

A dishwasher is proposed. The dishwasher includes a cabinet defining an appearance, and opened at a side thereof; a door configured to open or close an open front of the cabinet; a tub disposed in the cabinet, and defining a space in which dishes are washed; a dispenser disposed on a side of the door, and supplying detergent into the tub; and a spray arm having a plurality of spray nozzles in which spray holes opened in different directions are formed to spray wash water, a height of the spray arm being adjusted in at least two stages, wherein the plurality of spray nozzles comprises at least two dispenser spray nozzles to spray the wash water into the dispenser according to the adjusted height of the spray arm.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a dishwasher and, more particularly, to a dishwasher including a spray arm which sprays wash water to a dispenser.

BACKGROUND ART

A dishwasher is an apparatus that washes the dishes disposed in a tub using wash water. The dishwasher may remove waste from the dishes using wash water in which washing detergent is dissolved.

The washing detergent used for washing the dishes is temporarily stored in a dispenser. In a main washing step, if the dispenser is opened and the washing detergent contained therein is discharged into a tub, the detergent may be dissolved in circulating wash water to wash the dishes. However, when the washing detergent in the form of a powder is used, some washing detergent may remain in the dispenser even if the dispenser is opened. If the washing detergent remains in the dispenser as such, an adequate amount of detergent is not dissolved, so that the dishes may not be properly washed.

Unlike a washing machine, the dishwasher does not supply separate wash water into the dispenser, so that the detergent may frequently remain in the dispenser. There is a problem that the remaining detergent may contaminate an interior of the dispenser.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

A first object of the present disclosure is to provide a dishwasher that washes the dishes using all detergent put into a dispenser. Furthermore, this is to provide a method of controlling a dishwasher that can use all detergent put into a dispenser in a washing process using the dishwasher.

A second object of the present disclosure is to provide a dishwasher that can keep an interior of a dispenser clean.

A third object of the present disclosure is to provide a dishwasher that can supply a detergent in a dispenser to a tub, using a height adjustable spray arm.

Technical objects to be achieved by the present disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned technical objects, and other technical objects not described above may be evidently understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains from the following description.

Technical Solution

In order to accomplish the first to third objects, a dishwasher according to the present disclosure may include a cabinet defining an appearance, and opened at a side thereof; a door configured to open or close an open front of the cabinet; a tub disposed in the cabinet, and defining a space in which dishes are washed; a dispenser disposed on a side of the door, and supplying detergent into the tub; and a spray arm having a plurality of spray nozzles in which spray holes opened in different directions are formed to spray wash water, a height of the spray arm being adjusted in at least two stages, wherein the plurality of spray nozzles comprises at least two dispenser spray nozzles to spray the wash water into the dispenser according to the adjusted height of the spray arm. By spraying the wash water from the spray arm which is adjusted in height into the dispenser, the detergent in the dispenser may be supplied to the tub.

The dishwasher may further include a rack disposed in the tub, and holding the dishes, the spray arm may be rotatably disposed under the rack, and the dispenser may be disposed on a side of the rack to be spaced apart therefrom, so that the spray arm disposed under the dispenser may spray the wash water into the dispenser.

The spray arm may be divided into a first spray part extending to a side with respect to a rotating axis about which the spray arm rotates, and a second spray part extending in a direction opposite to the first spray part with respect to the rotating axis, and each of the first spray part and the second spray part may include at least one dispenser spray nozzle having a spray hole to spray the wash water into the dispenser, so that the dispenser spray nozzle disposed in the first spray part or the second spray part in the rotating spray arm may spray the wash water into the dispenser.

The dispenser spray nozzle may include a first dispenser spray nozzle configured to spray the wash water into the dispenser in a highest height of the spray arm, and a second dispenser spray nozzle configured to spray the wash water into the dispenser in a lowest height of the spray arm, and a spacing distance between the first dispenser spray nozzle and a center of the spray arm may be formed greater than a spacing distance between the second dispenser spray nozzle and the center of the spray arm. The distance and angle of the dispenser spray nozzle according to the spacing distance from the dispenser may be adjusted to spray the wash water into the dispenser

An angle between an imaginary horizontal line formed in a direction where the spray arm extends and a direction in which the wash water is sprayed upwards from the first dispenser spray nozzle may be formed smaller than an angle between the imaginary horizontal line and a direction in which the wash water is sprayed upwards from the second dispenser spray nozzle. The distance and angle of the dispenser spray nozzle according to the spacing distance from the dispenser may be adjusted to spray the wash water into the dispenser

In order to accomplish the first to third objects, a dishwasher according to the present disclosure may include a cabinet defining an appearance, and opened at a side thereof; a door configured to open or close an open front of the cabinet; a tub disposed in the cabinet, and defining a space in which dishes are washed; a dispenser disposed on a side of the door, and supplying detergent into the tub; an upper rack disposed at an upper position in the tub, and holding the dishes; a lower rack disposed in the tub, disposed under the upper rack, and holding the dishes; a lower spray arm provided under the lower rack to spray wash water upwards; an upper spray arm disposed under the upper rack to be adjustable in height, and spraying the wash water upwards; and at least two dispenser spray nozzles disposed on the upper spray arm to spray the wash water to the dispenser according to the adjusted height of the upper spray arm. By spraying the wash water from the upper spray arm which is adjusted in height into the dispenser, the detergent in the dispenser may be supplied to the tub.

The dispenser spray nozzle may include a first dispenser spray nozzle configured to spray the wash water into the dispenser in a highest height of the spray arm; a second dispenser spray nozzle configured to spray the wash water into the dispenser in a lowest height of the spray arm; and a third dispenser spray nozzle formed in a height between the first dispenser spray nozzle and the second dispenser spray nozzle, the first dispenser spray nozzle may be more distant from a center of the upper spray arm than the third dispenser spray nozzle, and the second dispenser spray nozzle may be closer to the center of the spray arm than the third dispenser spray nozzle. According to the height of the upper spray arm that is adjusted in three stages, the wash water may be sprayed into the dispenser with the first to third dispenser spray nozzles.

In order to accomplish the first object, a method of controlling a dishwasher according to the present disclosure may include a preliminary washing step of performing mechanical washing on dishes by spraying wash water; a main washing step of performing chemical washing on the dishes using washing detergent, after the preliminary washing step; a rinsing step of rinsing the dishes, which has been subjected to the main washing step, with water; and a dispenser spray step of spraying the wash water into a dispenser in which detergent is temporarily stored, prior to the main washing step, so that it is possible to supply the detergent in the dispenser to the tub.

The dispenser spray step may include a step of supplying water into the tub; a step of opening an opening formed in the dispenser; and a step of supplying the wash water to the opening of the dispenser through a spray arm that sprays the wash water, so that it is possible to supply the detergent in the dispenser to the tub.

The dispenser spray step may include, after the opening of the dispenser is opened, a step of regulating a path to supply the wash water to only an upper spray arm, among the upper spray arm disposed in the tub and a lower spray arm disposed under the upper spray arm, so that it is possible to concentrate on supplying the detergent in the dispenser to the tub.

The dispenser spray step may further include a step of heating the supplied water. It is possible to effectively remove the detergent remaining in the dispenser.

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

Advantageous Effects

A dishwasher according to the present disclosure has one or more effects as follows.

First, it is advantageous in that all detergent stored in a dispenser can be put into a tub, so that the dishes can be washed using an adequate amount of detergent.

Second, it is advantageous in that all detergent stored in a dispenser is discharged into a tub, thus keeping an interior of the dispenser clean.

Third, it is advantageous in that a step of supplying separate wash water into a dispenser is added, so that an interior of the dispenser is kept clean and the dishes can be effectively washed.

Effects which may be obtained by the present disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned effects, and other technical effects not described above may be evidently understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains from the following description.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dishwasher in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which a door is opened.

FIG. 2 is a schematic front sectional view of the dishwasher in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a dispenser in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an upper spray arm in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a first spray part on which a dispenser spray nozzle is disposed, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a second spray part on which a dispenser spray nozzle is disposed, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating the placement of the upper spray arm at a first height, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating the placement of the upper spray arm at a second height, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6C is a diagram illustrating the placement of the upper spray arm at a third height, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a method of controlling a dishwasher in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a dispenser spray step in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

MODE FOR INVENTION

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms without being limited to embodiments which will be described later. These embodiments are intended to make the disclosure of the invention complete, and are provided to be fully understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. The present disclosure is merely defined by the scope of claims. The same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to designate the same components.

Hereinafter, expressions indicating directions, such as “front (F)/rear (R)/left (Le)/right (Ri)/up (U)/down (D)”, may be defined as shown in FIGS. 1, 6A, 6B, and 6C. However, this is for the purpose of explaining the present disclosure so that those skilled in the art can clearly understand the disclosure. Of course, respective directions may be differently defined depending on a reference.

Furthermore, expressions indicating directions, such as “front (F)/rear (R)/left (Le)/right (Ri)” shown in FIG. 4, may vary as an upper spray arm 100 rotates. This is for the convenience of description. Likewise, these directions may be differently defined depending on a reference.

Hereinafter, a dishwasher according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Configuration of Dishwasher>

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dishwasher in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which a door is opened. FIG. 2 is a schematic front sectional view of the dishwasher in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, an entire structure of the dishwasher in accordance with this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The dishwasher 10 in accordance with this embodiment includes a cabinet 20 which defines an appearance, a door 22 which is coupled to the cabinet 20 to open or close an interior of the cabinet 20, and a tub 24 which is installed in the cabinet 20 and treats the dishes disposed therein. The cabinet 20 and the tub 24 are shaped to be open at a front where the door 22 is disposed.

The dishwasher 10 in accordance with this embodiment may include a dispenser 120 which stores detergent injected by a user and puts the detergent into the tub 24 in a washing step. The dispenser may be disposed on the door 22.

The cabinet 20 in accordance with this embodiment may define the appearance, and may be opened at one side thereof. An outdoor-air inlet hole 222 may be formed in one side of the cabinet 20 in accordance with this embodiment so that air is introduced into an outdoor-air inlet 220 that will be described below through the outdoor-air inlet hole. Furthermore, an outdoor-air outlet (not shown) may be formed in the other side of the cabinet 20 so that heat-exchanged outdoor air is discharged through the outdoor-air outlet.

The tub 24 defines a space in which the dishes are placed, so as to wash the dishes. The tub 24 in accordance with this embodiment may have on one side thereof an air guide hole (not shown) which discharges air to an outside to reduce pressure, when the pressure in the tub increases.

The dishwasher 10 in accordance with this embodiment includes racks 30 and 32 which receives the dishes in the tub 24, a spray module which sprays wash water towards the dishes received in the racks 30 and 32, a sump 26 which supplies the wash water to the spray module, and a wash pump 50 which pumps the wash water stored in the sump 26 to the spray module.

The spray module in accordance with this embodiment may include a spray arm which is disposed under the rack to spray the wash water towards the dishes received in the rack, and a supply pipe which supplies the wash water to the spray arm. Furthermore, the spray module may further a top nozzle 34 which is provided on an upper portion of the tub 24 to spray the wash water towards the racks 30 and 32 disposed thereunder. The spray arm in accordance with this embodiment may be divided into an upper spray arm 100 which is disposed under the upper rack 30 to spray the wash water towards the upper rack 30, and a lower spray arm 38 which sprays the wash water towards the lower rack 32.

The dishwasher 10 further includes a wash motor 52 which drives the wash pump 50. The wash motor 52 may use a Brushless Direct current (BLDC) motor which may control a number of revolutions. Since the wash motor 52 is the BLDC motor, it is possible to set a target RPM (revolution per minute). If the RPM of the BLDC motor is changed, the pumping force of the wash pump 50 is changed.

The dishwasher 10 in accordance with this embodiment may further include a water supply module 60 which supplies water to the sump 26 or the spray module, a drain module 62 which is connected to the sump 26 to discharge the wash water to the outside, a filter module 70 which is installed in the sump 26 to filter the wash water, and a wash-water heating module 56 which is installed on the sump 26 to heat the wash water.

The racks 30 and 32 accommodating the cleaning target such as the dishes are provided in the tub 24. The dishwasher 10 in accordance with this embodiment may include at least one or more racks 30 and 32. The racks 30 and 32 in accordance with this embodiment include a lower rack 32 which is disposed at a lower position in the tub 24, and an upper rack 30 which is disposed above the lower rack 32.

The dishwasher 10 in accordance with this embodiment may include at least one or more spray arms and the top nozzle 34. The dishwasher 10 in accordance with this embodiment includes the lower spray arm 38 which is provided in the tub 24 to wash the cleaning target received in the lower rack 32, the upper spray arm 100 which washes the cleaning target received in the upper rack 30, and the top nozzle 34 which is located at the uppermost portion of the tub 24 to spray the wash water.

The supply pipe in accordance with this embodiment supplies the wash water fed from the wash pump 50 to the spray arms 38 and 100 and the top nozzle 34.

The supply pipe in accordance with this embodiment includes a lower supply pipe 42 which supplies the wash water to the lower spray arm 38, and an upper supply pipe 44 which supplies the wash water to the upper spray arm 100 and the top nozzle 34.

The upper supply pipe 44 in accordance with this embodiment supplies the wash water fed to the wash pump 50 to the top nozzle 34. The dishwasher in accordance with this embodiment may further include a branch pipe 46 which branches off from the upper supply pipe 44 to supply the wash water to the upper spray arm 100. The branch pipe 46 in accordance with this embodiment is connected to a side of the upper supply pipe 44. The branch pipe 46 in accordance with this embodiment is connected to the upper supply pipe 44 to be adjustable in height. The branch pipe 46 in accordance with this embodiment is disposed under the upper rack 30.

The branch pipe 46 may be adjusted in height where it is spaced apart from the upper rack 30, according to the kind or amount of the dishes disposed in the upper rack 30. The branch pipe 46 in accordance with this embodiment is connected through a branch-pipe connector 47 to the upper supply pipe 44.

The branch pipe 46 may be connected at one end thereof to the upper supply pipe 44 to be adjustable in height. The height of the branch pipe 46 in accordance with this embodiment is adjustable in three stages.

The dishwasher 10 in accordance with this embodiment includes a path switch part 40 which supplies the wash water stored in the sump 26 to the upper supply pipe 44 and/or the lower supply pipe 42.

The path switch part 40 in accordance with this embodiment may include a path switch motor (not shown) which generates a rotating force, and a rotary plate which is rotated by the path switch motor to control the flow of the wash water. The rotary plate in accordance with this embodiment may selectively open or close a plurality of connecting holes (not shown) formed in places where a plurality of supply pipes branches. A plurality of switch holes (not shown) may be formed in the rotary plate. The rotary plate is rotated in stages by the path switch motor. If the rotary plate is rotated by the path switch motor, the plurality of switch holes formed in the rotary plate may be located in a place corresponding to at least one of the plurality of connecting holes, so that the wash water flowing from the wash pump 50 may be sprayed towards at least one of the plurality of spray arms 38 and 100 and the top nozzle 34.

The wash water discharged from the sump 26 through the wash pump 50 moves through a pump pipe 48 to the path switch part 40. The path switch part 40 may supply the wash water introduced from the sump to a pipe of at least one of the plurality of spray arms 38 and 100 and the top nozzle 34.

The upper spray arm 100 may be located under the upper rack 30. Preferably, the upper spray arm 100 is rotatably coupled to the branch pipe 46 to be rotated by a repulsive force of the wash water when the wash water is sprayed.

The top nozzle 34 is disposed higher than the upper rack 30. The top nozzle 34 is disposed on the upper portion of the tub 24. The top nozzle 34 receives the wash water from the upper supply pipe 44, and then sprays the wash water to the upper rack 30 and the lower rack 32.

The water supply module 60 is configured to receive water from an external source and then supply water to the sump 26, and supplies external water into the sump 36 by opening or closing the water supply valve 65. In this embodiment, the water supply module is configured to supply water through a filter module 70 to the sump 26. The drain module 62 serves to discharge the wash water stored in the sump 26 to the outside, and includes a drain pipe 64 and a drain pump 66.

The filter module 70 serves to filter foreign materials such as food residues contained in the wash water, and is disposed on a flow path of the wash water flowing from the tub 24 into the sump 26.

To this end, a filter mounting part 62 may be formed on the sump 26 so that the filter module 70 is mounted thereon, and a filter path may be disposed to connect the filter mounting part and an interior of the sump 26.

The dishwasher in accordance with this embodiment may include a water-level sensing part to sense a water level in the tub. The water-level sensing part in accordance with this embodiment may include a floater (not shown) mounted therein to sense the water level in the tub 24, and a water-level sensor (not shown) which senses a rising height of the floater to sense the water level.

The dishwasher according to this embodiment may further include an input part (not shown) into which a user command is input, and a display part (not shown) which displays an operating state of the dishwasher to a user or displays notification. The input part may a touch input method or a button input method, and the display part may use a display, a warning lamp, etc.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a dispenser in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a plan view of an upper spray arm in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a first spray part on which a dispenser spray nozzle is disposed, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a second spray part on which a dispenser spray nozzle is disposed, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating the placement of the upper spray arm at a first height, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating the placement of the upper spray arm at a second height, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6C is a diagram illustrating the placement of the upper spray arm at a third height, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, the dispenser and the spray arm in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure and a relationship therebetween will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6C.

The dispenser 120 in accordance with this embodiment defines a space which temporarily stores detergent. The dispenser 120 in accordance with this embodiment may be disposed on the inside of the door 22. The dispenser 120 in accordance with this embodiment may be disposed above the upper spray arm 100.

The dispenser 120 may include a case 122 which defines an appearance thereof. A chamber 124 may be concavely formed in the case 122 to temporarily accommodate the detergent. An opening 126 may be formed in a side of the case 122 to be opened in a direction from the chamber 124 to the inside of the tub 24.

The opening 126 may be formed in the chamber 124 to be opened towards the inside of the tub 24. The dispenser 120 may further include a cover 128 which opens or close the opening 126 of the chamber 124. The cover 128 may close the opening 126 in a preliminary washing step of removing waste from the dishes without using the detergent, and may open the opening 126 in a main washing step of washing the dishes using the detergent.

A space defined by the chamber 124 in accordance with this embodiment may be inclined downwards towards the opening 126 which is opened at a bottom thereof so as to easily discharge the detergent. Furthermore, the opening 126 may be formed to have a size to allow the wash water sprayed from the spray arm, which will be described below, to be introduced into the chamber 124.

The dispenser 120 may have on a side thereof a rinse supply part 130 which selectively supplies rinse.

The rinse supply part 130 in accordance with this embodiment defines a space which temporarily stores the rinse therein, and may be opened on a side thereof so that the rinse is supplied to the tub 24. Furthermore, the rinse supply part 130 may further include a rinse-supply-part cover 132 which opens or closes the open portion.

<Spray Module>

The spray module in accordance with this embodiment may include a spray arm which is disposed under the rack to spray the wash water towards the dishes received in the rack, and a supply pipe which supplies the wash water to the spray arm. Furthermore, the spray module may further a top nozzle 34 which is provided on an upper portion of the tub 24 to spray the wash water towards the racks 30 and 32 disposed thereunder. The spray arm in accordance with this embodiment may be divided into an upper spray arm 100 which is disposed under the upper rack 30 to spray the wash water towards the upper rack 30, and a lower spray arm 38 which sprays the wash water towards the lower rack 32.

The spray arms 38 and 100 in accordance with this embodiment includes a plurality of spray nozzles 101 each having a spray hole 101a which sprays the wash water into the tub 24. The spray arms 38 and 100 in accordance with this embodiment may include the lower spray arm 38 which is disposed under the lower rack 32, and the upper spray arm 100 which is disposed under the upper rack 30. Hereinafter, the upper spray arm 100 in accordance with this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6C. However, the configuration and placement of the upper spray arm 100 which will be described below may be applied to the lower spray arm 38.

Referring to FIG. 4, the upper spray arm 100 in accordance with this embodiment includes 16 spray nozzles. Angles at which the spray holes formed in the 16 spray nozzles face may be different from each other.

The spray holes formed in the plurality of spray nozzles 101 in accordance with this embodiment are formed to spray the wash water in different directions. The spray nozzles 101 in accordance with this embodiment include a dispenser spray nozzle 102 which sprays the wash water towards the opening 126 of the dispenser, and a dish spray nozzle 104 which sprays the wash water towards the dishes held in the upper rack 30. The spray nozzle 101 in accordance with this embodiment includes an outer spray nozzle 106 disposed on an outer end of the spray arm. The outer spray nozzle 106 in accordance with this embodiment may form a portion of the dish spray nozzle 104.

The upper spray arm 100 in accordance with this embodiment includes the dispenser spray nozzle 102 which sprays the wash water into the chamber 124 of the dispenser 120. The dispenser spray nozzle 102 may be some of the plurality of spray nozzles 101.

According to this embodiment, at least two dispenser spray nozzles 102 are installed. The dispenser spray nozzle 102 in accordance with this embodiment may be installed in consideration of the adjusted height of the upper spray arm 100. Referring to FIGS. 6A to 6C, the height of the upper spray arm 100 in accordance with this embodiment may be adjusted in three stages.

Referring to FIGS. 6A to 6C, the height of the upper spray arm 100 in accordance with this embodiment may be adjusted in three stages, i.e. a first height H1 where it is located closest to the upper rack 30, a second height H2 where it is located farthest from the upper rack 30, and a third height H3 where it is located between the first height H1 and the second height H2. The upper spray arm 100 in accordance with this embodiment may have three dispenser spray nozzles 102 installed thereon to spray the wash water to the opening of the dispenser 120 in each of the first height H1, the second height H2, and the third height H3.

A spacing distance between the upper spray arm 100 in accordance with this embodiment and the upper rack 30 is increased in the order of the first height H1, the third height H3, and the second height H2.

The dispenser spray nozzle 102 in accordance with this embodiment includes a first dispenser spray nozzle 102a which sprays the wash water to the opening 126 of the dispenser 120 in the first height H1, a second dispenser spray nozzle 102b which sprays the wash water to the opening 126 of the dispenser 120 in the second height H2, and a third dispenser spray nozzle 102c which sprays the wash water to the opening 126 of the dispenser 120 in the third height H3.

Referring to FIG. 6A, the first dispenser spray nozzle 102a may be formed such that an inclination angle 81y between an imaginary horizontal line X-X′ formed in a direction where the upper spray arm 100 extends and a direction in which the wash water is sprayed from the first dispenser spray nozzle 102a upwards from the horizontal line X-X′ is in a range of 68° to 73°. The first dispenser spray nozzle 102a in accordance with this embodiment is disposed outside the outer wire 31 of the upper rack 30. That is, the first dispenser spray nozzle 102a in accordance with this embodiment is disposed outside an imaginary vertical line Y-Y′ extending vertically from the outer wire 31, in an up-down direction U-D.

Referring to FIG. 6B, the second dispenser spray nozzle 102b may be formed such that an inclination angle 82y between the imaginary horizontal line X-X′ formed in a direction where the upper spray arm 100 extends and a direction in which the wash water is sprayed from the second dispenser spray nozzle 102b upwards from the horizontal line X-X′ is in a range of 33° to 38°. The second dispenser spray nozzle 102b in accordance with this embodiment is disposed inside the outer wire 31 of the upper rack 30. That is, the second dispenser spray nozzle 102b in accordance with this embodiment is disposed inside the imaginary vertical line Y-Y′ extending vertically from the outer wire 31, in the up-down direction U-D.

Referring to FIG. 6C, the third dispenser spray nozzle 102c may be formed such that an inclination angle 83y between the imaginary horizontal line X-X′ formed in a direction where the upper spray arm 100 extends and a direction in which the wash water is sprayed from the third dispenser spray nozzle 102c upwards from the horizontal line X-X′ is in a range of 57° to 63°. The third dispenser spray nozzle 102c in accordance with this embodiment is disposed under the outer wire 31 of the upper rack 30. That is, the third dispenser spray nozzle 102c in accordance with this embodiment is disposed on the imaginary vertical line Y-Y′ extending vertically from the outer wire 31, in the up-down direction U-D.

Referring to FIG. 4, inclination angles 81x, 82x, and 83x formed between an imaginary horizontal line X-X′ extending in a left-right direction Ri′-Le′ where a first spray part 110 and a second spray part 112 of the upper spray arm 100 are formed and surfaces of the first dispenser spray nozzle 102a, the second dispenser spray nozzle 102b, and the third dispenser spray nozzle 102c in a front-rear direction F′-R′ may be in a range of 25° to 35°.

The upper spray arm 100 in accordance with this embodiment is rotatably coupled to the branch pipe 46. The upper spray arm 100 in accordance with this embodiment may include the first spray part 110 which extends from a rotation center connected to the branch pipe 46 to one side, with a plurality of spray nozzles being disposed thereon, and the second spray part 112 which extends in a direction opposite to the first spray part 110, with a plurality of spray nozzles being disposed thereon.

If the wash water flowing to the wash pump 50 is supplied through the supply pipe to the upper spray arm 100, the wash water may be supplied through a path formed in the first spray part 110 and the second spray part 112 to the plurality of spray nozzles 101.

At least one dispenser spray nozzle 102 may be disposed on each of the first spray part 110 and the second spray part 112 of the upper spray arm 100 in accordance with this embodiment. A first dispenser spray nozzle 102a and a second dispenser spray nozzle 102b are disposed on the first spray part 110 in accordance with this embodiment, and a third dispenser spray nozzle 102c is disposed on the second spray part 112.

The top nozzle 34 in accordance with this embodiment is disposed on an end of the upper supply pipe 44. The top nozzle 34 in accordance with this embodiment is disposed on an upper side of the tub 24. The top nozzle 34 in accordance with this embodiment is disposed on an upper side U of the upper rack 30.

<Control Method>

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a method of controlling a dishwasher in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a dispenser spray step in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, the method of controlling the dishwasher in accordance with this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

The dishwasher washes the dishes while sequentially or selectively performing a preliminary washing step S100, a main washing step S300, a rinsing step S400, and a drying step S500.

All steps of the dishwasher will be described in brief. In the preliminary washing step S100, mechanical washing is performed by spraying the wash water onto the dishes. Here, the mechanical washing refers to a washing operation in which foreign materials are removed from the dishes by the pressure of the wash water without using the detergent or the like. In other words, in the preliminary washing step, protein-based waste is removed with the wash water, and a water supply step, a washing step, and a drain step are performed.

In the main washing step S300, chemical washing is performed on the dishes using the washing detergent. Here, the chemical washing refers to a washing operation in which foreign materials are removed from the dishes using the wash water in which the washing detergent is dissolved. Therefore, in the main washing step, the dishes are washed using the wash water in which the detergent is dissolved, and a water supply step, a washing step, and a drain step are performed. The main washing may remove the foreign materials by heating the wash water using a heater.

The rinsing step S400 is a step for rinsing the dishes, which has been subjected to the main washing step, using water, and includes a wash supply step, a rinsing step, and a drain step. Even in the rinsing step S400, a separate rinsing detergent may be used. In addition, the rinsing process is performed by heating water using the heater, and the water supply step, the rinsing step, and the drain step are performed. In the rinsing process, a heating and rinsing step for heating water may be added.

The drying step S500 is a process of removing moisture from the dishes, which has been subjected to the washing step and the rinsing step. In this step, moisture remaining in the dishes may be eliminated using air heated by the heater.

In the main washing step S300, the cover 128 of the dispenser 120 is opened, so that the detergent temporarily stored in the dispenser 120 is supplied into the tub 24. In the main washing step S300, the waste may be removed from the dishes, using the detergent that is put into the tub 24.

In the main washing step S300, the wash water may be heated using the heater. In the main washing step S300, the dishes may be washed by evenly or simultaneously spraying the water from the top nozzle 34, the upper spray arm 100, and the lower spray arm 38. The main washing step S300 may be performed several times. The main washing steps performed several times may be slightly different from each other in temperature of the wash water and operating time. Furthermore, the main washing steps performed several times may be different from each other in number or amount of supplying the wash water to the top nozzle 34, the upper spray arm 100, and the lower spray arm 38.

The dishwasher in accordance with the present disclosure further includes a dispenser spray step S200 of spraying wash water into the dispenser 120 prior to the main washing step S300. The dispenser spray step S200 in accordance with this embodiment removes the detergent remaining in the dispenser 120 by spraying the wash water to the opening 126 of the dispenser 120.

The dispenser spray step S200 may include a step S210 of supplying wash water, a step S220 of opening the opening 126 of the dispenser 120, a step S230 of heating the wash water, and a step S240 of spraying the wash water into the dispenser 120.

In the dispenser spray step S200, the wash water that is to be used in the main washing step S300 is supplied. Therefore, the main washing step S300 may be performed using the wash water supplied in the wash-water supplying step S210.

In the step S220 of opening the opening 126 of the dispenser 120, the cover 128 is moved to open the opening 126. As the opening 126 is opened, the detergent which is temporarily stored in the dispenser 120 is supplied into the tub 24. A bottom surface of the dispenser 120 is inclined, so that the detergent in the dispenser may be introduced into the tub 24, when the opening 126 is opened. However, in the case of the powder-type detergent, all the detergent may not be supplied into the tub 24, but some detergent may remain in the dispenser 120.

In the step S230 of heating the wash water, the wash water is heated using a heating module 56. As the wash water is heated, the detergent put into the tub 24 may be dissolved well in the wash water, and thus it may be effective to remove contaminants from the dishes.

In the step S240 of spraying the wash water into the dispenser 120, the wash water is supplied to the upper spray arm 100. A step S235 of regulating the path switch part 40 may be performed prior to the step S240 of spraying the wash water into the dispenser 120.

Therefore, in the step S240 of spraying the wash water into the dispenser 120, the wash water may be supplied to only the upper spray arm 100.

The upper spray arm 100 in accordance with this embodiment includes the dispenser spray nozzle 102 which sprays the wash water into the dispenser 120. The upper spray arm 100 in accordance with this embodiment includes a plurality of dispenser spray nozzles 102. According to the height of the upper spray arm 100, one of the first dispenser spray nozzle 102a, the second dispenser spray nozzle 102b, and the third dispenser spray nozzle 102c sprays the wash water to the opening 126 of the dispenser 120.

In the step S240 of spraying the wash water into the dispenser 120, the path switch part 40 is regulated, so that the wash water is supplied to the upper spray arm 100. In the step S240 of spraying the wash water into the dispenser 120, the wash water is supplied into the dispenser 120, so that the detergent remaining in the dispenser 120 may be introduced into the tub 24 along with the wash water.

Although the present disclosure was described with reference to specific embodiments, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be changed and modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, which is described in the following claims.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

10: dishwasher                   20: cabinet
22: door                         24: tub
30: upper rack                   32: lower rack
34: top nozzle                   38: lower spray arm
100: upper spray arm             101: spray nozzle
102a: first dispenser spray nozzle 102b: second dispenser spray nozzle
102c: third dispenser spray nozzle 110: first spray part
112: second spray part           120: dispenser

Claims

1. A dishwasher, comprising:

a cabinet defining an appearance, and opened at a side thereof;

a door configured to open or close an open front of the cabinet;

a tub disposed in the cabinet, and defining a space in which dishes are washed;

a dispenser disposed on a side of the door, and supplying detergent into the tub; and

a spray arm having a plurality of spray nozzles in which spray holes opened in different directions are formed to spray wash water, a height of the spray arm being adjusted in at least two stages,

wherein the plurality of spray nozzles comprises at least two dispenser spray nozzles to spray the wash water into the dispenser according to the adjusted height of the spray arm.

2. The dishwasher of claim 1, further comprising:

a rack disposed in the tub, and holding the dishes,

wherein the spray arm is rotatably disposed under the rack, and

the dispenser is disposed on a side of the rack to be spaced apart therefrom.

3. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the spray arm is divided into a first spray part extending to a side with respect to a rotating axis about which the spray arm rotates, and a second spray part extending in a direction opposite to the first spray part with respect to the rotating axis, and

each of the first spray part and the second spray part comprises at least one dispenser spray nozzle having a spray hole to spray the wash water into the dispenser.

4. The dishwasher of claim 3, wherein the dispenser spray nozzle comprises:

a first dispenser spray nozzle configured to spray the wash water into the dispenser in a highest height of the spray arm; and

a second dispenser spray nozzle configured to spray the wash water into the dispenser in a lowest height of the spray arm,

a spacing distance between the first dispenser spray nozzle and a center of the spray arm is formed greater than a spacing distance between the second dispenser spray nozzle and the center of the spray arm.

5. The dishwasher of claim 4, wherein an angle between an imaginary horizontal line formed in a direction where the spray arm extends and a direction in which the wash water is sprayed upwards from the first dispenser spray nozzle is formed smaller than an angle between the imaginary horizontal line and a direction in which the wash water is sprayed upwards from the second dispenser spray nozzle.

6. A dishwasher, comprising:

a cabinet defining an appearance, and opened at a side thereof;

a door configured to open or close an open front of the cabinet;

a tub disposed in the cabinet, and defining a space in which dishes are washed;

a dispenser disposed on a side of the door, and supplying detergent into the tub;

an upper rack disposed at an upper position in the tub, and holding the dishes;

a lower rack disposed in the tub, disposed under the upper rack, and holding the dishes;

a lower spray arm provided under the lower rack to spray wash water upwards;

an upper spray arm disposed under the upper rack to be adjustable in height, and spraying the wash water upwards; and

at least two dispenser spray nozzles disposed on the upper spray arm to spray the wash water to the dispenser according to the adjusted height of the upper spray arm.

7. The dishwasher of claim 6, wherein the dispenser spray nozzle comprises:

a first dispenser spray nozzle configured to spray the wash water into the dispenser in a highest height of the spray arm;

a second dispenser spray nozzle configured to spray the wash water into the dispenser in a lowest height of the spray arm; and

a third dispenser spray nozzle formed in a height between the first dispenser spray nozzle and the second dispenser spray nozzle,

the first dispenser spray nozzle is more distant from a center of the upper spray arm than the third dispenser spray nozzle, and

the second dispenser spray nozzle is closer to the center of the spray arm than the third dispenser spray nozzle.

8. A method of controlling a dishwasher, comprising:

a preliminary washing step of performing mechanical washing on dishes by spraying wash water;

a main washing step of performing chemical washing on the dishes using washing detergent, after the preliminary washing step;

a rinsing step of rinsing the dishes, which has been subjected to the main washing step, with water; and

a dispenser spray step of spraying the wash water into a dispenser in which detergent is temporarily stored, prior to the main washing step.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the dispenser spray step comprises:

a step of supplying water into the tub;

a step of opening an opening formed in the dispenser; and

a step of supplying the wash water to the opening of the dispenser through a spray arm that sprays the wash water.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the dispenser spray step comprises:

after the opening of the dispenser is opened,

a step of regulating a path to supply the wash water to only an upper spray arm, among the upper spray arm disposed in the tub and a lower spray arm disposed under the upper spray arm.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the dispenser spray step further comprises:

a step of heating the supplied water.