Dish washer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dishwasher that can improve drying performance and efficiency and reduce drying time by optimizing the opening amount of the door at which the supply of high-temperature drying air is initiated, and can prevent burns to the user and improve safety by immediately stopping the supply of high-temperature drying air and switching to a low-temperature drying air supply mode and generating a high-temperature hazard alarm to the user when additional opening of the door occurs during the supply of high-temperature drying air.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dishwasher, and more specifically, to a dishwasher that can improve drying performance and efficiency and reduce drying time by optimizing the opening amount of the door at which the supply of high-temperature drying air is initiated, and can immediately stop the supply of high-temperature drying air and switch to a low-temperature drying air supply mode and generate a high-temperature hazard alarm to the user to prevent burns to the user and improve safety when additional opening of the door occurs during the supply of high-temperature drying air. Background Technology

[0003] A dishwasher is a device that cleans items stored inside, such as dishes and cooking utensils, by spraying cleaning water, such as regular water. At this time, the cleaning water used may contain detergent.

[0004] A dishwasher is generally configured to include a washing tank forming a washing space, a storage compartment accommodating objects to be washed inside the washing tank, a spray arm spraying washing water into the storage compartment, and a sump storing water and supplying washing water to the spray arm.

[0005] By using such a dishwasher, the time and effort required for washing items such as dishes after a meal can be reduced, thereby contributing to user convenience.

[0006] Typically, a dishwasher is configured to perform a washing cycle for washing objects, a rinsing cycle for rinsing objects, and a drying cycle for drying objects after washing and rinsing are complete.

[0007] Recently, dishwashers are being released that can reduce drying time and improve the sterilization effect of objects to be washed by supplying high-temperature drying air into the washing tank during the drying process.

[0008] In this regard, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2021-0066413 (Prior Art 001) discloses a configuration of a dishwasher configured to supply high-temperature drying air with the door at least partially open before supplying high-temperature drying air after the washing and rinsing cycles are completed.

[0009] The door disclosed in prior art document 001 is configured such that the door is opened at least partially, either automatically or manually, before supplying high-temperature dry air, and that high-temperature dry air is supplied after the door is partially opened.

[0010] However, the dishwasher disclosed in prior art 001 makes no mention of the door opening amount at which the supply of high-temperature drying air begins.

[0011] In other words, if the door opening is excessive, the supplied high-temperature drying air may not be evenly distributed into the interior of the washing tank, which may lead to a problem where the drying of the object to be cleaned is unlikely to proceed smoothly. Additionally, if the door opening is insufficient, the air with increased humidity after drying the object to be cleaned may not be efficiently discharged to the outside, which may lead to a problem where the internal humidity of the washing tank remains significantly high, and consequently, the drying time may be excessively increased.

[0012] Furthermore, the dishwasher disclosed in prior art 001 does not have a means to detect when the door is additionally opened while the hot air is being supplied or to cut off the supply of hot air.

[0013] In other words, even if the door is opened unintentionally during the supply of high-temperature drying air, or if the user opens the door without being aware that high-temperature drying air is being supplied, the high-temperature drying air will inevitably continue to be supplied into the interior of the washing tank.

[0014] Therefore, with the door open, the user may be directly exposed to the supplied high-temperature drying air or come into direct contact with the object being cleaned at a high temperature, which poses a problem as it is highly likely to cause burns to the user.

[0015] Meanwhile, European Patent Publication No. 3654820 (Prior Art 002) discloses a configuration of a dishwasher that can improve drying efficiency and performance by automatically changing a program for performing a drying process in response to the opening amount or opening deviation of the door.

[0016] However, the configuration disclosed in prior art document 002 is configured so that the drying process begins with the door open, but it has the problem that there is no mention of any means to protect the user during the drying process using high-temperature drying air. In other words, since high-temperature drying air can be continuously supplied even with a door opening amount sufficient for the user's hand to access the inside of the washing tank, it has the problem of a very high possibility of causing burns to the user. Prior art literature

[0018] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2021-0066413 European Patent Publication No. 3654820 The problem to be solved

[0019] The present invention has been devised to solve the problems of the aforementioned prior art, and its first objective is to provide a dishwasher capable of improving drying performance and efficiency and reducing drying time by optimizing the opening amount of the door through which the supply of high-temperature drying air is initiated.

[0020] In addition, the present invention has a second objective of providing a dishwasher equipped with a door detection sensor capable of effectively detecting additional opening of the door during the supply of high-temperature drying air, thereby immediately stopping the supply of high-temperature drying air and generating a high-temperature hazard alarm for the user to prevent burns and improve safety.

[0021] In addition, the third objective of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher that effectively prevents burns to the user by stopping the operation of the heater generating the high-temperature dry air when additional opening of the door occurs during the supply of high-temperature dry air, while continuing to supply low-temperature dry air through a blower fan so as to immediately lower the temperature of the object to be washed.

[0022] In addition, the present invention has a fourth objective of providing a dishwasher that can effectively prevent moisture from condensing inside by stopping the operation of the heater and blower fan that generate the high-temperature dry air when the door is closed during the supply of high-temperature dry air.

[0023] The objects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned objects and advantages of the present invention may be understood from the following description and will be more clearly understood by the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof set forth in the claims. means of solving the problem

[0025] A dishwasher according to the present invention comprises: a washing tank having a washing space in which an object to be washed is stored and which has an open front; a door rotatably provided between a closed position that closes the front of the washing space and a fully open position that opens the front of the washing space; a door position detection unit that detects the position of the door; a drying air supply unit that selectively generates a high-temperature drying air or a low-temperature drying air for drying the object to be washed and supplies the high-temperature drying air or the low-temperature drying air into the interior of the washing tank; and a control unit that determines whether to supply the high-temperature drying air or the low-temperature drying air based on the position of the door detected by the door position detection unit. Through this, the high-temperature drying air or the low-temperature drying air can be selectively supplied depending on the position of the door, thereby improving drying efficiency and significantly reducing the risk of burns to the user caused by the high-temperature drying air.

[0026] Additionally, the system further includes an automatic door opening module that moves the door away from the closed position and rotates the door to an intermediate stop position formed between the closed position and the fully open position to partially open the front of the washing space, and the control unit can operate the automatic door opening module before starting the supply of the high-temperature drying air or the low-temperature drying air.

[0027] Additionally, the device further includes an elastic member that provides a return force to the door so that the door rotates toward the closed position, and the intermediate stop position can be such that the rotational force due to the weight of the door and the elastic force of the elastic member are in equilibrium with each other.

[0028] In addition, after operating the door automatic opening module, the control unit receives an output signal from the door position detection unit and determines the position of the door through the received output signal. When it is determined that the door has moved away from the closed position and the washing space is at least partially opened, power can be supplied to the drying air supply unit to start supplying the high-temperature drying air.

[0029] Additionally, the drying air supply unit includes a blower fan that generates a drying air stream supplied into the interior of the washing tank; a blower motor that generates rotational driving force for the blower fan; and a heater that heats the drying air stream, and the control unit supplies power to the blower fan and the heater respectively when supplying the high-temperature drying air, and the control unit can supply power to the blower fan and cut off the power supply to the heater when supplying the low-temperature drying air.

[0030] In addition, after the supply of the high-temperature dry air is initiated, the control unit can determine whether the door has reached the danger zone start position formed between the intermediate stop position and the full open position through the output signal of the door position detection unit.

[0031] In addition, the control unit includes a timer for measuring the elapsed time after the automatic door opening module is operated, and if it is determined that the door has not reached the danger zone starting position, the control unit can determine whether the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined high-temperature drying time.

[0032] In addition, if it is determined that the elapsed time is greater than or equal to the predetermined high-temperature drying time, the control unit may switch the operation of the drying air supply unit from the high-temperature drying air supply to the low-temperature drying air supply.

[0033] In addition, after switching the operation of the above-mentioned drying air supply unit, the control unit can determine whether the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined set time.

[0034] In addition, if it is determined that the elapsed time is greater than or equal to the predetermined set time, the control unit may stop the operation of the drying air supply unit.

[0035] In addition, the drying air supply unit further includes a temperature sensing unit for measuring the temperature of the drying air, and if it is determined that the elapsed time is shorter than the predetermined high-temperature drying time, the control unit receives an output signal from the temperature sensing unit and can determine from the received output signal whether the temperature of the drying air exceeds a predetermined set temperature.

[0036] In addition, if it is determined that the temperature of the drying air is greater than or equal to the predetermined set temperature, the control unit may switch the operation of the drying air supply unit from the high-temperature drying air supply to the low-temperature drying air supply.

[0037] Additionally, the device further includes an acoustic output unit that generates an acoustic alarm or a display that generates a visual alarm, and when it is determined that the door has reached the danger zone starting position, the control unit generates an acoustic or visual warning alarm through the acoustic output unit or the display, and the warning alarm may include information regarding a danger warning regarding the high temperature dry wind.

[0038] In addition, after the above warning alarm is generated, the control unit can increase the previously stored number of warning alarm generation counts by one to update and store it, and determine whether the updated number of warning alarm generation counts exceeds a predetermined set count.

[0039] In addition, if it is determined that the number of updated warning alarms generated is greater than or equal to the predetermined set number, the control unit may stop generating additional warning alarms.

[0040] In addition, after the generation of the additional warning alarm is stopped, the control unit can switch the operation of the drying air supply unit from the high-temperature drying air supply to the low-temperature drying air supply.

[0041] In addition, the control unit includes a timer for measuring the elapsed time after the automatic door opening module is operated, and after switching the operation of the drying air supply unit, the control unit can determine whether the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined set time.

[0042] In addition, if it is determined that the elapsed time is greater than or equal to the predetermined set time, the control unit may stop the operation of the drying air supply unit.

[0043] In addition, if it is determined that the door has not deviated from the closed position, the control unit may keep the drying air supply unit in a non-operational state.

[0044] Additionally, the device further includes an acoustic output unit that generates an acoustic alarm or a display that generates a visual alarm, and when it is determined that the door has not deviated from the closed position, the control unit generates an acoustic or visual error alarm through the acoustic output unit or the display, and the error alarm may include information regarding the inability to operate the drying air supply unit.

[0045] In addition, the control unit includes a timer that measures the elapsed time after the automatic door opening module is operated, and after the error alarm is generated, the control unit can determine whether the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined set time.

[0046] Additionally, if it is determined that the elapsed time is greater than or equal to the predetermined set time, the control unit generates an acoustic or visual completion alarm through the acoustic output unit or the display, and the completion alarm may include information regarding the inability to operate or completion of operation of the drying air supply unit. Effects of the invention

[0048] The dishwasher according to the present invention optimizes the opening amount of the door through which the supply of high-temperature drying air is initiated, thereby enabling improved drying performance and efficiency and reducing drying time.

[0049] In addition, the dishwasher according to the present invention is equipped with a door detection sensor capable of effectively detecting additional opening of the door during the supply of high-temperature drying air, so that when additional opening of the door occurs during the supply of high-temperature drying air, the supply of high-temperature drying air is immediately stopped and a high-temperature hazard alarm is generated for the user, thereby preventing burns to the user and improving safety.

[0050] In addition, the dishwasher according to the present invention has the effect of effectively preventing burns to the user by stopping the operation of the heater generating the high-temperature drying air when additional opening of the door occurs during the supply of high-temperature drying air, while continuing to supply low-temperature drying air through a blower fan so that the temperature of the object to be washed can be immediately lowered.

[0051] In addition, the dishwasher according to the present invention has the effect of effectively preventing moisture from condensing inside by stopping the operation of the heater and the blower fan that generate the high-temperature dry air when the door is closed during the supply of high-temperature dry air.

[0052] In addition to the effects described above, the specific effects of the present invention are described together with the specific details for implementing the invention below. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0054] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the dishwasher shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the dishwasher shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the drying air supply unit illustrated in Figure 3. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the drying air supply unit shown in Figure 4. FIG. 6 is a plan view and a partial enlarged view showing the state in which the case of the dishwasher shown in FIG. 1 has been removed. FIG. 7 is a left side view of FIG. 6, showing the state in which the door is opened by the door opening module. FIG. 8 is a left side view showing the state in which the case of the dishwasher illustrated in FIG. 1 is removed and the door is in the closed position. Figure 9 is a partial enlarged view of Figure 8. FIG. 10 is a left side view illustrating the state in which the door in FIG. 8 is opened to the intermediate stop position. Fig. 11 is a partial enlarged view of Fig. 9. FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the locations of the doors shown in FIG. 8 to FIG. 11 and the areas distinguished accordingly. FIG. 13 is a front view of a sub-sensor provided in a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 14 is an exploded perspective view of Fig. 12, and Fig. 15 is a side perspective view. FIG. 16 is a front view of the sensor housing of the sub-sensor. FIG. 17 is a side view illustrating the process of mounting a sub-sensor on a support bracket. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view and a partial enlarged view showing the state in which the sub-sensor is mounted on the support bracket. FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram for explaining a control unit provided in a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 20 to 23 are flowcharts for explaining a control method for a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0055] The aforementioned objectives, features, and advantages are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to easily implement the technical concept of the present invention. In describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of known technologies related to the present invention are omitted if it is determined that such descriptions would unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar components.

[0056] Although terms such as "first," "second," etc., are used to describe various components, it goes without saying that these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one component from another, and unless specifically stated otherwise, the first component may also be the second component.

[0057] Throughout the specification, unless specifically stated otherwise, each component may be singular or plural.

[0058] In the following, the statement that any configuration is placed on the "upper (or lower)" of a component or on the "upper (or lower)" of a component may mean not only that any configuration is placed in contact with the upper (or lower) surface of said component, but also that another configuration may be interposed between said component and any configuration placed on (or below) said component.

[0059] In addition, where it is stated that one component is "connected," "combined," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that while the components may be directly connected or connected to each other, another component may be "interposed" between each component, or each component may be "connected," "combined," or "connected" through another component.

[0060] Singular expressions used in this specification include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "composed of" or "comprising" should not be interpreted as necessarily including all of the various components or steps described in the specification, and should be interpreted as meaning that some of the components or steps may be omitted or additional components or steps may be included.

[0061] Additionally, singular expressions used in this specification include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "composed of" or "comprising" should not be interpreted as necessarily including all of the various components or steps described in the specification, and should be interpreted as meaning that some of the components or steps may not be included, or that additional components or steps may be included.

[0062] Throughout the specification, "A and / or B" means A, B, or A and B unless specifically stated otherwise, and "C to D" means C or more and D or less unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0063] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to drawings illustrating the configuration of a dishwasher (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] [Overall Structure of the Dishwasher]

[0065] Hereinafter, the overall structure of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0066] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing a dishwasher according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a simplified cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a dishwasher according to the present invention.

[0067] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the dishwasher (1) according to the present invention comprises a case (10) forming an outer shape, a washing tank (20) installed inside the case (10) and forming a washing space (21) where an object to be washed is washed and having an open front, a door (30) that opens and closes the open front of the washing tank (20), a driving unit (40) located at the bottom of the washing tank (20) and supplying, collecting, circulating, and draining washing water for washing an object to be washed, a storage unit (50) detachably provided in the internal washing space (21) of the washing tank (20) and on which an object to be washed is placed, and a spraying unit (60) installed adjacent to the storage unit (50) and spraying washing water for washing an object to be washed.

[0068] At this time, the objects to be cleaned placed in the storage section (50) may be, for example, tableware such as bowls, plates, spoons, chopsticks, and other cooking utensils. Unless otherwise mentioned below, the objects to be cleaned will be referred to as tableware.

[0069] The washing tank (20) can be formed in a box shape with the entire front open, and is a configuration known as a so-called tub.

[0070] A washing space (21) is formed inside the washing tank (20), and the open front can be opened and closed by a door (30).

[0071] The washing tank (20) can be formed by press processing a metal plate that is resistant to high temperature and moisture, for example, a stainless steel plate.

[0072] Additionally, on the inner side of the washing tank (20), a plurality of brackets may be arranged for the purpose of supporting and installing functional components such as the storage unit (50) and spray unit (60), which will be described later, inside the washing tank (20).

[0073] Meanwhile, the driving unit (40) may be configured to include a sump (41) for storing washing water, a sump cover (42) for separating the sump (41) from the washing tank (20), a water supply unit (43) for supplying washing water to the sump (41) from the outside, a drainage unit (44) for discharging washing water from the sump (41) to the outside, a water supply pump (45) and a supply path (46) for supplying washing water from the sump (41) to the spray unit (60).

[0074] The sump cover (42) is positioned above the sump (41) and can serve to separate the washing tank (20) from the sump (41). Additionally, the sump cover (42) may be provided with a plurality of recovery holes to recover washing water sprayed into the washing space (21) through the spraying unit (60) into the sump (41).

[0075] That is, the washing water sprayed from the spray unit (60) toward the dishes falls to the bottom of the washing space (21) and can be recovered back into the sump (41) via the sump cover (42).

[0076] The water supply pump (45) is provided on the side or bottom of the sump (41) and pressurizes the washing water and supplies it to the spray unit (60).

[0077] One end of the water supply pump (45) may be connected to the sump (41) and the other end may be connected to the supply path (46). An impeller (451) and a motor (453), etc., may be provided inside the water supply pump (45). When power is supplied to the motor (453), the impeller (451) rotates, and the cleaning water in the sump (41) is pressurized and then supplied to the spraying unit (60) via the supply path (46).

[0078] Meanwhile, the supply channel (46) can selectively supply cleaning water supplied from the water supply pump (45) to the spraying unit (60).

[0079] For example, the supply channel (46) may include a first supply channel (461) connected to a lower injection arm (61), a second supply channel (463) connected to an upper injection arm (62) and a top nozzle (63), and the supply channel (46) may be equipped with a supply channel switching valve (465) that selectively opens and closes the supply channels (461, 463).

[0080] At this time, the supply flow switching valve (465) can be controlled so that each supply flow (461, 463) opens sequentially or simultaneously.

[0081] Meanwhile, the spraying unit (60) is provided to spray washing water onto dishes stored in the storage unit (50).

[0082] More specifically, the spraying unit (60) may include a lower spraying arm (61) located at the bottom of the washing tank (20) and spraying washing water onto a lower rack (51), an upper spraying arm (62) located between the lower rack (51) and the upper rack (52) and spraying washing water onto the lower rack (51) and the upper rack (52), and a top nozzle (63) located at the top of the washing tank (20) and spraying washing water onto a top rack (53) or an upper rack (52).

[0083] In particular, the lower spray arm (61) and the upper spray arm (62) are provided in the washing space (21) of the washing tank (20) and can spray washing water while rotating toward the dishes in the storage unit (50).

[0084] The lower spray arm (61) can be rotatably supported on the upper side of the sump cover (42) so as to spray cleaning water while rotating from the lower rack (51) toward the lower rack (51).

[0085] Additionally, the upper spray arm (62) can be rotatably supported by a spray arm holder (467) so that it can spray cleaning water while rotating between the lower rack (51) and the upper rack (52).

[0086] Meanwhile, the lower surface (25) of the washing tank (20) may be further provided with a reflector that diverts the washing water sprayed from the lower spray arm (61) toward the upper direction (U-direction) in order to increase washing efficiency.

[0087] Since the detailed configuration of the injection unit (60) can be any configuration already known in the industry, the description of the specific configuration of the injection unit (60) below will be omitted.

[0088] Meanwhile, the washing space (21) may be provided with a storage section (50) for storing tableware.

[0089] The storage unit (50) is provided so that it can be pulled out from inside the washing tank (20) through the open front of the washing tank (20).

[0090] For example, FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment in which a storage unit is provided, comprising a lower rack (51) located at the bottom of the washing tank (20) and capable of storing relatively large dishes, an upper rack (52) located above the lower rack (51) and capable of storing medium-sized dishes, and a top rack (53) located at the top of the washing tank (20) and capable of storing small dishes. The present invention is not limited thereto, but will be described based on an embodiment of a dishwasher equipped with three storage units (50) as illustrated.

[0091] These lower racks (51), upper racks (53) and top racks (53) can each be configured to be pulled out to the outside through the open front of the washing tank (20).

[0092] To this end, guide rails (54) may be provided on both side walls forming the inner surface of the washing tank (20), and, for example, the guide rails (54) may include an upper rail (541), a lower rail (542), and a top rail (543).

[0093] Wheels may be provided on the lower rack (51), upper rack (53), and top rack (53), respectively. By pulling the lower rack (51), upper rack (53), and top rack (53) out through the front of the washing tank (20), the user can store dishes in them or easily take out dishes that have been washed from them.

[0094] The guide rail (54) may be provided as a fixed guide rail in the form of a simple rail to guide the withdrawal and insertion of the injection unit (60), or as an extendable guide rail that guides the withdrawal and storage of the injection unit (60) and increases the withdrawal distance according to the withdrawal of the injection unit (60).

[0095] Meanwhile, the door (30) has the purpose of opening and closing the open front of the washing tank (20) described above.

[0096] A hinge portion (not shown) for opening and closing the door (30) is provided at the lower part of the normally open front, and the door (30) is opened by rotating the hinge portion as an axis.

[0097] Here, on the outer surface of the door (30), a handle (31) for opening the door (30) and a control panel (32) for controlling the dishwasher (1) may be provided.

[0098] As described above, the control panel (32) may be equipped with a display (33) that visually displays information regarding the current operating status of the dishwasher, and a button section (34) that includes a selection button for inputting a user's selection operation and a power button for inputting a user's operation to turn the dishwasher on and off.

[0099] Meanwhile, the inner surface of the door (30) forms one side of the washing tank (20) when the door (30) is closed, and at the same time forms a seating surface where the lower rack (51) of the storage unit (50) can be supported when the door (30) is opened.

[0100] To this end, when the door (30) is fully opened, it is preferable that the inner surface of the door (30) form a horizontal plane in the same direction as the direction in which the guide rail (54) that guides the lower rack (51) extends.

[0101] Meanwhile, although not illustrated, a drying air supply unit for generating and supplying high-temperature drying air into the interior of the washing tank (20) may be provided at the bottom of the washing tank (20). At least one drying air supply hole through which high-temperature drying air generated by the drying air supply unit is introduced into the interior of the washing tank may be provided on at least one of the right side or left side of the washing tank (20).

[0102] [Detailed configuration of the dry air supply unit]

[0103] Hereinafter, the detailed configuration of the aforementioned drying air supply unit (80) will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

[0104] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, a drying air supply unit (80) that generates and supplies drying air into the interior of a washing tank (20) may be configured to include a blower fan (82) that generates a drying air stream (F) supplied into the interior of the washing tank (20), a blower motor (83) that generates rotational driving force of the blower fan (82), a heater (84) that heats the drying air, and a heater housing (81) in which an air passage is formed inside.

[0105] The blower fan (82) is positioned upstream in the direction of the dry air flow (F) at the inlet side of the heater housing (81) and serves to generate the dry air flow (F) by accelerating air into the air passage formed inside the heater housing (81).

[0106] A blower motor (83) that generates rotational driving force for the blower fan (82) can be modularly combined with the blower fan (82).

[0107] There are no restrictions on the type of blower fan (82) applied to the drying air supply unit (80), but a Sirocco fan is preferred as an example, considering the positional and spatial constraints where the blower fan (82) is installed.

[0108] As in the illustrated embodiment, when a Sirocco fan is applied, external air is drawn in from the center of the Sirocco fan in a direction parallel to the rotation axis, and the air can be accelerated and discharged radially outward. The accelerated and discharged air forms a dry airflow (F) and is introduced into the air passage inside the heater housing (81).

[0109] The heater (84) is placed in the air passage of the heater housing (81) and, preferably, is directly exposed to the dry airflow (F) inside the air passage to heat the dry airflow (F).

[0110] As described below, when the drying air supply unit (80) supplies high-temperature drying air, power is supplied to the heater (84) to heat the drying air, and when the drying air supply unit (80) supplies low-temperature drying air, power supplied to the heater (84) is cut off so that the operation of the heater (84) is stopped.

[0111] At this time, when low-temperature drying air is supplied, the operation of the blower motor (83) can be maintained so that a drying airflow (F) can be generated.

[0112] There are no restrictions on the type of heater (84) provided in the drying air supply unit (80) according to one embodiment of the present invention, but as an example, a sheath heater having a relatively simple structure and excellent heating efficiency may be selected.

[0113] To increase heat exchange efficiency, the heater (84) may be configured to have a three-dimensional shape that is directly exposed to the dry airflow (F) in the air passage inside the heater housing (81) and is folded multiple times to secure a heat transfer area.

[0114] Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a temperature sensor (86) may be provided on the upper side of the heater housing (81) as a temperature sensing unit for detecting the temperature of the high-temperature dry air generated through the heater (84) or detecting whether the heater (84) is overheated.

[0115] For example, the temperature sensor (86) may include a thermistor (861) that detects the temperature of the dry air and a thermostat (862) that detects whether the heater (84) is overheated.

[0116] The output signal of the temperature sensor (86) can be transmitted to the control unit (100) as described below, and the control unit (100) can receive the output signal of the temperature sensor (86) and determine the temperature of the high-temperature drying air and whether it is overheated. When overheating occurs, the control unit (100) can cut off the power supply to the heater (84) to switch the operating mode of the drying air supply unit (80) from the high-temperature drying air supply mode to the low-temperature drying air supply mode.

[0117] Meanwhile, the heater housing (81) is provided with an inlet and an outlet that communicate with an air passage formed inside. An outlet of a blower fan (82) is connected to the inlet side of the heater housing (81), and a blower duct (85), which will be described later, can be connected to the outlet side of the heater housing (81).

[0118] The heater housing (81) can be formed of a material capable of withstanding the high temperature environment generated by the heater (84), preferably a lightweight metal material.

[0119] The heater housing (81) and the blower fan (82) are generally positioned on the lower side of the lower surface of the washing tank (20), and preferably can be received and fixed in the base (90).

[0120] Meanwhile, the drying air supply unit (80) may further include a blower duct (85) that is connected to the outlet side of the heater housing (81) and has an air passage formed inside.

[0121] As described above, the heater housing (81) and the blower fan (82) are positioned on the lower side of the bottom surface of the washing tank (20). The blower duct (85) serves to guide the drying air discharged from the heater housing (81) toward a preset position.

[0122] For example, a pre-set location may be the left side (26) of the washing tank (20), and a drying air supply hole (263) may be formed on the left side (26) of the washing tank (20) into which the drying airflow (F) guided by the blower duct (85) is introduced.

[0123] In the illustrated embodiment, a configuration is shown in which a drying air supply hole (263) is formed on the left side (26) of the washing tank (20), but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the drying air supply hole (263) may be formed at a location other than the left side (26) of the washing tank (20), for example, on the right side or the bottom surface of the washing tank (20). Although not limited thereto, the following description will be based on an exemplary embodiment in which the drying air supply hole (263) is formed on the left side (26) of the washing tank (20).

[0124] The air duct (85) can be configured to have a shape that connects the drying air supply hole (263) formed on the left side (26) of the washing tank (20) and the outlet of the heater housing (81), as in the illustrated embodiment.

[0125] For example, the air blower duct (85) may include a first duct (851) having one end connected to the outlet of the heater housing (81) and the other end extending horizontally, and a second duct (852) having one end connected to the other end of the first duct (851) and the other end extending vertically toward the drying air supply hole (263).

[0126] Meanwhile, to improve the supply efficiency of the drying air, as illustrated, the drying air supply holes (263) may be formed in multiple numbers, and correspondingly, the discharge holes (853) of the blower duct (85) may be formed in multiple numbers.

[0127] A hole cap (854) may be attached to the discharge hole (853) and the drying air supply hole (263) of the air blower duct (85). As in the illustrated embodiment, if the discharge hole (853) and the drying air supply hole (263) are provided as circular openings, the hole cap (854) may be provided in a ring shape in correspondence.

[0128] For example, the hole cap (854) may include a ring-shaped cap body (8541) and a plurality of vanes (8542) extending across the interior of the cap body (8541).

[0129] Multiple vanes (8542) serve to change the discharge direction of the drying air discharged from the drying air supply hole (263), and at the same time, minimize the washing water inside the washing tank (20) from passing through the drying air supply hole (263) and flowing into the blower duct (85).

[0130] Meanwhile, as illustrated, when multiple hole caps (854) are provided, the vanes (8542) provided in each hole cap (854) may be arranged in the same direction or differently from each other.

[0131] That is, the hole cap (854) is coupled to the drying air supply hole (263) inside the washing tank (20), and can be coupled to the drying air supply hole (263) so as to be rotatable relative to it. Through this, the direction in which the vanes (8542) of each hole cap (854) are arranged can be arranged differently from each other.

[0132] If the vanes (8542) are arranged in different directions, the discharge direction of the drying air passing through each hole cap (854) can be formed differently, and thereby the effect of evenly supplying drying air into the washing tank (20) can be achieved.

[0133] Meanwhile, in order to prevent a reduction in the washing space (21) due to the amount of protrusion of the hole cap (854) into the washing tank (20), as shown in FIG. 3, the drying air supply hole (263) may be formed in the bead forming part (262) that protrudes toward the outside of the washing tank (20).

[0134] At this time, in order to correspond to the protrusion amount of the hole cap (854), the protrusion amount of the bead forming part (262) may be formed to be greater than or equal to the protrusion amount of the hole cap (854).

[0135] A drying air supply unit (80) according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a filtering unit (87) for filtering air flowing into a blower fan (82).

[0136] The filtering unit (87) can be connected to the upstream side of the blower fan (82) based on the direction of the airflow of the drying air so as to prevent dust and the like from adhering to the blower fan (82) and the heater (84).

[0137] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the filtering unit (87) may include, for example, a filter (871) for filtering external air, a cylindrical filter housing (872) in which the filter (871) is housed, and a connecting duct (873) connecting the filter housing (872) and the blower fan (82).

[0138] As described, the filter (871) may be provided in a cylindrical shape, and a filter airflow may be formed so that external air is introduced from the outer surface and filtered, then passes through the inner surface.

[0139] A plurality of intake ports (8721a) may be formed on the outer surface of the housing body (8721) of the filter housing (872) in correspondence with the position where the filter (871) is placed. In order to increase filtration efficiency, the outer surface of the filter (871) may be maintained in close contact with the inner surface of the filter housing (872), thereby allowing air passing through the plurality of intake ports (8721a) to pass directly through the outer surface of the filter (871) and be introduced into the interior of the filter (871).

[0140] The top surface of the housing body (8721) is completely open, and a filter (871) can be inserted or discharged through the open top surface.

[0141] The upper surface of the housing body (8721) extends upward (U-direction) toward the lower surface of the washing tank (20), and the upper surface of the housing body (8721) can at least partially pass through the lower surface of the washing tank (20) and protrude toward the interior of the washing tank (20).

[0142] A fastening part (8722) in the form of a male screw may be provided on the upper part of the housing body (8721) which protrudes and extends into the interior of the washing tank (20), and a sealing cap (874) may be screw-coupled to the fastening part (8722).

[0143] The washing water sprayed during the washing or rinsing process can be blocked from flowing into the interior of the filter housing (872) through the sealing cap (874).

[0144] The replacement of the filter (871) can be carried out quite simply by separating the sealing cap (874) from the fastening part (8722), opening the upper surface of the housing body (8721), and discharging the filter (871) from the housing body (8721) in an upward direction (U-direction).

[0145] Considering ease of replacement of the filter (871) and accessibility for the user, the top of the filter housing (872) may be positioned adjacent to the front of the washing tank (20). This position may be easily accessible to the user when the door (30) is open.

[0146] Meanwhile, as a means to increase the sealing performance of the sealing cap (874), a ring-shaped flange (8723) may be provided in the filter housing (872). The ring-shaped flange (8723) is a part that comes into close contact with the lower side of the bottom surface of the washing tank (20). Due to the bonding force of the sealing cap (874), the flange (8723) receives a pulling force toward the bottom surface of the washing tank (20), thereby increasing the contact force between the flange (8723) and the bottom surface of the washing tank (20). Through this, the possibility of leakage of washing water to the outer surface of the filter housing (872) can be significantly reduced.

[0147] Meanwhile, the connecting duct (873) serves to fluidly connect the exhaust port formed on the outer surface of the filter housing (872) and the blower fan (82).

[0148] An air passage is formed inside the connecting duct (873), and the connecting hole (8731) of the connecting duct (873) can be fluidly connected directly to the inlet side of the blower fan (82).

[0149] [Door Lock - Detailed Configuration of the Opening]

[0150] Hereinafter, a door lock-opening part (35) provided in a dishwasher (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0151] As described above, a dishwasher (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a door lock-opening unit (35) that automatically unlocks the door (30) from a locked state and opens the door (30) to an intermediate stop position (P3).

[0152] First, the door lock-opening unit (35) may include a door lock module (351) that maintains the locked state of the door (30) or unlocks the locked state.

[0153] As illustrated, the door lock module (351) may, for example, be formed at a location adjacent to the open front surface as the upper surface (24) of the washing tank (20), and preferably may be positioned at a location adjacent to the front surface of the washing tank (20) as the upper surface (24) of the washing tank (20). An upper front bracket (241) for installing the door lock module (351) may be provided on the upper surface (24) of the washing tank (20).

[0154] The door locking module (351) may include a hook-shaped door latch (not shown) that engages with the latch engaging portion (39) of the door (30), and a latch driving portion (not shown) that unlocks the door latch using an electric driving force.

[0155] On the upper surface of the door (30), a latch engaging portion (39) may be formed in a concave shape to engage with a hook-shaped door latch.

[0156] Meanwhile, based on the illustrated embodiment, a door automatic opening module (352) may be provided on the right side of the door locking module (351) to rotate the door (30) from the closed position (P1) to the intermediate stop position (P3) to at least partially open the front of the washing tank (20).

[0157] As described below, the intermediate stop position (P3) can be defined as a position where the rotational force due to the self-weight of the door (30) and the elastic force of the restoring force acting part (38) that provides a restoring force to the door (30) are in equilibrium with each other. As a means of providing a restoring force to the door (30), the restoring force acting part (38) may include a return spring (383), a coupler (384), a rope (381), and a rope connector (382) as elastic members, as described below.

[0158] The automatic door opening module (352) is configured to be electrically driven to open the door (30) from the closed position (P1) to the intermediate stop position (P3) when an electrical control signal for opening the door (30) is received from the control unit (100) described later.

[0159] To this end, the automatic door opening module (352) may be configured to include, for example, a drive motor (3522) that generates electric rotational driving force, a reduction gear unit (3523) that reduces the rotational driving force of the drive motor (3522) and converts the rotational driving force into linear reciprocating driving force, and a push rod (3524) that moves linearly back and forth in the forward and backward direction (FR direction) by the linear reciprocating driving force.

[0160] These drive motors (3522), reduction gears (3523), and push rods (3524) can be installed on the upper front bracket (241) described above while being housed inside the housing (3521).

[0161] As described below, a drive motor (3522) supplied with power from a control unit (100) is operated, and by the driving force of the drive motor (3522), the push rod (3524) protrudes toward the door (30) from the initial storage position and pushes the upper rear side of the door (30).

[0162] Accordingly, the door (30) is rotated away from the closed position (P1), and the front of the washing tank (20) begins to open.

[0163] Afterwards, when the push rod (3524) is extended to the maximum and pushes the door (30) to the maximum, the door (30) reaches an intermediate stop position (P3), and the push rod (3524) can return to the initial storage position.

[0164] At this time, even if the door (30) returns to the initial storage position and the pressure of the push rod (3524) is released, the door (30) can remain stopped at the intermediate stop position.

[0165] When the door (30) reaches the intermediate stop position, the gap between the top of the door (30) and the upper surface (24) of the washing tank (20) can be, for example, about 82 mm.

[0166] This spacing can be the optimal spacing that allows the inside of the washing tank (20) to effectively maintain an appropriate level of high temperature atmosphere while allowing humid air to be discharged to the outside during the supply of high-temperature drying air. Through this, the drying performance and efficiency of the hot air drying process can be significantly improved.

[0167] As shown in FIG. 7, based on the intermediate stop position (P3), the area between the closed position (P1) and the fully open position (P2) can be divided into an automatic opening area (A1) corresponding to the area where the door (30) is rotated by the door automatic opening module (352) and a manual opening area (A2) corresponding to the area where it is rotated by the user.

[0168] Meanwhile, any means known in the art that can electrically drive the door locking module (351) and the door automatic opening module (352) to unlock the door (30) and electrically drive the door (30) to rotate it from the closed position (P1) to the intermediate stop position (P3) may be applied. Therefore, the detailed configuration of the door locking module (351) and the door automatic opening module (352) will be omitted below.

[0169] [Detailed Configuration of the Door Position Detector]

[0170] Hereinafter, the detailed configuration of the door position detection unit (36) provided in the dishwasher (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0171] First, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the door position detection unit (36) may include a main sensor that detects whether the door (30) is in a closed position (P1) and whether it has moved out of the closed position (P1).

[0172] More specifically, the main sensor may include a micro switch that generates and outputs an ON signal when the door (30) is in the closed position (P1) and generates and outputs an OFF signal when the door (30) is out of the closed position (P1).

[0173] To this end, the microswitch may be provided with a push button that remains pressed when the door (30) is in the closed position (P1) and is released when the door (30) moves out of the closed position (P1). The microswitch may be equipped with an electrical circuit that detects whether the push button is pressed and generates an electrical output signal including an ON signal or an OFF signal.

[0174] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a main sensor composed of two microswitches having the same specifications and sizes. Although the present invention is not limited thereto, it will be described based on an embodiment in which the main sensor is composed of two contact-type microswitches. For convenience of distinction, the microswitch positioned to the left of the door lock module (351) will be referred to as the first main sensor (361), and the microswitch positioned to the right of the door lock module (351) will be referred to as the second main sensor (362).

[0175] As described above, the first main sensor (361) and the second main sensor (362) are positioned on both sides of the door lock module (351) to form an assembly together with the door lock module (351) and can be positioned and fixed to the upper front bracket (241).

[0176] The first main sensor (361) and the second main sensor (362) are configured as microswitches having the same specifications and size, but the directions in which the first main sensor (361) and the second main sensor (362) are arranged may be configured differently.

[0177] That is, the first main sensor (361) and the second main sensor (362) can be configured in different directions of arrangement so that the positions where the push button of the first main sensor (361) and the push button of the second main sensor (362) are pressed are formed differently.

[0178] For example, when the door (30) is in the closed position (P1), the push button of the first main sensor (361) may be arranged to be pressed on the upper surface of the door (30), and the push button of the second main sensor (362) may be arranged to be pressed on the rear surface of the door (30).

[0179] In this way, by configuring the main sensor with multiple microswitches and having each one contact the door (30) at a different location, the reliability of the position detection performance of the door (30) can be improved.

[0180] That is, even in situations such as when a functional failure occurs in either the first main sensor (361) or the second main sensor (362), or when the door (30) is incompletely opened, the closed or open state of the door (30) can be accurately determined.

[0181] As described below, the first main sensor (361) and the second main sensor (362) are each independently and individually electrically connected to the control unit (100).

[0182] The control unit (100) can determine that the door (30) is in the closed position (P1) and that the door (30) has not moved away from the closed position (P1) when at least one of the output signals received from the first main sensor (361) and the second main sensor (362) is an ON signal.

[0183] Additionally, the control unit (100) determines and decides that the door (30) is normally removed from the closed position (P1) and that the door (30) has started to open at least partially only when the output signals received from the first main sensor (361) and the second main sensor (362) are both switched to OFF signals.

[0184] Meanwhile, the configuration of the microswitch applied to the first main sensor (361) and the second main sensor (362) can be applied almost identically to the microswitch (3632) provided in the sub-sensor (363) described later.

[0185] The microswitches applied to the first main sensor (361) and the second main sensor (362) may be any means already known in the art. Therefore, the detailed configuration of the first main sensor (361) and the second main sensor (362) will be omitted below.

[0186] Meanwhile, the door position detection unit (36) may include a sub-sensor (363) that detects whether the door (30) reaches the danger zone start position (P4).

[0187] Similar to the main sensor described above, the sub-sensor (363) may include a microswitch (3632) that outputs an ON signal when the position of the door (30) is between the closed position (P1) and the danger zone start position (P4), and outputs an OFF signal when the position of the door (30) reaches the danger zone start position (P4).

[0188] However, unlike the main sensor which detects the position of the door (30) by directly contacting the door (30), the sub-sensor (363) is configured to detect the position of the door (30) indirectly.

[0189] For example, FIG. 8 and below illustrates an embodiment in which a sub-sensor (363) detects the position of the door (30) by detecting the position of the hinge bracket (371) constituting the door support (37), more specifically, the position of the rope connector (382) that moves in conjunction with rotation of the hinge bracket (371).

[0190] As described, the rope connector (382) constituting the restoring force acting part (38) is rotatably connected at one end (3821) to a connector shaft (3713) provided at the rear end (3712) of the hinge bracket (371), similar to a configuration already known in the art. Additionally, the other end (3822) of the rope connector (382) can be connected via a rope (381) to an elastic member that generates a restoring force. Here, the elastic member can be a return spring (383) that generates a tensile force, and the return spring (383) can be connected to the rope (381) via a coupler (384). The rope (381), which extends in the front-rear direction (FR direction) from the bottom of the base (90), can be connected to the other end (3822) of the rope connector (382) as its path is changed through a rope guide (385).

[0191] At this time, the microswitch (3632) of the sub-sensor (363) may be configured to be positioned and fixed at the rear of the hinge bracket (371) and the rope connector (382), and a push button (3632c) is used which is pressed or released directly or indirectly by the rope connector (382) depending on the movement range of the rope connector (382).

[0192] Similar to the main sensor, the microswitch (3632) of the sub-sensor (363) may be configured to output an ON signal when the push button (3632c) is in a pressed state or to output an OFF signal when the pressed state is released. The control unit (100) receives the ON signal or OFF signal generated from the microswitch (3632) of the sub-sensor (363) to detect the position of the rope connector (382) and the position of the hinge bracket (371), and based on this, can detect the position of the door (30).

[0193] The present invention is not limited thereto, but below, it will be described based on an embodiment of a sub-sensor (363) that detects the position of a door (30) by detecting the position of a rope connector (382) as illustrated by example.

[0194] As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, when the position of the door (30) is in the closed position (P1), the microswitch (3632) of the sub-sensor (363) is configured so that the push button (3632c) is indirectly pressed by the pressure of the rope connector (382). Accordingly, the microswitch (3632) of the sub-sensor (363) outputs an ON signal. At this time, a pivot lever (3633) may be provided between the rope connector (382) and the push button (3632c) as a means of transmitting the pressure of the rope connector (382). The detailed configuration of the pivot lever (3633) will be described later with reference to FIGS. 13 and below.

[0195] Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the door (30) passes the aforementioned intermediate stop position (P3) and reaches the danger zone start position (P4), the rope connector (382) moves in conjunction with the rotation of the door (30), and the pressure of the rope connector (382) is released and the pressed state of the push button (3632c) is released. Accordingly, the microswitch (3632) of the sub-sensor (363) outputs an OFF signal.

[0196] At this time, when the door (30) moves from the closed position (P1) toward the danger zone start position (P4), the rope connector (382) moves in conjunction with the rotation of the door (30), but the pressed state of the push button (3632c) is maintained. Therefore, the output signal of the microswitch (3632) of the sub-sensor (363) is maintained as an ON signal.

[0197] When the door (30) reaches the danger zone starting position (P4), for example, the gap between the top of the door (30) and the top surface (24) of the washing tank (20) is about 163 mm, and the gap is such that the user's hand can enter the inside of the washing tank (20).

[0198] Therefore, as described below, the danger zone starting position (P4) is a position where there is a high probability that the user will suffer burns from the high-temperature dry air during the drying process in the high-temperature dry air supply mode. Considering this, the area between the danger zone starting position (P4) and the full-open position (P2) can be defined as the danger zone (A4). Conversely, the area between the closed position (P1) and the danger zone starting position (P4) can be defined as the safety zone (A3).

[0199] The following is an explanation in relation to the aforementioned automatic opening area (A1) and manual opening area (A2).

[0200] As shown in FIG. 12, the area formed between the closed position (P1) and the intermediate stop position (P3) can be defined as the automatic opening area (A1), and the area formed between the intermediate stop position (P3) and the full opening position (P2) can be defined as the manual opening area (A2).

[0201] At this time, if the door (30) is additionally manually opened from the intermediate stop position (P3) toward the full open position (P2) by the user or by an external force, it reaches the aforementioned danger zone start position (P4).

[0202] Accordingly, based on FIG. 12, the area between the closed position (P1) and the intermediate stop position (P3) can be an automatic opening area (A1) based on whether it is automatically opened, and a safety area (A3) based on whether it is safe.

[0203] Additionally, the area between the intermediate stop position (P3) and the danger area start position (P4) can become a manual opening area (A2) based on whether it is automatically opened, and a safety area (A3) based on whether it is safe.

[0204] Additionally, the area between the danger zone start position (P4) and the full open position (P2) can become a manual open area (A2) based on whether it is automatically opened, and a danger zone (A4) based on whether it is safe.

[0205] [Detailed configuration of the sub-sensor]

[0206] The detailed configuration of the sub-sensor (363) will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 13 to 18.

[0207] First, referring to FIGS. 13 to 16, a sub-sensor (363) of a dishwasher (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a sensor housing (3631) that accommodates a microswitch (3632) inside, and a pivot lever (3633) that is rotatably connected to the sensor housing (3631).

[0208] The sensor housing (3631) is formed to have a box shape with one side open and an internal receiving space formed therein. A micro sensor can be accommodated in the internal receiving space.

[0209] A perimeter wall can be continuously formed along the outer circumference of the bottom surface (3631a) of the sensor housing (3631) at a predetermined height from the bottom surface (3631a) to form a receiving space.

[0210] Additionally, a pair of positioning bosses (3631e) formed to protrude toward an open side may be provided on the bottom surface (3631a) of the sensor housing (3631).

[0211] When the microswitch (3632) is coupled to the sensor housing (3631), a pair of positioning bosses (3631e) are inserted into the positioning hole (3632d) formed in the microswitch (3632), thereby guiding the coupling of the microswitch (3632). At this time, the position where the pair of positioning bosses (3631e) and the pair of microswitches (3632) are formed can be selected as a position that prevents misassembly of the microswitch (3632).

[0212] That is, as illustrated, a pair of positioning holes (3632d) are arranged diagonally to the switch body (3632a). Due to the influence of structures such as terminals (3632b) that protrude and extend from the switch body (3632a), it becomes impossible for the switch body (3632a) to enter or be assembled into the interior of the sensor housing (3631) in a different direction.

[0213] Meanwhile, the bottom surface (3631a) of the sensor housing (3631) may further be provided with a fastening hook (3631f) formed to protrude toward an open side.

[0214] One end of the fastening hook (3631f) is fixed to the bottom surface (3631a) of the sensor housing (3631), and a hook portion may be formed on the other end, which becomes the free end.

[0215] The fastening hook (3631f) serves to fix the microswitch (3632) after the process of the microswitch (3632) being coupled to the receiving space of the sensor housing (3631) through the aforementioned positioning boss (3631e) is completed.

[0216] As shown in FIG. 13, when the connection to the microswitch (3632) is completed, a locking state is formed between the hook part of the fastening hook (3631f) and the sensor body of the microswitch (3632), thereby completing the fixation of the microswitch (3632).

[0217] Meanwhile, the sensor housing (3631) is fixed to a support bracket (373) that connects the washing tank (20) to the base (90).

[0218] As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 11, the support body (3731) of the support bracket (373) constituting the door support member (37) may be configured to include an upper bracket fixed to the washing tank (20) and a lower bracket fixed to the base (90).

[0219] On the lower side of the upper bracket of the support bracket (373), a hinge bracket (371) in which the front end (3711) is fixed to the lower side of the door to rotatably support the door (30) can be rotatably supported through a hinge shaft (372).

[0220] The sensor housing (3631) can be fixed to the lower bracket of the supporter bracket (373) on the rear side of the hinge bracket (371), preferably on the rear side of the rope connector (382).

[0221] At this time, the sensor housing (3631) can be fixed in a position where the open side of the sensor housing (3631) can be at least partially closed by the lower bracket.

[0222] To secure the sensor housing (3631), a fastening tab (3631c) may be integrally formed at the bottom of the sensor housing (3631), extending downward (D-direction) from the perimeter wall (3631b), and a screw hole (3631d) may be provided in the fastening tab (3631c).

[0223] A screw hole (3733) may be formed in the supporter bracket (373) at a position corresponding to the screw hole (3631d) of the fastening tab (3631c), and the sensor housing (3631) may be fixed to the supporter bracket (373) through a fastening means such as a screw bolt extending through them.

[0224] As a means for fixing the sensor housing (3631), a locking tab (3631h) may be further provided, which is formed to protrude outward from the edge wall (3631b) of the sensor housing (3631).

[0225] The catch tab (3631h) can be fixed to the support bracket (373) by being engaged with the catch hole (3732) formed in the support bracket (373). The detailed configuration regarding this will be described later with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18.

[0226] Meanwhile, the sensor housing (3631) is provided with a boss-shaped lever shaft (3631g) that is formed to protrude toward an open surface from the bottom surface (3631a).

[0227] More specifically, the lever shaft (3631g) may be provided at a position corresponding to between the rope connector (382) and the microswitch (3632).

[0228] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the lever shaft (3631g) may be formed closer to the rope connector (382) than the perimeter wall (3631b) formed toward the rope connector (382).

[0229] The lever shaft (3631g) serves to rotatably support the pivot lever (3633) described later, and functions as the axis of rotation of the pivot lever (3633).

[0230] Meanwhile, a detachment prevention wall (3631b1) may be formed around the lever shaft (3631g) in a manner that surrounds the cylindrical base portion (3633a) of the lever shaft (3631g) described later.

[0231] For example, one end of the anti-detachment wall (3631b1) may be integrally formed with the perimeter wall (3631b) formed on the upper side and may be provided in the form of a wall portion extending in an arc shape from the perimeter wall (3631b).

[0232] The height at which the anti-detachment wall (3631b1) protrudes from the bottom surface (3631a) of the sensor housing (3631) can be formed to be approximately the same as the height at which the lever shaft (3631g) protrudes.

[0233] Therefore, when the sensor housing (3631) is attached to the support bracket (373), the anti-detachment wall (3631b1) and the lever shaft (3631g) can be simultaneously in contact with the support bracket (373).

[0234] Meanwhile, the other end of the anti-detachment wall (3631b1) functions as a stopper that limits the maximum rotation range of the pivot lever (3633).

[0235] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 15, a locking groove (3631b2) extending in the longitudinal direction of the lever shaft (3631g) from the bottom surface of the sensor housing (3631) may be formed at the other end of the anti-detachment wall (3631b1).

[0236] The catch groove (3631b2) may be formed by cutting off a part of the anti-detachment wall (3631b1) and may be a straight groove extending in a straight shape with a constant depth along the longitudinal direction of the lever shaft (3631g).

[0237] As shown in FIG. 15, the pivot lever (3633) may be provided with an anti-detachment projection (3633c) that is at least partially inserted into a locking groove (3631b2).

[0238] Accordingly, when the pivot lever (3633) is coupled to the lever shaft (3631g), the range of movement in the rotational axis of the anti-detachment projection (3633c) of the pivot lever (3633) can be limited by the locking groove (3631b2). Through this, the locking groove (3631b2) functions as a means to prevent axial detachment of the pivot lever (3633).

[0239] Meanwhile, a pivot lever (3633) is rotatably coupled to the lever shaft (3631g).

[0240] More specifically, the pivot lever (3633) includes a cylindrical base portion (3633a) forming a rotation center and a rod portion (3633b) extending radially from the cylindrical base portion (3633a) toward the other end.

[0241] A shaft hole (3633a1) into which the aforementioned lever shaft (3631g) is inserted may be formed through the center of the cylindrical base portion (3633a).

[0242] At this time, the width of the cylindrical base part (3633a) and the width of the shaft hole (3633a1) in a direction parallel to the rotation axis may be formed to be smaller than or equal to the protruding length of the aforementioned lever shaft (3631g).

[0243] The load portion (3633b) is positioned so that one side contacts the rope connector (382) and serves to transmit the pressure of the rope connector (382) to the push button (3632c) of the microswitch (3632).

[0244] To this end, the opposite side of the load portion (3633b) is configured to directly contact and press the push button (3632c) of the microswitch (3632).

[0245] More specifically, the rod portion (3633b) may be configured to include a linear extension portion (3633b1) extending radially outward from a cylindrical base portion (3633a), and a hook-shaped portion (3633b2) formed radially outward from the linear extension portion (3633b1).

[0246] One end of the linear extension part (3633b1) is connected to the outer surface of the cylindrical base part (3633a), and the other end of the linear extension part (3633b1) extends outward in a straight line from the outer surface of the cylindrical base part (3633a). Preferably, one end of the linear extension part (3633b1) can be integrally connected to the outer surface of the cylindrical base part (3633a).

[0247] The linear extension part (3633b1) serves to directly press the push button (3632c) of the microswitch (3632).

[0248] Therefore, in order for the linear extension part (3633b1) to effectively press the push button (3632c), the linear extension part (3633b1) needs to be positioned as close as possible to one side of the switch body (3632a) of the microswitch (3632) where the push button (3632c) is placed.

[0249] Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 13, the other end of the linear extension part (3633b1) is formed to extend tangentially from the cylindrical base part (3633a), and the other end of the linear extension part (3633b1) can extend beyond the range where one side of the switch body (3632a) is formed.

[0250] As described, the hook-shaped portion (3633b2) is in direct contact with one side of the rope connector (382) which functions as a pressure surface (3823), and corresponds to the portion where the pressure of the rope connector (382) acts.

[0251] As described above, the rope connector (382) moves in conjunction with the rotation of the hinge bracket (371) for opening or closing the door (30).

[0252] In order to effectively maintain contact with the moving rope connector (382), the hook-shaped portion (3633b2) may be formed with a convex curve in a direction approaching the rope connector (382).

[0253] At this time, the curvature of the hook-shaped part (3633b2) formed by the curve can be maintained at a constant level.

[0254] Meanwhile, a connecting part (3633b3) may be provided between the linear extension part (3633b1) and the hook-shaped part (3633b2), which is formed by being convexly curved in a direction away from the rope connector (382).

[0255] That is, the direction in which the connecting part (3633b3) is bent can be configured to have a direction opposite to the direction in which the hook-shaped part (3633b2) is bent.

[0256] As described above, a dishwasher (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention indirectly detects whether the door (30) reaches the danger zone start position (P4) by using a sub-sensor (363) positioned at the rear of the rope connector (382).

[0257] However, the gap between the sub-sensor (363) and the rope connector (382) is bound to vary from product to product due to design tolerances and manufacturing tolerances.

[0258] In order to compensate for such spacing deviations, the load portion (3633b) of the pivot lever (3633) may be designed to undergo at least partial elastic deformation while pressing the push button (3632c) of the microswitch (3632).

[0259] That is, even if the gap between the sub-sensor (363) and the rope connector (382) becomes the widest possible due to design tolerances and manufacturing tolerances, the gap deviation can be effectively compensated by designing the load portion (3633b) to cause elastic deformation.

[0260] The connecting part (3633b3) corresponds to a configuration that allows such elastic deformation to occur effectively, and the elastic deformation can be formed to occur at the connecting part (3633b3).

[0261] However, elastic deformation occurs repeatedly depending on the opening and closing of the door (30).

[0262] In order to prevent fatigue failure caused by such repeatedly occurring elastic changes, it is necessary to ensure that the stress generated during elastic deformation is not concentrated in any specific area.

[0263] In order to prevent such stress concentration and to disperse the stress, it is preferable to maintain the curvature of the curved connecting part (3633b3) as shown in FIG. 13 constant, but to form it larger than the curvature of the aforementioned hook-shaped part (3633b2).

[0264] In addition, if the thickness and width of the connecting part (3633b3) show a sharp difference in the relationship between the linear extension part (3633b1) and the hook-shaped part (3633b2), there is a high possibility that stress will be concentrated at the location where the thickness and width change abruptly.

[0265] Accordingly, the thickness (t) of the linear extension part (3633b1), the thickness (t) of the hook-shaped part (3633b2), and the thickness (t) of the connecting part (3633b3) are each maintained at a constant level as they progress along the length direction of the rod part (3633b), and it is preferable that they be set to be the same.

[0266] Likewise, the width (w) of the linear extension part (3633b1), the width (w) of the hook-shaped part (3633b2), and the width (w) of the connecting part (3633b3) are maintained at a constant level as they proceed along the longitudinal direction of the rod part (3633b), and it is preferable that they be set to be the same as each other.

[0267] The assembly process of the sub-sensor (363) will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18.

[0268] As described above, the sub-sensor (363) is fixed to the support bracket (373) constituting the door support part (37), and as a fixing means, the sensor housing (3631) of the sub-sensor (363) may be provided with a fastening tab (3631c) having a screw hole (3631d) and a locking tab (3631h).

[0269] In order to attach and secure the sub-sensor (363) to the support bracket (373), the catch tab (3631h) is inserted into the upper hole (3732a) of the catch hole (3732).

[0270] As shown in FIG. 18, the horizontal width (W1) and vertical width of the upper hole (3732a) are formed to be larger than the horizontal width (W3) and vertical width of the catch tab (3631h). This allows the catch tab (3631h) to easily pass through the upper hole (3732a).

[0271] When the catch tab (3631h) passes through the upper hole (3732a), the sensor housing (3631) is moved downwards toward the lower hole (3732b).

[0272] The horizontal width (W2) of the lower hole (3732b) is formed to be smaller than the horizontal width (W3) of the catch tab (3631h).

[0273] Therefore, when the locking tab (3631h) moves to its maximum downward direction (D-direction), the locking tab (3631h) becomes locked in the lower hole (3732b), making it impossible to move away from the support bracket (373).

[0274] In this way, when the locking tab (3631h) is engaged with the lower hole (3732b) and the fastening tab (3631c) of the sensor housing (3631) is fastened to the screw hole (3733) of the supporter bracket (373) using a fastening means such as a screw bolt, the assembly of the sub-sensor (363) is completed.

[0275] Therefore, since the sub-sensor (363) can be effectively assembled and fixed to the support bracket (373) with only one screw bolt, the manufacturing time and manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0276] [Configuration of the control unit and method of controlling the dishwasher]

[0277] Hereinafter, the configuration of the control unit (100) of the dishwasher (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 19.

[0278] As illustrated in FIG. 19, a dishwasher (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a control unit (100) for controlling each function configuration.

[0279] The control unit (100) may be provided in various forms, such as a microcontroller, a microcomputer, or a microprocessor, as is known in the art.

[0280] The control unit (100) may be electrically connected to a power conversion unit (not shown). Power input from an external power source may be converted through the power conversion unit and supplied to the control unit (100), door automatic opening module (352), display (33), sound output unit, water supply pump and drying air supply unit (80), etc.

[0281] Additionally, the control unit (100) can be individually and electrically connected to the first main sensor (361), the second main sensor (362), and the sub-sensor (363) constituting the door position detection unit (36).

[0282] The current position of the door (30) can be monitored through the first main sensor (361), the second main sensor (362), and the sub-sensor (363) which are individually connected. More specifically, the control unit (100) can detect whether the position of the door (30) is in a closed position (P1) and whether it has deviated from the closed position (P1) by receiving the output signal of the first main sensor (361) and the second main sensor (362), and can detect whether the position of the door (30) belongs to the aforementioned safety area (A3) and whether it has deviated from the safety area (A3) and belongs to the danger area (A4) by receiving the output signal of the sub-sensor (363).

[0283] Additionally, the control unit (100) is electrically connected to a button unit (34) into which user operations are input. The button unit (34) may include a power button and a selection button, etc. Through the button unit (34), the control unit (100) can receive user control command signals, such as a power-ON signal, an action selection signal, etc.

[0284] Additionally, the control unit (100) is electrically connected to the memory (102) and the timer (101). The control unit (100) retrieves the operating conditions and time conditions for each operation, etc., that are stored in advance in the memory (102), and uses them to generate a control signal for controlling the operation of the door automatic opening module (352) and the drying air supply unit (80), etc. Additionally, the control unit (100) calculates the elapsed time for each operation, etc., using the timer (101), and can determine whether each operation is completed by comparing it with the time conditions for each operation that are stored in advance. At this time, the time conditions for each operation may include the total drying operation time, the high-temperature drying time during which high-temperature drying air is supplied, and the low-temperature drying time during which low-temperature drying air is supplied, as described below.

[0285] Additionally, the control unit (100) is electrically connected to the drive motor (3522) of the automatic door opening module (352). The control unit (100) controls the door (30) to be moved away from the closed position (P1) and at least partially opened by supplying power to the drive motor (3522) before operating the drying air supply unit (80) during the drying process.

[0286] Additionally, the control unit (100) is electrically connected to the blower motor (83), heater (84), and temperature sensor (86) that constitute the drying air supply unit (80). As described above, when the door (30) is moved away from the closed position (P1) and is at least partially opened, the control unit (100) can control the supply of high-temperature drying air by simultaneously supplying power to the blower motor (83) and the heater (84), or by cutting off the power supply to the heater (84) and operating only the blower motor (83) to supply low-temperature drying air. The control unit (100) can detect whether drying air at an appropriate temperature is being supplied and whether overheating occurs during the process of supplying high-temperature drying air through the output signal of the temperature sensor (86).

[0287] Additionally, the control unit (100) is electrically connected to the display (33) and the sound output unit. The control unit (100) can visually display information regarding the operating status, operating time, and whether cooking is complete of the dishwasher (1) through the display (33), and controls the operation status or alarm message of the dishwasher (1) to be output as voice or sound through the sound output unit, such as the aforementioned buzzer or speaker. As described below, the information provided through the display (33) and the sound output unit may include information regarding a danger warning regarding the high-temperature drying air due to manual opening of the door while the high-temperature drying air is being supplied, information regarding the inability of the drying air supply unit (80) to operate due to the closed state, and information regarding the completion of operation of the drying air supply unit (80).

[0288] Hereinafter, a control method for a dishwasher (1) according to the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 20 to 23.

[0289] Referring first to FIG. 20, the control method of the dishwasher (1) according to the present invention basically involves first opening the door (30) and, after opening the door (30), determining the current position of the door (30). (S1, S2)

[0290] As described above, the position of the door (30) is detected through the first main sensor (361), the second main sensor (362), and the sub-sensor (363), and the control unit (100) can determine the position of the door (30) through the output signals of the first main sensor (361), the second main sensor (362), and the sub-sensor (363).

[0291] When the position of the door (30) is determined through the output signals of the first main sensor (361), the second main sensor (362), and the sub-sensor (363), the control unit (100) determines the operating mode of the drying air supply unit (80) based on the determined position of the door (30). (S3)

[0292] Here, the operating modes of the drying air supply unit (80) may include a high-temperature drying air supply mode in which both the heater (84) and the blower motor (83) are operated, a low-temperature drying air supply mode in which the blower motor (83) is operated but the operation of the heater (84) is stopped, and a drying air supply stop mode in which the operation of both the heater (84) and the blower motor (83) is stopped or stopped.

[0293] These steps are specifically explained as follows with reference to FIGS. 21 to 23.

[0294] First, in order to initiate a hot air drying process for the object to be cleaned as illustrated in FIG. 21, the control unit (100) supplies power to the drive motor (3522) to operate the automatic door opening module (352). (S11)

[0295] When the drive motor (3522) of the automatic door opening module (352) is operated, the movement of the push rod (3524) of the automatic door opening module (352) begins, and as the push rod (3524) pushes the rear of the door (30), the door (30) is disengaged from the closed position (P1). That is, the closed state of the door (30) is released, and the opening of the front of the washing tank (20) begins.

[0296] When the automatic door opening module (352) starts operating, the control unit (100) activates the timer (101). (S12) The time at which the timer (101) starts operating becomes the time when the drying process begins, and the control unit (100) temporarily stores the time of the timer (101)'s start of operation in the memory (102). As described below, based on the elapsed time measured from the time of the start of operation, the control unit (100) determines whether to end the drying process or to switch or stop the supply of drying air.

[0297] Next, when the operation of the timer (101) begins, the control unit (100) receives output signals from the first main sensor (361) and the second main sensor (362), respectively. (S13)

[0298] As described above, the output signals of the first main sensor (361) and the second main sensor (362) may include an ON-signal generated when the door (30) is in the closed position (P1) and an OFF-signal generated when the door (30) is out of the closed position (P1).

[0299] Next, the control unit (100) determines whether the output signals of the received first main sensor (361) and second main sensor (362) are ON signals or OFF signals. (S14)

[0300] As a result of the judgment in step S14, if at least one of the output signals of the first main sensor (361) and the second main sensor (362) is an ON signal, the control unit (100) determines that the current state of the door (30) is in the closed position (P1) and has not deviated from the closed position (P1), and determines that the door (30) is in the closed state. (S15)

[0301] That is, if the control unit (100) determines that either of the output signals of the first main sensor (361) and the second main sensor (362) contains an ON signal, it can determine that the door (30) is not normally opened by the door automatic opening module (352).

[0302] At this time, the condition in which the door (30) is not opened normally may be caused by internal factors such as the door latch not being released normally and the door automatic opening module (352) not operating normally, or by external factors such as the door (30) being unable to be opened due to external forces applied to the door (30) and external obstacles.

[0303] If it is determined in step S15 that the door (30) is in a closed state, the control unit (100) does not supply power to the blower fan (82) and heater (84) of the drying air supply unit (80) and keeps the blower fan (82) and heater (84) in a non-operational state. (S16)

[0304] That is, the control unit (100) determines and decides that the door (30) is currently in a closed state, so it does not start the operation of the blower fan (82) and heater (84) that generate drying air and maintains the drying air supply stop mode. Through this, the condensation of moisture that may occur when drying air is supplied while the door (30) is in a closed state can be effectively prevented.

[0305] In this way, after it is determined that the door (30) is in a closed state and the operation of the blower fan (82) and heater (84) is maintained in a non-operational state, the control unit (100) controls the sound output unit or the display (33) to generate an error alarm by transmitting a control signal. (S17)

[0306] Here, the error alarm may include an acoustic error alarm generated through an acoustic output unit or a visual error alarm generated through a display (33).

[0307] These acoustic error alarms or visual error alarms may include information regarding door opening failure or inability to operate the drying air supply unit (80) due to door opening failure.

[0308] Through this error alarm, the user can intuitively confirm that the current door (30) is not open normally and that the drying process cannot proceed through the supply of drying air. In addition, the error alarm can induce the user to take action upon recognizing the error alarm.

[0309] Meanwhile, even after such an error alarm is generated, there may be cases where the user is absent or unable to recognize the error alarm.

[0310] In a situation where such measures by the user cannot be expected, the drying process cannot proceed normally.

[0311] Therefore, after generating an error alarm in step S17, the control unit (100) determines whether the current elapsed time exceeds a predetermined set time through the timer (101). (S18)

[0312] Here, the predetermined setting time may be the time scheduled for the drying process. The setting time may be a time that is pre-selected and adjusted by the user, or a time that is pre-set and stored in memory (102). For example, if there is no selection or adjustment by the user, the setting time may be 500 seconds.

[0313] If, in step S18, it is determined that the elapsed time is greater than or equal to the set time, the control unit (100) determines that the scheduled drying time has elapsed, stops the drying process, and transmits a control signal to the aforementioned sound output unit or display (33) to generate a drying process completion alarm. (S19)

[0314] Here, the completion alarm may include an acoustic completion alarm generated through an acoustic output unit or a visual completion alarm generated through a display (33).

[0315] These acoustic completion alarms or visual completion alarms may include information regarding the inability to operate the drying air supply unit (80) or the completion of operation of the drying air supply unit (80).

[0316] In contrast, if it is determined that the elapsed time in step S18 is shorter than the set time, the control unit (100) determines that the scheduled drying time has not yet elapsed and proceeds to the aforementioned step S14 to determine whether the door (30) has been opened or removed from the closed state by the user's action.

[0317] Meanwhile, if, as a result of the judgment in the aforementioned step S14, it is determined that the output signals of the first main sensor (361) and the second main sensor (362) are both ON signals, the control unit (100) determines that the current state of the door (30) is normally open and has normally moved away from the closed position (P1), and determines that it is in a position normally moved away from the closed position (P1). (S21)

[0318] As such, since the door (30) is normally disengaged from the closed position (P1) and is in a normally open state, the control unit (100) starts operating the drying air supply unit (80) in a high-temperature drying air supply mode that supplies high-temperature drying air. (S22)

[0319] When the operation of the blower fan (82) and the heater (84) begins, the high-temperature drying air generated through the blower fan (82) and the heater (84) is supplied into the interior of the washing tank (20) through the blower duct (85) of the drying air supply unit (80).

[0320] In this way, by controlling the supply of high-temperature drying air immediately after the opening of the door (30) begins, the temperature inside the washing tank (20) can be increased within a short period of time before the door (30) reaches the intermediate stop position (P3). Accordingly, compared to the case where the supply of high-temperature drying air begins after the automatic opening of the door (30) is completed and the door (30) reaches the intermediate stop position (P3), the drying efficiency of the object to be washed can be improved.

[0321] In this way, while it is determined that the door (30) has moved away from the closed position (P1) and the supply of high-temperature dry air continues, the control unit (100) receives an output signal from the sub-switch and determines whether the output signal of the sub-switch is an ON signal or an OFF signal. (S23)

[0322] Similar to the first main sensor (361) and the second main sensor (362), the output signal of the sub-switch may include an ON-signal generated when the door (30) is between the closed position (P1) and the danger zone start position (P4), and an OFF-signal generated when the door (30) reaches the danger zone start position (P4).

[0323] At this time, if the output signal of the sub-switch is determined to be an ON signal, the control unit (100) determines that the current state of the door (30) is in a position suitable for supplying high-temperature drying air, that is, a safe area (A3) between the closed position (P1) and the danger area start position (P4), and continues to supply high-temperature drying air without stopping.

[0324] Next, while the supply of high-temperature drying air continues in this manner, the control unit (100) determines whether the current elapsed time exceeds a predetermined high-temperature drying time through the timer (101). (S24)

[0325] Here, the predetermined high-temperature drying time is a time that is part of the total drying process time, and like the setting time, it may be a time that is pre-selected and adjusted by the user, or a time that is pre-set and stored in memory (102). For example, if there is no selection or adjustment by the user, the high-temperature drying time may be 300 seconds.

[0326] If, in step S24, it is determined that the elapsed time is greater than or equal to the high-temperature drying time, the control unit (100) determines that the scheduled high-temperature drying time has elapsed and stops the power supply to the heater (84) to stop the supply of high-temperature drying air. (S27)

[0327] At this time, the control unit (100) controls the power supply to the blower fan (82) to be maintained so that high-temperature drying through the supply of high-temperature drying air is stopped, but low-temperature drying can continue. That is, the operation of the drying air supply unit (80) is switched from the high-temperature drying air supply mode to the low-temperature drying air supply mode.

[0328] Through this, low-temperature drying air is supplied for a predetermined period of time before the drying process is completed to lower the temperature of the object to be cleaned to a safe level, and when the drying process is completed, the user can immediately fully open the door (30) to safely discharge the object to be cleaned from the washing tank (20).

[0329] Meanwhile, if it is determined that the elapsed time in step S24 is shorter than the high-temperature drying time, the control unit (100) considers that the high-temperature drying time has not yet elapsed and continues to supply the high-temperature drying air.

[0330] However, in order to check whether the supplied high-temperature dry air is being supplied within an appropriate temperature range or whether an overload has occurred in the heater (84), the control unit (100) receives an output signal from the temperature sensing unit during the supply of high-temperature dry air. (S25)

[0331] Here, the output signal of the temperature sensing unit includes the output signal of the thermistor (861), and the control unit (100) can determine the temperature of the high-temperature drying air generated in the drying air supply unit (80) or the temperature of the heater (84) based on the output signal of the thermistor (861).

[0332] When an output signal is received from the temperature sensing unit, the control unit (100) determines whether the temperature of the high-temperature dry air exceeds a predetermined threshold temperature. (S26)

[0333] The high-temperature dry air generated in the dry air supply unit (80) is designed to have a predetermined appropriate temperature range, and for example, the appropriate temperature range can be 115 degrees Celsius to 124 degrees Celsius.

[0334] At this time, a predetermined critical temperature may be exemplified as 124 degrees Celsius, and the control unit (100) may determine that overheating has occurred if it determines that the current temperature of the high-temperature dry air is greater than or equal to 124 degrees Celsius, and otherwise determine that it is operating within an appropriate temperature range.

[0335] Therefore, if it is determined in step S26 that the current temperature of the high-temperature drying air is greater than or equal to the critical temperature, the control unit (100) determines that overheating has occurred in the drying air supply unit (80) and stops the power supply to the heater (84). (S26)

[0336] At this time, in order to lower the internal temperature of the washing tank (20) and the temperature of the drying air supply unit (80) that have been overheated by the overheated high-temperature drying air, the control unit (100) maintains power supply to the blower fan (82). That is, in order to lower the temperature of the object to be washed and the washing tank (20) to a safe level, the blower fan (82) is operated with the heater (84) turned off to switch the operation of the drying air supply unit (80) to a low-temperature drying air supply mode.

[0337] After the operation is switched to the low-temperature dry air supply mode in step S27, the control unit (100) determines whether the current elapsed time exceeds a predetermined set time through the timer (101). (S28)

[0338] As mentioned above, the predetermined setting time may be the time scheduled for the drying process.

[0339] In step S28, if it is determined that the elapsed time is greater than or equal to the set time, the control unit (100) determines that the scheduled drying time has elapsed, stops the power supply to the blower fan (82), and stops the operation of the drying air supply unit (80). (S28) That is, the operation of the drying air supply unit (80) is switched to a drying air supply stop mode.

[0340] When the operation of the blower fan (82) is stopped at step S28, the control unit (100) proceeds to the aforementioned step S19 to generate a drying process completion alarm.

[0341] In contrast, if it is determined that the elapsed time in step S28 is shorter than the set time, the control unit (100) proceeds to the aforementioned step S27, maintains the low-temperature drying air supply mode, and repeats the subsequent steps.

[0342] Meanwhile, if it is determined that the output signal of the sub-switch is OFF-signal in step S23, the control unit (100) determines that the current state of the door (30) has moved out of the safety zone (A3) and reached the danger zone start position (P4) while supplying high-temperature dry air. (S31)

[0343] When it is determined that the position of the door (30) has reached the danger zone start position (P4), the control unit (100) controls the sound output unit or the display (33) to generate a warning alarm by transmitting a control signal. (S32)

[0344] Here, the warning alarm may include an acoustic warning alarm generated through an acoustic output unit or a visual warning alarm generated through a display (33).

[0345] These acoustic warning alarms or visual warning alarms may include information regarding a danger warning about high-temperature dry wind resulting from the manual opening of the door (30).

[0346] Through this warning alarm, the user can intuitively confirm that the door (30) is manually opened while the high-temperature dry air is currently being supplied, and that the user may be exposed to the high-temperature dry air.

[0347] Since such manual opening can occur at the user's will or regardless of the user's will, the user is at risk of being exposed to high-temperature dry wind due to the manual opening of the door (30).

[0348] Therefore, through such a warning alarm, the user can be prompted to take measures such as stopping the manual opening operation or returning the door (30) from the safe area (A3). This prevents burns to the user caused by the high-temperature dry wind.

[0349] However, there may be a situation where the user does not recognize the dangerous condition of high temperature and dry wind due to a single warning alarm.

[0350] Accordingly, the control unit (100) can control the generation of these warning alarms repeatedly to increase the user's awareness and recognition, and accumulates the number of times the warning alarms are generated and stores it in memory (102). (S34)

[0351] And, the control unit (100) determines whether the accumulated number of warning alarm generations exceeds a predetermined number of times. (S34)

[0352] At this time, the predetermined number of settings can be, for example, 10 times.

[0353] After 10 warning alarms have been generated, the control unit (100) stops generating warning alarms and stops supplying power to the heater (84). (S35, S36)

[0354] At this time, the control unit (100) controls the operation of the drying air supply unit (80) to switch to a low-temperature drying air supply mode by cutting off the power supply to the heater (84) as described above, but maintaining the power supply to the blower fan (82).

[0355] This is to prevent a decrease in drying efficiency caused by supplying high-temperature drying air while the door (30) is excessively open, and to lower the temperature inside the washing tank (20) and the object to be washed by supplying low-temperature drying air while the door (30) is manually opened after moving away from the intermediate stop position (P3).

[0356] Next, when the operation is switched to the low-temperature dry air supply mode in step S36, the control unit (100) determines whether the current elapsed time exceeds a predetermined set time through the timer (101). (S37)

[0357] As mentioned above, the predetermined setting time may be the time scheduled for the drying process.

[0358] If, in step S37, it is determined that the elapsed time is greater than or equal to the set time, the control unit (100) determines that the scheduled drying time has elapsed, stops the power supply to the blower fan (82), and stops the operation of the drying air supply unit (80). (S38)

[0359] When the operation of the blower fan (82) is stopped at step S37, the control unit (100) proceeds to the aforementioned step S20 to generate a drying process completion alarm.

[0360] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the illustrated drawings, the present invention is not limited by the embodiments and drawings disclosed in this specification, and it is obvious that various modifications can be made by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. Furthermore, even if the effects of the configuration according to the present invention were not explicitly described while describing the embodiments of the present invention above, it is natural to acknowledge that the effects predictable by said configuration should also be recognized. Explanation of the symbols

[0362] 1: Dishwasher 10: Case 20: Washing tank 30: Door 40: Drive unit 50: Storage compartment 60: Injection part 80: Dry air supply unit 90: Bass 100: Control unit

Claims

Claim 1 A dishwasher comprising: a tub having a washing space in which objects to be washed are stored and which has an open front; a door rotatably provided between a closed position that closes the front of the washing space and a fully open position that opens the front of the washing space; a door position sensing unit that detects the position of the door; a drying air supply unit that generates drying air and supplies it into the interior of the tub; and a control unit that determines the operating mode of the drying air supply unit based on the position of the door detected by the door position sensing unit; wherein the control unit determines the operating mode of the drying air supply unit according to the position of the door when the door is in an open state after deviating from the closed position. Claim 2 A dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein a first opening position is formed between the closed position and the fully open position, and the control unit switches the operating mode based on the first opening position. Claim 3 A dishwasher according to claim 2, wherein the control unit applies a first operating mode when the position of the door is in a first area between the closed position and the first open position, and applies a second operating mode when the position of the door deviates from the first area and reaches the first open position. Claim 4 A dishwasher according to claim 3, wherein the drying air supply unit comprises a heater for heating the drying air; and the control unit supplies power to the heater to operate the drying air supply unit in the first operating mode. Claim 5 A dishwasher according to claim 4, wherein the drying air supply unit further comprises: a blower fan that generates the drying air; and a blower motor that drives the blower fan; and wherein the control unit supplies power to the blower motor to operate the drying air supply unit in the first operating mode. Claim 6 A dishwasher according to claim 3, wherein the drying air supply unit comprises a heater that heats the drying air; and the control unit cuts off the power supply to the heater to operate the drying air supply unit in the second operating mode. Claim 7 A dishwasher according to claim 6, wherein the drying air supply unit further comprises: a blower fan that generates the drying air; and a blower motor that drives the blower fan; and wherein the control unit supplies power to the blower motor to operate the drying air supply unit in the second operating mode. Claim 8 A dishwasher according to claim 3, further comprising a door automatic opening module that disengages the door from the closed position and rotates the door to a second open position formed between the closed position and the first open position. Claim 9 A dishwasher according to claim 8, further comprising an elastic member that provides a return force to the door, wherein the second opening position is a position in which the rotational force due to the self-weight of the door and the elastic force of the elastic member are in equilibrium. Claim 10 A dishwasher according to claim 1, characterized in that when the door is in the closed position, the control unit controls the drying air supply unit to a non-operating mode. Claim 11 A tub having a washing space in which an object to be washed is stored and which has an open front; a door rotatably provided between a closed position that closes the front of the washing space and a fully open position that opens the front of the washing space completely; a door position sensing unit that detects the position of the door; and a drying air supply unit that generates drying air and supplies it into the interior of the tub. A dishwasher comprising: a control unit that controls the operating mode of the drying air supply unit based on the position of the door detected by the door position detection unit; wherein a first opening position is formed between the closed position and the fully open position, and a second opening position is formed between the closed position and the first opening position; and wherein the control unit maintains the operating mode of the drying air supply unit while the door is located in a first area between the closed position and the first opening position, even if the door moves in an opening direction toward the fully open position or a closing direction toward the closed position while the drying air supply unit is operating, and switches the operating mode of the drying air supply unit based on the door reaching the first opening position. Claim 12 A dishwasher according to claim 11, wherein the control unit maintains the operating mode of the drying air supply unit until the door reaches the first opening position, even if the door moves from the second opening position toward the full opening position. Claim 13 A dishwasher according to claim 11, wherein the control unit maintains the operating mode of the drying air supply unit until the door reaches the closed position, even if the door moves from the second open position toward the closed position. Claim 14 A dishwasher according to claim 11, wherein the drying air supply unit comprises: a heater for heating the drying air; a blower fan for generating the drying air; and a blower motor for driving the blower fan; and wherein the control unit supplies power to the heater and the blower motor while the door is located in the first area, and cuts off the power supply to the heater based on the door reaching the first opening position. Claim 15 A dishwasher according to claim 14, wherein the control unit cuts off the power supply to the heater and maintains the power supply to the blower motor when the door reaches the first opening position. Claim 16 A dishwasher according to claim 11, further comprising a door automatic opening module that separates the door from the closed position and rotates it to the second open position, wherein the control unit initiates the operation of the drying air supply unit based on the fact that the door has separated from the closed position by the door automatic opening module. Claim 17 A dishwasher according to claim 16, further comprising an elastic member that provides a return force to the door so that the door rotates toward the closed position, wherein the second open position is a position where the door stops when the rotational force due to the self-weight of the door and the elastic force of the elastic member are in equilibrium. Claim 18 A dishwasher according to claim 11, wherein the first opening position is a position in which the gap between the top of the door and the upper surface of the tub is large enough for a user's hand to enter the washing space. Claim 19 A dishwasher according to claim 11, wherein the door position detection unit includes a switch that outputs a first signal while the door is located in the first area and outputs a second signal different from the first signal when the door reaches the first opening position, and the control unit maintains the operating mode of the drying air supply unit while the first signal is received and switches the operating mode of the drying air supply unit based on the reception of the second signal. Claim 20 A dishwasher according to claim 19, further comprising: a hinge bracket that rotates together with the door; a movable member that moves in conjunction with the rotation of the hinge bracket; and a pivot lever rotatably provided between the movable member and the switch to transmit the pressing force of the movable member to the switch, wherein the switch is characterized in that the pressed state differs depending on whether the door is located in the first area.

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