Method for controlling dishwasher

Abstract

A method for controlling a dishwasher is disclosed. The control method basically includes a preliminary washing operation for spraying wash water required to hydrate waste adhered to dishes, a main washing operation implemented plural times for washing the dishes contaminated by the waste, a rinsing operation implemented after the preliminary washing operation and also, after the main washing operation for rinsing the dishes from which the waste is removed, and a drying operation for drying the dishes after completion of the washing and rinsing operations. The control method further comprises a steam supply operation implemented at least once before, after, or during the main washing operation for supplying steam to the dishes. With the control method, steam is supplied to a tub in which dishes are received, to enable not only easy removal of food waste adhered to the dishes, but also sterilization of the dishes and tub. The supply of steam is accomplished without requiring an additional steam supply heater, water supply device and nozzle, resulting in easy fabrication and reduced costs.

Description

[0001]This application claims the benefit of the Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0127524, filed on Dec. 10 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to a method for controlling a dishwasher, and more particularly, to a control method of a dishwasher, which can achieve an improvement in washing performance via supply of steam.[0004]2. Discussion of the Related Art[0005]Generally, a dishwasher is an apparatus in which high-pressure wash washer is sprayed to dishes received in the dishwasher, so as to wash the dishes contaminated by, for example, food waste attached to surfaces of the dishes.[0006]Such a dishwasher includes a water supply device to which wash water from an external source is supplied, and a drain device from which the used wash water is discharged to the outside. The dishwasher contains a tub defining a space in which dishes are receive...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a method for controlling a dishwasher comprises: a preliminary washing operation for spraying wash water required to hydrate waste adhered to dishes; a main washing operation implemented plural times for washing the dishes contaminated by the waste; a rinsing operation implemented after the preliminary washing operation and also, after the main washing operation for rinsing the dishes from which the waste is removed; and a drying operation for drying the dishes after completion of the washing and rinsing operations, wherein the method further comprises a steam supply operation implemented at least once before, after, or during the main washing operation for supplying steam to the dishes.

Problems solved by technology

However, conventional dishwashers have a problem in that, when used dishes are left for a long time and thus, food waste is dried and firmly adheres to the dishes, it is difficult to remove the food waste from the dishes via only spraying of high-pressure wash water.

To solve the above-described problem, although one might consider implementing the above-described preliminary washing operation having a hydrating function, it has been found that the preliminary washing operation cannot completely solve the above-described problem.

Furthermore, implementation of the hydrating function requires a great time and thus, disadvantageously lengthens the entire washing operation.

Furthermore, even if the propagation of bacteria occurs as used dishes are left for a long time, conventional dishwashers have a difficulty to remove the bacteria.

Although some conventional dishwashers have an ultraviolet sterilizing function, they exert sterilizing effects only on a local area to which ultraviolet light is irradiated, and cannot completely solve any problems, such as the propagation of bacteria, etc.

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