Method of controlling a dishwashing machine having a steam generator

Abstract

A method of controlling a home appliance, such as a dish washing machine, that includes supplying steam in a washing operation is disclosed. The method includes supplying steam generated by a steam generator, and supplying water to a water tank of a steam generator such that water overflows the water tank of the steam generator before and/or after steam is supplied to the washing chamber.

1 . A method of controlling a dish washing machine comprising:
 operating a process configured to wash items using steam generated by a steam generator; and   discharging unwanted matter from the steam generator before or after a washing cycle of the process by oversupplying water to a water tank of the steam generator.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the unwanted matter in the water tank is discharged from the steam generator by the water supplied to the water tank for a predetermined time without operating the steam generator. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the water tank is filled with water while the unwanted matter is discharged from the steam generator. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the unwanted matter and the water discharged from the water tank of the steam generator are introduced into a sump or a tub of the dish washing machine. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the water in the water tank is discharged through a water discharge tube which is provided at the steam generator separately from a steam supply tube. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising:
 controlling a discharge valve provided on the water discharge tube to selectively control the flow of discharged water and unwanted matter.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein controlling the discharge valve comprises:
 closing the discharge valve during the washing process; and   opening the discharge valve during discharge of unwanted matter from the steam generator.   
     
     
         8 . A method of controlling a dish washing machine comprising:
 performing a steam spraying action within a washing chamber, wherein the steam is generated by a steam generator; and   discharging unwanted matter from the steam generator before or after the steam spraying action by oversupplying water to a water tank of the steam generator.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 introducing the discharged water and unwanted matter from the water tank into a sump or a tub of the dish washing machine.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the water supplied to the water tank of the steam generator is a predetermined amount of water, or an amount of water released during a predetermined time period, the supplied water discharging unwanted matter from the water tank of the steam generator. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the predetermined amount of the water or the predetermined time period is set based on information including a volume of the water tank of the steam generator. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the discharged water is introduced into the sump or the tub through a steam supply tube provided at the steam generator. 
     
     
         13 . A method of controlling a dish washing machine comprising:
 performing a main washing cycle that applies water with a detergent and steam, wherein the steam is generated by a steam generator; and   discharging unwanted matter from the steam generator before or after the main washing cycle, wherein the steam generator discharges unwanted matter when the steam generator receives water in excess of a capacity of a water tank of the steam generator.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 performing a preliminary washing cycle prior to performing the main washing cycle, wherein unwanted matter is discharged during the preliminary washing cycle.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising:
 performing a rinsing cycle after the main washing cycle, wherein unwanted matter is discharged during the rinsing cycle.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 performing a drying cycle, wherein unwanted matter is discharged during the drying cycle.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the water tank is filled with water before or after the main washing cycle. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 emptying the water tank of water.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the water in the water tank is removed through a discharge tube which is provided at the steam generator separately from a steam supply tube of the steam generator. 
     
     
         20 . A method of controlling a dish washing machine comprising:
 performing a first main washing step that includes washing with heated water;   performing a second main washing step that includes washing with water with a detergent and steam, wherein the water with a detergent and steam are sprayed at selective time periods; and   discharging unwanted matter from the steam generator before or after the second main washing step by overflowing a water tank of the steam generator.