Diswasher and controlling method of the same

Abstract

Dishwashers and methods of control for operation of dishwashers are disclosed. The dishwasher can include one or more racks in a washing compartment for placing used dishes having foreign matter, such as food and drink, and unused dishes having relatively little or no foreign matter and varying washing loads. Operation of the dishwasher can include wash, water drain and supply, and rinse cycles. During the cycles, preheating of a steam generator, water draining and supplying, steam supplying, and water spraying can occur and partially or fully overlap. The dishwasher can reduce excessive washing of dishes having small washing loads and improve power and water consumption.

1 . A controlling method of a dishwasher comprising a washing compartment, a sump configured to contain water, a sump heater configured to heat the water, a steam generator and at least one spraying arm, the method comprising:
 performing a washing cycle by spraying water toward a rack provided in the washing compartment by using the spraying arm;   draining water contained in the sump after being used in the washing cycle and supplying new water to the sump;   preheating the steam generator during the draining and supplying; and   rinsing by spraying steam into the washing compartment and spraying water by using the spraying arm, the spraying steam and the spraying water being performed sequentially.   
   
   
       2 . The controlling method of  claim 1 , wherein the sump heater is turned on for at least a portion of the time during performing of the washing cycle and rinsing. 
   
   
       3 . The controlling method of  claim 1 , wherein the sump heater is turned on to maintain water in the sump over a preset first temperature during at least a portion of the rinsing. 
   
   
       4 . The controlling method of  claim 3 , wherein the first temperature is between 60° C. and 64° C. 
   
   
       5 . The controlling method of  claim 1 , wherein the preheating of the steam generator is performed simultaneously with at least one of the draining water and the supplying new water. 
   
   
       6 . The controlling method of  claim 5 , wherein the steam generator is preheated for 2 to 4 minutes. 
   
   
       7 . A controlling method of a dishwasher comprising a washing compartment, a sump configured to contain water, a sump heater configured to heat the water, a steam generator, and at least one spraying arm, the controlling method comprising:
 performing a washing cycle while the sump heater is turned on, by spraying water toward an upper rack and a lower rack provided in the washing compartment by using an upper spraying arm and a lower spraying arm, respectively;   rinsing by:
 spraying steam generated by the steam generator into the washing compartment continuously, after draining the water used in the washing cycle, 
 supplying new water to the sump, and 
 spraying water into the washing compartment by using the upper spraying arm and the lower spraying arm alternately; and 
   drying dishes placed in the upper and lower racks.   
   
   
       8 . The controlling method of  claim 7 , wherein the steam generator is preheated during the draining of the water contained in the sump and the supplying of new water. 
   
   
       9 . The controlling method of  claim 8 , wherein a steam heater provided in the steam generator is preheated for 2 to 4 minutes. 
   
   
       10 . A dishwasher comprising:
 a washing compartment comprising at least one rack to hold dishes;   a sump configured to contain water, the sump comprising a sump heater configured to heat the water;   a steam generator configured to be preheated for a predetermined time period, simultaneously with at least one of performing a washing cycle, draining water from the sump, and supplying new water to the sump; and   at least one spraying arm configured to spray water toward the rack.   
   
   
       11 . The controlling method of  claim 10 , wherein the steam is sprayed at the same time that the performing of the washing cycle is complete, if the steam generator is preheated at the same time that the performing of the washing cycle starts. 
   
   
       12 . The controlling method of  claim 11 , wherein the steam is sprayed at the same time that the draining water and the supplying new water is complete if the steam generator is preheated at the same time that the performing of the washing cycle starts. 
   
   
       13 . A controlling method of a dishwasher comprising a washing compartment, a sump configured to contain water, a sump heater configured to heat the water, a steam generator, and at least one spraying arm, the controlling method comprising:
 performing a washing cycle,   draining water from the sump;   supplying new water to the sump;   supplying steam to the washing compartment; and   rinsing a contents of the washing compartment,   wherein supplying steam to the washing compartment begins before rinsing.   
   
   
       14 . The controlling method of  claim 13 , wherein the supplying steam includes a period overlapped with draining water. 
   
   
       15 . The controlling method of  claim 14 , wherein the supplying steam includes a period overlapped with supplying new water. 
   
   
       16 . The controlling method of  claim 13 , wherein the supplying steam is continuously performed after the performing of the washing cycle. 
   
   
       17 . The controlling method of  claim 13 , wherein the steam generator is preheated for a preset time period before the supplying steam.