Control method for a dishwasher

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a control method of a dishwasher. According to the control method of a dishwasher, an efficient drying cycle may be performed. Furthermore, because dishes are heated by using steam, energy may be conserved and a simpler structure of a dishwasher may be provided without the need for a heater for heating the air inside the washing compartment.

1 . A control method of a dishwasher comprising a washing compartment to receive dishes therein, a sump configured to contain water, a steam generator, at least one rack, and at least one spraying arm, the method comprising:
 performing a washing cycle including the steps of:
 spraying water toward the rack, and 
 supplying steam to the washing compartment, wherein the steps of spraying water and supplying steam are repeated alternately until a temperature of the water reaches a preset first temperature; and 
   performing a drying cycle including the steps of:
 heating the washing compartment by introducing steam into the washing compartment until an internal temperature of the washing compartment reaches a preset second temperature, and 
 exhausting the heated air from the washing compartment to an outside of the washing compartment once the preset second temperature is reached. 
   
   
   
       2 . The control method of  claim 1 , wherein the first temperature is between 47° C. and 53° C. 
   
   
       3 . The control method of  claim 1 , wherein the second temperature is between 63° C. and 67° C. 
   
   
       4 . The control method of  claim 1 , the step of supplying steam during the washing cycle further comprising:
 supplying steam in at least three cycles, wherein each cycle lasts a period of 3 to 5 minutes.   
   
   
       5 . The control method of  claim 1 , the step of supplying steam during the washing cycle further comprising:
 supplying steam for a period of at least than 15 minutes.   
   
   
       6 . A control method of a dishwasher comprising a washing compartment to receive dishes therein, a sump configured to contain water, a steam generator, at least one rack, and at least one spraying arm, the method comprising:
 performing a washing cycle comprising the steps of:
 spraying water toward the rack, and 
 supplying steam to the washing compartment until a temperature of the water reaches a preset first temperature, wherein the steps of spraying water and supplying steam are repeated alternately while a sump heater is turned off and until a temperature of the water supplied to the washing compartment increases above a preset temperature; and 
   performing a drying cycle comprising the steps of:
 supplying steam to the washing compartment; and 
 exhausting air outside the washing compartment until an internal temperature of the washing compartment reaches a preset second temperature. 
   
   
   
       7 . The control method of  claim 6 , wherein the first temperature is between 47° C. and 53° C. and the second temperature is between 63° C. and 67° C. 
   
   
       8 . The control method of  claim 6 , wherein supplying steam during the washing cycle and drying cycles further comprises:
 supplying steam in at least three cycles, wherein each cycle lasts a period of 3 to 5 minutes; and   supplying steam in the drying is performed for more than 15 minutes.   
   
   
       9 . A control method of a dishwasher comprising a washing compartment to receive dishes therein, a sump configured to contain water, a steam generator, at least one rack, and at least one spraying arm, the method comprising:
 spraying water to the washing compartment;   supplying steam to the washing compartment a first time to increase a temperature of washing water;   supplying steam to the washing compartment a second time to increase a temperature inside the washing compartment; and   exhausting air from the washing compartment to an outside thereof, wherein the step of exhausting air is performed after the temperature inside the washing compartment has increased to a predetermined level.   
   
   
       10 . The control method of  claim 9 , wherein the temperature of the washing water is increased by alternately repeating the steps of spraying water supplying steam. 
   
   
       11 . The control method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of spraying water and supplying steam are alternately repeated at least three times. 
   
   
       12 . The control method of  claim 11 , wherein the temperature of the washing water is increased gradually by the steam supplied to the washing compartment from the steam generator.