Control method for a dishwasher

Abstract

A control method for a dishwasher is provided. The control method may include heating air in a tub after a main washing process of washing dishes in the tub, and discharging the air containing moisture in the tub to an outside, during the air-heating or at the same time as the air-heating, such that energy efficiency may be increased and a time required for a dish drying process may be shorten.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A control method for a dishwasher, comprising:
 heating air in a tub after a main washing process of washing dishes in the tub; and   discharging the air containing moisture in the tub to an outside, during the heating of the air.   
     
     
         2 . The control method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 heating washing water accommodated in a sump to increase a temperature of the dishes, after the main washing process and before the heating of the air.   
     
     
         3 . The control method according to  claim 2 , wherein a first predetermined temperature of the dishes increased through the heating of the air is higher than a second predetermined temperature of the dishes increased in the heating of the washing water. 
     
     
         4 . The control method according to  claim 1 , wherein the main washing process comprises:
 spraying washing water at a predetermined temperature onto the dishes at a high pressure.   
     
     
         5 . The control method according to  claim 4 , further comprising a preliminary washing process, the preliminary washing process comprising:
 prior to the main washing process, spraying the washing water at the predetermined temperature dishes onto the dishes at a low pressure.   
     
     
         6 . The control method according to  claim 4 , further comprising after the main washing process, rinsing the dishes. 
     
     
         7 . The control method according to  claim 6 , wherein the heating of the air and the discharging of the air are performed after the rinsing of the dishes. 
     
     
         8 . The control method according to  claim 1 , wherein the heating of the air comprises heating the air in the tub using at least one air heater. 
     
     
         9 . The control method according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one air heater is disposed in a location at which the dishes in the tub can be heated using heat radiation. 
     
     
         10 . A control method for a dishwasher, comprising:
 after heating washing water accommodated in a sump by a washing water heater, soaking slop attached to the dishes by spraying the heated washing water onto dishes in a tub, at a low pressure;   thereafter, spraying the washing water onto the dishes having been soaked, at a high pressure; and   thereafter, drying the dishes in the tub, wherein the drying of the dishes includes:
 heating air in the tub, and 
 discharging the air containing moisture in the tub to an outside, after the heating of the air. 
   
     
     
         11 . The control method according to  claim 10 , wherein the heating of the air increases a temperature of the dishes using at least one air heater installed in the tub. 
     
     
         12 . The control method according to  claim 11 , wherein the heating of the air heats the air such that the temperature of the dishes is increased to a first predetermined temperature. 
     
     
         13 . The control method according to  claim 12 , wherein the drying of the dishes further includes heating the washing water accommodated in the sump such that the temperature of the dishes is increased to a second predetermined temperature, after the main washing process and before the heating of the air. 
     
     
         14 . The control method according to  claim 13 , wherein the first predetermined temperature is higher than the second set temperature. 
     
     
         15 . The control method according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one air heater is disposed in a location at which the dishes in the tub can be heated using heat radiation. 
     
     
         16 . The control method according to  claim 11 , wherein a washing chamber that accommodates the dishes is provided inside of the tub, wherein an upper rack is installed on an upper side and a lower rack is installed on a lower side of the washing chamber, and wherein the at least one air heater includes:
 an upper air heater provided at an upper side of the upper rack; and   a lower air heater provided at an upper side of the lower rack.   
     
     
         17 . The control method according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one air heater is disposed in a location in which a temperature of the dishes is increased to the first predetermined temperature, taking into consideration a caloric value and an air flow created by a driving fan in the tub. 
     
     
         18 . The control method according to  claim 10 , wherein the discharging of the air discharges the air in the tub containing water vapor to the outside by driving an exhaust fan. 
     
     
         19 . A control method for a dishwasher, comprising:
 heating air in a tub after a main washing process of washing dishes in the tub using at least one air heater; and   discharging the air containing moisture in the tub to an outside, during the heating of the air.   
     
     
         20 . The control method according to  claim 18 , wherein the at least one air heater is disposed in a location at which the dishes in the tub can be heated using heat radiation. 
     
     
         21 . The control method according to  claim 19 , wherein a washing chamber that accommodates the dishes is provided inside of the tub, wherein an upper rack is installed on an upper side and a lower rack is installed on a lower side of the washing chamber, and wherein the at least one air heater includes:
 an upper air heater provided at an upper side of the upper rack; and   a lower air heater provided at an upper side of the lower rack.