Dishwasher

Abstract

A dishwasher is provided. The dishwasher measures the amount of vibration caused by a drain pump, and terminates the operation of the drain pump if the amount of vibration measured exceeds a predefined vibration level. Thus, it is possible to precisely determine, during a drain operation, when a sump will be completely drained and thus prevent the drain pump from being driven any longer if no wash fluid remains in the sump. Therefore, it is possible to prevent excessive vibration and noise from being generated.

1 . A dishwasher, comprising:
 a sump that receives wash fluid positioned below a tub;   a drain device that drains the sump;   a vibration sensor that measures an amount of vibration generated by the drain device; and   a controller that controls operation of the drain device based on the amount of vibration measured by the vibration sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the controller controls operation of the drain device based on the amount of vibration measured by the vibration sensor compared to a predefined vibration level. 
     
     
         3 . The dishwasher of  claim 2 , wherein the controller terminates operation of the drain device when the amount of vibration measured by the vibration sensor exceeds the predefined vibration level. 
     
     
         4 . The dishwasher of  claim 2 , wherein the predefined vibration level is set based on vibration properties of the drain device, wherein the vibration properties of the drain device vary based on whether wash fluid is present in the sump. 
     
     
         5 . The dishwasher of  claim 2 , wherein the predefined vibration level is set based on an amount of vibration generated by the drain device when the drain device ticks over. 
     
     
         6 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , further comprising an alarm that outputs an alarm message when the amount of vibration measured by the vibration sensor exceeds a predefined vibration level. 
     
     
         7 . The dishwasher of  claim 2 , wherein the predefined vibration level comprises a first vibration level that is based on vibration properties of the drain device, which vary based on whether wash fluid is present in the sump, and a second vibration level that is based on durability of the sump, the second vibration level being higher than the first vibration level. 
     
     
         8 . The dishwasher of  claim 7 , wherein the controller reduces an operating speed of the drain device when the amount of vibration measured by the vibration sensor is greater than the first vibration level and is less than the second vibration level. 
     
     
         9 . The dishwasher of  claim 7 , further comprising an alarm that outputs an alarm message indicating abnormal operation of the dishwasher when the amount of vibration measured by the vibration sensor exceeds the second vibration level. 
     
     
         10 . The dishwasher of  claim 7 , wherein the controller terminates operation of the drain device when the amount of vibration measured by the vibration sensor exceeds the second vibration level. 
     
     
         11 . The dishwasher of  claim 6 , wherein the alarm comprises a display that generates a visual indicator of the alarm message. 
     
     
         12 . The dishwasher of  claim 11 , wherein the visual indicator comprises a text message, icon, or a lamp that is turned on or off. 
     
     
         13 . The dishwasher of  claim 6 , wherein the alarm comprises a sound output device that generates an audible indicator of the alarm message. 
     
     
         14 . The dishwasher of  claim 13 , wherein the audible indicator comprises a voice message or an alarm sound. 
     
     
         15 . The dishwasher of  claim 11 , further comprising a control panel that receives a manipulation signal related to control of the dishwasher and that displays information regarding operation of the dishwasher. 
     
     
         16 . The dishwasher of  claim 15 , wherein the display is provided with the control panel. 
     
     
         17 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the vibration sensor is coupled to the drain device. 
     
     
         18 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the vibration sensor comprises an accelerometer sensor.