Method of controlling dishwasher

Abstract

A dishwasher and a method of controlling a dishwasher are provided. The method includes heating wash fluid in a washing tub when no dishes are loaded in the washing tub, and sterilizing the washing tub by spraying the heated wash fluid into the washing tub with the use of a wash fluid spray device. Therefore, it is possible to remove wash fluid and impurities remaining in the washing tub and to prevent an offensive odor from being emitted from the washing tub.

1 . A method of controlling a dishwasher, the method comprising:
 removing wash items from at least one rack positioned in a tub of the dishwasher such that the tub is empty of items to be washed;   heating wash fluid stored in a sump positioned below the tub; and   sterilizing the tub by spraying the heated wash fluid through a spray device into the empty tub.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising discharging the heated wash fluid used to sterilize the tub after sterilizing the tub. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising supplying dry, heated air into the tub after discharging the heated wash water to dry the tub. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein sterilizing the tub comprises:
 heating the wash fluid to a target temperature; and   operating the spray device for a first set time after the wash fluid reaches the target temperature, and maintaining the wash fluid in the tub at the target temperature while operating the spraying device.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein sterilizing the tub further comprises, after the first set time has elapsed, supplying a rinsing and sterilizing agent into the tub and continuing to operate the spray device for a second set time. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the second set time is less than the first set time. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein heating the wash fluid to a target temperature comprises heating the wash fluid to a temperature of approximately 80° C., and wherein operating the spray device for a first set time comprises operating the spray device for approximately 20 minutes after the washing fluid reaches approximately 80° C. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein continuing to operate the spray device for a second set time comprises continuing to operate the spray device for approximately 15 minutes after the first set time of approximately 20 minutes has elapsed and the rinsing and sterilizing agent has been supplied to the tub. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising operating the spray device if a third set time has elapsed even if the wash fluid has not yet reached the target temperature. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein sterilizing the tub comprises:
 receiving a request that the tub be sterilized through a manipulation device provided with the dishwasher;   transmitting the request to the controller;   supplying wash fluid to the tub and heating the wash fluid to a target temperature;   operating the spray device for a first set time after the wash fluid reaches the target temperature, and maintaining the wash fluid in the tub at the target temperature while operating the spraying device;   after the first set time has elapsed, supplying a rinsing and sterilizing agent to the tub and operating the spraying device for a second set time;   discharging wash fluid from the tub, and operating a heating device for a predetermined time to dry the tub.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein heating wash fluid and sterilizing the tub comprises:
 operating a timer and measuring an amount of time that has elapsed after removing wash items from the at least one rack; and   if the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined amount of time, automatically initiating a sterilizing cycle, including:
 supplying wash fluid to the tub and heating the wash fluid to a target temperature; 
 operating the spray device for a first set time after the wash fluid reaches the target temperature, and maintaining the wash fluid in the tub at the target temperature while operating the spraying device; 
 after the first set time has elapsed, supplying a rinsing and sterilizing agent to the tub and operating the spraying device for a second set time; and 
 discharging wash fluid from the tub, and operating a heating device for a predetermined time to dry the tub. 
   
     
     
         12 . A dishwasher, comprising:
 a tub having at least one rack positioned therein that receives items for washing;   a spray device that sprays wash fluid into the tub so as to wash items received in the at least on rack;   a heating device that heats wash fluid supplied to the tub through the spray device; and   a controller that controls the heating device and the spray device so as to spray heated was fluid into the tub to wash and sterilize the tub when no items are received in the at least one rack.   
     
     
         13 . The dishwasher of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a fluid supply device that supplies wash fluid to the tub;   a drying device that supplies dry air to the tub so as to dry the tub, wherein the controller operates the drying device to dry the tub after the heating device and the spray device have washed and sterilized the tub; and   a residual fluid discharge device that discharges fluid remaining in the tub before the fluid supply device supplies clean wash fluid to the tub, and after the heating device and the spray device have washed and sterilized the tub.   
     
     
         14 . The dishwasher of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a manipulation device that receives input of requests for washing and sterilizing the tub and transmits a corresponding signal to the controller, wherein the controller controls the fluid supply device, the heating device, the spraying device, and the drying device based on the signal received from the manipulation device; and   a display that displays an operation state of the dishwasher and information regarding the washing and sterilizing of the tub.   
     
     
         15 . The dishwasher of  claim 13 , further comprising a steam supply device that supplies steam to the tub so as to sterilize the tub with steam prior to spraying heated wash fluid into the tub through the spray device.