Dishwasher and controlling method thereof

Abstract

A dishwasher is provided. The dishwasher includes a tub, a steam generator, and a connecting passage. The tub stores dishes. The steam generator generates steam to be supplied into the tub. The connecting passage connects a discharging end of the steam generator to an inside of the tub.

1 . A dishwasher comprising:
 a tub for storing dishes;   a steam generator for generating steam to be supplied into the tub; and   a connecting passage for connecting a discharging end of the steam generator to an inside of the tub.   
   
   
       2 . The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein an end of the connecting passage connected to the inside of the tub is formed at a bottom portion of the tub. 
   
   
       3 . The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein an end portion of the connecting passage connected to the inside of the tub is sealed against the tub. 
   
   
       4 . The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting passage discharges steam from a bottom to a top of the tub. 
   
   
       5 . The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the steam soaks impurities deposited on the dishes. 
   
   
       6 . The dishwasher according to  claim 5 , wherein the steam performs a soaking of impurities on the dishes, after which wash liquid is sprayed on the dishes to wash the dishes. 
   
   
       7 . The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the steam generator supplies the steam in at least one of a cycle before and after a main cycle in which wash liquid mixed with detergent is sprayed onto the dishes. 
   
   
       8 . The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the steam generator supplies steam into the tub at least two times with a predetermined interval therebetween. 
   
   
       9 . The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the dishwasher performs a main wash cycle that alternately implements a steam supplying cycle for supplying steam into the tub and a wash liquid spraying cycle for spraying wash liquid mixed with detergent onto the dishes. 
   
   
       10 . The dishwasher according to  claim 9 , wherein the main wash cycle is repeated a plurality of times. 
   
   
       11 . The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the dishwasher performs a pre-wash cycle that alternately implements a steam supplying cycle for supplying steam into the tub and a wash liquid spraying cycle for spraying wash liquid that is not mixed with detergent onto the dishes. 
   
   
       12 . The dishwasher according to  claim 11 , wherein the pre-wash cycle is repeated a plurality of times. 
   
   
       13 . The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the dishwasher alternately performs a steam supplying cycle for supplying the steam into the tub and a wash liquid spraying cycle for spraying wash liquid onto the dishes. 
   
   
       14 . The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the steam generator supplies steam into the tub for a predetermined duration when wash liquid mixed with detergent is deposited on the dishes. 
   
   
       15 . A controlling method of a dishwasher, comprising:
 preparing a dishwasher including a tub for storing dishes, a steam generator for generating steam to be supplied into the tub, and a connecting passage for connecting a discharging end of the steam generator to an inside of the tub;   supplying steam into the tub from the steam generator; and   spraying wash liquid onto the dishes.   
   
   
       16 . The controlling method according to  claim 15 , wherein the supplying of the steam into the tub is performed for soaking impurities deposited on the dishes, after which the spraying of the wash liquid onto the dishes is performed. 
   
   
       17 . The controlling method according to  claim 16 , wherein the spraying of the wash liquid includes spraying wash liquid that is not mixed with detergent and spraying wash liquid that is mixed with detergent. 
   
   
       18 . The controlling method according to  claim 17 , wherein the spraying of the wash liquid that does include the detergent is performed after the spraying of the wash liquid that does not include the detergent. 
   
   
       19 . The controlling method according to  claim 15 , further comprising drying of the dishes after the supplying of the steam and the spraying of the wash liquid. 
   
   
       20 . The controlling method according to  claim 15 , wherein the supplying of the steam into the tub fills the tub with the steam when the dishes are deposited with detergent through the spraying of the wash liquid. 
   
   
       21 . The controlling method according to  claim 20 , wherein the filling of the tub with the steam continues over a predetermined duration. 
   
   
       22 . The controlling method according to  claim 20 , further comprising a further spraying of wash liquid after the filling of the tub with the steam. 
   
   
       23 . The controlling method according to  claim 15 , wherein the steam supplied in the supplying of the steam is quantitively variable. 
   
   
       24 . A controlling method of a dishwasher, comprising:
 preparing a dishwasher including a tub for storing dishes, a steam generator for generating steam to be supplied into the tub, and a connecting passage for connecting a discharging end of the steam generator to an inside of the tub;   supplying steam into the tub from the steam generator;   spraying wash liquid onto the dishes;   spraying the wash liquid again and determining whether to repeat the supplying of the steam; and   alternately repeating the spraying of the wash liquid and the supplying of the steam when the determining determines to repeat the supplying of the steam.   
   
   
       25 . The controlling method according to  claim 24 , wherein the alternating repeating of the spraying of the wash liquid and the supplying of the steam is continued. 
   
   
       26 . The controlling method according to  claim 24 , wherein the supplying of the steam is implemented a final time, when the determining determines not to repeat the supplying of the steam. 
   
   
       27 . The controlling method according to  claim 24 , wherein the determining of whether to repeat the supplying of the steam is based on at least one of a turbidity of the wash liquid, a wash course status, and a selection of a user. 
   
   
       28 . The controlling method according to  claim 24 , wherein the spraying of the wash liquid includes a spraying of wash liquid that is not mixed with detergent and a spraying of wash liquid that is mixed with detergent. 
   
   
       29 . The controlling method according to  claim 24 , wherein the spraying of the wash liquid is performed after the supplying of the steam into the tub and impurities on the dishes have been soaked. 
   
   
       30 . A controlling method of a dishwasher, comprising:
 preparing a dishwasher including a tub for storing dishes, a steam generator for generating steam to be supplied into the tub, and a connecting passage for connecting a discharging end of the steam generator to an inside of the tub;   performing a main wash cycle through spraying wash liquid mixed with detergent for washing the dishes; and   supplying the steam from the steam generator into the tub in at least one of a cycle before and after the main wash cycle.   
   
   
       31 . The controlling method according to  claim 30 , wherein the supplying of the steam is performed in the cycle before the main wash cycle, for soaking impurities deposited on the dishes. 
   
   
       32 . The controlling method according to  claim 30 , wherein the supplying of the steam is performed in the cycle after the main wash cycle, for sterilizing the dishes. 
   
   
       33 . The controlling method according to  claim 30 , further comprising a pre-wash cycle including supplying the steam into the tub for soaking food deposits on the dishes, and spraying wash liquid that is not mixed with detergent onto the dishes, the pre-wash cycle performed before the main wash cycle. 
   
   
       34 . The controlling method according to  claim 33 , wherein the pre-wash cycle alternately performs the supplying of the steam and the spraying of the wash liquid. 
   
   
       35 . The controlling method according to  claim 34 , wherein the pre-wash cycle is repeated until a number of repetitions thereof reaches a predetermined set number. 
   
   
       36 . The controlling method according to  claim 30 , wherein the main wash cycle includes supplying the steam into the tub. 
   
   
       37 . The controlling method according to  claim 30 , wherein the main wash cycle is repeated until a number of repetitions thereof reaches a predetermined set number. 
   
   
       38 . The controlling method according to  claim 30 , further comprising rinsing the dishes after a final stage of the main wash cycle.