Dishwasher, method for controlling operation of dishwasher, and memory storing program therefor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dishwasher, a method for controlling the operation of the dishwasher, and a program therefor. To this end, a dishwasher according to one embodiment of the present invention may comprise: a tub having a washing space therein and open on the front; a door which opens and closes the open front of the tub; a drying air supply unit including a blowing motor, a blowing fan, a heater, and a temperature sensor; and a processor controlling the operation of the dishwasher. The processor can control the ON/OFF of the heater so that the temperature of the heater is maintained within a first threshold range when the time during which the dishwasher enters and operates in a door open drying process is less than a predetermined time. Accordingly, the present invention can efficiently dry dishes by controlling the operation of the heater so that the temperature of the heater is maintained within a certain range.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dishwasher comprising:
 a tub having a washing space defined therein and having an open front portion;   a door configured to open and close the open front portion of the tub;   a dry air supply including a blower motor, a blowing fan, a heater, and a temperature sensor; and   a processor configured to control an operation of the dishwasher,   wherein the processor is configured to:
 open the door and operate the heater such that the dishwasher enters a door opening drying process; 
 control the heater to maintain a temperature of the heater within a first threshold range when an operation time period for the dishwasher after entering the door opening drying process is smaller than a predetermined time period; and 
 control the heater to maintain the temperature of the heater within a second threshold range when the operation time period for the dishwasher after entering the door opening drying process is equal to or greater than the predetermined time period. 
   
     
     
         2 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to control an ON/OFF of the heater to maintain the temperature of the heater within the first threshold range or the second threshold range, based on comparison between the operation time period for the dishwasher after entering the door opening drying process and the predetermined time period. 
     
     
         3 . The dishwasher of  claim 2 , wherein the processor is configured to turn off the blower motor when the operation time period for the dishwasher after entering the door opening drying process is equal to or greater than a target time period set for the door opening drying process. 
     
     
         4 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to:
 measure the temperature of the heater using the temperature sensor when the dishwasher enters the door opening drying process; and   compare the operation time period for the dishwasher after entering the door opening drying process with the predetermined time period.   
     
     
         5 . The dishwasher of  claim 4 , wherein the processor is configured to:
 compare the temperature of the heater with a first temperature when the operation time period for the dishwasher after entering the door opening drying process is not equal to or greater than the predetermined time period;   remain the heater turned on when the temperature of the heater is equal to or lower than the first temperature; and   compare the temperature of the heater with a second temperature higher than the first temperature when the temperature of the heater is not equal to or lower than the first temperature.   
     
     
         6 . The dishwasher of  claim 5 , wherein the processor is configured to:
 remain the heater turned on when the temperature of the heater is not equal to or higher than the second temperature; and   turn off the heater when the temperature of the heater is equal to or higher than the second temperature.   
     
     
         7 . The dishwasher of  claim 6 , wherein the processor is configured to:
 compare the temperature of the heater with a third temperature when the operation time period for the dishwasher after entering the door opening drying process is equal to or greater than the predetermined time period;   remain the heater turned on when the temperature of the heater is equal to or lower than the third temperature; and   compare the temperature of the heater with a fourth temperature higher than the third temperature when the temperature of the heater is not equal to or lower than the third temperature,   wherein the third temperature is higher than the second temperature.   
     
     
         8 . The dishwasher of  claim 7 , wherein the processor is configured to:
 remain the heater turned on when the temperature of the heater is not equal to or higher than the fourth temperature; and   turn off the heater when the temperature of the heater is equal to or higher than the fourth temperature.   
     
     
         9 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to:
 compare a time period set for the door opening drying process with the operation time period for the dishwasher after entering the door opening drying process; and   turn off the heater when a difference between the time period set for the door opening drying process and the operation time period for the dishwasher after entering the door opening drying process is equal to or smaller than a certain time period.   
     
     
         10 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a display; and   a speaker,   wherein the processor is configured to:
 turn on the blower motor when the dishwasher enters the door opening drying process; 
 count the number of failures when the blowing fan does not operate for a first time period based on the turn on of the blower motor; 
 determine that least one of the blower motor or the blowing fan has failed when the counted number of failures is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times; and 
 output an error message regarding the failure of the at least one of the blower motor or the blowing fan using at least one of the display or the speaker. 
   
     
     
         11 . The dishwasher of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is configured to:
 determine whether the temperature sensor is in an open state or a short state;   determine that the temperature sensor has failed when the open state or the short state of the temperature sensor is maintained for a second time period or longer; and   output an error message regarding the failure of the temperature sensor using at least one of the display or the speaker.   
     
     
         12 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor including a first main sensor, a second main sensor, and a sub-sensor,
 wherein the processor is configured to:   determine that the door has been automatically opened for the dishwasher to enter the door opening drying process when it is identified that at least one of the first main sensor or the second main sensor is turned off and the sub-sensor is turned on, and   start the door open drying process when determining that the door has been automatically opened.   
     
     
         13 . The dishwasher of  claim 12 , wherein the temperature sensor is configured to measure the temperature of the heater, a temperature of a heater housing, a temperature of an inner space of the heater housing, or a temperature of air passing through the outlet of the dry air supply. 
     
     
         14 . The dishwasher of  claim 12 , wherein the processor is configured to determine that the door has been forcibly opened when identifying that at least one of the first main sensor or the second main sensor is turned off and the sub-sensor is not turned on,
 wherein the forced opening causes the door to open further from the tub than the automatic opening.   
     
     
         15 . A method for controlling an operation of a dishwasher, the method comprising:
 opening a door and operating a heater;   controlling the heater to maintain a temperature of the heater within a first threshold range when an operation time period for the dishwasher after entering a door opening drying process is smaller than a predetermined time period; and   controlling the heater to maintain the temperature of the heater within a second threshold range when the operation time period for the dishwasher after entering the door opening drying process is equal to or greater than the predetermined time period.