Patent Description:
Details in the background section do not constitute the related art but are given only as background information concerning the subject matter of the present disclosure.

Dishwashers are devices that spray water to an object to be washed such as a cooking vessel, a cooking tool and the like, stored in the dishwasher, to wash the object to be washed. The water used for a wash can include detergent.

The dishwasher is ordinarily comprised of a wash tub forming a wash space, a storage disposed in the wash tub and configured to accommodate an object to be washed, a spray arm configured to spray water to the storage, and a sump configured to store water and to supply water to the spray arm.

The dishwashers can help users to reduce time and efforts spent on washing the dishes after a meal, thereby improving user convenience.

When the dishwashers are used to wash objects to be washed, contaminants can remain on some of the objects to be washed, even after a wash process in which water sprays ends.

In this case, the users ascertain a cooking vessel with the remaining contaminants, and secondarily wash the cooking vessel to remove the remaining contaminants from the cooking vessel.

The secondary wash causes additional work to users since the users need to spend additional time and efforts on the secondary wash, thereby making the users reluctant to purchase and use the dishwashers. Thus, there is a growing need for a dishwasher that can help to reduce the burden of the secondary wash.

<CIT> presents an automatic dishwasher having a rotatable sprayer including a nozzle that may be selectively fluidly coupled to a fluid supply by a control valve.

<CIT> discloses a residue treatment method and device, a storage medium, a processor and a dishwasher. The method includes the following steps of collecting a washing result image of a washed object in the dishwasher; identifying the washing result image and obtaining the position information of the residue on the washed object; and cleaning the residue according to the position information.

<CIT> relates to a circulating pump with a water diverter for a dishwasher. The circulation pump has a first outlet in which the water switch is arranged.

<CIT> presents a dishwasher including a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber and a spraying system for supplying liquid to the treating chamber. The spraying system includes a sprayer having a body with an interior, a liquid passage provided in the interior, and a plurality of outlets extending through the body and in fluid communication with the liquid passage.

<CIT> discloses a dishwasher including a tub to provide a wash space, a first rack located inside the tub to receive a washing object and a second rack located below the first rack, a flow path tower provided at the second rack to eject wash water to the first rack, an ejection arm including a chamber for introduction of wash water, a first flow path in communication with the chamber, and second and third flow paths in communication with the chamber to eject wash water to the second rack and separated from each other, a tower separable coupler provided inside the ejection arm to connect the first flow path to the flow path tower when wash water is supplied to the first flow path, and a flow path switcher provided inside the chamber to selectively open the first, second and third flow paths according to a pressure inside the chamber.

<CIT> discloses a dishwasher having a washing tub, a washing pump, a washing nozzle, and a control unit. Items to be washed are placed in the washing tub. The washing pump pressurizes washing water. The washing nozzle is rotatably provided inside the washing tub and sprays the washing water pressurized by the washing pump on the items to be washed. The control unit controls the supply of washing water to the washing tub. The washing nozzle has a first washing channel having a first spray opening, and a second washing channel having a second spray opening with a larger total opening area than the first spray opening. Additionally, the washing nozzle has a valve body that switches the supply of washing water between the first washing channel and the second washing channel, in coordination with the action of the washing pump. During a washing step in which the items to be washed are washed, the control unit controls the supply of water such that the washing water is supplied to the first washing channel for a longer period of time than to the second washing channel.

<CIT> presents a device for cleaning items in a dish rack in a dishwasher, including at least two individually controlled spray devices or spray arms. The cleaning device controls the spray devices to provide fluid as desired to specific areas of the dish rack to provide optimal cleaning of the items arranged in the dish rack.

<CIT> presents a dishwasher that includes a spray assembly positioned in the wash chamber of the dishwasher's tub. The spray assembly includes a spray arm that is driven by an input shaft. The input shaft is operable to both drive the spray arm and selectively divert wash fluid to the fluid nozzles associated with the wings of the spray arm.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dishwasher having a structure that may help to ascertain an object to be washed with remaining contaminants after a process of washing objects to be washed ends, and to perform an additional process of removing the remaining contaminants.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dishwasher that may be provided with a means of ascertaining remaining contaminants.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a control method of a dishwasher that may remove remaining contaminants effectively.

Aspects according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above ones, and other aspects and advantages that are not mentioned above can be clearly understood from the following description and can be more clearly understood from the embodiments set forth herein. Additionally, the aspects and advantages in the present disclosure can be realized via means and combinations thereof that are described in the appended claims.

The object of the present invention is solved by the features of the independent claims.

A dishwasher in one embodiment is provided with a spray arm, and the spray arm is provided separately with areas configured to spray water to a first spray area and a second spray area, and may spray water to the first spray area to entirely wash objects to be washed stored in the dishwasher and may spray water to the second spray area to wash objects to be washed with remaining contaminants by applying a great impact on the object to be washed with remaining contaminants.

The dishwasher is provided with a camera that is disposed at the spray arm and ascertains an object to be washed with remaining contaminants.

A control method of a dishwasher in one embodiment may include operating in an ordinary wash mode to entirely wash objects to be washed stored in the dishwasher and then operating in an intensive wash mode to intensively wash the ascertained object to be washed with remaining contaminants.

A dishwasher in one embodiment includes a wash tub configured to accommodate an object to be washed, a spray arm rotatably disposed in the wash tub, configured to spray water to an object to be washed and provided with a plurality of spray areas that are separate from each other, a flow path diverter disposed at the spray arm and configured to selectively open and close a flow of water to the plurality of spray areas, a diverter actuator configured to rotate the flow path diverter, wherein the spray areas include a first spray area, and a second spray area being separate from the first spray area and having at least one of an amount of sprayed water or a spray speed greater than that of the first spray area.

The spray arm may be provided with a mounting part, onto which the flow path diverter is mounted.

The mounting part may be provided at a rotation center of the spray arm.

The mounting part may be provided with a central hole which is formed in a central portion of the mounting part and to which a coupling projection formed at the flow path diverter is fitted.

The mounting part may be provided with a first connecting hole formed on one or both sides of the central portion and connected to the first spray area.

The mounting part may be provided with a second connecting hole spaced circumferentially from the first connecting hole and connected to the second spray area.

The spray arm may include a first wall configured to separate the first connecting hole from other area of the spray arm.

The spray arm may include a second wall configured to separate the first connecting hole and the second connecting hole and to separate the first spray area and the second spray area.

The flow path diverter may include the coupling projection protruding toward the mounting part in a ring shape at a position corresponding to the central hole of the mounting part in a central portion of the flow path diverter, a dent part formed in a way that the flow path diverter is partially dent on both sides of the coupling projection and configured to selectively open any one of the first connecting hole and the second connecting hole as a result of rotation, and a closing part formed as a portion of the flow path diverter except for the dent part, and configured to selectively close any one of the first connecting hole and the second connecting hole as a result of rotation.

In the dishwasher of one embodiment, the mounting part may be provided with a first protrusion, which is configured to guide the flow path diverter such that the flow path diverter is coupled to the mounting part and protrudes toward the flow path diverter in a ring shape, on an outer edge thereof.

The flow path diverter may be provided with a second protrusion, which has a predetermined width and protrudes toward the mounting part along an outer edge of the flow path diverter, on the outer edge thereof.

A rotation shaft of the diverter actuator (second actuator) may be coupled to a rotation center of the flow path diverter such that the diverter actuator rotates the flow path diverter.

The flow path diverter may selectively open any one of the first connecting hole and the second connecting hole as a result of rotation of the dent part.

A rotation shaft of the spray arm actuator (first actuator) may be spaced from the rotation center of the spray arm.

A first gear may be coupled to the rotation center of the spray arm.

A second gear may be coupled to the rotation shaft of the spray arm actuator.

The first gear and the second gear may be coupled to each other.

In the dishwasher of one embodiment, a camera is disposed.

The camera is disposed in the second spray area.

The spray arm may be formed into a bar or may have bar shape.

The first spray area may be disposed in one or both end portions of the spray arm with respect to the rotation center of the spray arm.

The second spray area may be disposed in one end portion of the spray arm in a way that the second spray area is separate from the first spray area.

One or more first spray holes through which water is sprayed during operation are formed in the first spray area.

At least one second spray holes through which water is sprayed during operation may be formed in the second spray area.

The first spray holes may be disposed in a lengthwise direction of the spray arm at intervals.

When a plurality of second spray holes are provided, the second spray holes may be densely disposed in a specific area of the spray arm, in particular in the second spray area further specifically close to the camera.

At least one of second spray holes through which water may be sprayed may be formed in the second spray area.

The camera may be disposed near the second spray hole.

A control method of a dishwasher in one embodiment includes washing an object to be washed by spraying water through a first spray area included in a spray arm, determining whether contaminants remain on the object to be washed based on an image captured by a camera disposed at the spray arm, allowing a second spray hole disposed in a second spray area of the spray arm to approach the contaminants, as a result of operation of a spray arm actuator, diverting a flow path of water such that a flow path diverter disposed at the spray arm blocks a flow of water to the first spray area and the water flows to the second spray area, as a result of operation of a diverter actuator, and washing a portion with the remaining contaminants by spraying water through the second spray hole.

In the control method of one embodiment, washing a portion with the remaining contaminants may include allowing the spray arm to make reciprocating rotations such that the second spray hole makes reciprocating rotations in a range of predetermined angles at a position near the contaminants.

According to the present disclosure, a spray arm is provided with a first spray area and a second spray area separately, and may spray water to the first spray area in an ordinary wash mode and spray water to the second spray area in an intensive wash mode to wash an object to be washed, thereby effectively removing contaminants remaining on a cooking vessel.

According to the present disclosure, a camera may be disposed in the second spray area of the spray arm, and the camera may approach a position where contaminants remain and may ascertain whether there are contaminants and a position where contaminants are present and the like more accurately.

According to the present disclosure, the spray arm may make reciprocating rotations such that a second spray hole makes reciprocating rotations in a range of predetermined angles at a position close to contaminants in the intensive wash mode, thereby ensuring improvement in washing efficiency.

The above-described aspects, features and advantages are specifically described hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the disclosure, detailed description of known technologies in relation to the disclosure is omitted if it is deemed to make the gist of the disclosure unnecessarily vague. Below, preferred embodiments according to the disclosure are specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, identical reference numerals can denote identical or similar components.

The singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless explicitly indicated otherwise. It should be further understood that the terms "comprise" or "include" and the like, set forth herein, are not interpreted as necessarily including all the stated components or steps but can be interpreted as excluding some of the stated components or steps or can be interpreted as including additional components or steps.

In the drawings, a direction, in which components are disposed, is indicated using a rectangular coordinate system (x, y, z).

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view showing a dishwasher <NUM> in one embodiment. Referring to <FIG>, the dishwasher <NUM> may include a housing forming an exterior, a wash tub <NUM> forming a wash space <NUM> in the housing and configured to accommodate an object to be washed, a door <NUM> configured to selectively open and close the wash space <NUM>, a sump <NUM> disposed in a lower portion of the wash tub <NUM> and configured to store wash water, a storage <NUM> disposed in the wash tub <NUM> and configured to accommodate an object to be washed, and spray arms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> configured to spray wash water toward an object to be washed stored in the storage <NUM>. The object to be washed may include a cooking vessel such as a bowl, a dish, a spoon, chopsticks and the like, and other cooking tools. Hereunder, the object to be washed may be referred to as a cooking vessel, for example.

The wash tub <NUM> may form the wash space <NUM> configured to accommodate an object to be washed, and the storage <NUM> and the spray arms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be disposed in the wash space <NUM>. The wash tub <NUM> may have one open surface, and the one open surface may be opened and closed by the door <NUM>.

The door <NUM> may be swivably coupled to the housing and may selectively open and close the wash space <NUM>. For example, a lower portion of the door <NUM> may be hinge-coupled to the housing. In this case, the door <NUM> may rotate with respect to a hinge to open and close the wash tub <NUM>. As a result of the opening of the door <NUM>, the storage <NUM> may be withdrawn out of the dishwasher <NUM>, and the storage <NUM> withdrawn outward may be supported by the door <NUM>.

The sump <NUM> may include a storing part <NUM> configured to store wash water, a sump cover <NUM> configured to divide the storing part <NUM> and the wash tub <NUM>, a water supplier <NUM> configured to supply water to the storing part <NUM> from the outside, and a water drain <NUM> configured to drain water outward from the storing part <NUM>, and a water supply pump <NUM> and a supply path <NUM> configured to supply water from the storing part <NUM> to the spray arms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

The sump cover <NUM> may be disposed in an upper portion of the sump <NUM> and may divide the wash tub <NUM> and the sump <NUM>. The sump cover <NUM> may be provided with a plurality of return holes for returning wash water sprayed to the wash space <NUM> through the spray arms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. That is, the wash water sprayed from the spray arms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may fall to a lower portion of the wash space <NUM> and may be returned to the storing part <NUM> of the sump <NUM> through the sump cover <NUM>.

The water supply pump <NUM> may be disposed in a lateral portion or a lower portion of the storing part <NUM> and supply wash water to the spray arms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

One end of the water supply pump <NUM> may connect to the storing part <NUM> and the other end may connect to the supply path <NUM>. The water supply pump <NUM> may be provided therein with an impeller <NUM>, a motor <NUM> and the like. When power is supplied to the motor <NUM>, the impeller <NUM> may rotate, and water in the storing part <NUM> may be supplied to the spray arms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> through the supply path <NUM>.

The supply path <NUM> may selectively supply wash water supplied by the water supply pump <NUM> to the spray arms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

The supply path <NUM> may include a first supply path <NUM> connected to a lower spray arm <NUM>, a second supply path <NUM> connected to an upper spray arm <NUM> and a top nozzle <NUM>, and a supply path diverter valve <NUM> configured to selectively open and close the supply paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The supply path diverter valve <NUM> may control each of the supply paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> such that each of the supply paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is opened consecutively or simultaneously.

Additionally, at least one storage <NUM> for storing an object to be washed may be included in the wash space <NUM>. The dishwasher <NUM> is provided with two storages in <FIG>, for example, but not limited. That is, the dishwasher <NUM> may be provided with a single storage or three or more storages. In this case, the number of spray arms may vary depending on the number of storages.

The storage <NUM> may include a lower rack <NUM> and an upper rack <NUM> for storing an object to be washed. The lower rack <NUM> may be disposed on the sump <NUM>, and the upper rack <NUM> may be disposed further upward than the lower rack <NUM>. The lower rack <NUM> and the upper rack <NUM> may be withdrawn outward through one open surface of the wash tub <NUM>. To this end, the wash tub <NUM> may be provided with a rail on an inner circumferential surface thereof, and the racks <NUM>, <NUM> may be provided with a wheel in lower portions thereof. A user may withdraw the storage <NUM> outward to store an object to be washed, or to take out the object washed after a wash process.

The spray arm may be disposed in the wash tub <NUM> and may spray wash water toward an object to be washed in the storage <NUM>.

The spray arm may include a lower spray arm <NUM>, an upper spray arm <NUM>, and a top nozzle <NUM>. The lower spray arm <NUM> may be rotatably mounted onto the sump cover <NUM> and may spray wash water toward an object to be washed storage in the lower rack <NUM>.

The upper spray arm <NUM> may be disposed over the lower spray arm <NUM> and may spray wash water toward an object to be washed storage in the upper rack <NUM>. The top nozzle <NUM> may be disposed in an upper portion of the wash space <NUM> and may spray wash water to the lower rack <NUM> and the upper rack <NUM>.

As described above, the first supply path <NUM> may supply wash water to the lower spray arm <NUM>, and the second supply path <NUM> may supply wash water to the upper spray arm <NUM> and the top nozzle <NUM>.

Hereunder, a structure of the lower spray arm <NUM> is specifically described with reference to <FIG>. The below-described structure of the lower spray arm <NUM> may be applied to a structure of the upper spray arm <NUM> identically or similarly.

<FIG> is an enlarged view showing portion A in <FIG>. <FIG> is a view showing a part of a bottom surface of a spray arm <NUM> in one embodiment. <FIG> is a plan view showing a flow path diverter <NUM> in one embodiment.

The spray arm <NUM> is rotatably disposed in the wash tub, sprays water to an object to be washed, and is provided with a plurality of spray areas that are separate from each other.

The spray arm <NUM> may include a flow path, in which wash water, i.e., water flowing from the second supply path <NUM> flows, and a spray hole which connects to the flow path and is exposed to an outside of the spray arm <NUM>. An area where the flow path and spray hole are disposed is referred to as a spray area in the disclosure.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the spray area includes a first spray area <NUM> and a second spray area <NUM>. The second spray area <NUM> is formed in a way that the second spray area is separate from the first spray area <NUM>. Accordingly, water flowing into the spray arm <NUM> may flow in the first spray area <NUM> and the second spray area <NUM> that are separate from each other, and water flowing in the first spray area <NUM> and the second spray area <NUM> may not be mixed.

The first spray area <NUM> and the second spray area <NUM> are formed into a space in the spray arm <NUM>. For example, the first spray area <NUM> and the second spray area <NUM> may be formed into spaces in the spray arm <NUM> as a result of molding manufacturing.

When cooking vessels storage in the lower rack <NUM> are entirely washed at the same time during a process of washing the cooking vessels, water may flow to the first spray area <NUM> to wash the cooking vessels entirely. To this end, the first spray area <NUM> may be formed entirely across the spray arm <NUM> in a lengthwise direction of the spray arm <NUM> such that the spray arm <NUM> rotating sprays water entirely to the cooking vessels storage in the lower rack <NUM>.

When contaminants are left on a cooking vessel disposed at a specific position of the lower rack <NUM> after the cooking vessels are entirely washed at the same time, water may flow to the second spray area <NUM> to wash the left contaminants.

Hereunder, a mode in which water flows to the first spray area <NUM> to entirely wash cooking vessels is referred to as an ordinary wash mode, and a mode in which water flows to the second spray area <NUM> to wash contaminants left on some cooking vessels is referred to as an intensive wash mode.

The intensive wash mode may differ from the ordinary wash mode in that sprayed water needs to give a great impact on a cooking vessel to wash contaminants that are not washed and firmly attached onto a surface of the cooking vessel.

To this end, at least one of an amount of sprayed water and a spray speed in the second spray area <NUM> is greater than that in the first spray area <NUM>.

To increase an amount of sprayed water in the second spray area <NUM>, an output of the water supply pump <NUM> may increase in the intensive wash mode in which water is sprayed in the second spray area <NUM>, for example. Additionally, to increase a spray speed of water in the second spray area <NUM> in a state in which the output of the water supply pump <NUM> is the same, a total cross-sectional area of spray holes in the second spray area <NUM> may be less than a total cross-sectional area of spray holes in the first spray area <NUM>, for example.

Since the coking vessels storage in the lower rack <NUM> are entirely washed in the ordinary wash mode, the first spray area <NUM> may be formed entirely across the spray arm <NUM> in the lengthwise direction thereof. In the intensive wash mode, some cooking vessels storage in the lower rack <NUM> are washed. Accordingly, the second spray area <NUM> may be formed partially in the spray arm in the lengthwise direction thereof.

The flow path diverter <NUM> is included in the spray arm <NUM>.

The flow path diverter <NUM> selectively opens and closes a flow of water to the plurality of spray areas. A mounting part <NUM> onto which the flow path diverter <NUM> is mounted may be formed at a rotation center of the spray arm <NUM>.

The flow path diverter <NUM> may be mounted onto the mounting part <NUM> of the spray arm <NUM> and may rotate with respect to the mounting part <NUM> to allow water to flow to any one of the first spray area <NUM> and the second spray area <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the mounting part <NUM> may include a central hole <NUM>, a first connecting hole <NUM> and a second connecting hole <NUM>.

The central hole <NUM> may be formed in a central portion of the mounting part <NUM>, and a coupling projection <NUM> formed at the flow path diverter <NUM> may be fitted into the central hole <NUM>. The flow path diverter <NUM> may be coupled to the mounting part <NUM> using the above structure to rotate with respect to the mounting part <NUM>.

The first connecting hole <NUM> may be respectively formed on both sides of the central portion of the mounting part <NUM> and may connect to the first spray area <NUM>. In the ordinary wash mode, the first connecting hole <NUM> may be opened by the flow path diverter <NUM> and the second connecting hole <NUM> may be closed by the flow path diverter <NUM>, and water flowing to the spray arm <NUM> through the first supply path <NUM> may flow to the first spray area <NUM> through the first connecting hole <NUM>.

The first spray area <NUM> may be respectively formed in both end portions of the spray arm <NUM> with respect to the mounting part <NUM>. Accordingly, the first connecting hole <NUM> may be disposed respectively on both sides of the central hole <NUM>.

The second connecting hole <NUM> may be formed circumferentially at a position spaced from the first connecting hole <NUM> and connected to the second spray area <NUM>. In the intensive wash mode, the second connecting hole <NUM> may be opened by the flow path diverter <NUM> while the first connecting hole <NUM> may be closed by the flow path diverter <NUM>, and water flowing to the spray arm <NUM> through the first supply path <NUM> may flow to the second spray area <NUM> through the second connecting hole <NUM>.

The second spray area <NUM> may be formed in one end portion the spray arm <NUM>. Accordingly, a single second connecting hole <NUM> may be disposed between a pair of first connecting holes <NUM> in a circumferential direction of the mounting part <NUM>.

A first protrusion <NUM> may be disposed on an outer edge of the mounting part <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the first protrusion <NUM> may have a predetermined width and may be formed to protrude toward the flow path diverter <NUM> on the outer edge of the mounting part <NUM> in a ring shape.

The first protrusion <NUM> may guide the flow path diverter <NUM> such that the flow path diverter <NUM> is coupled to the mounting part <NUM>. In this case, the flow path diverter <NUM> fitted into the mounting part <NUM> may be guided by the first protrusion <NUM> and may rotate with respect to the mounting part <NUM>.

A first wall <NUM> and a second wall <NUM> may be formed at the spray arm <NUM>. The spray arm <NUM> may be manufactured to have the first wall <NUM> and the second wall <NUM> as a result of molding such that the first wall <NUM> and the second wall <NUM> partially block a space formed in the spray arm <NUM>.

The first wall <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, may be formed in a way that the first wall <NUM> separates the pair of first connecting holes <NUM> and the pair of first spray areas <NUM>. For example, the first wall <NUM> may be formed to separate the pair of first connecting holes <NUM> at a position where the pair of first connecting holes <NUM> is circumferentially adjacent to each other, and may be formed from the central hole <NUM> and to an edge of the spray arm <NUM> in a transverse direction of the spray arm <NUM>.

The second wall <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, may separate the first connecting hole <NUM> and the second connecting hole <NUM>, and separate the first spray area <NUM> and the second spray area <NUM>. The second spray area <NUM> may be formed respectively in both end portions of the spray arm <NUM>. Accordingly, the second wall <NUM> may include a <NUM>-<NUM> wall (<NUM>), and a <NUM>-<NUM> wall (<NUM>).

The <NUM>-<NUM> wall <NUM> may be formed from the central hole <NUM> to the edge of the spray arm <NUM> in the transverse direction thereof to separate the first connecting hole <NUM> formed at a position eccentric to one end portion of the spray arm <NUM>, in which the first spray area <NUM> is only formed with respect to the central hole <NUM>, from the second connecting hole <NUM> formed circumferentially at a position adjacent to the first connecting hole <NUM>.

The <NUM>-<NUM> wall <NUM> may be formed to separate the first connecting hole <NUM> formed at a position eccentric to the other end portion of the spray arm <NUM>, in which the first spray area <NUM> and the second spray area <NUM> are all formed with respect to the central hole <NUM>, from the second connecting hole <NUM> formed circumferentially at a position adjacent to the first connecting hole <NUM>.

One end of the <NUM>-<NUM> wall <NUM> may be formed up to the central hole <NUM> and the other end may extend in the lengthwise direction of the spray arm <NUM>.

The flow path diverter <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, may include a coupling projection <NUM>, a dent part <NUM> and a closing part <NUM>. The flow path diverter <NUM> may be provided with a hole, to which a rotation shaft of a second actuator <NUM> is coupled, at a center thereof, and may be rotated with respect to the mounting part <NUM> of the spray arm <NUM> by the second actuator <NUM>.

The coupling projection <NUM> may have a predetermined width and may be formed in a central portion of the flow path diverter <NUM> to protrude toward the mounting part <NUM> at a position corresponding to the central hole <NUM> of the mounting part <NUM> in a ring shape. The coupling projection <NUM> may be fitted into the central hole <NUM> of the mounting part <NUM>, and the flow path diverter <NUM> may be coupled to the mounting part <NUM>.

The dent part <NUM> may be formed in a way that the flow path diverter <NUM> is partially dent on both sides of the coupling projection <NUM>, and as a result of rotation, may selectively open any one of the first connecting hole <NUM> and the second connecting hole <NUM>.

The closing part <NUM> may be formed as a portion except for the dent part <NUM> in the flow path diverter <NUM>, and as a result of rotation, may selectively close any one of the first connecting hole <NUM> and the second connecting hole <NUM>.

When the dent part <NUM> overlaps the first connecting hole <NUM>, the closing part <NUM> may overlap the second connecting hole <NUM>. In this case, water introduced into the spray arm <NUM> may flow to the first spray area <NUM> through the first connecting hole <NUM>.

When the dent part <NUM> overlaps the second connecting hole <NUM> and the closing part <NUM> overlaps the first connecting hole <NUM> as a result of the rotation of the flow path diverter <NUM>, the water introduced into the spray arm <NUM> may flow to the second spray area <NUM> through the second connecting hole <NUM>.

A second protrusion <NUM> may be disposed on an outer edge of the flow path diverter <NUM>. The second protrusion <NUM> may be formed in a way that the second protrusion <NUM> having a predetermined width protrudes toward the mounting part <NUM> along the outer edge of the flow path diverter <NUM>.

The second protrusion <NUM> may be fitted into the first protrusion <NUM> of the mounting part <NUM>, and when the flow path diverter <NUM> rotates with respect to the mounting part <NUM>, the second protrusion <NUM> may be guided by the first protrusion <NUM>, and the flow path diverter <NUM> may rotate without escaping from the mounting part <NUM>.

The second protrusion <NUM> may contact a bottom surface of the mounting part <NUM> to suppress permeation of water passing through the dent part <NUM> into the flow path diverter <NUM> through a gap between the mounting part <NUM> and the flow path diverter <NUM> and suppress a flow of the water into the connecting hole closed by the closing part <NUM>.

For example, when the first connecting hole <NUM> is opened and the second connecting hole <NUM> is closed by the flow path diverter <NUM>, the second protrusion <NUM> may suppress a flow of water into the second connecting hole <NUM> through the gap between the mounting part <NUM> and the flow path diverter <NUM>. Additionally, the second protrusion <NUM> may help to reduce a contact surface between the mounting part <NUM> and the flow path diverter <NUM>, thereby reducing wear on a portion where the mounting part <NUM> contacts the flow path diverter <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the dishwasher includes a first or spray arm actuator <NUM> and a second or diverter actuator <NUM>. The first actuator <NUM> rotates the spray arm <NUM>, and the second actuator <NUM> rotates the flow path diverter <NUM>.

A step motor capable of controlling a rotation angle and a rotation direction precisely may be provided as the first actuator <NUM> and the second actuator <NUM>, for example.

The rotation shaft of the second actuator <NUM> may be coupled to the center of the flow path diverter <NUM>. Accordingly, the flow path diverter <NUM> may be rotated by the second actuator <NUM> with respect to the mounting part <NUM>.

To prevent the first actuator <NUM> from interfering with the rotation of the second actuator <NUM>, a rotation shaft of the first actuator <NUM> may be spaced from the rotation center of the spray arm <NUM>.

A first gear <NUM> may be coupled to the rotation center of the spray arm <NUM>. The spray arm <NUM> may rotate as a result of rotation of the first gear <NUM>, but the flow path diverter <NUM> may not be affected by the rotation of the first gear <NUM>.

A second gear <NUM> may be coupled to the rotation shaft of the first actuator <NUM>, and the first gear <NUM> and the second gear <NUM> may be coupled to each other. In the structure, the spray arm <NUM> may rotate, as a result of operation of the first actuator <NUM>.

The rotation shaft of the second actuator <NUM> may be coupled to a rotation center of the flow path diverter <NUM> to rotate the flow path diverter <NUM>. The flow path diverter <NUM> may selectively open any one of the first connecting hole <NUM> and the second connecting hole <NUM> as a result of rotation of the dent part <NUM>.

<FIG> is a bottom view showing a flow path diverter <NUM> coupled to a spray arm <NUM> in a state in which a first spray area <NUM> is opened while a second spray area <NUM> is closed. <FIG> is a bottom view showing a flow path diverter <NUM> coupled to a spray arm <NUM> in a state in which a first spray area <NUM> is closed while a second spray area <NUM> is opened.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the dent part <NUM> of the flow path diverter <NUM> may overlap a first spray hole <NUM>, and the closing part <NUM> of the flow path diverter <NUM> may overlap a second spray hole <NUM>. In this case, the first spray hole <NUM> may be opened, and the second spray hole <NUM> may be closed. Accordingly, water flowing into the spray arm <NUM> may flow to the first spray area <NUM> through the first spray hole <NUM>, and the dishwasher may operate in the ordinary wash mode.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the flow path diverter <NUM> may be rotated by the second actuator <NUM> in the state of <FIG>, and the dent part <NUM> may overlap the second spray hole <NUM>, and the closing part <NUM> may overlap the first spray hole <NUM>. In this case, the first spray hole <NUM> may be closed, and the second spray hole <NUM> may be opened. Accordingly, water flowing into the spray arm <NUM> may flow to the second spray area <NUM> through the second spray hole <NUM>, and the dishwasher may operate in the intensive wash mode.

<FIG> are plan views schematically showing a spray arm <NUM>. The spray arm <NUM> may be entirely formed into a bar having a length corresponding to a length of the lower rack <NUM>.

The first spray area <NUM> may be disposed in both end portions of the spray arm <NUM> with respect to the rotation center of the spray arm <NUM>. The second spray area <NUM> may be disposed in one end portion of the spray arm <NUM> in a way that the second spray area is separate from the first spray area <NUM>. In this case, the second wall <NUM> may be formed between the first spray area <NUM> and the second spray area <NUM>, and the first spray area <NUM> may be separated from the second spray area <NUM> by the second wall <NUM>.

A plurality of first spray holes <NUM>, through which water sprays, is formed in the first spray area <NUM>. Each of the first spray holes <NUM> may be spaced in the lengthwise direction of the spray arm <NUM>.

In the ordinary wash mode, water may spray through the first spray holes <NUM>. Since in the ordinary wash mode, the cooking vessels stored in the lower rack <NUM> are entirely washed, the first spray holes <NUM> may be formed in a way that the first spray holes are spaced from one another across the spray arm <NUM> in the lengthwise direction of the spray arm <NUM> at relatively regular intervals.

However, the first spray holes <NUM> formed in both end portions of the spray arm <NUM> may not necessarily be disposed at symmetrical positions of both end portions, and a distance between the first spray holes <NUM> may not necessarily be the same.

Additionally, at least one of second spray holes <NUM>, through which water sprays, is formed in the second spray area <NUM>. In the intensive wash mode, water may spray through the second spray hole <NUM>. In the intensive wash mode, cooking vessels with remaining contaminants, among the cooking vessels stored in the lower rack <NUM>, may be washed.

That is, in the intensive wash mode, water may spray only toward a specific position of the lower rack <NUM> on which the cooking vessels with remaining contaminants are placed. Thus, the second spray hole <NUM> may be formed only in a specific area of the spray arm <NUM>, for example.

When a plurality of second spray holes <NUM> are provided, the second spray holes <NUM> may be disposed densely in a specific area of the spray arm <NUM>. Since the second spray holes <NUM> are densely disposed in a specific area of the spray arm <NUM>, water may intensively spray to a cooking vessel with remaining contaminants, thereby ensuring improvement in washing efficiency.

The dishwasher further includes a camera <NUM> disposed on the spray arm <NUM>. The camera <NUM> may detect the position of a cooking vessel with remaining contaminants, among the cooking vessels stored in the lower rack <NUM>, after the ordinary wash mode ends.

The camera <NUM> may capture an image, and the captured image may be transmitted to a controller included in the dishwasher. The controller may perceive the saturation, brightness, shape and the like of contaminants attached onto a cooking vessel from the transmitted image, and may ascertain the position of the cooking vessel with the remaining contaminants to be washed.

Any sort of camera may be used as the camera <NUM> as long as the camera <NUM> captures an image such that the controller ascertains whether there are remaining contaminants.

In the intensive wash mode, the controller may rotate the spray arm <NUM> as a result of control over operation of the first actuator <NUM> such that the second spray hole <NUM> approaches to a cooking vessel with remaining contaminants. In this case, the controller may dispose the camera <NUM> near the cooking vessel with remaining contaminants to accurately ascertain the position of the cooking vessel with remaining contaminants based on an image transmitted from the camera <NUM>. As the camera <NUM> becomes closer to the cooking vessel with remaining contaminants, the controller may accurately ascertain the position and state of the contaminants from a captured image.

Additionally, to improve washing efficiency in the intensive wash mode, the second spray area <NUM> and the second spray hole <NUM> need to approach the cooking vessel with remaining contaminants. For the above-mentioned reasons, the camera <NUM> and the second spray area <NUM> may be disposed at the same position of the spray arm <NUM>, for example.

Accordingly, the camera <NUM> is disposed in the second spray area <NUM>.

Further, for the above reasons, the camera <NUM> and the second spray hole <NUM> may be disposed at the same position of the spray arm <NUM>, for example. Thus, the camera <NUM> may be disposed near the second spray hole <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic view showing a spray arm <NUM> in a state in which a first spray area <NUM> is opened while a second spray area <NUM> is closed. A coupling between the flow path diverter <NUM> and the spray arm <NUM> schematically illustrated in <FIG> is the same as that in <FIG>.

Hatched portions in <FIG> denote a closed flow path.

In a state of <FIG>, water introduced into the spray arm <NUM> may pass through the first spray hole <NUM>, flow to a pair of first spray areas <NUM> formed in both end portions of the spray arm <NUM> and spray through the first spray holes <NUM>.

In the state of <FIG>, operation in the ordinary wash mode may be performed, and during the operation in the ordinary wash mode, the spray arm <NUM> may rotate as a result of operation of the first actuator <NUM> to wash cooking vessels stored in the lower rack <NUM> entirely.

<FIG> is a schematic view showing a spray arm <NUM> in a state in which a first spray area <NUM> is closed while a second spray area <NUM> is opened. A coupling between the flow path diverter <NUM> and the spray arm <NUM> schematically illustrated in <FIG> is the same as that in <FIG>.

In a state of <FIG>, water introduced into the spray arm <NUM> may pass through the second spray hole <NUM>, flow to the second spray area <NUM> formed in one end portion of the spray arm <NUM> and spray through the second spray hole <NUM>, as indicated by the arrow.

In the state of <FIG>, operation in the intensive wash mode may be performed, and during the operation in the intensive wash mode, the second spray hole <NUM> may approach a position, where a cooking vessel with remaining contaminants is placed, as a result of operation of the first actuator <NUM> to wash the remaining contaminants.

In the intensive wash mode, the spray arm <NUM> may spray water without rotating at a standstill. Alternatively, to improve the washing efficiency, the spray arm <NUM> may spray water in a state in which the spray arm <NUM> makes reciprocating rotations such that the second spray hole <NUM> makes reciprocating rotations at a position near the contaminants within a range of predetermined angles.

<FIG> is a flow chart showing a control method of a dishwasher in one embodiment. The controller included in the dishwasher may connect to the water supply pump <NUM>, the first actuator <NUM>, the second actuator <NUM>, the camera <NUM> and the like in a communicable manner and may control the same, to perform each step of the control method of the dishwasher in the embodiment.

The controller may operate the water supply pump <NUM> to spray water through the first spray area <NUM> disposed at the spray arm <NUM> and wash an object to be washed (S110).

In step <NUM> (S110), the dishwasher may operate in the ordinary wash mode. In this case, the spray arm <NUM> may rotate, water may spray from the first spray area <NUM>, and cooking vessels stored in the lower rack <NUM> may be washed entirely. The controller may stop the operation of the water supply pump <NUM> to end step <NUM>.

After step <NUM> ends, the controller may determine whether contaminants are left on the object to be washed from an image captured by the camera <NUM> disposed at the spray arm <NUM> (S120).

The controller may receive an image from the camera <NUM> disposed at the spray arm <NUM> in step <NUM>, and when necessary, may rotate the spray arm <NUM> as a result of operation of the first actuator <NUM> to receive an image of the cooking vessels stored in the lower rack <NUM> from the camera <NUM> after step <NUM> ends.

The controller may perceive the saturation, brightness, shape and the like of contaminants attached onto a cooking vessel from the transmitted image to ascertain whether contaminants remain on a cooking vessel and the position of the cooking vessel with the remaining contaminants to be washed.

When no contaminants remain on the cooking vessel, the process of washing a cooking vessel may end, and when contaminants remain on the cooking vessel, the next step may be performed.

The controller may operate the first actuator <NUM> and allow the second spray hole <NUM>, disposed in the second spray area <NUM> of the spray arm <NUM>, to approach the contaminants (S130).

The controller rotates the spray arm <NUM> at a predetermined angle as a result of control over the first actuator <NUM> to allow the second spray hole <NUM> to approach the contaminants as close as possible. In this case, since the camera <NUM> is disposed near the second spray hole <NUM>, the camera <NUM> may also approach the contaminants.

The controller may operate the second actuator <NUM> and divert a flow path of water such that the flow path diverter <NUM> disposed at the spray arm <NUM> blocks a flow of the water to the first spray area <NUM> and allows the water to flow to the second spray area <NUM> (S140).

In step <NUM>, the flow path diverter <NUM> may close the first connecting hole <NUM> and open the second connecting hole <NUM> to prepare for intensive washing for removing remaining contaminants.

Regarding the control method of the dishwasher in the embodiment, any one of step <NUM> and step <NUM> may be performed first. Accordingly, step <NUM> may be performed before step <NUM>, step <NUM> may be performed before step <NUM> or step <NUM> and step <NUM> may be performed at the same time.

When the controller operates the water supply pump <NUM> again, the spray arm <NUM> may spray water through the second spray hole <NUM> to wash the cooking vessel with remaining contaminants (S150).

In step <NUM>, water introduced into the spray arm <NUM> may flow through the second spray area <NUM> and spray through the second spray hole <NUM> to intensively wash the cooking vessel with remaining contaminants.

The spray arm <NUM> may stop without rotating in step <NUM> such that the second spray hole <NUM> stays near the cooking vessel with remaining contaminants, thereby improving the washing efficiency.

Alternatively, in step <NUM>, the controller may allow the spray arm <NUM> to make reciprocating rotations as a result of control over operation of the first actuator <NUM> such that the second spray hole <NUM> makes reciprocating rotations near the contaminants within a range of predetermined angles, thereby improving the washing efficiency further.

In step <NUM>, the camera <NUM> may capture an image of a portion with remaining contaminants during the wash process. The controller may receive the transmitted image, and when ascertaining the remaining contaminants are removed based on the image, may end step <NUM>.

The dishwasher may perform step <NUM> or step <NUM> to wash the cooking vessel with remaining contaminants in the intensive wash mode.

When a plurality of cooking vessels remaining contaminants is placed at different positions in the lower rack <NUM>, the controller may wash each of the cooking vessels in the intensive wash mode consecutively. Since the flow path diverter operates such that water sprays to the second spray area <NUM> after a first operation in the intensive wash mode ends, step <NUM>, step <NUM> and step <NUM> may be performed while step <NUM> is omitted.

In the embodiment, the spray arm <NUM> is provided with the first spray area <NUM> and the second spray area <NUM> separately, and may spray water to the first spray area <NUM> in the ordinary wash mode and spray water to the second spray area <NUM> in the intensive wash mode to wash an object to be washed, thereby removing contaminants left on a cooking vessel effectively.

In the embodiment, the camera <NUM> may be disposed in the second spray area of the spray arm <NUM>. Accordingly, the camera <NUM> may approach a position with remaining contaminants, to ascertain whether there are contaminants, a position where contaminants are present and the like more accurately through the camera <NUM>.

The embodiments are described above with reference to illustrative embodiments thereof.

Claim 1:
A dishwasher, comprising:
a wash tub (<NUM>) for accommodating an object to be washed;
a spray arm (<NUM>) rotatably disposed in the wash tub (<NUM>), the spray arm (<NUM>) is configured to spray water to the object to be washed, the spray arm (<NUM>) is provided with a plurality of spray areas (<NUM>, <NUM>) being separated from each other;
a flow path diverter (<NUM>) disposed at the spray arm (<NUM>) and configured to selectively open and close a flow of water to one or more of the spray areas (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
a diverter actuator (<NUM>) configured to move the flow path diverter (<NUM>);
wherein the spray areas (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprise a first spray area (<NUM>) and a second spray area (<NUM>) being separate from the first spray area (<NUM>),
wherein one or more first spray holes (<NUM>) through which water is sprayed are formed in the first spray area (<NUM>), and at least one second spray hole (<NUM>) through which water is sprayed is formed in the second spray area (<NUM>);
wherein the second spray area (<NUM>) is configured to spray a higher amount of water and/or has a spray speed greater than that of the first spray area (<NUM>);
characterized in that the dishwasher comprises:
a spray arm actuator (<NUM>) configured to rotate the spray arm (<NUM>),
a camera (<NUM>) disposed in the second spray area (<NUM>) for ascertaining an object to be washed with remaining contaminants, and
a controller configured to control the spray arm actuator (<NUM>) to rotate the spray arm (<NUM>) at a predetermined angle.