Regardless of the brand of automatic washing machine, the model of the models with front loading is almost identical for different manufacturers. Understand the device of such a technique should be to any of its owners. This will help to understand how the automatic machine works, which could fail with different problems, and whether it will be possible to cope with the breakdown by hand.
The main components of the machine are:
- Case;
- Tank;
- Drum;
- Water filling system;
- Pressostat;
- Electric motor;
- heating element;
- Drainage system;
- Control unit.
Body
All the elements of the washing machine, regardless of the brand - Indesit, LG, Samsung, Ariston, Electrolux, Bosch or other, are located inside its metal case. In the case there is a base, a front panel with a hatch, an upper cover, side walls, and a rear wall.
The control panel is located in the upper part of the front wall of the casing, and in the left corner there is a container for loading detergent( dispenser).Usually in this container there are 3 cells( two for powder and one for liquid product), but there may be more or less of them depending on the model( from 1 to 5).The powder loaded into the dispenser flows through one or more nozzles into the tank under the action of a jet of water.
In the center of the front wall is the hatch of the washing machine. It distinguishes such parts as the rubber cuff of the hatch and the device responsible for locking the hatch during washing. Inside the cuff is attached to the tank by means of a clamp. Due to the blocking device, the door can not be opened during the washing process. Most often in such a device there is a thermocouple, so after the end of washing the door remains closed for some time.
Water filling system
The water dial signal comes from the control module to the solenoid valve to which the water inlet hose is connected. This hose must be connected to the water supply.
The tank and drum
The tank is considered to be the main and most voluminous element of the automatic machine. It can contain 35-60 liters of water. So that during washing the device does not vibrate excessively, the tank is not connected to the body rigidly. To support it, there are two or four springs at the top of the machine, and two or four shock absorbers at the bottom. In addition, in order to avoid imbalance and strong vibration of the tank during washing, concrete counterweights are fixed on it. Thanks to this design, the body remains stationary during the operation of the equipment, despite the fluctuations of the tank.
Inside the tank there is a drum connected by a belt drive or a direct drive with an engine. The laundry is loaded into the drum, and after turning on the washing program, water with detergent begins to flow into it through a number of holes. From the front, the tank is connected to the drum by a rubber cuff ensuring tightness, and in the rear part the drum shaft passes through the tank to the bearing assembly.
For the manufacture of a drum, stainless steel is usually used, and the tank can be both steel and plastic. The second option is cheaper, but it is more fragile and has a shorter service life. Often, the tank has two halves, which are connected with bolts or with a clamp, but in many cars there are indiscriminate tanks.
Drainage system
The main elements of the machine's drain system are a drain pump and a plastic drain hose with a length of 1-4 meters. One part of the hose is attached to the pump by means of a clamp, and the second is discharged into the sewage system.
The drain should normally be performed several times during washing. In the pump device, a motor, an impeller and a "snail" are isolated, to which the hoses are connected. The pump is most often synchronous. The pump controls the electronic module.
Since the most frequent malfunction of the drain system is the failure of the pump due to its clogging, the machine's device allows easy access to the pump for its regular cleaning. Check and clean the pump filter is recommended at least once every 6 months.
Control unit
This unit uses a washing machine to control all other elements, so it can safely be called the "brain" of the device. It is also called a programmer, an electronic board or a control module. It is from this unit that commands are given that are performed by the bay system, TEN, drum, drain pump and other parts.
The control unit is the most complex and expensive part of the washing machine. In his device, a digital indicator is highlighted, thanks to which the user knows everything about the operation of the device. In most models, in the event of a malfunction, this indicator starts to show the error code. Having learned its decoding, it is possible to determine what is the essence of the breakdown and whether it is possible to cope with it without calling the master. If the module itself is out of order, you should contact a specialist for repair or replacement.
Sensors
The operation of the control module is based on the control of various sensors sending information on all the processes in the machine during washing.
These sensors are:
- Pressostat. This is the name of the sensor, whose function is to monitor the water level. Another of his naming is a level switch. It can be electronic or mechanical, and the principle of its functioning is pneumatic. As soon as the pressure switch sends a signal to the control module about enough water in the tank, the machine will continue its operation.
- The air chamber. This plastic part is next to the drain pipe and is important for the operation of the pressure switch. When the tank fills the water, the air pressure in the chamber increases proportionally with the water pressure. Through a small choke, the pressure is transferred to the pressure switch.
- Thermostat. This sensor is located at the bottom of the tank. The main function of this sensor is to determine the temperature of the water in the tank and transfer the data to the control module.
- The tow truck. Its main job is to monitor the engine speed, which is important for different washing modes and spinning process.
Heater
Located inside the TEN washing machine is responsible for heating the water during the washing process. The power of the heater is usually in the range from 1800 to 2200 W.It is located at the bottom of the tank and is considered one of the most vulnerable elements of this technique. Its breakdown is one of the most common and most often occurs due to the accumulation of scale on the surface of the heater.
Engine
The main function of the engine in the washing machine is to ensure the rotation of the drum. Most often in the automatic machine there is a collector motor, but you can meet models with a brushless or asynchronous motor.
In models with direct drive, the motor mount is made to the drum( to its rear wall).This kind of electric motor in a washing machine is called more efficient. Its rotation requires less energy, and the level of vibration and noise from the device with direct drive will also be less. In addition, this engine takes up less space, which makes it possible to create machines with compact dimensions.
In models with belt drive there is a pulley, which is located behind the tank. It is connected to the motor by means of a drive belt. When the motor starts the movement of the belt, the pulley starts to rotate and thus ensures the rotation of the drum. The main disadvantage of this design is the wear of the belt under the effect of friction. In addition, such a washing machine vibrates at work more than models with direct drive.
About the device of the washing machine and its principle of operation is well told in the next video.
