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The “duties” of a modern automatic machine have long been not limited to one wash. Manufacturers now and then “load” her with new work, significantly facilitating the life of the mistress of the house. What does this assistant not know how to do! Unless he puts things on the shelves. In recent years, washing machine technology has created an almost ideal environment for complete laundry care. You can see for yourself in our roundup of the best innovations.
Intelligent washing
Any washing machine has a standard set of programs and several (or many) additional ones. But sometimes it can be difficult to choose the right one from the available ones. Engineers thought and decided that if a person cannot make the right choice, then a machine should do it. This is how “brains” appeared in washing machines – an intelligent system Fuzzy logic. It was developed and pioneered by the company Whirlpool, and now almost every modern SMA has it.
The intelligent system controls and optimizes all stages of the washing machine. She can decide for herself: how to wash, at what temperature, in what mode. For this, sensor data is used, which determine the hardness of the water, the weight of the loaded laundry, the degree of its contamination, and so on. Having received the necessary information, Fuzzy logic analyzes it and selects the optimal cycle parameters.
Company Candy Hoover Group also taught the machine to “think” by building a module into it NFC. The principle of technology is the exchange of data between the washing machine and a smartphone. To do this, on the phone (it must have a built-in chip NFC) a special application is loaded. All the user needs to do is enter three parameters in the application (type of things, their color, degree of soiling). It will select the optimal parameters and pass them to the CMA. To do this, you need to attach the gadget to a special mark on the control panel.
With technologies such as NFC and Fuzzy logic, it is simply impossible to miscalculate the washing mode.
Reduced wash time
Manufacturers are working hard to reduce the duration of programs in the washing machine. This is not about fast modes, but about full-fledged cycles, designed for 2-3 hours. Many companies have already managed to implement their plans in their equipment.
Yes, in the washer Siemens provided function SpeedPerfect. The principle of its operation is to reduce the cycle time by increasing the temperature of the water. To determine at what stage of the work it should be increased, the machine “scans” the loaded laundry, extracting the data it needs (type of fabric, degree of soiling, quantity). Then she compares the received information with the parameters set by the user (number of rinses, additional options) and makes a decision.
But the function in washing machines “Electrolux» TimeManager reduces time in a different way. Here, the user can already set the program time from the options proposed by the CMA.
Korean company “Самсунг» succeeded in reducing the cycle times due to the technology Quickdriveby changing the design of the drum. It consists of two parts (main and rear walls) that rotate in opposite directions.
Thus, things rotate more intensively, which means they are washed faster.
Thanks to Quickdrive, standard programs have been reduced by 50%, while the quality of the wash has remained high.
Embossed drums
Many manufacturers are focusing on expanding the capabilities of the CMA drum, since it is he who is in direct contact with clothing during rotation. It is important that this contact be as gentle as possible, but at the same time effective.
In this regard, engineers have tried Honeywho developed the honeycomb drum SoftSteam.
Its surface is covered with small hexagonal protuberances resembling a honeycomb. This design forms a thin film of water between the walls and clothing. This contributes to the smooth sliding of the fabric over the surface, minimizing friction.
washing drum Diamond Drum developed by Samsung engineers using the Miele technology described above. But it has a slightly different structure. Its inner part is covered with quadrangles, and perforation holes are placed in their recesses. During operation, water accumulates in the honeycombs, creating a smooth surface for gentle washing. In Diamond Drum, the liquid drain holes have been reduced in diameter by 25%. Therefore, the likelihood that the fabric will get into them and be damaged is minimal.
But the surface of the drum VarioSoft from Bosch has a teardrop shape with flat and steep sides. In the intensive wash program, clothes are exposed to steep ledges. If the cycle for delicate fabrics (silk or woolen products) is started, then the rotation occurs from the side of the gentle grips. Thus, the mechanical effect will either increase or, conversely, weaken.
Drum rotation algorithms
LG Technology “6 movements of care” — a clear example of how to really care. Engineers have developed a special drum 6 Motion, which has as many as 6 rotation options (1 basic and 5 additional).
Each movement algorithm is adapted to the type of fabrics and the number of items loaded, providing the most gentle care for them.
All six algorithms are selected automatically, taking into account the selected program. Today, LG’s 6 Movements of Care technology has no analogues. But who knows, maybe tomorrow we will have to supplement the article with information about another development.
Additional loading of linen
The Samsung washing machine manufacturer takes care not only of the things loaded into the washer, but also of those that the housewife forgot to put in a hurry. Technology AddWash provides for the presence of an additional hatch on the main hatch door.
This allows not only loading clothes at any time of the cycle (to wash, rinse, wring out), but also pour the conditioner directly into the washer itself.
To use the AddWash function, you need:
- press pause;
- open an additional door;
- load clothes or pour air conditioner;
- close the door;
- resume work.
The technology has already been appreciated by many users, because washing with it has become even more convenient.
Pre-dissolving laundry detergent
Many manufacturers have tried to improve the quality of washing by changing the approach to supplying the powder, which in conventional SMA is washed off the cuvette with water. But it takes time for it to dissolve and begin to act actively.
Samsung engineers develop bubble wash technology Eco bubble, which washes things at low temperatures. To do this, the washer has an air generator that creates air bubbles. The latter dissolve the powder in water, forming a soap-foam mixture.
Active foam penetrates fabric fibers faster and deeper, effectively removing stains and other dirt. Since other manufacturers are also actively using the eco bubble technology, this means that it really works.
Technology Mix Power System – one of the newest and most successful developments from Candy. It allows you to wash dirt at room temperature. The designers have developed a new method of powder supply: first, it is mixed with water in a special container, and then enters the drum under high pressure. This feed allows you to wash things efficiently and economically.
Automatic dosing of detergents
The more powder in the washer, the better – a big misconception that can harm not only things, but also the technology itself. Engineers saved housewives from this “headache”. The correct dosage of detergent is now part of the “duty” of the CMA.
The manufacturer Siemens has released a series of washing machines with a system autodosing i-Dos. All that needs to be done is to completely fill the cuvette with liquid agent. And then the equipment itself will measure the amount it needs, taking into account the degree of contamination and the volume of laundry.
Other manufacturers have a similar function, for example, in Samsung QuickDrive.
In Miele machines with the function TwinDos still easier. In addition to the usual powder container, the CMA has a built-in dispenser. Two special products UltraPhase 1 and UltraPhase 2 are inserted into it, which enter the drum in stages (the first is for removing grease, the second is for more difficult stains).
For those who are accustomed to using free-flowing powders, engineers have developed an auto-dosing device. AutoTwo with two containers. It is installed separately and connected to the machine with hoses for supplying water and washing solution. Before starting the program, the user selects which agent (free-flowing or liquid) will be used. Well, then it’s up to the technique.
Steam washing
Steam programs in automatic machines have appeared relatively recently, but users have already managed to evaluate their advantages in practice. Most SMAs have several steam cycles: for smoothing, getting rid of wrinkles, eliminating odors, and making ironing easier. Each manufacturer gives them their own name, but they have the same functions.
If the steam treatment (steam supply after the completion of the main program) is in many machines, then only a few “can” wash with steam. Indeed, for this, the device must have a steam generator, which is in LG machines with the function True Steam.
The principle of operation is simple: during washing, hot steam enters the drum and, mixing with water, gently affects the fabric. This treatment of things speeds up the process of removing stains and dirt, therefore it is an alternative to pre-soaking.
A similar function is also available in Miele machines. SteamCare provides two methods of steam treatment:
- Steam function. It can be added to any cycle or run separately.
- Refresh program – to give a slight freshness to clothes or smooth out dry laundry that does not need to be washed.
You can choose the intensity and strength of the steam shots yourself.
Anti-allergic wash
The automatic machine fights not only with pollution, but also with allergens. As you know, the best defense against allergies is the elimination of the irritant itself. Neutralization can be achieved in two ways: steam treatment or high water temperature. So, in the above function, the pair LG True Steam there is a program “Hypoallergenic treatment”, which is capable of destroying (according to manufacturers) up to 99,9% of all possible allergens.
In washing machines from other manufacturers, for example AEG и Hotpoint-ariston, allergens are removed in a different way: by rinsing clothes in hot water (60 ° C).
However, if you look at it, then every SMA has an anti-allergic program. Any cycle of processing things at high temperatures and rinsing in a large amount of water can be safely used as an Anti-Allergy program.
Stain removal
Many complain that their washer does not always remove stains and even pre-soaking and washing does not help to cope with them. Developed by Siemens called Stain Removal solves the problem of removing 16 types of stains with a unique removal algorithm for each of them. The user selects the type of spot in the menu, and the machine already decides what temperature, mode, amount of water will be most effective in this case.
At Hotpoint-Ariston, the stain removal cycle is designed for as many as 20 types. Typically, such programs wash clothes at a temperature of 40 ° C. But in order for all types of enzymes (active substances in the powder) to act on pollution, the water temperature changes during operation (either rises or falls). This achieves the maximum effect of all components of the powder on different spots.
Direct drive system
direct drive technology (Direct Drive) was developed and patented by the Korean company Algy, but many manufacturers use it. Its essence is that the motor is attached to the drum directly, without the use of any brush assemblies and transmission belts.
This made it possible to reduce the noise level during the operation of the SMA and increase the stability of the structure itself, balancing the rotation of the drum as much as possible.
A direct drive machine is quieter and, most importantly, vibrates less, so clothes are less wrinkled and washed faster.
inverter motor
Washing machine with inverter motor Most manufacturers have it (LG, Samsung, Siemens, Electrolux and others).
This motor does not have a collector-brush assembly, which means it is more wear-resistant. Its main component is an inverter (AC-to-DC converter), which allows you to control the speed of the drum with maximum accuracy and select different options for its rotation. It is on the basis of these advantages of the inverter motor that the technologies “6 movements of care” and Quickdrive were developed.
Skeptics may say that all these innovations are invented for the “lazy” and it is enough that the machine erases. But if the technique has learned to take care of clothes better than its mistress, then why not use this advantage to the fullest?