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How Washing Machines Work
Todays Washing Machines Come In Two Main Mechanical Styles, "Top Loading" and "Front Loading" Also Called "Horizontal Access". The Idea is Similar but Obviously Some Differences Exist. The Following Is an Overview of How Washing Machines Work. Click Links Within the Page for More Detailed Information, Troubleshooting, and Help!
Design variations of washing machines differ by manufacturer, but the general principles are essentially the same, and can be divided into two halves, the washer's control system and the washer's mechanical system. The washer control system consists of the timer, control boards, load size selector (pressure switch), a water temperature selector, lid switch. The mechanical system includes the motor, transmission, clutch, inner and outer wash tubs, suspension system, agitator, pumps, water valve, and a belt or motor coupling.
Washing machines clean clothing by forcing a water and detergent mixture through fabrics. The action of forcing detergent infused water through your clothing fabric is what enables the detergent to chemically loosen dirt embedded in the cloth and separate it from the fabric. Count your blessings; in the old days, people would beat wet clothes against a rock loosen dirt!
In top loading washing machines the agitator ratchets back and forth dragging clothing down to the bottom of the washer tub. The clothes then move back to the top where the agitator grabs them again. In a front-loading washing machine, the clothes tumble through water in the base of the washer tub over and over again. After the water is pumped out, the inner drum uses centrifugal force to squeeze water from fabrics and clothes by spinning between 500 to 1200 RPM (revolutions per minute.) depending on the washer model.
Washer Repair PDF Manuals
Calypso Washer Technical Manual
Duet Washer Technical Manual
Direct Drive Washer Manual
Pressure Switch
Washing machines commonly use a pressure-sensing switch to control the amount of water released by the water valve into the washing machine's tub. The washer's pressure-switch is connected to the base of the washer's outer tub with a clear rubber tube that carries air that increases in pressure as the water level in the washtub increases. When the air pressure reaches a particular level the switch will "open" stopping the flow of electricity to the water valve allowing it to drop closed, stoping the flow of water. Any pinching or holes in this tubing will not allow the pressure switch to "feel" the water pressure in the tub and will often result in the washing machine overflowing, because it thinks that the washer tub is empty and will not close the washer's water valve.
(Watch the washer repair video)
Agitator
The agitator is the arm of any washing machine. During the wash cycle, the agitator moves back and forth to pull the clothes through the water enabling the detergent to loosen dirt and soil. The washer agitator is directly attached to a drive system that alternates between clockwise and counter clockwise rotation. Two part agitators have a separate top portion that ratchets with a cam mechanism. Small cams within the agitator top control its movement are often called agitator "dogs". These agitator dogs can become worn down due to overloading, resulting in an agitator that won't move.
Some washing machines such as GE brand washers use a plastic hub called an agitator coupling to transfer power from the drive system to the agitator. This agitator coupling can strip out over time and no longer drive the agitator, again causeing an agitator that won't move.
(Watch the washing machine repair video)
Pump
All washers have a drain pump to force the dirty water up and out of the washer tub. Some washer styles also have a recirculation pump that will recycle the water in the tub back on top of the clothes to encourage clothing movement and reduce the amount of water needed to complete a wash cycle. washer pumps are ether directly attached to the washer's motor, driven by a belt from the washer motor, or the pump may have its own internal electric motor. All pumps have a relatively small paddle wheel called the impeller that spins, pushing the water in the direction of its rotation. Pumps can become clogged, or break internally causing complaints like…"My washer won't drain." Or "My washer's full of water." Most problems with a washer's pump are fairly easy to fix, just be sure you have the water in the tub under control before you remove any pump or you will have a huge mess to clean up.
(Watch the washing machine repair video)
Motor
The washing machine's motor drives the agitator, pump, and inner tub. Somewashing machines are "direct drive", in which the motor is connected directly to the pump and transmission. Other washing machines use a belt drive system in which the motor applys force to the drive system and in some cases the pump with belt and pulley. On some belt driven washing machines, the pump may have its own internal motor powered separately by the timer.
(Watch the washing machine repair video)
Clutch
Most washing machines use a clutch to absorb someof the force generated by fast starting motors. The clutch allows the transmission to grab the tub or agitator in a gradual manner rather than all at once, which can cause damage . Some washers use a clutch mechanism while others rely on slippage and gradual tension of the belt and pulley. A worn out clutch is often responsible for a washing machine that is not spinning fast enough or wet clothes at the end of the spin cycle.
(Watch the washing machine repair video)
Belt
A Belt is used to transfer kinetic energy from onemechanical component to another. A belt can also be used as a clutch to reduce the amount of strain applied by fast starting motors used in washing machines. A belt's surface can become "glazed" or burned slightly reducing the belt' ability to hold a pulley. This lack of holding ability in the belt's surface leads to slipping creating more heat and additional burning of the belt's surface
Motor Coupling
Direct drive washing machines use a part called the motor coupling in place of a belt to transfer motion energy from the washer's motor to the washer's transmission. The washer motor coupling is made of rubber and plastic and is fairly common to break when the washer is regularly overloaded, creating a sound something like this
(Click the speaker icon to listen) Fear not, a washer motor coupling is inexpensive and simple to replace.
(Watch the washer repair video)
Transmission
The washing machine transmission drives both the spinning of the inner tub and the back and forth ratcheting motion of the agitator. a washer has either a single direction or a reversing motor. With a single direction motor, an electromechanical device called the (Solenoid) controls whether the transmission drives the agitator or the inner tub. Reversing motors engage the tub when they rotate in one direction and the agitator when they move in the opposite direction.
(Watch the washer repair video)
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