The “responsibilities” of a modern automatic machine have long been not limited to one wash. Manufacturers continually “load” her with new work, noticeably making life easier for the hostess of the house. What can this assistant not know how to do! Unless things are laid out on shelves. In recent years, the technology of washing machines has created almost ideal conditions for the full care of things. In our review of the best innovations, you can see for yourself.
Intelligent Wash
Any washing machine has a standard set of programs and several (or many) additional ones. But sometimes it’s difficult to find the right one from the available ones. Engineers thought and decided that if a person cannot make the right choice, then this should be done by the machine. So in brains appeared “brains” - an intelligent system Fuzzy logic. It was developed and first used by Whirlpool, and now almost every modern SMA has it.
Intelligent system controls and optimizes all stages of the washing machine. She can decide for herself: how to wash, at what temperature, at what mode. For this, data from sensor sensors are used, which determine the hardness of the water, the weight of the loaded laundry, its degree of contamination, etc. Having received the necessary information, Fuzzy logic analyzes it and selects the optimal parameters of the cycle.
Candy Hoover Group also taught the machine to “think” by integrating a module into it Nfc. The principle of technology is the exchange of data between the washing machine and the smartphone. To do this, a special application is downloaded to the phone (it must have a built-in NFC chip). All the user needs to do is enter three parameters in the application (type of things, their color, degree of pollution). It will select the optimal parameters and pass them to the SMA. To do this, attach the gadget to a special mark on the control panel.
With technologies such as NFC and Fuzzy logic, it is simply impossible to lose with the washing mode.
Reduced washing time
Manufacturers are working hard to reduce the duration of programs in the washing machine. This is not about fast modes, but about full cycles, designed for 2-3 hours. Many companies have already managed to implement their plans in their technology.
So, in the Siemens washing machine there is a function SpeedPerfect. The principle of its work is to reduce the duration of the cycle by increasing the temperature of the water. To determine at what stage of work to increase it, the machine “scans” the loaded laundry, extracting the data it needs (type of fabric, degree of contamination, quantity). Then she compares the received information with the parameters set by the user (the number of rinses, additional options) and makes a decision.
And here is the function in the Electrolux washing machines Timemanager reduces time on a different principle. Here, the user can already set the program time from the options proposed by the AGR.
Korean company Samsung has been able to reduce cycle times due to technology Quickdriveby changing the design of the drum. It consists of two parts (main and back walls) that spin 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 washing quality has remained high.
Embossed drums
Many manufacturers focus on expanding the capabilities of the CMA drum, since it is it that directly contacts the clothes during rotation. It is important that this contact is as gentle as possible, but at the same time effective.
In this regard, the engineers Miele tried to develop a honeycomb drum. Softsteam.
Its surface is covered with small hexagonal bulges 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 on the surface, minimizing friction.
Washing drum Diamond drum developed by Samsung engineers using the above Miele technology. But it has a slightly different structure. Its inner part is covered with quadrangles, and perforation holes are located in their recesses. During operation, water in the honeycomb accumulates, creating a smooth surface for gentle washing. In Diamond Drum, fluid drain holes have been reduced in diameter by 25%. Therefore, the probability that the tissue gets into them and gets damaged is minimal.
And here is the drum surface Variosoft from Bosch is drop-shaped with gently sloping and steep sides. In an intensive wash program, clothes are exposed to steep protrusions. If the cycle for delicate fabrics (silk or woolen products) is started, then the rotation occurs from the side of gentle grabs. Thus, the mechanical effect will either increase or, on the contrary, weaken.
Drum Rotation Algorithms
LG Technology “6 movements of care” - A good example of how to truly care. Engineers developed a special 6 Motion drum, which has as many as 6 rotation options (1 base and 5 additional).
Each movement algorithm is adapted to the type of fabric and the number of loaded things, providing the most gentle care for them.
All six algorithms are automatically selected based on 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.
Extra loading of linen
Samsung washing machine manufacturer cares not only about things loaded into the washer, but also those that the housewife forgot to put in a hurry. Technology Addwash provides for the presence of an additional hatch on the main door.
This allows not only to load clothes at any time of the cycle (to wash, rinse, squeeze), but also to fill the air conditioner directly into the washing machine itself.
To use the AddWash function, you need:
- click on pause;
- open an additional door;
- load clothes or pour air conditioning;
- 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 washing powder
Many manufacturers have tried to improve the quality of washing by changing the approach to the supply of powder, which is washed off with water in conventional MCAs. But for it to dissolve and begin to act actively, it takes time.
Samsung engineers have developed bubble wash technology Eco bubblethat washes things at low temperatures. For this, an air generator is provided in the washer, which creates air bubbles. The latter dissolve the powder in water, forming a soapy foam mixture.
Active foam seeps into the fabric faster and deeper, effectively removing stains and other impurities. Since the technology of "eco dough" is actively used by other manufacturers, 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 off contamination at room temperature. Designers have developed a new method for supplying powder: first it is mixed with water in a special container, and then it gets into the drum under high pressure. This supply allows you to wash things efficiently and economically.
Detergent Auto Dosage
The more powder in the washer, the better - a big mistake, which can harm not only things, but also the technology itself. Engineers saved housewives from this "headache." The correct dosage of detergent is now included in the "responsibilities" of the AGR.
Manufacturer Siemens released a series of washers with a system i-dos dosings. All that needs to be done is to completely fill the cuvette with liquid. And then the equipment itself will measure the quantity it needs, taking into account the degree of pollution and the volume of linen.
Other manufacturers have a similar function, for example, Samsung QuickDrive.
In Miele cars with function Twin dos still easier. In addition to the conventional powder container, an integrated dispenser is provided in the AGR. Two special tools UltraPhase 1 and UltraPhase 2 are inserted into it, which enter the drum in stages (the first - to remove grease, the second - for more complex spots).
For those who are accustomed to using loose powders, engineers have developed a device for auto-dosing AutoDos with two tanks. It is installed separately and connected to the machine with water and detergent hoses. Before starting the program, the user selects which product (bulk or liquid) will be used. Well, then it's up to the technique.
Steam washing
Steam programs in automatic machines appeared relatively recently, but users have already managed to evaluate in practice their advantages. Most SMAs have several steam cycles: for smoothing, getting rid of wrinkles, eliminating odors, and making ironing easier. Each manufacturer gives them a name, but they have the same functions.
If steam treatment (steam supply after completion of the main program) is in many machines, then units are able to wash with steam. Indeed, for this, the device must have a steam generator, which is in LG cars with the function True steam.
The principle of operation is simple: during washing, hot steam enters the drum and, mixed with water, gently acts on the fabric. This treatment of things speeds up the process of removing stains and dirt, so it is an alternative to pre-soaking.
A similar function is in the Miele cars. Steamcare provides two ways of steam processing:
- The steam function. It can be added to any cycle or run separately.
- The program "Refreshment" - to give easy freshness to things or smoothing dry clothes that do not need to be washed.
The intensity and strength of steam strikes can be chosen independently.
Anti-allergen wash
The automatic machine fights not only pollution, but also allergens. As you know, the best protection against allergies is to eliminate the irritant itself. Neutralization can be provided in two ways: steam treatment or high temperature water. So, in the above steam function LG True Steam there is a program "Hypoallergenic treatment", which can destroy (according to manufacturers) up to 99.9% of all possible allergens.
In other manufacturers' wipes, for example AEG and Hotpoint-Ariston, allergens are removed in another way: rinsing the laundry in hot water (60 ° C).
However, if you look at it, then every SMA has an anti-allergenic program. Any cycle of processing things at high temperatures and rinsing in large quantities of water can be safely used as a program of "Antiallergy".
Stain removal
Many complain that their washing machine does not always wash spots and even pre-soaking and washing them does not help to cope with them. Siemens development called Stain removal solves the problem of removing 16 types of spots with a unique washing 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.
Hotpoint-Ariston has a stain removal cycle for as many as 20 species. Typically, such programs wash clothes at a temperature of 40 ° C. But in order for all types of enzymes (active substances in powder) to act on pollution, the temperature of the water changes during operation (it rises, then decreases). Thus, the maximum effect of all powder components on different spots is achieved.
Direct drive system
Direct Drive Technology (Direct drive) was developed and patented by the Korean company "Alji", but many manufacturers use it. Its essence is that the motor is attached to the drum directly, without the use of any nodes-brushes 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 to the maximum.
The direct-drive machine is quieter and, most importantly, vibrates less, so clothes are wrinkled less and washed faster.
Inverter motor
Most manufacturers have a washing machine with an inverter motor (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 rotational 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 6 Care Movement and Quickdrive technologies have been developed.
Skeptics can say that all these innovations were invented for the “lazy" and it’s enough that the machine erases. But if the technique has learned to care for clothes better than its mistress, then why not take full advantage of this advantage?