Specifications

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12.15 Basic Structure of Top loading washing machine:
The complete structure showing the inner parts of washing machine are shown in Fig.12.9
The following components have to be present in any type of washing machine, be it top-loading
or front-loading. Different models of machines differ only in the positioning of these parts. There
is a specific function assigned to each part.
Fig.12.9 - Top loading washing machine
1) Water inlet control valve: Near the water inlet point
of the washing there is water inlet control valve. When
we load the clothes in washing machine, this valve
gets opened automatically and it closes automatically
depending on the total quantity of the water required.
The water control valve is actually the solenoid valve.
2) Water pump: The water pump circulates water
through the washing machine. It works in two
directions, re-circulating the water during wash cycle
and draining the water during the spin cycle.
3) Tub: There are two types of tubs in the washing
machine, inner and outer. Normally these tubs are made
up of sheet steel coated with zinc to improve rust resistance. The clothes are loaded in the inner
tub, where the clothes are washed, rinsed and dried. The inner tub has small holes for draining
the water. The external tub covers the inner tub and supports it during various cycles of clothes
washing.
4) Agitator or rotating disc: An agitator is a plastic cylinder positioned at the center of the inner
tub. It is the important part of the washing machine that actually performs the cleaning operation
of the clothes. During the wash cycle the agitator rotates continuously and produces strong
rotating currents within the water due to which the clothes also rotate inside the tub. The rotation
of the clothes within water containing the detergent enables the removal of the dirt particles from
the fabric of the clothes. Thus the agitator produces most important function of rubbing the
clothes with each other as well as with water.
In some washing machines, instead of the long agitator, there is a disc that contains blades
on its upper side. The rotation of the disc and the blades produce strong currents within the
water and the rubbing of clothes that helps in removing the dirt from clothes.
5) Motor of the washing machine: The motor is coupled to the agitator or the disc and produces
it rotator motion. These are multispeed motors, whose speed can be changed as per the
requirement. In the fully automatic washing machine the speed of the motor i.e. the agitator
changes automatically as per the load on the washing machine. In fact, it is the motor which
accelerates the process of washing. Therefore, it is a very important component of a washing
machine. The most popular type of motor used in a washing machine is a single phase, 230 V,
50 Hz, capacitor start and run squirrel cage induction motor. These motor may range from 1/3
to 1/2 hp rating. These motors are normally protected from overload and overheating conditions