Doing the laundry used to be an all-day ordeal, washing every piece of clothing by hand, and then hanging it out to dry. The washing machine has been around since 1691, and the first electric washing machine was advertised for sale in 1904, and in 1947 GE introduced the first top-loading washer. With new advances in technology, we have new features such as: child safety locks, variable temperatures, delay start time, and other options. In this article I won't go into any more detail about the history of washers, but I will keep my promise and explain how a top-loading washing machine works.
The top- loading washer has an inner tub where you put your clothes. That tub has a bunch of little holes in it which lets the water drain into the outer tub. The outer tub is solid and it holds the drained water. In the middle of the tub there is an agitator. The agitator moves in a semi-circle, back and forth, submerging your clothes into the water. This movement helps loosen stains, and also distributes the detergent around evenly. The motor is what moves the agitator during the washing cycle, and also again during the spin cycle. In most styles of front loading washing machines the motor actually can run in two directions; clockwise and counter-clockwise. While the motor is in one direction, it works through a transmission (or clutch) which spins the inside tub up to 800 rotations per minute (rpm). This causes the water, by centrifugal force, to be pressed out of the clothes, and then the water is pumped out of the washer. When the motor is running in the opposite direction, it uses the transmission to move the agitator during its cleaning cycle.
The water inlet valve, or the fill valve, is what controls the temperature of the water that enters the washer. This water valve has three components which are: a hot water solenoid, a cold water solenoid, and a mixing valve body. When electricity flows to either of the solenoids, water pours through the valve and goes into the inside tub. If the electricity stops, then the water will not flow through. This inlet valve also has three hoses attached to it, one for hot water, one for cold water, and one that is directed to the inner tub to fill it with water.
Next, I'll explain the timer and start switch. The timer is usually identified by the biggest knob on the control panel. Sometimes that is not the case; timers can also be an electronic display or a fully electronic interface. The timer basically tells the washer what to do at a certain time and for how long, and it also provides electricity to those components that need it and at a specific time as well. When you set the timer to the cycle which you want to use, you either push or pull the timer knob to start the washer. A top loading washer can also have several selector knobs/switches, which are most often located next to the timer knob. These switches can have several different functions such as: water temperature, water level, spin speed, etc.
Some types of washing machines use what is called a coupler to attach the motor directly to the transmission; it makes the connection without needing a belt. Most other washers use a belt to connect the motor to the pump or transmission. If the tub or agitator were to become jammed, the belt serves as a "weak link", and it would fail, instead of damaging the transmission or other important parts of the washer. The motor can usually start up in less than a second, which is a little harsh for some inner components of a washer, so most washers use an automatic clutch to lessen the effect of the motor starting up. When you lift the lid on a washer, most of the inner parts stop, however, on all machines the spin cycle stops. This brings the drum to a halt, so most washers use a special braking unit which is similar to the brakes of a car.
In summary, I hope after reading this article you have a better understanding on how a front-load washing machine works, and how all the components work together to get your clothes clean.
