Ariston Hotpoint washing machine design

Almost all front-facing washing machines have the same design. The models differ only in some details, for example, an additional door, advanced firmware or a larger display. But the “insides” of the machine and the operating principle of the components remain unchanged. A good example would be the Hotpoint Ariston washing machine. The equipment of this manufacturer is simple and will allow you to study the structure of a typical front camera.

Main components

It’s not difficult to figure out how the Ariston washing machine works. A list of all components is given in the factory instructions, and the wiring is displayed in the so-called electrical diagram. As with any other slot machine, there are both basic and additional elements. The first, basic ones include:

• Electrical engine;
• tank (metal or plastic);
• drum;
• water pump;
• control board;
• shock absorption system (spring structures, shock absorbers and dampers);
• bearing unit;
• frame;
• inlet valve;
• heating element.

Knowing what Ariston consists of, you can carry out diagnostics and repairs yourself, without involving repairmen.

This is a basic “set” of parts and devices, without which the washing machine cannot be operated. Knowing their location and operating principle, it is easier to notice improper operation of the machine, carry out diagnostics and repair the machine.

How do the parts interact?

When all parts and devices work smoothly, the washing machine functions without failures. Each structural element performs its task, and the process is controlled by the “brain” - the control board.The control module sets the sequence of operations, analyzes the supplied signals and ensures trouble-free interaction.

If you look inside the machine, the first thing that will catch your eye is the tank. This is a large plastic tank, supported in “zero gravity” by springs and shock absorbers. It houses a drum - a porous container made of stainless steel, which actively moves during washing thanks to a pulley connected through a cross. The latter is an iron shaft that receives an impulse through a drive belt from an accelerating electric motor. Actually, due to the speed gained, things are washed.

Most Ariston washing machines are equipped with plastic tanks.

Before washing, the drum is filled with water. This occurs when the board receives a start signal after the user turns on the Start button. The inlet valve opens, the pressure switch monitors the degree of filling of the tank, and as soon as the specified level is reached, the module activates the heating element. Next, the machine heats up to a certain temperature, and the electronic unit begins to alternate the stages of the cycle, and at the end gives the pump the go-ahead to drain.

Almost every wash goes like this. A slight difference may occur if additional options are enabled. However, this is only the general picture, and to study the device of the washing machine in detail, it is worth carefully “seeing” the details separately.

The work of the largest elements

The tank takes up the most space in the washing machine. For Ariston models, it is made of plastic, which affects the low cost of the equipment and ease of transportation. Other manufacturers offer a stainless steel tank, which is stronger and more reliable, but more expensive and heavier.The container is located in the body mainly horizontally, although there are machines with an inclined tank.

A smaller metal tank is built into the tank, into which the user places dirty laundry. The water is heated in the tank, where it mixes with the detergent and penetrates into the clothes thanks to the porous walls of the drum. In addition to the holes, there are corrugations on the drum surface, which improves the quality of washing.

The water is heated and mixed with detergent in the tank, and then enters the drum through holes in its walls.

The tank and drum are rarely damaged. An imbalance due to non-compliance with loading standards or instability of the case can lead to a sad outcome. Both metal and plastic are also “pierced” by hard objects, keys, coins, hairpins, bra underwires, which often end up inside the machine due to the owner’s carelessness.

Why is the water in the tank hot?

The water in the tank is heated thanks to a tubular heater or, in short, a heating element. It is located directly under the drum, at the bottom of the housing. You can get to it by unscrewing the back panel of the washing machine and removing the drive belt. The heating element is one of the most frequently failing parts of a washing machine. There are three reasons for this:

• the heater is constantly in water, often hard, which provokes scale deposits;
• a layer of scale increases the already high temperature, which affects the overheating of the part until it burns out;
• heating elements are more susceptible to breakdown than others.

The heating element on Ariston machines consumes approximately 1800-2200 W.

It is not recommended to wash frequently in hot water, especially to maintain the temperature in the machine at 60-90 degrees for several cycles in a row.It is better to let the washer cool for 20-50 minutes before using it again.

As for power, the heating element consumes about 1800-2200 W. The indicators are equal to the energy consumption of any heating mechanism.

“Who” moves the drum, pumps in and removes water?

The drum rotates thanks to the motor. The motor, through a belt drive and pulley, accelerates the container to a given speed, ensuring high-quality washing and spinning. The service life and power of the engine depends on many factors, the determining one of which is its type.

Ariston washing machines are equipped with commutator electric motors. They are cheaper than inverter ones, inferior to them in several respects. Thus, the first ones are unreliable, sensitive to voltage changes and require constant care, for example, timely replacement of electric brushes. But if you anticipate these nuances, connect the machine through a stabilizer and carefully monitor the condition of the motor, then there will be no problems with operating the machine.

Water is pumped into the drum as follows:

• after turning on the “Start” button, the control board sends an opening command to the inlet valve;
• the valve opens, the pressure drops and water enters the tank through the inlet hose;
• a pressure switch, or water level sensor, monitors the degree of filling of the tank;
• when the specified volume is reached, the level sensor sends a signal to the electronic unit;
• the block records the received information and “orders” the valve to close;
• the valve responds to the command, the flow of water is completed.

Ariston washing machines operate on a commutator motor.

At the end of the wash, the control board communicates with the pump and gives the go-ahead to pump out water. The pump is activated and drains water through the pipes and the drain hose into the sewer.The presostat, in turn, monitors the emptying of the tank, and as soon as the level drops to a minimum, it reports to the module that the procedure is complete. The unit sends a “clear signal”, turns off the drainage system, and then, after making sure that all elements have completed their work, removes UBL and unlocks the hatch door.

Electronics are very important

Constant communication with the control board is possible thanks to electronics. The electronic module, through the control panel and special firmware, acts as a “brain”, issuing commands and monitoring their implementation. The system consists of semiconductor elements, triacs, thyristors, resistors, and “communication” with other parts occurs along electrically conductive paths.

Using a self-diagnosis system, the Ariston control board is able to detect problems that have arisen and display an error code on the display.

It is the board that sets the sequence of actions for each selected program. All possible algorithms and settings are written in its diagram, which allows you to run the cycle through the dashboard without errors. The latter offers the user a predetermined set of modes and options that simplify washing. Some Ariston models go further, giving the owner the opportunity to change factory settings, adjusting the washing process.

What else is in the case?

To finally understand how Ariston works, it is necessary to consider not only the basic components, but also additional ones. Despite their “secondary status,” all these parts and elements play a significant role in the functioning of the washing machine. Without them, the washing machine will not be able to work at full capacity.

• Shock absorption system. This includes springs, shock absorbers and dampers designed to suppress vibration emanating from the drum.
• Bow cuff.Rubber seals that stretch over the edge of the drum and housing. Necessary for sealing the machine.
• UBL. Stands for hatch blocking device. It is activated by the board after mechanically closing the door and pressing the “Start” button, which entails automatic locking of the machine. After this, it is impossible to accidentally or intentionally open the machine during washing.

When the cycle starts, the control board automatically activates the UBL - hatch blocking device.

• Drive belt. Thanks to it, the electric motor can transmit impulse to the pulley and spin the drum to a given speed. If it breaks or falls off, the washer will stop.
• Counterweights. More precisely, large concrete blocks that are installed above the drum to increase the weight of the washer. Due to the weight of the stones, the machine is able to withstand the centrifugal force created by the rotation of the drum. Without concrete, the machine will jump, tilting left and right.
• Hatch door. Everything is clear here: without it, loading laundry into the machine would be extremely problematic.
• Dispenser for detergents. In simple words, a powder receptacle. It has three compartments: for pre-wash, for the main wash and for additional liquids (stain remover, conditioner, softener, rinse aid). Helps the powder or gel reach things in a dosed manner, improving the quality of washing.
• Pipes. They connect parts together, for example, a pump and a drum, a dispenser and a tank, which allows water to circulate through the machine.

Having understood the Ariston device, you can analyze its behavior and carry out diagnostics and repairs at home. The main thing is to follow the factory instructions and remember the safety rules.

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