Washing machine

Task 1 Many items found in the home contain control systems. The washing
machine is one of the most complex. List some of the factors the control
system of a washing machine must handle. This diagram may help you.

Fig. 1Cross- section through a washing machine

Reading Reading diagrams

In engineering. diagrams carry a great deal of information. They can also help
you to understand the accompanying text. For this reason, it is helpful to try to
understand any diagram before reading the text.

Task 2 Study the diagram again. Try to explain the function of each of these items.
1 Pump
2 Motor
 Shock absorber
Solenoid valves
Heater
Pressure sensor
Door lock and sensor
Temperature sensor
Fan

Task 3 Read this text to check your answers to Task I

Control qstems in the home

7 -,*
Most devices in the home have some sort of control. For example,
you can control the volume of a TV by using a remote control. The
building blocks of a control system are:

Input
-t
Press bumn Signal is Volume
on remote wntrol sent to TV is adjusted

Theinput can be any movement or any change in the environment.

5 For example. a drop in temperature may cause a heating system to
come on.
The control may change the size of the output (for example,
adjustingthe sound of a N). Often this involves changing one kind
of input into a different kind of output. For example, opening a
l o window may set off a burglar alarm.
Outputscan be of many kinds. An alarm system may ring a bell,
flash lights, and send a telephone messageto the police.
Most control systems are closed loops. That means they
incorporate a way of checking that the output is correct. In other
15 words, they have feedback. The thermostat in a central heating
system (Fig. 2) provides constant feedback to the control unit.

k
Temperature Control Boiler BoilerlPump
unit switch Radiators

Feedback
Fig. 2
The control system of a modern washing machine has to take into
account several different factors. These are door position, water
level, water temperature, wash and spin times, and drum speeds.
zo Most of them are decidedwhen you select which washing program
to Use.
Fig. 3 shows a block diagram of a washing machine control system.
YOU can see that this is quite a complex closed loop system using
feedbackto keep a check on water level, water temperature, and
25 drum speeds.

b
 J lump

The control unit is the heart of the system. It receives and sends
signals which control all the activities of the machine. It is alsc
capable of diagnosing faults which may occur, stopping the
program, and informing the service engineer what is wrong. It i
30 small, dedicated computer which, like other computers, uses th
language of logic.
Source: P. Fowler and M. Horsley, 'Contml systems in the home', CDE TTechnolo

Task 4 Read the following text to 6nd the answers to these questions:
1 What device is used to lock the door?
2 What provides feedback to the control unit about the door position?

Door position
The machinewill not SLUI t ally plugram w~l~rrsthedoor isfully
closed and locked. When the door is closed, it completes an
electrical circuit which heats up a heat-sensitive pellet. This
expands as it gets hot, pushing a mechanical lock into place and
closing a switch. The switch signals the control unit that the door is
closed and locked. Only when it has received this signal will the
control unit startthewash pronram~

Now work in pairs. A and B.

StudentA: Read Texts 2 and 3.
Student B: Read Texts 4 and 5.
Complete your section of the table opposite. Then exchange information with
your partner to complete the whole table.
 Control factor Operating device Feedbackby

1 Door position heat-sensitive pellet switch

2 Water level
3 Water temperature
4 Wash and spin times -
5 Drumspeeds

Text 2

Water Ieval
When a wash program first starts it has to open the valves which
allow the water in. There are usually two of these valves, one for hot
water and one for cold. Each must be controlled separately
depending on the water temperature needed forthat program. The
5 valves are solenoid operated, i.e. they are opened and closed
electrically.
The rising water level is checked by the water level sensor. This is a
pressure sensor. The pressure of the air in the plastic tube rises as it
is compressed by the rising water. The pressure sensor keeps the
10 control unit informed as to the Dressure reached and the control
unit uses the information to decide when to close the water inlet
valves.
::*W&tt#

Text 3
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*T.:%-~:~yz-i m
. ,~ T&*$*.,*:.'p$.:?:*:~%<*A>
, <*:p&*e*

. . .

@ Water temperature
The temperature sensor, a type of thermometer which fits inside the
washer drum, measuresthe water temperature and signals it to the
control unit. The control unit compares it with the temperature
nwded forthe program being used. If the water temperature is too
5 low, the control unit will switch on the heater. The temperature
sensor continues to check the temperature and keep the control unit
informed. Once the correct temperature is reached, the control unit
switches off the heater and moves on to the next stage of the
program.

Text 4

Clock
The control unit includes a memorywhich tells it how long
staae of a Droaram should last. The times mav be different
he electronic clock built into the control unit keeps th
memory of the control unit informed so that each stage of each
6 program is timed correctly.
 has to spin at various speeds. Most machines use three different
:
*,as speeds: 53 rpm for washing; 83 rpm for distributing the load b e f ~ r & ~ ~ ~ * : ~ ~
@
spinning; 100 rpm forspinning. ~~z~;&
w
@
.?<aThe control unit signals the motor to produce these speeds. The
motor starts up slowly, then gradually increasesspeed. The spee
sensor, a tachogenerator, keeps the control unit informed as to
speed that has been reached. The control unit uses the informat
to control the power to the motor and so controls the speed of the
l o drum at all times.

Language Study IfJUnless sentences

Task 5 Fill in the blanks in this table using the information in Fig. 3 and the texts in
Task 4.

Sensor Condition Control unit action

Water level low open inlet valves

level high enough
Water temperature switch on heater
high enough
Drum speed
decrease motor speed

The conditions which the sensors report determine the action of the control
unit. We can link each condition and action like this:
If the water level is low, the inlet valves are opened.

Task 6 Write similar sentences for the other five conditions given.
Now study this example:
Sensor Condition Control unit action
Door Door open Machine cannot start
Door closed Machine can start
We can link these conditions and actions as follows:
1 u t h e door is open, the machine cannot start.
2 If the door is closed, the machine can start.
3 Unkss the door is closed, the machine cannot start.
We use unless when an action cannot or will not happen if a prior condition is
not true. In example 3. Unless means If... not. We can rewrite 3 as:
If the door is not closed, the machine cannot start.
Task 7 Complete these sentences using Unless and your knowledge of engineering.

1 Unless the ignition is switched on, a car cannot

2 Unless the pilot light is on, gas central heating will not

3 Unless the diverter valve is switched to central heating, the radiators will not

4 Unless there is current flowing in the primary coil of a transformer, there will
be no current in the coil.

5 Unless there is in the cylinders, a petrol engine will not start.

6 Unless the doors are , a lift will not operate.

7 Unless mild steel is painted, it will

8 Unless electrical equipment is earthed, it may be

Writing Explaining a diagram

Task 8 Study this diagram of a pressure sensor. Explain how it works by linking each
pair of actions with appropriate time words.

1 A wash programme h s t starts.

It opens the valves to allow the water in.
2 The water level in the drum rises.
The air in the plastic tube is compressed.
3 The pressure rises.
The diaphragm moves upwards.
4 This continues.
The switch contacts are separated.
5 This happens.
The fill valves are closed.
Task 9 Join the following groups of statements to make longer sentences. Use the
words printed in italics above each group. You may omit words and make
whatever changes you think are necessary in the word order and
punctuation of the sentences. Join the sentences to make a paragraph.
1 which
The temperature sensor measures the water temperature.
The temperature sensor is a type of thermometer.
2 and
The temperature sensor fits inside the washer drum.
The temperature sensor signals the water temperature to the control unit.
3 which
The control unit compares the water temperature with the temperature.
The temperature is needed for the programme being used.
4 If
The water temperature is too low.
The control unit will switch on the heater.
5 and
The temperature sensor continues to check the temperature.
The temperature sensor keeps the control unit informed.
6 When ...and
The correct temperature is reached.
The control unit switches off the heater.
The control unit moves on to the next stage of the programme.