Load Composition Sensing; Blooming; Recovery Mode; Smart Pump - Fisher & Paykel AquaSmart WL26CW1 Product Information

Load Composition Sensing

Different load types behave very differently when washed in AquaSmart™ due to varying mixes
of fabric types and weights. Two main load types commonly used were identified –
heavy/mixed loads and cotton/light loads. Heavy mixed loads require more vigorous profiles in
order to bloom and continue to turnover adequately. However, the higher speed and longer
plateau required for these loads are very rough on cotton/light loads, causing bunching and
precessing, and making it harder to bloom. In the development of this product it became very
clear that a single wash action was not going to work for both load types.
To counter this, the AquaSmart™ team developed a unique load composition sensing technique
that measures the motor current in order to assess how the load is coupling to the plate, and
adjusts the wash process accordingly. This process means each load will get a customised wash
action to best suit the load type.

Blooming

The AquaSmart™ wash action differs to traditional top loader washing machines. The low
profile agitator gently rolls the clothes over each other in a reverse-torrodial motion. Items at
the bottom are slowly pushed up through the centre, and gently roll over, move to the edge of
the basket and work back towards the middle again. This process looks like a flower blooming,
hence the name.

Recovery Mode

AquaSmart™ relies on loads blooming in order to achieve good wash performance results.
Sometimes blooming is prevented by large items getting stuck over the top of other items
(engulfing/ bridging), or if the load is distributed unevenly (bunching). AquaSmart™ has the
ability to detect when engulfing or bunching occurs, and corrects this by implementing Recovery
mode. The first Recovery sequence simply uses a more vigorous profile to help initiate turnover.
If this sequence is not successful, then a second Recovery sequence is initiated. The second
sequence involves adding more water and using a specially designed wash action. The wash
time may also extend to ensure that adequate washing has occurred.

Smart Pump

The new Smart Pump replaces the need for an additional diverter valve to change the flow of
the water from recirculation to drain. The transition from one mode to another on the previous
waxed actuated valve was not immediate, as it relied on a thermally activated actuator. This
meant that the drain or recirculation phase of the wash could not start until the diverter valve
was in the correct position, which could taken up to 3 minutes (depending on the ambient
temperature)- Smart Pump has done away with these time delays. The advantage of the new
Smart Pump system is that it can divert water from recirculation to drain in a matter of seconds.