Why are they cylindrical shape and not ball shape. Would that not be better for more random movement of the items inside and therefore be better for washing them?
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Volume of a cylinder is greater than the volume of a sphere of the same size. The machine would need to be bigger to handle the same load
Volume of a cylinder is greater than the volume of a sphere of the same size. The machine would need to be bigger to handle the same load
If we’re talking a front loader, the load doesn’t just tumble from left to right with the rotation of the drum. Notice the shape of the door glass, and how the inside is sloped? The reason for this is to gently, and gradually, roll the load from front to back during the wash cycle. It also helps push the load away from the rubber seal, so items don’t scuff it up or get caught in there.
In a top loader, the oscillation of the agitator does indeed drag the clothes back and forth, but also slowly pulls them downward in the centre. They then pass through the moving agitator fins at the base, which provide the scrubbing action, before rising up the outer wall of the tub again and completing another circuit. If the upper section of the agitator is spiral-shaped and turns in only one direction on a ratchet, this is designed to work as an auger, further assisting rollover. Imagine the water and fabrics moving in a donut shape between the tub and agitator, and that’s the principle a top loader works on.
If we’re talking a front loader, the load doesn’t just tumble from left to right with the rotation of the drum. Notice the shape of the door glass, and how the inside is sloped? The reason for this is to gently, and gradually, roll the load from front to back during the wash cycle. It also helps push the load away from the rubber seal, so items don’t scuff it up or get caught in there.
In a top loader, the oscillation of the agitator does indeed drag the clothes back and forth, but also slowly pulls them downward in the centre. They then pass through the moving agitator fins at the base, which provide the scrubbing action, before rising up the outer wall of the tub again and completing another circuit. If the upper section of the agitator is spiral-shaped and turns in only one direction on a ratchet, this is designed to work as an auger, further assisting rollover. Imagine the water and fabrics moving in a donut shape between the tub and agitator, and that’s the principle a top loader works on.
If we’re talking a front loader, the load doesn’t just tumble from left to right with the rotation of the drum. Notice the shape of the door glass, and how the inside is sloped? The reason for this is to gently, and gradually, roll the load from front to back during the wash cycle. It also helps push the load away from the rubber seal, so items don’t scuff it up or get caught in there.
In a top loader, the oscillation of the agitator does indeed drag the clothes back and forth, but also slowly pulls them downward in the centre. They then pass through the moving agitator fins at the base, which provide the scrubbing action, before rising up the outer wall of the tub again and completing another circuit. If the upper section of the agitator is spiral-shaped and turns in only one direction on a ratchet, this is designed to work as an auger, further assisting rollover. Imagine the water and fabrics moving in a donut shape between the tub and agitator, and that’s the principle a top loader works on.
Washing machines are not spherical because they need to have a cylindrical shape to spin the clothes around and clean them effectively. A spherical shape would not be able to rotate as fast or as smoothly as a cylinder, and it would also take up more space and use more water. A cylinder can also fit more clothes inside than a sphere with the same diameter.
A random movement of the clothes is not necessary for washing them well. What matters more is that the clothes get enough contact with water and detergent, and that they are rinsed properly afterwards. A cylinder can do that better than a sphere because it has more surface area for the water and detergent to reach all parts of the clothes.
Washing machines are not spherical because they need to have a cylindrical shape to spin the clothes around and clean them effectively. A spherical shape would not be able to rotate as fast or as smoothly as a cylinder, and it would also take up more space and use more water. A cylinder can also fit more clothes inside than a sphere with the same diameter.
A random movement of the clothes is not necessary for washing them well. What matters more is that the clothes get enough contact with water and detergent, and that they are rinsed properly afterwards. A cylinder can do that better than a sphere because it has more surface area for the water and detergent to reach all parts of the clothes.
Washing machines are not spherical because they need to have a cylindrical shape to spin the clothes around and clean them effectively. A spherical shape would not be able to rotate as fast or as smoothly as a cylinder, and it would also take up more space and use more water. A cylinder can also fit more clothes inside than a sphere with the same diameter.
A random movement of the clothes is not necessary for washing them well. What matters more is that the clothes get enough contact with water and detergent, and that they are rinsed properly afterwards. A cylinder can do that better than a sphere because it has more surface area for the water and detergent to reach all parts of the clothes.
In order to realize the benefits of the ball (spherical) shape you would need to rotate about multiple axes. It is far easier/cheaper to build a motor that has a single axis of rotation. Extrude a 2D sphere (aka disk) along a single axis, and you get a cylinder.
In order to realize the benefits of the ball (spherical) shape you would need to rotate about multiple axes. It is far easier/cheaper to build a motor that has a single axis of rotation. Extrude a 2D sphere (aka disk) along a single axis, and you get a cylinder.
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