When choosing a new washing machine, the buyer primarily focuses on the price, size and type of loading of the model. An additional but very important factor affecting the price and subsequent comfortable operation of the device is its functionality. “Smart” cars are equipped with many useful functions, the Fuzzy Logic system is included in this list as the main one. How useful is this technology, and what benefit does it bring to the owner of the washing machine?
Technology History
The Intellowasher and Fuzzy Logic technologies in the washing machine are different names for the same “brain” control system of the mechanism, which is owned by Whirlpool.
But regardless of the brand of the washing device and how its control system is called, the quintessence of this control technology is reduced to the concept of “fuzzy logic”. It was presented by experts in the 60s of the twentieth century in America and was intended for use in programming on the basis of human thinking.
Fuzzy Logic generates transitional values between constant estimates, such as "short - long", "soft - hard", "cold - hot" and others. This property gave impetus to the beginning of its use as the main principle of controlling household appliances, such as washing, dishwashers and other devices.
Intelligent machine
Fuzzy Logic functions - what is it in practice? The system of built-in sensors and sensors, thanks to which the volume of linen, the level of pollution of things, water hardness and many other initial parameters are estimated. These sensors send information to the microprocessor, which, on the basis of the data received, sets the device to a program that takes into account the duration of the wash, the degree of heating, the flow rate of the powder, the amount of water rinsed, the spin power, and the operating mode as a whole.
Fuzzy Logic in the washing machine is a system of built-in sensors that will analyze the level of soiling of the laundry, and the microprocessor of the device will calculate the duration of the wash. In addition to the level of contamination, touch sensors will help establish the nature of the contamination, the composition of the fabric and the hardness of the water in order to choose the optimal, gentle operation.
We can say that the technology fully controls the washing machine using several initial parameters. In combination, they make it possible to operate with hundreds of mode options (!), This is a different automatic machine with Fuzzy Logic from a simple automatic device. And between it and the model a semiautomatic device (low- class washing machine ) runs through the abyss.
Why is Fuzzy Logic technology often compared to feminine logic?
In order to catch the similarity of the fuzzy logic and behavior of a woman, it is necessary to restore to the smallest detail the process of creating any dish in the kitchen by her. For example, during the preparation of the dough, an experienced hostess will never immediately take the amount of flour exactly according to the recipe, because she perfectly understands that the optimal amount depends on many circumstances. A woman will take as much product as needed to get the desired density of the dough, adding flour several times during the batch, if necessary, to achieve the best result. The same principle is at the forefront of the Fuzzy Logic function. What is it then, if not female logic?
Strengths and Profitability
The work of devices with Fuzzy Logic gives significant advantages:
- reduced washing time as a result of accurate assessment of the level of contamination;
- reduction in water consumption due to preliminary determination of the weight of things and control over foaming;
- minimum energy consumption due to a decrease in the volume of water for heating;
- full automation of the washing process, which eliminates the need to manually set the spin speed, duration of work, the number of rinses, the desired temperature of the water, etc. (for a person, the decision is made by a “smart” machine);
- saving powders, laundry bleaches and other products that use washing machines.
Reviews of experts fully confirm the practical benefits and ease of use of devices armed with this technology.
Duration calculation table
Fuzzy Logic in the washing machine is an opportunity to save electricity and water. A table showing the relationship between the type and level of contamination, which will help you calculate the approximate optimal washing time, is presented below.
| Pollution level |
Low | Moderate | Tall |
A type pollution | Greasy | ≈8 min | ≈12 min | ≈20 min |
Average | ≈20 min | ≈20 min | ≈20 min |
Fatty | ≈40 min | ≈40 min | ≈60 min |
Council of specialists. Important to consider
The main danger for equipment with Fuzzy Logic mode is power surges. In our country, it often varies from 160 to 280 volts. Such “jumps” have an extremely negative effect on the electronic “brains” of the mechanism and have sad consequences. The machine starts to fail, for example, skips the spin time or ignores the rinse mode. Such failures, when the washing machine modes are violated, will inevitably lead to damage, which can only be fixed by a master specialist. To avoid difficulties, it is necessary to connect the machine to the network using a stabilizer.
Budget Models Overview
For most LG models, Fuzzy Logic is the underlying technology. For example, LGF1281TD with front loading up to 8 kg, having 14 programs. This is a budget category model, equipped with, nevertheless, the most advanced technologies that meet the proud title of “smart” cars. The price fluctuates around 32 thousand rubles.
The next representative of the popular brand - BOSCH WLG20265OE - a narrow automatic machine with a drum with a capacity of 5 kg. Additional features: night cycle, special gentle mode for outerwear, the presence of Fuzzy Logic. It is possible to throw things into the drum during washing. It has protection against leaks and a block from children. It costs about 22 thousand rubles.
Samsung WF1802XEC is already a full-size unit with Eco Bubble plus Fuzzy Logic features implemented in it. The drum holds 8 kg, there are nine programs. An additional bonus is the Eco Drum Clean mode, which allows you to rid your clothing of a pungent odor without washing in the water. The price of the device is from 42 thousand rubles.
INDESIT IWDC 7105 - a copy with special settings for washing delicate fabrics and to eliminate the causes of wrinkling. The functionality of the model is enhanced by super rinsing, quick washing and other modes, including Fuzzy Logic. The cost is approximately 30 thousand rubles.
ELECTROLUX EWT1366HDW - a machine with a vertical load of 6 kilograms of laundry. Available: seven washing modes, protection against leaks and protection against children. The maximum spin is 1300 revolutions. The price of the device is from 40 thousand rubles.
Excellent results of work and unprecedented simplicity of management combine these washing machines. The reviews of experts confirm the guarantees given by their manufacturers.
Consumer Reviews
For washing machines equipped with the Fuzzy Logic intelligent mode, users rated it very highly. Previously, manufacturing companies tried to add as many modes to devices as possible. Buyers appreciated this and chose such models, but only, as a rule, they rarely used all the offered functionality. Now the necessary mode carefully selects artificial intelligence. Thanks to this, even the previously demanded function of half loading the drum has lost its relevance. Semi-automatic (washing machine) was previously considered more practical than fully automated models, but now it can win positions only in the price category. Buyers like the new models:
- convenience and ease of operation;
- saving water and energy;
- washing speed;
- the ability to stop the program by pausing it and, if necessary, add linen and change the mode.
It is worth mentioning that the presence of Fuzzy Logic technology in the washing machine is not always a guarantee that absolutely every consumer will be satisfied with the work of his household assistant. On intelligent machines, one can find the following claims from the owners:
- sophisticated electronic control technology cannot be durable;
- Frequent adjustment of the mode during washing changes the time of the device’s shutdown and is confusing.
Basically, users focus on the positive aspects of the work of machines with this function. People who have been using this technique for a long time at home claim that it would be difficult for them to abandon the smart device. They compare a washing machine without Fuzzy Logic mode with a refrigerator without automatic defrosting.
Conclusion
The system guarantees impeccable quality of washing and rinsing, as well as simplicity and comfort during operation. The price of a washing machine equipped with such a system is, of course, much higher than the cost of conventional washing machines. Meanwhile, the difference in price pays off after some time due to the practical and economical process of operation of a household device. The technology is a winning alternative to conventional washing machines equipped with a half-load program. It makes it possible to wash a small amount of things without unnecessary expenses, saving literally on everything. Based on this, it can be argued that it is especially important to make sure that you have an automatic weighing program for the selected model before buying. Without it, there simply cannot be a Fuzzy Logic system, and all assurances of the opposite are nothing more than a marketing ploy of unscrupulous sellers.