Development Of The Whirlpool Wigwag Belt,Direct and Vertical Modular Drive Washers
- Thread starter washer10
- Start date
Help Support :
whirlpool engineers
I believe whirlpool engineers have developed these systems.
I believe whirlpool engineers have developed these systems.
cfz2882
Well-known member
1943....
once,on a "patent of the day"there was patent drawings from 1943 of basicly the BD whirlpool mechanism that would be built into early 1987-in the 1943 drawing,the drain pump,centrifugal type,had a solenoid actuated clutch.DD mechanism was introduced in 1982 on most 24" washers(BD still used on certain 24" up through ~1984)27" washers DD by mid 1987,replaced by VMW mechanism in most washers in 2010-might still be some special application washers using the DD mechanism in 2016...
once,on a "patent of the day"there was patent drawings from 1943 of basicly the BD whirlpool mechanism that would be built into early 1987-in the 1943 drawing,the drain pump,centrifugal type,had a solenoid actuated clutch.DD mechanism was introduced in 1982 on most 24" washers(BD still used on certain 24" up through ~1984)27" washers DD by mid 1987,replaced by VMW mechanism in most washers in 2010-might still be some special application washers using the DD mechanism in 2016...
vacerator
Well-known member
Whirlpool Clyde division
After WWII, Whirlpool bought the Clyde Ohio plant from Bendix I believe.
They set out to engineer a durable automatic washer and dryer as the baby boom was under way.
In 1986, they sold the wig wag belt drive to Canada (Inglis-Whirlpool). They kept it around maybe 5 years.
A direct driven gearcase machine came out then from Clyde division. This still has a clutch. The front mounted side mount motor couples to the gearcase, and the gear case to the tub via a flexible coupling. On early models, this coupling often failed after two to three years. A slightly faster spin speed was also achieved, enabling dryer BTU's to be lowered.
During the late 80's, Whirlpool developed a nylon Celcon splutch drive reduction gear case. It was first implemented in Mexico, and also manufactured there. then in Brazil by Braestemp.
It came to the USA in about 1992 in portable washers only. the splutch drive it self is quite durable. So, once proven, as what I was told is the direct drive tooling had worn out, it was decided to use it in full size washers.
The spin speed is 550 rpm on agitator types, and 800 rpm on high efficiency models. larger top load hall sensor rotor and stator washers spin at 1,000 rpm's.
Bearing life is less than desirable, as is often times the mode shifter solenoid motor. The motor it self seems rather small for large loads to me. It reverses direction during agitation. There is no clutch for braking the basket.
Whirlpool said they combined the best of the old belt drive and direct drive's into the new world washer. I disagree.
After WWII, Whirlpool bought the Clyde Ohio plant from Bendix I believe.
They set out to engineer a durable automatic washer and dryer as the baby boom was under way.
In 1986, they sold the wig wag belt drive to Canada (Inglis-Whirlpool). They kept it around maybe 5 years.
A direct driven gearcase machine came out then from Clyde division. This still has a clutch. The front mounted side mount motor couples to the gearcase, and the gear case to the tub via a flexible coupling. On early models, this coupling often failed after two to three years. A slightly faster spin speed was also achieved, enabling dryer BTU's to be lowered.
During the late 80's, Whirlpool developed a nylon Celcon splutch drive reduction gear case. It was first implemented in Mexico, and also manufactured there. then in Brazil by Braestemp.
It came to the USA in about 1992 in portable washers only. the splutch drive it self is quite durable. So, once proven, as what I was told is the direct drive tooling had worn out, it was decided to use it in full size washers.
The spin speed is 550 rpm on agitator types, and 800 rpm on high efficiency models. larger top load hall sensor rotor and stator washers spin at 1,000 rpm's.
Bearing life is less than desirable, as is often times the mode shifter solenoid motor. The motor it self seems rather small for large loads to me. It reverses direction during agitation. There is no clutch for braking the basket.
Whirlpool said they combined the best of the old belt drive and direct drive's into the new world washer. I disagree.
sorry to revive this thread
But who made the direct drive motors for Whirlpool? Why did some have a droning F tone during full speed agitation while others didn't?
But who made the direct drive motors for Whirlpool? Why did some have a droning F tone during full speed agitation while others didn't?
cfz2882
Well-known member
it was Emerson who made all the DD motors...
and all BD motors from about 1978 on-earliest VMW motors were Emerson also.
and all BD motors from about 1978 on-earliest VMW motors were Emerson also.
dd motors
Did GE ever build them? I could be wrong but I thought I heard somewhere that GE built them. How much torque did these motors produce?
Did GE ever build them? I could be wrong but I thought I heard somewhere that GE built them. How much torque did these motors produce?
It may have been just for the Canadian market, but Inglis washers had GE-built motors (Canadian-built GE). Not sure exactly which years though. My '66 Inglis Sterling has a GE motor and I believe I pulled one out of a mid-70s parts donor machine also.
cfz2882
Well-known member
other motors in BDs
GE was often found in 1977 and earlier BDs-never seen Delco or Westinghouse,but there may have been some.~ 1960 and earlier,GM Packard motors were used.
GE was often found in 1977 and earlier BDs-never seen Delco or Westinghouse,but there may have been some.~ 1960 and earlier,GM Packard motors were used.
100 degree arc
Why did Whirlpool stick with the 100 degree arc of agitation? What was their reasoning in their dd units?
Why did Whirlpool stick with the 100 degree arc of agitation? What was their reasoning in their dd units?
Old-style belt-drive is 195 degrees agitation arc.
direct drive agitation arc
Thanks for the agitation arc for the old style belt drives. What was the reason for Whirlpool to go to 100 degrees arc of agitation in their new style direct drive units? Was it for cleaning power? What about fabric care? It is a nagging question that I have been trying to find the answer for but couldn't seem to find it. Is that how maytag got their 100 degrees of agitation with their centennial units?
Thanks for the agitation arc for the old style belt drives. What was the reason for Whirlpool to go to 100 degrees arc of agitation in their new style direct drive units? Was it for cleaning power? What about fabric care? It is a nagging question that I have been trying to find the answer for but couldn't seem to find it. Is that how maytag got their 100 degrees of agitation with their centennial units?
