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5.2 MECHANICAL SYSTEM
5.2.1 DIRECT DRIVE
In this washer the motor shaft is connected directly to the agitator. The DIRECT DRIVE motor has
eliminated the need for pulleys, belts, gearboxes and other electro-mechanical items used in other
designs. The single shaft design also reduces the number of seals.
5.2.2 FLOATING BASKET
During spin, the agitator and basket have to be coupled together and turn as a single unit, whilst in
agitate the agitator and basket have to be free to rotate independently.
The washer basket is free to move in a vertical direction. At the base of the basket is a flotation
chamber. As the water level increases the basket floats and disengages the driven spline from the
drive spline. This agitator is now decoupled from the basket and can move freely in both directions.
When the water is draining from the washer the basket settles back down onto the drive spline and
re-engages the driven spline. The agitator and basket are now coupled together and turn as one unit.
FLOATING BASKET