|
SANYO Announces the World’s
First*1 Drum-Type Washing Machine
with ‘Air Wash Wide’ Function
- Disinfecting & Deodorizing using Ozone -
Change air to Ozone, Eliminate
odors & bacteria*2 from delicate clothing such as
silk |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
| Tokyo, March 27, 2007 ---- SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. (SANYO), based
on its ‘Think GAIA’ vision, and using ‘tackle global
environmental problems’ as a keyword, is committed to conducting
business utilizing its proprietary water circulation and recycling
technology applications, in its mission to tackle global environmental
problems. The functions of the ‘AQUA’, a washer/dryer
created with the intention of becoming a key technology focusing on
the importance of conserving the world’s water resources, have
been even further developed, further strengthened and advanced its
functions. The ‘Air Wash’ function, able to disinfect*2
and deodorize items previously un-washable through the power of air
(ozone), has expanded its applications to include leather, silk and
other temperature-sensitive items, and also is able to remove dirt
and stains with the new and improved “Air Wash Wide” function.
Through the power of air (ozone), the ‘Aqualoop’ water
recycle function has evolved to become the ‘Aqualoop Wide’
which is able to purify and disinfect*2 bath water and reduce the
amount of tap water used to a mere eight liters. This evolved2nd generation
‘AQUA’ once again revolutionizes the way clothes are washed
and dried. |
Product |
Drum Type Washer/Dryer |
Model Number |
AWD-AQ2000 |
Capacity (Wash/Dry) |
9.0kg/6.0kg |
MSRP |
283,500 yen (270,000 yen without tax) |
|
Initial Monthly Production |
20,000 units |
| Start of Sales |
April 20, 2007 |
| Color |
(W) Pearl White (T) Metallic Brown |
|
| |
| 1) |
‘Air Wash*3 Wide’:
World-First*1 Disinfecting*2, Deodorizing , and Cleaning Using
the Power of Air
|
| Conveniently eliminate bacteria*2, odors, and
dirt/stains from difficult-to-wash, delicate clothing and small
items*3 at home by utilizing the power of ozone. |
| 2) |
World-First*1 ‘Aqualoop
Wide’ Function Disinfecting*2, Purifying Bathwater Using
Ozone
|
| Cleans and recycles bathwater for use in laundry,
thus achieving the industry-best*5 water conservation (use approx.
8L*4 of new tap water). |
| 3) |
World-First*1 “Guidance Display”
to Answer Operational Questions |
| “Kitchen-counter-style” design to
reduce strain on the body. |
*1 As of March 27, 2007, for home use drum-type
washer/dryer
*2 Tests conducted by Japan Food Research Laboratories/ Testing
methods agar plate cultural method, bacteria elimination using
ozone
*3 For contents under 2 kg. Some metal/fur items can not be
used.
*4 When using the ‘water recycle/bathwater’ setting,
the bathwater is used in the fabric softener cycle
|
|
| |
The amount of water on earth that people can use amounts to only
about 0.01% of the total. Everyday, people have the responsibility
to ensure that washing machines that use water do not waste this precious
resource. The new ‘Aqua’, a washer/dryer that uses the
power of air accomplishes this goal and changes the way laundry is
done.
The forecast of domestic demand for washing machines in Fiscal Year
2007 is 47 million units (100% of previous year), and the demand for
fully automatic washing machines for Fiscal Year 2007 is anticipated
to be similar to those of last year, with a decrease to about 29 million
units (about 95.7% compared with same period in previous year) forecast
as of now. Demand for washer/dryer combination machines has reached
15.5 million units (110.7% compared with same period in previous year),
with the distribution ratio for fully automatic washing machines reaching
33% of the total. This means that the market has come to a point where
one in three people choose the automatic washer/dryer combination
machines over traditional models. Along with the future expansion
of the marketplace for washer/dryer combination machines, it is anticipated
that there will be more diverse needs for these washer/dryer units.(See
For Reference Image I)
|
| 1. ‘Air
Wash*3 Wide’: World-First*1 Disinfecting*2, Deodorizing , and
Cleaning Using the Power of Air |
SANYO’s proprietary technology the ‘Air
Wash’ function, which disinfects and deodorize through using
air (ozone) instead of water, has been further developed.
SANYO has received a myriad of comments from customers that describe
how their lifestyle habits and awareness has changed, such as: “I
always use the air wash function before I put the clothes away”,
“My amount of dry cleaning has gone down”, “My stereotype
of using water only to clean has disappeared”, and “Laundry
has become fun again”.
The new and improved ‘Air Wash Wide’ function, through
reconsidering the inner structure and newly developed high-powered
‘ozonator’, reduces the amount of time needed by 30% over
the previous model, allowing the new machine’s ‘Air Wash
Wide’ function to decrease cycle time to 20 minutes, compared
to the previous model’s 30 minutes. Additionally, through lowering
the temperature to 50°C from 60°C, it is now possible to wash
with air items more delicate and vulnerable to heat, such as leather
and silk cloth. Therefore many items can use the ‘Air Wash’
function, without worrying about the material, and the machine is
generally.
Furthermore, this machine incorporates a “High Power Mode”
that exhibits effectiveness against stains, from things such as meat
sauce, and dirt.
|
*1 As of March 27, 2007, with regards
to home use drum-type washer/dryer
*2 Tests conducted by Japan Food Research Laboratories/ Testing methods
agar plate cultural method, bacteria elimination using ozone
*3 For contents under 2 kg. Some metal/fur items can not be used.
*4 Not all dirt and stains will be removed as ozone is not a substitute
for bleach
|
 |
| 2. |
World-First*1 ‘Aqualoop Wide’ Function
Disinfecting*2, Purifying Bathwater Using Ozone
|
The ‘Aqualoop’ function fitted in the previous
model recycled and purified the water used in the ‘rinse’
cycle in an attempt to cut down the amount of water needed. This function
has received high acclaim and approval rates from current customers,
“100% satisfaction (400 people)” as per results of customer
surveys. (See For Reference Image II)
This product incorporates an advanced ‘Aqualoop’ function,
not only allowing for the reuse of the rinse cycle water, but also
due to popular demand, the new ‘Aqualoop Wide’ function
that allows the reuse of bathwater.
According to company studies, approximately 70% of people are using
bathwater in their washing machines. (See For Reference
Image III)
Upon reviewing customer comments that admitted to not using bathwater
in their washing machines (the remaining 30%), SANYO asked what the
primary objection for its use was. The reason was almost always the
same, being “worried about the bacteria”. In a response
to a follow-up question with these customers whether or not they would
use the bathwater if it was disinfected first, 90% answered in the
affirmative. (For reference image IV)
The reason that most of the customers surveyed want to use bathwater
is: 67% said that they can “conserve water”, 25% said
that they “want to reuse the warm water” and 2% said “the
water increases the potency of the detergent.” Approximately
93% of the people surveyed said that they felt the water left unused
after the bath was “a complete waste of perfectly good water
to throw it away.” Therefore, it is easy to see how people’s
environmental consciousness is being raised by such simple daily items
as the washing machine.
 The
‘Aqualoop Wide’ cleans the bathwater using ozone inside
of the storage tank. Water absorbed by the water hose in the bath
is first filtered through an antimicrobial filter to remove larger
items such as hair and other items, and is then sent to the storage
tank. Before it is emptied into the storage tank, ozone enters the
pipe and is injected into the storage tank. By using the system in
this manner, the water that then enters the tank is circulated through
the ozone, cleaning and disinfecting*2 the bathwater. The result is
that for one single load of laundry, from wash to dry, the machine
only uses an astoundingly low amount of fresh tap water—a mere
eight liters*3.
Of course the machine also allows traditional-use of fresh tap water
for all cycles, or for only the final rinse cycle, and users can select
the setting of ‘Aqualoop’ that meets their individual
needs.
*1 As of March 27, 2007, with regards to home use drum-type washer/dryer
*2 Tests conducted by Japan Food Research Laboratories/ Testing methods
agar plate cultural method, bacteria elimination using ozone
*3 When using the ‘water recycle/bathwater’ setting, the
bathwater is used in the fabric softener cycle
|
| 3. |
World-First*1 “Guidance Display”
to Answer Operational Questions. |
“Kitchen-counter-style” design to reduce
strain on the body.
Although the washer/dryers are improved year-on-year, and the level
of functionality is enhanced, SANYO has received the following customer
opinions regarding previous models referring to the controls and general
operation of the washer/dryer: “The controls are hard to understand
without the manual”, “It is too difficult to operate”,
“The various courses are confusing”, “Error messages
don’t make sense”, “Solving the problem is too hard”,
and “The print on the display is too small to read”.
In an attempt to raise the usefulness of the controls and user interface,
SANYO has adopted the industry’s first “Guidance Display”
which aids the user in understanding with large print. Previously,
the user interface only displayed lights and numbers, requiring the
user to turn to the manual for confirmation. In the new model, the
new “Guidance Display” will show on demand information
and advice in text related to the machine’s current operation—all
by simply pressing the “Advice” button. For example, on
the previous model, when the door was left open, a number indicating
an error was shown, forcing the user to open the manual to see what
the error was. This will no longer be a problem, as the “Guidance
Display” will be able to show what the error is in text format,
eliminating the need to constantly turn to the manual, simplifying
use.
Also, the “Kitchen-counter-style” design that was designed
to be a comfortable 85cm – the same as the average kitchen counter
– is continued in this new model. This style is easy to reach*5
without straining, both for those who are tall or short, and is at
just the right height to reach in and check the back of the drum for
any clothes that may have been left inside, as well as being a convenient
height to pull out large blankets and other items that people strain
to load into and unload from the drum. Furthermore, because it has
a universal design that reduces stress on knees, elbows, and backs
by 60%*5, SANYO believes that it will help lighten the burden for
people who do laundry on a daily basis.
*1
As of March 27, 2007, with regards to home use drum-type washer/dryer
*5 Inspection results based on “Biomechanics Model” used
in Human ecology research labs at SANYO and Hiroshima International
University
*6 Analysis/Testing led by Professor Shigekazu Ishihar,Hiroshima International
University’s Psychological Sciences and SANYO’s Human
Ecology Research Lab
|
 |
 |
| |
Other features:
|
| 1. |
Based on where the machine is placed, the door can be opened
from the right or left*6 Industry’s largest opening of
approx. 38 cm diameter for easy access |
| 2. |
‘Ozone steam course’ to break down dirt and remove
it using ozone |
| 3. |
‘Mold guard course’ guard against black mold,
using ozone’s disinfecting effects |
| 4. |
‘Drying shelf’ enables drying of delicate clothes,
stuffed toys, shoes etc. without the
tumbling action
|
‘Low Temperature Dryer’ allows drying of clothes prone
to shrink or vulnerable to heat
with the low 60°C drying cycle
|
| |
Model number |
AWD-AQ2000 |
Capacity (washer/dryer) |
9.0kg/6.0kg |
Dimensions |
1209mm (H) x 636mm (W) x 695mm (D) |
Width of Body |
596 mm |
Product weight |
Approximately 82 kg |
Washer |
Power Output |
150 W |
Water Used |
8 L (9 kg cycle) when using recycled water
and purified bathwater78 L (9 kg cycle) when using tap water |
Dryer |
Power Output |
1200 W |
Water Used |
OL |
Washer/Dryer |
Water Used |
5 L (6 kg cycle) when using recycled water
and purified bathwater76 L (6 kg cycle) when using tap water |
Color |
(W) Pearl White
(T) Metallic Brown |
9 Patents Pending (with 71 items claimed)
For Reference:
Please note the contents of this press release are regarding the product
sold in Japan. An overseas launch of this product is as yet undecided.
Information contained in this news release, including product prices,
specifications and content of services is current as of release date,
but may be subject to change without prior notice.
|
| |
 |
For Reference Image II
100% Satisfaction level with ‘Aqualoop’
|
For Reference Image III
Approximately 71% use bathwater
 |
For Reference Image IV
Reasons for not using bathwater
|
For Reference Image V
Reasons for using bathwater
|
|
|
Page
Top
