Washing Machine Dynamic Model to Prevent Tub Collision during Transient State

Abstract

In horizontal-axis washing machines, the front gasket as well as the damping system are crucial owing to the possible collision of the tub with the housing during the transient period. However, most dynamic models for predicting tub motion focus on the steady state and consider only the suspension system without including the gasket. We conducted an experimental study to analyze the effect of the gasket on the transient motion of the tub. The results obtained indicate the necessity of implementing the gasket in the multibody model of a washing machine to accurately predict the tub behavior during this period. The gasket model is formed by a combination of Voigt elements. Stiffness parameters are determined using a load cell, and damping factors are estimated using a process that integrates Adams/View, Matlab optimization algorithms, and displacement measurements that are taken using accelerometers. A D-optimal design used to predict the effect of the gasket parameters reveals that the tub displacement is most sensitive to the changes in linear stiffness in the transversal direction. Finally, the model of the gasket provides a better approach for predicting the tub movement during resonance that can be used in the design phase to avoid tub collision.

A comprehensive study of the effects of various design variables on the dynamic behavior and vibration characteristics of a front-loading washing machine

“…However, there is a bit of a difference between the rest of the NFs of the X,Yand Z displacements. As noted by previous studies in the literature, it is observed that the time histories of displacements that are measured (as in experimental studies 23,24 ) or calculated (as in simulation studies 16 ) at different locations often lead to different identified values for the NFs even though the number of NFs remain the same. This difference is attributed to not selecting a most suitable measurement point.…”

Parametric Dynamic Simulation and Bayesian Design Optimization of a Front-Loading Washing Machine

“…This process will be repeated iteratively until the maximum number of iterations is reached. Finally, the optimal parameter set found by the proposed framework is the design for the washing machine, which produces the minimum displacement amplitude, i.e., Block (7) in Fig. 2.…”

“…One serious issue that needs to be studied is the vibration-induced walking problem that occurs when the machine operates at a high speed [5,6], which is a stability concern, produces large noise, and leads to poor energy efficiency. Another one is the collision of internal components of the washing machine during its operation, which needs to be avoided [7]. Therefore, a more stable, quiet, and light weighted washing machine is desired by customers [1].…”