Washing Machine Dynamic Model to Prevent Tub Collision during Transient State

Area of Science:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Appliance Dynamics
• Vibration Analysis

Background:

• Horizontal-axis washing machines experience tub-housing collisions during transient operation.
• Existing dynamic models often neglect the front gasket's influence, focusing on steady-state and suspension systems only.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally analyze the effect of the front gasket on the transient motion of a washing machine tub.
• To develop an accurate multibody model incorporating the gasket for predicting tub behavior.

Main Methods:

• An experimental study was conducted using accelerometers and a load cell.
• A gasket model using Voigt elements was developed and validated.
• Integration of Adams/View and Matlab optimization algorithms for parameter estimation.

Main Results:

• The gasket significantly influences transient tub motion, necessitating its inclusion in dynamic models.
• Transversal linear stiffness is the most sensitive gasket parameter affecting tub displacement.
• The developed gasket model accurately predicts tub movement during resonance.

Conclusions:

• Accurate prediction of washing machine tub motion requires incorporating the gasket into dynamic models.
• This improved modeling approach aids in the design phase to prevent tub-housing collisions and enhance appliance reliability.