Modelling, Testing and Countermeasures

New-generation washing machines can operate at faster speeds and with higher load capacities. However, these machines may move on the floor depending on the contact conditions between the machine's legs and the floor’s surface. To prevent the undesirable movement, the contact between the leg and the surface must be analyzed.

waching machines

Figure 1: Simulation model to investigate the walking behaviour of a washing machine

In this project, a local model of the leg of the washing machine, including the frictional contact between the leg and the surface, is developed and implemented into a multibody dynamic system in ADAMS for the complete analysis of the dynamics of the washing machine, Figure 1. Material characterization experiments are performed to determine the leg's stiffness and frequency-dependent damping properties, Figure 2. Contact surface friction tests are completed to obtain friction coefficients. The measurements are used to parameterize the local leg model. Moreover, stability experiments with the washing machine are conducted to identify critical loading conditions that initiate walking behavior.

A look at the machine

Figure 2: Test rig for material stiffness and damping properties of the leg: (a) CAD model; (b) measurement set-up

Researcher

Project Funding

Contact

Privatdoz. Dr. Eray Arslan

Send email to Eray Arslan

Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn. Johannes Edelmann

Send email to Johannes Edelmann