Dynamic analysis of top-loader washing machine with unbalance mass during dehydration and its validation.

Top loader washing machines are composed of an outer tub, inner drum, actuator and suspension with spring and dampers. When the drum rotates at a high speed, clothes are attached to the inner wall of the inner drum and the centrifugal force due to the unbalance mass makes a vibrating motion. In this study, the dynamic model of top loader washing machine was established to analyze the vibrating characteristics of the washing machine due to the unbalance mass effect and the mass effect of the fluid balancer. An integrated model of RecurDyn and Particleworks was made and used to analyze the dynamic behavior of the washing machine. The vibrating amount of the washing machine according to the position of the unbalance mass and its magnitude was analyzed. The accuracy of the dynamic model was verified by comparisons of the analysis results with experiments. By using the modal coordinates for the flexible multibody model, it was noted that the vibration of the top-loader washing machine was due to the deformation of the drum by unbalance masses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]