Vibration dynamics analysis of a washing machine cabinet using efficient topography

Washing machines are complex dynamic systems that can undergo severe vibratory forces during their Spin cycles due to the non-uniform distribution of load in their drums. Being mass-produced consumer products, the application of most vibration attenuation methods, especially active ones, is not financially feasible. Optimization of side patterns is a cost-effective candidate for passive vibration attenuation in washing machines. In this study, different approaches to FEM analysis and modelling were studied and FEM analyses were performed on two different side patterns. This was done with the goal of developing efficient and cost-effective tools for reaching an optimum topography design during the product development phase. To verify these analyses and their accuracy, the results obtained from FEM analyses were compared with the results of modal tests performed on prototype products with the two side patterns. In addition, to estimate the effectiveness of side pattern design on vibration attenuation, the body vibration of these two prototype products was measured and compared. The results show that FEM analyses can be used to reach a relatively accurate estimate of side panel natural frequencies with a maximum error margin of ۵.۲%. It is also shown that side pattern design directly affect the washing machine’s cabin stiffness and natural frequencies, and it was observed that proper topography can increase side panel natural frequencies up to ۵۸%. This increase in natural frequencies, in turn, resulted in a ۲۷% reduction in peak body displacement of the washing machine’s cabin vibration during the Spin cycle.