Washing Machine Health Diagnostics Through Information Synthesis

Abstract

Presented in this paper is a model-based method for assessing suspension and motor health of washing machines. The diagnosis of the suspension and motor health is achieved by processing the measured dynamics of the washtub. In particular, an online adapted lumped parameter model of the washtub is used to estimate key suspension and motor parameters. These parameters are identified from the measured displacement of the washtub due to a motor pulse input prior to the beginning of the wash cycle. Comparing the estimated values to design values assesses both suspension and motor health. Included are simulation results to validate the parameter estimation process.