Design Optimization of Extraction Spin Profile for Horizontal Axis Washing Machine Using modeFRONTIER

For the domestic appliance industry, product cost and product performance are the major drivers in the product development cycle. System level simulation predicts emergent behavior in terms of cost and performance of product. The famous “V-Model” of System Engineering starts with requirements. Then for finalization of architectural concepts and trade-space exploration, a multidisciplinary optimization model is needed. This multidisciplinary optimization model can be obtained using system level simulation which provides key inputs for prototype manufacturing in the concept stage. Understanding of performance parameters at system level simulation can help suggest improvised design for performance efficient components in the appliance. Present work is developed for horizontal axis washing machines. The primary objective of the study is to develop workflow using multi-disciplinary design optimization platform, modeFRONTIER by integrating Dymola, Adams and MS-Excel. 3D structural analysis is done using Adams for bearing forces calculation considering various spinning speed, unbalance and unbalance position. Dymola based 1D simulation model is developed for prediction of extraction rate against spinning speed. Excel based model is used to perform design of experiments to predict bearing life calculation based on bearing forces calculated using adams and spinning speed. In modeFRONTIER, workflow is developed to perform optimization study to predict extraction spinning profile by putting constraint on design parameters.

For the present study, we have focused on the trade-off study performance parameters, bearing life consumption less than 100% and remaining moisture content less than rated levels in New Energy Label (NEL) for optimised extraction spinning profile.