Walking Instability in a Washing Machine

Application ID: 19901


Walking instability due to the nonuniform distribution of clothes is a common problem in lightweight portable washing machines. This problem is more severe in horizontal-axis washing machines, which are widely used because of their high efficiency despite their higher manufacturing cost.

This model simulates a simplified horizontal-axis portable washing machine and predicts the onset of walking instability during the spin cycle. A control-based active balancing method is also implemented to eliminate the instability and reduce vibrations in the system.

This model example illustrates applications of this type that would nominally be built using the following products: