Wash Load Motion: A Theoretical Approach and Experimental Analysis

摘要

This paper examines the design of the horizontal axis washing machine by means of parametric modelling and the description of clothes motion during the washing process. A series of dimensionless factors have been determined that characterise the horizontal axis washing machine. These parameters may be correlated to machine performance, including soil removal efficiency and effectiveness, so as to optimise machine configuration such as drum size, angular speed, etc. The motion of the wash load has also been modelled by means of an imaginary "fabric plug". The wash cycle has been divided into 3 distinct steps: a) push through the wash water, b) pull to release angle, c) natural fall and tumble back to the wash water. This final step has also been experimentally analysed using highspeed digital filming techniques. The resulting cycle has provided a means of calculating the theoretical fabric plug pressure drop, which is known to drive local hydrodynamic conditions including fluid flow. The question of machine comparison and scalability is also tackled by means of geometric, kinematic and dynamic similarity.