Design of a condition monitoring system for household washing machines

Condition Monitoring is an essential element in detecting and identifying defects. When found early enough, cost savings can be realized by repairing rather than replacing the faulty component. As a result of machine maintenance planning becoming possible, the actual repair or maintenance work is more cost effective. A well-maintained machine lasts longer than a poorly maintained one. Monitoring the washing machine on a regular basis reduces the chances of dangerous malfunctions that could endanger the users and the environment. Alarm levels can be set tosuit individual pieces in the washing machine. The unpredictable failure of washing machines causes serious accidents to humans and the expenses incurred in repairs and health care are unimaginable. The amount of water, electricity and time wasted when using an unmonitored washing machine could put a significant dent on one’s finances. To reduce the effects of these problems, there is beyond doubt the need for a system that controls and monitors the conditions and the parameters required for the efficient functioning of the household washing machine.In this paper, rule based fuzzy logic for a typical washing machine has been developed. This system will help in achieving economical washing procedure by sensing the amount of dirt, type of dirt, and mass of clothes. Based on input parameters, i.e. dirtiness of clothes, type of dirt, and mass of cloths; the wash time and amount of wash water required will be regulated on the output. Due to this adjustment of the output parameters, the clothes will come out cleaner and this system also makes the whole washing process less expensive by reducing the amount of wash water and wash time. The results of this simulation based study were clearly shown in the graphs in chapter three of thispaper. MATLAB or Fuzzy logic toolbox has been used to materialize this study. It can be practically implemented by using necessary mechanical and electronics engineering concepts.

Keywords:

Design , fuzzy logic , parameters , performance , condition monitoring