Washing Machine Simulator

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Washing Machine Simulator

Key Features

  • Simulates actual domestic washing machine processes
  • Control of DC motor, speed and direction
  • Closed loop and PWM control of DC motor
  • Target application for PC or Microcontroller
  • Test Points and Switched Faults for diagnostics fault finding techniques
  • Visual indication of activities using LEDs and display

 

View Datasheet (PDF)

 

SKU: Model WMS. Category: .

Product Description

The Washing Machine Simulator (WMS) is an application for electronic control engineering. The unit incorporates a series of input and output devices, which together simulate the actions of a typical domestic washing machine. The WMS has two main areas. The first area comprises the electronic circuits and connector sockets, the second area is the indicators, a motorised disc (which represents the washing machine drum) and the user controls. The circuit board incorporates test points, a fuse and four switches for fault insertion.

Three blue push buttons are used to select a ‘wash program’ from the software program and inputs from these buttons turn on green, yellow and red LED’s. The binary pattern displayed may be compared to a ‘program selector table’ to indicate the current choice of program. A grey push button is used to cancel the current choice and a red push button to ‘accept’ input for the controller. A mechanically latched push button with a built in LED provides an input, which simulates the open/closed status of the washing machine door. An infra-red reflective sensor mounted beneath the disc supplies feedback on the speed of the motor. A seven-segment display is used to highlight the ‘wash program status’. The status options are: Empty, Fill, Heat, Wash, Rinse, Spin, Dry and Complete.

Motor speed can be controlled using PWM and a buzzer activated to indicate the end of the ‘wash program’ (can be enabled or disabled using on-board switch). The buzzer can also be used to indicate that the ‘door’ has been opened or that a fault has occurred. Variations for programming the WMS are possible using two switches that change the input/output characteristics of the motor drive and speed sensor feedback. The WMS can be connected to a PC, using a suitable interface, or to a microcontroller.

 Experiments:

  • Control of digital outputs
  • Control of the seven segment display
  • Reading the program selector switches
  • On/Off control of the DC motor
  • Controlling the DC motor/speed open loop
  • Reading the motor speed feedback
  • Colour wash program cycle
  • Closed loop control of the DC motor