Sensorless PM Motor Control for Washing Machines Applications

The main focus of this master thesis is the implementation of PM motor control strategies for washing machine applications. In a more particular way, the application created concerns a belt-driven horizontal axis washing machines using an IPM motor. This work has been developed in collaboration with Haier Europe in order to find an efficient motor control from the point of view of the exploitation of motor performance. What has been proposed is the Direct Flux Vector Control (DFVC) implemented with the integration of High Frequency Method (HFI) method to detect initial rotor position and sensorless technique of active flux concept in Stator Flux Observer (SFO). More particularly, this thesis explores all the aspects concerning the preliminary studies carried out on the electric motors used in this type of electric drive. Magnetic Model Identification (MMI) was analyzed and performed in order to obtain the perfect knowledge of motor behavior through electromagnetic and performance maps. The proposed method was validated through Simulink simulation and, subsequently, in the POLITO laboratories, obtaining satisfactory simulation and experimental results. The solution adopted is the best for this type of application in terms of torque capacity and high starting torque, Constant Power-Speed ratio (CPSR) region, energy consumption, high dynamic response and performance in general respecting the specific requirements of a washing machine unit.