Author(s)

SEONG-WOO WOO

Abstract

To enhance the reliability of newly designed product like refrigerator subjected to random vibrations in transportation, new reliability methodology, including load analysis and parametric Accelerated Life Testing (ALT), was presented. As a case study, refrigerator subjected to random vibration during transportation is studied to improve reliability. In first parametric ALT, the reliability of refrigerators was targeted to have B1 life in transportation. We found to be the damage of the compressor rubber mounts and the fractured connecting tubes between the compressor and condenser. The shape of failures in 1^st ALT and the failed samples in field are the same. The failures of connecting tube were caused by the design flaws of the compressor rubber mount. To correct these problems, the rubber mounts and the connecting tube were reshaped to protect the refrigerator from random vibration. Because there were no problems in 2^nd ALT, we knew that parametric ALTs were effective and the refrigerator was guaranteed to have B1 life in transportation.

Keywords

reliability design, random vibration, parametric accelerated life testing, missing design parameter