An intelligent appliance control

Abstract

This paper describes the use of a microcontroller to implement an adaptive form of an on/off-type control system. The principal benefits that this technique offers are the ability to self-adjust automatically to the dynamics of the appliance being controlled and to minimize the cyclic wear and tear on the final heat-control elements. This technique is best applied to those systems with at least one large energy storage element (e.g., thermal mass), not needing fine control of the controlled variable, and ones using on/off (relay type) rather than continuous final control outputs. This profile encompasses a large number of potential applications, particularly in the domestic appliance field.