AN INTELLIGENT APPLIANCE CONTROL

This paper describes the use of a microcontroller to implement an adap tive form of an ON/OFF-type control system. The principal benefits tha t this technique offers are the ability to self adjust automatically t o the dynamics of the appliance being controlled and to minimize the c yclic wear and tear on the final heat-control elements. This technique is best applied to those systems with at least one large energy stora ge element (e.g., thermal mass), not needing fine control of the contr olled variable, and ones using ON/OFF (relay type) rather than continu ous final control outputs. This profile encompasses a large number of potential applications, particularly in the appliance field.