[Column] What is temperature control? Introducing the mechanisms and types of systems!

Introducing the mechanisms and types of temperature control systems as a "beginner's guide"! What is ON-OFF control? What is proportional control? \\ Leave temperature control to Nippo! \\

Temperature control is a system designed to maintain a set temperature consistently. For example, in air conditioning, the fan speed and airflow are adjusted to reach the set room temperature. This mechanism is used in many household appliances such as refrigerators, microwaves, and water heaters. In industrial products, printed circuit boards, which are the heart of electronic devices, are used, and automatic control of temperature and other factors is designed to operate based on signals emitted from them. There are various types of temperature control, with the most representative being ON-OFF control. This is a simple control method where the switch is turned OFF when the set temperature is reached, and turned ON again when the temperature drops, as seen in electric kotatsu. However, since it can only operate in a binary manner (either 0 or 100), it struggles with delicate temperature adjustments and has the drawback of being prone to "overshoot." To improve the instability of ON-OFF control, proportional control was developed, characterized by its ability to adjust output in stages. By changing the motor's movement according to the temperature difference, smooth temperature control similar to that of air conditioning becomes possible. It is important to differentiate between the simple ON-OFF control and the more stable proportional control based on the application, as understanding this can help improve product quality and stability.

Temperature and Humidity Control