Technical systems – input, processing, output and feedback

Design & TechnologyEngineering Drawing & DesignAges 15–16

A real-time block diagram of a familiar technical system (water heater, air conditioner, rice cooker, or float-valve water tank): a setpoint block, a control block, the controlled object and its output, plus a feedback path that returns the measured value to the controller. Students set the desired value, turn the feedback loop on or off, press Add disturbance to let in cold water or open the room door, then compare two curves: the closed-loop system tracks the setpoint closely while the open-loop system drifts far away and loses control.