Abstract: A drive system for a household appliance incorporates an electric motor. A control panel allows the user of the appliance to select from among various performance options which the appliance is able to perform. A microprocessor, functioning as a first control unit, is responsive to the selections and to various appliance sensors monitoring operational status of the appliance to control the operation of various components within the appliance by which the selected options are performed. An AC-DC converter and inverter supply electrical power to the motor. A second control unit, operating at a relatively faster rate of speed than the microprocessor, controls the supplying of power to the electric motor to achieve proper operation thereof.

Abstract: A drive circuit controls application of alternating current power to a load. The drive circuit includes an oscillator which applies a high frequency signal to a first input of a logic gate. A control signal is applied to a second input of the gate to enable the gate. A first capacitor is connected to the output of the logic gate. A rectifier connected to the first capacitor rectifies the signal from the first capacitor. A low-pass filter connected to the rectifier removes the high frequency components from the signal. A solid state switch has a switching input connected to the low-pass filter output, which switches the device into a conducting state. This circuit is particularly suited for use where many solid state switches share the same common terminal.