h a l f b a k e r yThe embarrassing drunkard uncle of invention.
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Appliance Kicker
Device that automatically kicks appliances to keep them doing what they ought to be doing | |
I did a search. Perhaps I didn't try hard enough, but I couldn't find anything like this on the HB. I still find that hard to believe.
In the life of every appliance comes a time when it ceases to perform its function unless it is periodically kicked. This idea is for a device fitted with a range
of miscellaneous sensors, selectable according to the appliance in question, by which it is able to sense when the appliance stops working, whereupon it activates a built-in boot to kick the appliance in a place one has determined in advance.
For instance, in the case of a dodgy air-conditioner, the device is set to detect a rise in temperature and the cessation of a low hum. The kicking-spot will need to be located by trial and error.
I suspect that this might prolong the service life of many appliances by a factor of four or five, and reduce needless waste in the same proportion.
Check out Whackentunen by [half]
Whackentunen Don't fault you for missing this. It was under Other:Technology. [Canuck, Oct 19 2007]
[link]
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Oh yay. May I be the first to enquire before the onslaught? |
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"What happens when the appliance kicker breaks down?" |
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Get an appliance kicker kicker, of course! |
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Sorry, prior art. (see link) |
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The concept sounds the same, just slightly different execution. I only found it on a search using "percussive maintenance", one of my favourite expressions. |
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I use the term "percussive maintenance" too - Very few people know what 'm talking about when I use it though... (When I first read this I misread the title as "Appliance Knickers") |
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I like it. With both your permission I shall adopt the term. |
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My dad owned a Jeep Wagoneer in the early '70s which had constant difficulty starting up in the winter. He'd have to open the hood, and give the solenoid a "whack" with a metal rod, after which it started reliably (until the next time!) |
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He replaced the starter solenoid at least three times, then gave up and installed a "pusher" solenoid controlled by a push button on the instrument panel, which would whack just the right spot on the starter. |
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