Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
h a l f b a k e r y
Incidentally, why isn't "spacecraft" another word for "interior design"?

idea: add, search, annotate, link, view, overview, recent, by name, random

meta: news, help, about, links, report a problem

account: browse anonymously, or get an account and write.

user:
pass:
register,


               

Please log in.
Before you can vote, you need to register. Please log in or create an account.

Appliance Kicker

Device that automatically kicks appliances to keep them doing what they ought to be doing
  (+2)
(+2)
  [vote for,
against]

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.

Ned_Ludd, Oct 18 2007

Check out Whackentunen by [half] Whackentunen
Don't fault you for missing this. It was under Other:Technology. [Canuck, Oct 19 2007]

[link]






       Oh yay. May I be the first to enquire before the onslaught?   

       "What happens when the appliance kicker breaks down?"
BunsenHoneydew, Oct 18 2007
  

       Get an appliance kicker kicker, of course!
Ned_Ludd, Oct 19 2007
  

       Sorry, prior art. (see link)   

       The concept sounds the same, just slightly different execution. I only found it on a search using "percussive maintenance", one of my favourite expressions.
Canuck, Oct 19 2007
  

       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")
hippo, Oct 19 2007
  

       I like it. With both your permission I shall adopt the term.
Ned_Ludd, Oct 19 2007
  

       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!)   

       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.   

       Oh, and +.
csea, Oct 19 2007
  
      
[annotate]
  


 

back: main index

business  computer  culture  fashion  food  halfbakery  home  other  product  public  science  sport  vehicle