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]

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



random, halfbakery