Re-purposing an Air Wick Freshmatic Compact i-Motion

Step 2 Opening it up

The photo below shows the parts of the air freshener after you defeat the security screws.

To defeat the security screws, make a driver from a piece of 1/8" steel rod. Grind one end to a triangular shape that fits the screws. The secondary photos below show the driver I made and one of the security screws.

There are 4 security screws holding the case together; 2 that can be seen from the back of the case and 2 inside the battery compartment.

Comments

[skylen]

I have to ask, Air Wick: What is the point of the "security screw" in this instance? I understand the use in public places to help impede theft/vandalism, but for an air freshner... really? Anyone who actually would be interested in re-purposing (hacking) the internals would laugh in the face of this silly fastener as an impedance to entry.

[iectyx3c]

Good question. I thought about why they would put these TP3 tamper-proof screws throughout the gadget.

@ First idea was to prevent kids (ages 8-108) from tampering with it.

@ Then it might be to keep smarty-pants from repairing it so ya have to buy a new one.

@ But finally the true (!) reason hit me: it's a failed preemptive strike against I'ble makers from buying the unit for parts!

[RichardBronosky]

#3 is TOTALLY TRUE. They often sell these kinds of things for a loss so that you will by the refills and they can make the real money. It's the same thing they do with razors and printers.

#2 is definitely not it. They don't want you to buy replacements units that they make no money on. They want you buying the refills that are very profitable.

[thines2]

Often the security type screws are used in robotic assembly type constuction, because the heads tend not to strip out, and the bits tend to last longer because of the larger surface area in contact with the fastener.

[Doug Paradis]

Good point.

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[DIY-Guy]

I noticed after using square drive screws (for decking) that the star or "Torx" tip pattern almost never strips out. How do the triangle head screws compare to others? Can someone comment on the quality of the triangle head screws please?

[uberdum05]

You can just use a small flat-headed screwdriver (the ones that look like this "--" on the end") and just wedge it in between the two points of the triangle on the screw :)

[JohnZoidberg]

I've found that the tip of one side of a pair of needle nose pliers sometimes works as well

[uberdum05]

I suppose it would work quite well if the head is quite large