Today, these devices have become familiar in many apartments. Probably, the robot vacuum cleaner can rightfully claim to be the pioneer of the era of household automation. Of course, the modern market offers a wide range of different devices with full or partial support for automatic modes. Innovative Samsung Dual Cook Flex Oven, Samsung 4D FDR refrigerator, Samsung QuickDrive series washer, etc beautifully illustrate this trend. But today, the leaders of home appliance segment already offer lines of devices united by the Smart Home concept. For example, LG created ThinQ model line, and Samsung offers SmartThings series. They include LG Hom-Bot Turbo + and Samsung VR9300K robotic vacuums.
Of course, the robot vacuum is a technically complex device and, as a result, has a fairly high price. For example, the cost of top models varies in the range of $ 600-1,000. Therefore, its service life is an important selection criterion. But this aspect essentially depends on the right care. The list of the most common breakdowns includes rapid discharge of the battery, errors in the localization of the docking station, loss of collected debris, etc. However, observance of relatively simple rules usually successfully prevents the occurrence of these problems.
Battery
The operating time depends on the battery and directly affects the cleaning efficiency. Of course, almost all modern models of the middle and upper price segments support automatic recharging and the continuation of cleaning from the stop place. However, charging lasts several hours, significantly increasing the total cleaning time. The cleaning schedule in the automatic mode in the absence of the owners only partially reduces this inconvenience. Proper battery operation requires adherence to a few simple rules.
The duration of the first charge depends on the battery type (nickel-metal hydride, lithium-ion), its power and capacity. For example, iRobot recommends a first charge time of at least 16 hours, even when the indicator is green, which lights up 3-4 hours after charging starts.
As known, NiMH batteries have a memory effect that remembers charge/discharge capacity.
For example, in case of interrupting the cleaning program and installing the robot on the docking station manually, an incompletely discharged battery can later use only a part of its capacity. But several cycles of full charge / discharge eliminate this problem. In addition, the periodic repetition of this simple process can increase the actual capacity of even a non-new battery.
However, many modern models periodically carry out a cycle of long-term charging in automatic mode.
This effect is much less in more modern lithium-ion batteries. However, they also require full first charge.
Proper storage of the battery also affects its performance. In the case of a long break, it’s stored in a dry and cool place with a charge level of at least 40%. Some users advise to store the battery in the refrigerator. But many modern models support increased humidity in the chamber, which can damage the battery.
Other aspects
Modern robots often use more than 10 different sensors.
Of course, their surface requires regular dust cleaning. Otherwise, the robot programs may work with errors due to incorrect information from dirty sensors. Microfiber cloth perfectly solves this problem.
Of course, the hair, threads and pet hair on the brush shaft significantly increases the load on the electric motor, reducing its service life. Therefore, the turbo brush and side brushes require regular cleaning.
The volume of dust box usually reaches 600 ml. Of course, the dust box of some expensive models can reach 1 liter or even more. But the suction power is inversely proportional to the filling degree. Accordingly, its emptying ensures maximum cleaning efficiency and is desirable after each cleaning. The video at the end demonstrates the cleaning of the filter and dust box in the iRoomba 980. However, today the market offers models with an automatic emptying function. For example, Ecovacs DeeBot R98, Samsung SR8980 and KARCHER RC 4000 support this option.
The docking station of such models usually uses an additional micro vacuum cleaner with a capacious container, which sucks the collected dust from the robot.
Lack of things and wires on the floor greatly simplifies cleaning in the room. Special magnetic tape limiters or virtual walls also quite effectively solve this problem, providing zoning the cleaning.
The optimal place of the docking station is located away from heating equipment.
