560 front wheel has no spring, how to mod ?

Robby3 · Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 6

Hey all, I'm tired of the clunking noise of my 560 when it cleans my main room and kitchen. The noise comes from the front wheel when it runs over the splices between the floor panels as it is not "dampened" like the one on my Dirt-Dog.

Has anybody ever made a mod to dampen the front wheel or replaced the wheel with a softer one ?

Thanks in advance
Robby - Switzerland

vic7767 · Joined: 14 Jan 2006 Posts: 3519 Location: Louisiana

I performed a quick ball bearing mod on the front wheel of my 535 but the spring mod will require a bit more engineering effort to accomplish.

Gordon · Posted: June 16, 2008, 9:24 pm Post subject: Spring-mods?

What are you guys talking about?

All wheel-springs on all Roombas and Scoobas that I know about (pssst! I don't know about the 5XX caster-wheel) are there to move the wheels down when the robot is lifted off the cleaning surface; and, that downward movement is to ensure the wheel-drop switches open to report that change of state to the MCU so it can shut off motors.
These machines do not have sprung suspensions, since when operating, the wheels are pushed up to mechanical stops by the robots's own weight.

What are you guys talking about? Is the 5XX caster-wheel different?

igors48 · Joined: 17 Apr 2008 Posts: 70 Location: Ukraine

In 500 series wheel-drop sensors placed in "sprung" wheel modules. Caster-wheel has one motion sensor only.

Robby3 · Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 6

Gordon wrote: What are you guys talking about?

All wheel-springs on all Roombas and Scoobas that I know about (pssst! I don't know about the 5XX caster-wheel) are there to move the wheels down when the robot is lifted off the cleaning surface; and, that downward movement is to ensure the wheel-drop switches open to report that change of state to the MCU so it can shut off motors.
These machines do not have sprung suspensions, since when operating, the wheels are pushed up to mechanical stops by the robots's own weight.

What are you guys talking about? Is the 5XX caster-wheel different?

Get a 5xx and check it out. You'll see that they don't have any springs in the caster wheel.

Gordon

igors48, thank you for the direct explantion saying 5XX-models have no wheel-drop sensor in their caster wheel, hence no down-spring is built in.

Robby3 wrote: ... I'm tired of the clunking noise of my 560 when it ... runs over the splices between the floor panels as it is not "dampened" like the one on my Dirt-Dog. Robby3, is it reasonable to assume you have run the Dirt Dog over those joints and found the clunking noise it makes is actually less annoying? Quote: Has anybody ever made a mod to dampen the front wheel or replaced the wheel with a softer one ?... I have noticed nothing pubished in these forums about such a mod.

Robby3 · Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 6

@Gordon : Yes, I do have a dirt dog and there is almost no noise when it runs over the joints. It is absolutely ok and not annoying at all. I have searched many forums but not found any posts on that topic. I assume that this is because we build our houses much different in central Europe like others. On the upper floor we do have a wooden floor with just some joints between the rooms. This is perfect for the 5xx. The ground floor is made with stone or ceramic plates, with heater system underneath. The plates in my house are 45x45cm and there are uncountable joints in between them.

I disassembled my 560 and the dirt dog but I see that the wheels and the mechanical "suspension" are not compatible to each other. I may have a look onto the Scooba if the wheel is different. I haven't tried it yet as it still sits in its original package.

Any ideas to "dampen" the 5xx caster wheel are highly welcome :)

Robby3, Switzerland

Fraggboy · Posted: June 17, 2008, 10:32 am Post subject:

Robby, the only way I think that you can get around is getting a rubber wheel the same size, and color so the Roomba can tell that the front wheel is moving. I don't think there is any room for one to add a spring.

Gordon · Posted: June 17, 2008, 10:46 am Post subject:

Robby3 wrote: ...I do have a dirt dog and there is almost no noise when it runs over the joints. I'm having a hard time envisioning why that is the case, since both machines are un-sprung! Quote: ... we build our houses much different in central Europe ...The ground floor is made with stone or ceramic plates, ... 45x45cm and ... joints in between them. Are those joints recessed; and if so, are the plate-edges crisp enough to damage Roomba's caster-wheel? Quote: ... I may have a look onto the Scooba if the wheel is different. I'm certain there will be major differences. You can get a preview by visiting "Scooba Technical" at "my site" (link below). Go the the front-wheel section. Quote: Any ideas to "dampen" the 5xx caster wheel are highly welcome :)... If you have access to a bench lathe, and know how to use it, perhaps the caster-wheel can be wide-grooved -- as shown below -- to accept two O-rings as side-by-side tires.

P.S.: Forgot about the black/white requirement; but, depending on where that wheel-rotation sensor looks, it may still work with black-tires blocking part of the signal!

RoombaHolic · Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 98 Location: Mountain Center, CA

Robby3 wrote: . . . Has anybody ever made a mod to dampen the front wheel or replaced the wheel with a softer one ?
I have tile floors and the wheels of my Roombas suffer greatly, even the new swivel wheel model. I use 1/2 inch tape I purchased at Home Depot that comes in colors. I use a single color on the older stationary wheel and two colors, (One dark and one white.), on the swivel wheel. Maybe instead of just protecting the wheel from wear and tear this will also help dampen the noise as the wheel hits the groves of the floor. :wink:

Black_64 · Joined: 02 Mar 2007 Posts: 52

Robby3 wrote: Hey all, I'm tired of the clunking noise of my 560 when it cleans my main room and kitchen. The noise comes from the front wheel when it runs over the splices between the floor panels as it is not "dampened" like the one on my Dirt-Dog.

Has anybody ever made a mod to dampen the front wheel or replaced the wheel with a softer one ?
This is what i did to softer the clunking noise.
I just put an O-ring on the shaft of front wheel. ( 1,5 mm X 5 mm inner dia. )
This is so easy to do. :lol:

Robby3 · Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 6

Cool idea :D What about placing a small plastic spring there ? But I believe that there is not much space left.

Black_64 · Joined: 02 Mar 2007 Posts: 52

Why looking for a part that nobody have in his neighbourhood?
The O-ring is a common part that you find everywhere and does the trick.
Maybe you can play with the thickness of it?

The main thing here is that you fill the free play, you have on the casterwheelshaft.
But if the O-ring is to thick then it will not turn properly.

Robby3 · Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 6

Okay, I used a small O-Ring but then it didn't turn anymore. It is not too thick but the rubber of the ring seems to be important to. I may try with some silicone tomorrow.

- Robby