How to disassemble the robot vacuum cleaner Xiaomi 1S: a step-by-step guide

Xiaomi Vacuum 1S has proven to be a reliable assistant, but over time, even the highest quality equipment requires maintenance.Owners often face the need to replace the battery, clean jammed wheels or eliminate extraneous noise in the turbine.

Before starting work, it is important to understand that the body of this robot vacuum cleaner is devoid of visible screws, since all mounts are hidden under decorative elements and inside the structure. The manufacturer's warranty will be canceled when opening the case, so the process should only begin if the warranty service period has expired. In this article, we will discuss in detail the process of dismantling the main nodes Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum 1S.

To do this successfully, you'll need the minimum toolkit that any home craftsman can find in his or her home: a cross screwdriver of the appropriate size (usually a PH1 or PH2) and a plastic blade to open the latches. Do not use metal objects where you can get by with plastic so as not to damage the glossy surfaces of the lid.

โš ๏ธ Warning: Before any dismantling work begins, be sure to turn off the robot vacuum cleaner and disconnect it from the charging station.

Workplace preparation and necessary tools

A good workspace is essential to a successful disassembly without losing small parts. You will need a clean, well-lit desk, preferably with a white or light coating, on which small screws are clearly visible. Prepare the container for folding fasteners in advance, since the Xiaomi 1S design uses screws of different lengths.

The main toolkit for dismantling includes a cross screwdriver, a set of plastic mediators or old bank cards for clipping. You may also need tweezers to extract wires and small debris from hard-to-reach places. If you plan to clean contacts, you will not be superfluous to prepare isopropyl alcohol and lilac wipes.

Pay special attention to safety. Although the vacuum cleaner does not have high-voltage capacitors that hold the charge for a long time, short-term disconnection of the battery from the board immediately after opening the case is a safety standard, which will prevent accidental switching on of motors or short circuits when the wires are not handled neatly.

โ˜‘๏ธ Preparation for disassembly

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Dismantling of external elements and bottom panel

The process of disassembling the Xiaomi Vacuum 1S begins with removing removable external components. First of all, turn the device upside down. Remove the top cover under which the dust container is located, and remove the dust collector itself. This will open access to the insides, but the main disassembly is done from the bottom side.

On the bottom panel are the main nodes that require periodic maintenance. First, remove the side brush by simply pulling it up. Then, notice the main turbobrush: it's fixed with two screws on the sides of the casing. Use a screwdriver to twist them out, and remove the shaft with bristles to clean the wound hair.

Next, remove the entire bottom shield, which is held on several perimeter screws. In the 1S, you also need to remove the wheel modules if you want to deep clean or replace them. They are attached to screws that are often hidden under rubber plugs or in recesses. Carefully unscrew all visible screws to free the bottom platform.

  • ๐Ÿ”ง Remove the side brush with a slight jerk upwards.
  • ๐ŸŒ€ Unscrew two screws of fixing the casing of the main brush.
  • ๐Ÿ›ž Disconnect the wheel modules by twisting the locking screws.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฆ Remove the battery pack if it is removable in your revision.

๐Ÿ’ก

The screws of different lengths are better placed on a piece of paper, with a marker that you can use to make it easier to assemble and prevent plastic from being damaged by too long a fastener.

Opening of the main body and access to electronics

Once you remove the bottom panel, you'll have access to the robot's internal frame. In the Xiaomi 1S, the electronics are protected by an extra layer of plastic and rubber seals. To get to the motherboard, you need to carefully disconnect the plumes coming from the sensors and wheel modules.

The main body is held by a perimeter system of internal latches. Use a plastic blade to walk along the junction of the upper and lower parts of the body. Move slowly, feeling the moment when the clip is snapped. Sharp movements can break the plastic fixtures, making the body leaky and causing rattles when working.

The critical thing is to turn off the battery, and once you have access to the power connector, the first thing you do is unplug it from the control board, and this will power the device down and allow you to safely manipulate other components, such as the motherboard, the navigation unit and the Wi-Fi module.

โš ๏ธ Warning: The plumes in robot vacuum cleaners are very thin and fragile. Never pull the wire itself, always hold on to the plastic connector when disconnected.

Nuances of latching
The Xiaomi 1S design uses hidden latches under decorative sensor linings. If the body does not diverge, check if the screws are left under rubber legs or stickers.

Maintenance of chassis and wheel modules

One of the most common reasons for disassembling the Xiaomi 1S is wear and tear or contamination of the wheel modules. The robot can start getting stuck, making grinding or building a map of the room incorrectly. Inside each wheel module is a gearbox and an electric motor, which over time get clogged with dust and require lubrication.

To maintain, remove the wheel unit by unscrewing the fasteners. Inside, you'll see a plastic case that also consists of two halves. When you disconnect them, you'll have access to the gears of the gearbox. The old lubricant must be removed with solvent or alcohol, and then you'll have a new one designed for plastic gears.

Also check the condition of the contact pads on the wheels if your model has a system for determining the stuckness through contact with the floor. Oxidation of these contacts can lead to false sensor errors. Wipe them with a cotton swab dipped in a contact clincher or alcohol.

When assembling the wheel module, make sure that the wheel axis is placed in the slots of the bearings of the slip correctly. The skewed axis will lead to rapid wear and backlash, which will adversely affect the navigation of the robot.

Battery replacement and power system maintenance

Reducing battery life is a natural process for lithium-ion batteries. In the Xiaomi Vacuum 1S, the battery is a block of several cells packed in a plastic case. To replace, you need to completely remove the old module from the compartment.

The battery is connected to the control board via a safety latch connector. Carefully bend the lock and remove the connector. When installing a new unit, it is important to make sure that the polarity is observed, although structurally improper connection in the original Xiaomi connectors is difficult.

If you are not changing the entire unit, but the individual cells inside it (which requires soldering and spot welding skills), make sure that the new cells have the same capacity and internal resistance. Using elements from different devices can lead to an imbalance in the battery and reduce its life.

ParameterOriginalAnalogueUnits
Capacity25002500+mic
Tension.14.414.4V
Type of elementLi-IonLi-Ion-
Number of cells44piece

๐Ÿ’ก

When replacing a battery, always check the date of production of new cells. A battery that has been in storage for more than 2 years may have a reduced life, regardless of the declared capacity.

Cleaning sensors and engine turbines

The efficiency of cleaning depends on the state of the suction tract and sensors. The turbine in Xiaomi 1S is located at the top of the case. Access to it often requires removing the top lid with sensors (LDS), which is the most delicate part of disassembly.

When you remove the laser navigation unit, be extremely careful with the data plume. It passes through the mobile connection and can be damaged by careless handling. Small dust often accumulates inside the turbine, which creates a characteristic whistle or hum when operating at maximum speed.

Blow the engine with compressed air or gently clean the fan blades with a soft brush, and wipe all external collision sensors and height difference sensors located around the perimeter of the bumper, and the contamination of these elements causes the robot to "dull", beat against walls or fall from rapids.

  • ๐ŸŒช๏ธ Clean the turbine blades from the dust layer.
  • ๐Ÿ‘๏ธ Wipe the laser rangefinder lens (LDS).
  • ๐Ÿงน Lubricate the moving parts of the bumper.
  • ๐Ÿ”Œ Check the density of all the plumes.

โš ๏ธ Warning: It is strictly forbidden to use water or wet wipes to clean electronic components and sensors. Use only dry cleaning methods or special sprays for electronics.

๐Ÿ“Š What most often made you take down the vacuum cleaner?
Battery replacement
Cleaning the wheels
Noise reduction
Replacement of brush
Just for the sake of interest.

Device assembly and testing

The final step is reverse assembly. Do everything in reverse disassembly. Make sure all plumes are snapped to the end and the screws are twisted with moderate force. Xiaomi plastic is strong enough, but the tightening of the screws can lead to cracks in the seats.

Before you install the top decorative cover, do a primary test, plug the battery, press the switch on and check the response of the indicators, run the cleaning test mode to make sure the wheels, side brush and no extraneous noise.

If the robot has successfully completed the self-diagnosis cycle and started cleaning, you can complete the assembly. Set up the dust container, make sure the filters are clean and dry, and start the device to charge. A properly assembled robot vacuum cleaner should be quieter and more efficient than before maintenance.

What if the robot makes a mistake after the assembly?
Most often, the error is due to an unlatched plume or sensor, disassemble the device again and check all connections, and an error can occur if the screws of the bottom cover are twisted unevenly, which creates a skewed body.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can filters and electronic components be washed with water when disassembling?
Electronic components, motors and sensors are strictly impossible to wet. HEPA-filters in the Xiaomi model 1S They are not usually designed for washing, they must be changed or dusted out gently.Washing filters (if included) can be washed, but only after drying completely for 24 hours.
Where to find original spare parts for Xiaomi Vacuum 1S?
Original parts such as batteries, main brushes and wheel modules are best ordered from official dealers or at proven sites like AliExpress (official Xiaomi stores), which are many analogues on the market, the quality of which can be significantly inferior to the original, especially in terms of battery capacity.
The robot stopped seeing the charging station after disassembly, what is the reason?
Most likely, when you build, the contact patch on the bottom panel was displaced or contaminated, or the wire going to the charging contacts was damaged, and the problem may be in the charging sensors, which may have remained unconnected, check the integrity of all connections going to the bottom of the case.
Do I need to reset the card after the robot is completely disassembled?
Normally, a complete disassembly and battery replacement doesn't require a card reset unless the motherboard is replaced. However, if you've been disassembling the laser navigation module (LDS), the calibration might have gone wrong, and building a new map would be a better solution to work properly.