Modern smart home devices like the Xiaomi Mijia Automatic Soap Dispenser make it much easier to use contactless hygiene, but like any electronics, they can require maintenance: replacing batteries, cleaning the nose from dried soap or repairing contacts. Many owners face the problem of not having visible screws and do not know where to start dismantling the case.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the design of Xiaomi’s popular dispensers, including the Pro and Lite versions. You will learn about hidden locking mechanisms, safe opening methods and the nuances of pumping mechanism maintenance. The right approach will extend the life of the gadget and avoid damage to plastic latches.
Before any manipulations, it is important to understand that the device is hermetically assembled to protect against moisture. Waterproof is achieved by tight fitting of parts and using silicone gaskets. Violation of the integrity of the housing can affect the IP protection class, so you should act carefully and consistently, observing the disassembly technology.
Workplace preparation and necessary tools
You can't disassemble electronics properly without a well-organized space. You need a clean, well-lit surface covered with soft material so that the small details don't get lost or scratched. Light should fall evenly without creating deep shadows in the work area.
You'll need a minimal set of tools to work with Xiaomi dispensers. Unlike smartphones, complex electronic devices are rarely required, but you can't do without specific screwdrivers and mediators. It's important that all the tools are magnetized or in the organizer.
- 🛠️ Precision screwdrivers (cross-haired) PH00, PH0) for screws inside the battery compartment.
- 🔧 Plastic mediators or cards for opening latches without damaging the housing.
- 🧤 Latex gloves to protect electronics from static electricity and hand fat.
- 🧼 Isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs for cleaning contacts and internal cavities.
Keep in mind safety. Although the voltage in the battery compartment is low, short circuits can damage the controller. Be sure to remove the power sources before starting work. If the battery is installed, it should be disconnected from the board first after opening.
⚠️ Warning: Never use metal tools (knives, spokes) to tweak parts of the case.The metal can slip, damage plastic or, worse, close contacts on the control board.
☑️ Preparation for disassembly of the dispenser
Design analysis and search for hidden elements
Xiaomi engineers are known for their minimalist design, where fasteners are often hidden from the user's eyes. In touch dispensers, the main screws are usually located at the bottom of the device or under decorative linings. Initial visual inspection allows you to determine the type of build: screw or latch.
Mijia series models often have a combined type of attachment, the bottom lid can be held on threads or screws, and the top of the body on plastic clips. It is important not to put too much effort if the part does not lend itself, as this is a sure sign of the presence of hidden fasteners.
Notice the rubber legs or stickers at the bottom of the device, and there are often screws underneath that lock the bottom platform, and you need to be careful to put them in the tip of a needle or a thin tweezer, and if there are no screws, it means that the structure is built by ultrasonic welding or by a tight fit with internal latches.
Pay special attention to the area around the infrared sensor, some modifications may contain an additional fixing element, and understanding the logic of the assembly will help avoid breakage of plastic ears, which, if opened carelessly, can break off, violating the leakage.
Xiaomi Design Secrets
Step-by-step instructions for dismantling the body
The disassembly process starts at the bottom of the device. If the model involves a spinning bottom, turn it counterclockwise. In models with screws, unscrew them and put them aside. Then the most important step is to separate the main bowl and the top module with the sensor.
Use a plastic mediator to walk around the perimeter of the top and bottom. Move slowly, slightly pushing the halves of the body. You'll hear the characteristic clicks — these are the internal locks coming out of the engagement. Don't try to open the body completely at once, move around in a circle.
Once the outer ring or bottom is removed, the insides will be accessed, and there's a soap tank, a pump mechanism, and an electronic circuit board, and be careful, there may be thin plumes to the top cover that connect the IR sensor and the LED backlight to the main control board.
💡
To make plastic latches easier to get out of the engagement, you can slightly warm the body with a hair dryer at a low temperature for 30-40 seconds. The plastic will become more elastic, and the risk of breakage of the locks will decrease.
If the case doesn't split, check if there are screws under the serial number sticker at the bottom. In some versions of the Xiaomi Mijia, the fastener is hidden there. Only after making sure there are no screws, continue with the latches.
Access to pump mechanism and pump
The heart of the dispenser is the pumping mechanism, which creates the pressure to deliver the soap, and when you disassemble, you'll see a tube going from the bottom of the tank to the pump, and a second channel leading to the outlet, and often the problem is that these channels are clogged.
To remove the pump, you may need to disconnect the silicone tubes. Do this carefully, holding the connections with your fingers so as not to damage them. Dried soap can accumulate inside the tubes, which blocks the flow of the liquid. Washing with warm water will restore the permeability of the system.
The pump itself is usually mounted on a plastic platform or screws. If you want to replace it completely, disconnect the power wires. Notice the polarity of the connection, although most modern Xiaomi models use a standardized contact group.
| Component | Function | Frequent malfunction | Elimination method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peristaltic pump | Liquid delivery | Wear of the tube or jamming | Washing or replacement of the knot |
| IR sensor | Hand detection | Lens contamination | Drinking with alcohol |
| Battery | Self-powered | Loss of capacity | Replacement of element 18650 |
| Management fee | Control of logic | Oxidation of contacts | Cleaning contacts |
When assembling the pump, make sure that all the connections are sealed. Air entering the system can cause the dispenser to spit with soap or work unstable. Check the integrity of the silicone seals before final assembly.
Electronics and IR sensor maintenance
The electronic board in Xiaomi dispensers is usually located at the top, under the touch panel. The main cause of failures is oxidation of contacts due to high humidity or spray of soap solution. Visually inspect the fee for white plaque or traces of corrosion.
Use isopropyl alcohol and a soft brush to clean the lens, walk carefully through the battery compartment contacts and sensor connectors, pay special attention to the infrared receiver, and if there is a plaque on the lens, the sensor will not work correctly, delivering soap spontaneously or without reacting to the hands.
If the device stops turning on, check the voltage on the contacts of the battery compartment. Sometimes the springs oxidize and the current does not come to the board. Clean them with a stripe or small sandpaper. In models with an integrated battery, check the connector of the battery to the board.
💡
The main reason for the failure of the electronics dispensers is the oxidation of contacts in the battery compartment, and regular cleaning of the springs with alcohol prolongs the life of the device for years.
Once cleaned, let the board dry completely. Even quick-drying alcohol takes time to evaporate from hard-to-reach areas. Only after drying completely can we begin testing the system's performance.
Replacement of battery and power supplies
Many modern Xiaomi Mijia models feature a built-in lithium-ion battery that is charged via a Type-C or Magnetic port. If the device's battery life is shortened, the battery can be replaced. Usually a standard 18650 element is used.
To replace, find a battery inside the case. It can be fastened by shrinkage or plastic clamps. Disconnect the power connector from the board. Be careful: lithium batteries are sensitive to puncture and overheating. The new cell should have similar voltage and capacity characteristics.
In models powered by conventional AA batteries, the problem often lies in the contacts themselves; if the springs are stretched or oxidized, they can be gently pressed or cleaned; using quality alkaline batteries is preferable to saline ones, as they flow less often.
After you change the power supply, don't rush to close the case. Do the initial test. If the device is on and the indicator is on fire, then the stage is successful. Check the sensor with your hand to the dispenser.
Assembly of the device and checking leakage
The assembly is reversed, and make sure that all the plumes and wires are packed into their channels and not clamped when the housing is closed, especially the soap supply tube, which must be free, free of clamps, otherwise the fluid will be disrupted.
When you connect the halves of the body, first snap one side, then the opposite side, and then walk around the perimeter. The characteristic click around the circle indicates the correct fit. If there are gaps, do not press, check if all latches match.
The final step is to check the leaks, pour some water into the tank (not soap so as not to stain the insides during the inspection), and turn the dispenser upside down above the sink, and if the water does not drip through the joints of the shell, then the assembly was successful, then you can pour the liquid soap and use the device.
⚠️ Note: When first assembled after repair, do not fill a full soap tank immediately. It is better to check the pump with a small amount of liquid to make sure that there are no leaks in the connection places of the tubes.
Regular maintenance of the dispenser, including washing the system when changing the type of soap, will avoid most problems.