DEWATERING DEVICE AND CLEANING DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the technical field of cleaning devices, more particularly, to a dewatering device, especially for a mop.

BACKGROUND ART

As tools for scrubbing floors, mops have long been widely used. With the advancement of urbanization, the change of living environment, and the improvement of living standards, the usage of floor scrubbing tools is increasing, and users'requirements for their functions and quality are also increasing. To meet the requirements, a wide variety of floor scrubbing tools have been iteratively developed on the market over the years. However, traditional mops (for example, a mop having a bundle of cloth strips or fiber cords, etc. tied at one end of a long handle) still hold a place in the arena of floor scrubbing tools due to their good adaptability, flexible mopping, strong dirt removal power, easy cleaning, and high durability, and are the preferred choice for a large number of users.

However, the traditional mop also has a major defect. After it is cleaned, it must be wrung by hand to a humidity level suitable for mopping. This requires a certain amount of physical strength, which is inconvenient for the user and makes the use of traditional mops troublesome. After use, the mop is usually cleaned and wrung out for later use, but since the cleaning is usually not thorough enough, the sewage carried by the mop often soils the user's hands. In the current market for floor scrubbing tools, the above problems have not yet been well solved. Although there appear some related products, such as devices that remove water by squeezing the mop head with a push plate, none of them has achieved a satisfactory dewatering effect.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to solve at least one aspect of the above-mentioned problems and defects and/or other technical problems existing in the prior art.

The present invention provides a dewatering device. The dewatering device comprises a housing, a rotating disk and a driving device arranged in the housing, a first annular member arranged on the housing or formed integrally with the housing, and a second annular member located between the rotating disk and the first annular member, wherein the rotating disk is rotatable driven by the driving device; the dewatering device further comprises a plurality of lines and a guide, wherein each line is connected at its first end to the rotating disk, and starting from the rotating disk, extends through the second annular member, weaves/thread through and exits from the first annular member, and extends to the second annular member with its second end connected to the second annular member, wherein the plurality of lines are in a tensioned state; the second annular member is slidably coupled to the guide and is movable between the rotating disk and the first annular member under the guidance of the guide.

In the above technical solution, there are provided the rotating disk (also referred to as a winding disk), the first annular member (also referred to as a line-passing ring), the second annular member (also referred to as a line-control ring) slidable along the guide, and the tensioned plurality of lines routed between and threaded through the rotating disk, the first annular member, and the second annular member. The rotating disk rotates and pulls the line-control ring to slide away from the rotating disk. In this process, the plurality of lines are wound spirally around an object to be dewatered, such as a mop. Within a limited space, the simple and ingenious structural design enables the plurality of lines to wrap and squeeze the object to be dewatered uniformly through orderly and compact spiral winding. This process is similar to a hand wringing process, ensuring reliable and uniform dewatering for the mop, and the entire structure is simple, low in cost, easy to implement, and convenient for the operator to operate, avoiding the troublesome process of hand wringing.

According to an example, the driving device comprises a motor which is coupled to the rotating disk to drive the rotating disk to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise.

In this exemplary technical solution, every part of the mop head wrapped by the plurality of lines is subjected to a uniform and strong torsional squeezing by means of the power output by the motor, until there is no space left for compression and the squeezing out the excess water therein. This method saves labor and is easy to operate, and it also saves time, for example, the entire process of dewatering and returning takes only a few seconds.

According to an example, the first annular member and the second annular member are concentrically arranged, and an outer diameter of the second annular member is greater than an inner diameter of the first annular member, the second annular member being capable of moving to abut against the first annular member under the guidance of the guide.

In this exemplary technical solution, the first annular member serves as a travel end stop for the second annular member to prevent the second annular member from rising further. The torque transmitted by the motor through the transmission device forces the plurality of lines to continue winding. Since the length of the line resulting from the rise of the second annular member is no longer available, the spiral lines can only shrink inward and wind, making the wrapped space around the mop head smaller and smaller, and the uniform squeezing force on each part of the mop head even stronger, thereby achieving a good squeezing and dewatering effect.

According to an example, the rotating disk is arranged at a bottom of the housing opposite to an inlet end of the housing, and the second annular member is arranged adjacent to the rotating disk. This structure allows the lowermost part of the cords or cloth strips of the mop head to also be fully wound and squeezed, which helps to ensure that all parts of the entire mop head are effectively dewatered.

According to an example, the first annular member is arranged at the inlet end of the housing. This exemplary technical solution allows the winding height of the plurality of lines on the object to be dewatered to extend from the bottom to the inlet end of the housing, thus making full use of the space inside the housing.

According to an example, the dewatering device further comprises a support rod arranged in the housing and adapted to support the object to be dewatered. This support rod facilitates the placement of the object to be dewatered and the winding of the plurality of lines around the object to be dewatered, helping to achieve a good dewatering effect.

According to an example, the support rod is arranged on the rotating disk and extends from the rotating disk to a position adjacent to the first annular member. This structure ensures that the uppermost part of the cords or cloth strips, etc. of the mop head placed on the support rod can also be completely wrapped and uniformly squeezed for dewatering by the wound lines, which helps to ensure that all parts of the entire mop head are effectively dewatered.

According to an example, the rotating disk is provided with a plurality of third holes equal in number to the plurality of lines for respectively connecting the first ends of the plurality of lines, the plurality of third holes being uniformly distributed along a circumferential direction of the rotating disk.

Through this exemplary structure, the plurality of lines are uniformly arranged along the circumferential direction of the rotating disk, which can enable the plurality of lines to wrap and squeeze the object to be dewatered uniformly through orderly and compact spiral winding when the rotating disk rotates, thus achieving a uniform and effective water squeezing effect. Moreover, in this exemplary structure, the first ends of the lines can pass through the third holes and be knotted, thereby the lines can be connected to the rotating disk in a simple and reliable manner.

According to an example, the first annular member is provided with a plurality of first holes equal in number to the plurality of lines, for the plurality of lines to respectively weave through, the plurality of first holes being uniformly distributed along a circumferential direction of the first annular member.

According to an example, the second annular member is provided with two sets of second holes aligned in radial directions, wherein the second holes of each set are equal in number to the plurality of lines and are uniformly distributed along a circumferential direction of the second annular member, and the plurality of second holes on a radially inner side are for the plurality of lines to respectively pass through, and the plurality of second holes on a radially outer side are for respectively connecting the second ends of the plurality of lines.

According to an example, the plurality of lines are tensioned by gravity of the second annular member. In this exemplary solution, the lines are tensioned through a simple structure, which also ensures compact winding around the object to be dewatered and smooth release and return of the line-control ring after dewatering.

According to an example, the plurality of lines are tensioned by gravity of the second annular member and an additional force applied to the second annular member. This exemplary technical solution allows an additional force to be applied as needed, which provides a strong guarantee for compact winding around the object to be dewatered and smooth release and return of the line-control ring after dewatering.

According to an example, the dewatering device further comprises a counterweight arranged on the second annular member to provide the additional force. According to another example, the dewatering device further comprises a plurality of weights respectively arranged at the second ends of the plurality of lines, to provide the additional force.

According to an example, the dewatering device further comprises a spring which is arranged to bias the second annular member in a direction that tensions the plurality of lines, to provide the additional force.

According to an example, the housing comprises a first housing and a second housing substantially located below the first housing, the first housing and the second housing defining a first accommodating space and a second accommodating space separated from each other, wherein the rotating disk, the first annular member, the second annular member, the plurality of lines, and the guide are arranged in the first accommodating space, and the driving device is arranged in the second accommodating space. This exemplary structure isolates the driving device from the water squeezed out in the first accommodating space, protecting the driving device, especially an electric driving device, from water erosion.

According to an example, the driving device comprises a transmission device arranged in the second accommodating space and a drive shaft coupled to the transmission device and extending into the first accommodating space to be fixed to the rotating disk, wherein the drive shaft is rotatably arranged in a bearing seat fixed to a bottom of the first housing.

According to an example, the rotating disk is configured above the bearing seat to cover it. This exemplary structure can effectively prevent the water from entering the bearing seat and the second accommodating space (also referred to as the lower accommodating space), ensuring the dryness of the driving device, such as the motor and its control board, etc. in the lower accommodating space.

According to an example, the bottom of the first housing is formed with a protruding portion protruding toward the rotating disk, the bearing seat being fixed to the protruding portion.

In this example, the water squeezed out can be guided by the protruding portion to recesses on both sides of the protruding portion, while the bearing seat is arranged on the protruding portion, making water difficult to contact the bearing seat, thus ensuring the dryness of the lower accommodating space.

According to an example, an upper surface of the rotating disk is inclined radially outward toward the bottom of the first housing. This structure can help guide water to the protruding portion and the recesses on both sides thereof, facilitating water drainage.

According to an example, the dewatering device further comprises two actuating members extending from the housing, wherein one actuating member is provided for actuating the driving device to start a dewatering process of the dewatering device, and the other actuating member is provided for actuating the driving device to start a return process of the dewatering device.

According to an example, in the dewatering process, the rotating disk rotates in a first direction driven by the driving device, pulling the plurality of lines to cause the second annular member to move away from the rotating disk toward the first annular member, and winding the lines between the rotating disk and the second annular member onto the object to be dewatered.

According to an example, in the return process, the rotating disk rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction driven by the driving device, causing the plurality of lines to loosen, the second annular member moving away from the first annular member toward the rotating disk to return under gravity or an additional force.

According to an example, the plurality of lines are made of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fiber. Such a material gives these lines excellent self-lubricating and wear-resistant properties, and allows them to remain soft and tough after exposed to water.

According to an example, the object to be dewatered is a mop.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a cleaning device is also provided, which comprises the dewatering device described in the above examples and a cleaning container which is attached to or formed integrally with the dewatering device. This cleaning device embraces all the advantages of the dewatering devices described hereinabove, being very convenient to use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the embodiments in the present invention will be easily understood with reference to the following detailed description and drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a dewatering device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view taken in a different plane of the dewatering device shown in FIG. 1, with the guide shown but the lines not shown for simplicity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The technical solutions of the present invention will be further described in detail below in combination with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments. The following description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings serves to explain the general concept of the present invention and should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention.

In addition, in the following detailed description, for ease of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of the embodiments. However, obviously, one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. Furthermore, to simplify the drawings, well-known structures and devices are not shown in the drawings.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a dewatering device 100 is provided, which can be used for removing/squeezing water from an object to be dewatered, such as a mop. It should be noted that, although the dewatering device for a mop is described herein as an example, those skilled in the art can understand that the dewatering device adopting the concept of the present invention can dewater not only mops, but also other cleaning supplies such as rags, or even any suitable objects to be dewatered apart from cleaning supplies.

In this exemplary embodiment, a housing 1 of the dewatering device 100 is composed of a substantially cylindrical first housing 11 (also referred to as an upper housing) and a substantially cylindrical second housing 12 (also referred to as a lower housing). As shown in FIG. 1, the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are concentrically arranged, wherein the first housing 11 is partially sleeved in the second housing 12, and the two are fixed together by a connection bracket 13 and connection bolts 14 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 respectively define a first accommodating space (also referred to as an upper accommodating space) and a second accommodating space (also referred to as a lower accommodating space), which are separated by the bottom of the first housing 11. Those skilled in the art can understand that the structure of the housing of the dewatering device in the present invention is not limited to the structure described in the specific embodiments and shown in the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the dewatering device 100 further comprises a rotating disk 2 arranged in the housing 1 and a driving device for rotating the rotating disk 2. The driving device in the illustrated example includes a motor 7 and a transmission device 8 (e.g., a gearbox). Those skilled in the art can understand that the driving device for the rotating disk 2 is not limited to an electric one, and a purely mechanical driving device, such as a rack-and-pinion system, can also be used. However, it should be pointed out that a motor can apply a stronger torsional squeezing force to the object to be dewatered than manpower, and thereby squeeze out water more efficiently. This method saves labor and is easy to operate, and it also saves time, for example, the entire process of dewatering and returning takes only a few seconds.

As shown in FIG. 1, an output shaft of the transmission device 8 is connected to a drive shaft 10 via a coupling 15. A bearing seat 101 is fixed to the bottom of the first housing 11 by a nut 102, and the drive shaft 10 is rotatably arranged in the bearing seat 101 via a bearing 103 and extends into the first accommodating space defined by the first housing 11. The rotating disk 2 is fixed to the drive shaft 10 to rotate together therewith. As shown in FIG. 1, the drive shaft 10 can also be connected to a support rod 9 arranged on the rotating disk 2, thereby also driving the support rod 9 to rotate. The support rod is adapted to support a mop. This support rod 9 facilitates the placement of the object to be dewatered and the winding of the plurality of lines around the object to be dewatered, thus helping to achieve a good dewatering effect.

The dewatering device 100 further comprises a first annular member 3 (also referred to as a line-passing ring) arranged at an inlet end of the housing 1, a second annular member 4 (also referred to as a line-control ring) located between the rotating disk 2 and the first annular member 3, a guide 6 (shown in FIG. 2), and a plurality of lines 5 wound between the rotating disk 2, the first annular member 3, and the second annular member 4. The second annular member 4 is provided with holes 61 (shown in FIG. 2), and sleeved on the guide 6 through the holes 61, thereby being slidably coupled to the guide 6. Two symmetrical guides 6 may be provided, and correspondingly, two holes 61 are provided on the second annular member 4. Those skilled in the art can understand that a plurality of guides 6 can also be provided, which can be uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction of the second annular member 4. By way of example, one end of the guide 6 is fixed to the bottom of the first housing 11, and the other end is fixed to the first annular member 3. Although as an example, the first annular member 3 is connected to the housing 1 in the above and in the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can understand that the first annular member 3 can also be formed integrally with the housing 1. For example, a flange radially and inwardly protruding from the inlet end of the housing 1 is used as the first annular member.

As shown in FIG. 1, the rotating disk 2 is provided with a plurality of third holes 21 equal in number to the plurality of lines 5 for respectively connecting the first ends of the plurality of lines 5. The plurality of third holes 21 are uniformly distributed along a circumferential direction of the rotating disk 2, and the lines 5 are connected to the rotating disk 2 by passing their first ends through the third holes 21 and either tying a knot or attaching a first weight 51. Those skilled in the art can understand that the third holes 21 may not be provided, and the plurality of lines 5 may be connected to the rotating disk 2 in other ways.

The second annular member 4 is provided with two sets of second holes 41 aligned in radial directions, wherein the number of the plurality of second holes 41 in each set is the same as the number of the plurality of lines 5, and the second holes 41 are uniformly distributed along a circumferential direction of the second annular member 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of second holes 41 on the radially inner side are provided for the plurality of lines 5 to respectively pass through, and the plurality of second holes 41 on the radially outer side are for respectively connecting the second ends of the plurality of lines 5. The first annular member 3, i.e., the line-passing ring, is provided with a plurality of first holes 31 equal in number to the plurality of lines 5 for the plurality of lines 5 to respectively weave through, and the plurality of first holes 31 are uniformly distributed along a circumferential direction of the first annular member 3.

As shown in FIG. 1, each line 5 is connected at its first end to the rotating disk 2 through tying a knot or the blocking by the first weight 51, then passes through the third hole 21 in the rotating disk 2 and the second hole 41 on the radially inner side in the second annular member 4, then extends to the first annular member 3, passes by the inner edge of the first annular member 3, and then weaves in an opposite direction through the first hole 31 of the first annular member 3 and exits from the first hole 31, and extends to the second hole 41 on the radially outer side in the second annular member 4, with its second end connected to the second annular member 4 by tying a knot or attaching a second weight 52. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the second annular member 4 and the first annular member 3 are concentrically arranged. The plurality of first holes 31 on the first annular member 3 and the plurality of second holes 41 on the radially outer side of the second annular member 4 are correspondingly aligned in the axial direction of the housing 1, i.e., these holes have the same positions in the radial direction, which forms the vertical arrangement of the lines 5 as shown in FIG. 1. This reduces the resistance on the lines 5. The plurality of second holes 41 on the radially inner side of the second annular member 4 are aligned with the inner edge of the first annular member 3 in the axial direction of the housing 1, which also helps to form the vertical arrangement of the lines 5 as shown in FIG. 1 and reduce the resistance on the lines 5.

Those skilled in the art can understand that although the structures of the first annular member 3, the second annular member 4, and the rotating disk 2, and the winding or threading sequence of the plurality of lines 5 on these structures have been described above in an exemplary manner, this is only an exemplary specific structure. The threading sequence therein can be changed, and the structures of the first annular member 3, the second annular member 4, and the rotating disk 2 can also be modified.

In the exemplary structure of the dewatering device, the aforementioned plurality of lines 5 are in a tensioned state to ensure tight winding around the object to be dewatered and smooth release and return of the line-control ring after dewatering. The plurality of lines 5 are tensioned by, for example, the gravity of the second annular member 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the second annular member 4, i.e., the line-control ring, is in a suspended state due to its own weight and the tension of the lines, each line being tightened, and all the lines together forming a cylinder-like arrangement as a whole, and the line-control ring is in a horizontal level. It should be pointed out that using the gravity of the second annular member 4, i.e., the line control ring, to tension the lines 5 and return the line-control ring (the return process will be further described below) is only an example, and other methods can also be used. For example, in addition to the gravity of the second annular member 4, an additional force can be applied to bring about the tensioning and return. The additional force can be applied, for example, by providing a counterweight (not shown) on the second annular member 4 (for example, on the lower surface of the second annular member 4). Alternatively, the additional force can be applied by providing weights 52 to the lines 5. The weights 52 can be made of stainless steel, cast iron, or other materials, and their gravity tightens the lines 5 where they are located. The additional force can also be applied, for example, by providing a spring. The spring is arranged, for example, between the second annular member 4, i.e., the line-control ring, and the bottom of the first housing 11, and is arranged to bias the second annular member 4 in a direction that tensions the plurality of lines 5 (pull the second annular member 4 downward in the figure) to provide the additional force. In the example where an additional force is applied, the plurality of lines 5 are tensioned and the line-control ring are returned by means of the gravity of the second annular member 4 and the additional force applied to the second annular member 4. It should be pointed out that the above exemplary methods for tensioning the lines 5 can be used alone or in combination.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rotating disk 2, the first annular member 3, the second annular member 4, the plurality of lines 5, and the guide 6 are arranged in the first accommodating space. Driven by the driving device, such as the motor 7, the rotating disk 2 rotates, pulling the plurality of lines 5 that are uniformly distributed thereon in the circumferential direction. These lines 5 slide in the second holes 41 of the second annular member 4 and the first holes 31 of the first annular member 3, respectively, and pull the second annular member 4 through their second ends, causing the second annular member 4 to move away from the rotating disk 2 toward the first annular member 3 (upward in FIG. 1) under the guidance of the guide 6. At the same time, the plurality of lines 5 between the rotating disk 2 and the second annular member 4 are wound and wrapped around the lowermost part of the cords or cloth strips of the mop head. The rotating disk 2 rotates continuously and pulls the plurality of lines 5, and the second annular member 4 rises continuously, so that the length of the plurality of lines 5 between the rotating disk 2 and the second annular member 4 gradually increases, and forms a rising and spirally winding state under the rotation of the rotating disk, and the mop head is gradually and uniformly wrapped and squeezed for dewatering from bottom to top by these lines.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the second annular member 4 and the first annular member 3 are concentrically arranged, and the outer diameter of the second annular member 4 is greater than the inner diameter of the first annular member 3, allowing the second annular member 4 to move to abut against the first annular member 3 under the guidance of the guide 6 and stop moving due to the blocking by the first annular member 3. Since the first annular member 3 blocks the second annular member 4 and stops it from moving, the torque transmitted by the motor 7 through the transmission device forces the lines 5 to continue winding, and since the increased length of the line resulting from the rise of the second annular member 4 is no longer available, the spiral lines 5 can only shrink inward and wind, making the wrapped space around the mop head smaller and smaller, and the uniform torsional squeezing force received by each part of the mop head even stronger, thereby achieving a good squeezing and dewatering effect. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the second annular member 4 is greater than the inner diameter of the first annular member 3, and the first annular member 3, as the travel end of the second annular member 4, can reduce the sizes of the housing and the entire dewatering device while fulfilling the above functions, reduce the degree of deflection and sliding resistance of the lines, and reduce the power demand of the dewatering device. However, those skilled in the art can understand that the solution in this example where the outer diameter of the second annular member 4 is greater than the inner diameter of the first annular member 3 and the first annular member forms the travel end of the second annular member is only a preferred specific structure, and the relative dimensions between the two are not limited thereto. In addition, the travel end of the second annular member 4, i.e., the line-control ring, may be set in a different method, not limited to the above-mentioned one. For example, a stop member for the second annular member 4 can also be provided on the inner wall of the housing 1.

Further, the first annular member 3 can be arranged at the inlet end of the housing 1, and the support rod 9 extends from the rotating disk 2 substantially to the inlet end and is preferably slightly lower than the first annular member 3. This structure can ensure that the top of the mop head placed on the support rod 9 can also be completely wrapped and uniformly squeezed for dewatering by the lines 5 in an overall spiral shape. It should be noted that although the support rod is described herein and its specific installation structure is shown in the embodiments of the drawings, and the solution of the present invention has attained many advantages from the setting methods of the support rod, those skilled in the art can understand that the design of the present invention does not necessarily have to include the support rod (for example, the operator can manually suspend the mop), and its structure is not limited to the structure shown in the figures.

As shown in FIG. 1, the rotating disk 2 is arranged at the bottom of the housing 1 opposite to the aforementioned inlet end, and the second annular member 4 is arranged adjacent to the rotating disk 2. This structure allows the lowermost part of the cords or cloth strips of the mop head to be also fully wound and squeezed, which helps to ensure that all parts of the entire mop head are effectively dewatered.

As shown in FIG. 1, the driving device (in particular the electric driving device including the motor 7 and its speed reducer) is arranged in the second accommodating space, i.e., the lower accommodating space. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the rotating disk 2 is configured above the bearing seat 101 to cover it. This structure can effectively prevent the water from entering the bearing seat and the lower accommodating space, thereby ensuring the dryness of the motor 7 and its control board, etc. in the lower accommodating space.

Preferably, the bottom of the first housing 11 is formed with a protruding portion 111 protruding toward the rotating disk 2, and the bearing seat 101 is fixed to the protruding portion 111, as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The water squeezed out can be guided by the protruding portion to the recesses on both sides of the protruding portion, while the bearing seat 101 is arranged on the protruding portion, making water difficult to contact the bearing seat, thus ensuring the dryness of the lower accommodating space. As can also be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper surface of the rotating disk 2 is inclined radially outward toward the bottom of the first housing 11. This structure can help guide water to the protruding portion 111 and the recesses on both sides thereof. Exemplarily, a drain pipe can be provided in the recess to drain the water.

The motor 7 of the dewatering device 100 can drive the rotating disk 2 to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise by means of the transmission device 8 and the drive shaft 10. Correspondingly, the dewatering device may comprise two actuating members (not shown), for example, two foot pedals extending from the housing 1. The two actuating members comprise a first actuating member and a second actuating member. The first actuating member can be provided to actuate the motor of the driving device to start a dewatering process of the dewatering device, and the second actuating member can be provided to actuate the motor to start a return process of the dewatering device.

After comparing the effects and performances of various materials in a large number of experiments, the inventor of the present invention has selected ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene as the material for the plurality of lines 5 of the dewatering device 100. This material gives these lines excellent self-lubricating and wear-resistant properties, and allows them to remain soft and tough after exposed to water, while having high specific strength (more than ten times that of a steel wire with the same cross-section), thereby effectively preventing breakage. Preferably, the line-control ring and the line-passing ring can both be made of self-lubricating materials to ensure the smooth sliding of the lines 5 and reduce wear. It should be pointed out that the materials for the lines, the line-control ring, and the line-passing ring are all known materials, and the improvement of the preferred solution of the present invention lies in the process of selecting suitable and high-performance materials for the lines, the line-control ring, and the line-passing ring, rather than the materials themselves.

The following is a specific example showing the dewatering process of a mop by the dewatering device 100 and a subsequent returning process.

A wet mop head is placed on the support rod 9. Due to the water therein, the mop head droops smoothly, with the entire bundle of fiber cords (or fabric strips, non-woven fabric, etc.) forming a neatly arranged bundle.

When the first actuating member is actuated, for example, a foot switch is stepped on, the motor 7 is started and drives the rotating disk 2 to rotate in a first direction (for example, counterclockwise when viewed from above in FIG. 1), pulling the plurality of lines 5 that are uniformly distributed on the circumferential direction of the rotating disk 2. These lines 5 slide in the second holes 41 of the second annular member 4 and the first holes 31 of the first annular member 3, respectively, and pull the second annular member 4 through their second ends, causing the second annular member 4 to move away from the rotating disk 2 toward the first annular member 3 (upward in FIG. 1) under the guidance of the guide 6. At the same time, the plurality of lines 5 between the rotating disk 2 and the second annular member 4 are wound and wrapped around the lowermost part of the cords or cloth strips of the mop head.

Since the rotating disk 2 rotates continuously to pull the plurality of lines 5, the second annular member 4, i.e., the line-control ring, continues to rise, making the portion of the plurality of lines 5 between the rotating disk 2 and the second annular member 4 increase in length. This portion of lines enters a rising and spirally winding state, and the mop head is gradually and uniformly wrapped and squeezed for dewatering from bottom to top. As described above, since the plurality of lines 5 are uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction, they can uniformly wrap and squeeze the cords or cloth strips of the mop head. This process is similar to a hand wringing process, ensuring reliable and uniform dewatering of the mop.

When the second annular member 4, i.e., the line-control ring, is pulled up to the highest point (for example, blocked by the first annular member 3) and can no longer move upward, since the top of the support rod 9 is slightly lower than the first annular member 3 and the top of the cords or cloth strips of the mop head is also at this position, the entire mop head has been completely wrapped and uniformly squeezed for dewatering by the wound lines 5. At this time, the torque transmitted by the motor 7 through the transmission device forces the lines to continue winding. Since the increased length of the line resulting from the rise of the line-control ring is no longer available, the wound lines 5 can only shrink inward and continue to wind, making the wrapped space around the mop head smaller and smaller, and the uniform torsional squeezing force received by each part of the mop head even stronger, thereby achieving an excellent/user-expected squeezing and dewatering effect. The water squeezed out is drained via a drain pipe (not shown) provided on the first housing 11.

In this dewatering process, the second annular member 4, i.e., the line-control ring, controls the plurality of lines 5 to wind at a small helix angle, and maintains substantially the same helix angle throughout the process, thus making the object to be dewatered wound and wrapped uniformly and compactly from head to tail. Furthermore, a smaller helix angle enables the tension of the lines to generate a larger component force in the circumferential direction to optimize the squeezing force, thereby achieving a faster and more effective squeezing effect. By way of example, the object to be dewatered is a mop. Compared with a hand-wrung mop, the dewatering device of the present invention can not only significantly reduce the time (for example, taking only a few seconds), but also dewater the mop more cleanly and uniformly.

In the exemplary dewatering device of the present invention, the lines are tensioned at any part, which ensures compact winding around the object to be dewatered and smooth release and return of the line-control ring after dewatering.

When the mop has been dewatered and needs to be taken out, the second actuating member is actuated, and the motor 7 drives the rotating disk 2 to rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction, loosening the plurality of lines 5. Driven by the gravity described hereinabove (or the gravity and the additional force), the second annular member 4 moves away from the first annular member 3 toward the rotating disk 2 and returns to its resting position.

The present invention also provides a cleaning device, which combines the dewatering device 100 with a cleaning container (not shown). The cleaning container is, for example, attached to or formed integrally with the dewatering device. The object to be dewatered, such as a mop, is cleaned in the cleaning container and then directly placed into the dewatering device 100 for dewatering. Embracing various advantages of the dewatering device in the present invention, the cleaning device is very easy to use.

It should be emphasized that the combinations of features in the embodiments described herein only intend to better illustrate the concept of the present invention as preferred embodiments, and do not mean that the implementation of the technical solution of the present invention must involve some or certain of these features.

While some embodiments illustrating the general concept of the present invention have been described herein, those with ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general concept of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is determined by the claims and their equivalents.