AU2020448005A2

AU2020448005A2 - Faucet

Info

Publication number: AU2020448005A2
Application number: AU2020448005A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Shogo HATA; Satoshi Kobayashi
Original assignee: Takagi Co Ltd
Current assignee: Takagi Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-05-14
Filing date: 2020-05-14
Publication date: 2023-02-09
Also published as: JPWO2021229737A1; JP7423098B2; WO2021229737A1; AU2020448005A1

Abstract

The present invention provides a water faucet that can discharge water leaking outside a flow channel from a spout port.　A valve assembly 38 of a water faucet 10 is housed in a housing 12 of a water faucet body 11. The valve assembly 38 is provided with: a movable valve body 60; a fixed valve body 62; a lower case 68; an upper case 42; an inner seal member 64 for sealing between the fixed valve body 62 and the lower case 68; a bottom seal member 66 for sealing between the lower case 68 and a bottom portion 12b of the housing 12; and a lever seal member 48 for sealing between a lever cooperating part and the upper case 42. The inner seal member 64 and the bottom seal member 66 have spout-side seal portions 64c and 66c, respectively. The water faucet 10 further comprises an upper seal member 40 for sealing between the upper case 42 and the housing 12. The pressure resistance of the spout-side seal portions 64c and 66c from the outside toward the inside is smaller than those of the upper seal member 40 and the lever seal member 48.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a

faucet. More specifically, the present disclosure

relates to a faucet that includes a disc valve.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A disc valve in a faucet includes a fixed

valve body and a movable valve body that slides on

the fixed valve body. The disc valve is used in,

for example, mixer faucets and single supply faucets

that discharge only cold water or hot water. The

disc valve enables to switch the state of the faucet

between a water discharge state and a water shut-off

state, and to adjust the amount of discharge water.

When the disc valve is used in a mixer faucet, the

disc valve also enables to adjust the temperature of

discharge water in addition to the amount of

discharge water

[0003] JP2012-017791A discloses a single lever

faucet including a leakage collection means that

guides hot water leaking from a hot water side

sealing portion, cold water leaking from a cold

water side sealing portion, and mixture leaking from

a mixture side sealing portion, to the downstream

side of the mixture. JP2012-017791A discloses, as

one example of the leakage collection means, an easy

communication portion that is provided in an

integrated sealing portion obtained by integrating

the hot water side sealing portion, the cold water

side sealing portion and the mixture side sealing

portion.

[0004] W02020/039532A1 discloses a mixer faucet

that includes an upper sealing member that seals a clearance between an upper case and a faucet main body, and a lever sealing member that seals a clearance between a lever interlocking portion and the upper case. A disc (a fixed valve body and a movable valve body) of this mixer faucet includes a releasing flow path that connects a drain hole to the outside of a sliding interface when water is shut off and that is closed by the sliding interface when water is discharged.

PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: JP2012-017791A Patent Literature 2: W02020/039532A1

[0006] The easy communication portion in JP2012 017791A is a cutout formed on a part of the integrated sealing portion. This document describes that water leakage occurs at the easy communication portion when the integrated sealing portion deteriorates from ageing, and the leaked water flows into a mixture flow path. This phenomenon may occur when the entirety of the integrated sealing portion is uniformly worn. However, the entire integrated sealing portion is not necessarily worn uniformly. In addition, this technique cannot handle water leakage that occurs outside flow paths, and cannot deal with water leakage from between discs, for example.

[0007] In the faucet of W02020/039532A1, a valve bodies surrounding space is sealed, and leaked water passes through the releasing flow path and is discharged from a water discharge port. In this faucet, a disc made of a hard material is subjected to processing to form the releasing flow path. This processing requires a high cost.

[0008] The present disclosure relates to a faucet in which water that has leaked to the outside of flow paths can be discharged from a water discharge port.

[0008a] It is desired to address or ameliorate one or more disadvantages or limitations associated with the prior art, or to at least provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY

[0009] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a faucet including a faucet main body that includes a housing portion, a lever handle that is configured to adjust an amount of discharge water, and a valve assembly that is housed in an accommodating portion of the housing portion. The housing portion includes a housing bottom portion that constitutes a bottom part of the accommodating portion and that includes a bottom inlet hole and a bottom discharge hole that are connected to the valve assembly. The valve assembly includes: a tilting lever that is configured to move in conjunction with a movement of the lever handle; a fixed valve body that has a supply hole and a drain hole; a movable valve body that has a flow path forming recess and that is configured to move on the fixed valve body in conjunction with a movement of the tilting lever; a lower case that is disposed on a lower side of the fixed valve body and has an inlet hole and a discharge hole; an upper case that is fixed to the lower case, the upper case and the lower case constituting an outer surface of the valve assembly; an inner sealing member that seals a clearance between the fixed valve body and the lower case; a bottom sealing member that seals a clearance between the lower case and the housing bottom portion; and a lever sealing member that seals a clearance between the upper case and a lever interlocking portion that moves in conjunction with the movement of the tilting lever. The faucet further includes an upper sealing member that seals a clearance between the upper case and the housing portion. The inner sealing member includes an inner supply-side sealing portion that seals a clearance between the supply hole and the inlet hole, and an inner discharge-side sealing portion that seals a clearance between the drain hole and the discharge hole. The bottom sealing member includes a bottom supply-side sealing portion that seals a clearance between the inlet hole and the bottom inlet hole, and a bottom discharge-side sealing portion that seals a clearance between the discharge hole and the bottom discharge hole. When the inner discharge side sealing portion and the bottom discharge-side sealing portion are collectively referred to as a discharge-side sealing portion, a pressure resistance of the discharge-side sealing portion against pressure applied from outside to inside is lower than a pressure resistance of the upper sealing member and the lever sealing member.

[0010] In one aspect, water that has leaked to

the outside of flow paths can be discharged from a

water discharge port.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] One or more embodiments of the present invention are hereinafter described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a faucet (a mixer faucet) according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b) are perspective views of a valve assembly used in the faucet of FIG. 1. In FIG. 2(a), a tilting lever is situated at a water shut-off position. In FIG. 2(b), the tilting lever is situated at a maximum water discharge position. FIG. 3(a) is a side view of a housing portion in which the valve assembly of FIG. 2(a) is housed, FIG. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line b-b in FIG. 3(a), and FIG. 3(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line c-c in FIG. 3(a). FIG. 4(a) is a side view of the housing portion in which the valve assembly of FIG. 2(b) is housed, FIG. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line b-b in FIG. 4(a), and FIG. 4(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line c-c in FIG. 4(a). FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the valve assembly. FIG. 6(a) and FIG. 6(b) are perspective views of a lever cap. FIG. 6(a) shows the perspective view of the lever cap as viewed from obliquely above. FIG. 6(b) shows the perspective view of the lever cap as viewed from obliquely below.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a click rotary member. FIG. 8(a) and FIG. 8(b) are perspective views of a metal member that constitutes a part of the click rotary member. FIG. 8(a) is a perspective view of the metal member as viewed from obliquely above. FIG. 8(b) is a perspective view of the metal member as viewed from obliquely below. FIG. 9(a) is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the valve assembly is disposed in an accommodating portion. FIG. 9(b) is a cross sectional view showing a state where the valve assembly is separated from the accommodating portion. FIG. 10(a) is a perspective view of a lower member of a movable valve body as viewed from above, FIG. 10(b) is a perspective view of the lower member as viewed from below, FIG. 10(c) is a plan view of the lower member, and FIG. 10(d) is a bottom view of the lower member. FIG. 11(a) is a perspective view of a fixed valve body as viewed from above, FIG. 11(b) is a perspective view of the fixed valve body as viewed from below, FIG. 11(c) is a plan view of the fixed valve body, and FIG. 11(d) is a bottom view of the fixed valve body. FIG. 12(a) is a perspective view of a lower case according to the first embodiment as viewed from above, and FIG. 12(b) is a plan view of the lower case. FIG. 13(a) is a perspective view of the lower case of the first embodiment provided with an inner sealing member as viewed from above, and FIG. 13(b) is a plan view of the lower case provided with the inner sealing member. FIG. 14(a) is a perspective view of a lower case according to a second embodiment as viewed from above, and FIG. 14(b) is a plan view of the lower case. FIG. 15(a) is a perspective view of the lower case of the second embodiment provided with an inner sealing member as viewed from above, and FIG. 15(b) is a plan view of the lower case provided with the inner sealing member. FIG. 16(a) is a perspective view of a lower case according to a third embodiment as viewed from above, and FIG. 16(b) is a plan view of the lower case. FIG. 17(a) is a perspective view of the lower case of the third embodiment provided with an inner sealing member as viewed from above, and FIG. 17(b) is a plan view of the lower case provided with the inner sealing member. FIG. 18(a) is a perspective view of a lower case according to a fourth embodiment as viewed from below, and FIG. 18(b) is a bottom view of the lower case. FIG. 19(a) is a perspective view of the lower case of the fourth embodiment provided with a bottom sealing member as viewed from below, and FIG. 19(b) is a bottom view of the lower case provided with the bottom sealing member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings as necessary. In the following, the terms

"cold water" and "hot water" are used. For the

purpose of distinguishing liquid from a hot water

supply hole and liquid from a cold water supply

hole, the terms "hot water" and "cold water" are

used selectively, when necessary. On the other

hand, in some descriptions, the term "water" is used

to collectively refer to liquid from a hot water

supply hole and from a cold water supply hole.

[0013] In the present disclosure, the terms "up",

"down", "upper side", "lower side" and the like are

used in view of use conditions of respective

embodiments. The posture of a faucet can be changed

depending on its use conditions, specifications of

the faucet, and specifications of facilities to

which the faucet is installed. In some types of

faucets, the center line of a housing portion may

extend horizontally when the faucet is in the normal

use condition. In such a case, the above terms are

interpreted in accordance with the use condition of

the faucet. Accordingly, a faucet according to the

present disclosure does not have to have a

configuration in which a movable valve body is

disposed on the upper side relative to a fixed valve

body, for example. Unless otherwise described, the

term "circumferential direction" used in the present

disclosure means the circumferential direction of an

upper case.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a faucet

10 according to one embodiment. The faucet 10 is a

single lever faucet. The faucet 10 includes a

faucet main body 11 that includes a housing portion

12, a lever handle 14, a discharge portion 16, an inlet pipe 17, a discharge pipe 22, and a water discharge port 23. The inlet pipe 17 includes a hot water inlet pipe 18 and a cold water inlet pipe 20. The discharge portion 16 includes a head 24. The head 24 includes the water discharge port 23 and a switching lever 26. Switching between shower discharge and normal discharge can be achieved by operating the switching lever 26. The faucet 10 is applicable to use in, for example, a kitchen or a washstand. The faucet 10 of the present embodiment is a mixer faucet. The faucet 10 may be, for example, a single supply faucet that discharges only cold water or hot water. In a single supply faucet, the number of the inlet pipe 17 is one.

[0015] The head 24 also includes a switching button 28 and a display portion 30. A water purification cartridge (not shown in the drawings) is accommodated in the discharge portion 16. The switching button 28 is used to perform switching

between a purified water flow path through which water purified by the water purification cartridge flows and a raw water flow path through which water that is not purified by the water purification cartridge flows. When the purified water flow path is selected as a result of the switching, purified water is discharged. When the raw water flow path

is selected as a result of the switching, raw water is discharged. The display portion 30 shows an indication that allows users to know whether discharge water is purified water or raw water.

[0016] In the faucet 10, by turning the lever

handle 14 forward and rearward (by turning the lever handle 14 up and down), the amount of discharge water is adjusted. In the faucet 10, the amount of discharge water increases as the lever handle 14 is moved upward, and water is shut off when the lever handle 14 is moved to the lowest position. A water shut-off state is achieved as long as the lever handle 14 is at the lowest position even when the lever handle 14 is situated at any position in a left-right direction. Alternatively, the faucet 10 may be configured such that the amount of discharge water increases as the lever handle 14 is moved downward. By turning the lever handle 14 leftward and rightward, the mixing ratio of hot water and cold water changes. The temperature of discharge water can be adjusted by changing the position of the lever handle 14 in the left-right direction, which is also referred to as a left-right lever position in the present disclosure. Strictly speaking, the adjustment of the amount of discharge water is achieved actually by turning the lever handle 14 up and down, rather than forward and rearward. However, a tilting lever 46 that is moved in conjunction with the up-down turning of the lever handle 14 is turned forward and rearward. From this viewpoint, for the sake of easy understanding by using common terms, the up-down turning of the lever handle 14 is also referred to as forward and rearward turning in the present disclosure. When the faucet 10 is a single supply faucet, the temperature of discharge water is not adjusted, but the amount of discharge water is adjusted. When the faucet 10 is a single supply faucet, the amount of discharge water may be adjusted either by leftward and rightward turning of the lever handle 14 or by forward and rearward turning of the lever handle 14.

[0017] FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b) are perspective

views of a valve assembly 38. FIG. 2(a) is the perspective view of the valve assembly 38 in a water shut-off state. FIG. 2(b) is the perspective view of the valve assembly 38 in a water discharge state. FIG. 2(b) shows a state where the amount of

discharge water is at the maximum (maximum water discharge state).

[0018] FIG. 3(a) is a side view of the valve assembly 38 in the water shut-off state and its vicinity. FIG. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line b-b in FIG. 3(a). FIG. 3(c) is a cross sectional view taken along line c-c in FIG. 3(a).

FIG. 4(a) is a side view of the valve assembly 38 in the water discharge state (maximum water discharge state) and its vicinity. FIG. 4(b) is a cross sectional view taken along line b-b in FIG. 4(a). FIG. 4(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line

c-c in FIG. 4(a).

[0019] The valve assembly 38 is accommodated in the housing portion 12 of the faucet main body 11. The housing portion 12 includes a sidewall portion 12a and a housing bottom portion 12b. The housing portion 12 constitutes an accommodating portion 13 in which the valve assembly 38 is housed. The

sidewall portion 12a and the housing bottom portion 12b constitutes the accommodating portion 13. The housing portion 12 also includes a valve fixing member 12c that holds the valve assembly 38 down from above. The valve fixing member 12c includes a

screw portion (a male screw portion) that is screw- connected to a screw portion (a female screw portion) provided on the inner surface of the sidewall portion 12a. Tightening this screw connection enables the valve fixing member 12c to hold the valve assembly 38 down from above. The valve assembly 38 is fixed in the accommodating portion 13 by the valve fixing member 12c. An amount of deformation (to be explained below) of an inner sealing member 64 can be adjusted by the degree of tightening of the valve fixing member 12c. The housing portion 12 may be integrally formed together with other portion(s) of the faucet main body 11, or may be formed separately from other portions of the faucet main body 11.

[0020] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of

the valve assembly 38. As shown in FIG. 5, the valve assembly 38 includes an upper sealing member 40, an upper case 42, a rotatable body 44, the tilting lever 46, and a lever sealing member 48. The tilting lever 46 includes a lever shaft 46a and

a lever cap 46b. The lever shaft 46a includes an upper portion 50, a spherical body 52 and a lower portion 54. The spherical body 52 is positioned between the upper portion 50 and the lower portion 54. The lever handle 14 is attached to the upper portion 50. The lever cap 46b is interposed between the upper portion 50 and the lever handle 14.

[0021] The lever handle 14 is fixed to the tilting lever 46 with a fixing screw 53 (see FIG. 3(b)). Although not shown in the drawings, the lever handle 14 is provided with a screw hole and a lever receiving portion that has a shape

corresponding to the shape of the upper portion 50 of the tilting lever 46. The fixing screw 53 is screwed into the screw hole in a state where the tilting lever 46 (upper portion 50) is inserted into the lever receiving portion. The tip end of the fixing screw 53 presses the tilting lever 46 by an axial force Fl of the fixing screw 53. The pressing force fixes the lever handle 14 to the tilting lever 46. The pressing force of the fixing screw 53 also contributes to fixing the lever cap 46b to the lever shaft 46a. The fixing screw 53 also presses the lever shaft 46a with a cover portion 144 of the lever cap 46b interposed between the fixing screw 53 and the lever shaft 46a. As a result, of the lever cap 46b, a portion that is pressed by the fixing screw 53 is strongly pressed against the lever shaft

46a. This structure increases the force for fixing the lever cap 46b to the lever shaft 46a.

[0022] The valve assembly 38 further includes a click rotary member 56. The click rotary member 56 covers the upper portion (lower-diameter cylindrical

portion 120 to be described below) of the upper case 42.

[0023] The valve assembly 38 further includes a ratchet plate 58. The ratchet plate 58 is fixed to an upward-facing surface 124a, which is a surface that faces upward, of the upper case 42. The ratchet plate 58 is made of a metal.

[0024] The valve assembly 38 further includes a movable valve body 60, a fixed valve body 62, the inner sealing member 64, a bottom sealing member 66, and a lower case 68.

[0025] The inner sealing member 64 includes an

inner hot-water hole sealing portion 64a, an inner cold-water hole sealing portion 64b, and an inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c. In the present embodiment, the inner hot-water hole sealing portion

64a, the inner cold-water hole sealing portion 64b, and the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c are not connected to each other. The inner hot-water hole sealing portion 64a, the inner cold-water hole sealing portion 64b, and the inner discharge-side

sealing portion 64c are formed separately from each other. The inner hot-water hole sealing portion 64a and the inner cold-water hole sealing portion 64b are examples of an inner supply-side sealing portion 65. In the present embodiment, the inner discharge side sealing portion 64c is not connected to any inner supply-side sealing portions 65. The inner

discharge-side sealing portion 64c is formed separately from the inner supply-side sealing portions 65. In the present embodiment, the faucet 10 is a mixer faucet, and two sealing portions 64a and 64b are provided as the inner supply-side

sealing portions 65. When the faucet 10 is a single supply faucet, the number of the inner supply-side sealing portion 65 is one.

[0026] The inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c and the inner supply-side sealing portion(s) 65 do not have to be formed separately from each other. The inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c may be

formed continuously with the inner supply-side sealing portion(s) 65. The inner hot-water hole sealing portion 64a, the inner cold-water hole sealing portion 64b, and the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c may be formed continuously with

each other. For example, as with the bottom sealing member 66, the inner sealing member 64 may be formed as a single-piece member having three annular parts.

[0027] The lower case 68 has a hot water inlet

hole 70 and a cold water inlet hole 72 as inlet holes 69. The lower case 68 also has a discharge hole 74. In the present embodiment, the faucet 10 is a mixer faucet and the number of the inlet holes 69 is two. The number of the inlet hole 69 may be

one. When the faucet 10 is a single supply faucet, the number of the inlet hole 69 is one. The inner sealing member 64 is attached on the upper surface of the lower case 68. The bottom sealing member 66 is attached on the lower surface of the lower case 68.

[0028] The bottom sealing member 66 seals

clearances between the holes 70, 72, 74 of the lower case 68 and corresponding holes of the housing bottom portion 12b. The bottom sealing member 66 includes a bottom hot-water hole sealing portion 66a, a bottom cold-water hole sealing portion 66b,

and a bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c. In the present embodiment, the bottom sealing member 66 is a single-piece member. The bottom hot-water hole sealing portion 66a, the bottom cold-water hole sealing portion 66b, and the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c are formed continuously with each other. The bottom hot-water hole sealing

portion 66a and the bottom cold-water hole sealing portion 66b are examples of a bottom supply-side sealing portion 67. In the present embodiment, the faucet 10 is a mixer faucet and two sealing portions 66a and 66b are provided as the bottom supply-side

sealing portions 67. When the faucet 10 is a single supply faucet, the number of the bottom supply-side sealing portion 67 is one.

[0029] The bottom sealing member 66 is a single

piece member having three annular parts. A first annular part constitutes the bottom hot-water hole sealing portion 66a. A second annular part constitutes the bottom cold-water hole sealing portion 66b. A third annular part constitutes the

bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c.

[0030] The bottom sealing member 66 includes a double purpose portion 66d that functions as both the bottom supply-side sealing portion 67 and the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c. The double purpose portion 66d is a part that is the bottom supply-side sealing portion 67 and that is

the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c. The double purpose portion 66d constitutes a part of the bottom supply-side sealing portion 67 and a part of the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c.

[0031] The double purpose portion 66d includes a

first double purpose portion 66ac that functions as both the bottom hot-water hole sealing portion 66a and the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c, and a second double purpose portion 66bc that functions as both the bottom cold-water hole sealing portion 66b and the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c. The first double purpose portion 66ac

constitutes a part of the bottom hot-water hole sealing portion 66a and a part of the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c. The second double purpose portion 66bc constitutes a part of the bottom cold-water hole sealing portion 66b and a

part of the bottom discharge-side sealing portion

66c.

[0032] The housing bottom portion 12b of the housing portion 12 includes bottom connection holes

210 that are respectively connected to the inlet hole 69 and the discharge hole 74. The bottom connection holes 210 include a bottom inlet hole 210a that is connected to the inlet hole 69 and a bottom discharge hole 210b that is connected to the

discharge hole 74 (see FIG. 3(b), (c) and FIG. 4(b), (c)). The bottom sealing member 66 connects the bottom inlet hole 210a to the inlet hole 69, and connects the bottom discharge hole 210b to the discharge hole 74. In the present embodiment, the bottom inlet hole 210a is divided into a bottom hot water inlet hole and a bottom cold water inlet hole.

The bottom hot water inlet hole is connected to the hot water inlet hole 70, and the bottom cold water inlet hole is connected to the cold water inlet hole 72. Hot water is supplied from the hot water inlet pipe 18 into the bottom hot water inlet hole. Cold

water is supplied from the cold water inlet pipe 20 into the bottom cold water inlet hole. Water that has flowed into the bottom discharge hole 210b flows through the discharge pipe 22 and then is discharged from the water discharge port 23.

[0033] The fixed valve body 62 is located on the upper side of the lower case 68. The fixed valve

body 62 presses and compresses the inner sealing member 64 from above. The fixed valve body 62 is supported by the inner sealing member 64 from below. The fixed valve body 62 is pressed against the movable valve body 60 because of elastic

restorability of the inner sealing member 64. The lower case 68 is provided with an engaging projection 76 that prevents the fixed valve body 62 from rotating, and an engaging projection 77 that fixes the upper case 42 to the lower case 68. The fixed valve body 62 is provided with an engaging recess 78 that is engaged with the engaging projection 76.

[0034] The fixed valve body 62 includes a hot

water supply hole 80 and a cold water supply hole 82 as supply holes 79. The fixed valve body 62 also includes a drain hole 84. The hot water supply hole 80 penetrates through the fixed valve body 62. The hot water supply hole 80 is connected to the hot water inlet hole 70 of the lower case 68. The inner sealing member 64 (inner hot-water hole sealing

portion 64a) ensures the seal tightness in this connection. The cold water supply hole 82 penetrates through the fixed valve body 62. The cold water supply hole 82 is connected to the cold water inlet hole 72 of the lower case 68. The inner

sealing member 64 (inner cold-water hole sealing portion 64b) ensures the seal tightness in this connection. The drain hole 84 penetrates through the fixed valve body 62. The drain hole 84 is connected to the discharge hole 74 of the lower case 68. The inner sealing member 64 (inner discharge side sealing portion 64c) ensures the seal tightness

in this connection. The faucet 10 of the present embodiment is a mixer faucet, and thus the number of the supply holes 79 is two. The number of the supply holes 79 may be one. When the faucet 10 is a single supply faucet, the number of the supply hole

79 is one.

[00351 The movable valve body 60 includes an upper member 86 and a lower member 88. The upper member 86 is fixed to the lower member 88. This

fixing is accomplished by engagement between a protrusion(s) 90 of the upper member 86 and a recess(es) 92 of the lower member 88. In the present embodiment, the upper member 86 and the lower member 88 are provided as separate members.

When the upper member 86 and the lower member 88 are separate members, an optimum material and an optimal production method can be selected for each of the upper member 86 and the lower member 88. Alternatively, the movable valve body 60 may be integrally formed as a single-piece member.

[00361 As shown in FIG. 3(b) and FIG. 4(b), a

flow path forming recess 94 is formed on the lower surface of the movable valve body 60 (the lower member 88). The flow path forming recess 94 is open downward. The upper side of the flow path forming recess 94 is closed. Although the flow path forming

recess 94 in the present embodiment is a recess that is formed on the lower member 88 and has a bottom, a through hole may be provided instead of this recess. For example, a flow path forming recess can be formed by using such a through hole whose upper opening is closed by the upper member 86 and a sealing member such as an 0-ring.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3(b) and FIG. 4(b), a first sliding surface PL1 is provided on the upper surface of the fixed valve body 62. The first sliding surface PL1 is a flat surface. On the other hand, a second sliding surface PL2 is provided on

the lower surface of the lower member 88 (movable valve body 60). A sliding interface PL3 is formed by a surface contact between the first sliding surface PL1 and the second sliding surface PL2.

Watertightness is ensured by the sliding interface

PL3.

[00381 As shown in FIG. 5, the upper surface of the upper member 86 is provided with a lever engagement recess 98 to be engaged with the lower

portion 54 of the tilting lever 46 (lever shaft 46a). The lower portion 54 of the tilting lever 46 is inserted into the lever engagement recess 98. As described above, the lever handle 14 is fixed to the tilting lever 46. When the lever handle 14 is turned forward and rearward, the tilting lever 46 is also turned forward and rearward. This forward and

rearward turning changes the inclination position of the tilting lever 46, which is also referred to as a lever tilting position in the present disclosure. When the lever handle 14 is turned leftward and rightward, the tilting lever 46 is also turned

leftward and rightward. This leftward and rightward turning changes the left-right lever position of the tilting lever 46.

[00391 The movable valve body 60 slides on the fixed valve body 62 in conjunction with the movement of the tilting lever 46. The movable valve body 60 rotates as the tilting lever 46 is turned leftward

or rightward, and accordingly, the flow path forming recess 94 of the movable valve body 60 also rotates. The movable valve body 60 moves as the tilting lever 46 is turned forward or rearward, and accordingly, the flow path forming recess 94 of the movable valve

body 60 also moves.

[0040] When the flow path forming recess 94

overlaps the hot water supply hole 80 and/or the cold water supply hole 82 and also overlaps the

drain hole 84, a water discharge state is achieved. The water discharge state includes a mixture discharge state, a hot water discharge state, and a cold water discharge state. When the flow path forming recess 94 overlaps the hot water supply hole

80 and the cold water supply hole 82, the mixture discharge state is achieved. In the mixture discharge state, hot water from the hot water supply hole 80 and cold water from the cold water supply hole 82 are discharged in a state of being mixed together. When the flow path forming recess 94 overlaps the hot water supply hole 80 only and does

not overlap the cold water supply hole 82, the hot water discharge state is achieved. In the hot water discharge state, only hot water from the hot water supply hole 80 is discharged, and cold water from the cold water supply hole 82 is not discharged.

When the flow path forming recess 94 overlaps the cold water supply hole 82 only and does not overlap the hot water supply hole 80, the cold water discharge state is achieved. In the cold water discharge state, only cold water from the cold water supply hole 82 is discharged, and hot water from the hot water supply hole 80 is not discharged. When

the flow path forming recess 94 does not overlap either the hot water supply hole 80 or the cold water supply hole 82, the water shut-off state is achieved.

[0041] The hot water supply hole 80 does not have

a communication path that communicates with the outer edge of the fixed valve body 62. The cold water supply hole 82 does not have a communication path that communicates with the outer edge of the fixed valve body 62. The drain hole 84 does not have a communication path that communicates with the outer edge of the fixed valve body 62. The faucet 10 is a dry sliding type faucet. Disc valves of faucets are generally classified into an underwater sliding type and a dry sliding type. The underwater sliding type means a faucet that is used under the condition where the sliding interface is submerged in water. The underwater sliding type faucet has a water supply path that supplies water to space around the sliding interface. The above-mentioned communication path is an example of the water supply path. The faucet 10 does not include such a water supply path that supplies water to space around the sliding interface PL3. In the faucet 10, the sliding interface PL3 prevents water leakage to space around the sliding interface PL3. In dry sliding type faucets, the sliding interface PL3 is not intentionally submerged in water.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, the rotatable body 44 includes a spherical body support portion 102, an engaging portion 104, and an outer circumferential surface 105. As shown in FIG. 3(b) and FIG. 4(b), the spherical body support portion 102 is a concave

surface that is a part of a spherical surface, and is in surface contact with the spherical body 52 of the tilting lever 46. The engaging portion 104 is slidably attached to a slide engaging portion 106 of (the upper member 86 of) the movable valve body 60.

The rotatable body 44 is supported by the upper case

42 such that the rotatable body 44 is rotatable within a predetermined angular range. The rotatable body 44 is housed inside the upper case 42. The entirety of the rotatable body 44 is located inside the upper case 42.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3(b) and FIG. 4(b), the lever sealing member 48 is fixed by being sandwiched between the upper end surface 108 of the rotatable

body 44 and the upper case 42. The spherical body 52 of the tilting lever 46 is in tight contact with the lever sealing member 48.

[0044] Leftward and rightward turning of the lever handle 14 also causes leftward and rightward turning of the tilting lever 46. When the tilting lever 46 is turned leftward and rightward, the

rotatable body 44 rotates together with the tilting lever 46, whereby the movable valve body 60 also rotates. The lever sealing member 48 also rotates as the tilting lever 46 is turned leftward or rightward. During the leftward and rightward

turning movement of the tilting lever 46, the lever sealing member 48 rotates together with the spherical body 52 and thus does not slide on the spherical body 52. The lever sealing member 48 does not necessarily have to rotate as the tilting lever 46 is turned leftward or rightward. Even when the tilting lever 46 is situated at any left-right lever

position, the spherical body 52 is in tight contact with the lever sealing member 48.

[0045] Forward and rearward turning of the lever handle 14 also causes forward and rearward turning of the tilting lever 46. By turning the tilting

lever 46 forward and rearward, an angle of inclination of the tilting lever 46 is changed. The movable valve body 60 slides with respect to the rotatable body 44 as the tilting lever 46 is turned forward and rearward. The lever sealing member 48 slides with respect to the spherical body 52 as the tilting lever 46 is turned forward and rearward.

[0046] By turning the tilting lever 46 forward and rearward, the angle of inclination of the

tilting lever 46 is changed. In the present disclosure, the position of the tilting lever 46 that is changed by changing the angle of inclination of the tilting lever 46 is also referred to as a lever tilting position. Even when the tilting lever 46 is situated at any lever tilting position, the lever sealing member 48 is in tight contact with the

spherical body 52. The lever tilting position includes a water shut-off position and a maximum water discharge position. The water shut-off position means a lever tilting position when the faucet 10 is in the water shut-off state. The

maximum water discharge position means a lever tilting position when the amount of discharge water is at the maximum.

[0047] The tilting lever 46 includes a sealed surface that is brought into tight contact with the lever sealing member 48. The sealed surface is the surface of the spherical body 52. From the

viewpoint of seal tightness, the sealed surface that is in tight contact with the lever sealing member 48 is preferably the surface of the spherical body 52. The sealed surface does not have to be the surface of the spherical body 52. For example, the sealed

surface can be other portion than a spherical surface when a sealing member having a high followability is used.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 5, the lever sealing

member 48 is an annular member having no gap. The lever sealing member 48 is an annular packing. The lever sealing member 48 is a ring member having an X-shaped cross section. The lever sealing member 48 includes an inner circumferential surface 48a and an

outer circumferential surface 48b. The lever sealing member 48 further includes an upper surface 48c and a lower surface 48d. The outer circumferential surface 48b has a recess. As shown in FIG. 3(b) and FIG. 4(b), the outer circumferential surface 48b is in tight contact with the inner surface of the lower-diameter cylindrical

portion 120 (upper case 42). The inner circumferential surface 48a is in tight contact with the spherical body 52. The upper surface 48c is in tight contact with the upper case 42 (a seal support portion 126). The lower surface 48d is in tight

contact with the rotatable body 44.

[0049] The lever sealing member 48 (the ring member having an X-shaped cross section) is positioned such that the lever sealing member 48 covers a great circle of the spherical body 52. The lever sealing member 48 is located such that the center of the inner circumferential surface 48a in

its width direction coincides with the great circle of the spherical body 52. Since the lever sealing member 48 is in tight contact with the great circle, seal tightness is enhanced. The lever sealing member 48 (the ring member having an X-shaped cross

section) may be tight contact with the spherical body 52 at a position off from the great circle.

[00501 From the viewpoint of seal tightness, the spherical body 52 is formed preferably with high

accuracy. From this viewpoint, the spherical body 52 is preferably formed as a part of the lever shaft 46a. In the present embodiment, the lever shaft 46a is made of a metal. By using a metal as the material of the lever shaft 46a, the spherical body

52 can also be made of a metal. When the spherical body 52 is made of a metal, the spherical surface thereof can be formed with high accuracy by being polished, and can also be mirror-finished.

[0051] The lever sealing member 48 seals a clearance between the upper case 42 and a lever interlocking portion that moves in conjunction with

the movement of the tilting lever 46. In the present embodiment, the lever interlocking portion is the spherical body 52. The lever interlocking portion that is sealed by the lever sealing member 48 is not limited to the spherical body 52. The

lever interlocking portion may be a part of the tilting lever 46, or may be a portion other than the tilting lever 46. For example, the lever interlocking portion that is sealed by the lever sealing member 48 may be the rotatable body 44. That is, the lever sealing member 48 may seal a clearance between the upper case 42 and the

rotatable body 44 and also may seal a clearance between the rotatable body 44 and the upper member 86.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 5, the upper case 42 includes the lower-diameter cylindrical portion 120,

a larger-diameter cylindrical portion 122, and a coupling portion 124. The lower-diameter cylindrical portion 120 forms an upper portion of the upper case 42. The lower-diameter cylindrical portion 120 is located on the upper side of the larger-diameter cylindrical portion 122. The coupling portion 124 extends in the radial direction of the upper case 42. The coupling portion 124 is positioned on the boundary between the lower diameter cylindrical portion 120 and the larger diameter cylindrical portion 122. The coupling portion 124 connects the lower-diameter cylindrical portion 120 and the larger-diameter cylindrical portion 122. The outer surface of the coupling portion 124 constitutes the upward-facing surface 124a.

[0053] The ratchet plate 58 is located on the upward-facing surface 124a of the upper case 42. The ratchet plate 58 is an annular member that has substantially the same size as the upward-facing surface 124a. As shown in FIG. 5, the ratchet plate 58 includes a base portion 58a that has an annular shape, and pawls 58b that extend from respective circumferential positions (five positions) of the base portion 58a. The pawls 58b are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the base portion 58a. Each pawl 58b extends slopingly upward from the base portion 58a. The upper end of each pawl 58b is a free end. All the pawls 58b are formed in an equivalently balanced manner in the circumferential direction.

[0054] The base portion 58a includes an engaging portions) 58c protrusions(s). The ratchet plate 58 is placed on the upper side of the upward-facing surface 124a in a state where the engaging portion(s) 58c is/are engaged with an engaging portion(s) 132 (recess(es)) of the upper case 42.

This engagement prevents the ratchet plate 58 from rotating with respect to the upper case 42.

[00551 As shown in FIG. 3(b) and FIG. 4(b), the ratchet plate 58 abuts on the bottom surface of the valve fixing member 12c. Although not shown in the

drawings, a ratchet gear is formed on the bottom surface of the valve fixing member 12c. The ratchet gear is formed with a plurality of teeth that project downward and are arranged in the circumferential direction. Each tooth has a relatively gently inclined surface located on one side in the circumferential direction, and a

relatively steeply inclined surface located on the other side in the circumferential direction. These two inclined surfaces intersect each other and terminate at their intersection that is a vertex of the tooth. The ratchet gear and the ratchet plate

58 constitute a ratchet mechanism that allows the valve fixing member 12c to rotate only in a tightening direction. When a force in a loosening direction is applied on the valve fixing member 12c, the pawls 58b are engaged with the teeth of the ratchet gear, whereby the rotation of the valve fixing member 12c in the loosening direction is

prevented. More specifically, the tip ends of the pawls 58b abut on the relatively steeply inclined surfaces, whereby the valve fixing member 12c is prevented from rotating in the loosening direction. When the valve fixing member 12c is rotated in the

tightening direction, the pawls 58b are pushed down by the vertexes of the teeth and thus the rotation in the tightening direction is not hampered.

[00561 As described above, the valve fixing

member 12c includes the male screw portion, and this male screw portion is screw-connected to the female screw portion provided on the inner surface of the sidewall portion 12a (see FIG. 3(b) and FIG. 4(b)). The above-mentioned tightening direction is a

direction in which this screw connection is tightened. The above-mentioned loosening direction is a direction in which this screw connection is loosened. When the valve fixing member 12c is rotated in the tightening direction, the valve fixing member 12c is moved downward and pressing force of the valve fixing member 12c against the

valve assembly 38 is increased. When the valve fixing member 12c is rotated in the loosening direction, the valve fixing member 12c is moved upward and pressing force of the valve fixing member 12c against the valve assembly 38 is decreased. The

ratchet mechanism prevents the valve fixing member 12c from rotating in the loosening direction. That is, the ratchet mechanism prevents the valve fixing member 12c from rotating in a direction in which the above-mentioned screw connection is loosened.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 5, the upper case 42 includes the seal support portion 126. The seal

support portion 126 is provided in the lower diameter cylindrical portion 120. The lower diameter cylindrical portion 120 has an annular shape. The seal support portion 126 is protruded from the inner surface of the lower-diameter

cylindrical portion 120 toward inside of the lower- diameter cylindrical portion 120 in its radial direction. The upper surface 48c of the lever sealing member 48 is in contact with the lower surface of the seal support portion 126.

[00581 The larger-diameter cylindrical portion 122 includes a seal placement portion 128. The seal placement portion 128 is a circumferential groove. The seal placement portion 128 is provided on the

outer circumferential surface of the larger-diameter cylindrical portion 122. The seal placement portion 128 is provided on an upper part of the larger diameter cylindrical portion 122. The upper sealing member 40 is disposed on the seal placement portion 128.

[00591 The upper case 42 is fixed to the lower

case 68. The larger-diameter cylindrical portion 122 includes an engaging hole 130. The engaging hole 130 is engaged with the engaging projection 77 of the lower case 68. The upper case 42 is fixed to the lower case 68 by this engagement.

[00601 FIG. 6(a) and FIG. 6(b) show perspective views of the lever cap 46b. FIG. 6(a) shows the lever cap 46b as viewed from obliquely above. FIG. 6(b) shows the lever cap 46b as viewed from obliquely below.

[00611 The lever cap 46b is used in a state where the lever cap 46b is attached to the lever shaft

46a. The lever cap 46b includes a cap upper portion 140 and a cap lower portion 142. The cap upper portion 140 includes the cover portion 144. The inside of the cover portion 144 is an empty space. As shown in FIG. 3(b) and FIG. 4(b), the lever shaft

46a (upper portion 50) is inserted into the inside of the cover portion 144.

[0062] The cover portion 144 covers the lever shaft 46a. The cross-sectional shape of the inner

surface of the cover portion 144 corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of a part of the lever shaft 46a which is inserted into the cover portion 144. The dimensions of the inner surface of the cover portion 144 is (slightly) lower than the dimensions

the part of the lever shaft 46a which is inserted into the cover portion 144. The lever shaft 46a is press-fitted into the cover portion 144. The lever shaft 46a is fitted into the inside of the cover portion 144. The cover portion 144 is fixed to the lever shaft 46a by this fitting. Furthermore, as described above, the fixing screw 53 further ensures

this fixing state.

[0063] The cap lower portion 142 includes a flange portion 150, a bottom surface forming portion 152, and a protruded extension portion 154. The flange portion 150 extends in a direction that is

perpendicular to the center axis of the cover portion 144. The flange portion 150 extends outward. The flange portion 150 includes a side surface 150a and a bottom surface 150b. The protruded extension portion 154 extends slopingly downward. The protruded extension portion 154 extends inclinedly relative to the center axis of

the cover portion 144. The protruded extension portion 154 includes a side surface 154a and a tip end 154b.

[0064] The inside of the lever cap 46b is an empty space. This empty space penetrates through

the cap upper portion 140 and the cap lower portion

142. This empty space is opened downward and allows the lever shaft 46a to be inserted into the inside of the cap upper portion 140.

[00651 FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the click rotary member 56. The click rotary member 56 includes a base portion 162, a cylinder forming portion 164, a center opening 166, and a downward extension portion 168. The base portion 162 is an

annular shape portion, the center of which has a through hole formed by the center opening 166. The center opening 166 is a through hole that penetrates through the click rotary member 56 in the up-down direction. The tilting lever 46 is inserted through the center opening 166.

[00661 The cylinder forming portion 164 extends

downward from the circumferential edge of the base portion 162. The cylinder forming portion 164 has a gap formed such that a part of the material of the cylinder forming portion 164 is lacking partially in the circumferential direction. The downward

extension portion 168 extends downward from the circumferential edge of the base portion 162. The downward extension portion 168 may form a part of the cylinder forming portion 164. In the present embodiment, the downward extension portion 168 is a part of the cylinder forming portion 164. The downward extension portion 168 may be provided at a

position in the gap where the material of the cylinder forming portion 164 is lacking partially in the circumferential direction. The cylinder forming portion 164 has gaps on both sides of the downward extension portion 168 in the circumferential

direction.

[0067] The click rotary member 56 includes a click engaging portion(s) 170. In the present embodiment, the click engaging portion 170 is an engaging projection that projects inward in the radial direction of the cylinder forming portion 164. The click engaging portion 170 is provided in the downward extension portion 168. In the present disclosure, the click engaging portion 170 provided

in the click rotary member 56 is also referred to as a first click engaging portion.

[0068] The click rotary member 56 includes a first lever abutting surface 180. In the present embodiment, two first lever abutting surfaces 180 are provided. These two first lever abutting surfaces 180 face the center opening 166. The first

lever abutting surfaces 180 are located on both sides (right side and left side) of the tilting lever 46.

[0069] The click rotary member 56 includes an upwardly projected curved surface 182. In the

present embodiment, two upwardly projected curved surfaces 182 are provided. The upwardly projected curved surfaces 182 are located on both sides (right side and left side) of the tilting lever 46.

[0070] The click rotary member 56 includes a second lever abutting surface 184. The second lever abutting surface 184 is located on a position

different from the position of the first lever abutting surface(s) 180. In the present embodiment, two second lever abutting surfaces 184 are provided. The second lever abutting surfaces 184 are located on both sides (right side and left side) of the

tilting lever 46.

[0071] In the present embodiment, the click rotary member 56 is formed by combining a plurality of members. The click rotary member 56 includes a metal member 190 and a resin member 192. The resin member 192 includes a right-side resin member 192a and a left-side resin member 192b. The right-side resin member 192a and the left-side resin member 192b are formed and arranged in mirror symmetry to

each other. Alternatively, the click rotary member 56 may be integrally formed as a single-piece member.

[0072] In the present disclosure, the terms "right side" and "left side" are used for the

purpose of distinguishing positions of components located on opposite sides to each other with respect

to the tilting lever 46. The terms "right side" and "left side" are used as relative terms, not absolute terms.

[0073] FIG. 8(a) and FIG. 8(b) are perspective views of the metal member 190. FIG. 8(a) is a

perspective view of the metal member 190 as viewed from obliquely above. FIG. 8(b) is a perspective view of the metal member 190 as viewed from obliquely below.

[0074] The metal member 190 is formed by a plate material as a whole. The metal member 190 is formed by cutting and bending the plate material. The

metal member 190 includes the above-described base portion 162 and cylinder forming portion 164. The metal member 190 also includes the downward extension portion 168. The metal member 190 also includes the first click engaging portion 170.

[0075] The resin member 192 includes the above- described first lever abutting surfaces 180, the upwardly projected curved surfaces 182, and the second lever abutting surfaces 184. The right-side resin member 192a includes a first lever abutting surface 180a on the right side, an upwardly projected curved surface 182a on the right side, and a second lever abutting surface 184a on the right side. The left-side resin member 192b includes a first lever abutting surface 180b on the left side, an upwardly projected curved surface 182b on the left side, and a second lever abutting surface 184b on the left side.

[0076] The right-side resin member 192a includes a slit 193a that has a width in the up-down direction. The base portion 162 of the metal member 190 is inserted into the slit 193a. As a result, the base portion 162 of the metal member 190 is sandwiched by the right-side resin member 192a. In addition, a wall portion provided in the slit 193a is inserted into an engaging recess 194 of the metal member 190. These structures fix the right-side resin member 192a to the metal member 190. The left-side resin member 192b also includes a slit 193b that has a width in the up-down direction. The left-side resin member 192b is also fixed to the metal member 190 in the same manner as fixing the right-side resin member 192a.

[0077] Such a click rotary member 56 covers the cylindrical portion (lower-diameter cylindrical portion 120) constituting the upper portion of the upper case 42 (see FIG. 2(a), FIG. 2(b), FIG. 3(b) and FIG. 4(b)). The base portion 162 of the click rotary member 56 is placed on the upper side of the lower-diameter cylindrical portion 120. The cylinder forming portion 164 of the click rotary member 56 is located on the outside of the lower diameter cylindrical portion 120 such that the cylinder forming portion 164 is fitted along the lower-diameter cylindrical portion 120. The cylinder forming portion 164 is guided by the lower diameter cylindrical portion 120, whereby the click rotary member 56 is rotated. The center of rotation of the click rotary member 56 coincides with the center line of the upper case 42 (lower-diameter cylindrical portion 120). The tilting lever 46 penetrates through the center opening 166 of the click rotary member 56.

[0078] The rotation of the click rotary member 56

causes an engagement that generates a click. As shown in FIG. 2(b) and FIG. 5, a click engaging portion 200 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the lower-diameter cylindrical portion 120. The click engaging portion 200 provided on the

upper case 42 is also referred to as a second click engaging portion. The second click engaging portion 200 is a protrusion. When the click rotary member 56 is rotated to reach a predetermined rotation position, the second click engaging portion 200 is brought into contact with the first click engaging portion 170 of the click rotary member 56. When the

click rotary member 56 is further rotated, the first click engaging portion 170 climbs onto the second click engaging portion 200. The climbing of the first click engaging portion 170 onto the second click engaging portion 200 causes elastic

deformation of the downward extension portion 168 in the click rotary member 56. This elastic deformation is deformation in which the click engaging portion 170 is dislocated outward in the radial direction of the cylinder forming portion 164. When the click rotary member 56 is still further rotated, the first click engaging portion 170 goes over the second click engaging portion 200. When the first click engaging portion 170 has gone over the second click engaging portion 200, the elastically deformed downward extension portion 168 is suddenly and thoroughly restored to its normal shape, whereby a click is generated. Thus, the engagement between the first click engaging portion 170 and the second click engaging portion 200 causes a click.

[0079] This click may be generated by sound or a feeling (such as vibration) transmitted to a user's hand that holds the lever handle 14. Preferably, the click includes sound (click sound) and vibration. The rotation of the click rotary member

56 is caused by leftward and rightward turning operations of the tilting lever 46. For this reason, this click is also referred to as a left right click. The left-right click informs users that the tilting lever 46 is situated at a predetermined left-right lever position.

[0080] The left-right lever position of the

tilting lever 46 when the left-right click occurs is not limited. In the above-described embodiment, when the left-right click occurs, the tilting lever 46 is situated at a left-right lever position on slightly hot water side (less than 10 degrees)

relative to the front position. The left-right click informs users whether the discharged water includes hot water or not. The present embodiment includes two first click engaging portions 170 that simultaneously generate clicks at the same left right lever position. Accordingly, the click sound becomes louder.

[0081] As shown in, for example, FIG. 4(b), the valve assembly 38 has a valve-bodies surrounding

space Si that surrounds the valve bodies. In the faucet 10, the valve-bodies surrounding space S1 is a sealed space. The valve-bodies surrounding space S1 is sealed by sealing members. The valve-bodies surrounding space S1 includes a space around the sliding interface PL3. The valve-bodies surrounding space S1 includes a space (clearance) around the

inner sealing member 64. The valve-bodies surrounding space S1 includes a space (clearance) formed between the valve assembly 38 and the accommodating portion 13. These spaces are continuously formed with each other with clearances

between components. The valve-bodies surrounding space S1 can store water leaking from the sliding interface PL3, water leaking from the inner sealing member 64, and water leaking from the bottom sealing member 66.

[0082] FIG. 9(a) is the same cross-sectional view as FIG. 3(b). FIG. 9(b) is a cross-sectional view

showing a state in which the valve assembly 38 is separated from the accommodating portion 13 of the housing portion 12.

[0083] The accommodating portion 13 of the housing portion 12 constitutes an accommodating

space that is opened upward. The accommodating portion 13 is formed by the housing bottom portion 12b and the sidewall portion 12a which extends upward from the periphery of the housing bottom portion 12b. The housing bottom portion 12b is provided with the bottom connection holes 210 which are respectively connected to the inlet holes 69 and the discharge hole 74 of the lower case 68. In the cross section shown in FIG. 9(a) and FIG. 9(b), of the bottom connection holes 210, the bottom discharge hole 210b which is connected to the discharge hole 74 is shown. The accommodating portion 13 has a container shape that is open upward and that can store water when the bottom connection holes 210 are closed. The sealing by the bottom sealing member 66 is achieved so that the hot water inlet hole 70, the cold water inlet hole 72, and the discharge hole 74 are connected to the corresponding bottom connection holes 210 in a watertight manner. The upper sealing member 40 seals a clearance between the sidewall portion 12a and the upper case

42.

[0084] The upper side of the valve-bodies surrounding space Si is sealed by the lever sealing member 48 and the upper sealing member 40. The upper sealing member 40 seals a clearance between the upper case 42 and the housing portion 12. In the present embodiment, the upper sealing member 40

seals a clearance between the inner surface of the accommodating portion 13 and the upper case 42. The upper sealing member 40 seals a clearance between the upper case 42 (larger-diameter cylindrical portion 122) and the sidewall portion 12a. The

lever sealing member 48 seals a clearance between the lever interlocking portion (spherical body 52) and the upper case 42. The upper sealing member 40 and the lever sealing member 48 are positioned on the upper side with respect to the sliding interface PL3. The lever sealing member 48 located inside the valve assembly 38 and the upper sealing member 40 located outside the valve assembly 38 attain sealing on the upper side of the valve-bodies surrounding space Si.

[00851 The lower side of the valve-bodies surrounding space S1 is sealed by the bottom sealing member 66. The bottom sealing member 66 seals a clearance between the lower case 68 and the housing portion 12. The bottom sealing member 66 seals a clearance between the inner surface of the

accommodating portion 13 and the lower case 68. In the present embodiment, the bottom sealing member 66 seals a clearance between the lower case 68 and the housing bottom portion 12b. The bottom sealing member 66 is positioned on the lower side with

respect to the sliding interface PL3. The bottom sealing member 66 located on the lower side with respect to the upper sealing member 40 attain sealing on the lower side of the valve-bodies surrounding space S1.

[00861 As explained above, the upper sealing member 40 seals the upper side clearance between the

valve assembly 38 and the accommodating portion 13 of the housing portion 12, and the bottom sealing member 66 seals the lower side clearance between the valve assembly 38 and the accommodating portion 13 of the housing portion 12. In addition, the lever

sealing member 48 seals the clearance adjacent to the lever interlocking portion. Furthermore, the inner sealing member 64 seals the clearance between the fixed valve body 62 and the lower case 68. The valve-bodies surrounding space Si is sealed by these sealing members.

[0087] In the dry sliding type faucet 10, it is not preferable that water flows out from the sliding interface PL3. Water leakage from the sliding

interface PL3, however, may be caused by abrasion and/or outflow of grease, for example. In addition, water leakage from the sealing members may occur due to deterioration in quality of the members. In normal dry sliding type faucets, the valve-bodies surrounding space S1 is not sealed. For this reason, the leaked water fills the valve-bodies

surrounding space S1, and then flows out of the housing portion 12. The leaked water that has flowed out of the housing portion 12 runs down along the outer wall of the faucet 10, and accumulates on a root portion of the faucet. The root portion of

the faucet means a boundary portion between the housing portion 12 and a place where the faucet is installed (for example, a sink cabinet). The accumulated water corrodes the root portion of the faucet.

[0088] In the faucet 10 of the present disclosure, the valve-bodies surrounding space S1 is

sealed. Accordingly, water leaked, for example, from the sliding interface PL3 does not flow out of the faucet 10.

[0089] The sealing structure isolates the valve bodies surrounding space S1 from its outside. This

structure prevents the entry of wash water used for washing the faucet 10 into the valve-bodies surrounding space Si. This structure also prevents the entry of a detergent into the valve-bodies surrounding space S1. As a result, outflow of grease is suppressed.

[00901 When water at a high temperature is discharged, air in the valve-bodies surrounding space S1 and components surrounding the valve-bodies

surrounding space S1 are heated and thus expanded. This expansion causes a high air pressure that pushes down the movable valve body 60. This suppresses water leakage into the valve-bodies surrounding space S1 when water is discharged.

[0091] As the amount of water leaked in the valve-bodies surrounding space S1 is increased,

pressure in the sealed valve-bodies surrounding space S1 is also increased. This pressure decreases difference in pressure between inside and outside of each sealing member, which suppresses the water leakage. When the pressure in the valve-bodies

surrounding space S1 is equal to the pressure of the inside of each sealing member, the difference in pressure between the inside and outside of each sealing member is eliminated, which prevents the water leakage. When the pressure in the valve bodies surrounding space S1 is increased, each sealing member is pressed from the inside and

outside thereof to become thinner, and thus tends to expand in the up-down direction, which increases the sealing pressure. When the air pressure in the valve-bodies surrounding space Si is equal to the water pressure of leaked water in the valve-bodies

surrounding space Si, water leakage from the sliding interface PL3 is also prevented. Thus, this structure in which the valve-bodies surrounding space Si is sealed can suppress water leakage by increase of internal pressure.

[0092] There is no limitation on the shape of the upper sealing member 40. When the upper sealing member 40 is used to seal a clearance between the inner circumferential surface of the sidewall

portion 12a and the outer circumferential surface of the upper case 42 as in the above-described embodiment, the upper sealing member 40 preferably has an annular shape. Examples of the annular sealing member include an 0-ring and a lip seal packing. In the above-described embodiment, an 0 ring is used.

[0093] There is no limitation on the shape of the lever sealing member 48. The lever sealing member 48 preferably has an annular shape.

[0094] There is no limitation on the shape of the inner sealing member 64. As described above, the

inner sealing member 64 may be constituted by three annular sealing members separated from each other as in the above-described embodiment, or alternatively, may be formed as a single-piece member in which three annular parts are integrated. When the three annular sealing members separated from each other are used as the inner sealing member 64, each

annular sealing member may have a cylindrical shape. Also in the above-described embodiment, the inner hot-water hole sealing portion 64a, the inner cold water hole sealing portion 64b, and the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c have respective

cylindrical shapes (see FIG. 4). The inner sealing member 64 is used while being compressed between the fixed valve body 62 and the lower case 68. The presence of the inner sealing member 64 surely forms a clearance between the fixed valve body 62 and the lower case 68. The inner sealing member 64 presses the fixed valve body 62 upward (toward the movable valve body 60) while keeping the clearance between the fixed valve body 62 and the lower case 68. This pressing force of the inner sealing member 64 increases contact pressure at the sliding interface PL3, thereby suppressing water leakage from the sliding interface PL3.

[00951 A double-pointed arrow Hs in FIG. 5 shows the height of the inner sealing member 64. Considering the above-described functions of the

inner sealing member 64, the height Hs of the inner sealing member 64 (the inner hot-water hole sealing portion 64a, the inner cold-water hole sealing portion 64b, and the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c) is preferably greater than or equal to

4.05 mm, more preferably greater than or equal to 4.20 mm, and still more preferably greater than or equal to 4.35 mm. Also from the viewpoint of adjustability of "pressure resistance A" (such as easiness of inward falling) to be described below, the inner sealing member 64 preferably has a greater height Hs. From the viewpoint of downsizing the

valve assembly 38, the height Hs is preferably less than or equal to 4.95 mm, more preferably less than or equal to 4.80 mm, and still more preferably less than or equal to 4.65 mm. The height Hs is measured in a state where the inner sealing member 64 is not

subjected to compressive deformation. The height Hs is measured in the vertical direction in a state where the inner sealing member 64 is stationarily placed on a horizontal plane.

[00961 The height Hs of the inner hot-water hole sealing portion 64a is denoted by Hsl. The height Hs of the inner cold-water hole sealing portion 64b is denoted by Hs2. The height Hs of the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c is denoted by

Hs3. In the present embodiment, the height Hs3 is equal to the height Hsl and the height Hs2.

[0097] Considering the above-described functions of the inner sealing member 64, the amount of deformation of the inner sealing member 64 (the inner hot-water hole sealing portion 64a, the inner cold-water hole sealing portion 64b, and the inner

discharge-side sealing portion 64c) is preferably greater than or equal to 0.3 mm, more preferably greater than or equal to 0.35 mm, and still more preferably greater than or equal to 0.4 mm. From the viewpoint of preventing a force required for

operating the lever handle 14 from becoming excessively large, the amount of deformation of the inner sealing member 64 (the inner hot-water hole sealing portion 64a, the inner cold-water hole sealing portion 64b, and the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c) is preferably less than or equal to 0.7 mm, more preferably less than or equal

to 0.65 mm, and still more preferably less than or equal to 0.6 mm.

[00981 There is no limitation on the shape of the bottom sealing member 66. The bottom sealing member 66 may be constituted by three annular sealing

members separated from each other, or alternatively, may be formed as a single-piece member in which three annular parts are integrated as in the above described embodiment.

[00991 In the present embodiment, the tilting lever 46 applies a rotating force to the click rotary member 56, which rotates the click rotary member 56 (leftward or rightward). The tilting lever 46 directly abuts on the click rotary member

56, and this abutment allows the tilting lever 46 to apply the rotating force to the click rotary member 56. Accordingly, the click rotary member 56 does not have to be rotated by the rotatable body 44. Since it is not necessary to expose the rotatable body 44 to the upper side of the valve assembly 38, the degree of freedom in the design of the valve

assembly 38 is improved. This structure achieves the sealed structure using the upper sealing member 40, for example.

[0100] When a clicking mechanism is located inside the valve assembly 38, users cannot hear

click sound well. In contrast, the click rotary member 56 is exposed from the valve assembly 38. That is, as shown in FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b), in the state of the valve assembly 38, the click rotary member 56 having a clicking mechanism is exposed to the outside. For this reason, audible click sound becomes louder, whereby clearness of the left-right

click is increased.

[0101] The above-described sealed structure exhibits high sound insulation. When a clicking mechanism is provided inside the sealed structure, click sound is absorbed in the structure, which

reduces the volume of the click sound. In the above-described embodiment, the clicking mechanism is exposed while the sealed structure is adopted. For this reason, the volume of the click sound can be increased.

[0102] In the above-described embodiment, the tilting lever 46, not the rotatable body 44, transmits rotation to the click rotary member 56. For this reason, the click rotary member 56 that

achieves the left-right click can be exposed without the need of exposing the rotatable body 44.

[0103] In the above-described embodiment, two abutment portions transmit the rotation (leftward and rightward turning) of the tilting lever 46. That is, the tilting lever 46 includes a first abutment portion 214 that transmits the rotation

force to the click rotary member 56, and a second abutment portion 216 that is located at a position different from the first abutment portion 214 and also transmits the rotation force to the click rotary member 56. The first abutment portion 214

directly abuts on the click rotary member 56 and transmits the rotation force to the click rotary member 56. The second abutment portion 216 directly abuts on the click rotary member 56 and transmits the rotation force to the click rotary member 56.

[0104] In the present embodiment, the first abutment portion 214 is the side surface 154a of the

protruded extension portion 154 (see FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b)). The first abutment portion 214 abuts on the first lever abutting surfaces 180 (see FIG. 7), thereby transmitting the rotation force to the click rotary member 56. In the above-described

embodiment, the second abutment portion 216 is the side surface 150a of the flange portion 150 (see FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b)). The second abutment portion 216 abuts on the second lever abutting surfaces 184 (see FIG. 7), thereby transmitting the rotation force to the click rotary member 56. These two kinds of abutment portions surely transmit the rotation force of the tilting lever 46 to the click rotary member 56.

[0105] It should be noted that this rotation transmission is achieved in both leftward and rightward turnings of the tilting lever 46. With reference to FIG. 7, when the tilting lever 46 is turned in a first direction, the rotation force of the tilting lever 46 is received by the first lever abutting surface 180a located on the right side and

the second lever abutting surface 184b located on the left side of the click rotary member 56. When the tilting lever 46 is turned in a second direction, the rotation force of the tilting lever 46 is received by the first lever abutting surface

180b located on the left side and the second lever abutting surface 184a located on the right side of the click rotary member 56. Surfaces that receive the rotation force are located apart from each other on the left side and right side with respect to the tilting lever 46, which enables the rotation force to be transmitted further stably and surely. The

turning in first direction means turning in either leftward or rightward. The turning in the second direction means turning in the opposite direction to the first direction.

[0106] As described above, the valve assembly 38

has the sealed structure. As shown in FIG. 3(b) and

FIG. 4(b), the rotatable body 44 is located on the lower side of the lever sealing member 48. The rotatable body 44 is not exposed to the outside of

the valve assembly 38. The rotatable body 44 is located inside the sealed area. As described above, in the present embodiment, the tilting lever 46 transmits the rotation force to the click rotary member 56. Accordingly, the rotatable body 44 does

not have to transmit the rotation force to the click rotary member 56. Therefore, the rotatable body 44 does not have to be exposed, which makes easy to form the sealed structure.

[0107] As described above, the click rotary member 56 is placed on the upper side of the lower diameter cylindrical portion 120. The click rotary

member 56 is guided by the lower-diameter cylindrical portion 120 to rotate. The click rotary member 56, however, is simply placed on and is not fixed to the lower-diameter cylindrical portion 120. This unfixed state facilitates a slight vibration of

the click rotary member 56 in addition to the rotation of the click rotary member 56. This slight vibration increases the sound pressure of generated click sound. However, the click rotary member 56 is not fixed, and thus could easily fall off from the lower-diameter cylindrical portion 120.

[0108] In the present embodiment, the click rotary member 56 is effectively prevented from falling off. As shown in FIG. 6, the tilting lever 46 (lever cap 46b) includes the flange portion 150 and the bottom surface forming portion 152. At least a part of these portions is located on the

upper side of the click rotary member 56 (upwardly projected curved surfaces 182) (see FIG. 2(a), FIG. 2(b), FIG. 3(c) and FIG. 4(c)). Even when the tilting lever 46 is situated at any lever tilting position, at least a part of the tilting lever 46 (lever cap 46b) is located on the upper side of the click rotary member 56. That is, the tilting lever 46 (lever cap 46b) includes a click retention portion 220 that is located on the upper side of the click rotary member 56 regardless of the lever tilting position. In the present embodiment, the flange portion 150 and the bottom surface forming portion 152 are the click retention portion 220 (see FIG. 3(c), FIG. 4(c) and FIG. 6(b)).

[0109] The bottom surface forming portion 152 which is the click retention portion 220 is located

on the upper side of the upwardly projected curved surfaces 182. The bottom surface forming portion 152 has a curved surface that curves along the upwardly projected curved surfaces 182 (see FIG. 3(c) and FIG. 4(c)). The distance in the up-down

direction of a clearance formed between the bottom surface forming portion 152 and the upwardly projected curved surfaces 182 is unvarying even when the tilting lever 46 is situated at any lever tilting position.

[0110] A (slight) clearance is formed between the click retention portion 220 and the upper surface

(for example, the upwardly projected curved surfaces 182) of the click rotary member 56. Accordingly, the click retention portion 220 is not brought into contact with the click rotary member 56, whereby the click retention portion 220 cannot increase a

required force for operating the lever. If the click rotary member 56 is moved upward for some reason, the upwardly moved click rotary member 56 comes into contact with the click retention portion

220, which prevents the click rotary member 56 from falling off.

[0111] When a user operates the lever handle 14 with excessively great force, an excessively great load can be applied to the tilting lever 46 at the

limit positions of the movable range of the lever tilting position. The present embodiment includes a structure that handles this situation. As shown in FIG. 6(a) and FIG. 6(b), the lever cap 46b (tilting lever 46) includes the protruded extension portion 154. As shown in FIG. 3(b), when the lever tilting position is situated at the water shut-off position,

the protruded extension portion 154 abuts on the upper case 42 (lower-diameter cylindrical portion 120). More specifically, the tip end 154b of the protruded extension portion 154 abuts on the upper case 42 (lower-diameter cylindrical portion 120).

This abutment prevents the tilting lever 46 from over-tilting. The water shut-off position is one of the limit positions of the movable range of the lever tilting position. The protruded extension portion 154 is an over-tilting prevention portion 222 that abuts on the upper case 42 when the lever tilting position is situated at this limit position.

[0112] The limit positions of the movable range of the lever tilting position are the water shut-off position and the maximum water discharge position. As described above, the over-tilting prevention portion 222 abuts on the upper case 42 at the water

shut-off position. As shown in FIG. 5, the upper case 42 includes an inner corner portion 42b. The inner corner portion 42b is a corner portion formed by the upper surface of the seal support portion 126 and the inner circumferential surface of the lower diameter cylindrical portion 120 intersecting with each other. The tip end (tip end 154b) of the over tilting prevention portion 222 abuts on the inner corner portion 42b. The inner corner portion 42b stably supports the over-tilting prevention portion 222.

[0113] The over-tilting prevention portion 222 functions even when the tilting lever 46 is situated at any left-right lever position. As shown in FIG. 5, the inner corner portion 42b extends in the circumferential direction and is formed within a

predetermined range. The inner corner portion 42b can abut on the over-tilting prevention portion 222 even when the tilting lever 46 is situated at any left-right lever position.

[0114] At the maximum water discharge position,

the upper case 42 abuts on the tilting lever 46 (lever shaft 46a) (see FIG. 4(b)). The upper case 42 includes an over-tilting prevention abutting surface 42a that abuts on the tilting lever 46 (lever shaft 46a) when the lever tilting position is situated at this limit position. This abutment prevents the tilting lever 46 from over-tilting.

The over-tilting prevention abutting surface 42a is oriented (inclined) so as to be in surface contact with the tilting lever 46 when the tilting lever 46 is situated at the maximum water discharge position.

[0115] The over-tilting prevention abutting

surface 42a functions even when the tilting lever 46 is situated at any left-right lever position. As shown in FIG. 5, the over-tilting prevention abutting surface 42a extends in the circumferential direction and is formed within a predetermined range. The over-tilting prevention abutting surface 42a can abuts on the tilting lever 46 (lever shaft 46a) even when the tilting lever 46 is situated at any left-right lever position.

[0116] The tilting lever 46 may be integrally formed as a single-piece member. In the above described embodiment, the tilting lever 46 is formed by combining the lever shaft 46a and the lever cap 46b. This structure allows the designer to select respective appropriate materials and manufacturing methods for the lever shaft 46a and the lever cap

46b. When the lever cap 46b is made of a resin, the lever cap 46b can be easily formed even when it has an intricate shape. This enables the lever cap 46b including the first abutment portion 214, the second abutment portion 216, the click retention portion

220, and the over-tilting prevention portion 222 to be easily formed. From this viewpoint, the lever cap 46b preferably includes the first abutment portion 214 and the second abutment portion 216. From this viewpoint, the lever cap 46b preferably includes the click retention portion 220. From this viewpoint, the lever cap 46b preferably includes the

over-tilting prevention portion 222.

[0117] The valve assembly 38 can be easily assembled by the lever shaft 46a and the lever cap 46b. The method for manufacturing (method for assembling) the valve assembly 38 can include the

following first step and second step.

(1) The first step is a step of passing the lever shaft 46a to which the lever cap 46b is not yet attached through the center opening 166 of the click rotary member 56 from the lower side of the center opening 166. (2) The second step is a step of attaching the lever cap 46b to the lever shaft 46a from the upper side of the lever shaft 46a after the lever shaft 46a has

been protruded to the upper side of the center opening 166 by the first step.

[0118] The first step and the second step allow the manufacturer to dispose the lever cap 46b on the upper side of the click rotary member 56 without the need of passing the lever cap 46b through the center opening 166. The lever cap 46b can be attached to

the lever shaft 46a from above. Accordingly, these steps enable the manufacturer to easily attain the structure in which the click retention portion 220 is located on the upper side of the click rotary member 56. Also from this viewpoint, the lever cap

46b preferably includes the click retention portion 220.

[0119] FIG. 10(a) is a perspective view of the lower member 88 of the movable valve body 60 as viewed from above. FIG. 10(b) is a perspective view of the lower member 88 as viewed from below. FIG. 10(c) is a plan view of the lower member 88. FIG.

10(d) is a bottom view of the lower member 88. As described above, the flow path forming recess 94 is formed on the lower surface of the lower member 88. The second sliding surface PL2 is also provided on the lower surface of the lower member 88. The

second sliding surface PL2 is provided in a portion where the flow path forming recess 94 is not present. The second sliding surface PL2 is a flat surface. The flow path forming recess 94 is surrounded by the second sliding surface PL2.

[0120] FIG. 11(a) is a perspective view of the fixed valve body 62 as viewed from above. FIG. 11(b) is a perspective view of the fixed valve body 62 as viewed from below. FIG. 11(c) is a plan view

of the fixed valve body 62. FIG. 11(d) is a bottom view of the fixed valve body 62. As described above, the first sliding surface PL1 is provided on the upper surface of the fixed valve body 62. The first sliding surface PL1 is a flat surface. The first sliding surface PL1 is formed in a portion where none of the hot water supply hole 80, the cold

water supply hole 82, or the drain hole 84 is not present. The sliding interface PL3 is formed by a surface contact between the first sliding surface PL1 and the second sliding surface PL2 of the movable valve body 60.

[0121] A bottom surface PL4 is provided on the lower surface of the fixed valve body 62. The bottom surface PL4 is a flat surface. The bottom surface PL4 constitutes the lower end surface of the fixed valve body 62. The bottom surface PL4 is parallel to the first sliding surface PL1. Of the lower surface of the fixed valve body 62, a part

that is located lower than the bottom surface PL4 is not present.

[0122] The lower surface of the fixed valve body 62 includes a recess 85 that receives a protrusion 251 (to be described below) of the lower case 68.

[0123] FIG. 12(a) is a perspective view of the lower case 68 as viewed from above. FIG. 12(b) is a plan view of the lower case 68. FIG. 13(a) is a perspective view of the lower case 68 to which the inner sealing member 64 is attached, as viewed from above. FIG. 13(b) is a plan view of the lower case 68 to which the inner sealing member 64 is attached.

[0124] As described above, the lower case 68 has the hot water inlet hole 70, the cold water inlet

hole 72, and the discharge hole 74. The upper surface of the lower case 68 includes a higher-level surface 224, a step forming surface 226, and a lower-level surface 228. The lower-level surface 228 is located lower than the higher-level surface 224. The step forming surface 226 is located at a boundary between the higher-level surface 224 and

the lower-level surface 228, and connects the higher-level surface 224 and the lower-level surface 228. The step forming surface 226 is formed around the hot water inlet hole 70. The lower-level surface 228 is formed between the step forming

surface 226 and the hot water inlet hole 70. The step forming surface 226 is formed around the cold water inlet hole 72. The lower-level surface 228 is formed between the step forming surface 226 and the cold water inlet hole 72. The step forming surface 226 is formed around the discharge hole 74. The lower-level surface 228 is formed between the step

forming surface 226 and the discharge hole 74.

[0125] As shown in FIG. 12(b), the lower case 68 includes a hot-water hole seal placement portion 230, a cold-water hole seal placement portion 232, and a discharge hole seal placement portion 234.

The hot-water hole seal placement portion 230 is positioned between the step forming surface 226 and the hot water inlet hole 70. The inner hot-water hole sealing portion 64a is disposed on the hot water hole seal placement portion 230. The cold water hole seal placement portion 232 is positioned between the step forming surface 226 and the cold water inlet hole 72. The inner cold-water hole sealing portion 64b is disposed on the cold-water hole seal placement portion 232. The discharge hole seal placement portion 234 is positioned between the step forming surface 226 and the discharge hole 74. The inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c is disposed on the discharge hole seal placement portion 234.

[0126] The lower case 68 includes a hot-water

hole seal inside support portion 240, a cold-water hole seal inside support portion 242, and a discharge hole seal inside support portion 244. The hot-water hole seal inside support portion 240 verges on the hot water inlet hole 70. The hot

water hole seal inside support portion 240 is formed by a wall that stands on the lower-level surface 228. The cold-water hole seal inside support portion 242 verges on the cold water inlet hole 72. The cold-water hole seal inside support portion 242 is formed by a wall that stands on the lower-level surface 228. The discharge hole seal inside support

portion 244 verges on the discharge hole 74. The discharge hole seal inside support portion 244 is formed by a wall that stands on the lower-level surface 228. The discharge hole seal inside support portion 244 and a discharge hole seal inside support

portion 272 that is described below are collectively refer to as "seal inside support portion".

[0127] The lower case 68 includes a hot-water hole seal outside support portion 250, a cold-water

hole seal outside support portion 252, and a discharge hole seal outside support portion 254. The hot-water hole seal outside support portion 250 is formed by the step forming surface 226. The hot water hole seal outside support portion 250 is

formed also by the protrusion 251 that stands on the higher-level surface 224. A space is formed between the hot-water hole seal outside support portion 250 and the hot-water hole seal inside support portion 240. The cold-water hole seal outside support portion 252 is formed by the step forming surface 226. The cold-water hole seal outside support

portion 252 is formed also by the protrusion 251 that stands on the higher-level surface 224. A space is formed between the cold-water hole seal outside support portion 252 and the cold-water hole seal inside support portion 242. The discharge hole

seal outside support portion 254 is formed by the step forming surface 226. The discharge hole seal outside support portion 254 is formed also by the protrusion 251 that stands on the higher-level surface 224. A space is formed between the discharge hole seal outside support portion 254 and the discharge hole seal inside support portion 244.

[0128] The hot-water hole seal placement portion 230 is formed between the hot-water hole seal inside support portion 240 and the hot-water hole seal outside support portion 250. The cold-water hole seal placement portion 232 is formed between the

cold-water hole seal inside support portion 242 and the cold-water hole seal outside support portion 252. The discharge hole seal placement portion 234 is formed between the discharge hole seal inside support portion 244 and the discharge hole seal outside support portion 254.

[0129] The inner hot-water hole sealing portion 64a disposed on the hot-water hole seal placement portion 230 is in tight contact with the bottom

surface PL4 of the fixed valve body 62 while being compressively deformed. The upper edge of the inner hot-water hole sealing portion 64a is in tight contact with the bottom surface PL4. The lower edge of the inner hot-water hole sealing portion 64a is in tight contact with the bottom surface (lower level surface 228) of the hot-water hole seal

placement portion 230. The hot water supply hole 80 is connected to the hot water inlet hole 70 in a watertight manner by these tight contacts.

[0130] The inner cold-water hole sealing portion 64b disposed on the cold-water hole seal placement

portion 232 is in tight contact with the bottom surface PL4 of the fixed valve body 62 while being compressively deformed. The upper edge of the inner cold-water hole sealing portion 64b is in tight contact with the bottom surface PL4. The lower edge of the inner cold-water hole sealing portion 64b is in tight contact with the bottom surface (lower

level surface 228) of the cold-water hole seal placement portion 232. The cold water supply hole 82 is connected to the cold water inlet hole 72 in a watertight manner by these tight contacts.

[0131] The inner discharge-side sealing portion

64c disposed on the discharge hole seal placement portion 234 is in tight contact with the bottom surface PL4 of the fixed valve body 62 while being compressively deformed. The upper edge of the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c is in tight contact with the bottom surface PL4. The lower edge of the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c is in tight contact with the bottom surface (lower level surface 228) of the discharge hole seal placement portion 234. The drain hole 84 is connected to the discharge hole 74 in a watertight manner by these tight contacts.

[0132] The amount of compressive deformation of each of the inner sealing member 64 and the bottom sealing member 66 is also referred to as the amount of deformation. The amount of deformation is

measured in a height direction. This height direction means a direction that is perpendicular to the first sliding surface PL1. The amount of deformation is a difference between the height (the above height Hs) of a sealing portion in a state

where any external force does not act thereon and the height of the sealing portion when the sealing portion is in use and compressively deformed.

[0133] A clearance is formed between the higher level surface 224 of the lower case 68 and the bottom surface PL4 of the fixed valve body 62. This clearance is maintained by elastic restorability of

the inner sealing member 64 which is being compressively deformed. The protrusion 251 is received by the recess 85 of the fixed valve body 62, and thus does not hamper the compressive deformation of the inner sealing member 64.

[0134] In the present disclosure, a flow path that includes the drain hole 84 and the discharge hole 74 is also referred to as a discharge-line flow path, and flow paths that include the supply holes 79 and the inlet holes 69 are also collectively referred to as supply-line flow paths. The inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c and the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c are also collectively referred to as discharge-side sealing portions. The inner supply-side sealing portions 65 and the bottom supply-side sealing portions 67 are also collectively referred to as supply-side sealing portions.

[0135] Water pressure acts in the supply-line flow paths at all times. When water is discharged, hydrodynamic pressure is applied in the supply-line

flow paths. When water is shut off, hydrostatic pressure is applied in the supply-line flow paths. On the other hand, when water is shut off, water pressure does not act in the discharge-line flow path. When water is shut off, air pressure acts in the discharge-line flow path. When water is discharged, hydrodynamic pressure is applied in the discharge-line flow path.

[0136] Water leakage from the sliding interface PL3, from the inner sealing member 64 and from the bottom sealing member 66 may be caused by abrasion, aged deterioration, and the like of the components

of the faucet 10. Water leakage is likely to be caused at a position on which water pressure is applied. Accordingly, in the inner sealing member 64, water leakage is likely to be caused at the inner supply-side sealing portions 65 (the inner

hot-water hole sealing portion 64a, and the inner cold-water hole sealing portion 64b) which seal supply-line flow paths. In the bottom sealing member 66, water leakage is likely to be caused at the bottom supply-side sealing portions 67 (the bottom hot-water hole sealing portion 66a, and the bottom cold-water hole sealing portion 66b). The leaked water flows into the valve-bodies surrounding space Si. As described above, the valve-bodies surrounding space S1 is sealed, and the leaked water does not flow out of the valve-bodies surrounding space S1.

[0137] In the present embodiment, the following relationship X is established. This relationship X is a concept that includes the following relationship Y and relationship Z.

[Relationship X]: Pressure resistances of the upper sealing member 40 and the lever sealing member 48 are higher than pressure resistances of the discharge-side sealing portions 64c and 66c against pressure applied from outside to inside.

[0138] Under the condition of the relationship X, when the internal pressure of the valve-bodies surrounding space S1 is increased, the seal tightness around the valve-bodies surrounding space Sl is broken first at the discharge-side sealing portions 64c and 66c. In other words, when the internal pressure of the valve-bodies surrounding

space S1 is increased, the seal tightness around the valve-bodies surrounding space S1 is broken first at the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c or the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c. When the relationship X is established, leaked water which

has accumulated in the valve-bodies surrounding space Si runs along the seal surface of the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c or the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c, flows into the discharge-line flow path, and is discharged from the water discharge port 23.

[0139] In the present embodiment, when the internal pressure of the valve-bodies surrounding space S1 is increased, the seal tightness around the

valve-bodies surrounding space S1 is broken first at the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c. In the present embodiment, the following relationship Y is established. In this case, leaked water which has accumulated in the valve-bodies surrounding space S1 runs along the seal surface of the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c, flows into the

discharge-line flow path, and is discharged from the water discharge port 23.

[Relationship Y]: Pressure resistances of the upper sealing member 40 and the lever sealing member 48, and pressure resistance of the bottom discharge-side

sealing portion 66c against pressure applied from outside to inside are higher than pressure resistance of the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c against pressure applied from outside to inside.

[0140] The following relationship Z may be established. In this case, leaked water which has

accumulated in the valve-bodies surrounding space S1 runs along the seal surface of the bottom discharge side sealing portion 66c, flows into the discharge line flow path, and is discharged from the water discharge port 23.

[Relationship Z]: Pressure resistances of the upper sealing member 40 and the lever sealing member 48, and pressure resistance of the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c against pressure applied from outside to inside are higher than pressure resistance of the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c against pressure applied from outside to inside.

[0141] The pressure resistance against pressure

applied from outside to inside means, in other words, pressure resistance against pressure applied from the outside of a flow path to the flow path. This pressure resistance is a pressure resistance under the condition where water pressure acts on the outside of the discharge-side sealing portions 64c and 66c (the valve-bodies surrounding space Si

located on the outside of the flow paths), and air pressure acts on the inside of the discharge-side sealing portions 64c and 66c (the discharge-line flow path). That is, this pressure resistance is a pressure resistance when air pressure acts in the

discharge-line flow path, and thus is a pressure resistance when water is shut off. This pressure resistance is measured in the actual faucet 10. The pressure resistance can be measured as a specific numerical value. The measured value is a water pressure that is applied to the outside of the discharge-side sealing portions 64c, 66c when the

seal tightness of the discharge-side sealing portions 64c and/or 66c is broken. As described above, air pressure acts in the discharge-line flow path when water is shut off. By reducing pressure resistances of the discharge-side sealing portions

64c, 66c against pressure applied from outside to inside, leaked water which has accumulated in the valve-bodies surrounding space Si can flow into the discharge-line flow path. For this reason, the leaked water is discharged from the water discharge port 23, which can prevent the leaked water from flowing out of the faucet 10 from the lower side of the lever handle 14. In addition, the leaked water discharged from the water discharge port 23 helps users to become aware of water leakage.

[0142] As described above, water pressure acts in the supply-line flow paths. For this reason, the seal tightnesses of the supply-side sealing portions 65 and 67 are not broken and thus water cannot leak from the supply-side sealing portions 65 and 67 into the supply-line flow paths. The supply-side sealing

portions 65 and 67 are supported from inside by water pressure acting in the supply-line flow paths. Because of this water pressure, pressure resistances of the supply-side sealing portions 65 and 67 against pressure applied from outside to inside is

high. Pressure resistances of the supply-side sealing portions 65 and 67 against pressure applied from outside to inside is higher than pressure resistances of the discharge-side sealing portions 64c and 66c against pressure applied from outside to inside.

[0143] As another kind of pressure resistance

from the pressure resistance against pressure applied from outside (outside a flow path) to inside (inside the flow path), a pressure resistance against pressure applied from inside (inside a flow path) to outside (outside the flow path) can be

measured. Although what is acting in the discharge- line flow path when water is shut off is air pressure, what is acting in the discharge-line flow path when water is discharged is hydrodynamic pressure. Accordingly, when water is discharged, the pressure applied on the inside of the discharge side sealing portions 64c and 66c (inside the flow path) can be higher than the pressure applied on the outside of the discharge-side sealing portions 64c and 66c (outside the flow path). When water resistance of the discharge-side sealing portions 64c and/or 66c against pressure applied from inside to outside are/is low, water leakage from inside the flow path to outside the flow path can occur.

[0144] In the present disclosure, the pressure resistance against pressure applied from outside to

inside is also referred to as a pressure resistance A, and the pressure resistance against pressure applied from inside to outside is also referred to as a pressure resistance B. In the discharge-side sealing portions 64c and 66c, the pressure

resistance A is preferably lower than the pressure resistance B. Such a lower pressure resistance A can allow leaked water to flow into the discharge line flow path. A higher pressure resistance B can suppress water leakage.

[0145] There is no limitation on a structure for lowering the pressure resistance A. The pressure

resistance A may be lowered at the inner discharge side sealing portion 64c or may be lowered at the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c. In the present embodiment, the height Hs of the inner sealing member 64 is greater than the height of the

bottom sealing member 66. For this reason, the inner sealing member 64 has a greater flexibility in methods of adjusting pressure resistance, and is easier to adjust the pressure resistance A. In addition, as described above, a clearance is formed between the fixed valve body 62 and the lower case 68 by the presence of the inner sealing member 64, and thus leaked water can be collected through the clearance. Furthermore, the inner sealing member 64 is positioned closer to the sliding interface PL3 at which water leakage can occurs than the bottom sealing member 66, and thus is advantageous for collecting leaked water. From these viewpoints, the pressure resistance A is preferably lowered at the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c.

[0146] One example of the structure for lowering the pressure resistance A is shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 of the first embodiment. In the lower case 68, the seal inside support portion 244 includes a gap Ml. The gap Ml is a space in which a part of the material of the seal inside support portion 244

is lacking. The gap Ml is formed such that the height of the discharge hole seal inside support portion 244 is partially lowered. The gap Ml of the present embodiment is formed such that a part of the height of the discharge hole seal inside support portion 244 is made zero. The gap Ml is formed in a recessed shape. Two gaps Ml are formed in the seal

inside support portion 244.

[0147] At the positions where the gaps Ml are located, the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c is not supported from inside. Accordingly, the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c tends to

fall inward, this phenomenon hereinafter also being referred to as inward falling. The "inward falling" means that a sealing portion is deformed such that it falls inward (toward the inside of the flow path). Because of the presence of the gaps Ml, easy inward falling portions El that are not supported from their inside are formed in the inner discharge side sealing portion 64c. The easy inward falling portions El are formed at positions corresponding to the positions of the gaps Ml. The easy inward falling portions El tend to fall inward (toward the inside of the discharge hole 74) more easily than other portions of the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c. When the pressure in the valve-bodies surrounding space Si is higher than the pressure in the discharge-line flow path, a force is applied on the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c from its outside to its inside. This force can cause the easy inward falling portions El to fall inward. The inward falling of the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c lowers the pressure resistance A.

Easiness of the inward falling of the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c can be adjusted by variation of the easy inward falling portions El, such as variation of the width, the height, the number, and the position of the easy inward falling portions El. The gaps Ml can be formed easily and accurately by using a mold, for example. The gaps

Ml enable to adjust the pressure resistance A, whereby the pressure resistance A can be adjusted easily, accurately and at low cost.

[0148] Thus, the easy inward falling portions El are not supported from their inside, but the easy

inward falling portions El are supported from their outside by the discharge hole seal outside support portion 254 (see FIG. 12(a)). Accordingly, the easy inward falling portions El easily fall inward

(toward the inside of the discharge hole 74), but are less likely to fall outward. In addition, when the faucet 10 gets into a situation where water pressure is applied in the discharge-line flow path and water can leak from inside to outside the

discharge-line flow path, the easy inward falling portions El which have fallen inward return to their original posture. This structure contributes to making the pressure resistance B higher than the pressure resistance A.

[0149] As well shown in FIG. 13(a), a gap such as a recess is not provided in the inner discharge-side

sealing portion 64c. If a portion that lowers seal tightness is provided on the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c itself, this portion lowers not only the pressure resistance A but also the pressure resistance B, which tends to cause water leakage.

The inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c does not include any portion that partly lowers its seal tightness.

[0150] The gaps Ml enlarge the cross-sectional area of the discharge-line flow path. The gaps Ml contribute to increase in the amount of water flow.

[0151] As shown in FIG. 12(a) and FIG. 12(b), a

gap portion is provided also in the hot-water hole seal inside support portion 240 and the cold-water hole seal inside support portion 242. Since water pressure is applied in on the supply-line flow paths at all times, the presence of these gaps can be

disregarded from the viewpoint of the water pressure

A. From the viewpoint of the amount of water flow, these gaps also contribute to increase in the amount of water flow.

[0152] A double-pointed arrow Ts3 in FIG. 13(b) shows the thickness of the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c. From the viewpoint of easiness of inward falling, a ratio (Hs3/Ts3) of the height Hs3 to the thickness Ts3 is preferably greater than

or equal to 2, more preferably greater than or equal to 2.5, and still more preferably greater than or equal to 3. An excessively small thickness Ts3 leads to an excessively low pressure resistance B, and decreases supportability of the inner discharge side sealing portion 64c for supporting the fixed valve body 62. From these viewpoints, the ratio

(Hs3/Ts3) is preferably less than or equal to 7, more preferably less than or equal to 6, and still more preferably less than or equal to 5. The thickness Ts3 is measured in a natural state where any external force does not act on the inner

discharge-side sealing portion 64c.

[0153] FIG. 14(a) is a perspective view of a lower case 681 according to a second embodiment as viewed from above. FIG. 14(b) is a plan view of the lower case 681. FIG. 15(a) is a perspective view of the lower case 681 to which the inner sealing member 64 is attached as viewed from above. FIG. 15(b) is

a plan view of the lower case 681 to which the inner sealing member 64 is attached.

[0154] The lower case 681 is the same as the lower case 68 of the first embodiment except that no gap Ml is provided in the seal inside support

portion 244. Since no gap Ml is provided, the easy inward falling portion El is not formed in the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c (see FIG. 15(a)).

[0155] Since the lower case 681 has no gap Ml, it

is difficult for the lower case 681 to satisfy the relationship Y. However, the relationship Y can be established also in the lower case 681. For example, the relationship Y can be established by using a softer material for the discharge hole seal

inside support portion 244. For example, the relationship Y can be established also by decreasing the amount of deformation of the inner discharge side sealing portion 64c. Accordingly, the lower case 681 which has no gap Ml can be an embodiment in which the relationship Y (the relationship X) is established.

[0156] FIG. 16(a) is a perspective view of a lower case 682 according to a third embodiment as viewed from above. FIG. 16(b) is a plan view of the lower case 682. FIG. 17(a) is a perspective view of the lower case 682 to which the inner sealing member

64 is attached as viewed from above. FIG. 17(b) is a plan view of the lower case 682 to which the inner sealing member 64 is attached.

[0157] The lower case 682 is the same as the lower case 68 of the first embodiment except for the height of the gaps Ml. In the lower case 68 of the first embodiment, each gap Ml is formed over the

entire height of the seal inside support portion 244. In other words, each gap Ml of the first embodiment is formed such that the height of the discharge hole seal inside support portion 244 is

zero. On the other hand, in the lower case 682, each gap Ml is formed over a part of the height of the seal inside support portion 244. In other words, a part of the discharge hole seal inside support portion 244 that has a lower height than other part of the discharge hole seal inside support portion 244 is present on the lower side of each gap Ml. A gap Ml that has a small height decreases easiness of inward falling of the easy inward falling portion El. Thus, easiness of inward falling of the easy inward falling portion El can be adjusted by changing the height of the gap Ml, for example. This enables to adjust the pressure resistance A easily, accurately, and at low cost. The gap Ml enables to easily attain a structure in which the relationship Y (the relationship X) is established.

[0158] FIG. 18(a) is a perspective view of a lower case 683 according to a fourth embodiment as viewed from below. FIG. 18(b) is a plan view of the lower case 683. FIG. 19(a) is a perspective view of the lower case 683 to which the bottom sealing

member 66 is attached as viewed from below. FIG. 19(b) is a bottom view of the lower case 683 to which the bottom sealing member 66 is attached.

[0159] The lower surface of the lower case 683 includes a bottom seal placement portion 260. The bottom seal placement portion 260 is formed by a groove. The shape of the bottom seal placement

portion 260 corresponds to the shape of the bottom sealing member 66. The bottom sealing member 66 is fitted into the bottom seal placement portion 260.

[0160] The bottom seal placement portion 260 includes a hot-water hole seal placement portion

262, a cold-water hole seal placement portion 264, and a discharge hole seal placement portion 266. The bottom hot-water hole sealing portion 66a is disposed on the hot-water hole seal placement portion 262. The bottom cold-water hole sealing portion 66b is disposed on the cold-water hole seal placement portion 264. The bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c is disposed on the discharge hole seal placement portion 266.

[0161] The lower case 683 includes a hot-water hole seal inside support portion 268, a cold-water hole seal inside support portion 270, and the discharge hole seal inside support portion 272. The inside support portions 268, 270 and 272 are formed by a first side surface of the groove which constitutes the bottom seal placement portion 260.

The lower case 683 includes a hot-water hole seal outside support portion 274, a cold-water hole seal outside support portion 276, and a discharge hole seal outside support portion 278. The outside support portions 274, 276 and 278 are formed by a

second side surface of the groove which constitutes the bottom seal placement portion 260. The discharge hole seal inside support portion 272 and the discharge hole seal inside support portion 244 which is described above are collectively referred to as "seal inside support portion".

[0162] The lower edge of the bottom sealing

member 66 is in tight contact with the upper surface of the housing bottom portion 12b. The upper edge of the bottom sealing member 66 is in tight contact with the bottom seal placement portion 260 (the bottom surface of the groove). The holes of the

lower case 683 are connected to the corresponding holes of the housing bottom portion 12b in a watertight manner by these tight contacts.

[0163] The discharge hole seal inside support

portion 272 has a gap M2. The gap M2 is a space in which a part of the material of the seal inside support portion 272 is lacking. Two gaps M2 are formed in the seal inside support portion 272.

[0164] At the positions where the gaps M2 are

located, the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c is not supported from inside. Accordingly, the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c tends to fall inward. Because of the presence of the gaps M2, easy inward falling portions E2 that are not supported from their inside are formed in the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c. The easy inward

falling portions E2 are formed at positions corresponding to the positions of the gaps M2. The easy inward falling portions E2 tend to fall inward (toward the inside of the discharge hole 74) more easily than other portions of the bottom discharge

side sealing portion 66c. The inward falling of the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c lowers the pressure resistance A. Easiness of the inward falling of the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c can be adjusted by variation of the easy inward falling portions E2, such as variation of the width, the height, the number, and the position of the easy

inward falling portions E2. The pressure resistance A can be adjusted easily, accurately and at low cost by the gaps M2.

[0165] Thus, the easy inward falling portions E2 are not supported from their inside, but the easy

inward falling portions E2 are supported from their outside by the discharge hole seal outside support portion 278. Accordingly, the easy inward falling portions E2 easily fall inward, but are less likely to fall outward. In addition, when the faucet 10 gets into a situation where water pressure is applied in the discharge-line flow path and water can leak from inside to outside the discharge-line flow path, the easy inward falling portions E2 which have fallen inward return to their original posture. This structure contributes to making the pressure resistance B higher than the pressure resistance A.

[0166] In the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c, the easy inward falling portions E2 are formed at positions where the double purpose portion 66d is not located. That is, the easy inward

falling portions E2 are provided at positions that face outside the flow paths (positions that face the valve-bodies surrounding space Sl). This can allow water that has leaked to the outside the flow paths to flow into the discharge-line flow path. If the

easy inward falling portions E2 are provided in the double purpose portion 66d, the double purpose portion 66d falls inward (toward the inside of the discharge hole 74). This also means that the supply-side sealing portions 67 (the bottom hot water hole sealing portion 66a, the bottom cold water hole sealing portion 66b) fall outward. In

this case, water leakage is likely to occur from the supply-line flow paths. From these viewpoints, the easy inward falling portions E2 are preferably formed at positions where the double purpose portion 66d is not located.

[0167] The relationship Z is established in the lower case 683. Leaked water which has accumulated in the valve-bodies surrounding space Si runs along the seal surface of the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c, flows into the discharge-line flow path, and is discharged from the water discharge port 23. The upper surface of the lower case 683 can have a structure that has no gap Ml as shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15. The absence of the gap Ml enhances the pressure resistance A of the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c, and facilitates attaining the relationship Z.

[0168] It should be noted that the lower surface of the lower case 68 of the first embodiment can have a structure in which the gaps M2 are absent from the lower case 683. The absence of the gaps M2

enhances the pressure resistance A of the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c, and facilitates attaining the relationship Y.

[0169] As explained above, for attaining the relationship A to allow leaked water to flow into

the discharge-line flow path, it is preferable to lower the pressure resistance A of the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c, or to lower the pressure resistance A of the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c. For attaining the relationship Y, it is preferable to lower the pressure resistance A of the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c.

For attaining the relationship Z, it is preferable to lower the pressure resistance A of the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c.

[0170] Examples of a structure for attaining the relationship Y include the following structures Y1

to Y5.

[Structure Yl]: The gap Ml is provided in the seal

inside support portion 244 which supports the inner

discharge-side sealing portion 64c from inside.

[Structure Y2]: The amount of deformation of the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c is smaller than the amount of deformation of the inner hot water hole sealing portion 64a, and is smaller than the amount of deformation of the inner cold-water

hole sealing portion 64b.

[Structure Y3]: The hardness of the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c is lower than the hardness of the inner hot-water hole sealing portion 64a, and is lower than the hardness of the inner cold-water hole sealing portion 64b.

[Structure Y4]: The hardness of the inner

discharge-side sealing portion 64c is lower than the hardness of the upper sealing member 40.

[Structure Y5]: The hardness of the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c is lower than the hardness of the lever sealing member 48.

[0171] As described above, the faucet of the present disclosure may be a single supply faucet. In the faucet of the present disclosure, a hole for water supply does not have to be divided into a hole for hot water and a hole for cold water. From this viewpoint, examples of the structure for attaining the relationship Y include the following structures

Y6 and Y7. The structure Y6 is a concept that includes the structure Y2. The structure Y7 is a concept that includes the structure Y3.

[Structure Y6]: The amount of deformation of the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c is smaller

than the amount of deformation of the inner supply- side sealing portion 65.

[Structure Y7]: The hardness of the inner

discharge-side sealing portion 64c is lower than the hardness of the inner supply-side sealing portion 65.

[0172] The structure Y2 can be attained by, for example, a configuration in which the height Hs3 of the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c is

lower than the height Hsl of the inner hot-water hole sealing portion 64a, and is lower than the height Hs2 of the inner cold-water hole sealing portion 64b.

[0173] Examples of a structure for attaining the relationship Z include the following structures Z1 to Z5.

[Structure Z1]: The gap M2 is provided in the seal inside support portion 272 which supports the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c from inside.

[Structure Z2]: The amount of deformation of the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c is smaller

than the amount of deformation of the bottom hot water hole sealing portion 66a, and is smaller than the amount of deformation of the bottom cold-water hole sealing portion 66b.

[Structure Z3]: The hardness of the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c is lower than the hardness of the bottom hot-water hole sealing

portion 66a, and is lower than the hardness of the bottom cold-water hole sealing portion 66b.

[Structure Z4]: The hardness of the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c is lower than the hardness of the upper sealing member 40.

[Structure Z5]: The hardness of the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c is lower than the hardness of the lever sealing member 48.

[0174] As described above, the faucet of the

present disclosure may be a single supply faucet. In the faucet of the present disclosure, a hole for water supply does not have to be divided into a hole for hot water and a hole for cold water. From this viewpoint, examples of the structure for attaining

the relationship Z include the following structures Z6 and Z7. The structure Z6 is a concept that includes the structure Z2. The structure Z7 is a concept that includes the structure Z3.

[Structure Z6]: The amount of deformation of the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c is smaller than the amount of deformation of the bottom supply

side sealing portion 67.

[Structure Z7]: The hardness of the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c is lower than the hardness of the bottom supply-side sealing portion 67.

[0175] The structure Z2 can be achieved by, for example, a configuration in which the height of the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c is lower than the height of the bottom hot-water hole sealing portion 66a, and is lower than the height of the bottom cold-water hole sealing portion 66b.

[0176] In the present disclosure, each hardness

of the sealing members can be shown as a durometer hardness that is measured by a type A durometer in accordance with JIS K 6253:2012. A test piece made of a material that is the same as the material of a sealing member to be measured is used in this

measurement of hardness. It should be noted that even when an integrated member such as the bottom sealing member 66 is used, the material of such a member can be partly varied by utilizing a compression forming, for example. As with the inner sealing member 64, the bottom sealing member 66 may be constituted by three sealing members independent from each other.

[0177] When a rubber is used as the material

(base material) of the inner sealing member 64 and the bottom sealing member 66, examples of the rubber include silicone rubber, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber), NBR (acrylonitrile butadiene rubber), and CR (chloroprene rubber). By selectively using these materials for appropriate members or portions, their hardness can be adjusted.

In addition, a rubber composition is used for the material, the hardness can be adjusted by changing the amount of a filling material, a plasticizer, a crosslinking agent, and/or a co-crosslinking agent, for example. In the first embodiment, a same

material (base rubber was EPDM) was used for the inner hot-water hole sealing portion 64a, the inner cold-water hole sealing portion 64b and the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c. In addition, a same material (base rubber was EPDM) was used for the bottom hot-water hole sealing portion 66a, the bottom cold-water hole sealing portion 66b and the

bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c.

[0178] Test 1 and Test 2 were performed for confirming pressure resistance of the first embodiment.

[0179] [Test 1]

In Test 1, the pressure resistance of the upper sealing member 40 and the lever sealing member 48 was confirmed. In the valve assembly 38 of the first embodiment, portions where the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c and the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c were disposed were forcedly closed. Further, a groove was provided on the sliding interface PL3 and a notch was provided on the inner supply-side sealing portion 65, whereby water leakage into the valve bodies surrounding space Si was forcibly generated. The internal pressure of the valve-bodies surrounding space S1 was increased by this water leakage. The internal pressure of the valve-bodies surrounding space S1 was increased until water leaked to the outside of the valve-bodies surrounding space S1, and the internal pressure when the water leakage to the outside of the valve-bodies surrounding space S1 occurred was measured. As a result, when the internal pressure was 5.4 MPa, the upper case 42 was damaged and the water leakage occurred. Until the upper case 42 was damaged, water did not leak from the upper sealing member 40 or the lever sealing member 48. Accordingly, the pressure resistance of the upper sealing member 40 and the lever sealing member 48 was higher than or equal to 5.4 MPa.

[0180] [Test 2]

In Test 2, the pressure resistance A of the discharge-side sealing portions 64c and 66c was confirmed. In the valve assembly 38 of the first embodiment, a groove was provided on the sliding interface PL3 and a notch was provided on the inner

supply-side sealing portion 65, whereby water leakage into the valve-bodies surrounding space Si was forcibly generated. The internal pressure of the valve-bodies surrounding space S1 was increased by this water leakage. The internal pressure of the valve-bodies surrounding space S1 was increased until water leaked to the outside of the valve bodies surrounding space S1. As a result, it was confirmed that the leaked water was discharged from the water discharge port 23. As a result of further investigation, it was confirmed that the leaked water which had accumulated in the valve-bodies surrounding space S1 flowed along the seal surface of the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c into the discharge-line flow path. The internal pressure when the leaked water was discharged from the water discharge port 23 was 1.6 MPa. That is, the pressure resistance (pressure resistance A) of the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c against pressure applied from outside to inside was 1.6 MPa. Water leakage did not occur at any portion other than the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c, and thus the relationship X and the relationship Y were achieved.

[0181] The pressure resistance of the upper sealing member 40 and the lever sealing member 48 is denoted by P1 (MPa). The pressure resistance P1 means either the pressure resistance of the upper

sealing member 40 or the pressure resistance of the lever sealing member 48, whichever is lower.

[0182] The pressure resistance (pressure resistance A) of the discharge-side sealing portions 64c and 66c against pressure applied from outside to

inside is denoted by P2 (MPa). The pressure resistance P2 means either the pressure resistance A of the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c or the pressure resistance A of the bottom discharge side sealing portion 66c, whichever is lower.

[0183] As described above, in a faucet that satisfies the relationship X, the pressure resistance P1 is higher than the pressure resistance P2. That is, the ratio (P1/P2) is greater than 1.

In the above Tests, the pressure resistance P1 was higher than or equal to 5.4 MPa, and the pressure resistance P2 was 1.6 MPa. That is, the ratio (P1/P2) was greater than or equal to 3.38.

[0184] From the viewpoint of achieving the relationship X, the pressure resistance P1 is preferably higher than or equal to 2.0 MPa, more

preferably higher than or equal to 2.2 MPa, and still more preferably higher than or equal to 2.4 MPa. An excessively high seal tightness requires a higher cost. From this viewpoint, the pressure resistance P1 is preferably lower than or equal to

6.0 MPa, more preferably lower than or equal to 5.8 MPa, and still more preferably lower than or equal to 5.6 MPa.

[0185] From the viewpoint of achieving the relationship X, the pressure resistance P2 is preferably lower than or equal to 1.95 MPa, more preferably lower than or equal to 1.8 MPa, and still

more preferably lower than or equal to 1.65 MPa. An excessively low pressure resistance P2 may make it difficult to have a sufficient pressure resistance B (pressure resistance against pressure applied from inside to outside) for resisting hydrodynamic

pressure acting in the discharge-line flow path. In addition, when a water hammer occurs due to shut-off of water, air in the discharge-line flow path may be drawn by the inertial energy of flowing water, which may cause the inward falling of the discharge-line flow path. When the amount of deformation of the inward falling is excessively large, the deformation may not return to an undeformed state, which can cause water leakage when water is discharged. From these viewpoints, the pressure resistance P2 is preferably higher than or equal to 0.45 MPa, more preferably higher than or equal to 0.6 MPa, and still more preferably higher than or equal to 0.75 MPa.

[0186] From the viewpoint of achieving the relationship X, the ratio (P1/P2) is preferably

greater than 1.0, more preferably greater than or equal to 2.1, and still more preferably greater than or equal to 3.2. Considering preferable ranges of the pressure resistance P1 and the pressure resistance P2, the ratio (P1/P2) is less than or

equal to 12.9, more preferably less than or equal to 9.3, and still more preferably less than or equal to 7.2.

[0187] The pressure resistance (pressure resistance B) of the discharge-side sealing portions 64c and 66c against pressure applied from inside to outside is denoted by P3 (MPa). The pressure

resistance P3 means either the pressure resistance B of the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c or the pressure resistance B of the bottom discharge side sealing portion 66c, whichever is lower. From the viewpoint of resistance against hydrodynamic

pressure acting in the discharge-line flow path, the pressure resistance P3 is preferably higher than or equal to 1.6 MPa, more preferably higher than or equal to 1.8 MPa, and still more preferably higher than or equal to 2.0 MPa. From the viewpoint of suppressing water leakage, a higher pressure resistance P3 is preferable. An excessively high pressure resistance P3, however, can make it difficult to have a smaller pressure resistance P2.

From this viewpoint, the pressure resistance P3 is preferably lower than or equal to 3.4 MPa, more preferably lower than or equal to 3.2 MPa, and still more preferably lower than or equal to 3.0 MPa.

[0188] The pressure resistance (pressure resistance A) of the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c against pressure applied from outside to

inside is denoted by P4 (MPa). From the viewpoint of achieving the relationship Y, the pressure resistance P4 is preferably lower than or equal to 1.95 MPa, more preferably lower than or equal to 1.8 MPa, and still more preferably lower than or equal

to 1.65 MPa. An excessively low pressure resistance P4 may make it difficult to have a sufficient pressure resistance B for resisting hydrodynamic pressure acting in the discharge-line flow path. In addition, when a water hammer occurs due to shut-off of water, air in the discharge-line flow path may be drawn by the inertial energy of flowing water, which

may cause the inward falling of the discharge-line flow path. When the amount of deformation of the inward falling is excessively large, the deformation may not return to an undeformed state, which can cause water leakage when water is discharged. From

these viewpoints, the pressure resistance P4 is preferably higher than or equal to 0.45 MPa, more preferably higher than or equal to 0.6 MPa, and still more preferably higher than or equal to 0.75 MPa.

[0189] From the viewpoint of achieving the relationship Y, the ratio (P1/P4) is preferably greater than 1.0, more preferably greater than or equal to 2.1, and still more preferably greater than

or equal to 3.2. Considering preferable ranges of the pressure resistance P1 and the pressure resistance P4, the ratio (P1/P4) is preferably less than or equal to 12.9, more preferably less than or equal to 9.3, and still more preferably less than or equal to 7.2.

[0190] The pressure resistance (pressure

resistance B) of the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c against pressure applied from inside to outside is denoted by P5 (MPa). From the viewpoint of resistance against hydrodynamic pressure acting in the discharge-line flow path, the pressure

resistance P5 is preferably higher than or equal to 1.6 MPa, more preferably higher than or equal to 1.8 MPa, and still more preferably higher than or equal to 2.0 MPa. From the viewpoint of suppressing water leakage, a higher pressure resistance P5 is preferable. An excessively high pressure resistance P5, however, can make it difficult to have a smaller

pressure resistance P4. From this viewpoint, the pressure resistance P5 is preferably lower than or equal to 3.4 MPa, more preferably lower than or equal to 3.2 MPa, and still more preferably lower than or equal to 3.0 MPa.

[0191] The pressure resistance (pressure resistance A) of the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c against pressure applied from outside to inside is denoted by P6 (MPa). From the viewpoint of achieving the relationship Z, the pressure resistance P6 is preferably lower than or equal to 1.95 MPa, more preferably lower than or equal to 1.8 MPa, and still more preferably lower than or equal to 1.65 MPa. An excessively low pressure resistance

P6 may make it difficult to have a sufficient pressure resistance B for resisting hydrodynamic pressure acting in the discharge-line flow path. In addition, when a water hammer occurs due to shut-off of water, air in the discharge-line flow path may be drawn by the inertial energy of flowing water, which may cause the inward falling of the discharge-line

flow path. When the amount of deformation of the inward falling is excessively large, the deformation may not return to an undeformed state, which can cause water leakage when water is discharged. From these viewpoints, the pressure resistance P6 is

preferably higher than or equal to 0.45 MPa, more preferably higher than or equal to 0.6 MPa, and still more preferably higher than or equal to 0.75 MPa.

[0192] From the viewpoint of achieving the relationship Z, the ratio (P1/P6) is preferably greater than 1.0, more preferably greater than or

equal to 2.1, and still more preferably greater than or equal to 3.2. Considering preferable ranges of the pressure resistance P1 and the pressure resistance P6, the ratio (P1/P6) is preferably less than or equal to 12.9, more preferably less than or

equal to 9.3, and still more preferably less than or equal to 7.2.

[0193] The pressure resistance (pressure

resistance B) of the bottom discharge-side sealing

portion 66c against pressure applied from inside to outside is denoted by P7 (MPa). From the viewpoint of resistance against hydrodynamic pressure acting in the discharge-line flow path, the pressure resistance P7 is preferably higher than or equal to

1.6 MPa, more preferably higher than or equal to 1.8 MPa, and still more preferably higher than or equal to 2.0 MPa. From the viewpoint of suppressing water leakage, a higher pressure resistance P7 is preferable. An excessively high pressure resistance P7, however, can make it difficult to have a smaller pressure resistance P6. From this viewpoint, the

pressure resistance P7 is preferably lower than or equal to 3.4 MPa, more preferably lower than or equal to 3.2 MPa, and still more preferably lower than or equal to 3.0 MPa.

[0194] In the plan view (FIG. 13(b)) of the lower

case 68 as viewed from above, the inner surface of the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c is shown by a curved line 280. The curved line 280 is a simple closed curve. The length of the curved line 280 is the inner perimeter length of the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c. This perimeter length is denoted by Li. On the other hand, of the

curved line 280, the length of a portion 282 that is constituted by the easy inward falling portion El is denoted by L2. The portion 282 is a part that is not in contact with the discharge hole seal inside support portion 244. As in the present embodiment,

when two gaps Ml are provided, the length L2 is the sum total of the lengths of two portions 282.

[0195] The pressure resistance A of the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c can be adjusted by changing the ratio (L2/L1). From the viewpoint of achieving the relationship Y, the ratio (L2/L1) is preferably greater than or equal to 0.05, more preferably greater than or equal to 0.10, and still more preferably greater than or equal to 0.15. Also from the viewpoint of the amount of water flow, a greater ratio (L2/L1) is preferable. From the viewpoint of suppressing an excessively large deformation of the inner discharge-side sealing portion 64c, the ratio (L2/L1) is preferably less than or equal to 0.35, more preferably less than or equal to 0.30, and still more preferably less than or equal to 0.25.

[0196] In the bottom view (FIG. 19(b)) of the lower case 683 as viewed from below, the inner surface of the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c is shown by a curved line 284. The curved line 284 is a simple closed curve. The length of the curved line 284 is the inner perimeter length of the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c. This perimeter length is denoted by L3. On the other hand, of the curved line 284, the length of a portion 286 that is constituted by the easy inward falling portion E2 is denoted by L4. The portion 286 is a part that is not in contact with the discharge hole seal inside support portion 272. As in the present embodiment, when two gaps M2 are provided, the length L4 is the sum total of the lengths of two portions 286.

[0197] The pressure resistance A of the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c can be adjusted by changing the ratio (L4/L3). From the viewpoint of achieving the relationship Z, the ratio (L4/L3) is preferably greater than or equal to 0.05, more preferably greater than or equal to 0.10, and still more preferably greater than or equal to 0.15. Also from the viewpoint of the amount of water flow, a greater ratio (L4/L3) is preferable. From the viewpoint of suppressing an excessively large deformation of the bottom discharge-side sealing portion 66c, the ratio (L4/L3) is preferably less than or equal to 0.35, more preferably less than or equal to 0.30, and still more preferably less than or equal to 0.25.

[0198] Examples of the material of the housing

portion 12 include resins (including fiber reinforced resins) and metals. For the housing portion 12 to which the inlet pipe 17 and the discharge pipe 22 are connected and to which the valve assembly 38 is fixed, a sufficient strength is

required. Resistance against temperature changes caused by cold water and hot water is also required for the housing portion 12. From these viewpoints, metals are preferable. From the viewpoints of chlorine resistance, less lead leaching, and the like, a brass is preferable among metals. A resin can be used from the viewpoint of formability. When

a resin is used, from the viewpoints of, for example, rigidity against water hammer and the like, chlorine resistance, and chemical resistance, a PPO resin (polyphenylene oxide resin) and a PPS resin (polyphenylene sulfide resin) are particularly

preferable.

[0199] Examples of the material of the upper case 42 include resins (including fiber reinforced resins) and metals. From the viewpoint of

formability, resins are preferable. From the viewpoints of utilizing the pressure resistance of upper sealing member 40 and resisting pressing force applied by the valve fixing member, a material that has a high rigidity and a high strength is

preferable. From this viewpoint, a PPO resin (polyphenylene oxide resin) and a PPS resin (polyphenylene sulfide resin) are particularly preferable.

[0200] Examples of the material of the lever cap 46b include resins (including fiber reinforced resins) and metals. From the viewpoint of

formability of a thin wall portion, a resin is preferable, and a PP resin (polypropylene resin) is particularly preferable.

[0201] Examples of the material of the lever shaft 46a include resins (including fiber reinforced

resins), metals, and ceramic materials. From the viewpoint of strength against user's operating force, a metal is preferable. Also considering rust that might be caused by water splashed on the lever shaft, stainless steel is more preferable.

[0202] Examples of the material of the lever sealing member 48 include resins and rubber

materials (elastic rubber materials). From the viewpoint of adhesiveness to the spherical body 52, rubber materials are preferable. Examples of preferable rubber materials include silicone rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), and ethylene

propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM).

[0203] Examples of the material of the upper sealing member 40 include resins and rubber materials (elastic rubber materials). From the

viewpoint of seal tightness, rubber materials are preferable. Examples of preferable rubber materials include silicone rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), and ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM).

[0204] Examples of the material of the inner sealing member 64 include resins and rubber materials (elastic rubber materials). From the viewpoint of seal tightness, rubber materials are preferable. Examples of the rubber materials are as described above.

[0205] Examples of the material of the bottom sealing member 66 include resins and rubber materials (elastic rubber materials). From the viewpoint of seal tightness, rubber materials are preferable. Examples of the rubber materials are as described above.

[0206] Regarding the above-described embodiments, the following clauses are disclosed.

[Clause 1] A faucet including: a faucet main body that includes a housing portion; a lever handle that is configured to

adjust an amount of discharge water; and a valve assembly that is housed in an accommodating portion of the housing portion, wherein the housing portion includes a housing

bottom portion that constitutes a bottom part of the accommodating portion and that includes a bottom inlet hole and a bottom discharge hole that are connected to the valve assembly, the valve assembly includes: a tilting lever that is configured to move in conjunction with a movement of the lever handle; a fixed valve body that has a supply hole and a drain hole; a movable valve body that has a flow path forming recess and that is configured to move on the fixed valve body in conjunction with a movement of the tilting lever; a lower case that is disposed on a lower side of the fixed valve body and has an inlet hole and a discharge hole; an upper case that is fixed to the lower case, the upper case and the lower case constituting an outer surface of the valve assembly; an inner sealing member that seals a clearance between the fixed valve body and the lower case; a bottom sealing member that seals a clearance between the lower case and the housing bottom portion; and a lever sealing member that seals a clearance between the upper case and a lever interlocking portion that moves in conjunction with the movement of the tilting lever, the faucet further includes an upper sealing member that seals a clearance between the upper case and the housing portion, the inner sealing member includes an inner supply-side sealing portion that seals a clearance between the supply hole and the inlet hole, and an inner discharge-side sealing portion that seals a clearance between the drain hole and the discharge hole, the bottom sealing member includes a bottom supply-side sealing portion that seals a clearance between the inlet hole and the bottom inlet hole, and a bottom discharge-side sealing portion that seals a clearance between the discharge hole and the bottom discharge hole, and when the inner discharge-side sealing portion and the bottom discharge-side sealing portion are collectively referred to as a discharge side sealing portion, a pressure resistance of the discharge-side sealing portion against pressure applied from outside to inside is lower than a pressure resistance of the upper sealing member and the lever sealing member.

[Clause 2]

The faucet according to clause 1, wherein the lower case includes a seal inside support portion that supports the discharge-side sealing portion from inside, the seal inside support portion has a gap formed such that a part of a material of the seal inside support portion is lacking, and

an easy inward falling portion is formed in the discharge-side sealing portion by the gap, the easy inward falling portion being not supported from inside.

[Clause 3]

The faucet according to clause 1 or 2, wherein a pressure resistance of the inner discharge-side sealing portion against pressure applied from outside to inside is lower than the pressure resistance of the upper sealing member and the lever sealing member.

[Clause 4] The faucet according to clause 3, wherein

the pressure resistance of the inner discharge-side sealing portion against pressure applied from outside to inside is lower than a pressure resistance of the inner discharge-side sealing portion against pressure applied from inside to outside.

[Clause 5]

The faucet according to any one of clauses 1 to 4, wherein an amount of deformation of the inner discharge-side sealing portion is smaller than an amount of deformation of the inner supply-side

sealing portion.

[Clause 6] The faucet according to any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein a hardness of the inner discharge-side sealing portion is lower than a hardness of the inner supply-side sealing portion.

[Clause 7] The faucet according to any one of clauses 1 to 6, wherein the supply hole of the fixed valve body has a hot water supply hole and a cold water supply

hole, the inlet hole of the lower case has a hot water inlet hole and a cold water inlet hole, the inner sealing member includes an inner hot-water hole sealing portion that seals a clearance between the hot water supply hole and the hot water inlet hole, an inner cold-water hole sealing portion that seals a clearance between the cold water supply hole and the cold water inlet hole, and the inner discharge-side sealing portion, and the inner hot-water hole sealing portion, the inner cold-water hole sealing portion, and the inner discharge-side sealing portion are formed separately from each other.

[0207] In the present disclosure, inventions other than those included in claims (including independent claims) are also described. The forms, members, configurations, and combinations thereof described in the claims and the embodiments of the present disclosure should be recognized as inventions based on the functions and effects of each of them.

[0208] The forms, members, configurations, and the like shown in the above-described embodiments are each independently applicable to all inventions described in the present disclosure, including those set forth in the claims of the present disclosure, even if not every form, member, or configuration described in the embodiments is used.

[0208a] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0208b] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0209] 10 Faucet 12 Housing portion 14 Lever handle 16 Discharge portion 18 Hot water inlet pipe 20 Cold water inlet pipe 22 Discharge pipe 38 Valve assembly 40 Upper sealing member 42 Upper case 44 Rotatable body 46 Tilting lever 46a Lever shaft 46b Lever cap 48 Lever sealing member 60 Movable valve body 62 Fixed valve body 64 Inner sealing member

64a Inner hot-water hole sealing portion (Hot-water hole sealing portion) 64b Inner cold-water hole sealing portion (Cold-water hole sealing portion) 64c Inner discharge-side sealing portion (Discharge-side sealing portion) 65 Inner supply-side sealing portion 66 Bottom sealing member 66a Bottom hot-water hole sealing portion (Hot-water hole sealing portion) 66b Bottom cold-water hole sealing portion (Cold-water hole sealing portion) 66c Bottom discharge-side sealing portion (Discharge-side sealing portion) 67 Bottom supply-side sealing portion 68 Lower case 69 Inlet hole(s) 70 Hot water inlet hole 72 Cold water inlet hole 74 Discharge hole 79 Supply hole(s) 80 Hot water supply hole 82 Cold water supply hole 84 Drain hole 210 Bottom connection hole(s) 210a Bottom inlet hole 210b Bottom discharge hole 244 Seal inside support portion that supports the inner discharge-side sealing portion (Seal inside support portion) 272 Seal inside support portion that supports the bottom discharge-side sealing portion (Seal inside support portion)

98a

Ml, M2 Gap El, E2 Easy inward falling portion Si Valve-bodies surrounding space PL1 First sliding surface PL2 Second sliding surface PL3 Sliding interface

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A faucet including: a faucet main body that includes a housing portion; a lever handle that is configured to adjust an amount of discharge water; and a valve assembly that is housed in an accommodating portion of the housing portion, wherein the housing portion includes a housing bottom portion that constitutes a bottom part of the accommodating portion and that includes a bottom inlet hole and a bottom discharge hole that are connected to the valve assembly, the valve assembly includes: a tilting lever that is configured to move in conjunction with a movement of the lever handle; a fixed valve body that has a supply hole and a drain hole; a movable valve body that has a flow path forming recess and that is configured to move on the fixed valve body in conjunction with a movement of the tilting lever; a lower case that is disposed on a lower side of the fixed valve body and has an inlet hole and a discharge hole; an upper case that is fixed to the lower case, the upper case and the lower case constituting an outer surface of the valve assembly; an inner sealing member that seals a clearance between the fixed valve body and the lower case; a bottom sealing member that seals a clearance between the lower case and the housing bottom portion; and a lever sealing member that seals a clearance between the upper case and a lever interlocking portion that moves in conjunction with the movement of the tilting lever, the faucet further includes an upper sealing member that seals a clearance between the upper case and the housing portion, the inner sealing member includes an inner supply-side sealing portion that seals a clearance between the supply hole and the inlet hole, and an inner discharge-side sealing portion that seals a clearance between the drain hole and the discharge hole, the bottom sealing member includes a bottom supply-side sealing portion that seals a clearance between the inlet hole and the bottom inlet hole, and a bottom discharge-side sealing portion that seals a clearance between the discharge hole and the bottom discharge hole, and when the inner discharge-side sealing portion and the bottom discharge-side sealing portion are collectively referred to as a discharge side sealing portion, a pressure resistance of the discharge-side sealing portion against pressure applied from outside to inside is lower than a pressure resistance of the upper sealing member and the lever sealing member.

2. The faucet according to claim 1, wherein the lower case includes a seal inside support portion that supports the discharge-side sealing portion from inside, the seal inside support portion has a gap formed such that a part of a material of the seal inside support portion is lacking, and an easy inward falling portion is formed in the discharge-side sealing portion by the gap, the easy inward falling portion being not supported from inside.

3. The faucet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a pressure resistance of the inner discharge-side sealing portion against pressure

applied from outside to inside is lower than the pressure resistance of the upper sealing member and the lever sealing member.

4. The faucet according to claim 3, wherein

5. The faucet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an amount of deformation of the inner discharge-side sealing portion is smaller than an amount of deformation of the inner supply-side

sealing portion.

6. The faucet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein

a hardness of the inner discharge-side sealing portion is lower than a hardness of the inner supply-side sealing portion.

7. The faucet according to any one of claims

1 to 6, wherein the supply hole of the fixed valve body has a hot water supply hole and a cold water supply hole, the inlet hole of the lower case has a hot water inlet hole and a cold water inlet hole, the inner sealing member includes an inner

hot-water hole sealing portion that seals a clearance between the hot water supply hole and the hot water inlet hole, an inner cold-water hole sealing portion that seals a clearance between the cold water supply hole and the cold water inlet

hole, and the inner discharge-side sealing portion, and the inner hot-water hole sealing portion, the inner cold-water hole sealing portion, and the inner discharge-side sealing portion are formed separately from each other.