Patent Publication Number: US-11028563-B2

Title: Water faucet housing

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a water faucet and more specifically to a water faucet whose exterior has a longer direction in a cross-section and a shorter direction in the cross-section. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Heretofore, there has been one type of water faucet having a structure as described, for example, in the following Patent Document  1 . In the water faucet described in the Patent Document 1, a spout is formed in a circular shape in a cross-section, and a reinforcement member is provided inside the spout so as to reinforce the spout as the spout is made of a synthetic resin. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Document 
     Patent Document 1: JP 2013-087600 A 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     The shape of a spout of a water faucet gives a large influence to exterior quality of the water faucet, and determines whether a design of the water faucet is good or not. In recent years, in addition to commonly-seen spouts with a circular cross-sectional shape, a spout formed in a flat shape having a longer direction in a cross-section and a shorter direction in the cross-section, such as a rectangular cross-sectional shape and a elliptical cross-sectional shape, has been developed. In this type of water faucet, there is a problem peculiar to the spout with a flat cross-sectional shape, i.e., that a force applied along the shorter direction in the cross-section is more likely to cause deformation of the spout and thus cause damage to the spout. On the other hand, when the shape of a spout is designed so as to ensure a required strength of the spout, some restrictions are imposed on the shape of the spout, leading to difficulty in designing a thinner-type water faucet in various designs. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a water faucet capable of ensuring a required strength even when an exterior of the water faucet is formed with a cross-sectional shape having a longer direction in a cross-section and a shorter direction in the cross-section. 
     Solution to Technical Problem 
     In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a water faucet which comprises: an exterior member having a longer direction in a cross-section and a shorter direction in the cross-section and forming an exterior of the water faucet; a water-discharge port for discharging water therefrom; a water-conducting member for providing fluid communication between the water-discharge port and a water supply source for supplying water to the water-discharge port; and a reinforcement member provided inside the exterior member so as to reinforce the exterior member. 
     In the water faucet of the present invention having the above feature, the reinforcement member is provided inside the exterior member. Further, the exterior member is formed in a shape having a longer direction in the cross-section and a shorter direction in the cross-section. Thus, even if a water faucet does not comprise a conventional circular cross-section but comprises an exterior member formed in a shape having a longer direction in a cross-section and a shorter direction in the cross-section, a required strength of the exterior member can be ensured. Thus, for example, even when a force is applied to the exterior member along the shorter direction in the cross-section thereof, deformation and damage can be prevented. In addition, as the reinforcement member is provided inside the exterior member, the required strength of the exterior member can be ensured by the reinforcement member. Thus, flexibility in designing the shape of the exterior member increases. This makes it possible to design various water faucets. 
     Preferably, in the water faucet of the present invention, the reinforcement member comprises a reinforcement rib extending in a direction orthogonal to the cross-section of the exterior member and in the shorter direction in the cross-section. 
     According to this feature, the reinforcement member comprises the reinforcement rib, the reinforcing rib extends in the direction orthogonal to the cross-section of the exterior member and also extends in the shorter direction in the cross-section. The exterior member having the longer direction in the cross-section and the shorter direction in the cross-section is likely to be deformed when a force is applied thereto along the shorter direction in the cross-section. In this embodiment, as the reinforcing rib extends in the direction orthogonal to the cross-section of the exterior member and in the shorter direction in the cross-section, bending rigidity of the exterior member in the shorter direction in the cross-section thereof increases. Thus, the exterior member can be effectively reinforced. 
     Preferably, in the above water faucet, the reinforcement rib is composed of a plate piece cut to a given shape corresponding to a final shape of the reinforcement rib. 
     According to this feature, as the reinforcement rib is composed of a cut plate piece, so that the reinforcement rib can be formed by cutting a plate which is relatively easily available to a given shape. Thus, the reinforcement rib can be prepared relatively inexpensively and easily. In addition, as the plate piece is cut to a given shape corresponding to the final shape, additional processing such as bending is not necessary. Thus, it facilitates production of the reinforcement rib. 
     Preferably, in the above water faucet, the reinforcement rib is composed of a laminate of a plurality of the plate pieces. 
     According to this feature, as the reinforcement rib is composed of a laminate of a plurality of the plate pieces, the reinforcement rib can be formed relatively inexpensively and easily by laminating plate pieces which are relatively easily available. In addition, as the reinforcement rib is formed by laminating the plate pieces, the reinforcement rib can be easily formed in various shapes by increasing/reducing the number of the plate pieces to be laminated, or changing a cut shape of the plate pieces. Further, by varying the size of each of the plurality of plate pieces for example by gradually increasing its size and then laminating them, a shape corresponding to a curved line or a curved surface as a whole can be formed. Therefore, the reinforcement rib can be formed according to an internal shape of the exterior member, thus it facilitates forming of the reinforcement rib according to various shapes. 
     Preferably, in the above water faucet, each of the plurality of plate pieces has the same thickness. According to this feature, as each of the plurality of plate pieces has the same thickness, the plurality of plate pieces can be produced by cutting the same plate. Thus, production of the reinforcement rib can be facilitated. In addition, as the necessary type of plate pieces in terms of thickness is only one, it is possible to simplify management of the plate pieces. 
     Preferably, in the above water faucet, each of the plate pieces of the reinforcement rib has a longer direction in a cross-section and a shorter direction in the cross-section, wherein the reinforcement rib is disposed such that the longer direction in the cross-section of each of the plate pieces extends along the shorter direction in the cross-section of the exterior member, and the shorter direction in the cross-section of each of the plate pieces extends along the longer direction in the cross-section of the exterior member, and wherein the plate pieces are laminated along the longer direction in the cross-section of the exterior member. 
     According to this feature, the reinforcement rib is disposed such that the longer direction in the cross-section of each of the plate pieces extends along the shorter direction in the cross-section of the exterior member, and the shorter direction in the cross-section of each of the plate pieces extends along the longer direction in the cross-section of the exterior member, and the plate pieces are laminated along the longer direction in the cross-section of the exterior member. Therefore, bending rigidity of the exterior member in the shorter direction in the cross-section thereof can be increased and thereby the exterior member becomes less likely to be bent in the shorter direction in the cross-section thereof. Thus, the exterior member can be effectively reinforced. Therefore, even when a force is applied to the exterior member along the shorter direction in the cross-section thereof, the exterior member becomes less likely to be deformed, thus damage to the exterior member can be prevented. 
     Preferably, in the water faucet of the present invention, the reinforcement member comprises a plurality of reinforcement ribs each extending in a direction orthogonal to a cross-section of the exterior member and in the shorter direction in the cross-section, and the water-conducting member is disposed between respective ones of the plurality of reinforcement ribs. 
     According to this feature, as the water-conducting member is disposed between respective ones of the plurality of reinforcement ribs, the exterior member can be effectively reinforced around the water-conducting member. In addition, as the reinforcement member comprises a plurality of reinforcement ribs, even when a dimension of each of the reinforcement ribs in the short direction in the cross-section of the exterior member is set to be relatively short, the required strength of the exterior member as a whole can be ensured. This makes it possible to further reduce a dimension of the exterior member in the shorter direction in the cross-section thereof so as to design a thinner-type water faucet. 
     Preferably, in the above water faucet, the water-conducting member is composed of a plurality of water-conducting pipes. 
     According to this feature, as the water-conducting member is composed of a plurality of water-conducting pipes, a cross-sectional area of each of the water-conducting pipes can be reduced with respect to a required flow rate of water. Thus, it becomes possible to further reduce the dimension of the exterior member in the shorter direction in the cross-section thereof so as to design a thinner-type water faucet. 
     Preferably, in the water faucet of the present invention, the exterior member comprises a proximal section connectable to a mounting surface to which the water faucet is to be mounted, a distal section provided with the water-discharge port, and a bent section provided between the proximal section and the distal section, wherein a ratio of a cross-sectional area of the reinforcement member to a cross-sectional area of the exterior member in a cross-section of the exterior member is set such that the ratio at the distal section is smaller than the ratio at the bent section. 
     According to this feature, a ratio of a cross-sectional area of the reinforcement member to a cross-sectional area of the exterior member, in a cross-section of the exterior member, is set such that the ratio at the distal section is small than the ratio at the bent section. It is often the case that a force is applied to the distal section of the exterior member along the shorter direction in the cross-section of the exterior member. In this situation, in the exterior member, a large moment is generated at the bent section, whereas a relatively small moment is generated at the distal section. Thus, in this embodiment, the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the reinforcement member to the cross-sectional area of the exterior member, in the cross-section of the exterior member, is set such that the ratio is smaller in the distal section than in the bent section, so that the exterior member can be effectively reinforced. In addition, by setting the ratio in the above manner, the cross-sectional area of the reinforcement member in the distal section is relatively reduced. Therefore, larger space within the exterior member in the distal section so that various internal mechanisms of the water faucet can be provided therein. 
     Preferably, in the water faucet of the present invention, the exterior member comprises a first cover having a first surface extending in the longer direction in the cross-section thereof, and a second cover having a second surface extending in the longer direction in the cross-section thereof and facing to and attached to the first cover. 
     According to this feature, as the exterior member comprises the first cover and the second cover, the exterior member can be formed by assembling the first cover and the second cover together. Therefore, assembling and production of the exterior member is facilitated. In addition, as the exterior member comprises the first cover and the second cover, the reinforcement member can be easily disposed inside the exterior member, for example, by disposing the reinforcement member between the first cover and the second cover, and then attaching the first and second covers to each other. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a water faucet according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the water faucet according to this embodiment, in a state after a second cover is removed therefrom. 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view taken along the line in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of a water faucet according to a modification of the above embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken along the line V-V in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention will now be described based on a preferred embodiment thereof. 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a water faucet according to one embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the water faucet according to the one embodiment, in a state after an aftermentioned second cover is removed therefrom. As depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the water faucet  1  according to this embodiment comprises: an attachment segment  2  attachable to a mounting surface (not depicted) to which the water faucet  1  is to be mounted; an exterior member  4  fixed to the attachment segment  2  and forming an exterior of the water faucet  1 ; a water-discharging segment  6  for discharging water therefrom; a water-conducting member  8  for providing fluid communication between a water supply source (not depicted) for supplying water to the water faucet  1  and the water-discharging segment  6 ; and a reinforcement member  10  disposed inside the exterior member  4  and reinforcing the exterior member  4 . This embodiment will be described on an assumption that the mounting surface is a horizontal surface, therefore, an upper side and a lower side in  FIGS. 1 and 2  are respectively described as an upper side of the water faucet  1  and a lower side of the water faucet  1 . Further, this embodiment will be described on an assumption that a side toward which a distal side of the exterior member  4  protrudes (in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a leftward and obliquely-forward direction) is described as a front side of the water faucet  1 , and an opposite side thereof (in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a rightward and obliquely-backward direction) as a rear side of the water faucet  1 . However, the mounting surface is not limited to a horizontal surface, but may be set in an arbitrary direction, e.g., may be a vertical wall surface. 
     The attachment segment  2  comprises a water supply pipe  12  connectable to the water supply source, and a base plate  14  fixed to an end of the water supply pipe  12 . The base plate  14  is formed of an substantially rectangular plate-like member, and disposed such that a surface thereof extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to an axial direction of the water supply pipe  12 . 
     The exterior member  4  is a member formed in a generally approximately L shape, which comprises a first spout portion  16  attached to the attachment segment  2  to extend in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the water supply pipe  12 , i.e., in an upward-downward direction, and a second spout portion  18  bent approximately at a right angle with respect to the first spout portion  16  to extend in a forward-rearward direction. The exterior member  4  has a proximal section  20  located on the side of the attachment segment  2  on the first spout portion  16 , a bent section  22  between the first spout portion  16  and the second spout portion  18 , and a distal section  24  located on a side away from the bent section  22  on the second spout portion  18 . 
     The exterior member  4  is formed of a first cover  26 , and a second cover  28  attachable as opposed to the first cover  26 . The first cover  26  has a front surface portion  26 A forming a front surface of the first spout portion  16 , and a lower surface portion  26 B forming a lower surface of the second spout portion  18 . The second cover  28  has a rear surface portion  28 A forming a rear surface of the first spout portion  16 , and an upper surface portion  28 B forming an upper surface of the second spout portion  18 . 
     The first cover  26  has an approximately rectangular-shaped cover portion  30  covering an upper surface of the base plate  14  of the attachment segment  2  at its proximal end (lower end). Among four sides of an outer edge of the cover portion  30 , three sides are fixed to an outer edge of the base plate  14  by welding or the like. The front surface portion  26 A is integrally formed at the outer edge (specifically, a rear side) of the cover portion  30  which is not fixed to the base plate  14 . Further, the lower surface portion  26 B is integrally formed at an upper end of the front surface portion  26 A. The lower surface portion  26 B extends forwardly in the horizontal direction. The first cover  26  has an opening  32  at a distal region thereof to allow water discharged from the water-discharging segment  6  to pass therethrough. 
     The second cover  28  is fixed to the outer edge of a rear side of the base plate  14  of the attachment segment  2  at its proximal end (lower end) by welding or the like. The rear surface portion  28 A of the second cover  28  extends in the upward-downward direction, and the upper surface portion  28 B is integrally formed at an upper end of the rear surface portion  28 A. The upper surface portion  28 B extends forwardly in the horizontal direction. 
     The first cover  26  and the second cover  28  are configured in the above manner. Thus, the the first spout portion  16  extends vertically, i.e., in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the water supply pipe  12  of the attachment segment  2 , at a position offset rearwardly with respect to the axis of the water supply pipe  12  of the attachment segment  2 . Further, the second spout portion  18  extends horizontally forwardly from an upper end of the first spout portion  16 . Then, the first cover  26  and the second cover  28  are assembled such that respective outer edges thereof are fixed together by welding or the like, so that they are formed as a hollow exterior member  4 . 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view taken along the line in  FIG. 2 . As depicted in  FIG. 3 , by assembling the first cover  26  and the second cover  28  together, the exterior member  4  has a flat cross-sectional shape having a longer direction L 1  in the cross-section and a shorter direction Wi in the cross-section. 
     More specifically, as depicted in  FIG. 3 , the first cover  26  has a curved surface portion  27 A curved in a direction away from a surface of the second cover  28  in a central region thereof in the longer direction L 1  in the cross-section, and rising portions  27 B protruding (rising) from either sides of the curved surface portion  27 A toward the second cover  28 . The curved surface portion  27 A generally extends along the longer direction L 1  in the cross-section, although it is curved. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 3 , the second cover  28  has a planar surface portion  29 A extending linearly along the longer direction L 1  in the ross-section, and arising portions  29 B protruding (rising) from either sides of the planar surface portion  29 A toward the first cover  26 . 
     The first cover  26  and the second cover  28  are fixed together by welding or the like in a state in which the rising portions  27 B,  28 B are superposed on each other, so that they are assembled together in opposed relation to each other. 
     The water-discharging segment  6  has a cross-sectional shape according to a cross-sectional shape of the exterior member  4 , and provided inside the exterior member  4 . More specifically, the water-discharging segment  6  has: an upper surface formed as a substantially rectangular-shaped planar surface corresponding to the planar surface portion  29 A of the second cover  28 ; and a lower surface formed as a curved surface whose central region along the longer direction L 1  in the cross-section is curved downwardly in an arc shape, which corresponds to the curved surface portion  27 A of the first cover  26 . The water-discharging segment  6  has a discharge port  34  formed on the lower surface thereof to discharge water to the outside through the opening  32  of the first cover  26 . 
     The water-conducting member  8  is composed of a plurality of (in this embodiment, two) water-conducting pipes  36 . These water-conducting pipes  36  are arranged parallel and spaced apart at a predetermined interval to each other to extend along the shape of the exterior member  4 . More specifically, each of the water-conducting pipes  36  connects to and communicates with the water supply pipe  12  of the attachment segment  2  at its proximal side; extends inside the first spout portion  16  to the bent section  22  in the upward-downward direction; in the bent section  22 , is bent substantially at a right angle in conformity to the shape of the bent section  22  at the bent section  22 ; and extends inside the second spout portion  18  horizontally and forwardly from the bent section  22  to the distal section  24  of the second spout portion  18 . The water-conducting pipe  36  connects to and communicates with the water-discharging segment  6  at its distal side. 
     Although not depicted, a sensor capable of detecting a user&#39;s hand is provided near the water-discharging segment  6 , and signal lines for transmitting a signal from the sensor to a supply value of the water supply pipe  12  are disposed along the water-conducting pipes  36 . 
     The reinforcement member  10  comprises a first reinforcement member  38  provided at the proximal section  20  of the first spout portion  16 , and a second reinforcement member  40  provided at the bent section  22 . Each of the first and second reinforcement members  38 ,  40  comprises reinforcement ribs  42 ,  44  reinforcing the exterior member  4 , and holding members  46 ,  48  holding the reinforcement ribs  42 ,  44  at a given position. 
     The reinforcement ribs  42 ,  44  are formed by cutting plates having the same thickness to a given shape, and laminating a plurality (in this embodiment, three) of the resulting plate pieces. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the plate pieces of the reinforcement rib  42  of the first reinforcement member  38  are formed by cutting a plate having a given thickness T to a bar-like shape having a given same width D. In this case, the plate is cut to a length equal to a longitudinal dimension (i.e., a dimension in the upward-downward direction) of the holding member  46 . Since the shape of each of the cut plate pieces is identical to a final shape of the reinforcement rib  42  when it is incorporated in the exterior member  4  except for the thickness of the plate pieces of the reinforcement rib  42 , the plate pieces are not subjected to a further process such as bending. 
     In this embodiment, the given width D is set to be greater than the thickness T. Thus, each of the plate pieces of the reinforcement rib  42  has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape having a longer direction L 2  in the cross-section (a direction along the given width D) and a shorter direction W 2  in the cross-section (a direction along the thickness T). 
     The reinforcement rib  42  is disposed such that the direction along the thickness T of the plate pieces extends along the longer direction L 1  in the cross-section of the exterior member  4 , and the direction along the given width D of the plate pieces extends along the short direction W 1  in the cross-section of the exterior member  4 . That is, the reinforcement rib  42  is disposed such that the longer direction L 2  in the cross-section of the plate pieces extends along the shorter direction W 1  in the cross-section of the exterior member  4 , and the short direction W 2  in the cross-section of the plate pieces extends along the longer direction L 1  in the cross-section of the exterior member  4 . Further, the plurality of plate pieces of the reinforcement rib  42  are laminated along the longer direction L 1  in the cross-section of the exterior member  4 . 
     A pair of the reinforcement ribs  42  each formed by lamination of the plurality of plate pieces in the above manner are respectively arranged on either sides of the the water-conducting pipes  36  with respect to the longer direction L 1  in the cross-section of the exterior member  4 . Therefore, in the cross-section of the water faucet  1  as depicted in  FIG. 3 , the two water-conducting pipes  36  are arranged between the pair of reinforcement ribs  42 . The reinforcement ribs  42  are disposed to extend along a longitudinal direction of the exterior member  4 , i.e., a direction orthogonal to the cross-section of the exterior member  4 , and extend parallel to a longitudinal direction of the water-conducting pipes  36 . 
     Although not depicted, each of the reinforcement ribs  44  of the second reinforcement member  40  is formed, similarly to the reinforcement ribs  42 , by laminating a plurality (in this embodiment three) of plate pieces each having the same thickness as that of the plate pieces of the reinforcement rib  42  of the first reinforcement member  38 . More specifically, each of the plate pieces of the reinforcement rib  44  is formed by cutting a plate having a thickness T to a substantially L shape having a given width D. In this case, the plate is cut to a length equal to a dimension along a longitudinal direction of a surface of the holding member  48 , i.e., a sum of a dimension along the upward-downward direction of a portion of the holding member  48  extending in the upward-downward direction, a length of an arc-shaped portion of the holding member  48  corresponding to the bent section  22 , and a dimension along the forward-rearward direction of a portion of the holding member  48  extending in the horizontal direction. Since the shape of each of the plate pieces cut in the above manner is a substantially L shape which is identical to a final shape of the reinforcement rib  44  when it is incorporated in the exterior member  4  except for the thickness of the plate pieces of the reinforcement rib  44 , the plate pieces are not subjected to a further processing such as bending. 
     In this embodiment, the given width D is set to be greater than the thickness T. Thus, each of the plate pieces of the reinforcement rib  44  has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape having a longer direction in the cross-section (a direction along the given width D) and a shorter direction in the cross-section (a direction along the thickness T). That is, the reinforcement rib  44  is disposed such that the longer direction in the cross-section of each of the plate pieces extends along the shorter direction W 1  in the cross-section of the exterior member  4 , and the shorter direction in the cross-section of each of the plate pieces extends along the longer direction L 1  in the cross-section of the exterior member  4 . Further, the plate pieces are laminated along the longer direction L 1  in the cross-section of the exterior member  4 . 
     A pair of the reinforcement ribs  44 , similar to the reinforcement ribs  42 , are respectively arranged on either sides of the the water-conducting pipes  36  with respect to the longer direction L 1  in the cross-section of the exterior member  4 . Therefore, in the cross-section of the water faucet  1 , the two water-conducting pipes  36  are arranged between the pair of reinforcement ribs  44 . Each of the reinforcement ribs  44  is disposed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the exterior member  4 , i.e., the direction orthogonal to the cross-section of the exterior member  4 , and extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the water-conducting pipes  36 . 
     Each of the holding members  46 ,  48  is formed of a plate-like member having a width corresponding to a dimension of an internal space of the exterior member  4  in the longer direction L 1  in the cross-section. The holding member  46  of the first reinforcement member  38  is formed in a substantially rectangular plate-like shape, and disposed such that a longitudinal direction thereof extends along the upward-downward direction. The holding member  46  is disposed on the side of the second cover  28  among the first and second covers  26 ,  28 . More specifically, the holding member  46  is disposed rearward of the first cover  26  and the water-conducting pipes  36 , and forward of the second cover  28 . In other words, the holding member  46  is disposed between the water-conducting pipes  36  and the second cover  28 . The reinforcement ribs  42  are fixed to a front surface of the holding member  46  by welding or the like. Thus, each of the reinforcement ribs  42  extends to protrude forwardly from the front surface of the holding member  46 . 
     The holding member  48  of the second reinforcement member  40  is formed as a plate-like member which is bent to a substantially L shape, and disposed such that a bent portion of the holding member  48  corresponds to the bent section  22  of the exterior member  4 . As with the holding member  46 , the holding member  48  is disposed on the side of the second cover  28  among the first and second covers  26 ,  28 . More specifically, a portion of the holding member  48  located on the first spout portion  16  is disposed rearward of the first cover  26  and the water-conducting pipes  36 , and a portion of the holding member  48  located on the second spout portion  18  is disposed upward of the first cover  26  and the water-conducting pipes  36 . That is, the holding member  48  is disposed between the water-conducting pipes  36  and the second cover  28 . 
     The reinforcement ribs  44  in the laminated state are fixed to a surface of the front side of the holding member  48  located in the first spout portion  16  by welding or the like. Thus, the reinforcement ribs  44  extend to protrude forwardly from the surface of the front side of the holding member  48 . Further, the reinforcement ribs  44  in the laminated state are fixed to a surface of a lower side of the region of the holding member  48  located in the second spout portion  18  by welding or the like. Thus, each the reinforcement ribs  44  extend to protrude downwardly from the surface of the lower side of the holding member  48 . 
     In this embodiment, the laminated plate pieces in each of the reinforcement ribs  42 ,  44  are not fixed to teach other, but welded and fixed to a corresponding one of the holding members  46 ,  48  in a state contacting with the adjacent plate piece. However, the plurality of plate pieces composing each of the reinforcement ribs  42 ,  44  may be fixed to each other by bonding, welding or the like. 
     In the first and second reinforcement members  38 ,  40 , the reinforcement ribs  44  are provided in the bent section  22 . However, no reinforcement rib is provided in the distal section  24 . Thus, with respect to a ratio of a cross-sectional area of the reinforcement ribs to a cross-sectional area of the exterior member  4  in the cross-section of the exterior member  4 , the ratio in the distal section  24  is smaller than the ratio in the bent section  22 . 
     In the water faucet according to this embodiment configured as above, when the sensor provided around the water-discharging segment  6  detects that a hand is inserted beneath the water-discharging segment  6 , a detection signal is transmitted from the sensor to the supply value via the signal lines, thereby opening the supply valve. Water from the water supply source is divided into two streams through the two water-conducting pipes  36 , respectively, the two streams are merged at the water-discharging segment  6  and discharged from the discharging port  34 . 
     The water faucet according to this embodiment configured as above can obtain the following excellent advantageous effects. 
     The exterior member  4  is formed in a flat cross-sectional shape having a longer direction L 1  in the cross-section and a shorter direction W 1  in the cross-section, and the reinforcement member  10  is provided inside the exterior member  4 . Thus, not only in a water faucet having a conventional circular cross-sectional shape but also in a water faucet comprising an exterior member formed in a flat and thin shape having a longer direction in the cross-section and a shorter direction in the cross-section, a required strength of the exterior member can be ensured. Thus, for example, when a user pushes the second spout portion  18  of the water faucet  1  downwardly from above the second spout portion  18 , deformation and damage in the bent section  22  or the proximal section  20  can be prevented. 
     As the reinforcement member  10  is provided inside the exterior member  4 , the required strength of the exterior member  4  can be ensured without giving a negative influence to the appearance of the exterior member  4 . Thus, when designing the exterior member  4 , aesthetic quality of the exterior member  4  can be prioritized, therefore various designs of the water faucets  1  become feasible. 
     As the reinforcement ribs  42 ,  44  of the reinforcement member  10  extend in a direction orthogonal to the cross-section of the exterior member  4  and also extend in the shorter direction W 1  in the cross-section, bending rigidity of the exterior member  4  in the shorter direction W 1  in the cross-section can be increased. Thus, the exterior member  4  can be effectively reinforced. 
     As the reinforcement ribs  42 ,  44  are formed by cutting a plate to a given shape, the reinforcement ribs  42 ,  44  can be formed using a plate which is relatively easily available. Thus, the preparation of the reinforcement ribs  42 ,  44  becomes relatively inexpensive and easy. In addition, as the plate piece is cut directly to a shape corresponding to the final shape of the reinforcement ribs  42 ,  44 , additional processing such as bending is not necessary. Thus, production of the reinforcement ribs  42 ,  44  becomes easy. 
     As the reinforcement ribs  42 ,  44  are composed of a laminate of the plurality of plate pieces, plate pieces which are relatively easily available can be used to laminate and form the reinforcement ribs  42 ,  44  with a desired thickness. Thus, forming of the reinforcement ribs in various shapes becomes relatively inexpensive and easy. In addition, as the reinforcement ribs  42 ,  44  are formed by laminating the plurality of plate pieces, the reinforcement ribs  42 ,  44  can be formed in various shapes by increasing/reducing the number of the plate pieces to be laminated, or changing a cut shape of the plate pieces to a bar-like shape or a substantially L shape. 
     As each of the plate pieces forming the reinforcement ribs  42 ,  44  has the same thickness T, in production of the reinforcement ribs  42 ,  44 , it is only necessary to cut the same plate to a given shape. Thus, production process of the reinforcement ribs  42 ,  44  can be simplified. In addition, as only one type of plate pieces is required, management of the plate pieces can be simplified. 
     The reinforcement ribs  42 ,  44  are disposed such that the longer direction L 2  in the cross-section of each of the plate pieces extends along the shorter direction W 1  in the cross-section of the exterior member  4 , and the shorter direction W 2  in the cross-section of each of the plate pieces extends along the longer direction L 1  in the cross-section of the exterior member  4 . Therefore, bending rigidity of the exterior member  4  in the shorter direction W 1  in the cross-section can be increased and thus the exterior member  4  becomes less likely to be bent in the shorter direction W 1  in the cross-section. Thus, the exterior member  4  can be effectively reinforced. Therefore, even when a force is applied to the exterior member  4  in the shorter direction W 1  in the cross-section, deformation and damage of the exterior member  4  can be prevented. 
     As the water-conducting pipes  36  are disposed between the plurality of (two) reinforcement ribs  42 ,  44 , the exterior member  4  can be effectively reinforced around the water-conducting pipes  36 . Further, as the plurality of the reinforcement ribs  42 ,  44  are provided, a required strength as a whole can be ensured compared to a case where only one reinforcement rib is provided as each of the reinforcement ribs  42 ,  44  even if the dimension in the shorter direction W 2  in the cross-section becomes smaller. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce a dimension of the exterior member  4  in the shorter direction W 1  in the cross-section to provide thinner water faucet  1 . 
     Further, as the plurality of the water-conducting pipes  36  is provided, a cross-sectional area of each of the water-conducting pipes  36  required for ensuring a given flow rate of water can be reduced. This makes it possible to further reduce the dimension of the exterior member  4  in the shorter direction W 1  in the cross-section to design the water faucet  1  to be thinner while ensuring a required flow rate of water. 
     In the cross-section of the exterior member  4 , the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the reinforcement ribs  44  to the cross-sectional area of the exterior member is set such that it becomes smaller in the distal end-side section  24  than in the bent section  22 . When a force is applied to the second spout portion  18  of the exterior member  4  along the shorter direction W 1  in the cross-section, in the exterior member  4 , a relatively large moment is generated in the bent section  22  whereas a relatively small moment is generated in the distal end-side section  24 . Thus, in this embodiment, as the reinforcement ribs  44  are provided in the bent section  22  and not in the distal section  24 , it is possible to efficiently reinforce the exterior member  4 . In addition, as no reinforcement rib is provided in the distal section  24 , it becomes possible to provide a larger internal space of the exterior member  4  in the distal  24  while ensuring the required strength of the exterior member  4 . It enables various internal mechanisms such as a water flow straightening device and a sensor capable of detecting a user&#39;s hand to be provided therein. 
     As the exterior member  4  comprises the first cover  26  and the second cover  28 , the exterior member  4  can be easily assembled and produced. In addition, the exterior member  2  comprises the first cover  26  and the second cover  28 , so that the reinforcement member  10  can be easily disposed inside the exterior member  4 , for example, by: placing the reinforcement member  10  and the water-conducting member  8  on the first cover  26 ; attaching the second cover  28  to cover the first cover  26  from thereabove; and mutually fixing the first and second covers  26 ,  28  by welding or the like. 
     The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, it may include the following embodiments. 
     In the above embodiment, by providing the second reinforce member  40  in the bent section  22  while providing no reinforce member in the distal section  24 , the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the reinforcement member to the cross-sectional area of the exterior member in the cross-section of the exterior member  4  is set such that the ratio in the distal section  24  is smaller than the ratio in the bent section  22 . However, for example, reinforcement members may be provided in both of the bent section  22  and the distal  24 , and the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the reinforcement member to the cross-sectional area of the exterior member in the cross-section of the exterior member  4  may be set such that the ratio in the distal  24  is smaller than the ratio in the bent section  22 . 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of a water faucet  50  according to a modification of the above embodiment, and  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6  are a sectional view taken along the line V-V in  FIG. 4  and a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in  FIG. 4 , respectively. As depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the water faucet  50  is configured such that two reinforcement ribs  52  are provided in the distal end-side section  24  on either sides of the water-conducting pipes  36 , and three reinforcement ribs  54  are provided in the bent section  22  on both sides of the water-conducting pipes  36  and between the water-conducting pipes  36  in the bent section  22 . 
     In this way, by providing less reinforcement ribs  52 ,  54  in the distal section  24  than in the bent section  22 , the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the reinforcement member to the cross-sectional area of the exterior member, in the cross-section of the exterior member  4 , may be set such that the ratio in the distal section  24  is smaller than the ratio in the bent section  22 . Alternatively, by providing less plate pieces to be laminated of the reinforcement rib in the distal  24  than in the bent section  22 , by reducing the thickness of the reinforcement ribs, or by reducing a dimension of the reinforcement rib in at least one of the longer direction and the shorter direction in the cross-section thereof in the distal section  24  than in the bent section  22 , the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the reinforcement member to the cross-sectional area of the exterior member in the cross-section of the exterior member  4  may be set such that the ratio in the distal section  24  is smaller than in the bent section  22 . 
     In the above embodiment, the reinforcement ribs  42 ,  44  are formed with the plurality of plate pieces with the same shape. However, for example, as depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the reinforcement ribs  52 ,  54  may be formed with a plurality of plate pieces having different dimensions to each other in the longer direction L 2  in the cross-section. In this case, as depicted in  FIG. 5 , the dimensions of each of the plate pieces in the reinforcement ribs  52  in the longer direction L 2  in the cross-section may be set according to the shape of the internal space of the exterior member  4 . Further, as depicted in  FIG. 6 , each of the plate pieces of the reinforcement ribs  54  on either sides of the water-conducting pipes  36  may be formed in sizes different from each other, and the plate pieces of the reinforcement rib  54  between the water-conducting pipes  36  may be formed in the same size. In this case, each of the reinforcement ribs can be formed in a shape according to the internal shape of the external member. Thus, it becomes possible to easily and reliably reinforce exterior members in various shapes. 
     In the above embodiment, the reinforcement member is provided in part of the exterior member in the longitudinal detection thereof. However, for example, the reinforcement member may be provided over the entire length of the exterior member in the longitudinal detection thereof. 
     In the above embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the exterior member  4  is defined by a planar surface in one surface and a curved surface in the other surface curved in a direction away from the one surface. However, any other cross-sectional shape may be employed according to a desired design, as long as the shape has a longer direction and a shorter direction in the cross-section. 
     In the above embodiment, the exterior member  4  is formed by the first cover  26  and the second cover  28 . However, an assembly structure of the exterior member may be arbitrarily set according to a desired shape or the like. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS 
     
         
           1 : water faucet 
           4 : exterior member 
           6 : water-discharging segment  6   
           8 : water-conducting member 
           26 : first cover 
           27 A: curved surface portion (first surface) 
           28 : second cover 
           29 A: planar surface portion (second surface) 
           10 ,  38 ,  40 : reinforcement member 
           34 : discharging port 
           36 : water-conducting pipe 
           42 ,  44 ,  52 ,  54 : reinforcement rib 
           46 ,  48 : holding member