1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a faucet assembly, more particularly to a faucet assembly with a valve which controls flow of water in a water mixing chamber to one of two outflow ports.
2. Description of the Related Art
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional faucet assembly is shown to include a faucet body 10 which has a water mixing chamber 103 for introducing hot and cold water from hot and cold water inflow passages 101,102. A primary valve 11 is disposed in the water mixing chamber 103, and extends in an axial direction to connect with a handle 12 so as to be rotatable to control the flow of the mixed water formed in the water mixing chamber 103 into an accommodating cavity 104 which is in fluid communication with the water mixing chamber 103. The accommodating cavity 104 is further in fluid communication with first and second outlets 105,106, such as a faucet spout and a showerhead. A flow direction controlling body 108 is disposed downstream of the water mixing chamber 103 and upstream of the second outlet 106. The flow direction controlling body 108 has an annular wall 107 which extends in the axial direction such that a secondary valve 13 is disposed sealingly and rotatably in the flow direction controlling body 108 by means of seal rings 131. A handle 14 has a spline connection with an outer portion 133 of the valve 13 to actuate rotation of the secondary valve 13. The valve 13 has a through hole 132 which extends radially and which is rotatable to communicate the accommodating cavity 104 with the second outlet 106 so as to permit the mixed water to flow out from the second outlet 106. When the through hole 132 is rotated so as not to register with the second outlet 106, the mixed water will flow out from the first outlet 105.
However, a clearance arises between the outer surrounding wall of the valve 13 and the inner peripheral wall of the flow direction controlling body 22, thereby resulting in dripping at the second outlet 106.
The object of the present invention is to provide a faucet assembly which can overcome the aforementioned problem commonly associated with the prior art.
According to this invention, the faucet assembly comprises a water mixing chamber which includes first front and rear inner walls facing towards and spaced apart from each other in an axial direction to define an accommodating space for receiving water. The first rear inner wall has hot and cold water inlets which are disposed to introduce hot and cold water flows into the accommodating space, and which can communicate with hot and cold water inflow passages, respectively. A transit chamber is in fluid communication with and downstream of the water mixing chamber. A valve assembly is disposed downstream of the mixing chamber and upstream of the transit chamber, and includes a primary valve with first and second valve portions. The first valve portion is disposed in the water mixing chamber, and is rotatable relative to the first rear inner wall about a first axis oriented in the axial direction to control the flows of hot and cold waters into the water mixing chamber via the hot and cold water inlets, respectively. The second valve portion is disposed between the water mixing chamber and the transit chamber to control the flow of mixed water formed in the water mixing chamber into the transit chamber. The valve assembly further includes a regulating member which is disposed in the water mixing chamber, and which is coupled to be rotatable with the first valve portion, and to be associated with the second valve portion. The regulating member extends in the axial direction and outwardly of the first front inner wall so as to be externally actuated to rotate the first valve portion and to control the second valve portion. A flow direction controlling body includes second front and rear inner walls which face toward and which are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction, and an inner tubular wall which surrounds a second axis oriented in the axial direction, which is interposed between, and which cooperates with the second front and rear inner walls to confine an accommodation cavity. The inner tubular wall has a communicating port which is disposed downstream of and which is communicated with the transit chamber, and which extends in a radial direction relative to the second axis to communicate the transit chamber with the accommodation cavity. The second rear inner wall has first and second outflow ports which are spaced apart from each other and which can respectively communicate with first and second outlets. A secondary valve includes a bottom wall with an annular periphery. The bottom wall is disposed to face toward and is in sliding contact with and rotatable relative to the second rear inner wall between first and second positions. The secondary valve further includes an annular wall which extends from the annular periphery in the axial direction towards the second front inner wall. The annular wall includes proximate and distal portions relative to the bottom wall. The distal portion is in sealing and sliding contact with the inner tubular wall when the bottom wall is rotated relative to the second rear inner wall. The proximate portion has a first passage extending in a radial direction relative to the second axis and communicating with the communicating port. The bottom wall has a second passage which extends therethrough in the axial direction to communicate with the first passage and which further extends angularly about the second axis. As such, when the bottom wall is rotated to the first position, the second passage communicates with the first outflow port. When the bottom wall is moved to the second position, the second passage communicates with the second outflow port. The secondary valve further includes a stem portion which is secured to the distal portion and which extends in the axial direction and outwardly of the second front inner wall so as to be actuated externally to rotate-the-bottom wall.