Shower apparatus

The present invention is related to a shower apparatus provided with a plurality of shower discharge ports. More specifically, a shower apparatus is disclosed in which hot water remains in a hot water line connected to several shower discharge ports, after a discharge has been completed. Hot water within the hot water line which has lowered in temperature is drained through a drain valve in order to dispose of the water. At the beginning of the next shower discharge, cold water is prevented from being discharged. The operation of an opening and closing valve for effecting discharge and stoppage of each shower discharge port is controlled according to control programs, whereby the shower discharge is substantially controlled. The content of the shower discharge, carried out according to the programs, can be changed by a user through the operation of a central section. Moreover, upon the start of a shower discharge, a sudden jet of water is prevented.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention is related to a shower apparatus. More specifically, 
the present invention relates to a shower apparatus which has a 
water-discharge function. The shower apparatus can simultaneously 
discharge water from each of a plurality of shower discharge ports from a 
single position or a plurality of positions. A water disposal drains hot 
water that remains within a hot water passage in communication with each 
shower discharge port, when the temperature of the hot water has lowered, 
before a succeeding shower discharge. The water disposal is performed in 
order to prevent cold water from being discharged when the shower is used. 
Water discharge from each shower discharge port can be programmed and thus 
automatically controlled. 
2. Background and Material Information 
A shower system is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 
069913/1988. 
FIG. 13 shows a shower apparatus provided with a number of shower discharge 
ports. This shower apparatus is designed to supply hot water from a hot 
water source (not shown) to the hot water side of a cold and hot water 
mixing cock 101 through a first hot water line 102. The apparatus delivers 
hot water, mixed to have a suitable temperature at the cold and hot water 
mixing cock 101, to each discharging electromagnetic valve 104 through a 
second hot water line 103 that is branched into two lines 103a and 103b. 
The discharging electromagnetic valves 104 are paired with each of drain 
valves 105, and the sets of paired valves are arranged in parallel. A 
third hot water line 106 is in communication with various shower discharge 
ports S.sub.1 to S.sub.5 downstream of both the valves 104 and 105. 
Reference numeral 112, provided on the second hot water line 103, 
designates a stop valve. A drain line 108 is branched from the downstream 
side of the valve 112, and a drain valve 109 is provided in the drain line 
108. A circulation line 111 is provided on a hot-water side check valve 
110, of the hot and cold water mixing cock 101, to return hot water from 
the first hot water line 102 back toward the hot water source, when 
necessary. 
As the shower is used repeatedly, the temperature of the water remaining in 
the first hot water line 102, the second hot water line 103 and the third 
hot water line 106 lowers. Accordingly, a person that last uses the 
shower, bathes in cold water remaining in the water lines 106, 103 and 
102. 
In order to prevent the low-temperature water from being discharged at the 
beginning of use, it is necessary to replace cold water in the first, 
second and third hot water lines 102, 103 and 106 with new hot water 
before use. In the aforementioned shower apparatus, the hot water in line 
102 is returned to the hot water source through the circulation line 111 
for circulation to thereby exchange hot water. The hot water in the second 
and third hot water lines (103 and 106) is replaced with new hot water by 
closing the stop valve 112 to stop hot water from the cold and hot water 
mixing cock 101, and then opening the drain valves 105 and 109 to thereby 
cause a back flow of the remaining hot water in the whole system through 
the second hot water line 103 to remove water from the drain line 108. 
The aforementioned exchange of hot water using the circulation line 111 is 
called a circulation system, and the exchange of hot water by the drainage 
from the water discharge line 108 is called the disposal water of a 
water-removal system. 
However, in the case of exchange of hot water in the first hot water line 
102, according to the aforementioned circulation system of the shower 
apparatus, equipment of the circulation line 111 and a circulation 
mechanism (not shown) are necessary, resulting in a complexity of 
construction and an increase of execution and inspection cost. 
Moreover, for example, when time passes without using the shower, the 
temperature of hot water remaining in the third hot water line 106, which 
is in communication with the shower discharge port, lowers. In the 
aforementioned shower apparatus, the water in the third hot water line 106 
cannot be disposed of during use of the shower. Therefore, when the shower 
is next used, the residual low temperature hot water in the third hot 
water line is discharged as it is, or the stop valve 112 is closed to stop 
the use of the shower as described above. Then hot water in both the 
second and third hot water lines 103 and 106 is removed from the drain 
valve 109 for disposal, after which new hot water should be introduced. It 
has taken a long time for such preparation. 
Another conventional shower apparatus has been disclosed, for example, in 
Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 19291/1990, in which 
several different programs, that define different opening and closing 
operations of the valves, are stored in a controller section. Operating 
sections are provided for selecting these programs and a display section 
is provided for displaying the whole discharge order of the programs. The 
kinds of showers and the like are provided close to the operating section 
so that the operating sections are operated in accordance with the display 
section whereby the programs corresponding thereto are executed. The 
opening and closing valves are opened for a predetermined time in a 
predetermined order. 
However, in such a conventional shower apparatus, since discharge contents 
or the like are fixed for every program set in advance in the controller 
section, the discharge content cannot be suitably changed because of 
physical condition of a particular user, taste of individuals, etc., 
posing a problem that a very stiff automatic operation causes an 
inconvenience during use. 
A further conventional shower apparatus is disclosed for example, in 
Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 70880/1987, in which a 
body shower is provided which includes a plurality of discharge ports 
placed vertically on the front surface of a shower tower. An overhead 
shower is provided which includes downward discharge ports placed at an 
upper part of the shower tower. An opening and closing valve and a flow 
adjusting valve are provided in the midst of a hot water passage connected 
to each discharge port. Hot water is discharged laterally at a perfect 
rate from the discharge ports of the body shower and pours hot water on 
the whole body except the head. Hot water is also discharged at a preset 
rate from the discharge ports of the overhead shower and poured 
principally on the head. 
However, in the conventional shower apparatus as described above, hot water 
or cold water is merely poured laterally or downwardly towards the lower 
half of the body. Therefore, the lower half of the body, including the 
waist, the hips, the thighs the calves, and the soles of the feet, cannot 
be sufficiently stimulated or massaged from the bottom. 
It is then contemplated that an undershower be provided on the shower tower 
having discharge ports faced upwardly. Hot water could then be upwardly 
discharged at a preset rate from the discharge ports of the undershower in 
a fashion similar to the body shower and the overhead shower. 
However, in this case, when the discharge of the undershower starts, hot 
water is suddenly and vigorously discharged from the discharge ports onto 
the lower half of the body and the soles of feet. As a result, the user is 
surprised and has a feeling of unrest due to being unfamiliar with the 
undershower. In addition, a sudden discharge, e.g. caused by an erroneous 
operation of the operating section, is unpleasantness to user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A first object of the present invention is to provide a shower apparatus 
having a water disposal construction in which first, second and third hot 
water lines can be operated independently to carry disposal water and 
suitable hot water. This allows the preparation time required for the 
discharged water of the shower to assume a proper temperature, to be 
shortened. After preparation, hot water at a proper temperature can be 
discharged for immediate use. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide a shower apparatus 
with a programmed discharge function, in which a programmed discharge 
content can be changed during an automatic control operation. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a shower apparatus 
for carrying out an undershower discharge so that particularly the lower 
half of a user's body, including, e.g., the waist, the hip, the thigh, the 
calf, and the sole of a foot, are adequately stimulated. A further object 
is to provide such a shower apparatus that carries out an undershower 
discharge without suddenly discharging when the undershower discharge 
starts. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIGS. 1 to 3 show a shower apparatus A according to an embodiment of the 
present invention. Various kinds of showers (shower discharge ports) 
a.sub.1 to a.sub.6 are provided at side portions and dispersed vertically 
along a tower body A' in the form of a panel. Discharge of these showers 
is controlled by a control section 50 (see FIGS. 4(A) to 4(F)). Input 
means of control section 5D include an operating panel a.sub.7 located at 
the central portion of the front surface of the tower body A'. 
FIG. 1 schematically shows the piping system for routing hot water and 
disposal water through the shower apparatus A. A first hot water line 2 
extends from a hot water source 1 to a hot and cold water mixing cock 3. A 
second hot water line 7, branches into two lines 7a and 7b, and is 
connected to the secondary (outlet) side of the hot and cold water mixing 
cock 3. Discharge opening and closing valves (electromagnetic valves 8a 
and 8b in the present embodiment) are connected in parallel to both branch 
lines 7a and 7b. Third hot water lines 9a and 9b extend from respective 
secondary sides of the electromagnetic valves 8a and 8b, to respective 
shower discharge ports a.sub.1 to a.sub.6. The actual piping system is 
partly omitted in FIG. 3. 
The shower discharge ports a.sub.1 to a.sub.6 will now be described. In 
FIGS. 1 to 3, reference numerals a.sub.1 -1, a.sub.1 -2 and a.sub.1 -3 
designate a spray discharge port, massage discharge port and a soft (foam) 
discharge port, respectively. The three discharge ports are incorporated 
into a single overhead shower a.sub.1 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. 
A microshower discharge port A.sub.2 is arranged on both sides of the 
overhead shower a.sub.1, that discharges shower water in the form of mist. 
Discharge ports a.sub.3 -1 and a.sub.3 -2, comprise hot water exposing 
ports, and are faced upwardly on both sides of the tower body A', and 
release shower water upwardly to thereby fall in the form of beads on a 
shoulder or the like of a user. 
Discharge ports a.sub.4 -1 and a.sub.4 -2 comprise a body shower a.sub.4. 
Each body shower a.sub.4 comprises two kinds of discharge ports. The first 
kind being a spray discharge port a.sub.4 -1 and the second kind being an 
intermittent (massage) discharge port a.sub.4 -2. Discharge ports a.sub.4 
are disposed at each side of the tower body A' and are directed towards a 
user who stands up in front of the tower body A'. 
Discharge ports a.sub.6 -1 and a.sub.6 -2 together comprise an undershower 
a.sub.6, and are provided on support-like portions located under the tower 
body A'. The undershower discharge ports allow the sole of a foot or the 
like to be massaged by shower water being discharged upwardly. 
A hand shower a.sub.5 is detachably provided on the side of the tower body 
A', and may be used to shampoo the hair of the head or the like. 
The hot water source 1 may include several types, according to the 
specification thereof. In one type, hot water is directly supplied from a 
hot water supply unit 1a, and in another type, hot water from the hot 
water supply unit 1a is first stored in a hot water tank 1b and then 
supplied. In the case of the present embodiment, the latter is employed, 
in which hot water heated by the hot water supply unit 1a is stored in the 
hot water tank 1b, and then increased in pressure through a pressure pump 
15, in which state the hot water is supplied from the first hot water line 
2 towards the hot and cold water mixing cock 3. 
The hot and cold water mixing cock 3 comprises a thermostat mixing valve. 
The first hot water line 2 is connected to a hot water port of the mixing 
cock 3. A water supply line 10 is coupled between a water tank 25 and a 
port of the mixing cock 3. A stop cock 16, a strainer 17 and a check valve 
18 are provided, in that order, upstream of the mixing cock 3 in the first 
hot water line 2 and upstream of mixing cock 3 in the water supply line 
10. 
Hot water is mixed to the desired temperature by the hot and cold water 
mixing cock 3, and is supplied into the branched lines 7a and 7b of the 
second hot water line 7. When the electromagnetic valves 8a and 8b are 
opened, hot water is discharged from the shower discharge ports a.sub.1 
-a.sub.6 through the third hot water lines 9a and 9b. 
In the shower apparatus A of the present embodiment, the first hot water 
line 2 and the second hot water line 7 are independently provided with the 
water disposal construction of the flow system. The third hot water lines 
9a and 9b are provided with the water disposal construction of the water 
removal system. 
First, a drain valve 4 for water disposal is connected to the first hot 
water line 2 at a location directly before the hot water port of the hot 
and cold water mixing cock 3. 
Opening and closing of the drain valve 4 is controlled by a control section 
50 (see, e.g., FIG. 4A). A drain line 5 is connected to a secondary side 
of the drain valve 4, and communicates with a drain port 6 that is 
disposed at the lower part of the shower apparatus A. 
A temperature thermistor 19, coupled to the control section 50, is provided 
to control the opening and closing operation of the drain valve 4, and is 
located immediately upstream from the drain valve 4 of the first hot water 
line 2. The temperature of hot water in the first hot water line 2 is 
thereby measured by the temperature thermistor 19, and the measured 
information is transmitted to the control section 50. 
The hot water supplied from the first hot water line 2 to the hot and cold 
water mixing cock 3 is mixed by mixing cock 3 with water from the water 
line 10, to a suitable temperature desired by a user, and the hot water is 
allowed to flow into the second hot water line 7. 
The second hot water line 7 is branched into a plurality of lines 
including, for example, two branch lines 7a and 7b. Both branch lines 7a 
and 7b comprise water-quantity sensors 14a and 14b for measuring the flow 
rate of hot water passing through the branch lines 7a and 7b, flow rate 
adjusting valves 13a and 13b for adjusting the flow rate, and temperature 
thermistors 22a and 22b for measuring temperatures of hot water in the 
branch lines 7a and 7b from an upstream side. 
Branch line 7a is connected to six diaphragm type electromagnetic valves 8a 
for opening and closing three overhead shower discharge ports a.sub.1 -1, 
a.sub.1 -2, a.sub.1 -3, exposing hot water discharge ports a.sub.3 -1, 
a.sub.3 -2, and the hand shower a.sub.5. The other branch line 7b is 
connected to five diaphragm type electromagnetic valves 8b for opening and 
closing the microshower discharge port a.sub.2, undershower discharge 
ports a.sub.6 -1, a.sub.5 -2 and body shower discharge ports a.sub.4 -1, 
a.sub.4 -2. 
The showers a.sub.1 -a.sub.6 are divided into two systems. The first system 
comprises ports a.sub.1, a.sub.3 and a.sub.5 which are coupled to the 
branch line 7a of the second hot water line 7, and the second system 
comprises ports a.sub.2, a.sub.4 and a.sub.6 which are coupled to the 
branch line 7b. For example, when the desired electromagnetic valves 8a 
and 8b are opened one by one, the showers that are coupled to the 
different branch lines 7a and 7b such as the overhead shower a.sub.1, the 
body shower a.sub.4, the hand shower a.sub.5 and the body shower a.sub.4, 
are simultaneously discharged. The flow rate of hot water supplied to both 
of the branch lines 7a and 7b is adjusted by automatic control of the flow 
adjusting valves 13a and 13b to the optimum flow rate to correspond to the 
kind of the shower discharge ports a.sub.1 to a.sub.6 opened in the branch 
lines 7a and 7b. 
Drain valves 20a and 20b comprise, for example, electromagnetic valves or 
the like, and are provided at a downstream end of each of the branch lines 
7a and 7b of the second hot water line 7. Second drain lines 21a and 21b 
are connected to the secondary side of valves 20a, 20b and are connected 
to the drain line 5. 
Drain valves 11a and 11b are provided for disposing of water, and comprise, 
for example, electromagnetic valves or the like. They are provided at a 
downstream side of the electromagnetic valves 8a and 8b in the third hot 
water lines 9a and 9b, which extend between the electromagnetic valves 8a 
and 8b and the shower discharge ports a.sub.1 -a.sub.6. Third drain lines 
12a and 12b are connected to the secondary side of the drain valves 11a 
and 11b, and are gathered and coupled with second drain lines 21a and 21b 
through common drain valves 11c and 11d. 
The common drain valves 11c and 11d comprise backflow prevention valves, 
which are opened following the drain valves 11a and 11b to discharge the 
collected drain into the second drain lines 21a and 21b. 
In FIG. 1, some drain valves 11a and 11b are not depicted as being 
positioned immediately downstream of the electromagnetic valves 8a and 8b, 
for the purpose of simplicity. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the 
electromagnetic valve 8a is of the diaphragm type and the drain valve 11a 
comprises an electromagnetic valve of the direct-driven type, and similar 
electromagnetic valve 8a and the drain valve 11b are respectively 
integrally formed into a unit, which is connected in a lateral row. 
Each of the electromagnetic valves 8a, 8b, the flow adjusting valves 13a, 
13b and the drain valves 4, 20a, 20b, 11a, 11b are electrically coupled 
with the control section 50 which performs an input operation from the 
operating panel a.sub.7 that is located in the central portion of the 
tower body A' as described above. Disposal of water in the first, second 
and third hot water lines 2, 7, 9a and 9b and discharge from the shower 
discharge ports a.sub.1 -a.sub.6 are controlled by the control section 50. 
FIG. 4(A) is a block diagram showing the connection between the control 
section 50 and the electromagnetic valves 8a, 8b, water disposal drain 
valves 4, 20a, 20b, 11a, 11b, temperature thermistors 19, 22a, 22b and the 
like. 
A central processing unit 51 is provided which comprises an instruction 
read and decoding circuit 51a, a calculation and execution circuit 51b and 
timer counter means 57. The operation control section 50 causes central 
processing unit 51 to communicate with a memory circuit section through a 
data bus 54. The memory circuit section comprises a program memory circuit 
52 for storing basic control programs of the shower apparatus A and a data 
memory circuit 53 for writing and reading data. The memory circuit section 
is partly parallel with a first water disposal control means 58, a second 
water disposal control means 59 and a third water disposal control means 
60, which are described later, and many other control means as shown in 
FIGS. 4(B) and 4(F). 
Further, an input port 56 and an output port 55 are each connected to the 
data bus 54. An operating panel a.sub.7 is provided for carrying out 
operations such as discharge, stopping and flow control of showers. 
Operating panel a.sub.7 and a detection signal converter 62 are each 
connected to the input port 56 whereas an operation signal converter 61 is 
connected to the output port 55. 
Several devices are connected to the detection signal converter 62, 
including a temperature thermistor 19 of the first hot water line 2, 
temperature thermistors 22a and 22b of both branch lines 7a and 7b of the 
second hot water line 7, and water quantity sensors 14a, 14b provided on 
both branch lines 7a and 7b, respectively. Detection signals representing 
values including a hot water temperature and flow rate are obtained as 
analog values, converted into digital values, and are forwarded to the 
input port 56 of the control section 50. 
When the detection signal of the hot water temperature or flow rate is 
inputted into the input port 56, the central processing unit 51 uses the 
detection signal as a reference, and repeatedly executes reading, decoding 
and calculation on the basis of the basic program and the first, second 
and third water disposal control means 58, 59 and 60. As a result, the CPU 
51 outputs the operation signal towards the output port 55 when necessary. 
The operation signal is outputted in digital form to the output port 55, 
and is converted into analog form by the operation signal converter 61. 
The converted signal is further amplified, and thereafter applied to 
predetermined electromagnetic valves 8a, 8b coupled to the converter 61. 
Several mechanisms are connected to the operation signal converter 61, 
including a drain valve 4 of the first hot water line, drain valves 20a 
and 20b of both branch lines 7a, 7b of the second hot water line 7, common 
drain valves 11c, 11d, flow rate adjusting valves 13a, 13b, six 
electromagnetic valves 8a on the side of the branch line 7a, five water 
disposal drain valves 11a, five electromagnetic valves 8a on the side of 
the branch line 7b and three water disposal drain valves 11b. 
FIG. 5 shows a panel surface a.sub.7 ' of an operating panel a.sub.7, in 
which a rough picture 60 of the shower body A' is depicted on the right 
side on the panel. Water discharge operating switches b.sub.1 to b.sub.6 
corresponding to discharges from shower discharges a.sub.1-1 -a.sub.6-2 
are arranged in the central portion of the panel surface a.sub.7 '. 
Reference numerals 61a and 61b designate discharge quantity adjusting 
buttons. The buttons 61a and 61b (+ and -) are depressed whereby the 
discharge quantity per minute of shower use is adjusted, and the discharge 
quantity is displayed on discharge amount display sections 62a and 62b. 
On the left side of the panel surface, numeral 63 designates a power 
switch, and 64 is a stop water switch for use in emergency. 
For each of the aforesaid switches b.sub.1 to b.sub.6 and 63, a toggle type 
switch which repeatedly assumes ON and OFF positions for every depressing 
operation, can be provided. 
When using the shower, if the power source 63 of the operating panel 
a.sub.7 is turned "ON", the operation control section 60 is started so 
that the temperature thermistors 19, 22a and 2b and the water quantity 
sensors 14a and 14b start the detection of the hot water temperature and 
flow rate in the respective hot water lines. 
On the other hand, as time passes since the shower was previously used, the 
temperature of the hot water remaining in the first and second hot water 
lines 27 becomes lower. 
The first water disposal control means 58 of the control section 50 has the 
function, which the case where the hot water temperature of the first hot 
water line 2 is less than a predetermined level, for example, less than 
47.degree. C..+-.3.degree. C., of opening the drain valve 4 so that new 
hot water from the hot water source 1 is disposed from the drain line 5 
till the hot water in the first hot water line 2 assumes a temperature in 
the range of 47.degree. C..+-.3.degree. C. 
Thereby, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 6, when the power switch 63 is 
"ON", the detection temperature by the temperature thermistor 19 of the 
first hot water line 2 is less than 47.degree. C..+-.3.degree. C. The 
first disposal control means 58 of the control section 50 is executed to 
output the operation signal by which the drain valve 4 is opened. When the 
drain valve 4 is opened, the low temperature water in the first hot water 
line 2 is disposed directly before the hot water port of the hot and cold 
water mixing cock 3 and drained outside from the drain port 6 through the 
drain line 5. 
When water is disposed so that low temperature hot water is extruded by new 
hot water, and hot water in the first hot water line 2 is replaced by new 
hot water sent from the hot water tank 1b, the hot water temperature in 
the first hot water line 2 rises to a predetermined level as described 
above. When the operation control section 50 knows it by the presence of 
the detection signal from the temperature thermistor 19, the first water 
disposal control means 58 outputs an operation signal by which the drain 
valve 4 is closed to terminate the disposal of water. 
As described above, the water disposal in the first hot water line 2 causes 
the low temperature hot water remaining in the first hot water line 2 to 
be replaced by new hot water from the hot water source 1 by opening the 
drain valve 4 directly before the hot and cold water mixing cock 3. As 
compared with the conventional circulation system, the construction is 
considerably simplified by a portion in which a circulation mechanism is 
not necessary. It is possible to exchange hot water having a predetermined 
temperature directly before the hot and cold water mixing cock 3 in a 
short period of time and to positively prevent low temperature water from 
being mixed. 
The first water disposal control mechanism 58 may be provided with a water 
disposal stop device which is provided for defective operation of the hot 
water supply unit 1a. When disposing water in the first hot water line 2, 
when the hot water in the first hot water line 2 does not reach the 
aforesaid predetermined temperature within a predetermined time due to the 
defective operation of the hot water supply device 1a or the like, the 
drain valve 4 is closed to stop the disposal of water. For example, when 
the opening time of the drain valve 4, that is, the water disposal time, 
reaches three minutes, and the temperature of hot water in the hot water 
line 2 does not rise to 47.degree. C..+-.3.degree. C., there is a 
possibility of occurrence of defective operation of the hot water supply 
unit 1a. Therefore, at that time, the first water disposal control means 
58' stops the disposal of water (FIG. 6--Defective preparation). 
Accordingly, if the aforementioned first water disposal control mechanism 
58' is provided, in the state where the hot water from the first hot water 
line 2 is supplied at a low temperature or in the form of water due to the 
defective operation of the hot water supply unit 1a, it is possible to 
prevent inconveniences in operation wherein disposal of water from the 
drain valve 4 of the first hot water line 2 is continuously carried out. 
As described above, in the case where disposal of water in the first hot 
water line 2 is terminated as scheduled and the hot water in the hot water 
line 2 is maintained at a predetermined temperature, the second water 
disposal control mechanism 59 of the control section 50 is continuously 
executed. 
The second water disposal control mechanism 59 performs a control function 
such that when the hot water temperature in the first hot water line 2 is 
maintained at a predetermined level, the drain valves 20a and 20b of the 
second hot water line 7 are opened for a predetermined time, or the drain 
valves 20a and 20b are opened till the hot water in the line 2 reaches a 
predetermined temperature to effect disposal of water. 
The second water disposal control mechanism 59 in the present embodiment 
outputs an operation signal by which both drain valves 20a and 20b of the 
branch lines 7a and 7b are opened for a predetermined time, for example, 
for 5 seconds, simultaneously with the opening of the drain valve 4 to 
dispose water from both second drain lines 21a and 21b. Hot water in both 
the branch lines 7a and 7b is thereby replaced by new hot water from the 
hot and cold water mixing cock 3 (FIG. 6). 
The aforesaid opening time of the drain valves 20a and 20b is determined by 
experimentally measuring in advance the time needed to replace the 
residual hot water in the branch lines 7a and 7b of the second hot water 
line 7 with new hot water, the time in the present embodiment being set to 
five seconds. 
Alternatively, the replacement of the hot water in the second hot water 
line 7 can be accomplished by continuously disposing of water till the hot 
water temperature in the branch lines 7a and 7b reaches the aforesaid 
predetermined temperature (for example 33.degree. C..+-.3.degree. C.). The 
hot water temperature in the branch lines 7a and 7b detected by the 
temperature thermistors 22a and 22b is thus used as a reference for 
control. 
As described above, the disposal of water in the second hot water line 7 is 
accomplished by the discharge of water from the drain valves 20a and 20b 
at the downstream end of both branch lines 7a and 7b simultaneously with 
the supply of new hot water from the hot and cold water mixing cock 3. 
Therefore, there is an advantage in that the control management of the 
water disposal operation can be carried out relatively easily regardless 
of time management or temperature management. 
It is possible to replace the residual hot water in both branch lines 7a 
and 7b with hot water having an optimum temperature, for example, even by 
making piping conditions of both branch lines 7a and 7b constant so that 
the disposal of the low temperature hot water remaining in the branch 
lines 7a and 7b is carried out for a predetermined time by control of time 
management alone. 
According to the above-described proposal, the temperature thermistors 22a 
and 22b are not required, and the construction and operation control 
section can be simplified accordingly. 
An in-preparation lamp 65 on the operating panel a.sub.7 flickers during 
disposal of water in both first and second hot water lines 2 and 7, and 
upon termination of the disposal of water, a "usable" lamp 66 is lit. 
According to a partial modification of the second water disposal control 
means 59, the disposal of water in the second hot water line 7 can be 
separately executed for both branch lines 7a and 7b. For example, where 
only the hot water in the branch line 7a is at a low temperature less than 
a predetermined level, the drain valve 20a can be opened by itself to 
effect the disposal of water in the branch line 7a, and at the same time, 
water can be discharged from the showers a.sub.2, a.sub.4, and a.sub.6 
that are coupled to branch line 7b. 
The operation control of water disposal from both the first and second hot 
water lines 2 and 7 is carried out when the shower apparatus A is 
initially started. Both the first and second water disposal control 
mechanisms 58 and 59 function as shown in the time chart of FIG. 7. In the 
case where the power source remains ON for a fixed time even after 
termination of a previous shower use when the hot water temperature in the 
first hot water line 2 is estimated to be lower than a predetermined 
temperature, the water disposal of the first and second hot water lines 2 
and 7 is executed in a manner similar to that described above so that the 
hot water in both the first and second hot water lines 2 and 7 is 
maintained at a temperature level above a predetermined temperature. The 
final time may be, for example, 10 minutes after the water discharge 
operating switches b.sub.1 -1 to b.sub.6 -3 of showers are finally 
depressed to stop the water of the previous shower. 
It is noted that if water disposal from first hot water line 2 is continued 
for three minutes, and the hot water temperature in the hot water line 2 
does not reach a predetermined temperature, water is stopped in a manner 
similar to that described above (FIG. 7--repreparation is defective). 
In the shower device A of the preferred embodiment of the present 
invention, even if the temperature of the hot water in the first hot water 
line 2 is kept above a predetermined value, the drain valves 20a and 20b 
are opened and the water of the second hot water line 7 is disposed of 
when the water discharge operation switches b.sub.1 -1 to b.sub.6 -3 are 
depressed to use the shower. When the hot water temperature within either 
the branch line 7a or 7b of the second hot water line 7 is less than a 
predetermined value, for example, when the body shower a.sub.4 is used 
with hot water, after the overhead shower a.sub.1 is used with cold water, 
the body shower a.sub.4 is used with hot water and then the water disposal 
operation switches b.sub.1 -1 to b.sub.6 -3 of the overhead shower a.sub.1 
are depressed or the like. 
As described above, the second hot water line 7 comprises an independent 
water disposal system line divided into separate branch lines 7a and 7b, 
so that water can be disposed of for a predetermined time from the drain 
valves 20a and 20b at the downstream ends of both the branch lines 7a, 7b 
while supplying hot water, having an optimum temperature, from the hot and 
cold water mixing cock 3. Therefore, it is possible to replace the low 
temperature residual hot water with optimum temperature hot water. Hot 
water having an optimum temperature can be promptly discharged after 
performing these preparation steps. 
When after the power source has been tuned ON, the water disposal of both 
the first and second hot water lines 2 and 7 is terminated and the 
preparation is completed, the "usable" lamp 66 is lit so that the shower 
operating switches b.sub.1 -1 to b.sub.6 -3 of the operating panel a.sub.7 
become effective. Thereafter, by depressing one of the water disposal 
switches b.sub.1 -1 to b.sub.6 -3 of the showers as desired, the control 
section 50 outputs an operation signal for opening the electromagnetic 
valves 8a and 8b of the shower discharge ports a.sub.1-1 -a.sub.6-2 as 
desired so that the optimum temperature hot water in the second hot water 
line 7 is immediately discharged. 
Since the hot water pressure from the hot water source 1 is limited, the 
shower apparatus A, in the present embodiment, can be used while switching 
the showers a.sub.1 to a.sub.6 so that any combination of them can be used 
according to the user's taste. While the combination or switching 
operation of these showers can be carried out manually by the user, in the 
present embodiment, several discharge programs, for example, three 
programs, can be incorporated in advance into the control section 50 to 
select and execute automatic mode switches 67a, 67b and 67c of the 
operating panel a.sub.7. Thereby, discharges from the showers a.sub.1 to 
a.sub.6 can be connected as intended, and an effective shower bath can be 
easily enjoyed. 
Moreover, since the shower discharge ports a.sub.1 -1 to a.sub.6 -2 are 
different in kind, the optimum discharge quantities are also different 
according to the respective discharge ports. Thus, the shower apparatus A, 
according to the present embodiment, controls adjustment of the flow rate 
adjusting valves 13a and 13b while the quantity of water flowing through 
the branch lines 7a and 7b is detected by the water quantity sensors 14a 
and 14b. The flow is controlled so that the optimum quantity of hot water 
is discharged from the shower discharge ports a.sub.1 -1 to a.sub.6 -2. 
The quantity of discharge from the shower discharge ports a.sub.1 -1 to 
a.sub.6 -2 is maintained at the optimum flow rate during the discharge, 
and the value thereof is displayed on the water disposal amount display 
sections 62a and 62b. However, the + and - buttons 61a and 61b are 
depressed to change the discharge set value to a value as desired, whereby 
the control section 50 outputs an operation signal for increasing or 
decreasing an opening degree to the flow rate adjusting valves 13a and 13b 
to realize the set discharge quantity on the water disposal amount display 
sections 62a and 62b, while interpreting detected signals of water amount 
sensors 14a, 14b. 
When use of the shower is stopped, hot water which has not been discharged 
from the shower discharge ports, will remain within the third hot water 
lines 9a and 9b of the shower discharge ports a.sub.4 -1 and a.sub.4 -2 
except the undershower a.sub.6 and the hand shower a.sub.5. However, the 
control section 50 opens the drain valves 11a and 11b corresponding to the 
showers after the shower is stopped to dispose the residual water. 
The control section 50 controls the opening of the drain valves 11a, 11b of 
the third hot water lines 9a and 9b of the showers a.sub.1 to a.sub.6 and 
the common drain valves 11c and 11d every time after use so as to dispose 
hot water remaining in the third hot water lines 9a and 9b. 
Thus, for example, when the showers a.sub.1, and a.sub.5 and the showers 
a.sub.2, a.sub.4, and a.sub.6 are each simultaneously discharged under a 
selection of the automatic mode switches 67a, 67b and 67c, by depressing 
each of them, the operation is continued while successively switching the 
combination of these shower discharges. The third water disposal control 
mechanism 60 outputs an operation signal for opening the drain valves 11a 
and 11b of the shower discharge ports a.sub.1 -1 to a.sub.6 -2 with the 
electromagnetic valves 8a and 8b closed, and the common drain valves 11c 
and 11d for a predetermined time. 
The third water disposal control means 60 forms two systems A and B of 
water cycles as shown in FIG. 8 after the power source is turned ON. 
Both the water disposal cycles A and B may, e.g., have a cycle of one 
period (40 seconds) consisting of an operation period (10 seconds) and a 
stop period (30 seconds). Both cycles simultaneously progress with a phase 
difference by a 1/2 period as shown. 
The water disposal of the showers a.sub.1, a.sub.3 and a.sub.5 (on the 
branch line 7a side of the second hot water line 7) is executed within the 
operation period of 10 seconds immediately after the stoppage of water in 
the water cycle A. The water disposal of the showers on the branch line 7b 
side is executed within the operation period immediately after the 
stoppage of water in the water cycle B. 
The operation signal outputted from the third disposal control mechanism 60 
is executed within the operation period of 10 seconds in both the water 
disposal cycles A and B so that at the time when the drain valves 11a and 
11b are opened, initial values of opening time corresponding to the shower 
discharge ports a.sub.1-1 to a.sub.6-2 are placed on operation counters 
7a-n and 7b-n assigned to the drain valves 11a and 11b and immediately 
thereafter, substraction is made, for example, per second. At the time 
when the operation counter is zero, the opened drain valves 11a and 11b 
are closed (FIG. 8(A)). 
As described above, the third disposal control mechanism 60 generates an 
output signal only in its operation period to open the drain valves 11a 
and 11b, but has three operation cases as follows: 
In the first case, a shower is stopped at the stop period of the water 
disposal control cycles A and B. The drain valves 11a and 11b are opened 
simultaneously with the start of the operation period of the next cycle to 
discharge water, and upon the termination of drainage, the drain valves 
11a and 11b are closed to stop drainage (FIG. 8(B)). 
In the second case, the showers a.sub.1 to a.sub.6 are stopped at the 
operation period of the water disposal control cycles A and B. The drain 
valves 11a and 11b are opened simultaneously with the stoppage of the 
showers and water is drained during the operation period. A portion having 
not been drained during the operation period is drained by opening the 
drain valves 11a and 11b again at the operation period of the next cycle 
(FIG. 8(C)). 
In the third case, the discharge is started again from the same showers 
a.sub.1 to a.sub.6 during the drainage. The drain valves 11a and 11b are 
closed simultaneously with the start of discharge to stop the drainage, 
and the drain valves 11a and 11b are again opened at the operation period 
after stoppage of water to drain water (FIG. 8(D)). 
The time of drainage is controlled by operation counters 7.sub.a-n and 
7.sub.b-n corresponding to the drain valves 11a and 11b, as described 
above, so that counted values from the start of drainage are subtracted at 
intervals of one second, and when zero is reached, the drainage is 
completed. The operation counters 7.sub.a-n and 7.sub.b-n are designed so 
that when the operation period is terminated before the counted value 
assumes zero, counted values are subtracted over the operation period of 
the succeeding cycle. 
When the discharge from the showers a.sub.1 to a.sub.6 of the third hot 
water lines 9a and 9b, which are coupled to the third drain lines 12a and 
12b, is restarted, during counting, the operation counters 7.sub.a-n and 
7.sub.b-n return the count to the initial value and again start count-down 
from the initial value after stoppage of water. 
The disposal of water from the showers a.sub.1, a and a.sub.5 in the branch 
line 7a system and that of the showers a.sub.2, a.sub.4 and a.sub.6 in the 
branch line 7b system are carried out apart from each other, so that 
operation and control of drain valves 11a, 11b and electromagnetic valves 
8a, 8b will be simplified. The stop period of the aforementioned water 
disposal cycles A and B can be shortened about 10 seconds for each period; 
in this case, each period can be shortened to about 20 seconds. 
As described above, the drain valves 11a and 11b of the third hot water 
lines 9a and 9b are individually independently operated by the operation 
control of the water disposal control mechanism 60 so that the hot water 
remaining in the third hot water lines 9a and 9b is disposed for every 
shower for which discharge is stopped. 
Therefore, it is not necessary to dispose the hot water in the third hot 
water line through the second hot water line as in the prior art. Water is 
disposed while successively continuing the use of the showers a.sub.1 to 
a.sub.6, and while water in the third hot water lines 9a and 9b of showers 
for which discharge is stopped is disposed, so as to be provided for next 
use when the interior of the hot water lines 9a and 9b is empty. Thereby, 
water can be immediately discharged when using showers without admixture 
of low temperature hot water from any shower and temperature drop with the 
passage of time. 
The second hot water line in the aforementioned shower apparatus need not 
be branched, but rather may comprise a single system line and a downstream 
drain valve. If the second hot water line is designed to be a single 
system line, a single hot water line may be used to connect the opening 
and closing valves and shower discharge ports, so that amount of piping 
and total shower discharge may be reduced. Thus, the hot water system line 
and the water disposal system line can be advantageously simplified. 
Furthermore, the replacement of water disposal in the second hot water 
line with hot water can be positively carried out, similar to the 
arrangement wherein the second hot water line is branched as described 
above. 
In the shower apparatus of the present embodiment, the water disposal 
construction and water disposal system are provided on the first, second 
and third hot water lines 2, 7, 9a and 9b but according to the essence of 
the present invention, the water disposal construction and water disposal 
system similar to those as described above may be provided only for the 
first and second hot water lines 2 and 7. The thus constructed shower 
apparatus has exactly similar effect to that of the first and second hot 
water lines 2 and 7 provided for the shower apparatus according to the 
present embodiment. 
For example, in the above-described first embodiment, the water disposal 
construction of the water removal system is provided also on the third hot 
water lines 9a and 9b in order not to discharge a small quantity of 
residual hot water remaining in the third hot water lines 9a and 9b. 
However, in the case where no problem involves in the residual hot water 
present in the electromagnetic valves 8a and 8b onward, such as in the 
cases where third hot water lines 9a and 9b are relatively short, where 
the shower discharge ports a.sub.1 -1 and a.sub.6 -2 are directly 
connected to the electromagnetic valves 8a and 8b, or where piping is 
provided so that hot water is not remaining in the third hot water lines 
9a and 9b, it is not necessary to provide a water disposal structure for 
the remained hot water subsequent to the electromagnetic valves 8a, 8b and 
it is possible for only the water disposal construction and water disposal 
system of the first and second hot water lines 2 and 7 to immediately 
discharge hot water having an optimum temperature without being mixed with 
low temperature water from the shower discharge ports a.sub.1 -1 and 
a.sub.6 -2. 
Moreover, a water disposal stop device may be added to first water disposal 
device of the shower apparatus in which the water disposal construction 
and water disposal system are provided on the first and second hot water 
lines 2 and 7 as described above. According to this, in the case where the 
hot water in the first hot water line 2 is not at a predetermined 
temperature due to the defective operation of the hot water supply unit 
1a, which is similar to the shower apparatus according to the present 
embodiment, it is possible to stop disposal of water from the drain valve 
4. 
As previously mentioned, with the shower apparatus A of the present 
embodiment, it is possible to use any one of the showers a.sub.1 -1 to 
a.sub.6 -2 and to use two switches out of the discharge operation switches 
b.sub.1 -1 to b.sub.6 -3, that are simultaneously depressed in combination 
with the overhead showers b.sub.1 -1 to b.sub.1 -3 and the body showers 
b.sub.4 -1 to b.sub.4 -2, the hand shower b.sub.5 and body shower b.sub.4 
-1 to b.sub.4 -2, a.sub.4 and the undershowers b.sub.1 -1 to b.sub.6 -3 
and overhead showers b.sub.1 -1 to b.sub.6 -3 causing simultaneous 
discharge of hot water from one of the showers a.sub.1, a.sub.5, that are 
supplied with hot water from the branch line 7a side and the showers 
a.sub.4, a.sub.6 that are supplied with hot water from the branch line 7b 
side. 
The left and right discharge ports a.sub.6 -1 and a.sub.6 -2 of the 
undershower a.sub.6 can be simultaneously or separately discharged, and 
the left and right discharge ports a.sub.3 -1 and a.sub.3 -2, for 
disposing hot water, can be alternately or simultaneously discharged. For 
example, when a user depresses the discharge operating switch b.sub.1 -1 
of the overhead shower a.sub.1, the electromagnetic valve 8a of the spray 
discharge port a.sub.1 -1 in the overhead shower a.sub.1 is opened, so 
that hot water having the optimum temperature within the branch line 7a is 
discharged in the form of spray from the spray discharge port a.sub.1 -1, 
and at the same time, a preset value of 15 l/min. is displayed on the 
discharge quantity, display section 62a. 
The control section 50 has one aspect shown in FIG. 4(B) in addition to 
that shown in FIG. 4(A). This comprises a discharge quantity setting means 
70 and flow rate adjusting means 71, which are arranged in parallel with 
the water disposal control means 58, 59 and 60 in a part of the memory 
circuit. 
The aforesaid present value is the optimum discharge quantity set 
corresponding to individual shower discharge ports a.sub.1 -1 and a.sub.6 
-2 by the discharge quantity setting means 70 in the control section 50. 
In the case of the shower apparatus A, according to the present 
embodiment, the discharge quantities are preset to values shown in the 
following Table. The preset values are normally changed, but the discharge 
quantities from the shower discharge ports a.sub.1 -1 and a.sub.6 -2 can 
be changed in set value by depressing the + and - buttons 61a, and 61b in 
the range allowed by the discharge function, and in the range of 2 to 5 
l/min. in the present embodiment. 
TABLE 
______________________________________ 
Shower Preset value 
______________________________________ 
Overhead shower 
Spray 15 l/min. 
Massage 17 l/min. 
Foam 18 l/min. 
Mist shower 7 l/min. 
Exposing hot water 
18 l/min. 
Body shower 
Spray 20 l/min. 
Massage 18 l/min. 
Under shower 8 l/min. 
Hand shower 12 l/min. 
______________________________________ 
For example, when the discharge operating switch b.sub.1 -1 of the spray 
discharge in the overhead shower a.sub.1 is depressed, the discharge 
starts and at the same time, the preset value of 15 l/min. is displayed on 
the discharge quantity display section 62a. In that state, flow rate 
adjusting mechanism 71 of the control section 50, from the spray discharge 
port a.sub.1 -1, functions as will be described later, whereby hot water 
having an optimum temperature in a quantity of 15 l/min. is discharged in 
the form of spray. When the user depresses the button 61a to change it to 
18 l/min., the discharge quantity setting mechanism 70 sets the value of 
the discharge quantity corresponding to the spray discharge port a.sub.1 
-1 of the overhead shower to 18 l/min. 
The discharge quantity setting mechanism 70 also controls the set values of 
discharge quantities corresponding to other shower discharge ports a.sub.1 
-2 to a.sub.6 -2 similar to the aforesaid spray discharge port a.sub.1 -1. 
The discharge operating switches b.sub.1 -1 to b.sub.6 -3, corresponding 
to the shower discharge port as desired, are depressed to start the shower 
discharge. From that state, the + and - buttons 61a and 61b are depressed. 
The set values of the discharge quantities corresponding to the shower 
discharge ports a.sub.1 -1 to a.sub.6 -2 can be changed in setting within 
the predetermined range with the respective preset values as a reference. 
On the other hand, the flow rate adjusting means 71 of the control section 
60 opens one or two electromagnetic valves 8a and 8b, corresponding to the 
shower discharge or simultaneous discharge ports a.sub.1 -1 to a.sub.6 -2, 
at the time of independent discharge or simultaneous discharge, and always 
monitors the discharge quantities from the shower discharge ports a.sub.1 
-1 to a.sub.6 -2, at the time of independent discharge or simultaneous 
discharge, and always monitors to the discharge quantities from the shower 
discharge ports a.sub.1 -1 to a.sub.6 -2, according to water quantity 
detection information supplied from the water quantity sensors 14a and 14b 
of both branch lines 7a and 7b. The control section 50 compares the water 
quantity value, that is, the discharge quantity from the shower discharge 
ports a.sub.1-1 to a.sub.6-2 through both branch lines 7a and 7b, with the 
discharge quantity set values of the shower discharge ports a.sub.1-1 to 
a.sub.6-2 set by the discharge quantity setting mechanism 70. The opening 
degree of the flow rate adjusting valves 13a and 13b is controlled 
according to a difference therebetween to thereby realize the discharge 
matched to the set values from the shower discharge ports a.sub.1 -1 to 
a.sub.6 -2. 
In actual use, when the + and - buttons 61a and 61b are depressed, the 
aforementioned step is instantaneously executed, and the discharge in the 
desired water quantity is immediately executed by the shower discharge 
ports a.sub.1 -1 to a.sub.6 -2. 
As described above, both flow rate adjusting valves 13a and 13b in both 
branch lines 7a and 7b are independently controlled in opening degree by 
the control section 50. Accordingly, for example, in the case where the 
discharge from the massage discharge port a.sub.1 -2 of the overhead 
shower a.sub.1 on the branch line 7a side and that from the spray 
discharge port a.sub.4 -1 of the body shower a.sub.4 on the branch line 7b 
side are simultaneously carried out, the flow rate adjusting valves 13a 
and 13b of both branch lines 7a and 7b are separately controlled by the 
flow rate adjusting mechanism 71 whereby discharges for preset values 17 
l/min. and 20 l/min., set to both the discharge ports a.sub.1 -2 and 
a.sub.4 -1, are carried out therefrom. Discharges in the optimum discharge 
quantity are carried out from the shower discharge ports a.sub.1 -2 and 
a.sub.4 -1 which are different in function from each other. 
In the case where the discharge quantities from both the discharge ports 
a.sub.1 -2 and a.sub.1 -1 are desired to be changed from the respective 
preset values according to the user's preference, the + and - buttons 61a 
and 61b are depressed to vary the set values of the discharge quantities 
with respect to both the discharge ports a.sub.1 -2 and a.sub.4 -1, 
whereby the discharge quantities from both the discharge ports a.sub.1 -2 
and a.sub.4 -1 can be separately adjusted. 
In the case where the setting of the discharge quantities with respect to 
the shower discharge ports a.sub.1 -1 to a.sub.6 -2 is changed from the 
present value set at the outset, the thus changes set value may be 
controlled so that it is reset after a predetermined time, for example, 
after three minutes and returned to the original preset value or the set 
value is reset when the power source is OFF and returned to the preset 
value at the time of next use. Furthermore, it is designed so that the 
preset value itself is not set but the set values of the discharge 
quantities with respect to each of, the shower discharge ports a.sub.1 -1 
and a.sub.6 -2 set by the + and - buttons 61a, 61b are effective till a 
next change of setting is performed. 
In the shower apparatus A, according to the present embodiment constructed 
as described above, water is simultaneously discharged from the shower 
discharge ports a.sub.1 -1 to a.sub.6 -2, which are communicated with both 
the branch lines 7a and 7b. The operation for adjusting the discharge 
quantities from these shower discharge ports to the optimum discharge 
quantity for every individual discharge port can be carried out easily and 
instantaneously by a push button operation from the operating panel 
a.sub.7. Particularly, synergetic effect resulting from the simultaneous 
discharge of various kinds of showers a.sub.1 to a.sub.6 is great. 
Combining and switching operations of discharges to be effected from the 
shower discharge ports a.sub.1 -1 and a.sub.6 -2 can be manually carried 
out from the operating panel a.sub.7 by the user. However, in the present 
embodiment, several kinds of discharge programs are incorporated in 
advance into the control section 50 as will be described later and the 
automatic mode switches 67a, 67b and 67c on the operating panel a.sub.7 
are selected for execution. Thereby, the discharges from the showers 
a.sub.1 to a.sub.6 are connected as intended, and effective shower bath 
can be easily enjoyed. 
In case that a water discharging is carried out by changing over each of 
the shower discharging ports a.sub.1 -1 to a.sub.6 -2 by depressing 
automatic mode switches 67a, 67b and 67c in sequence, the amount of 
discharged water corresponding to each of the preset values is discharged 
from each of the shower discharging ports a.sub.1 -1 to a.sub.6 -2. 
However, the control section 50 may act in the same manner as described 
above even during an automatic operation mode, so that a discharge 
quantity from each of the shower discharging ports a.sub.1 -1 to a.sub.6 
-2 performing the discharging operation is displayed at the discharge 
quantity displaying sections 62a and 62b. Depressing the + and - buttons 
61a and 61b enables the discharge quantity from the shower discharging 
ports a.sub.1 -1 to a.sub.6 -2 performing the operation to be varied in 
the same manner as that of the manual operation. 
FIG. 4(C) is a block diagram showing another aspect of the control section 
50, in which a discharge display device 72, a discharge delay device 73 
and a step prior-feed device 74 are provided in parallel with a mechanism 
such as the water disposal control mechanism and the like. As will be 
apparent from FIG. 4(C), the control section 50 comprises the discharge 
display device 72 for successively displaying the program discharge 
content on the display section at every start of a step of the program. 
The discharge delay device 73 provides a predetermined discharge 
inhibition time t from the start of each step to the start of opening the 
electromagnetic valves 8a and 8b program-set in the step according to a 
signal input from the operating section 67 on the operating panel a.sub.7. 
The step prior-feed device 74 discontinues the step by which program is 
executed to stop the discharge, according to a signal input from the 
operating section 67 during the automatic control operation which includes 
the discharge inhibition time t and switching the step to next step to be 
shifted for the next discharge order. 
A display section D is a light emitting body, for example, such as LED, 
which is electrically communicated with an operation signal converter 61 
of the control section 50 disposed in front of the shower tower A' and at 
a position where a user can see it easily. The display section D comprises 
discharge position display lamps D.sub.1 . . . provided corresponding to 
the discharge ports a.sub.1 -1 to a.sub.6 -2 in the schematic view of the 
whole shower tower A', shower-kind display lamps D.sub.2 . . . provided 
corresponding to the shower discharge ports a.sub.1 -1 to a.sub.6 -2 on 
picture letters showing the kinds and function of showers, 
discharge-quantity display sections 62a, 62b showing instantaneous flow 
rate preset in program of discharges which can be adjusted by the 
adjusting buttons 61a, 61b, and a residual time display surface D.sub.3 
showing residual time until the termination of a program during the 
automatic control while subtracting as the program executes. 
That is, the discharge display device 72 reads, every time when a signal is 
outputted from the operating section 67 to the control section 50 to start 
the step of program. The electromagnetic valves 8a and 8b are expected to 
be opened from the program in the step to light some of the discharge 
position display lamps D.sub.1 and shower-kind display lamps D.sub.2 
corresponding to the shower discharge ports a.sub.1 -1-a.sub.6 -2. The 
discharge display device 12 reads the instantaneous discharge quantity to 
display it on the discharge quantity, display sections 62a and 62b, and 
reads the residual time until termination of the opening of the 
electromagnetic valves 8a and 8b in the last program to display it on the 
time display surface D.sub.3, and reduces it by a predetermined unit after 
the passage of time. 
The discharge delay device 73 starts, every time a signal is outputted from 
the operating section 67 to the control section 50 to start the programmed 
step. The discharge inhibition time t, for example, is about two seconds. 
The valves 8a and 8b are opened in this step. Upon termination of the 
discharge inhibition time t, the electromagnetic valves 8a and 8b are 
opened. 
The step prior-feed mechanism 74 discontinues operation during the 
automatic control, more specifically, every time when a signal is 
outputted from the operating section 67 to the control section 50 during 
the discharge inhibition time t, which is the step in which the program is 
executed. As such the execution of the program with the electromagnetic 
valves 8a and 8b are forcibly switched to start the next step. In the case 
where a signal is outputted from the operating section 67 to the control 
50 when the valves 8a and 8b are opened, after the passage of the 
discharge inhibition time t, the step presently executed is discontinued 
closing the electromagnetic valves 8a and 8b now opened. The execution of 
the program is forcibly switched to the next step to start the execution 
of the next step. 
In the case of the present embodiment, three kinds of programs differ in 
the order of opening and closing operation. The opening time or the like 
of the electromagnetic valves 8a and 8b is stored in the program memory 
circuit 52. Automatic mode switches 67a, 67b and 67c and three selection 
display lamps D.sub.5, which are close to the automatic mode switches 67a, 
67b and 67c, are provided on the operating section 67 so that one of the 
mode switches 67a, 67b and 67c is selected and touched (depressed) whereby 
only the program corresponding thereto is read in the central processing 
unit 51. The step prior-feed mechanism 74 is actuated in response to the 
input signal only when one of the same automatic mode switches 67a, 67b 
and 67c as that selected previously, is again depressed during the 
automatic control operation. The step prior-feed mechanism is actuated in 
response to the input signal whereas one of the automatic mode switches 
67a, 67b and 67c differs from that previously selected is depressed. The 
program now being executed is released and switched to the latter program. 
In case of the present embodiment, an alarm sound generating section C, 
such as a buzzer, which is operatively connected to the discharge position 
display lamps D.sub.1 . . . and shower-kind display lamps D.sub.2 . . . of 
the display section D electrically communicated with the operation signal 
converter 6a of the control section 50, is disposed interiorly of the 
shower tower A'. When each step reaches a predetermined time for switching 
as the program executes, one or more discharge position display lamps 
D.sub.1 and shower-kind display lamps D.sub.2 are expected to discharge in 
the next step causing a flicker. At the same time, the alarm sound 
generating section C is actuated to transmit an alarm sound such as a 
buzzer for one second at 0.2 second intervals, for example. 
Next the operation of the aforesaid discharge display mechanism 72, the 
discharge delay mechanism 73 and the step prior-feed mechanism 74 will be 
described hereinafter. 
When one of the automatic mode switches 67a, 67b and 67c on the operating 
panel a.sub.7 is depressed, the selection display lamp D.sub.5, on the 
display section D, close thereto, is lit. The first step of program 
corresponding thereto is started whereby the discharge position display 
lamp D.sub.1 and shower-type display lamp D.sub.2 on the display section 
D, corresponding to the electromagnetic valve I expected to be opened in 
the first step, are lit. The instantaneous discharge quantity is displayed 
on the discharge quantity display sections 62a and 62b, and the residual 
time until the termination of the step is displayed on the residual time 
display surface D.sub.3. Simultaneously therewith, the discharge 
inhibition time t is started by the discharge delay means 73 and the valve 
1 remains closed. 
If in that state, the user does not depress any of the automatic mode 
switches 67a, 67b and 67c during the discharge inhibition time t, the 
electromagnetic valve I is opened in the first step after the passage of 
the discharge inhibition time (t), as shown in the time chart of FIG. 9a, 
so that hot water or cold water supplied from the hot and cold water 
mixing cock 3 is discharged from the programmed first shower discharge 
ports a.sub.1 -1 to a.sub.6 -2 in a small quantity at first and in a 
programmed instantaneous quantity after the passage of a predetermined 
time. 
Before a predetermined time at which a preset valve-opening time T.sub.1 is 
terminated from the start of the valve-opening, the discharge position 
display lamp D, and shower-kind display lamp D.sub.2, corresponding to the 
electromagnetic valve II, are expected to be opened in the next step 
during the discharge at present flicker. At the same time, an alarm sound 
goes to notify the user of the next discharge, after which when the 
opening time T.sub.1 has passed and the step is switched to the next step, 
the electromagnetic valve I is closed to stop the discharge. At the same 
time the flickering discharge position display lamp D.sub.1 and 
shower-type display lamp D.sub.2 are lit. Then, the electromagnetic valve 
II is opened to start the discharge. Further, the display of the discharge 
quantity display sections 62a and 62b is switched and the display of the 
residual time display surface D.sub.1 is also reduced as the time passes. 
After the passage of the opening time T.sub.2 to the electromagnetic valve 
II as described above, the step is switched to the final step, and the 
electromagnetic valve II is closed and at the same-time the 
electromagnetic valve III is opened. After the passage of the opening time 
T, the program is terminated and the display on the residual time display 
surface D.sub.3 is 0. 
After the passage of t.sub.1, but before the discharge inhibition time t in 
the first step passes, the user looks at the lit discharge position 
display lamp D.sub.1 and the shower-type display lamp D.sub.2 and again 
depresses the automatic mode switches 67a, 67b and 67c for the lit display 
lamp D.sub.5 selected according to the physical condition and the 
individual preference. Then the step is switched to the next step with 
water not discharged at the time before the electromagnetic valve I is 
opened, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 9B, by the step prior-feed 
mechanism 74, and executed. With this, the discharge position display lamp 
D.sub.1 and shower-kind display lamp D.sub.2 corresponding to the 
electromagnetic valve II, expected to be opened in the next step, are lit. 
The display of the discharge quantity display sections 62a, 62b and the 
residual time display surface D.sub.4 are switched and at the same time 
the discharge inhibition time t newly starts. 
If the same automatic mode switches 67a, 67b and 67c are again likewise 
operated after the elapsing of t.sub.2 of the discharge inhibition time t, 
the step is switched to the next step at the same time before the 
electromagnetic valve II is opened as described above. The display section 
D corresponding to the electromagnetic valve III is switched. At the same 
time, the discharge inhibition time t starts, and if it is not again 
operated until the discharge inhibition time t has passed, the 
electromagnetic valve III is opened to start discharge. After the passage 
of the opening time T.sub.3, the program is terminated. 
Accordingly, if the operation is repeated during the discharge inhibition 
time t, the whole programmed discharge content is displayed without water 
being discharged. 
Furthermore, in the state where the electromagnetic valve II is opened as 
shown in the time chart of FIG. 9(C), for example, similar operation is 
made at the time before the opening time T.sub.2 has passed. Then, the 
electromagnetic valve II is closed at the time so that the discharge is 
stopped and at the same time the charge inhibition time t starts. In the 
state where the electromagnetic valve III is opened, similar operation is 
made at the time before the opening time T.sub.3 has passed. Then, the 
valve III is closed to terminate the program. Accordingly, the program is 
terminated soon every operation of the same automatic mode switches 67a, 
67b and 67c, and the residual time displayed on the residual time display 
surface D.sub.3 becomes short. 
The aforesaid pattern of the discharged water under an operation of each of 
the automatic mode switches 67a, 67b and 67c is not limited to the above, 
but the shower type, a water discharging time and a water discharging time 
can be freely combined. 
While in the previously illustrated embodiment, a plurality of shower 
discharge ports a.sub.1 -1 to a.sub.6 -2 which are different in function, 
are provided on the shower tower A' to automatically successively 
discharge hot water or cold water in response to the program, it is to be 
noted that the same is true for the case where hot water or cold water is 
successively automatically discharged out of the shower discharge ports 
having the same function and different position. 
Moreover, the discharge content displayed on the display section D is not 
limited to that as described above but suitable contents may be displayed 
thereon. Furthermore, the alarm sound generating section C may not be 
provided. 
According to the above-described embodiment, a signal is outputted from the 
operating section 67 to the control section 50 to execute the program 
whereby at the start of each step, the discharge display mechanism 72 
displays the discharge content of that step on the display section D and 
the discharge delay mechanism 73 starts the discharge inhibition time t. 
Every time the signal is again inputted from the operating section 67 
during the discharge inhibition time t, the step prior-feed device 74 
switches to the next step. The discharge content of the next step is 
displayed on the display section D to newly start the discharge inhibition 
time t. The electromagnetic valves 8a and 8b, set in the step during the 
execution of the program, are opened only at the time when a signal is not 
inputted from the operating section 67 during the discharge inhibition 
time t. Therefore, the discharge content set in the program during the 
automatic control can be converted. 
Accordingly, as compared with the prior art in which the discharge contents 
such as the discharge order are fixed every present program, the discharge 
order, the discharge time and the like can be suitably changed according 
to the user's physical condition, the individual taste or the like. The 
user's free operation can be made and the apparatus is easily used. 
Selection of programs, operation and the like are simpler than for 
apparatus in which various programs are stored in a controller, rendering 
operation easy. 
Furthermore, if steps are previously fed plural times by the operating 
section 67 during the discharge inhibition time t whereby a plurality of 
discharge contents differing in discharge position, discharge time and the 
like are displayed at the start of each step, the whole programmed 
discharge content is seen without being discharged. Therefore, the whole 
programmed discharge content can be displayed in a small exclusive area. 
FIG. 4(D) is a block diagram showing another aspect of the control section 
50. As start timing detection device 75 and a subtraction display device 
76 are provided in parallel with other devices such as the water disposal 
control device 58, 59, 60, etc. 
As will be apparent from FIG. 4D, the control section 50 comprises the 
start timing detection device 75 for detecting the time at which automatic 
control is started by a signal from the operating section 67. The 
subtraction display device 76 displays the display time of the programmed 
automatic control on the basis of the detection signal outputted from the 
start timing detection device 75 on the residual time display surface 
D.sub.3 disposed at a position easily seen by the user of the shower tower 
body A', to subtract the display time as the display time passes every 
unit. 
That is, the start timing detection device 75, when an automatic control 
start signal is outputted from the operating section 67 to the controller 
50, detecting the time at which the first programmed electromagnetic 
valves 8a and 8b are opened, outputs a detection signal to the subtraction 
display device 76. When inputting the detection signal, the subtraction 
display device 76 first reads the opening time from the start of the 
opening of the first programmed electromagnetic valves 8a and 8b to 
closing of the final programmed valves 8a and 8b, to total the time, which 
is displayed in numeral form on the remaining time display surface 
D.sub.3. At the same time, the timer counter device 57 is operated so that 
displayed time d.sub.1, for example, in units of seconds, is subtracted in 
synchronism with the count of the timer counter device 57, and at the 
closing of the programmed final electromagnetic valves 8a and 8b, 
displayed time d.sub.3 is 0. 
Next, the operation of the aforesaid start timing detection device 75 and 
subtraction device 76 will be described. 
When any one of the automatic mode switches 67a, 67b and 67c on the 
operating panel a.sub.7 is depressed, the electromagnetic valves 8a and 8b 
are successively opened in response to the program corresponding thereto 
so that hot water or cold water supplied from the hot and cold water 
mixing cock 3 commences discharge in a programmed instantaneous quantity 
from the programmed first shower discharge ports a.sub.1 -1 to a.sub.6 -2. 
At the same time, the start timing detection device 75 detects an 
automatic control start signal to output a detection signal to the 
subtraction display device 76. With this, the subtraction display device 
76 displays the residual time d.sub.1 until the program is terminated on 
the residual time display surface D.sub.3 and subtracts the residual time 
d.sub.3 by a predetermined unit with the passage of the discharge time. At 
the time of termination of discharge from the programmed final shower 
discharge ports a.sub.1 -1 to a.sub.6 -2 the residual time d.sub.3 is 0. 
Accordingly, the user can see the residual time d.sub.3 to finish washing 
his or her body or head until termination of the discharge. 
While in the above-illustrated embodiment, a plurality of shower discharge 
ports a.sub.1 -1 to a.sub.6 -2, differing in function, are provided on the 
shower tower body A' and programmed hot water or cold water are 
successively automatically discharged by the operation of the operating 
section 67, it is to be noted that the same is true for the case where the 
automatic control is started by those other than the operating section 67, 
and in the case where shower discharge ports having the same function and 
different in position of arrangement are successively automatically 
discharged. 
Furthermore, while in the above-described embodiment, the residual time 
d.sub.3 until one program is terminated is displayed on the residual time 
display surface D.sub.3, it is to be noted that, for example, residual 
time of the electromagnetic valves 8a and 8b, which are successively 
opened and closed according to the programs, may be displayed one by one. 
It is contemplated that the residual time d.sub.3 until one program is 
terminated is displayed together therewith. 
According to the above-described embodiment, the start timing detection 
device 75 detects an automatic-control start time of the control section 
to output a detection signal whereby the subtraction display means 76 
displays the discharge time of the programmed automatic control on the 
residual time display surface D.sub.3. The display is reduced by a 
predetermined unit as the residual time d.sub.3 passes, and the display is 
0 at the time of termination of the automatic control. Therefore, the user 
can be notified of the discharge residual time d.sub.3 during the 
automatic control discharge. 
Accordingly, as compared with the prior art which is not provided with 
means for notifying the user of the residual time d.sub.3 until the 
discharge is terminated, during the automatic control discharge, the user 
can see the display of the discharge to find the residual time d.sub.3 
during the present discharge to finish washing his or her body or head 
before the discharge is terminated. It is not necessary to re-operate the 
system to render the use thereof easy. 
FIG. 4(E) is a block diagram showing another aspect of the control section 
50. A last-off input signal detection device 77 and a step prior-feed 
device 78 are shown provided in a part of the memory circuit. As described 
above, the control section 50 comprises the last-off input signal 
detection device 77 for detecting a signal input from the operating 
section 67 during the time the electromagnetic valves 8a and 8b are 
successively opened and closed with the execution of the steps of the 
programs. The step prior-feed device 78 is provided for discontinuing the 
step of the programs now being executed on the basis of the detection 
signal outputted from the last-off input signal detection device 77 
stopping discharge and switching the step to the next step of the next 
discharge order. 
Any one of the automatic mode switches 67a, 67b and 67c on the operating 
panel a.sub.7 is selected and depressed in the operating panel, only the 
program according thereto is read into the central processing unit 51, and 
only when the same automatic mode switches 67a, 67b and 67c as those 
selected previously are again depressed during the automatic control 
operation. The last-off input signal detection device 77 detects an input 
signal. In the case where the automatic mode switches 67a, 67b and 67c, 
differing from that previously selected, is depressed, the program now 
being executed is released switching the program into the latter program. 
That is, when the last-off input signal detection device 77 stores therein 
a signal inputted from any one of the automatic mode switches 67a, 67b and 
67c on the operating panel a.sub.7 in the initial state, it detects that 
the same signal, as the stored input signal, is inputted from the 
automatic mode switches 67a, 67b and 67c during the automatic control 
discharge started. A detection signal is outputted to the step prior-feed 
device 74'. When the detection signal is inputted, the step prior-feed 
device 74' first discontinues the step now being executed to close the 
opened electromagnetic valves 8a and 8b. This stops discharge and forcibly 
switches the execution of the step to the next step whereby the 
electromagnetic valves 8a and 8b, set in program to the next step, are 
opened to start discharge. Thereafter, the automatic control discharge is 
successively accomplished according to the programs. 
The operation of the shower apparatus will be described hereinafter. 
If any one of the automatic mode switches 67a, 67b and 67c on the operating 
panel a.sub.7 is selected and depressed, the selected display lamp D.sub.5 
of the display section D closest thereto is lit. The electromagnetic valve 
I, set to the first step of the program corresponding thereto, is opened 
so that hot or cold water supplied from the hot and cold water commences 
discharge from the programmed first shower discharge ports a.sub.1 -1 to 
a.sub.6 -2 in a small quantity at first and in a programmed instantaneous 
quantity after passage of a predetermined time. At the same time the 
discharge position display lamp D.sub.1 and shower-type display lamp 
D.sub.2 of the display section D are lit corresponding to the aforesaid 
discharge. The residual time until the program is terminated is displayed 
on the residual time display surface D.sub.3 and the instantaneous flow 
rate not being discharged is displayed on the discharge quantity display 
sections 62a and 62b. 
Thereafter, before a predetermined time at which the step is switched from 
the initial step to the next step, the discharge position display lamp 
D.sub.1 and shower-kind display lamp D.sub.2, corresponding to the shower 
discharge ports a.sub.1 -1 to a.sub.6 -2 that are expected to be 
discharged in the next step being now discharged, flicker and at the same 
time, an alarm sound gives a user notice of the next discharge. 
In that state, if the user does not depress any of the automatic mode 
switches 67a, 67b and 67c, the electromagnetic valve I, in the first step, 
remains open until a predetermined opening time T.sub.1 is terminated, 
according to the program as shown in the time chart of FIG. 10A. At the 
same time the valve I is closed, the electromagnetic valve II in the next 
step opens. After passage of the opening time T.sub.2, the electromagnetic 
valve III in the final step opens, and after the passage of the opening 
time T.sub.3, the program is terminated. 
When any one of the automatic mode switches 67a, 67b and 67c for which the 
selected display lamp D.sub.5 is lit, according to the user's physical 
condition or individual taste, is again depressed during the time the user 
sees a notice of the next discharge or during the time before the user 
sees a notice of the next discharge, the valve is closed before the 
opening time T.sub.1 of the electromagnetic valve I is terminated as shown 
in the time chart of FIG. 10(B) by the last-off signal detection device 17 
and the step prior-feed device 74' thus stopping discharge. The 
electromagnetic valve II in the next step is opened to start discharge. 
Thereafter, when automatic mode switches 67a, 67b and 67c are depressed 
again before the opening time T.sub.2 of the electromagnetic valve II is 
terminated, the valve II is closed at that time whereas the valve III is 
opened. When a similar operation is made before the opening time T.sub.1 
of the electromagnetic valve III is terminated, the electromagnetic valve 
III is closed to terminate the program. 
Whenever the same automatic mode switches 67a, 67b and 67c are operated, 
the termination of program is quickened, and the residual time displayed 
on the residual time display surface D.sub.3 is shortened. 
According to the embodiment as described above, the last-off input signal 
detection means 77 detects an input signal from the operating section to 
output the detection signal while the electromagnetic valves 8a and 8b are 
successively opened and closed on the basis of the steps of the programs. 
The step prior-feed means 74' discontinues the step of the program now 
being executed. The step is switched to the next step for the next 
discharge order so that the termination of the program is quickened, and 
therefore, the discharge order and the discharge time can be changed 
during the automatic control discharge. 
FIG. 4(F) is a block diagram showing another aspect of the control section 
50. A start timing detection device 75' and a start flow rate adjusting 
device 80 are shown provided in a part of the memory circuit. 
As described above, the control section 50 comprises the start timing 
detection device 75' for detecting the time at which the automatic control 
is started by a signal from the operating section 67 of the operating 
panel a.sub.7. The start flow rate adjusting device 80 is provided for 
throttling an opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valves 13a and 
13b, positioned upstream of the programmed first shower discharge ports 
a.sub.1 -1 to a.sub.6 -2, according to the detection signal outputted from 
the start timing detection device 75', and for loosening the opening 
degree of the flow rate adjusting valves 13a and 13b after a predetermined 
time to provide a programmed opening degree. 
That is, when the automatic control start signal is outputted from the 
operating section 67 to the control section 50, the start timing detection 
device 75' outputs a detection signal to the start flow rate adjusting 
device 80. When the detection signal is inputted, the start flow rate 
adjusting device 80 first causes the timer counter device to throttle the 
opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valves 13a and 13b upstream of 
the programmed first discharge ports a.sub.1 -1 to a.sub.6 -2. 
Substantially simultaneously therewith, the valves 8a and 8b, in 
communication with the programmed first shower discharge ports a.sub.1 -1 
to a.sub.6 -2, are opened to discharge hot water or cold water to an 
extent that the hot water or cold water are exposed to the body of the 
user violently. 
Thereafter, when the timer counter device 57 counts a predetermined time 
from the start of discharge, the start flow rate adjusting device 80 
gradually loosens the opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valves 13a 
and 13b as shown in FIG. 11(A), for example, to gradually increase the 
instantaneous flow rate of hot water or cold water discharged. When the 
opening degree of the valves 13a and 13b assumes the programmed opening 
degree, and the instantaneous flow rate assumes a set flow rate, the 
opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valves 13a and 13b is 
maintained, or the programmed first electromagnetic valves 8a and 8b are 
intermittently opened and closed while loosening the opening degree of the 
flow rate adjusting electromagnetic valves 8a and 8b as shown in FIG. 
11(B). This stepwisely increases the instantaneous flow rate of the hot 
water or cold water except for the discharge stop time, or the opening 
degree of the flow rate adjusting valves 13a and 13b is intermittently 
loosened as shown in FIG. 11(C) so as to stepwisely increase the 
instantaneous flow rate. 
The operation of the shower apparatus as described above will be described 
hereinafter. 
When any one of the automatic mode switches 67a, 67b and 67c on the 
operating panel a.sub.7 is depressed, the electromagnetic valves 8a and 8b 
are successively opened on the basis of the program corresponding thereto. 
The start timing detection device 75' first detects an automatic control 
start signal to output a detection signal to the start flow rate adjusting 
device 80. With this, the start flow rate adjusting device 80 throttles an 
opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valves 13a and 13b to discharge 
hot water or cold water supplied from the hot and cold water mixing cock 3 
to an extent that the hot water or cold water is not violently exposed to 
the user from the programmed first shower discharge ports a.sub.1 -1 to 
a.sub.6 -2. After a predetermined time, the start flow rate adjusting 
device 80 loosens an opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valves 13a 
and 13b to thereby increase the instantaneous flow rate of hot water or 
cold water discharged to assume a programmed instantaneous flow rate. 
According to the above-described embodiment, the start timing detection 
device 50 detects automatic control start timing of the control section 50 
to output a detection signal whereby the start flow rate adjusting device 
80 changes an opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valves 13a and 
13b. Accordingly, hot water or cold water is discharged for a 
predetermined time in a less instantaneous flow rate from the programmed 
first shower discharge ports a.sub.1 to a.sub.6 and thereafter the 
instantaneous flow rate is increased closer to a programmed set flow rate 
to preventing a rapid discharge at the time of starting automatic control. 
Thereby, the user is relieved from a surprise and can use automatic 
control with ease. 
The adjustment of flow rate at the start of discharge is effective in the 
case where the undershower a.sub.6 in which shower water is discharged 
upwardly, as described later. The operation will be described hereinafter. 
When the switch b.sub.6 -3 of the operation switches b.sub.1 -1 to b.sub.1 
-3 of the undershower a.sub.6 at the operating panel a.sub.7 is depressed, 
the discharged water from both the right and left discharge ports a.sub.6 
-2 and a.sub.6 -2 is gradually increased as described above and reaches 
the predetermined amount of discharge. Under this condition, the water 
stop switch 64 is depressed or "both" switch (b.sub.6 -3) is depressed 
again, thereby both electromagnetic valves 8a and 8b are closed causing 
the discharged water from both discharging ports a.sub.1 -1 and a.sub.6 -2 
to be stopped. 
The water stopping switch 64 is not depressed and one of the "left" and 
"right" switches b.sub.6 -1 and b.sub.6 -2 is depressed, for example, 
"left" switch b.sub.6 -2 is depressed, the flow rate adjusting valve 13b 
is metered and when the amount meters to 1/2 of the predetermined flow 
rate, resulting in that the right electromagnetic valve 8b is closed and 
the discharged water from the right discharging port a.sub.6 -1 is stopped 
and subsequently the flow rate adjusting valve 13b is loosed, the 
instantaneous flow rate to be discharged from the left discharging port 
a.sub.6 -2 approaches the predetermined flow rate value. When the flow 
rate reaches the predetermined value, the operation of the flow rate 
adjusting valve 13b is stopped, and the flow rate subsequent to this 
operation is kept constant. 
Under an initial condition, any one of the "left" and "right" switches 
b.sub.6 -1 and b.sub.6 -2 of the undershower a.sub.6 is selected, for 
example, "right" switch b.sub.6 -1 is depressed, thereby the flow rate 
adjusting valve 13b is metered and at the same time the electromagnetic 
valves 8a and 8b are opened and then an instantaneous flow rate from the 
right and left discharging ports a.sub.6 -1 and a.sub.6 -2 is less in 
volume or a degree not striking against the body too much, the water 
discharging is started and after a predetermined time elapses, only the 
left electromagnetic valve 8b is closed after a predetermined time. 
Subsequently, the flow rate adjusting valve 13b is loosed and an 
instantaneous flow rate discharged from the right discharging port a.sub.6 
-1 approaches the predetermined flow rate. When the value reaches the set 
flow rate, the operation of the flow rate adjusting valve 13b is stopped. 
Under this condition, the water stopping switch 64 is depressed or the 
"right" switch a.sub.6 -1 is depressed again, thereby the right 
electromagnetic valve 8b is closed to cause the discharged water from the 
right discharging port a.sub.1 -1 to be stopped. 
"Left" switch b.sub.6 -2 for the undershower is depressed without 
depressing the water stopping switch 64 causing the right electromagnetic 
valve 8b to be closed. The discharged water from the right discharging 
port a.sub.6 -1 is stopped. At the same time, the left electromagnetic 
valve 8b is opened and the water discharging from the left water 
discharging port a.sub.6 -2 is started. 
In addition, the "both" switch b.sub.1 -3 of the undershower 9b is 
depressed from this state to cause both electromagnetic valves 8a and 8b 
to open and simultaneously with this operation, the flow rate adjusting 
valve 13b is metered. Then, the water discharging operation is started in 
such a degree as the hot water or cold water from the right and left water 
discharging ports a.sub.6 -1 and a.sub.6 -2 may not strike severely 
against the user's body, and subsequently the flow rate adjusting valve 13 
is loosed and the instantaneous flow rate of the water discharged from 
both discharging ports a.sub.6 -1 and a.sub.6 -2 approaches the 
predetermined flow rate. When it reaches the predetermined flow rate, the 
operation of the flow rate adjusting valve 13b is stopped. 
When any one of the switches b.sub.1 -1 to b.sub.1 -3 for the undershower 
on the operating panel a.sub.6 is depressed, the electromagnetic valves 8a 
and 8b or one valve 8b corresponding thereto is opened. At the same time, 
the start timing detection means 79 first detects an automatic control 
start signal to output a detection signal to the start flow rate adjusting 
device 80. With this, the start flow rate adjusting device 80 throttles an 
opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valve 13b, whereby hot water or 
cold water supplied from the hot and cold water mixing cock 3 is supplied 
to discharge ports a.sub.6 -1 to a.sub.6 -2 of the undershower. The 
discharge is started to an extent that hot water or cold water is not 
exposed violently to the body of the user from discharge ports a.sub.6 -1 
and a.sub.6 -2. 
The start flow rate adjusting device 80 loosens an opening degree of the 
flow rate adjusting valve 13b simultaneously, or after a predetermined 
time to thereby increase an instantaneous flow rate of hot water or cold 
water to be discharged to assume a programmed instantaneous flow rate so 
that the hot water or cold water is discharged obliquely and upwardly 
towards the lower half of the body of the user who stands up in front of 
the shower tower body A' from the discharge ports a.sub.6 -1, a.sub.6 -2. 
The upward discharge is exposed to the front of the waist of the user when 
the user stands up frontwardly opposite to the shower tower body A', 
exposed to the back of the waist and the hips when the user stands up 
backwardly, and exposed to a thigh and the calf when the user moves toward 
the shower tower body A'. 
As shown in FIG. 12, when the user stands up and extends his or her foot to 
be placed on the recess 91 to which hot water or cold water is discharged 
on the upper surface of the extended portion A'.sub.1, the hot or cold 
water is exposed to the sole. When the user sits on the chair and places 
both feet on recesses 91 in the state where hot water or cold water is 
discharged from both discharge ports a.sub.6 -1, a.sub.6 -2, the hot water 
or cold water is exposed to the soles of both feet. 
Furthermore, when the stop switch 64 on the operating panel a.sub.7 is 
depressed or any one of the switches b.sub.6 -1 and b.sub.6 -3 for the 
undershower is again depressed, the valve 8b presently open is immediately 
closed to stop discharge from the discharge port 5 a.sub.6 -1, a.sub.6 -2. 
In the case where the control, as described above, is applied to the 
undershower a.sub.6, stimulation can be given to portions of the lower 
half of the body and soles to which enough stimulation cannot be given by 
the body shower a.sub.4, the overhead shower a.sub.1 or the hand shower 
a.sub.5 and these body parts can be massaged. Also, at the start of 
discharge, the user is relieved from a surprise, and less-familiar 
undershower a.sub.6 can be used in comfort. 
In the case where other showers are provided together with the undershower 
a.sub.6, and the start and stop of discharge from these showers are 
controlled by the operating panel a.sub.7, a small amount of discharge at 
the start of discharge of the undershower a.sub.6 can be used as a 
function of a notice. If the undershower a.sub.6 is erroneously 
discharged, instead of using other showers, it can be stopped promptly by 
the aforesaid function of a notice. 
Next, the characteristic exposing hot water a.sub.3 in the shower discharge 
ports a.sub.1 -1 to a.sub.6 -2 and the construction of the undershower 
a.sub.6 in the shower apparatus A according to the present embodiment will 
be described hereinafter. 
As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of left and right discharge ports a.sub.3 -1 and 
a.sub.3 -2, for exposing hot water a.sub.3, are obliquely upwardly 
protruded on both sides 12 at the upper part of the longitudinally 
extending shower tower body A'. Such ports are designed so that hot water 
or cold water from the discharge ports a.sub.3 -1 and a.sub.3 -2 are 
discharged in a parabola-like fashion. The hot water or cold water is 
intermittently exposed to two parts such as both shoulders of the user who 
sits on the chair in front of the shower tower body A'. A pair of left and 
right discharge ports a.sub.6 -1 and a.sub.6 -2 of the undershower a.sub.6 
are obliquely upwardly disposed on the upper surface of the extended 
portion A'.sub.1 which protrudes to the lower end of the shower tower body 
A' so that hot water or cold water is discharged from the discharge ports 
a.sub.6 -1 and a.sub.6 -2 of the undershower toward the lower half of the 
body of the user who stands up in front of the shower tower body A'. 
As shown in FIG. 12, the upper surface of the extended portion A'.sub.1 is 
inclined upward from the extreme end toward the shower tower body A'. A 
pair of recesses 91, which are smaller than long-side dimension of the 
sole and smaller than short-side dimension thereof, are formed in the 
central portion. Discharge ports a.sub.6 -1 and a.sub.6 -2 of the 
undershower are bored in the bottom surface of the recesses 91, whereby 
even if the sole of a foot is placed so as to cover the recess 91, the 
discharge ports a.sub.6 -1 and a.sub.6 -2 of the undershower are not 
blocked. Each recess 91 is formed with a drain passage 93 with its lower 
inner peripheral surface partly inclined substantially horizontally or 
downwardly so as to discharge hot water or cold water from the inside of 
the recess 91 to the outside. 
The drain passage 93 is not limited to that as described above but for 
example, a through-hole extending through the inside and outside of the 
recess 91 may be employed. The inside diameter of each discharge port 
a.sub.6 -1 and a.sub.6 -2 of the undershower can be partly drawn from the 
inside diameter of the hot water line 9b to increase the flow velocity of 
hot water or cold water supplied from the hot and cold water mixing cock 3 
for discharge. 
Next, the operation will be described. 
First, the discharge switches b.sub.3 -1 and b.sub.3 -2 for exposing hot 
water a.sub.3 on the operating panel a.sub.7 are depressed, to alternately 
open the electromagnetic valves 8a and 8b for a period of time, or only 
one valve 8a is opened, or both the valves 8a and 8b are simultaneously 
opened. Then, hot water or cold water in a set instantaneous flow rate and 
at a set temperature is supplied from the hot and cold water mixing cock 3 
to each of the discharge ports a.sub.3 -1 and a.sub.3 -2 for exposing hot 
water a.sub.3. 
The hot water or cold water are obliquely upwardly discharged from each of 
the discharge ports a.sub.3 -1 and a.sub.3 -2 for exposing hot water 
a.sub.3. The discharge hot water or cold water depicts a parabola, in 
which case at the apex thereof, upward velocity component is lost and a 
state close to a free drop is provided. A stream line is divided into 
water droplets, which are accelerated by gravity. As a result, at drop 
points where hot water or the like contacts the shoulders of the user or 
the like, an intermittent discharge state is obtained. Thus, the hot water 
or the like alternately contacts two parts such as both shoulders or 
concentratedly contacts one part such as one shoulder or simultaneously 
contacts two parts such as both shoulders. 
Operation of the undershower a.sub.6 is performed as described above. 
According to the above-described embodiment, hot or cold water 
intermittently falls from the exposing hot water a.sub.3, at the upper 
part of the shower tower body A', to intermittently expose it to the body, 
or hot water or cold water is blown upwardly from the lower under shower 
a.sub.6 to expose it to the lower half of the body and the sole of foot. 
Therefore, exposing hot water, which is excellent in stimulation and 
massage feeling, can be discharged from the top of the shower tower body 
A', or suitable stimulation can be given from the bottom of the shower 
tower body A' to the waist, the hips, the thigh, the calf, the sole and 
the like. 
Moreover, the electromagnetic valves 8a, 8b are alternately controlled to 
intermittently discharge hot water or cold water for a preset period of 
time from each of the discharge ports a.sub.3 -1 and a.sub.3 -2 of the 
exposing hot water a.sub.3 or only one electromagnetic valve is controlled 
to concentratedly intermittently discharge hot water or cold water from a 
single discharge port or both electromagnetic valves 8a and 8b are 
simultaneously controlled to simultaneously intermittently discharge the 
exposing hot water a.sub.3 or the like from a plurality of discharge ports 
whereby exposing hot water, which is excellent in stimulation and massage 
feeling, can be discharged according to the purpose of the user. 
As compared with the conventional apparatus in which hot water or cold 
water is fallen in a rod-like fashion to expose hot water or cold water to 
the body, the massage effect is enhanced. In addition, as compared with 
the prior art, which has a single discharge port, the apparatus of the 
invention can be freely used according to the purpose of the user to 
render easy use of the apparatus.