# US 2014/0150177 A1 · Developments relating to washing/drying stations in washrooms > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0150177 A1 - Document ID: US20140150177A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/095,327 - Filed: 2013-12-03 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-03 - Assignees: Dyson Technology Limited - Applicants: Dyson Technology Limited - Inventors: Marcus Lee HARTLEY; Thomas Andrew WESTON - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150177A1 ## CPC - E03C 1/22: Outlet devices mounted in basins, baths, or sinks (stoppers A47K1/14) - A47K 10/48: Drying by means of hot air - B23P 19/04: for assembling or disassembling parts - E03C 1/04: Water-basin installations specially adapted to wash-basins or baths (valves, faucets, mixing valves, taps F16K) - A47K 2210/00: Combinations of water taps, soap dispensers and hand dryers - Y10T 29/49204: Contact or terminal manufacturing - E03C: DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER (not connected to either water-supply main or to waste pipe A47K; devices of the kind used in the ground E03B, E03F); SINKS - A47K: SANITARY EQUIPMENT; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR, e.g. TOILET ACCESSORIES - B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A combined washing/drying station for a washroom comprising a water outlet for discharging water to wash a user's hands connected to a mains water supply and an air outlet for discharging airflow to dry a user's hands. The airflow is generated by a blower module connected to a mains electricity supply via a connector unit hard-wired to the electrical mains. The blower module comprises an electrical connector which connects to an electrical connector on the connector unit to allow modular replacement of the blower module. Connection to the mains water supply is via the same or an additional connector unit plumbed into the water mains. A flow-control valve is provided on the respective connector unit for isolating the water mains at the connector unit. An inlet port of the valve is connected to the water mains and an outlet port of the valve is connected to the water outlet. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A combined washing/drying station for a washroom, the station comprising a water outlet for discharging water to wash a user's hands, the water outlet being connected to a mains water supply, the station further comprising an air outlet for discharging airflow to dry a user's hands, the airflow being generated by a blower module comprising a motor-driven fan unit, the blower module being connected to a mains electricity supply; said connection to the mains electricity supply being made via a connector unit, the connector unit being hard-wired to the electrical mains and the blower module comprising an electrical connector which connects to an electrical connector on the connector unit for providing power to the fan unit; said connection to the mains water supply being made via the same or an additional connector unit, this connector unit being plumbed into the water mains and incorporating a flow-control valve, an inlet port of the valve being connected to the water mains, an outlet port of the valve being connected to the water outlet. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The combined washing/drying station of claim 1, wherein the electrical connector on the connector unit is a shrouded electrical connector for reducing accidental physical contact with a live terminal on the connector. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A connector unit for use in the combined washing/drying station of claim 1, the connector unit comprising an electrical connector which can be hard-wired to a mains electricity supply and a flow-control valve which can be plumbed into a mains water supply. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The connector unit of claim 3, wherein the electrical connector on the connector unit is a shrouded electrical connector for reducing accidental physical contact with live terminals on the connector. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The connector unit of claim 3, wherein the connector unit comprises one or more electrical components, the electrical components being located inside a sealed compartment inside the connector unit. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The connector unit of claim 5, wherein the sealed compartment is formed in part by a removable front cover, which cover can be removed for access to the inside of the compartment. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The connector unit of claim 6, wherein an access panel is provided in the front cover, which panel allows access to the flow control valve without removing the front cover. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The connector unit of claim 7, wherein the flow-valve is a solenoid valve, the solenoid valve being connected to a low-voltage controller inside the sealed compartment. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1, 3) An arrangement for use in the combined washing/drying station of claim 1 and comprising a connector unit according to claim 3, the arrangement further comprising a blower module for generating an airflow, the electrical connector on the connector unit being arranged for releasable connection to an electrical connector on the blower module to allow modular replacement of the blower module. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The arrangement of claim 9, the arrangement comprising a water dispensing part having a water outlet, an air-discharging part having an air outlet, the blower module being connectable to the air outlet to drive airflow through the air outlet, an outlet port of the flow-control valve being arranged for connection to the water outlet. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The arrangement of claim 10, in which the water-dispensing part and air-discharging part are incorporated as part of a single fixture which can be mounted next to the basin of a sink. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The arrangement of claim 10, wherein the blower module is arranged for connection to the air outlet via a duct on the connector unit. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The arrangement of claim 9, wherein the arrangement further comprises a filter module incorporating an air filter for filtering air drawn in through an air intake on the blower, the filter module being releasably connectable to the air intake on the blower module for modular replacement of the filter module. ### Claim 14 (depends on 2) A method of installing the washing/hand drying station according to claim 2, the method comprising: hard-wiring the connector unit to the mains electrical supply, plumbing in the connector unit to the mains water supply and isolating the mains at the flow valve engaging the electrical connectors to connect the connector unit to the blower module and connecting the outlet port of the valve to the water outlet.