DESCRIPTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of devices and modular systems usually intended to be wall-mounted and more specifically, it relates to a cover plate for wall-mounting modular electronic devices for electrical and/or home automation installations.

[0002] For the purposes of the present description, a modular electronic device for electrical and/or home automation systems generally means any electrical or electronic means or device generally belonging to electrical and/or home automation installations in residential buildings and the like, and usually intended to be mounted on, e.g. built into, walls of such buildings alongside other modular electrical or electronic devices along an alignment direction. The aforesaid definition includes, for example, switches, commutators and electrical or data sockets.

[0003] As is known, the aforesaid modular electronic devices are usually installed on the wall, forming composite mounting structures, or groups of parts, generally including:

- a plurality of modular electronic devices;

- a box intended to be flush mounted into the wall; - a support frame which is fixable to the box, directly or by means of adapters, which are referred to as "mudrings", and adapted to support the plurality of modular electrical devices mutually arranged side-by- side; and

- a cover plate which is fixable to the support frame and adapted to conceal the support frame, the cover plate performing, among others, the function of concealing the support frame, the box, and the related hole in the wall into which the box is flush mounted.

[0004] The aforesaid groups of parts are often indicated by the expression "light points" or "control points". A non-limiting example of group of parts of the aforesaid type is described in European Patent EP0788676B1.

[0005] In the light points indicated above, some types of modular electronic devices, such as, for example, switches or switching devices, comprise an electronic control circuit, or at least an electronic component therein, which requires a power supply and/or a data signal for the operation thereof.

[0006] As for the power supply, the known modular electronic devices generally have connection terminals, which allow the device to be connected to the household power network by means of electrical wires, and they also have load connection terminals, which allow the modular device to be connected, by means of electrical wires, to a load apparatus to be controlled, for example to a lighting assembly or apparatus, for example comprising one or more lamps. If the modular devices have an electronic circuit or component on board, which requires a power supply signal for operation, such a power supply signal is generally obtained in the modular electronic device starting from the alternating voltage of the household power network. Therefore, electrical devices and components, such as rectifiers, controllers, converters, etc. are generally required in the modular electronic devices.

[0007] A drawback of the above-described modular electronic devices of the prior art is that the drawing of the required power supply directly in the individual modular electronic devices starting from the alternating voltage of the power network makes such devices costly and cumbersome.

[0008] Moreover, it is particularly complex and costly to provide the individual modular electronic devices with the option of receiving and/or transmitting a data signal to connect such devices to a home automation or data network because the individual modular electronic devices are to be individually wired to the home automation or data network. [0009] The present invention aims to provide a solution which is capable of overcoming, or at least partially reducing, the drawbacks of the modular electronic devices and the related electrical or home automation installations above described with reference to the prior art.

[0010] These and other objects are achieved by a cover plate for wall-mounting at least one modular electronic device of an electrical and/or home automation installation, in which the cover plate comprises:

- a base body having at least one fixing seat for the at least one modular electronic device of the electrical and/or home automation installation;

- a shared power supply and/or data bus, fixed to or integrated in the base body and to which the at least one modular electronic device is operatively connectable, said shared bus comprising first bus connection elements adapted to be abuttingly contacted by bus connection elements of said modular electronic device when the modular electronic device is fixed in the fixing seat. [0011] Particular embodiments of the aforesaid cover plate are defined in the appended dependent claims.

[0012] The invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows an axonometric view of a control group comprising a support frame, a connection module and a plurality of actuator modules fixed to the support frame;

- Figure 2 shows a front elevation plan view of the control group of Figure 1;

- Figure 3 shows an axonometric view of the control group of Figure 1, from which an actuator module has been removed;

- Figure 4 shows an exploded axonometric view of a box built into a wall and the control group of Figure 1, from which two actuator modules have been removed;

- Figure 5 shows an exploded axonometric view of a light point comprising a cover plate, the control group of Figure 1 from which two actuator modules have been removed, and further comprising a plurality of user interface modules which are fixable to the cover plate;

- Figure 6 shows an axonometric view of the cover plate of Figure 5 to which the user interface modules shown in Figure 5 are fixed;

- Figure 7 shows an exploded axonometric view of one of the actuator modules of Figure 1;

- Figure 8 shows an exploded axonometric view of the connection module of Figure 1;

- Figure 9 shows an exploded axonometric view of the cover plate of Figure 5, comprising a plate-shaped base body and a shared power supply and/or data bus;

- Figure 10 shows an axonometric view of the plate-shaped base body and the shared bus of Figure 9;

- Figure 11 shows a plan view of a rear face of an interface module of Figure 5.

[0013] In the accompanying drawings, equal or similar elements will be indicated by the same reference numerals.

[0014] As mentioned above, for the purposes of the present description, the expression "modular electronic device" generally means any means or modular electronic device generally belonging to electrical and/or home automation installations in residential buildings and the like, and usually intended for mounting, e.g. being built into, on walls of such buildings alongside other modular electronic or electrical devices.

[0015] Thus, this definition includes, without limitation, switches, data or mains sockets, switching devices, electrical regulating devices in general, thermostats, timers, buzzers, emergency lamps, e.g. removable lamps, displays.

[0016] Figure 1 shows a control group for electrical and/or home automation installations, which is globally indicated with reference numeral 1. [0017] The control group 1 comprises a support frame 2 intended to be fixed, in the example by means of a pair of screws which can be inserted into respective through holes 3, to an installation wall or to an electrical box 4, which can flush mounted into the wall, which is only shown in Figure 4. As is known, the electrical box 4 can be flush mounted into a hole defined in an installation wall, for example in a masonry or plasterboard wall. The control group 1 preferably further comprises one or more actuator modules 10a adapted and configured to be fixed to the support frame 2. The control group 1 preferably comprises at least one connection module 10b adapted and configured to be fixed to the support frame 2.

[0018] Preferably, the support frame 2 has a frame shaped base body comprising four frame sides in parallel and opposing twos, which are preferably made of an electrically insulating material, e.g. hard plastic. Two of the above opposing frame sides are provided with snap fixing elements 5. Such snap fixing elements 5 comprise, for example a plurality of coupling seats and allow a plurality of actuator modules 10a provided with conjugated snap fixing elements 6 to be fixed to the support frame 2. Said conjugated snap fixing elements 6 comprise, for example, for each actuator module 10a, one or more coupling teeth adapted to be engaged in the respective aforesaid coupling seats. Removable fixing means which allow the actuator modules 10a to be removably coupled to the support frame 2 may be provided alternatively to the snap fixing elements 5, 6.

[0019] The support frame 2 comprises a mounting window 7 in which one or more actuator modules 10a may be fixed. Preferably, the actuator modules 10a are fixable to the support frame 2 by means of the aforesaid conjugated snap fixing elements 6. One or more engagement seats for the actuator modules 10a are defined in the mounting window 7.

[0020] It should be noted that there is no limitation to the number and type of actuator modules 10a which are fixable to the support frame 2, except for possible limitations imposed by the modularity of the support frame 2.

[0021] The support frame 2 comprises fixing elements to allow a cover plate 200 to be fixed to the support frame 2. For example, the fixing elements comprise a plurality of fixing channels or seats 8, preferably defined in the frame-shaped base body.

[0022] Preferably, one or more user interface modules 100a or one or more cover modules 100b may be mechanically coupled to the cover plate 200. In general, the cover plate comprises one or more fixing and/or housing and/or positioning seats, each of which is associable with a respective user interface module 100a or cover module 100b or a respective modular electronic device 10a, 100a. The fixing and/or housing and/or positioning seats are referred to in short as fixing seats, without introducing any limitation.

[0023] Preferably, the combination and/or association of at least one user interface module 100a with a respective actuator module 10a forms a modular electronic device 10a, 100a for electrical and/or home automation installations. In particular, as will be explained in greater detail below, the user interface modules 100a allow a user to control an actuator module 10a operatively associated therewith.

[0024] However, it should be noted that the teachings of the present description are not limited to composite modular electrical devices resulting from the combination of an actuator module 10a with a separate and operatively-associated user interface module 100a since they also apply to modular devices which are not split into two separate or separable modules, provided that these devices require a power supply and/or data signal for the normal operation thereof. For example, the teachings of the present invention could also be applied to a push-button switch, as described in Patent Application W02017141089 A1 if, for example, such a switch is provided with a button backlight device (e.g. an LED) requiring a power supply signal for the operation thereof.

[0025] According to an embodiment, the control group 1 preferably further comprises a connection module 10b adapted and configured to be fixed in an engagement seat defined in the support frame 7, and to supply at least one actuator module 10a with a power supply and/or data signal. It therefore should be noted that the support frame 2 in the particular example shown in the drawings may accommodate up to three modules in the engagement seats thereof, including two actuator modules 10a and one connection module 10b. Clearly, the number of engagement seats may be increased in order to accommodate a greater or smaller number of modules 10a, 10b by increasing or decreasing the transversal dimensions of the mounting window 7 of the support frame 2.

[0026] Merely by way of example and thus without introducing any limitation, a cover module 100b for the cover plate 200 was provided in the corresponding fixing seat, i.e. placed in front, of the connection module 10b. A cover module 100b preferably is a mechanical module exclusively serving, or almost exclusively serving, the aesthetical function of occupying a fixing seat of the cover plate 200, which is free and available, for example, to allow a user interface module 100a to be accommodated, for example during a future expansion of an electrical and/or home automation installation or a variation in the configuration thereof.

[0027] Therefore, with reference to Figure 5, it is apparent from that disclosed above that a light point 50 preferably comprises a support frame 2 (and the possible box 4 which can be flush mounted into the wall), at least one actuator module 10a, a connection module 10b, a cover plate 200, at least one user interface module 100a and optionally, a cover module 100b.

[0028] The actuator module 10a comprises a casing 11a, 14a comprising the fixing elements 6 adapted and configured to fix the actuator module 10a to the wall- installable support frame 2 so that the actuator module 10a is arranged on or in the support frame 2, in a first engagement seat.

[0029] According to an embodiment, casing 11a, 14a is a support structure made of an electrically insulating material, for example a plastic material such as ABS, for example, or polycarbonate, preferably, and without limitation, approximately having the shape of a parallelepiped. Preferably, the fixing elements 6 are arranged on two opposed side walls of casing 11a, 14a. [0030] In the particular example shown in the drawings, casing 11a, 14a comprises a main tubular portion 11a and a bottom portion 14a removably coupled to the tubular portion 11a, for example coupled by means of snap coupling elements. In an alternative embodiment, the main tubular portion 11a and the bottom portion 14a could be obtained in a single piece. In any case, the main tubular portion 11a bears a tubular side wall 21a and the bottom portion 14a bears a bottom wall 24a.

[0031] The actuator module 10a further comprises an electronic circuit or component 12a, 13a accommodated in casing 11a, 14a and adapted and configured to receive a power supply and/or data signal. In the particular example shown, without introducing any limitation, the electronic circuit or component 12a, 13a comprises a first printed circuit board 12a and a second printed circuit board 13a, which are electrically connected to each other, for example by means of conjugated connectors 22, 23, preferably multipolar connectors. In the example, each of the printed circuit boards 12a, 13a comprises a plurality of electronic components. The electronic circuit or component 12a, 13a depends on the specific function carried out by the actuator module 10a. In general, it comprises at least one circuit actuation device 25. Circuit actuation device 25 means a device adapted to be controlled or actuated to vary and/or regulate the state of an electrical circuit, for example the state of an electrical load circuit which is operatively connectable to the actuator module 10a. Varying and/or regulating the state of an electrical circuit means, for example establishing and/or discontinuing at least one electrical contact or varying an operating parameter of an electrical circuit, for example the resistance or the capacitance, for example to control a load circuit operatively connected to the actuator module 10a. For example, if the actuator module 10a is a switch adapted to establish and discontinue at least one electrical connection between an alternating current power network and a load circuit (represented by the electrical and/or home automation apparatus controlled by the actuator module), the circuit actuation device 25 comprises one or more electronically controlled switches, e.g. transistors or relays. If instead, the actuator module 10a is a dimmer, the aforesaid circuit actuation device 25 comprises at least one electronically controllable variable resistor. According to a preferred embodiment, the actuator module 10a comprises an electronic control unit 35 such as, for example a microprocessor or a microcontroller, which is operatively connected to the circuit actuation device 25 in order to drive it.

[0032] The actuator module 10a further comprises at least one wiring terminal Tl, T2 adapted and configured to operatively connect the actuator module 10a to the electrical and/or home automation apparatus operatively connected thereto. In the particular example shown, the actuator module 10a comprises two bipolar wiring terminals Tl, T2, one of which allows the actuator module 10a to be electrically connected to an alternating current power distribution network by means of electric wires, while the other allows the actuator module 10a to be electrically connected to the electrical and/or home automation apparatus operatively associated therewith. For example, the aforesaid wiring terminals Tl, T2 comprise screw terminals or spring fast wiring terminals. [0033] The actuator module 10a comprises at least a first electrical contact element 15 adapted to receive a power supply and/or data signal. It should be noted that for the purposes of the present description, the expression "receiving a signal" may also be interpreted in the broader sense of "transmitting a signal" or "providing a signal".

[0034] The first electrical contact element 15 is adapted and configured to abuttingly interfere with a first conjugated electrical contact element 15 of a connection module 10b, or a further actuator module 10a which is fixable to the support frame 2 in a second engagement seat, which is immediately adjacent to the aforesaid first engagement seat. Thereby, an actuator module 10a in a light point 50 or a control group 1 advantageously receives a power supply and/or data signal from an actuator module 10a or from an adjacent connection module 10b. For example, with reference to Figure 2, by virtue of the provision of the electrical contact elements 15, the connection module 10b installed in the left side engagement seat provides a power supply and/or data signal to the adjacent actuator module 10a installed in the middle engagement seat, which in turn provides the power supply and/or data signal to the adjacent actuator module 10a installed in the right side engagement seat. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the aforesaid power supply and/or data signal is a very low voltage signal, for example a SELV (Safety Extra Low Voltage) signal.

[0035] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the actuator module 10a comprises a second electrical contact element 15 adapted and configured to abuttingly interfere with a second conjugated electrical contact element 15 of a connection module 10b, or a further actuator module 10a which is fixable to the support frame 2 in a third engagement seat, which is immediately adjacent to the aforesaid first engagement seat and is arranged on the opposite side with respect to the second engagement seat. Conveniently, the second electrical contact element 15 is electrically connected to the first electrical contact element 15, for example the first and the second electrical contact elements 15 are mutually short-circuited.

[0036] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the first electrical contact element 15 is an elastic element. Thereby, a stable electrical contact may be ensured between two adjacent actuator modules 10a or between one actuator module 10a and a connection module 10b adjacent thereto. Preferably, the first electrical contact element 15 is, or comprises, an elastically deformable tab.

[0037] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the first electrical contact element 15 protrudes outside the tubular side wall 21a. If both the first and the second electrical contact elements 15 are provided, such electrical contact elements 15 both protrude, at least in part, outside the tubular side wall 21a, on opposite sides.

[0038] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment the actuator module 10a comprises an electrically conductive bridge 16, which electrically connects the first and the second electrical contact element 15. Advantageously, the first and the second electrical contact element 15 are arranged at opposite end portions of the electrically conductive bridge 16. [0039] Conveniently, the electrically conductive bridge 16 is made of a metal sheet, for example sheared and bent steel sheet. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the first electrical contact element 15, the second electrical contact element 15 and the electrically conductive bridge 16 define a C-shaped, or substantially C-shaped, interconnecting element, which is preferably made in a single piece.

[0040] Preferably, casing 11a, 14a comprises a front side opposite to the bottom wall 24a and the electrically conductive bridge 16 crosses the front side of casing 11a, 14a.

[0041] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the actuator module 10a comprises a front cover 18a of casing 11a, 14 such as to restrain the electrically conductive bridge 16 to casing 11a, 14a. The front cover 18a is, for example removably fixed to casing 11a, 14a, for example by means of elastic fixing elements

19, e.g. elastic teeth 19, adapted to snap engage with respective engagement seats 29 provided in casing 11a, 14a, preferably on the tubular side wall 21a.

[0042] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the electrically conductive bridge 16 is therefore interposed and sandwiched between the front cover 18a and casing 11a, 14a. In the particular example shown in the drawings, the electrically conductive bridge 16 is interposed and sandwiched between the printed circuit board 12a and the front cover 18a. Thereby, the electrically conductive bridge 16 electrically contacts one or more electrical contact elements 36, preferably elastic contact elements, provided on the printed circuit board 12a, thus providing it with a power supply signal and/or data signal.

[0043] It should be noted in the particular example shown, that the actuator module 10a comprises two electrically conductive interconnecting bridge elements 15, 16, each of which bears a pair of electrical contact elements 15 and an electrically conductive bridge 16 interposed therebetween.

[0044] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the actuator module 10a comprises a plurality of electrical contact elements 15, which allow the actuator module 10a to receive a power supply and/or data signal. According to a preferred embodiment, the same electrical contact elements 15 allow the actuator module 10a to receive both a power supply signal and a data signal, or a signal which is simultaneously a power supply signal and a data signal. For example, two electrical contact elements 15 are sufficient to allow an actuator module 10a to receive a data and power supply signal according to the Modbus protocol.

[0045] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the actuator module 10a comprises at least one optical signaling device 32. The actuator module 10a is adapted and configured to drive the optical signaling device 32 to signal a correct reception of the power supply and/or data signal. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the aforesaid actuator module is adapted and configured to switch ON the aforesaid optical signaling device 32 for a limited time interval starting from when it starts receiving the power supply and/or data signal from an actuator module 10a or an adjacent connection module 10b. Such a limited time interval preferably has a duration comprised in the range of 0.3 to 2s, for example equal to Is or 0.5s. Thereby, an installer may easily detect, in the installation step, whether an actuator module 10a is working properly and is correctly electrically connected to an actuator module 10a or to an adjacent connection module 10b. According to an advantageous embodiment, the optical signaling device 32 is operatively connected to the electronic control unit 35 to be driven by the latter, for example to be turned ON and OFF.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment, the optical signaling device 32 comprises an LED. In the particular embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the actuator module 10a comprises two LEDs 32 which are, for example mounted on the printed circuit board 12 and which are preferably two surface mounting LEDs, i.e. two SMT LEDs.

[0047] According to an embodiment, the front cover 18a of casing 11a, 14a comprises a window 33, which allows visibility from the outside of the optical signaling device 32 . In the particular example shown in the accompanying drawings, the front cover 18a comprises two through openings 33, each of which allows visibility of the outside of a respective LED 32. For example, the through openings 33 overlap the LEDs 32 or they are crossed by the LEDs 32.

[0048] According to an advantageous embodiment, when the actuator module 10a is installed in a light point 50 having a cover plate 200, the optical signaling device 32 is covered by the cover plate 200 so as not to be visible from the outside of the light point 50. In other words, the cover plate 200 serves as a screen which covers the optical signal, which for example is bright and visible, emitted by the optical signaling device 32.

[0049] According to an advantageous embodiment, the actuator module 10a comprises at least one manual control device 38 adapted and configured to provide the actuator module 10a with a manual control signal 38. The aforesaid manual control device 38 comprises, for example a button operatively connected to a switch, in particular to a microswitch of the actuator module. The aforesaid manual control device 8 allows a user to locally and directly control the actuator module 10a, for example in order to perform a test or when the cover plates are temporarily removed from the related electrical boxes 4 during construction operations. In the particular embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the manual control device 38 comprises two buttons fixed to the first circuit board 12a.

[0050] Figure 4 shows a non-limiting embodiment of a connection module 10b. Parts of the connection module 10b, which are very similar or identical to corresponding parts of the actuator module 10a, are indicated in the drawings by the same reference symbols. For the sake of brevity, the description of elements which are very similar or identical to corresponding elements already described for the actuator module 10a, are omitted in the following description of the connection module 10b. The connection module 10b was given this name because it allows an actuator module 10a to be connected to a power supply and/or data network.

[0051] In the example, the connection module 10b comprises a casing lib, 14b preferably, and without limitation, having a main portion lib and a side cover 14b which is removably associable with the main portion lib, for example by means of snap fixing elements. Casing lib, 14b comprises a tubular side wall 21b and a bottom wall 24b.

[0052] The connection module 10a further comprises an electronic circuit or component 12b, 13b accommodated in casing lib, 14b and adapted and configured to supply a power supply and/or data signal in output. In the particular example shown, without introducing any limitation, the electronic circuit or component 12b, 13b comprises a first printed circuit board 12b and a second printed circuit board 13b, which are electrically connected to each other, for example by means of conjugated connectors 22, 23. In the example, each of the printed circuit boards 12b, 13b comprises a plurality of electronic components.

[0053] According to a preferred embodiment, the connection module 10b comprises a connection terminal T3 through which the connection module 10b may receive a power supply and/or data signal in input. For example, said signal is both a power supply signal and a data signal, for example according to the Modbus protocol. [0054] The connection module 10b comprises at least a first electrical contact element 15, which allows an adjacent actuator module 10a to be provided with the power supply and/or data signal. In the particular example shown, the connection module 10b comprises at least one interconnecting bridge element 15, 16, which is identical or similar to the one described above for the actuator module 10a. In the particular example shown, the connection module 10b comprises two interconnecting bridge elements 15, 16.

[0055] The at least one interconnecting bridge element 15, 16 electrically contacts one or more electrical contact elements 36, preferably elastic contact elements, provided on the printed circuit board 12b, so as to be feed with a power supply and/or data signal supplied in output by the connection module 10b.

[0056] Preferably, the casing lib, 14b of the connection module 10b comprises a front side opposite to the bottom wall 24b and the electrically conductive bridge 16 crosses the front side of casing lib, 14b.

[0057] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the actuator module 10b comprises a front cover 18b of the casing lib, 14b such as to restrain the electrically conductive bridge 16 to casing lib, 14b. The front cover 18b is, for example removably fixed to casing lib, 14b, for example by means of elastic fixing elements 19, e.g. elastic teeth 19, adapted to snap engage with respective engagement seats 29 provided in casing lib, 14b, preferably on the tubular side wall 21b thereof. [0058] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the electrically conductive bridge 16 is therefore interposed and sandwiched between the front cover 18b and casing lib, 14b. In the particular example shown in the drawings, the electrically conductive bridge 16 is interposed and sandwiched between the printed circuit board 12b and the front cover 18b. Thereby, the electrically conductive bridge 16 electrically contacts one or more electrical contact elements 36, preferably elastic contact elements, provided on the printed circuit board 12b, so as to be supplied with a power supply and/or data signal.

[0059] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the connection module lib comprises further electrical contact elements 37, 37' for directly or indirectly supplying the power supply and/or data signal to one or more user interface modules 100a. Conveniently, the aforesaid further electrical contact elements 37, 37' are spring contact elements.

[0060] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the further electrical contact elements 37, 37' allow the connection module 10b to be operatively connected to a shared power supply and/or data bus 203 of the light point 50, in particular of the cover plate 200, to which the user interface modules 100a may also be connected. Thereby, the shared bus 203 may receive the power supply and/or data signal from the connection module 10b and distribute/provide it to the user interface modules 100a.

[0061] In the particular example shown in the drawings, the further electrical contact elements 37, 37' are contact elements which are accessible through the front cover 18b of the casing lib, 14b. In particular, the further electrical contact elements 37, 37' are accessible from, or cross, respective through openings 34 defined in the front cover 18b. The latter preferably is made of an electrically insulating material, e.g. plastic.

[0062] The connection module 10b may be operatively connected to one or more user interface modules 100a by virtue of the aforesaid further electrical contact elements 37, 37'. [0063] If the signal provided by the connection module 10b to the interface modules 100a is a data signal (or a power supply and data signal), one or more user interface modules 100a may be operatively connected to respective actuator modules 10a. Thereby, an actuator module 10a may be controlled by means of a respective user interface module 100a. If the data communication protocol is an address-based protocol, as occurs, for example in the Modbus protocol, then the position of the user interface modules 100a may advantageously be not constrained to the position of the actuator modules 10a. For example, the user interface module 100a furthest to the right in Figure 5 could control the actuator module 10a which occupies the middle engagement seat of the support frame 2 in Figure 2. An actuator module 10a installed in a light point may even be operatively associated to a user interface module 100a installed in another light point, again by means of addressing. Here, the communication between the two light points may be ensured by providing a connection module 10b in each light point so that the two connection modules 10b are operatively connected to each other, they both being, for example connected to a home automation network. Moreover, the modularity of the cover plate 200 may advantageously be not constrained to the modularity of the support frame 2. For example, the support frame 2 could have a modularity equal to X in which it is a positive integer (in the example in the drawings, X=3) , and the cover plate could have a modularity which is greater than X (for example, equal to X+l or X+2) because it could also accommodate interface modules 100a which control actuator modules 10a installed at a different light point. Moreover, a connection module 10b may be operatively connected to a control device which is separate from an actuator module 10a, for example to a control device installed in an electrical control panel of the electrical and/or home automation installation .

[0064] It should be noted that the aforesaid data signal may also allow a two-way communication between a user interface module 100b and an associated actuator module 10a.

[0065] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the further electrical contact elements 37, 37' are spatially arranged on the connection module 10b, and in particular in an asymmetrical configuration on the front face.

[0066] A particularly advantageous and non-limiting embodiment of a cover plate 200 will be now described with reference to Figures 5, 9 and 10.

[0067] The cover plate 200 comprises a plate-shaped base body 201, which is preferably made of an electrically insulating material. Preferably, the aforesaid plate shaped base body comprises first mechanical coupling elements 215, for example coupling teeth, adapted and configured to removably couple at least one user interface module 100a which is electrically connectable to the shared bus 203, to the cover plate 200, which first mechanical coupling elements preferably are adapted and configured to removably couple a plurality of user interface modules 100a to the cover plate 200. The first mechanical coupling elements 215 are such as to cooperate with respective conjugated mechanical coupling elements 115 provided on the user interface modules 110a. For example, if the first mechanical coupling elements 215 comprise coupling teeth, the conjugated coupling elements 115 comprise respective engagement seats in which the coupling teeth may be engaged and retained.

[0068] The cover plate 200 further comprises second mechanical coupling elements 202 adapted and configured to removably couple the cover plate 200 to the support frame 2. For example, the second mechanical coupling elements 202 each comprise a tab protruding from the base body 201 towards the support frame 2. Said protruding tab is adapted to engage in a respective channel 8 of the support frame 2 to engage in the channel or seat 8. [0069] The cover plate 200 comprises a shared power supply and/or data bus 203 to which the user interface modules 100a and the modular electronic devices 100a, 10a in general are operatively connectable. For this purpose, the shared bus 203 comprises first bus connection elements 221 adapted to be abuttingly contacted by bus connection elements 121 of said modular electronic device 10a, 100a when the modular electronic device 10a, 100a is fixed in the fixing seat. In particular, the aforesaid abutting contact is established or achieved by means of simple abutting touch (or support), i.e. without using an engagement connection with plug and socket or a connection with conducting wires. The shared bus 203 is fixed to or integrated in the base body 201 and is preferably a planar bus.

[0070] It is apparent that the power supply and/or data signal travels on the shared bus 203, and therefore the shared bus 203 may provide and/or receive said signal to/from the modular electrical apparatuses.

[0071] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the shared bus 203 is, or comprises, a printed circuit board, conveniently a double-sided board, having a plurality of first bus connection elements 221 at least on a first face 220 intended to face the user interface modules 100a. Preferably the first bus connection elements 221 are electrical contact pads, for example printed or made in general on at least one of the two faces of the printed circuit board.

[0072] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the base body 201 of the cover plate 200 comprises a first face 211 intended to face the user interface modules 100a, and a second face 212, opposite to the first face 211, facing the shared bus 203. The base body 201 comprises a plurality of through openings 213 provided in order to allow an electrical connection between the interface modules 100a and the shared bus 203. For example, the through openings 213 are arranged in front of the first bus connection elements 221 and are axially aligned with respect to the first bus connection elements 221.

[0073] According to an embodiment, the user interface modules 100b comprise bus connection elements 121 adapted and configured to be connected to respective first bus connection elements in order to connect the interface modules 100b to the bus and therefore, to share the power supply and/or data signal between bus 203 and the interface modules 100b. Preferably, the bus connection elements 121 are electrical contact elements which protrude from a face of the interface modules 100b facing the cover plate 200 and the base body 201 in particular. For example, the bus connection elements 121 comprise spring contact elements such as, for example elastic foils or elastically-loaded sliding pistons.

[0074] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the bus connection elements 121 of a user interface module 100a are such as to cross the base body 201 of the cover plate 200 to reach and contact the shared bus 203. [0075] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the shared bus 203 comprises second bus connection elements 231 to allow at least one connection module 10b and one or more actuator modules 10a to be connected to the shared bus 203, preferably through the at least one connection module. According to an embodiment, the second bus connection elements 231 are arranged on the shared bus 203 in asymmetrical configuration. In particular, the second connection elements 231 of the shared bus 203 are such as to be electrically contacted by the further electrical contact elements 37, 37' of the connection module 10b. According to an advantageous embodiment, the second connection elements 231 of the shared bus 203 are, or comprise, electrical contact pads.

[0076] Preferably, the second bus connection elements 231 are arranged on face 230 of the printed circuit board opposite to the first face 220 on which the first bus connection elements 221 are arranged. The shared bus 203 preferably comprises electrically conductive tracks which connect each of the first bus connection elements 221 with at least one respective second bus connection element 231.

[0077] Although essentially an embodiment was hereunto described in which the shared bus 203 is made on a printed circuit board fixed to the base body 201, the bus may be directly integrated in the base body in an alternative embodiment. Here, the first bus connection elements 221 are, for example arranged on a face of the base body 201, while the second bus connection elements 231 are arranged on the opposite face of the base body 201. Preferably, electrically conductive tracks which connect each of the first bus connection elements 221 with at least one respective second bus connection element 231 are made in the thickness of the base body 201. Conveniently therefore, the base body 201 is made of electrically insulating material.

[0078] According to an advantageous embodiment conforming with the examples shown in the drawings, the base body 201 comprises a plurality of said fixing seats mutually arranged side-by-side along an alignment direction in order to fix a plurality of modular electronic devices 10a, 100a to the base body, in which: - each fixing seat is provided to fix a respective modular electronic device 10a, 100a of said plurality of modular electronic devices 10a, 100a to the base body 201;

- the shared bus 203 is shared between said plurality of modular electronic devices 10a, 100a.

[0079] With reference to Figure 9, the cover plate 200 preferably comprises one or more spacer bars 205, each of which is adapted to be arranged between two adjacent user interface modules 100a or cover modules 100b. Preferably, the spacer bars 205 are removably coupled to the base body 201. Thereby, the appearance of the cover plate 200 may be easily customized or modified by acting on colors, finishings, and materials of the spacer bars 205.

[0080] Preferably, the cover plate 200 comprises a frame 204 which surrounds the base body 201. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the aforesaid frame 204 is a compensation frame according to the teachings of International Patent Application WO2019/145815A1.

[0081] The user interface module 100a preferably comprises a container body 101, 102, for example made of an electrically insulating material. Preferably, the container body 101, 102 comprises a base 101 and a cover

102.

[0082] The user interface module 100a is adapted and configured to be manually controlled by a user in order to generate a control signal for controlling an actuator module 10a associated with the user interface module 100a. Preferably, the user interface module 100a comprises a haptic system, for example a touch haptic system, adapted to generate the aforesaid control signal. For example, the aforesaid system comprises at least one capacitive contact sensor adapted to provide an electrical signal in output and a processing unit such as, for example a microprocessor or a microcontroller, operatively connected to the capacitive sensor and adapted to generate the control signal starting from the aforesaid electrical signal. The user interface module 100a may further comprise at least one electro-optical lighting device and/or an electronic display device, which allows the user interface module 100a to be identified in the dark and/or its function to be displayed.

[0083] Based on the above description, it may thus be understood how a cover plate of the above-described type allows to achieve the objects mentioned above with reference to the prior art.

[0084] Without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the embodiments and the constructional details may be broadly varied with respect to the above description disclosed by way of non-limiting example, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.