The present invention relates to an electrical control device.

The present invention relates in particular to an electrical control device equipped with a cover plate having an integrated display that can be associated with a base adapted to support so-called plug-ins, i.e., devices such as electrical outlets, electronic control and command modules, etc.

In the field of electrical systems, a so-called residential range includes control and actuation devices constituted by switches, selectors, outlets and other elements of the electrical system, which are generally assembled in a modular manner on supporting frames which are fixed to boxes, usually recessed in walls or mounted outside the walls themselves.

Normally, the internal parts of the devices are protected by means of frame cover borders, called plates, which provide an appropriate aesthetic finish and the necessary protection.

Cover plates are appropriately configured to allow accessibility to the switches and to the other functional control elements.

Traditionally, plates are passive elements provided in a variety of materials, mainly technopolymers, but also metals, wood, in order to meet different aesthetic requirements.

In recent years, plates with functional characteristics, called active plates, have been proposed on the market; they do not merely cover the fixing elements of the electrical devices but they are equipped with control, actuation and signaling devices.

EP3398409B1 discloses a built-in electromechanical equipment for controlling devices in a building, that includes a cover plate coupled to a functional frame, incorporating a socket-holder frame. The plate and the functional frame are also coupled to a built-in box, which contains a power supply device. The functional frame has a lower protruding rim having sensors and containing an electronic circuit equipped with LEDs and a microcontroller which analyses, controls and manages the LEDs, the sensors and communication ports of the electronic circuit. A light guide, between the plate and the functional frame, is coupled to the LEDs and illuminates the outer surface of the plate. US2019/221958A1 discloses a wall-mounted assembly including host devices which receive line voltage and generate low voltage power on contacts for powering modular devices. The modular devices are installed adjacent to the host device and share a faceplate with the host device, such as a standard decorator faceplate. The modular devices receive power from the host device via a power bus between the host device and the modular devices. The power bus may include a communication bus for communication between the host device and the modular devices. The faceplate may be a smart faceplate, which may include circuitry, such as a battery backup, occupancy sensing, a charging dock for a mobile phone, etc.

US2011/182012A1 discloses a system including a faceplate and an electrical receptacle or switch. The faceplate includes a panel having a first surface, a second surface, and an opening defined in the panel providing communication between the first and second surfaces. The faceplate also includes an interrupter extending from the first surface of the panel having at least two interrupter contacts thereon and a first electrical circuit operatively coupled to the interrupter contacts. The electrical receptacle or switch may include a housing and a second electrical circuit, wherein the second electrical circuit is in communication with the first electrical circuit when the faceplate is mounted on the electrical receptacle or switch and the interrupter is configured to interrupt the second electrical circuit.

US8003886B1 discloses a light switch assembly to replace an existing light switch, which generally includes a mounting bracket attached to an electrical box. The assembly slides into the mounting bracket and is locked into place with the mounting bracket. A decorative light switch cover and custom artwork within the frame snaps and locks onto the outer perimeter of the mounting bracket to complete the assembly. The assembly provides for a battery hack-up system for power failure situations to illuminate the white, light emitting diodes in the event of a loss of power. The assembly senses the loss of power and unlocks the switch assembly from attachment to the mounting bracket. Unsnapping the decorative cover exposes the switch assembly so it can be removed from the mounting bracket. The switch assembly then becomes a mobile, hand-held emergency flashlight. The battery back-up system also allows for communication with first responders.

A problem of a system as described, for example, in EP3398409B1 , is that the front structure of the plate and the bottom of the plate open to allow the accommodation of the support, so as to render it interchangeable; in this way, the assembly constituted by the plate, the front plate structure, the plate bottom, and the support, is bulky and therefore protrudes considerably from the installation wall.

The aim of the present invention is to provide an improved electrical control device provided with a cover plate having an integrated display that can be associated with a base adapted to support so-called plug-ins, i.e., electrical outlets, control and command devices, electronic modules, etc.

Within the scope of this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a device that constitutes an integrated system.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an electrical device with power supply and communication from a smart module, plug-in or retrofit, capable of sharing, by using different media, information arriving from an home automation system, such as the opening status of windows, the occupancy of a meeting room, and the display of alarm states.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electrical device that can be made with a limited number of electronic components on the plate, reducing costs and energy consumption.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device which, by virtue of its particular constructive characteristics, is capable of giving the greatest assurances of reliability and safety in use.

This aim, these objects and others which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by an electrical control device, as claimed in the appended claims.

Further characteristics and advantages will become better apparent from the description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the cover plate of the electrical control device according to the present invention, shown in the installed condition; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the device according to the invention;

Figure 3 is another partially exploded perspective view of the device;

Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of the plug-in and of the connecting cable, shown with the connector not connected to the plug-in;

Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of the plug-in and of the connecting cable, shown with the connector connected to the plug-in;

Figure 6 is a partial perspective view of the plate and of the connecting cable, shown with the connector not connected to the plate;

Figure 7 is a partial perspective view of the plate and of the connecting cable, shown with the connector connected to the plate;

Figure 8 is a partial perspective view of the modular support and of the connecting cable;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the connecting cable.

With reference to the cited figures, the device according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1 , includes a cover plate 7 which can be associated with a modular support 11 .

The cover plate 7 includes a faceplate 19, provided with a display 18.

The cover plate 7 further includes a printed circuit board 17, which includes the electronic components, an inner and perimetric light-guiding element 16, and a bottom cover 15.

By way of example, the bottom cover 15 is advantageously an adhesive film.

The modular support 11 , which can be of a standard type, can support one or more plug-ins, i.e., electrical and electronic devices such as, for example, control devices, outlets, electronic modules, etc.

In the specific case, the modular carrier 11 supports at least one operating module 5.

The operating module 5, in the form of a plug-in or retrofit, is able to share, by using various means, information arriving from an home automation system, such as, for example, the opening status of windows, the occupancy of a meeting room, and the display of alarm states. This allows to have fewer electronic components on the cover plate 7, reducing costs and energy consumption.

According to the invention, the cover plate 7 is connected to the operating module 5 by means of a connection system 6, advantageously constituted by a plugplug patch cord.

The connection system 6, including a patch cord 61 , is connected to the cover plate 7 and to the operating module 5 by a pull-resistant connection means.

The pull-resistant connection means includes a first connector 8, integral with one end of the patch cord 61 and adapted to be inserted in a connector 9 which is integral with a connector support 10 associated with the cover plate 7.

The pull-resistant connection means may also include a second connector 14, which is integral with the other end of the patch cord 61 and is adapted to be inserted in a connector 51 of the operating module 5.

The modular support 11 has an opening 13 allowing the patch cord 61 to slide and guide while containing the system for connection to the cover plate 7.

In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, providing an electrical device, constituted by a cover plate powered by and communicating with a smart module, which provides an integrated system.

The power supply and the communication provided by the smart module, a plugin or retrofit, allows to share information arriving from an home automation system, such as for example the opening status of windows, the occupancy of a meeting room and the display of alarm states.

This allows to provide a device with fewer electronic components on the plate while reducing costs and energy consumption.

An important advantage of the invention is constituted by the system for connection between the plate and the power supply/communication module, via a plugplug patch cord, having a pull-resistant characteristic.

A further advantage is the modular support with an opening for the sliding of the power supply/communication patch cord and the corresponding seat to guide and contain the system for connection to the plate. This application claims the priority of Italian Patent Application No. 102022000000350, filed on January 12, 2022, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.