Electrical equipment and additional functional module associated therewith

An electrical equipment for an electrical installation connected to an electrical grid, has at least: a primary functional module (2) suitable for carrying out a current interruption function, and an additional functional module (5) for carrying out a function requiring a power supply The function of the additional functional module (5) is a function requiring a power supply except for an indicator light lighting function.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a National Phase of PCT/EP2017/067250 filed on Jul. 10, 2017, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electrical apparatus for an electrical installation and to an additional functional module for this electrical apparatus.

Description of Related Art

Document DE 19 21 571 A1 describes an electrical switch comprising a lighting element connected in parallel with the electrical circuit of the electrical switch in order to perform an indicator light function. Such an electrical switch only makes it possible to perform an indicator light function. This electrical switch therefore does not make it possible to implement more sophisticated functionalities, and is therefore limited.

Objects and Summary

The present invention aims to propose a flexible and customizable solution for an electrical apparatus and to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

The present invention relates to an electrical apparatus for an electrical installation, able and intended to be connected to an electrical grid, comprising at least:a reception module comprising at least a first reception area;a primary functional module received in the first reception area and comprising a first connection pole able and intended to be connected to a first line of the electrical grid and a second connection pole able and intended to be connected to a second line of an electrical circuit of the electrical installation,

the primary functional module comprising a device for interrupting the current, which device is arranged between the first connection pole and the second connection pole and is able, in an open position, to interrupt the current between the first connection pole and the second connection pole and, in a closed position, to allow the passage of the current between the first connection pole and the second connection pole,

which electrical apparatus is characterized in that the reception module comprises a second reception area for receiving an additional functional module comprising means for performing at least one function requiring an electric power supply, the additional functional module comprising at least a fourth connection pole and a fifth connection pole that are able to be electrically connected respectively to the first connection pole and to the second connection pole of the primary functional module in order to supply power to the additional functional module and in that either the electrical apparatus comprises an interruption element able to act on the interruption device so as to interrupt the flow of the current between the first connection pole and the second connection pole when the additional functional module is received in the second reception area, or an interruption element of the additional functional module is able to act on the interruption device so as to interrupt the flow of the current between the first connection pole and the second connection pole when the additional functional module is received in the second reception area.

The invention also relates to an additional functional module for an electrical apparatus according to the invention, which functional module is able to be received in the second reception area of the electrical apparatus, the additional functional module comprising at least a fourth connection pole and a fifth connection pole that are able to be electrically connected respectively to the first connection pole and to the second connection pole of the primary functional module of the electrical apparatus in order to supply power to the additional functional module and comprises means for performing at least one function requiring an electric power supply, and wherein either the additional functional module comprises an interruption element able to act on the interruption device so as to interrupt the flow of the current between the first connection pole and the second connection pole when the additional functional module is received in the second reception area of the electrical apparatus, or the additional functional module is able to act on an interruption element of the electrical apparatus acting on the interruption device so as to interrupt the flow of the current between the first connection pole and the second connection pole when the additional functional module is received in the second reception area of the electrical apparatus.

The invention also relates to an electronic card for an additional functional module as described above, characterized in that the electronic card comprises a measurement sensor and/or display means and/or actuation means and/or electromagnetic wave transmission and/or reception means and/or a transducer and in that it comprises at least first connection means so as to be able and intended to form a removable component of said additional functional module.

The invention also relates to an electrical assembly comprising an electrical apparatus according to the invention and an additional functional module according to the invention, said additional functional module being received in the second reception area of the electrical apparatus, the fourth connection pole and the fifth connection pole of the additional functional module being electrically connected respectively to the first connection pole and to the second connection pole of the primary functional module of the electrical apparatus in order to supply power to the additional functional module, and comprises means for performing at least one function requiring an electric power supply, the interruption element acting on the interruption device so as to interrupt the flow of the current between the first connection pole and the second connection pole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The electrical apparatus1′ for an electrical installation, able and intended to be connected to an electrical grid, comprises at least:a reception module8comprising at least a first reception area9(FIGS. 3A to 4);a primary functional module2received in the first reception area9and comprising a first connection pole3able and intended to be connected to a first line L of the electrical grid and a second connection pole4able and intended to be connected to a second line L1of an electrical circuit of the electrical installation (FIG. 1B),

the primary functional module2(FIGS. 1A and 1C) comprising a device2″ for interrupting the current, which device is arranged between the first connection pole3and the second connection pole4and is able, in an open position, to interrupt the current between the first connection pole3and the second connection pole4and, in a closed position, to allow the passage of the current between the first connection pole3and the second connection pole4,

which electrical apparatus1′ is characterized in that the reception module comprises a second reception area9′ for receiving an additional functional module5(FIG. 3A) comprising means for performing at least one function requiring an electric power supply, the additional functional module5comprising at least a fourth connection pole6and a fifth connection pole7that are able to be electrically connected respectively to the first connection pole3and to the second connection pole4of the primary functional module2in order to supply power to the additional functional module5and in that either the electrical apparatus1′ comprises an interruption element able to act on the interruption device2″ so as to interrupt the flow of the current between the first connection pole3and the second connection pole4when the additional functional module5is received in the second reception area9′, or an interruption element of the additional functional module5is able to act on the interruption device2″ so as to interrupt the flow of the current between the first connection pole3and the second connection pole4when the additional functional module5is received in the second reception area9′.

The interruption element may therefore either be present on the apparatus1′ or on the additional functional module5. In these two cases, the interruption element is designed to be able to act on the interruption device2″ so as to interrupt the flow of the current between the first connection pole3and the second connection pole4when the additional functional module5is received in the second reception area9′.

The interruption device2″ may furthermore comprise a shunt28able to establish the flow of the current between the first connection pole3and the second connection pole4in a first position and able to be moved from the first position to a second position by the interruption element when the additional functional module5is received in the second reception area9′ so as to interrupt the flow of the current between the first connection pole3and the second connection pole4. In this case, the interruption element may be a rod able to move the shunt from the first position to the second position counter to a spring. InFIG. 6, the additional functional module5is not received in the second reception area9′ and the shunt28adopts the first position. InFIG. 7, the additional functional module5is received in the second reception area9′ and the shunt adopts the second position.

The interruption element may be a first blocking element able to block the interruption device2″ in an open position when the additional functional module5is received in the second reception area9′. In this case, the first blocking element may be a rod acting on the interruption device2″.

Said primary functional module2may comprise at least a first connection terminal3′ connected to the first connection pole3and a second connection terminal4′ connected to the second connection pole4, the first connection terminal3′ and the second connection terminal4′ being able to form a first outlet.

According to one alternative possibility, said primary functional module2may comprise at least a first conductive wire connected to the first connection pole3and a second conductive wire connected to the second connection pole4, the first conductive wire and the second conductive wire being able to be connected to a terminal block of the additional functional module5.

Said electrical apparatus1′ may furthermore comprise a control member2′ able to act on the interruption device2″ so as to allow a change from the open position of the interruption device2″ to the closed position of the interruption device2″ and/or to allow a change from the closed position of the interruption device2″ to the open position of the interruption device2″.

Said electrical apparatus1′ may comprise a first housing15with which the first outlet13and/or the control member2′ are assembled.

Said reception module8may comprise a support frame8′ comprising a central opening17at least partly forming said first and second reception areas9,9′ receiving the first housing15and being able to receive a second housing16of the additional functional module5, the first housing15being able to comprise removable fastening means18,19interacting with the support frame8′.

Said additional functional module5comprising the means for performing at least one function requiring an electric power supply may be able to be received in the second reception area9′ of the electrical apparatus1′, the additional functional module5being able to comprise at least a fourth connection pole6and a fifth connection pole7that are able to be electrically connected respectively to the first connection pole3and to the second connection pole4of the primary functional module2of the electrical apparatus1′ in order to supply power to the additional functional module5, in which additional functional module5either the additional functional module5comprises an interruption element able to act on the interruption device2″ so as to interrupt the flow of the current between the first connection pole3and the second connection pole4when the additional functional module5is received in the second reception area9′ of the electrical apparatus1′, or the additional functional module5is able to act on an interruption element of the electrical apparatus1′ acting on the interruption device2″ so as to interrupt the flow of the current between the first connection pole3and the second connection pole4when the additional functional module5is received in the second reception area9′ of the electrical apparatus1′ (FIGS. 2A to 2E and 3B).

The interruption element may therefore be present either on the apparatus1′ or on the additional functional module5. In these two cases, the interruption element is designed to be able to act on the interruption device2″ so as to interrupt the flow of the current between the first connection pole3and the second connection pole4when the additional functional module5is received in the second reception area9′.

Said electrical assembly1(FIG. 5) comprises an electrical apparatus1according to the invention and an additional functional module5comprising means for performing at least one function requiring an electric power supply according to the invention, said additional functional module5being received in the second reception area9′ of the electrical apparatus1′, the fourth connection pole6and the fifth connection pole7of the additional functional module being electrically connected respectively to the first connection pole3and to the second connection pole4of the primary functional module2of the electrical apparatus1′ in order to supply power to the additional functional module5, the interruption element acting on the interruption device2″ so as to interrupt the flow of the current between the first connection pole3and the second connection pole4.

The interruption element may be a first blocking element able to block the interruption device2″ in an open position when the additional functional module5is received in the second reception area9′. In this case, the first blocking element may be a rod acting on the interruption device2″.

Said at least one function of the additional functional module5may be a function requiring an electric power supply, excluding an indicator light lighting function linked to the open position and/or the closed position of the control member2′ of the primary functional module2.

Excluding an indicator light lighting function is understood to mean an indicator light lighting function that is generally implemented by way of an indicator light able and intended to be turned on when the interruption device2″ is in the open position and to be turned off when the interruption device2″ is in the closed position. For example, when the primary functional module2controls a load20, such as lighting, the indicator light is turned on when the lighting is not supplied with power and is therefore turned off, and the indicator light is turned off when the lighting is supplied with power and is therefore turned on. This type of indicator light is most often used to locate and identify the electrical apparatus1′ in darkness in part of a building (not shown), such as a stairwell (not shown).

Advantageously, the electrical assembly1makes it possible to perform at least one function beyond the interruption function using the additional functional module5. Thus, the additional functional module5allows the electrical apparatus1′ to be customized. Furthermore, as the additional functional module5is optional, it is able to be installed or removed at any time without impacting the electrical installation. Specifically, the electrical apparatus1′ is able to operate as such, without an additional functional module5being received in the second reception area9′ of the electrical apparatus1′. The electrical apparatus1′ that is obtained is thus particularly flexible and may be easily transformed into an electrical assembly1that is capable of performing more sophisticated functions by virtue of the additional functional module5. Moreover, the additional function of the additional functional module5is not intended to inform the user about the location or the state of the interruption function, but advantageously extends to functions independent of the interruption function.

According to one possibility, the electrical apparatus1′ may furthermore comprise a control member2′ able to act on the interruption device2″ so as to allow a change from the open position of the interruption device2″ to the closed position of the interruption device2″ and/or to allow a change from the closed position of the interruption device2″ to the open position of the interruption device2″.

The electrical apparatus1′ and/or the electrical assembly1is/are preferably intended to be assembled with or recessed into a support (not shown), such as a wall.

The device2″ for interrupting the current of the primary functional module2may be a monostable switch or a bistable switch.

In the case of a monostable switch, in the open position of the control member2′, the control member2′ may be designed not to act on the interruption device2″, which itself also remains in the open position and, in the closed position of the control member2′, the control member2′ may be designed to change the interruption device2″ to the closed position. In this configuration, the monostable switch module is also called “normally open”. According to one alternative of a monostable switch module, in the open position of the control member2′, the control member2′ may be designed to change the interruption device2″ to the closed position and, in the closed position of the control member2′, the control member2′ does not act on the closure of the interruption device2″. In this configuration, the monostable switch module is also called “normally closed”. The control member2′ of a monostable switch module may preferably be a pushbutton (not shown).

For a bistable switch module, in the open position of the control member2′, the control member2′ may be designed to change the interruption device2″ to the open position and, in the closed position of the control member2′, the control member2′ may be designed to change the interruption device2″ to the closed position. In this case, the control member2′ may preferably be a toggle switch that is able to adopt two positions. However, this example is not limiting.

The additional functional module5may furthermore comprise a second blocking element able to block the control member2′ in the open position when the additional functional module5is received in the second reception area9′ of the electrical apparatus1′.

The primary functional module2may comprise a first connection pole3able and intended to be connected to a first line L of the electrical grid and a second connection pole4able and intended to be connected to a second line L1of an electrical circuit of the electrical installation.

The first line L may be a power supply line connected to the electrical grid, preferably via a switching device, such as a circuit breaker.

The second line L1may be a return line of the electrical circuit of the electrical installation for supplying power to a load20of the electrical installation, such as lighting.

The first line L and the second line L1may take the form of one or more cables (not shown).

The electrical installation may preferably be a domestic electrical installation.

According to one possibility, said at least one function of the additional functional module5is a function of shaping physical parameters of an electrical signal coming from the first line (L) of the electrical grid.

The additional functional module5may comprise at least electrical signal processing means able and intended to perform said function of shaping the physical parameters of the electrical signal.

The processing means may be able and intended to modify the shape of the electrical signal, to vary the voltage of the electrical signal and/or the intensity of the current of the electrical signal, to vary the power of the electrical signal, or to vary the frequency of the electrical signal.

The processing means may be able and intended to be actuated locally or remotely by control means.

The processing means may be chosen from among: a variable speed drive, a relay, a filter, a switch, or a semiconductor transistor, preferably a MOSFET transistor.

The control means may in this case consist of a control unit, of smartphone or remote control type, remote from the electrical apparatus1and not forming part of the electrical installation. For example, a wireless link, via electromagnetic wave transmission and/or reception means that are described below, may make it possible to establish communication between the control unit and the processing means. According to one alternative variant, the processing means may be actuated via a control button, remote from the electrical apparatus1and forming part of the electrical installation. In this case, the link between the control button and the processing means may be wired or wireless.

Said at least one function of the additional functional module5may be chosen, alone or in combination, from among a function of measuring at least one physical parameter and/or an electromagnetic radiation transmission and/or reception function and/or a display function and/or an actuation function and/or a data processing function and/or a function of transforming a physical signal into an electrical signal or vice versa.

Said at least one physical parameter may be temperature, pressure, hygrometry, brightness; these examples are of course nonlimiting.

The electromagnetic radiation transmission and/or reception function may be limited to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation. This configuration is preferred in particular in order to allow data to be communicated from the electrical assembly1to a control unit (not shown) described below.

The function of the additional functional module5may be able and intended to be supplied with power and activated when the interruption device2″ of the primary functional module2is in the open position.

Advantageously, as the additional functional module5is connected in parallel with the electrical circuit between the first connection pole3and the second connection pole4of the primary functional module2, the means for performing the function of the additional functional module5are able to be supplied with power by the electrical grid when the interruption device2″ of the primary functional module2is in the open position, that is to say when the interruption element acts on the interruption device2″ so as to interrupt the flow of the current between the first connection pole3and the second connection pole4, for example by keeping the interruption device2″ in the open position, when the additional functional module is received in the second reception area9′. This means that, when the interruption device2″ is in the open position, for example when the additional functional module is received in the second reception area9′, the function of the additional functional module5may be activated. When the interruption device2″ is in the closed position, the means for performing the function of the additional functional module5are short-circuited and therefore not supplied with power and deactivated.

The additional functional module5may comprise an electrical energy storage and/or production element and the function of the additional functional module5may be able and intended to be supplied with power by said electrical energy storage and/or production element.

Advantageously, the function of the additional functional module5is able to be supplied with power by an electrical energy storage and/or production element which may be made independent and autonomous in relation to the electrical grid. As a result, the function of the additional functional module5is able to be activated independently of the open or closed position of the primary functional module2. For example, when the control member2′ is in the closed position, the function of the additional functional module5is no longer short-circuited and is therefore able to be supplied with power by the electrical energy storage and/or production element and be activated.

The electrical energy storage and/or production element may be a battery, a capacitor, a piezoelectric generator, a photovoltaic generator, or a thermoelectric generator, for example a Peltier or Seebeck generator.

The additional functional module5may comprise at least one measurement sensor able and intended to perform said function of measuring at least one physical parameter.

The measurement sensor may be a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a hygrometer, a photodetector, an infrared sensor, a transducer; these examples are of course nonlimiting.

The additional functional module5may comprise at least electromagnetic wave transmission and/or reception means able and intended to perform said electromagnetic radiation transmission and/or reception function.

These electromagnetic wave transmission and/or reception means may be a radiofrequency communication element, for example Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, or a repeater. Of course, these examples are not limiting.

Advantageously, these electromagnetic wave transmission and/or reception means make it possible to receive and/or transmit data that may in particular relate to the additional functional module5. Such electromagnetic wave transmission and/or reception means may in addition establish a wireless communication link with a control unit, such as a computer, a smartphone or a digital tablet or to another additional functional module5according to the invention and that would also be equipped with electromagnetic wave transmission and/or reception means. It is thus possible to interact remotely with the electrical assembly1.

The additional functional module5may comprise at least display means able and intended to perform said display function.

Advantageously, these display means make it possible to form a visual interface with a user.

These display means may be a screen.

The additional functional module5may comprise at least actuation means able and intended to perform said actuation function.

The actuation means may be an actuator, for example a relay, a solenoid, a micromotor, a piezoelectric mechanism or, in general, any type of means configured so as to transform an electrical quantity into a mechanical quantity or vice versa.

The additional functional module5may comprise at least data processing means able and intended to perform said data processing function.

The data processing means may be a microcontroller. These data processing means may for example make it possible to process data coming from the measurement sensor.

The additional functional module5may comprise at least image-capturing means, for example a camera.

The additional functional module5may comprise at least the transducer able and intended to perform a function of transforming a physical signal into an electrical signal or vice versa.

The transducer may be an electroacoustic transducer, such as a speaker or a microphone.

The transducer may be a vibrator or a diffuser.

The additional functional module5may comprise at least one electronic card10,11, comprising the measurement sensor and/or the electromagnetic wave transmission and/or reception means and/or the display means and/or the actuation means and/or the data processing means and/or the image-capturing means and/or the transducer.

According to one variant embodiment of the invention, a first electronic card10may comprise the measurement sensor and/or the display means and/or the electromagnetic wave reception and/or actuation means and/or a transducer and/or image-capturing means and a second electronic card11may comprise the electromagnetic wave transmission and/or reception means and/or the data processing means and a third electronic card (not shown) may comprise the electrical energy storage and/or production element.

The first electronic card10, the second electronic card11and the third electronic card may be electrically connected to one another.

The first electronic card10may preferably be a removable component of the additional functional module5.

Advantageously, the function(s) of the additional functional module5may thus be modified simply and easily by replacing the first electronic card10. It is thus not necessary to replace the entire additional functional module5.

In particular, the first electronic card10may comprise at least first connection means24complementary with at least second connection means25of the second electronic card11. Said connection means make it possible to electrically and mechanically connect the first electronic card10and the second electronic card11in a removable and reversible manner (FIGS. 2A and 2D).

The first connection means24and the second connection means25may consist of a USB connection, by way of non-limiting example.

The primary functional module2may comprise at least a first connection terminal3′ electrically connected to the first connection pole3and a second connection terminal4′ electrically connected to the second connection pole4, and the first connection terminal3′ and the second connection terminal4′ may form a first outlet13(FIG. 1C). According to one alternative possibility, said primary functional module2may comprise at least a first conductive wire connected to the first connection pole3and a second conductive wire connected to the second connection pole4, the first conductive wire and the second conductive wire being able to be connected to a terminal block of the additional functional module5.

The additional functional module5may comprise at least a fourth connection terminal6′ electrically connected to the fourth connection pole6and a fifth connection terminal7′ electrically connected to the fifth connection pole7, and the fourth connection terminal6′ and the fifth connection terminal7′ may form a second outlet14(FIGS. 2B and 2C). According to one alternative possibility, said additional functional module5may comprise a terminal block electrically connected to the fourth connection pole6and to the fifth connection pole7. The first conductive wire and the second conductive wire of the primary functional module2may be connected to the terminal block.

The first outlet13of the primary functional module2and the second outlet14of the additional functional module5may have complementary shapes so as to be connected and so as to electrically and mechanically connect the first connection terminal3′ to the fourth connection terminal6′ and so as to electrically and mechanically connect the second connection terminal4′ to the fifth connection terminal7′ (FIGS. 1C, 2B, 2C, 3B, 5).

The first connection terminal3′ and the second connection terminal4′ may be respectively a first female terminal and a second female terminal, for example taking the form of a cavity provided with electrical contact. In this case, the first outlet13is a socket. This first outlet13may preferably comprise two cavities distributed along one side of a square (FIG. 1C).

The first socket outlet13may preferably have a protection rating whose degree of protection against solids is between 0 and 6 and whose degree of protection against liquids is between 0 and 8. For example, the protection rating may be equal to IP2X, X being a value between 0 and 8.

The fourth connection terminal6′ and the fifth connection terminal7′ may be respectively a fourth male terminal and a fifth male terminal, for example taking the form of a rod. In this case, the second outlet14is a plug. The second outlet14may comprise a base14′ from which the fourth connection terminal6′ and the fifth connection terminal7′ in the form of a rod extend. The base14′ preferably has a substantially square shape with rounded corners from which four pads14″ extending substantially orthogonal to the base14′ extend. These pads14″ form a mechanical joint with the first socket outlet13, these pads14″ being able to fit into the cavities. Two of these pads14″ may support the two rods forming the fourth connection terminal6′ and the fifth connection terminal7′ (FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2E).

The primary functional module2may comprise a first housing15with which the first outlet13and the control member2′ are assembled (FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C).

The first housing15makes it possible to protect the primary functional module2.

The first housing15may be made from polymer material.

The first housing15may comprise four lateral faces15a,15b,15d, a front opening15e, and a rear face15f. The first housing15may have a substantially rectangular cross section.

The first outlet13and the control member2′ preferably cover the front opening15e. As a result, the first outlet13is advantageously accessible from the front of the primary functional module2, thereby facilitating interlocking with the second outlet14of the additional functional module5.

The additional functional module5may comprise a second housing16in which said at least one electronic card10,11,12comprising the measurement sensor and/or the electromagnetic wave transmission and/or reception means and/or the display means and/or the actuation means and/or the data processing means and/or the transducer is housed.

The second housing16makes it possible to protect the additional functional module5(FIGS. 2A and 2B).

The second outlet14of the additional functional module5may project from the second housing16of the additional functional module5.

The second housing16may be made from polymer material.

The second housing16may comprise four lateral faces16a,16b,16c,16d, a front opening16e, and a rear face16f. The second housing16may have a substantially rectangular cross section.

Preferably, the base14′ of the second outlet14may extend in the plane of the front opening16eand the pads14″ may extend in the direction of the lateral faces16a,16b,16d.

The second housing16, the base14′ and the pads14″ may form a single one-piece component, which is for example molded.

Alternatively, the second outlet14may be a removable element (not shown) of the second housing16. More particularly, the base14′ may be mechanically connected to the second housing16removably and reversibly by mechanical connection means (not shown). The base14′ may furthermore comprise electrical connection means (not shown) electrically connected to the fourth connection terminal6′ and to the fifth connection terminal7′ and complementary with electrical connection means (not shown) arranged on the second housing16. These electrical connection means of the second housing16may consist of a terminal block.

One of the lateral faces15bof the first housing15amay be adjacent to one of the lateral faces16dof the second housing16, more particularly these lateral faces15b,16dmay be contiguous and facing one another. These contiguous lateral faces15b,16dmay comprise guide means (not shown) in order to facilitate the positioning of the first and second housings15,16with respect to one another.

The first electronic card10may cover the front opening16e.

Advantageously, due to this configuration, the first electronic card10is easily accessible and may easily be secured/detached to/from the second electronic card11in order to be replaced.

The reception module8may comprise a support frame8′ comprising a central opening17at least partly forming said first and second reception areas9,9′ receiving the first housing15(FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3D) and the second housing16, and the first housing15and the second housing16may respectively comprise removable fastening means18,19interacting with the support frame8′ (FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B).

The fastening means18,19respectively of the first housing15and of the second housing16may preferably consist of two tabs projecting respectively from two of the opposing lateral faces15a,15c;16a,16c(FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B and 2D).

The reception module8may also comprise a recessed housing8″ to which the support frame8′ is able to be fastened by fastening means (not shown). This recessed housing8″ may be intended to be recessed into a support, such as a wall.

The recessed housing8′ may comprise a receptacle for receiving the four lateral faces15a,15b,15dand the rear face15fof the first housing15and the four lateral faces16a,16b,16dand the rear face16fof the second housing16.

The control member2′, the base14′ of the second outlet14and the first electronic card10may be covered with at least one cover plate21comprising or not comprising at least one button (not shown) which allows the control member2′ of the primary functional module2to be actuated (FIGS. 3C, 3D, 4).

The cover plate21simultaneously plays the role of an interface with the user and may also have an esthetic function and a protective function.

The cover plate21may also make it possible to block off the control member2′, which is no longer able to be actuated in this case. In this case, the cover plate21may comprise the second blocking element able to block the control member2′.

The support frame8′ may be covered with a covering frame22.

The invention also relates to an electronic card10for an additional functional module5as described above.

According to the invention, the electronic card10is characterized in that it comprises a measurement sensor and/or display means and/or actuation means and in that it comprises at least first connection means24so as to be able and intended to form a removable component of said additional functional module5.

This electronic card corresponds to the first electronic card10as described above.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments that are described and shown in the appended drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly from the point of view of the composition of the various elements or by substituting technical equivalents, without otherwise departing from the scope of protection of the invention.