ELECTRICAL WIRING DEVICE ASSEMBLY WITH FRONT PLATE MODULE

Abstract

A faceplate assembly and a wiring device incorporating the faceplate assembly are provided. The faceplate assembly includes a wall plate, a wiring device interface, and at least one detector. The wiring device interface has a set of electrical contacts positioned on a rear surface of the wiring device interface configured to mate with a set of contacts on the wiring device. The at least one detector and at least a portion of the wiring device interface are integrated into the wall plate.

Description

ELECTRICAL WIRING DEVICE ASSEMBLY WITH MODULE FRONT PLATE Cross-reference to related applications [1] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of the co-pending United States of America Provisional Patent Application serial number 63 / 068,732 filed on August 21, 2020, entitled Electrical Wiring Device with Faceplate Module, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. BACKGROUND TECHNICAL FIELD [2] This disclosure generally refers to modular electrical wiring device assemblies, and more particularly to modular electrical wiring device assemblies that include a faceplate module and an electrical wiring device module with a detector integrated into either the faceplate module or the electrical wiring device module. Description of the related technique [3] Electrical devices, specifically electrical receptacles capable of receiving electrical plugs, generally include two or three sets of knife-edge openings, with each set designed to receive an electrical plug. The electrical device or receptacle is sold as a single unit or a multi-pack at home improvement stores and is then wired by either a professional electrician or by the homeowner if they are comfortable with electrical wiring. For the average homeowner, replacing the electrical device can be expensive due to hiring an electrician or dangerous if they attempt the replacement themselves. Increasingly, different types of electrical outlets are being used in homes, including USB outlets. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [4] This disclosure provides exemplary embodiments of modular electrical wiring device assemblies. Generally, modular electrical wiring device assemblies include a faceplate module and an electrical wiring device module with one or more detectors integrated into either the faceplate module or the electrical wiring device module. In one exemplary embodiment, the faceplate module includes a wall plate, a wiring device interface, and at least one detector. The wiring device interface has a set of electrical contacts positioned on a rear surface of the wiring device interface. The set of electrical contacts is capable of mating with a corresponding set of contacts on the electrical wiring device module. The at least one detector and at least a portion of the wiring device interface are integrated into the wall plate.The electrical wiring device module includes an electrical wiring device and may include a mounting plate. [5] In another exemplary embodiment, the faceplate module includes a wall plate, a wiring device interface, and at least one detector. The wiring device interface has one or more electrical contacts positioned on a rear surface thereof. The one or more electrical contacts are capable of mating with one or more corresponding electrical contacts on the electrical wiring device module. The at least one detector and at least a portion of the wiring device interface are integrated into the wall plate. [6] In another exemplary embodiment, the faceplate module includes a wall plate, a wiring device interface, and at least one detector. The wall plate has a substantially smooth inner and outer surface. The wiring device interface has one or more electrical contacts positioned away from the inner surface of the wall plate. The at least one detector is physically and electrically connected to the wiring device interface such that the at least one detector and at least a portion of the wiring device interface are positioned relative to the inner surface of the wall plate so that the at least one detector is adjacent to the inner surface of the wall plate. [7] An exemplary embodiment of a wiring device assembly includes a wiring device module and a wall plate. The wiring device module has an electrical wiring device, a mounting plate configured for mounting to an electrical box, and at least one detector. The electrical wiring device is attached to a first surface of the mounting plate, and the at least one detector is attached to a second surface of the mounting plate and is in electrical communication with the electrical wiring device. The wall plate is releasably attached to the mounting plate. The mounting plate may include at least one flexible arm that fits into at least one opening in the wall plate to releasably connect the wall plate and the mounting plate.In one embodiment, the wall plate may include a pair of side walls, each having a curved surface, and the mounting plate may include a pair of side walls, each having a curved surface. The curved surfaces on the side walls of the wall plate are configured to receive the curved surfaces on the side walls of the mounting plate. In another embodiment, the wall plate may include a pair of end walls, each having a curved surface, and the mounting plate may include a pair of end walls, each having a curved surface. The curved surfaces on the end walls of the wall plate are configured to receive the curved surfaces on the end walls of the mounting plate. Preferably, the wall plate has a substantially smooth outer surface.The at least one detector can be a capacitive type detector or a time-of-flight detector. [8] Another exemplary embodiment of a wiring device assembly includes a wiring device module and a faceplate module. The wiring device module has an electrical wiring device and a mounting plate configured for mounting to an electrical box. The electrical wiring device is attached to a first surface of the mounting plate and is electrically connected to at least one electrical contact extending from a second surface of the mounting plate. The faceplate module includes a wall plate, a wiring device interface, and at least one detector. The wall plate has a substantially smooth inner and outer surface.The wiring device interface has at least one electrical contact positioned away from the inner surface of the wall plate and configured to connect electrically to at least one electrical contact extending from a second surface of the mounting plate. The at least one detector is physically and electrically connected to the wiring device interface such that the at least one detector and at least a portion of the wiring device interface are positioned relative to the inner surface of the wall plate so that the at least one detector is adjacent to the inner surface of the wall plate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [9] A fuller appreciation of the present disclosure and many of its accompanying advantages will be readily obtained as it is better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[10] FIGURE 1 is a partially exploded front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a wiring device assembly according to the present disclosure, illustrating an electrical wiring device module mounted to an electrical box and covered by drywall and a faceplate module with an integrated wiring device detector and interface;

[11] FIGURE 2 is a partially exploded front perspective view of the wiring device assembly of FIGURE 1, illustrating the wiring device module and faceplate module with an integrated wiring device detector and interface;

[12] FIGURE 3 is a partially exploded front perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the wiring device assembly according to the present disclosure, illustrating the wiring device module, and the faceplate module with an integrated wiring device detector and interface, and a subplate positioned between the wiring device module and the wiring device interface;

[13] FIGURE 4 is an exploded rear perspective view of the wiring device assembly of FIGURE 2, illustrating the faceplate module and the electrical wiring device module;

[14] FIGURE 5 is an enlarged side elevation view of a portion of the faceplate module of FIGURE 1 taken from detail 8,9 with the integrated detector which is a touch-sensitive type detector;

[15] FIGURE 6 is an enlarged side elevation view of a portion of the faceplate module of FIGURE 1 taken from detail 8,9 with the integrated detector which is a time-of-flight type detector;

[16] FIGURE 7 is an exemplary circuit block diagram of the electrical wiring device module and faceplate module in accordance with this disclosure;

[17] FIGURE 8 is another exemplary circuit block diagram of the electrical wiring device module and faceplate module in accordance with this disclosure;

[18] FIGURE 9 is another exemplary circuit block diagram of the electrical wiring device module and faceplate module in accordance with this disclosure;

[19] FIGURE 10 is a front perspective view of another exemplary modality of a wiring device assembly according to the present disclosure;

[20] FIGURE 11 is a partially exploded perspective view of the wiring device assembly of FIGURE 10, illustrating an electrical wiring device module with a detector integrated into an electrical wiring device module mounting plate and a faceplate module;

[21] FIGURE 12 is a front perspective view of another exemplary modality of a wiring device assembly according to this disclosure;

[22] FIGURE 13 is a front elevation view of the wiring device assembly of FIGURE 12;

[23] FIGURE 14 is a side elevation view of the wiring device assembly of FIGURE 12;

[24] FIGURE 15 is a bottom elevation view of the wiring device assembly of FIGURE 12;

[25] FIGURE 16 is a front perspective view of the wiring device assembly of FIGURE 12, illustrating the faceplate module separated from the electrical wiring device module and positioned for vertical mounting to an electrical wiring device module mounting plate;

[26] FIGURE 17 is a front perspective view of the wiring device assembly of FIGURE 16, illustrating a faceplate module wall plate that mounts to the electrical wiring device module mounting plate;

[27] FIGURE 18 is a rear perspective view of the electrical wiring device module of FIGURE 12, illustrating an electronic assembly separate from a mounting plate;

[28] FIGURE 19 is a front perspective view of another exemplary modality of a wiring device assembly according to the present disclosure;

[29] FIGURE 20 is a front elevation view of the wiring device assembly of FIGURE 19;

[30] FIGURE 21 is a side elevation view of the wiring device assembly of FIGURE 19;

[31] FIGURE 22 is a bottom elevation view of the wiring device assembly of FIGURE 19;

[32] FIGURE 23 is a front perspective view of the wiring device assembly of FIGURE 19, illustrating the faceplate module separated from the electrical wiring device module and positioned for horizontal mounting to an electrical wiring device module mounting plate;

[33] FIGURE 24 is a front perspective view of the wiring device assembly of FIGURE 23, illustrating a faceplate module wall plate that mounts to the electrical wiring device module mounting plate;

[34] FIGURE 25 is a rear perspective view of the electrical wiring device module of FIGURE 23, illustrating an electronic assembly separate from the mounting plate;

[35] FIGURE 26 is a front perspective view of another exemplary modality of a wiring device assembly according to the present disclosure;

[36] FIGURE 27 is a rear elevation view of the wiring device assembly of FIGURE 26;

[37] FIGURE 28 is a side elevation view of the wiring device assembly of FIGURE 26;

[38] FIGURE 29 is a bottom elevation view of the wiring device assembly of FIGURE 26;

[39] FIGURE 30 is a front perspective view of the wiring device assembly of FIGURE 26, illustrating the faceplate module separated from the electrical wiring device module and positioned for mounting to an electrical wiring device module mounting plate;

[40] FIGURE 31 is a rear perspective view of the electrical wiring device module of FIGURE 26, illustrating an electronic assembly of the electrical wiring device module separate from the mounting plate;

[41] FIGURE 32 is a front perspective view of another exemplary modality of a wiring device assembly according to this disclosure;

[42] FIGURE 33 is a partially exploded perspective view of the wiring device assembly of FIGURE 32, illustrating an electrical wiring device of an electrical wiring device module mounted to a faceplate module;

[43] FIGURE 34 is a rear exploded perspective view of the wiring device assembly of FIGURE 32, illustrating an electrical wiring device module mounting plate mounted to an electrical box, the electrical wiring device module mounted to the faceplate module, and a faceplate mounting wall plate mounted to the mounting plate; and

[44] FIGURE 35 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of an electronic assembly of the electrical wiring device module of the present disclosure, illustrating a yoke for mounting the electronic assembly to an electrical box and for mounting the faceplate assembly to the electrical box. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[45] This disclosure provides exemplary forms of modular electrical wiring device assemblies that include a faceplate module, an electrical wiring device module, and one or more control devices. For ease of description, the modular electrical wiring device assemblies may also be referred to herein as the device assemblies (plural) and the device assembly (singular). The faceplate module is a component assembly that may include a wiring device module interface, and for ease of description, the wiring device module interface may also be referred to herein as the interfaces (plural) and the interface (singular). The faceplate module preferably includes a faceplate having a smooth outer surface that permits straightforward cleaning with few, if any, places for dirt and / or debris to become trapped and / or collect.An electrical wiring device module is an assembly of components that includes an electrical wiring device. For ease of description, the electrical wiring device module may also be referred to herein as the device modules (plural) and the device module (singular). The electrical wiring devices included in the device modules covered by this disclosure include, but are not limited to, electrical switches and electrical receptacles. Non-limiting examples of electrical switches include single-pole switches, three-way switches, four-way switches, dimmer switches, and solid-state electronic relays and switches.For ease of description, electrical switches may also be referred to here as switches (plural) and switch (singular), and electrical receptacles may also be referred to here as receptacles (plural) and receptacle (singular). The one or more control devices, which may be, for example, detectors (described in more detail below), may be integrated into the faceplate module or the device module of the device assembly. The one or more control devices are provided to enable the activation or deactivation of the electrical wiring device of the device module.

[46] With reference now to FIGURES 1-3, an exemplary embodiment of a device assembly 10 in accordance with this disclosure is shown. In this exemplary embodiment, the device assembly 10 includes a faceplate module 12 and a device module 70. In the embodiment of FIGURE 1, the device assembly 10 is configured to be mounted in an electrical box 14 mounted within a wall 16. In the embodiment of FIGURES 1 and 2, the faceplate module 12 may include a wall plate 20, a wiring device interface 30, and one or more detectors 50. In the embodiment of FIGURES 1 and 3, the faceplate module 12 may include the wall plate 20, the wiring device interface 30, the one or more detectors 50, and an optional subplate 60. The optional subplate 60 can be positioned between the device module 70 and the wall plate 20 of the front panel module 12.

[47] The wall plate 20, also known as a faceplate, may be made of a non-conductive material, i.e., a non-conductive material, or the wall plate 20 may be made of a metallic material. Non-limiting examples of non-conductive materials include polycarbonate thermoplastic and thermoplastic nylon. Non-limiting examples of metallic materials include stainless steel, nickel, brass, and bronze. The wall plate 20 may include an inner portion and an outer portion. The inner portion of the wall plate 20 may include a cavity 20a, seen in FIGURE 4, configured and sized to at least receive the wiring device interface 30 such that one or more detectors 50 are positioned adjacent to an inner surface of the inner portion of the wall plate 20.

[48] ​​Preferably, the outer portion of the wall plate 20, shown in FIGURE 2, includes a smooth outer surface 20c that permits direct cleaning with few, if any, places for dirt and / or debris to become trapped and / or collected. The wall plate 20 of the faceplate module 12 may include a display similar to that shown and described in U.S. Patent Common Property No. 10,594,101, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. Generally, the display may be any type of display (e.g., an LCD, LED, or OLED display) that is visible from the outer surface 20c of the outer portion of the wall plate 20. Information from the one or more detectors 50 and / or the wiring module 70 may be provided to the display, such as weather, time, operating status, charging status, and load status.The display can be a touch-sensitive screen that allows the user to access different options or settings and control one or more electrical loads through the 7.0 wiring module in a given area, such as a room or a house.

[49] Continuing with reference to FIGURES 1-4, the wall plate 20 may include one or more openings 22 through which the light from one or more indicators 36 may be visible from the outer surface 20c of the wall plate 20. The one or more indicators 36, described in more detail below, may be included in the wiring device interface 30 and may be provided to indicate a status of, for example, the detector 50 and / or the wiring device module 70. In another exemplary embodiment, the one or more indicators 36 may be included in the wiring device module 70 and may be provided to indicate a status of, for example, the wiring device module 70. In the event that the wall plate 20 includes a display, the one or more openings 22 can be positioned separately from the display, or the one or more openings 22 and the one or more indicators 36 can be replaced with information presented on the display.In another exemplary mode, one or more indicators 36 can be directly attached to the wall plate 20 and operationally connected to the wiring device interface 30 or the electrical wiring device 72 of the wiring device module 70.

[50] With reference to FIGURE 3, if an optional subplate 60 is included in the device assembly 10, the wall plate 20 may be configured to mate with the subplate 60 via a friction-fit or push-fit connection, or the wall plate 20 may also include a top mounting opening and a bottom mounting opening to receive a fastener, such as a screw, to secure the wall plate 20 to the subplate 60 and / or the wiring device module 70 mounting plate 74 and / or the electrical box in which the wiring device module 70 is installed. The subplate 60 may be made of an electrically conductive or non-conductive material. Non-limiting examples of non-conductive materials are described above. Non-limiting examples of conductive materials include metallic materials such as stainless steel, nickel, brass, and bronze.In the exemplary embodiment of FIGURES 1 and 3, the optional subplate 60 is provided to give structural support to the wiring device module 70 when installed inside the electrical box 14 and, in some cases, to increase the sensitivity of one or more detectors 50. For example, if the subplate 60 is made of an electrically conductive material, e.g., a metallic material, and the one or more detectors 50 are capacitive-type detectors, the electrically conductive subplate 60 can improve the sensitivity of the capacitive-type detectors 50.

[51] The faceplate module 12 covered by this disclosure may be a single-element faceplate module that includes a single-element wallplate 20, or the faceplate module 12 covered by this disclosure may be a multi-element faceplate module that includes a multi-element wallplate 20. In cases where the faceplate module 12 is a multi-element faceplate module, each element of the multi-element wallplate 20 may include one or more of the features described herein, such as a wiring device interface 30 and one or more detectors 50.In another embodiment, in cases where the faceplate module 12 is a multi-element faceplate module, one or more of the elements of the multi-element wallplate 20 may include one or more of the features described herein, such as a wiring device interface 30 and one or more detectors 50, and one or more of the elements of the multi-element wallplate 20 may not include such other features of the faceplate module described herein.

[52] As stated above, one or more control devices, for example, one or more detectors 50, may be provided to initiate the activation and / or deactivation of the electrical wiring device 72 of the electrical wiring device module 70 and possibly another electrical wiring device in the general electrical circuit to which the device assembly 10 is connected. In another embodiment, one or more control devices may be provided to activate and / or deactivate the electrical wiring device 72 of the electrical wiring device module 70 and possibly another electrical wiring device in the general electrical circuit to which the device assembly 10 is connected.Non-limiting examples of the one or more detectors covered by this disclosure include capacitive detectors (shown in FIGURE 5), time-of-flight detectors (shown in FIGURE 6), pressure detectors, touch detectors, motion detectors, and thermal detectors. Non-limiting examples of capacitive detectors include detectors for detecting and measuring proximity, pressure, position and displacement, acceleration, force, humidity, and fluid level. Non-limiting examples of time-of-flight detectors include detectors capable of measuring the time it takes for an object, particle, or wave—for example, an acoustic wave, a light wave, or an electromagnetic wave—to travel a distance through a medium. Non-limiting examples of pressure detectors include transducers that generate an electrical signal as a function of the pressure imposed on the transducer.Non-limiting examples of touch detectors include detectors that can detect touch or close proximity without relying on physical contact and can often respond differently to different types of touch, such as touching, sliding, and pinching. Non-limiting examples of motion detectors include devices that can detect and capture physical and / or kinetic movements in real time. Non-limiting examples of thermal detectors include devices capable of measuring temperature, temperature differences, and temperature changes, such as IR and PIR detectors.

[53] Continuing with reference to FIGURES 1-4, in this exemplary embodiment, the device module 70 includes an electrical wiring device 72 and a mounting plate 74. In this exemplary embodiment, the electrical wiring device 72 is an electronic assembly. The electrical wiring device 72 and the mounting plate 74 may be integrally or monolithically formed as a single unit, or the electrical wiring device 72 and the mounting plate 74 may be separate components joined together with, for example, adhesives or mechanical fasteners. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGURE 7, the electrical wiring device 72 is an electronic assembly. The electronic assembly 72 may include signal conditioning and detector input circuitry 76 that receives information for one or more detectors 50 and conditions the received information for processing by the signal output circuitry 78 or controller.The signal conditioning and detector input circuitry 76 acts as an interface between the one or more detectors 50 and the electrical wiring circuitry 72, providing power and analog and digital signals for control and / or operation. The signal output or controller circuitry 78 can output a control signal that drives a power control 80 or can output a 1-24 volt DC or AC electronic control signal that drives various types of electronic devices, such as a 124 volt DC or AC electronic lighting control signal. An example of a power control 78 is a miniature 1-pole, high-power latching relay, HF115F-L, manufactured by Xiamen Hongfa Electronics Co.

[54] In the exemplary embodiment of FIGURE 8, the front-board module 12 includes the one or more detectors 50 and the detector input and signal conditioning circuitry 76, which receives information for the one or more detectors 50 and conditions the received information for processing by the signal output or controller circuitry 78 as described above. In this embodiment, the wiring device module 70 includes the signal output or controller circuitry 78, which can output a control signal that drives a power control 80 or can output a 124-volt DC or AC electronic control signal that drives various types of electronic devices, such as a 0-24 volt or other low-voltage electronic control signal.In the exemplary embodiment of FIGURE 9, the front-board module 12 includes the one or more detectors 50, the detector input and signal conditioning circuitry 76, and the signal output or controller circuitry 78. The detector input and signal conditioning circuitry 76 receives information for the one or more detectors 50 and conditions the received information for processing by the signal output or controller circuitry 78 as described above. The signal output or controller circuitry 78 can output a control signal that drives a power control 80 or can output a 1-24 volt DC or AC electronic control signal that drives various types of electronic devices, such as a 1-24 volt electronic lighting control signal.

[55] Referring again to FIGURES 1-4, in this exemplary embodiment, the electronic assembly 72 is a solid-state switch used to control one or more electrical loads, such as turning one or more electrical loads on or off in response to one or more detectors 50. To turn on the electrical load, the outer surface 20b of the wall plate 20 can be touched, causing the electronic assembly 72 to energize one or more electrical relays integrated within it. To turn off the electrical load, the outer surface 20c of the wall plate 20 can be touched again to de-energize the one or more electrical relays integrated within the electronic assembly 72.

[56] In another exemplary embodiment, the wiring device 70 may include one or more electronic detectors 50 that may be integrated within the mounting plate 74 and / or the electronic assembly 72. In another embodiment, the one or more electronic detectors 50 may be attached to the mounting plate 74 and / or the electronic assembly 72 of the wiring device 70. As shown in FIGURES 10 and 11, the one or more electronic detectors 50 may be integrated within or attached to the mounting plate 74. In this exemplary embodiment, the electrical connections between the one or more electronic detectors 50 and the electrical wiring device 72 may be made using electrical contacts on the back surface of the mounting plate 74 and the outer surface of the electrical wiring device 72, similarly to the electrical connections described herein using electrical contacts 36 and 76.Additionally, in this exemplary configuration, module 12 of the front panel would include the wall plate.

[57] With reference again to FIGURES 1, 2, and 4, an exemplary embodiment of the faceplate module 12 includes the wall plate 20, one or more detectors 50, and the wiring device interface 30. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the detector 50 and at least a portion of the wiring device interface 30 are integrated into cavity 20a of the wall plate 20, as shown in FIGURE 4. In this exemplary embodiment, the wiring device interface 30 includes a printed circuit board 32, one or more electrical contacts 34, and an indicator 36, such as an LED. The one or more electrical contacts 34 are configured to align with and make contact with one or more corresponding electrical contacts 76 on the mounting plate 24 of the wiring device module 70, as shown.The one or more electrical contacts 76 and the one or more electrical contacts 34 can be used for power and / or data connections that allow information transfer between the wiring device module 70 and the one or more detectors 50. If the wall plate 20 includes a display, the one or more electrical contacts 76 and the one or more electrical contacts 34 can be used for power and / or data connections that allow information transfer between the wiring device module 70 and the display. The indicator 36 is preferably aligned with the opening 22 in the wall plate 20, as shown in FIGURE 1, so that the light emitted by the indicator, here the LED, is visible from the wall plate 20.The wiring device interface 30 may also include one or more spacers 38 that can be used to clamp and / or attach the faceplate module 12 to the wiring device module 70.

[58] With reference to FIGURES 5 and 6, exemplary configurations of the faceplate module 12 are shown, similar to the faceplate module in FIGURE 4. However, in the configuration of FIGURE 5, the faceplate assembly includes an accelerometer detector 50. In the configuration of FIGURE 6, the faceplate assembly 12 includes a time-of-flight detector 50.

[59] With reference to FIGURES 12-18, another exemplary embodiment of the wiring device assembly in accordance with this disclosure is shown. This exemplary embodiment shows the wall plate 20 of the faceplate module 12 being mounted to the mounting plate 74 of the wiring device module 70 by sliding the wall plate 20 vertically over the mounting plate 74 from the top of the mounting plate 74 to the bottom of the mounting plate. To engage the wall plate 20 vertically with the mounting plate 74, the wall plate 20 may include a pair of side walls 20d and the mounting plate 74 may include a pair of side walls 74a. Each side wall wall 20d may include a curved surface, for example, a protrusion, with the apex extending toward the center of the wall plate 20.For ease of description, the curved surface of the side wall 20d of the wall plate 20 may also be referred to here as the side protrusion. The side protrusion may extend along a predefined length of the respective side wall 20d or along its entire length. Each mounting plate side wall 74a may include a curved surface, for example, a depression, configured to receive the side protrusion on the side wall 20d of the wall plate 20. For ease of description, the curved surface of the side wall 74a of the mounting plate 74 may also be referred to here as the side depression.In this configuration, when the wall plate 20 is mounted to the mounting plate 74, the side protrusions are within the side depressions so that the two plates interlock, holding the wall plate 20 in position over the mounting plate 74, as shown in FIGURES 16 and 17. Of course, the wall plate 20 of the faceplate module 12 can be mounted to the mounting plate 74 of the wiring device module 70 by sliding the wall plate 20 vertically over the mounting plate 74 from the bottom of the mounting plate 74 to the top of the mounting plate. After the wall plate 20 is mounted to the mounting plate 74, a fastener 77, which is seen in FIGURE 33, can be passed through the opening 26 in an end wall 20e of the wall plate 20 and can be screwed into the opening 82 in an end wall 74b of the mounting plate 74, which is seen in FIGURE 16.

[60] With reference to FIGURES 19-25, another exemplary embodiment of the wiring device assembly in accordance with this disclosure is shown. This exemplary embodiment shows the wall plate 20 of the faceplate module 12 being mounted to the mounting plate 74 of the wiring device module 70 by sliding the wall plate 20 over the mounting plate 74 horizontally from one side of the mounting plate 74 to the other side of the mounting plate. To horizontally engage the wall plate 20 with the mounting plate 74, the wall plate 20 may include a pair of end walls 20e and the mounting plate 74 may include a pair of end walls 74b. Each end wall wall 20e may include a curved surface, for example, a protrusion, with the apex extending toward the center of the wall plate 20.For ease of description, the curved surface of the end wall 20e of the wall plate 20 may also be referred to here as the end protrusion. The end protrusion may extend along a predefined length of the respective end wall 20e or along its entire length. Additionally, each mounting plate end wall 74b may include a curved surface, for example, a depression, configured to receive the end protrusion on the side wall 20d of the wall plate 20. For ease of description, the curved surface of the end wall 74b of the mounting plate 74 may also be referred to here as the end depression.In this configuration, when the wall plate 20 is mounted to the mounting plate 74, the end protrusions are inside the end depressions, so that the two plates interlock, holding the wall plate 20 in position over the mounting plate 74, as shown in FIGURES 23 and 24. After the wall plate 20 is mounted to the mounting plate 74, a fastener 77, seen in FIGURE 33, can be passed through the opening 26 in the side wall 20d of the wall plate 20 and can be threaded into the opening 82 in the side wall 74a of the mounting plate 74, seen in FIGURE 23.

[61] With reference now to FIGURES 26-31, another exemplary embodiment of the device assembly 10 in accordance with this disclosure is shown. This exemplary embodiment shows the faceplate module 12 being mounted to the wiring device 20 by means of a snap-fit ​​connection. More specifically, in this exemplary embodiment, the faceplate module 12 includes the wall plate 20 which can be mounted to the mounting plate 74 by means of a snap fit where the flexible arms 73 of the wiring device module 70 engage in openings 28 in the wall plate 20 to loosely engage the wall plate and the mounting plate.

[62] With reference now to FIGURES 32-34, another exemplary embodiment of the device assembly 10 in accordance with this disclosure is shown. In this exemplary embodiment, the mounting plate 74 of the wiring device module 70 includes an opening 84 through which the electrical wiring device 72, herein the electronic assembly, can pass, and mounting holes 86 used when attaching the mounting plate 74 to the electrical box 14, which is seen in FIGURE 34, using, for example, fasteners 79. A gasket 88 can be positioned between the mounting plate 74 and the electrical box 14 to limit and possibly prevent moisture from entering the electrical box 14. In this exemplary mode, the electrical wiring device 72, here the electronic assembly, can be mounted to spacers 25 that extend from the inner surface 20b of the wall plate 20 and are sensitive to touch, pressure, force, etc. on the outer surface 20c of the wall plate 20.However, the electrical wiring device 72 can be mounted to the wiring device interface 30. A gasket 90 can be positioned between the wall plate 20 and the mounting plate 74 to also limit and possibly prevent moisture from entering the electrical box 14 and coming into contact with the electrical wiring device 72.

[63] With reference to FIGURE 35, another exemplary embodiment of an electronic wiring device module 70 assembly 72 is shown. In this exemplary embodiment, a yoke 75 is attached to the electrical wiring device 72, herein the electronic assembly, and is used to mount the electrical wiring device to an electrical box and to mount the faceplate module 12 to the wiring device module 70.

[64] It is noted that the wiring device module 70 and / or the faceplate module 12 can be configured to communicate with other devices using, for example, known WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, or other lower power communication or known near field communication (NFC) technology.

[65] As used in this application, the terms front, rear, top, bottom, upward, downward, and other orientation descriptors are intended to facilitate the description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the structure of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention to any particular position or orientation. Although illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described and illustrated above, these should be understood to be exemplary to the disclosure and should not be considered limiting. Additions, deletions, substitutions, and other modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure should not be considered limited by the foregoing description.

Claims

1. A wiring device assembly comprising: a wiring device module having an electrical wiring device, a mounting plate configured to be mounted to an electrical box and at least one detector, the electrical wiring device being attached to a first surface of the mounting plate, and the at least one detector being attached to a second surface of the mounting plate and in electrical communication with the electrical wiring device; and a wall plate that can be releasably attached to the mounting plate.

2. The wiring device assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mounting plate includes at least one flexible arm that fits into at least one opening in the wall plate to releasably join the wall plate and the mounting plate.

3. The wiring device assembly according to claim 1, wherein the wall plate includes a pair of side walls, each having a curved surface, and the mounting plate includes a pair of side walls, each having a curved surface, and wherein the curved surface on a side wall of the wall plate is configured to receive the curved surface on a side wall of the mounting plate.

4. The wiring device assembly according to claim 1, wherein the wall plate includes a pair of end walls, each having a curved surface, and the mounting plate includes a pair of end walls, each having a curved surface, and wherein the curved surface on an end wall of the wall plate is configured to receive the curved surface on an end wall of the mounting plate.

5. The wiring device assembly according to claim 1, wherein the wall plate has a substantially smooth outer surface.

6. The wiring device assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one detector comprises a capacitive-type detector or a time-of-flight detector.

7. A faceplate module for covering an electrical wiring device, the faceplate module comprising: a wallplate having a substantially smooth inner and outer surface; a wiring device interface having one or more electrical contacts positioned away from the inner surface of the wallplate; and at least one detector physically and electrically connected to the wiring device interface, the at least one detector and at least a portion of the wiring device interface being positioned relative to the inner surface of the wallplate such that the at least one detector is adjacent to the inner surface of the wallplate.

8. The front panel module according to claim 7, further comprising a subplate positioned adjacent to the wiring device interface.

9. The faceplate module according to claim 7, wherein the at least one detector comprises a capacitive-type detector or a time-of-flight detector.

10. A wiring device assembly comprising: a wiring device module having an electrical wiring device and a mounting plate configured to be mounted to an electrical box, the electrical wiring device being attached to a first surface of the mounting plate and electrically connected to at least one electrical contact extending from a second surface of the mounting plate; and a faceplate module including: a wall plate having a substantially smooth inner and outer surface; a wiring device interface having at least one electrical contact positioned away from the inner surface of the wall plate and configured to be electrically connected to at least one electrical contact extending from a second surface of the mounting plate;and at least one detector physically and electrically connected to the wiring device interface, the at least one detector and at least a portion of the wiring device interface being positioned relative to the inner surface of the wall plate such that the at least one detector is adjacent to the inner surface of the wall plate.

11. The wiring device assembly according to claim 10, further comprising a subplate positioned adjacent to the wiring device interface.

12. The wiring device assembly according to claim 10, wherein the at least one detector comprises a capacitive-type detector or a time-of-flight detector.

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