DEVICE FOR MECHANICAL AND / OR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BY MAGNETIC EFFECT

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for mechanical and / or electrical connection by magnetic effect between a ferromagnetic support and an element (3) to be linked to the ferromagnetic support, the device (1) comprising at least one permanent magnet, characterized in that the device (1) comprises a housing (4) including at least one housing, the permanent magnet(s) being movable in translation in the housing(s) between a base wall and a contact wall (43), and in that the contact wall (43) has points (7) projecting outwards from the housing, the points (7) being intended to pierce the ferromagnetic support by impact of the permanent magnet(s) on the contact face (43).

Description

[0001] The field of the invention is that of the design and manufacture of maintenance equipment for railway installations.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a device for mechanical and / or electrical connection by magnetic effect between a ferromagnetic support and an element to be linked to the ferromagnetic support.

[0003] During railway maintenance in particular, workers operate on the railway tracks for example by fixing or applying measuring devices on structures (metal arches, metal bridge pillars, posts, or even directly on the rails).

[0004] For this purpose, workers on the ground may have to manipulate, via poles, elements to be hung at height.

[0005] Maintenance interventions on railway installations may, for example, consist of measuring the deformation of a structure, for example a metal arch or a bridge pier, over time.

[0006] In this case, an inclinometer can be positioned on an upright of the arch or on the pillar, and permanently fixed to it.

[0007] In addition, such a connection can be made temporarily, in particular to measure the inclination when catenaries are replaced, so that the tension of the catenaries does not cause elastic deformation of the structures that support them.

[0008] In this case, the worker on the ground grabs a pole with a support mounted at the end, on which the inclinometer is located.

[0009] From the ground, the worker therefore tries to position the inclinometer at a height, on the upright of the metal arch or the pillar.

[0010] The inclinometer is fixed, for example, by means of a device which includes a magnet cooperating with the metal arch by magnetic effect.

[0011] To do this, the worker brings the device close to the upright of the arch and, by magnetic attraction, the magnet and its magnetic field come to interact with the upright or pillar and its magnetic field, so that the device attaches to the upright.

[0012] However, this approach has drawbacks.

[0013] On the one hand, magnetic cooperation carried out at a height relative to the worker's position can generate a positioning error.

[0014] Indeed, the position of the device on the pole can generate a significant weight for the worker to handle, who may then encounter difficulties in positioning the device in the desired location, which can cause poor positioning of the inclinometer.

[0015] Furthermore, the presence of wind can also hinder the positioning of the inclinometer since the wind, generally stronger at height than at ground level, can cause the inclinometer at the end of the pole to move unexpectedly during its placement by the worker.

[0016] On the other hand, when the device is secured to the upright by magnetic attraction, a vibration phenomenon in the upright can tend to move the device against the will of the worker.

[0017] Indeed, with the passage of trains nearby or resonances due to track work, vibrations can cause slight displacements of the device, rapidly pulling it away from the post or pillar. The device then falls under its own weight.

[0018] Thus, it may be necessary for a worker to check every day, or even several times a day, the correct position of the measuring devices and, if necessary, reposition the devices correctly.

[0019] This then reduces the effectiveness of interventions and causes additional maintenance costs.

[0020] Maintenance work on railway infrastructure may also involve replacing rails or sections of rail. For workers to operate safely, it is necessary to check for the presence of electricity in a rail, for example by using a voltmeter to detect the presence of current in the rail.

[0021] Such a voltmeter is positioned manually by a worker on the rail, so as to detect the presence of current through a surface and an electrical exchange between the measuring device and the rail.

[0022] However, current detection can be inaccurate for various reasons.

[0023] Indeed, as the rails are used in an outdoor environment, they are subject to weathering and may have a layer of corrosion of varying degrees depending on their age and / or frequency of use.

[0024] Thus, by positioning the measuring device on the rail, the corrosion layer can act as an insulator, preventing the passage of electric current between the rail and the measuring device.

[0025] The worker may then mistakenly deduce that the rail is not powered and give an order to seize and move the rail to other workers.

[0026] In the worst-case scenario, when the track is live and workers are using conductive tools, electrocution can occur. In other words, when the presence of electricity in the tracks goes undetected, the health and safety of workers can be jeopardized.

[0027] The invention aims in particular to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0028] More specifically, the invention aims to provide a device that ensures a robust mechanical connection between the device and the ferromagnetic element on which the device is mounted.

[0029] The invention also aims to provide such a device which enables a secure electrical connection between the element mounted on the device and the ferromagnetic support.

[0030] The invention further aims to provide such a device which allows a simple and reversible mounting of an element on a ferromagnetic support.

[0031] These objectives, as well as others that will appear subsequently, are achieved through the invention which relates to a device for mechanical and / or electrical connection by magnetic effect between a ferromagnetic support and an element to be linked to the ferromagnetic support, the device comprising at least one permanent magnet, characterized in that the device comprises a housing carrying the element and housing the permanent magnet(s), the housing including at least one recess extending between a base wall and a contact wall intended to come into contact with the ferromagnetic support, and in that the permanent magnet(s) are translationally movable in the recess(s) between the base wall and the contact wall, the housing comprising elements for retaining the permanent magnet(s) against the base wall,the retaining elements being designed to release the permanent magnet(s) by magnetic attraction of the permanent magnet(s) by the ferromagnetic support, and in that the contact wall has points protruding outwards from the housing, the points being intended to pierce the ferromagnetic support by impact of the permanent magnet(s) on the contact face.

[0032] Such a device thus makes it possible to achieve a reliable mechanical and electrical connection. Indeed, when the magnet(s) move within the housing and impact the contact face or wall, the impact of the magnets on the contact wall generates a force that tends to drive the pins into the ferromagnetic support.

[0033] Thus, when the device's function is to secure an element such as an inclinometer to a post, the perforation of the ferromagnetic support by the pins creates, in addition to the magnetic connection between the magnet(s) and the ferromagnetic support, an attachment point that prevents the device from slipping even in the presence of vibrations in the ferromagnetic support.

[0034] The inclinometer therefore remains in position regardless of the conditions, i.e. the presence or absence of vibrations and the presence or absence of wind.

[0035] In the case of detecting an electric current, the impact of the magnet(s) on the contact wall causes the needles to penetrate, then pass through the corrosion layer to come into contact with a sound surface of the ferromagnetic support, for example a rail, and thus allow the electric connection of the ferromagnetic support into an electric current.

[0036] Preferably, the bottom wall of the case is magnetic and forms the means for retaining the permanent magnet(s).

[0037] Thus, when the device is moved away from the ferromagnetic support, the magnets are immobilized against the bottom wall of the housing, allowing easy handling of the device and therefore precise positioning or easy removal of the element from the ferromagnetic support.

[0038] Advantageously, the contact wall is non-magnetic.

[0039] The non-magnetic nature of the contact wall allows for precise positioning of the device without the contact wall interfering with positioning by magnetic attraction to the ferromagnetic substrate. Indeed, due to its non-magnetic properties, the contact wall is not attracted to the ferromagnetic substrate unless the permanent magnets are in contact with it.

[0040] Thus, the use of the device and the positioning of the element on the ferromagnetic support are facilitated.

[0041] According to a particular embodiment, the housing comprises two compartments, with at least one permanent magnet present in each compartment.

[0042] It is therefore possible to achieve a gentle, i.e., non-brutal, attachment and removal of the device on the ferromagnetic support.

[0043] Indeed, by positioning only one edge of the contact wall against the ferromagnetic substrate, each magnet will be progressively attracted towards the ferromagnetic substrate as the entire contact wall moves closer to it. In other words, the permanent magnets move sequentially within their housing, but the initial movement of each permanent magnet is rapid enough to generate a sufficient impact force to allow the pins to penetrate the ferromagnetic substrate.

[0044] Advantageously, the housing includes means for adjusting the translational stroke of the permanent magnet(s).

[0045] By adjusting the translation stroke of the permanent magnet(s), it is possible to manage and adjust the power of the impact of the magnet(s) against the contact wall.

[0046] It is therefore possible to ensure proper penetration of the needles into the ferromagnetic support without damaging the latter.

[0047] Preferably, the permanent magnet(s) comprise at least two discs of magnetic material superimposed one on top of the other and mounted in a slide.

[0048] The use of several magnetic discs allows the strength of the magnetic attraction of the permanent magnet(s) with the ferromagnetic support to be adjusted.

[0049] Furthermore, the presence of the slider ensures at least partial guidance of the permanent magnet(s) in its housing.

[0050] Finally, the slider also ensures that each of the magnetic discs is held in relation to the others, so that during the different uses of the device, the magnetic attraction remains constant.

[0051] The slider preferably has a bore intended to cooperate with guiding means attached to the housing.

[0052] The cooperation between the guiding means and the bore thus makes it possible to achieve a displacement only in translation of the permanent magnet(s), so that the impact of the permanent magnet(s) on the contact wall is constant and conforms to the setting linked to the choice of permanent magnets.

[0053] According to a preferred embodiment, the guiding means are in the form of a cylinder projecting from the bottom wall inside the housing(s).

[0054] The interaction between the cylinder and the bore allows for translation of only the permanent magnet(s). This facilitates the creation of the impact and the accurate perforation of the ferromagnetic support by the needles.

[0055] Preferably, the housing incorporates electrical connection means to link the needles to the element.

[0056] This is particularly advantageous when the element is a voltmeter allowing the detection of the presence of current in a rail forming the ferromagnetic support.

[0057] Indeed, by simply setting up the device, it is possible to know almost instantly whether the rail is electrically powered or not.

[0058] Advantageously, the housing includes means for attaching a handling pole.

[0059] These means of attaching a handling pole allow a worker located at the level of the rails, i.e. at ground level, to easily position and secure the device to a ferromagnetic support such as a post of a metal arch.

[0060] For this purpose, the housing may preferably have an extension extending from the bottom wall to the opposite side of the contact wall, the fitting means being integral with the extension.

[0061] Such a configuration ensures that the fitting means are kept away from the contact wall.

[0062] This spacing then allows, via the pole, to create a lever arm effect which facilitates the placement and removal of the device on the ferromagnetic support, especially when it is made at height.

[0063] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the accompanying drawings, among which: there figure 1is a perspective view of a device according to the invention, according to a first embodiment; the figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a device according to the invention, according to the first embodiment; the figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the device according to the invention, showing its positioning on a ferromagnetic support, according to a first step; the figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the device according to the invention, showing its positioning on a ferromagnetic support, according to a second step; the figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the device according to the invention, showing its positioning on a ferromagnetic support, according to a third step; the figure 6 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention, according to a second embodiment; the figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the device according to the invention, according to the second embodiment.

[0064] There figure 1illustrates a device 1, according to the invention, for a mechanical and / or electrical connection by magnetic effect between a ferromagnetic support 2 and an element 3 to be linked to the ferromagnetic support 2.

[0065] The ferromagnetic support 2 can be a metallic upright 21 of a metallic arch, as illustrated in the figures 3 to 5 , or a 22 rail as schematically illustrated on the figure 7 .

[0066] Element 3 can be an inclinometer 31 intended to measure the inclination of a post 21, for example, as illustrated in the Figures 1 And 3 à 5 , or a voltmeter 32 intended to detect the presence of an electric current in a rail 22, as illustrated in the figure 7 If necessary, the intensity of the electric current in the rail can be measured using voltmeter 31.

[0067] Device 1 according to the invention comprises: a case 4; at least one permanent magnet 5; means of manipulation 6.

[0068] The housing 4, which is intended to support the element 3, has at least one housing 41 extending between a bottom wall 42 and a contact wall 43.

[0069] More specifically, the housing 4 comprises a body formed by a peripheral belt 44 and the bottom wall 42.

[0070] According to a form of realization illustrated on the figures 2 to 5 And 7 The bottom wall 42 and the peripheral belt 44 form a single unit.

[0071] Alternatively, the peripheral belt 44 and the bottom wall 42 are two separate elements assembled to each other by ad hoc assembly means.

[0072] The housing(s) 41 are completely defined between the bottom wall 42 and the contact wall 43 and delimited laterally by the peripheral belt 44.

[0073] The contact wall 43 is intended to come into contact with a ferromagnetic support 2 as explained below.

[0074] The housing 4 also includes guiding means 45 for the permanent magnet in its housing. These guiding means 45 are advantageously in the form of a cylinder projecting from the bottom wall 42 inside each of the housings 41.

[0075] The permanent magnet(s) 5 advantageously comprise at least two discs 51 of magnetic material superimposed one on top of the other and mounted in a slide 52.

[0076] According to a first illustrated form of realization that the figures 2 to 5 , the permanent magnet(s) 5 comprise three discs 51 of magnetic material superimposed one on top of the other to form a powerful permanent magnet.

[0077] The 52 slide, as illustrated on the figures 2 to 5, includes a sleeve 521 receiving all the discs 51 and a bore 522 extending above the discs 51. The sleeve 521 and the bore 522 form a shoulder between them.

[0078] The bore 522 of the slide 52 cooperates with the guiding means 45 to allow only translational guidance of the movement of the permanent magnet(s) 5 in their housing 41.

[0079] The housing 4 further includes means for adjusting 46 a translational stroke of the permanent magnet(s) 5.

[0080] As illustrated on the figure 2 , these adjustment means 46 are in the form of a screw 461 passing jointly through the bottom wall 42 and the guide means 45 to open into the housing 41.

[0081] Thus, by adjusting the penetration depth of the screw 461 in the housing 41, it is possible to adjust the stroke of the permanent magnet(s) 5 in their housing 41, for example by limiting it. The magnet(s) then come to rest against the contact wall 43 or against the screw 461 of the adjustment means 46 at each end of their stroke.

[0082] Advantageously, the bottom wall 42 is made of a magnetic material.

[0083] When the housing 4 comprises a bottom wall 42 and a peripheral belt 44 forming a single unit, the single unit is then made of a magnetic material.

[0084] The contact wall 43 is made of a non-magnetic material, that is to say, one which is not attracted by a magnetic field from the ferromagnetic support 2.

[0085] As illustrated on the Figures 1 And 2 , on the detail medallion of the figure 5 and on the figure 7, the contact wall 43 has points 7 projecting out of it towards the outside of the device 1, and therefore housings 41. As explained below, the points are intended to pierce the ferromagnetic support 2.

[0086] The contact wall 43 is advantageously secured to the peripheral belt 44 by means of screws 8. This allows the contact wall 43 to be easily detached from the peripheral belt 44, in particular for maintenance operations on the permanent magnet(s) 5.

[0087] Finally, device 1 includes means for retaining 9 of the permanent magnet(s) 5 against the bottom wall 42.

[0088] These retention means 9 are advantageously formed by the bottom wall 42 itself, and more particularly by its magnetic material.

[0089] Thus, in the absence of a magnetic field, the permanent magnet(s) 5 are in a so-called rest position, that is to say that the permanent magnet(s) 5 are attached to the bottom wall 42.

[0090] Alternatively, the retaining means 9 can be formed by a latch actuated by ad hoc triggering means, for example a linkage system or a trigger.

[0091] According to a first embodiment of the invention, illustrated in the figures 1 to 5 , the housing 4 includes two compartments 41 inside which a permanent magnet 5 is mounted.

[0092] As illustrated on the figure 1 The points 7 are located at the four corners of the contact wall 43.

[0093] The manipulation means 6 are in the form of fitting means 61, for example a sleeve attached to the housing 4 and intended to cooperate with the end of a manipulation pole (not shown in the figures) to allow a user positioned at the level of the rails to be able to manipulate and secure a device 1 on a post 21, in particular on an upper part of a post 21 of a metal arch.

[0094] More specifically, as illustrated on the Figures 1 And 3 à 5 , the sleeve of the fitting means 61 is fixed or secured to the housing 4 via an extension 48 extending from the bottom wall 42 to the opposite side of the contact wall 43.

[0095] This extension 48 is presented for example in the form of two metal arms 481 attached to the peripheral belt 44 of the housing 4 and supporting, between them, a plate 482 to which the sleeve is screwed.

[0096] According to a second embodiment illustrated on the figures 6 And 7 , the housing 4 comprises only one housing 41 and one permanent magnet 5 which is formed solely of three discs 51 of magnetic material, glued together.

[0097] The permanent magnet 5 is mounted in the housing 41 and guided in translation by form cooperation with the housing 41. The adjustment means 46 of the translational stroke of the permanent magnet can be used to determine the stroke of the permanent magnet according to the need.

[0098] In this second embodiment, as illustrated in the figure 7 The points 7 are connected by electrical means to the element, in this case a voltmeter, to allow detection on a rail, as illustrated in the figures 6 and 8, the presence of an electric current.

[0099] In this second embodiment, the manipulation means 6 are formed by a handle 62 extending from the peripheral belt 44 and / or the bottom wall 42 of the housing 4.

[0100] This 62mm handle is easily handled by a worker.

[0101] Preferably, the handle 62 is either made of a non-conductive material or covered with a layer of electrical insulation, for example rubber.

[0102] In use, device 1 is handled as follows.

[0103] According to the first embodiment illustrated on the figures 1 to 5 , device 1 is secured to a handling pole by inserting an end of the handling pole into the fitting means 61.

[0104] A worker can then raise device 1 above him using the handling pole and position device 1 on a post 21 of a metal arch.

[0105] Initially, as illustrated on the figure 3 , the worker positions an upper edge of the housing 4 against the ferromagnetic support 2, i.e. the upright 21, so that the contact wall 43 forms a non-zero angle with the ferromagnetic support 2.

[0106] In a second step, the worker rotates the device 1 to bring the contact wall 43 closer to the ferromagnetic support 2, and thus reduce the angle between the ferromagnetic support 2 and the contact wall 43 to a value close to zero.

[0107] During this rotation, the permanent magnets 5 are magnetically attracted by the ferromagnetic support 2 and move in the housing 41 towards the contact wall 43.

[0108] With reference to the figure 5, the contact wall 43 is pressed against the ferromagnetic support 2 by the magnetic force and in particular by the impact of the permanent magnets 5 on the contact wall 43.

[0109] The needles 7 then pierce the ferromagnetic support 2 so as to create an imprint in it.

[0110] According to a first variant, when the permanent magnets 5 impact the contact wall 43, the points 7 are all in contact with the ferromagnetic support 2, meaning that the angle formed between the ferromagnetic support 2 and the contact wall 43 is zero. In this case, the impact of the permanent magnets 5 on the contact wall 43 causes each of the points 7 to penetrate the ferromagnetic support 2 simultaneously.

[0111] According to a second variant, when the permanent magnets 5 impact the contact wall 43, only the upper points 7 are in contact with the ferromagnetic support 2, causing them to penetrate directly into the ferromagnetic support 2. The power of the impact and the magnetic attraction between the permanent magnets 5 and the ferromagnetic support 2 then cause the contact wall 43 to come into contact with the ferromagnetic support 2, causing the points 7 to penetrate the ferromagnetic support 2, at the lower part of the device 1.

[0112] As illustrated on the figure 5 , the device 1 is correctly secured to the ferromagnetic support 2, here an upright 21, and cannot slide downwards by its own weight, thanks to the penetration of the pins 7 into the ferromagnetic support 2 and to the magnetic attraction.

[0113] Element 3 mounted on device 1 in this first embodiment is an inclinometer 31 which allows the deformation of the upright 21 to be measured. In use, despite the presence of vibrations due to passing trains nearby, the presence of wind which tends to detach device 1 or the weight of device 1 and element 3, device 1 remains firmly attached to upright 21.

[0114] According to the second embodiment, the device 1 is mounted or used on the rail 22 by cooperation of a lower edge of the contact wall 43 without pins 7.

[0115] The worker then applies a rotational force to rotate the contact wall 43 relative to the rail 22, so that the points 7 are in contact with the rail 22.

[0116] Through magnetic attraction, the magnets move from their rest position (against the back wall 42) to an active position, illustrated on the figure 7, in which they impact the contact wall 43, causing the pins 7 to penetrate the rail 22.

[0117] In the case of a rail 22 covered with a layer of corrosion 221, as illustrated on the figure 7 , the penetration of the needles 7 takes place through the corrosion layer 221 until they come into contact with a sound part of the rail 22, i.e. a non-corroded part.

[0118] According to this second embodiment, the element 3 carried by the device is a voltmeter 31 connected to the points 7 by the electrical connection means 10.

[0119] Thus, when device 1 is mechanically attached to the ferromagnetic support 2, here rail 22, the points 7 are in contact with rail 22 and allow voltmeter 31 to detect the presence or absence of an electric current flowing in rail 22.

[0120] To remove the device 1 from the ferromagnetic support 2, the operator acts in the opposite direction, that is to say he creates an angle between the contact wall 43 and the ferromagnetic support 2, so that the magnetic attraction between the permanent magnet(s) 5 and the ferromagnetic support 2 decreases and the attraction between the permanent magnet(s) 5 and the bottom wall 42 is strong enough to position the permanent magnet(s) 5 in their rest position.

[0121] Thus, the operator can effortlessly remove and move aside the device 1 and therefore the element 3 from the ferromagnetic support 2.

[0122] Device 1 according to the invention thus makes it possible to make the mechanical and / or electrical connection between device 1 and the ferromagnetic support 2 reliable on the one hand, and between element 3 and the ferromagnetic support 2 on the other hand.

[0123] As an example, according to the first embodiment illustrated on the figures 1 to 5 The following values ​​are observed: the attractive force between the permanent element(s) 5 and the retaining means 9 is between 5 daN and 15 daN, and is preferably equal to 10 daN; the attractive force between the ferromagnetic support 2 and the permanent element(s) 5 is between 68 daN and 72 daN, and is preferably equal to 70 daN, when the permanent magnet(s) 5 have impacted the contact wall 43; the stroke of the permanent magnet(s) 5 in the housing 41 is between 8 mm and 10 mm; the impact of the permanent magnet(s) 5 on the contact wall 43 is between 2.8 joules and 3.2 joules, and is preferably equal to 3 joules.

[0124] For illustrative purposes, according to the second embodiment shown on the figures 6 And 7 The following values ​​are observed: the attractive force between the permanent element(s) 5 and the retaining means 9 is between 0.5 daN and 1.5 daN, and is preferably equal to 1 daN; the attractive force between the ferromagnetic support 2 and the permanent element(s) 5 is between 8 daN and 12 daN, and is preferably equal to 10 daN, when the permanent magnet(s) 5 have impacted the contact wall 43; the stroke of the permanent magnet(s) 5 in the housing 41 is between 8 mm and 12 mm, and is preferably equal to 10 mm; the impact of the permanent magnet(s) 5 on the contact wall 43 is between 0.2 joules and 0.6 joules, and is preferably equal to 0.4 joules.

Claims

1. Device (1) for mechanical and / or electrical connection by magnetic effect between a ferromagnetic support (2) and an element (3) to be linked to the ferromagnetic support (2), the device (1) comprising at least one permanent magnet (5), characterized in that the device (1) comprises a housing (4) carrying the element (3) and housing the permanent magnet(s) (5), the housing (4) including at least one housing (41) extending between a base wall (42) and a contact wall (43) intended to come into contact with the ferromagnetic support (2), and in thatthe permanent magnet(s) (5) are translationally movable in the housing(s) (41) between the base wall (42) and the contact wall (43), the housing (4) comprising means for retaining (9) the permanent magnet(s) (5) against the base wall (42), the retaining means (9) having a magnetic attraction to the permanent magnet(s) (5), to release the permanent magnet(s) (5) by magnetic attraction of the permanent magnet(s) (5) by the ferromagnetic support (2), and in that the contact wall (43) has points (7) protruding outwards from the housing (41), the points (7) being intended to pierce the ferromagnetic support (2) by impact of the permanent magnet(s) (5) on the contact face (43).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom wall (42) of the housing (4) is magnetic and forms the retaining means (9) of the permanent magnet(s) (5).

3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the contact wall (43) is non-magnetic.

4. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (4) includes two housings (41), at least one permanent magnet (5) being present in each housing (41).

5. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (4) includes means for adjusting (46) a translation stroke of the permanent magnet(s) (1).

6. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in that the permanent magnet(s) (5) comprise at least two discs (51) of magnetic materials superimposed one on top of the other and mounted in a slide (52).

7. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in thatthe slide (52) has a bore (522) intended to cooperate with guiding means (45) integral with the housing (4).

8. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the guiding means (45) are in the form of a cylinder protruding from the bottom wall (42) inside the housing(s) (41).

9. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (4) incorporates electrical connection means (10) to connect the needles (7) to the element (3).

10. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (4) includes means for attaching (61) a handling pole.

11. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in thatthe housing (4) has an extension (48) extending from the bottom wall (42) opposite the contact wall (43), the fitting means (61) being integral with the extension (48).