ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A CIRCUIT BREAKER, A RELAY AND A SYSTEM FOR POSITIONING AND LOCKING THE RELAY ON THE CIRCUIT BREAKER

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of systems for installing removable electromagnetic relays on a circuit breaker and more particularly to the field of systems for positioning and locking removable electromagnetic relays on an ACB type circuit breaker.

[0002] Removable relays are already known, as for example described in document US 1,508,744 A. In circuit breakers, it is common to have to replace one or more magnetic relays, as part of maintenance operations and in particular when the circuit breaker has had to withstand an overload or an overvoltage. Conventionally, the replacement of an electromagnetic relay, which generally has the form of a coil, involves an operation of dismantling one or more elements of the circuit breaker to allow access to the relay to be replaced. The mounting of the relay inside the circuit breaker also involves various fixing means such as screws which ensure the relay is held in position. Also, as part of the replacement of the relay, it is necessary for the operator to dismantle the various screws which hold the relay on the structure of the circuit breaker.

[0003] However, such an operation has several disadvantages. In addition to the fact that the operator must be equipped with a tool to dismantle the relay, the various stages of removing the fastening means, which are the screws, are likely to be complex. Indeed, access to the various screws and their respective unscrewing create constraints which, cumulatively depending on the number of screws, lead to an increase in the duration of the intervention on the same circuit breaker. In addition, despite the possibility of using electric screwdrivers to facilitate the work of the personnel involved, the operations must be carried out with a minimum of care. The screws that form the fastening and fixing means are generally standardized with small formats, so that they are easily lost by the operator.

[0004] The present invention aims to overcome these various drawbacks by proposing a solution which allows for a simplified substitution of an electromagnetic relay in a circuit breaker without the need for tools or risk of losing fixing elements while maintaining easy positioning of the relay and optimal quality of its locking to the circuit breaker which integrates it.

[0005] The invention thus relates to an assembly according to claim 1 and in particular a system for positioning and locking at least one removable electromagnetic relay such as a coil on an ACB type circuit breaker, one end of the relay carrying a connection interface intended to be in contact with the homologous interface of the circuit breaker, characterized in that the locking system comprises at least: on the circuit breaker: ▪ a receiving interface having a substantially flat surface and comprising at least one through opening configured to be crossed by the connection interface of the relay, ▪ a locking plate positioned in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the receiving interface, the locking plate comprising a first through opening arranged opposite the through opening of the receiving interface to be crossed by the connection interface of the relay, and at least one second through opening, on the one hand, configured to be crossed by a fixing interface of the relay and, on the other hand, associated with an interface for cooperation with the fixing interface of the relay, this cooperation interface being positioned on a portion of the locking plate located on an edge of the second through opening and opposite the receiving interface,▪ a mechanism for translating the locking plate relative to the receiving interface, from a first position to a second position, along an axis included in the plane of the plate, so that the cooperation interface in the second position occupies at least part of the space occupied by the second through opening in the first position, on the relay: at least one fixing interface positioned at the end of the relay which carries the connection interface, this fixing interface the end of which has a widening which carries a stop surface configured to cooperate with the cooperation interface of the locking plate translated into the second position when the connection end of the relay is inserted through the respective through openings of the receiving interface and the locking plate.

[0006] The invention also relates to a locking method according to claim 9, characterized in that the method comprises: a step of positioning the end of a removable electromagnetic relay such as a coil so that, on the one hand, the connection interface of the relay passes through dedicated through openings of the receiving interface and of the locking plate to be in contact with the corresponding connection interface of the circuit breaker and, on the other hand, the at least one fixing interface passes through the at least one second through opening of the locking plate, a step of locking the relay on the receiving interface by translation of the locking plate relative to the receiving interface, from a first position to a second position, so that the cooperation interface of the locking plate is positioned opposite the abutment surface of the fixing interface of the relay.

[0007] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to various preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which: [ Fig. 1 ] represents a schematic illustration of an example of a relay according to the invention comprising at one end a connection interface and fixing interfaces. [ Fig. 2 ] represents a schematic illustration of an example of a relay according to the figure 1 according to an inverted view. [ Fig. 3 ] represents a schematic illustration of an exemplary locking plate and receiving interface for a system according to the invention. [ Fig. 4 ] represents a schematic illustration of a detailed example of fixing interfaces for a relay according to the invention. [ Fig. 5 ] represents a schematic illustration of a first step of an example of positioning a relay on a circuit breaker in a system according to the invention. [ Fig. 6 ] represents a schematic illustration of a second step of an example of positioning a relay on a circuit breaker in a system according to the invention. [ Fig. 7 ] represents a schematic illustration of a third step of an example of positioning a relay on a circuit breaker in a system according to the invention. [ Fig. 8 ] represents a schematic illustration of a spring element intended to be mounted on a locking plate according to the invention. [ Fig. 9 ] represents a schematic illustration of a sectional view along a plane parallel to the planes of the locking plate and the receiving interface when the relays are positioned on the circuit breaker. [ Fig. 10] represents a schematic illustration of a sectional view along a plane parallel to the planes of the locking plate and the receiving interface when the relays are locked on the circuit breaker.

[0008] The invention relates to a system for positioning and locking at least one removable electromagnetic relay 1 such as a coil on a circuit breaker 2 of the ACB type, one end of the relay 1 carrying a connection interface 3 intended to be in contact with the homologous interface 4 of the circuit breaker, characterized in that the locking system comprises at least: on the circuit breaker 2: a receiving interface 51 having a substantially flat surface and comprising at least one through opening 6 configured to be crossed by the connection interface 3 of the relay 1, a locking plate 52 positioned in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the receiving interface 51, the locking plate 52 comprising a first through opening 7 arranged opposite the through opening 6 of the receiving interface 51 to be crossed by the connection interface 3 of the relay 1, and at least one second through opening 8, on the one hand, configured to be crossed by a fixing interface 9 of the relay 1 and, on the other hand, associated with a cooperation interface 81 with the fixing interface 9 of the relay 1,this cooperation interface 81 being positioned on a portion of the locking plate 52 located on an edge of the second through opening 8 and opposite the receiving interface 51, a translation mechanism 10 of the locking plate 52 relative to the receiving interface 51, from a first position to a second position, along an axis included in the plane of the plate 52, so that the cooperation interface 81 in the second position occupies at least part of the space occupied by the second through opening 8 in the first position, on the relay 1: at least one fixing interface 9 positioned at the end of the relay 1 which carries the connection interface 3,this fixing interface 9, the end of which has a widening which carries a stop surface 93 configured to cooperate with the cooperation interface 81 of the locking plate 52 translated into the second position when the connection end of the relay 1 is inserted through the respective through openings 6, 7, 8 of the receiving interface 51 and of the locking plate 52.,

[0009] The present invention system thus allows a user to position a relay 1 on a receiving interface 51 of the circuit breaker 2 in a simplified manner by carrying out an insertion corresponding substantially to a male / female type connection. This connection is made jointly at one or more fixing interfaces 9 of the relay 1 so as to anchor the relay 1 to the circuit breaker 2 and at least one connection interface 3 of the relay 1, so that the relay 1 is able to interact mechanically, electrically and magnetically with the circuit breaker 2. These male / female type connections are thus made, on the one hand, between a fixing interface 9 of the relay 1 inserted through a locking interface 52, and, on the other hand, a connection interface 3 of the relay 1 inserted through both a locking plate 52 and a receiving interface 51.

[0010] The system of the invention also makes it possible to benefit from simplified positioning of the relay 1 on the circuit breaker 2 by operating a locking of the fixing interface 9 inserted through the receiving interface 51 and the locking plate 52, by translation of the locking plate 52 relative to the receiving interface 51. The particular configuration of the second through opening 8 of the locking plate 52 allows, in a first position, the insertion of a fixing interface 9 of the relay 1. In a second translated position, the configuration of the second through opening 8 allows a blocking of the fixing interface 9 inserted by positioning a part of the locking plate 52 forming the cooperation interface 81 in obstruction on the movement stroke of the portion of the fixing interface 9 formed by the stop 93.By its stop-forming part 93, the fixing interface 9 is thus blocked in translation along the insertion axis of the relay 1 on the circuit breaker 2. According to an alternative implementation, the inserted positioning of the connection interface 3 of the relay 1 through the receiving interface 51 is capable of participating in the translational blocking of the relay 1 in the plane perpendicular to the insertion axis of the relay 1. The connection interface 3 of the relay 1 cooperates with a complementary connection interface carried by the circuit breaker 2. This assembly participates in blocking the movement of the relay 1 in a plane perpendicular to the insertion axis of the relay 1.

[0011] According to a preferred arrangement of the first through opening 7 of the locking plate 52, the latter has an orifice that is elongated relative to the orifice of the through opening 6 of the receiving interface 51. This elongated shape of the orifice of the opening 7 is arranged in the direction of translation of the locking plate 52 so that the through opening 6 of the receiving interface 51 is oriented along the axis of movement of the locking plate 52. Also, in any position of the movement stroke of the locking plate 52, the entire surface of the through opening 6 of the fixed and immobile receiving interface 51 is positioned opposite at least a portion of the first through opening of the movable locking plate 52.This arrangement of the first through opening 7 makes it possible to carry out an axial translation of the locking plate 52 crossed by the connection interface 3 of the relay 1 without this connection interface 3 limiting the translation of the locking plate 52.

[0012] It should be noted that according to a first preferred construction variant, the circuit breaker 2 is configured so that the locking plate 52 is positioned so as to face the connection interface 3 of the relay 1, between the connection interface 3 of the relay 1 and the receiving interface 51 of the circuit breaker.

[0013] According to a second construction variant which forms an alternative to the first construction variant indicated in the previous paragraph, the circuit breaker 2 is configured so that the receiving interface 51 is positioned so as to face the connection interface 3 of the relay 1, between the connection interface 3 of the relay 1 and the locking plate 52 of the circuit breaker. According to this construction variant, the receiving interface 51 of the circuit breaker 2 comprises at least one second through opening configured to be crossed by the fixing interface 9 of the relay 1.This second through opening is then arranged on the receiving interface 51 so as to be, on the one hand, perfectly opposite the second through opening 8 of the locking plate 52 when the fixing interface 9 of the relay 1 is inserted and, on the other hand, partially closed by the cooperation interface 81 of the locking plate 52 when the locking plate 52 is translated into the second position for blocking the fixing interface 9 of the relay 1 inserted in the circuit breaker 2.

[0014] According to an example corresponding to a particular variant embodiment of the positioning and locking system according to the invention, the latter is characterized in that the relay 1 comprises at least two fixing interfaces 9 positioned around the connection interface 3 at the end of the relay 1 and in that the locking plate 52 comprises at least two second through openings 8 arranged to be crossed by a respective fixing interface 9. According to this particular example, the locking of the relay 1 on the circuit breaker 2 is carried out at the level of at least two anchoring points produced by each of the fixing interfaces 9. In addition to the simplification of the positioning by insertion of the relay 1 on the circuit breaker 2, this multiplication of the number of anchoring points allows an optimization of the assembly and the fixing of the relay 1 to the circuit breaker 2.The arrangement of the fixing interfaces 9 of the relay 1 between them is then organized to be complementary to the dedicated through openings 8 carried by the locking plate 52.

[0015] According to an example corresponding to another particular variant embodiment of the positioning and locking system according to the invention and capable of being combined with the previously stated variants, the locking plate 52 comprises at least one second through opening 8 of sufficient size to be crossed by two fixing interfaces 9 carried by two respective relays 1 positioned juxtaposed on the circuit breaker 2. According to this construction variant, two relays 1 are positioned by insertion on the circuit breaker 2 while being juxtaposed next to each other so that at least one fixing interface 9 of each of the relays 1 is located close to a fixing interface 9 of the juxtaposed relay 1.The juxtaposed relays 1 ensure their positioning so that respective fixing interfaces 9 are also juxtaposed and allow joint interaction with the locking mechanism of the relays 1 in the insertion position. The locking mechanism which achieves the locking of these two relays 1 is shared so that the same through opening 8 has a dimensioning large enough to be crossed by fixing interfaces 9 of two relays 1 positioned juxtaposed on the circuit breaker 2.According to a construction preference of this particular variant embodiment, the juxtaposed fixing interfaces 9 have substantially identical arrangements and arranged to be positioned in a substantially parallel manner so that the respective abutment surfaces 93 of the fixing interfaces 9 are arranged to cooperate with two juxtaposed portions of the cooperation interface 81 of the locking plate 52 when the latter is translated.

[0016] According to an example corresponding to another particular variant embodiment of the positioning and locking system according to the invention and capable of being combined with the variants previously stated, the cooperation interface 81 with the fixing interface 9 of the relay 1 is carried by at least one spring element 12 mounted on the locking plate 52 and configured to press against the stop surface 93 and move the stop surface 93 of the fixing interface 9 of the relay 1 away from the locking plate 52. Between the locking plate 52 and the stop surface 93 of the fixing interface 9 of the relay 1 at maximum insertion, a space is likely to exist.A clearance is then likely to be present between the stop surface 93 and the locking plate 52 so that the relay 1 inserted and blocked by the locking plate 52 is then likely to move axially between, on the one hand, a maximum insertion position and, on the other hand, a position of support of the stop surface 93 against the surface of the locking plate 52. The spring element 12 is then configured to be positioned between a portion of the surface of the locking plate 52 and the stop surface 93 of the fixing interface 9 of the relay 1. The spring element 12 is then configured to exert pressure against the stop surface 93 in a direction which corresponds substantially to the direction of insertion of the fixing interface 9 of the relay 1 on the circuit breaker 2.Also, with regard to the direction of the pressure exerted by the spring element 12, the latter pushes the fixing interface 9 and the relay 1 in order to maintain the latter in the maximum insertion position on the circuit breaker 2. The spring element 12 is thus configured to exert a pressure on the fixing interface 9 which is at least equal to the pressure necessary to operate a displacement of the fixing interface 9 of the relay 1 in maximum insertion. By exerting a pressure between the stop surface 93 of the relay 1 and the surface of the locking plate 52, the spring element 12 then completes the translational blocking of the fixing interface 9 of the relay 1 by the locking plate 52. The spring element 12 limits, or even eliminates, the movement of the relay 1 in insertion along its translational travel closed by the locking plate 52.The play of the fixing interface 9 inserted into the locking plate 52 is thus eliminated by the spring element 12, so that the locking of the relay 1 on the circuit breaker 2 leads to a stabilization of the relay 1 positioned in insertion on the circuit breaker 2.

[0017] According to an example corresponding to a specific variant of the spring element 12, the spring element 12 is produced by at least one curved blade 121 oriented so that the convex face of the curvature is intended to bear against the abutment surface 93, the intersection of the plane of the locking plate 52 and the plane of curvature of the blade 121 corresponding to the translation axis of the locking plate 52. The spring element 12 being mounted on the locking plate 52, it is moved in translation with the locking plate 52. Also, the spring element 12 is caused to be moved against the abutment surface 93 of the fixing interface 9 of the relay 1 to exert pressure thereon.The curvature of the blade 121 which forms the spring element 12 creates a deformable surface capable of sliding progressively, without jolts, against the stop surface 93 of the fixing interface 9 of the relay 1 during the translation of the locking plate 52 while being able to exert pressure against this stop surface 93, once the locking plate 52 has been translated.

[0018] According to an example corresponding to another particular variant embodiment of the positioning and locking system according to the invention and capable of being combined with the previously stated variants, the spring element 12 comprises at least one pair of blades 121 curved parallel to each other and connected at a common end 122, each of these blades 121 being configured to press against the abutment surface 93 of a fixing interface 9 of a respective relay 1. According to this construction variant, the spring element 12 is configured to be positioned at a second orifice 8 of the locking plate 52 crossed by fixing interfaces 9 of two juxtaposed relays 1 and to interact with each of the fixing interfaces 9 by a respective blade 121 intended to press against the abutment surfaces 93 of each of the fixing interfaces 9.According to a preferred arrangement, the two blades 121 of the spring 12 are parallel to each other and oriented along an axis corresponding substantially to the translation axis of the locking plate 52. Each of the blades 121 is then able to cooperate with a stop surface 93 by exerting pressure independently against respective fixing interfaces 9.

[0019] According to an example corresponding to another particular variant embodiment of the positioning and locking system according to the invention and capable of being combined with the previously stated variants, at least one fixing interface 9 of the relay 1 is produced in the form of a tab, so that a first part 91 of the tab forms a junction with the rest of the structure of the relay 1 and is arranged along the insertion axis of the fixing interface 9 through the locking plate 52 and that a second part 92 of the tab carries the stop surface 93 against the cooperation interface 81 of the locking plate 52, this stop surface 93 being arranged along a plane perpendicular to the insertion axis of the fixing interface 9. According to a specific example of this variant embodiment of the system, the first 91 and second 92 parts of the tab of the fixing interface 9 are arranged in them so as to form an "L".The tab which forms the fixing interface 9 thus has the shape of a hook whose stop surface 93 is capable of being blocked in its translation along the axis of insertion of the relay 1 on the circuit breaker 2 by the locking plate 52 and its cooperation interface 81.

[0020] According to an example corresponding to another particular variant embodiment of the positioning and locking system according to the invention and capable of being combined with the previously stated variants, the relay 1 comprises, at the end of the relay 1 which carries the connection interface 3, a surface 31 intended to be positioned opposite a surface of the circuit breaker 2, this surface 31 of the relay 1 comprising at least three non-aligned support points 13 projecting against the surface of the circuit breaker 2. Each of these support points 13 projects relative to the rest of the surface 31 of the relay 1 so as to produce a relief. Also, the contact of the surface of the circuit breaker 2 is made in a preferred manner against the surface 31 at the end of these different projecting support points 13.The support points 13 of the surface 31 of the relay 1 are thus in contact against the surface of the circuit breaker 2 when the fixing interface(s) 9 of the relay 1 are positioned in maximum insertion into the circuit breaker 2. The production of a surface 31 comprising three non-aligned projecting support points 13 makes it possible to ensure stabilized positioning of the surface 31 of the relay 1 against the surface of the circuit breaker 2 in the context of maximum insertion of the relay 1 on the circuit breaker 2. According to a preferred embodiment variant of the system of the invention, the surface of the circuit breaker 2 against which the projecting support points 13 are positioned is formed by the face of the locking plate 52 opposite the face which carries the cooperation interface 81 with the fixing interface 9.However, according to an alternative construction, the circuit breaker 2 comprises an intermediate surface positioned between the locking plate 52 and the bearing surface 31 of the end of the relay 1. This intermediate surface also comprises different openings configured to be respectively crossed by the connection interface 3 and the fixing interfaces 9 of the relay 1. According to a specific example of this alternative construction variant, the intermediate surface against which the surface 31 of the end of the relay 1 is configured to bear is produced by the receiving interface 51 of the circuit breaker 2.

[0021] The invention also relates to a locking method implementing a system according to the invention, characterized in that the method comprises: a step of positioning the end of a removable electromagnetic relay 1 such as a coil so that, on the one hand, the connection interface 3 of the relay 1 passes through dedicated through openings 6, 7, 8 of the receiving interface 51 and of the locking plate 52 to be in contact with the homologous connection interface 4 of the circuit breaker 2 and, on the other hand, the at least one fixing interface 9 passes through the at least one second through opening 8 of the locking plate 52, a step of locking the relay 1 on the receiving interface 51 by translation of the locking plate 52 relative to the receiving interface 51, from a first position to a second position, so that the cooperation interface 81 of the locking plate 52 is positioned opposite the stop surface 93 of the fixing interface 9 of the relay 1.

[0022] According to an example corresponding to a particular variant of implementation of the locking method, when the system comprises a spring element 12, the method comprises, jointly with the locking step, the positioning by insertion of the spring element 12 between the locking plate 52 and the stop surface 93 of the fixing interface 9 of the relay 1.

[0023] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the attached drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention, as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. Assembly comprising a circuit breaker (2) of the ACB type, at least one removable electromagnetic relay (1), such as a coil, on the circuit breaker (2), and a system for positioning and locking said at least one electromagnetic relay (1) on the circuit breaker (2), an end of the relay (1) bearing a connection interface (3) intended to be in contact with the homologous interface (4) of the circuit breaker, characterized in that the locking system comprises at least: - on the circuit breaker (2): • a reception interface (51) having a substantially planar surface and comprising at least one through-opening (6) configured to be passed through by the connection interface (3) of the relay (1), • a locking plate (52) positioned in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the reception interface (51), the locking plate (52) comprising a first through-opening (7) disposed opposite the through-opening (6) in the reception interface (51) so as to be passed through by the connection interface (3) of the relay (1), and at least one second through-opening (8) which is, for the one part, configured to be passed through by a fastening interface (9) of the relay (1), and, for the other part, associated with a cooperation interface (81) for cooperating with the fastening interface (9) of the relay (1), this cooperation interface (81) being positioned on a portion of the locking plate (52) that is situated on an edge of the second through-opening (8) and opposite the reception interface (51), • a mechanism (10) for translating the locking plate (52) with respect to the reception interface (51), from a first position to a second position, along an axis comprised in the plane of the plate (52), such that the cooperation interface (81) in the second position occupies at least part of the space occupied by the second through-opening (8) in the first position, - on the relay (1): at least one fastening interface (9) positioned at that end of the relay (1) which bears the connection interface (3), the end of this fastening interface (9) having a widening which bears an abutment surface (93) configured to cooperate with the cooperation interface (81) of the locking plate (52) translated into the second position when the connection end of the relay (1) is inserted through the respective through-openings (6, 7, 8) in the reception interface (51) and in the locking plate (52).

2. Assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the relay (1) comprises at least two fastening interfaces (9) positioned around the connection interface (3) at the end of the relay (1), and in that the locking plate (52) comprises at least two second through-openings (8) disposed so as to be passed through by a respective fastening interface (9).

3. Assembly according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking plate (52) comprises at least one second through-opening (8) of sufficient size to be passed through by two fastening interfaces (9) borne by two respective relays (1) positioned in juxtaposed fashion on the circuit breaker (2) .

4. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooperation interface (81) for cooperating with the fastening interface (9) of the relay (1) is borne by at least one spring element (12) mounted on the locking plate (52) and configured to press against the abutment surface (93) and to space the abutment surface (93) of the fastening interface (9) of the relay (1) apart from the locking plate (52).

5. Assembly according to Claim 4, characterized in that the spring element (12) is realized by at least one curved strip (121) oriented such that the convex face of the curvature is intended to bear against the abutment surface (93), the intersection of the plane of the locking plate (52) and of the plane of curvature of the strip (121) corresponding to the axis of translation of the locking plate (52).

6. Assembly according to Claims 2 and 5, characterized in that the spring element (12) comprises at least one pair of curved strips (121) which are parallel to one another and connected at a common end (122), each of these strips (121) being configured to press against the abutment surface (93) of a fastening interface (9) of a respective relay (1).

7. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the relay (1) comprises, at that end of the relay (1) which bears the connection interface (3), a surface (31) intended to be positioned opposite a surface of the circuit breaker (2), this surface (31) of the relay (1) comprising at least three non-aligned bearing points (13) protruding against the surface of the circuit breaker (2).

8. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one fastening interface (9) of the relay (1) is produced in the form of a tab, such that a first part (91) of the tab forms a junction with the rest of the structure of the relay (1) and is disposed along the axis of insertion of the fastening interface (9) through the locking plate (52) and that a second part (92) of the tab bears the abutment surface (93) for abutment against the cooperation interface (81) of the locking plate (52), this abutment surface (93) being disposed along a plane perpendicular to the axis of insertion of the fastening interface (9).

9. Method for locking a relay (1) on a circuit breaker (2) in an assembly according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the method comprises: - a step of positioning the end of a removable electromagnetic relay (1) such as a coil such that, for the one part, the connection interface (3) of the relay (1) passes through dedicated through-openings (6, 7, 8) in the reception interface (51) and in the locking plate (52) so as to be in contact with the homologous connection interface (4) of the circuit breaker (2), and, for the other part, the at least one fastening interface (9) passes through the at least one second through-opening (8) in the locking plate (52), - a step of locking the relay (1) on the reception interface (51) by translation of the locking plate (52) with respect to the reception interface (51), from a first position to a second position, such that the cooperation interface (81) of the locking plate (52) is positioned opposite the abutment surface (93) of the fastening interface (9) of the relay (1).

10. Locking method according to Claim 9, characterized in that the method comprises, jointly with the locking step, the positioning by insertion of a spring element (12) between the locking plate (52) and the abutment surface (93) of the fastening interface (9) of the relay (1) such that the cooperation interface (81) for cooperating with the fastening interface (9) of the relay (1) is borne by the spring element (12) mounted on the locking plate (52) and configured to press against the abutment surface (93) and to space the abutment surface (93) of the fastening interface (9) of the relay (1) apart from the locking plate (52).