Patent Publication Number: US-9431183-B2

Title: Plunger switch assembly and method of operation

Description:
FIELD OF THIS DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to a plunger switch assembly and method of operation and more specifically, a plunger switch assembly and method of operation for use in connection with power equipment. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electrical switches using push button or plunger type switch actuators have many applications including use in automobile car doors, ignition circuits, power take-offs for lawn mowers and garden tractors, refrigerator doors, home appliances, and the like, hereinafter “power equipment”. These push buttons may be normally open, normally closed or a combination of the two. 
     It is possible to construct switches having two or more terminals, which combine the features of normally open and normally closed switches. For example, a “double-pole double-throw” switch behaves as a normally open switch and a normally closed switch in parallel operated by a single plunger. When the plunger is in a normal position, a pair of normally closed terminals is bridged and a pair of normally open terminals is isolated. Alternatively, when the plunger is moved to an actuated position, the normally open terminals are bridged and the normally closed terminals are isolated. A “single-pole double-throw” switch behaves like a double-pole double-throw switch in which one of the normally open terminals is coupled to one of the normally closed terminals. When the plunger is in the normal position, a common terminal is bridged with a normally closed terminal while a normally open terminal is isolated. Alternatively, when the plunger is in the actuated position, the common terminal is bridged with the normally open terminal while the normally closed terminal is isolated. 
     Plunger switches are suitable for numerous objectives when used with power equipment. Such objectives include, but are not limited to, safety tether switch, boat trim switch, boat throttle neutral switch, off-road utility brake light switch, back-up light switch, E-stop switch, power take off enable/disable switch, and sense position switches. 
     Further discussion relating to the different switch constructions can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,007 entitled PLUNGER SWITCH AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE that issued on Jun. 18, 1996 and assigned to the assignee of the present disclosure. U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,007 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the present disclosure comprises a switch assembly and method of operation, the switch assembly having a housing for supporting a plunger arrangement for moveable positioning of a plunger relative to the housing and plunger arrangement. The plunger arrangement comprises a retainer support for fixedly holding at least one terminal member within a retainer groove having a transverse channel passing from a first end to a second end of the retainer support. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure comprises a switch assembly having a housing with a longitudinal axis for supporting a plunger arrangement for moveable positioning of a plunger relative to the housing and plunger arrangement along the longitudinal axis. The plunger arrangement comprising a two-piece retainer support having an upper retainer support and lower retainer support, the upper and lower retainer support for fixedly holding at least one terminal member within a nesting pocket collectively formed by the upper and lower retainer supports. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates upon consideration of the following description of the disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals, unless otherwise described refer to like parts throughout the drawings and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a first perspective view of switch assembly constructed in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a second perspective view of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top elevation view of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom elevation view of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a section view of  FIG. 5  about section lines  7 - 7 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective section view of  FIG. 7 , wherein the plunger is located in a first position; 
         FIG. 9  is a plunger arrangement of the switch assembly constructed in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10A  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the switch assembly along section lines  10 - 10  of  FIG. 7  constructed in accordance with another example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10B  is a perspective sectional view of  FIG. 10A ; 
         FIG. 10C  is another perspective view of  FIG. 10A ; 
         FIG. 11  is a contact fixture of the switch assembly constructed in accordance with another example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 12  is a plunger of the switch assembly constructed in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 13  is a retainer body constructed in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 14  is a terminal member constructed in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 15  is a magnified partial view of the terminal member of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective section view of  FIG. 7  wherein the plunger is moveably located to a second position; 
         FIG. 17A  is a section elevation view of a retainer support along section lines  17 - 17  in  FIG. 13  in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 17B  is a magnified portion of the section view of  FIG. 17B ; 
         FIG. 18  is a first perspective view of switch assembly constructed in accordance with another example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 19  is a second perspective view of the switch assembly of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  is an internal perspective section-view of a housing of the switch assembly of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a front elevation section-view of housing the switch assembly of  FIG. 18  along section lines  20 - 20 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a bottom view of the switch assembly of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 23  is an assembly view of the switch assembly without a housing constructed in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 24  is a section view of  FIG. 22  without the housing  12 ; 
         FIG. 25  is an exploded assembly view of  FIG. 23  with the housing at the far end of the assembly; 
         FIG. 26  is a section view of  FIG. 22  along section lines  26 - 26 ; 
         FIG. 27  is a section view of  FIG. 22  along section lines  27 - 27 ; 
         FIG. 28  is a section view of a retainer assembly in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 29  is a section perspective view of the retainer assembly of  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIG. 30  is a partial assembly view of the retainer assembly in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 31  is a partial assembly section view of the retainer assembly and housing in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 32  is a top assembly view of the terminals in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 33  is an elevation view of a plunger constructed in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 34  is a perspective view of an upper retainer constructed in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 35  is a elevation view of  FIG. 34 ; 
         FIG. 36  is a top plan view of  FIG. 34 ; 
         FIG. 37  is a top plan view of a lower retainer constructed in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 38  is a perspective view of  FIG. 37 ; 
         FIG. 39  is a side elevation view of  FIG. 37 ; 
         FIG. 40  is a perspective assembly view of a retainer assembly constructed in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 41  is a sectioned elevation view of  FIG. 40 ; 
         FIG. 42  is an assembly view of a lower retainer and terminals in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 43  is a top plan view of  FIG. 42 ; 
         FIG. 44  is a perspective view of a terminal constructed in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 45  is a magnified view of a portion of the terminal of  FIG. 44 . 
     
    
    
     Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the figures generally wherein like numbered features shown therein refer to like elements having similar characteristics and operational properties throughout unless otherwise noted. The present disclosure relates to a plunger switch assembly and method of operation and more specifically, a plunger switch assembly and method of operation for use in connection with power equipment. 
     Illustrated in  FIGS. 1-8  is a switch assembly  10  constructed in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure. The switch assembly  10  comprises a housing  12 , plunger arrangement  14  (see  FIG. 9 ), plunger  16 , retainer support  18 , and one or more terminal members  20 . 
     The housing  12  protects the internal components of the switch assembly  10  from the environment. In the illustrated example embodiment, the housing  12  is formed from molded plastic. The housing  12  further provides mounting features not only for the plunger  16  and plunger arrangement  14 , but other internal components and external components, such as a wiring harness  6 . The wiring harness  6  communicates with an electronic control unit (ECU)  8  for the operation of the power equipment  5 . In an alternative example embodiment, the wiring harness  6  communicates directly to the power equipment, or more specifically, the engine or other components in which the switch assembly is coupled. 
     The housing  12  further provides a sealing/sliding surface  21  for o-rings  22  found on the plunger  16 . The o-rings or seals  22  provide an environmental seal with the housing  12  to prevent contaminates or debris from entering an opening  26  of the housing. The housing  12  also provides a well area  27  (see  FIG. 2 ) to pour a two-part epoxy to provide an environmental seal near the wiring harness attachment. 
     The plunger  16  includes a head  24  that projects from the opening  26  in the housing  12 . The plunger  16 , and more particularly the plunger arrangement  14  as illustrated in  FIG. 9  is supported by the housing  12 , while the plunger is moveably located about the housing and plunger arrangement. The head  24  when exposed to an external force, causes the plunger  16  to translate within the housing  12 , resulting in the activation or communication of the switch to the ECU of the power equipment or directly to the power equipment or components thereof. 
     The plunger  16  includes a body  28  having an upper portion  30 A, a medial portion  30 B, and a lower portion  30 C, as seen in  FIG. 12 . The upper portion  30 A includes the head  24  and first and second projections  32 A,  32 B, respectively that support upper and lower seals  22 A and  22 B. The projections  32 A and  32 B extend from and are molded into the plunger  16 . The body  28  comprises a contacting ring  36  that conducts electricity and/or closes a circuit or switch and an insulating ring  38  that insulates the passage of electricity or breaks a circuit. In one example embodiment, the rings  36  and  38  are square (see  FIG. 9 ) or circular (see  FIG. 20 ) or any combination of square or circular and further it should be appreciated that the insulating ring  38  can be positioned above or below the contacting ring  36  without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates is a contact fixture  49  of the switch assembly  10  constructed in accordance with another example embodiment of the present disclosure. The contact fixture  49  is a top plan view illustrating the terminals  20 , contact ring  36 , and its respective planar surfaces  37 . The planar surfaces  37  of the contact ring  36  allow more surface contact between the terminals  20  and contact ring. As a result, the voltage drop contract ring  36  is advantageously reduced. 
     In the illustrated example embodiment, the contact ring  36  includes the planar surfaces  37 , as further shown in  FIGS. 8, 9, 11 and 16 . When a force F is applied to the head  24 , the plunger  16  is advanced down into the opening  26  relative to the housing  12  and plunger arrangement  14 , as illustrated in  FIG. 16 . The plunger  16  then passes from the insulating ring  38  or open air to one of the planar surfaces  37 , thus allowing continuity by closing an electrical circuit and allowing the passage of electricity from the wiring harness  6 , up terminal member  20   a  through contact ring  36  and down terminal member  20   b  into the wiring harness  6 . In yet another example embodiment, the contact ring  36  and insulator ring  38  are reversed to create a normally closed switch that can be turned off when a force is applied to the plunger  16 . 
     In the illustrated example embodiment, the housing  12  includes a number of projections or inclusions  70  molded as part of the housing. The projections or inclusions  70  allow for attachment to a mating panel of the power equipment (not shown). The power equipment may also have mounting holes, locking ramps, threaded features, or any combination thereof for the attachment of the switch assembly  10 . The switch assembly  10  can be further attached with various fasteners, rivets, pins, and the like such that the switch assembly will not move or deflect during operation. 
     The design of the switch assembly  10  as described above fixedly attaches the terminal members  20  into the housing  12  such that the final location for all switch assemblies during construction are constant and repeatable within the housing. The design of the retainer support  18  and terminal members  20 , and their respective interconnection eliminate movement of the terminals and position of the terminal wipers  35  upon the contact and insulating rings  36 ,  38 , respectively. This is further illustrated as the plunger  16  is translated between a lowered or engaged position (see  FIG. 16 ) and a raised or unengaged position (see  FIG. 8 ). 
     A supporting surface  34  is formed in the body  28  that fixedly attaches in location as shown in  FIG. 9  both the contact ring  36  and the insulating ring  38  onto the plunger  16 . The contact ring  36  provides a surface between first and second terminals  20 A and  20 B, respectively, such that when in contact with a wiper portion  35  of the terminals closes a circuit in the ECU or electromechanical device  8  it allows electricity to conduct through the switch assembly  10 . The insulating ring  38  provides a nonconductive surface between the first and second terminals  20 A and  20 B when in contact, thus opening the circuit formed by the ECU or electromechanical device  8  and prevents the flow of electricity through the switch assembly  10 . The switch assembly  10  further provides a third or “open air” condition to prevent the flow of electricity. In this open air condition, when the contact ring  36  is not in contact with the terminals  20 A,  20 B. In the illustrated example embodiment, the contact ring  36  is made of metal such as copper, while the insulating ring is made of plastic. 
     Biasing the plunger  16  upward and against the stop surface  23  such that the plunger head  24  projects from the opening  26  is a spring member  40 . The contact ring  36 , insulating ring  38 , and spring member  40  are all installed by passing the rings and spring in the prescribed order over and about the body  28  at the lower portion  30 C until the contact ring  36  engages and is stopped by the lower projection  32 B. The spring member  40  then engages at a first end  42  of the spring, as seen in  FIG. 9  with the bottom of the insulating member  38 , biasing the plunger  16  upward relative to the plunger arrangement  14  and housing  12  out its opening  26 . 
     The spring member  40  receives its support for biasing the plunger  16  toward the opening  26  at a second end  44  of the spring that is nested in a recess  46  of the retainer  18 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 7, 10A, 10B, and 10C  and bottoms out on annular ridge  47 . Once the spring member  40  is installed over and about the body  28 , the retainer support  18  is press-fit into a bottom opening  48  of the housing  12 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Wire coupled or in communication with a wiring harness (not shown) is connected to the crimp rings  25  of the terminal members  20 . The terminal members  20  are then positioned within the upper and lower portions of the retainer  18 . Once the terminal members  20  are positioned in the retainer  18 , the plunger arrangement is positioned within the housing  12 . 
     In the illustrated example embodiment, the plunger  16  and retainer support  18  are made from molded plastic and the rings  36 ,  38 , and spring member  40  include a central opening  26  for the inner passing of the body  28  during assembly. The retainer support  18  advantageously maintains alignment with the internal plunger arrangement  14 , preventing buckling of the spring member  40  or side load movement of the contact ring. Both of such advantages increase the reliability, quality, and life of the switch assembly  10 . 
     A further advantage of the retainer support  18  is its upper  18 U and lower  18 L retainers its construction for supporting terminal members  20 . In particular, the terminal members  20  are fixedly located within the retainer support  18  via lock tang members  56 A and  56 B in  FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C  on the terminal members and corresponding shelf members  60  see  FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, and 17A-17B  of the retainer support  18 , and in particular the lower retainer support  18 L. The shelf members  60  provides a ramp for the terminals lock tangs  56 A and  56 B. Once the terminals  20  reach the correct height imposed by a positive stop in the retainer  18 , the lock tangs  56  spring into a region of lower retainer  18 L above the shelf members  60 , locking the terminals against the retainer. This locking connection between shelf members  60  and lock tangs  56  allows for more reliable alignment of the terminal members  20  with the conductive and insulating rings  36 ,  38 , thus a better quality switch assembly  10 . 
     The retainer support  18  comprises in addition a recess  46 , a port  54  as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , which collectively entrap the end of the plunger  16 , guiding and stabilizing the plunger against side load issues. The recess  46  further provides a surface for the spring member to push against when the plunger  16  is activated. 
     The terminal members  20  conduct the flow of electricity when the switch assembly  10  is in a closed circuit state. As illustrated in  FIGS. 13, 14, and 15 , the terminal member includes a locking arm or tang  56 , projecting outward from a relatively planar body  58  of the terminal. The locking arms  56  hold the terminals in place against a ramp  60  located on the retainer support. The ramp  60 , molded into the retainer support  18  keeps the terminal members  20  from backing out of the retainer once fully seated into retainer grooves  62  located in the retainer support. In the illustrated example embodiment, the retainer grooves  62  are non-linear through the retainer  18  having transverse channels  63  in the grooves for supporting and fixedly holding the terminal members  20  therein from a first end  65  to a second end  67  of the retainer support. 
     The terminal members  20  further include a positive stop  64  surface to position repeatably and consistently the height and alignment of the terminal when positioned in the retainer support  18 . The contacts or crimp rings  25  are used to mechanically hold onto the wires of the wiring harness  6 . The contacts  25  are the electrical interface for the wires and terminals. 
     Two Piece Retainer Assembly 
     In an alternative example embodiment, a switch assembly  10  comprises terminal members  20  that are located in the retainer support  18  through a support channel  96  formed by an upper and a lower two-piece retainer  18 U and  18 L, respectively, as illustrated in  FIGS. 18-45 . The channel support  96  advantageously maintains alignment with the internal plunger arrangement  14 , preventing buckling of the spring member  40  or side load movement of the contact ring. Both of such advantages increase the reliability, quality, and life of the switch assembly  10 . The retainer support  18  and channel support  96  allow for the terminal members  20  to positively nest/hold the terminal members into the required position against the retainer and relative location on the plunger  16 . 
     The terminal members  20  nest/hold concept of the example embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 18-45 , also allow for the use of two retainers  18 U and  18 L to be used to maintain correct terminal member  20  positions within the retainer(s). This design does not require the use of a lock tang members  56  on the terminal  20  illustrated in the previous embodiments. The upper and lower retainers  18 U and  18 L, respectively lock together to form a pocket to entrap the flat body  58  and in particular top stop portions  64  (see  FIG. 44 ) of the terminal(s)  20  to be captured. 
     The locking connection between upper and lower retainers  18  occurs when lock arm members  80  on the upper retainer  18 U snap into corresponding opening  82  in the seal  31  and opening  84  the lower retainer  18 L. A pliable seal  31  (in the illustrated example embodiment of  FIG. 21  made of, for example vinyl, but could be made of other types of polymers or rubber without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure) is trapped between the two retainers  18 U and  18 L. This seal  31  is intended to minimize any leakage that could occur from the potting process and environmental contaminants. 
     The design of the switch assembly  10  as described below fixedly attaches the terminal members  20  into the retainer support  18  such that the final location for all switch assemblies during construction are constant and repeatable within the housing  12 . The design of the retainer support  18  and terminal members  20 , and their respective interconnection eliminate movement of the terminals and position of the terminal wipers  35  upon the contact and insulating rings  36 ,  38 , respectively. This is further appreciated as the plunger  16  is translated between a lowered or engaged position and a raised or unengaged position (see  FIG. 20 ). 
     The retainer support  18  is further provides enhanced reliability to the switch assembly  10  by the construct of first and second lock arms  80  (see  FIG. 20 ) that passes through opening  82  in the seal  31  and opening  84  in the lower retainer  18  to engage a ledge  86  forming a locked connection  88  with the lower retainer  18 L. The lock arms  80  are biased such that after passing through openings  82 ,  84 , the spring outward from the plunger  14  in the direction of arrows A in  FIG. 21 , to form the locking connection  88 . 
     The first and second lock arms  80 A,  80 B of the upper retainer  18 U are transversely constructed, such that the geometrical design biases the base of the lock arms toward the outer region of the housing  12 . This dual construct of the upper and lower retainer  18  advantageously allows the seal  31  to be positioned between the upper and lower retainers  18 U,  18 L, respectively within and surrounding the perimeter of the interior  90  of the housing  12 , thus removing any leak paths to the internal components of the housing. 
     The housing  12  interior perimeter  90  and its geometry locates and holds the retainer support  18 , via the profile of the lower retainer  18 L as illustrated in  FIG. 22 . The In the illustrated example embodiment of  FIGS. 18-45 , a semi-arcuate collar  92 A and  92 B projects upwardly from the upper retainer  18 U and a semi-arcuate collar  94 A and  94 B projects upwardly from the lower retainer  18 L through the upper retainer  18 U to both collars  92  and  94  form a support channel  96 . 
     The support channel  96  formed by the four equal-sized semi-arcuate collars  92 A,  92 B,  94 A, and  94 B generate a blind cylinder having an opening  98  that extends to blind base  102 . The support channel  96  internally forms a cylinder that supports the spring member  40  and the inner movement of the plunger  16 . The plunger  16  includes a tip portion  104  that remains within the support channel  96  when the plunger is in the most extended position ( FIG. 24 ) and when the plunger  16  is compressed downward, as indicated in the direction of arrow B in  FIG. 24 . 
     The channel  96  and its receipt of the biasing member  40  advantageously support the plunger  16  as it moves within the housing  12 . Moreover, the channel  96  formed by the raised two-piece retainer  18  semi-arcuate collars  92 ,  94  eliminates side movement of the spring  40  and plunger during operation, thus extending the life of the switch assembly  10 . The four pieces forming the semi-arcuate collars  92 ,  94  and ultimately the support channel is illustrated in the exploded assembly view of  FIG. 25  and in  FIGS. 28-29, and 34-41 . 
     The terminals  20  are positioned within the lower and upper retainers  18 L,  18 U, respectively. During assembly, the terminals are inserted through apertures  106  in extended flange  108  of the lower retainer  18 L, as illustrated in  FIGS. 42-44 . The upper retainer  18 U is then locked with the lower retainer  18 L to nest the terminals  20  into position. In particular, the terminal body  58  is secured at its upper stops  64  by arms  18 U illustrated in  FIG. 27  and the body&#39;s lower stops  112  by shelves  114  of the lower retainer  18 L. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 26-31 and 45 , the body  58  of the terminal member  20  or face of the terminal includes upper stops  64  and lower stops  110  closest to the crimp wings  25  are seated against the body of the lower retainer  18 L. The flat seal  31  is then applied over the terminals. The upper terminal retainer  18 U is then fed over the terminals  20  to capture and seat the terminals into position as the lock arm members  80  of the upper retainer  18 U snap into the ledge of the lower retainer  18 L. The upper face stops  64  of the body  58  of the wide features of the terminals is seated against the corresponding face or arms  110  of the upper retainer  18 U. The two snap feature lock arms  80  on the upper retainer are locked into the openings  84  of the lower retainer. Nesting pockets  116  (see  FIGS. 26-27 ) for the terminals are created once the upper and lower retainers are locked together. The nest features  116  formed by the upper and lower retainers  18 U,  18 L and their respective arms  110  and shelves  114  are intended to positively lock the terminals  20  into the correct position with respect to the plunger assembly  14 . This example embodiment minimizes variation in the potting process, which will improve switch performance. 
     In one example embodiment, once the retainer support  18  is positioned and locked into the housing  12  a well  27  in the bottom of the housing receives a sealant such as epoxy that is poured into the housing. Historically, a vinyl seal is used to hold the terminals within the retainer. However, because of the retainer support  18  and terminal member  20  construct, the seal no longer functions as the support to the terminal members. This advantageously removes the variations in the location of the terminals and the human element that occurs during assembly. The seal  31  (see  FIGS. 28-29 ) fixedly attaches between the upper and lower retainers  18 U,  18 L to create a seal connection within the retainer and around the terminals  20  from the outside elements. The two piece retainer support  18 U and  18 L eliminates the need for a vinyl seal used to hold terminals in earlier switches. 
     In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings. 
     The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The disclosure is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued. 
     Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has”, “having,” “includes”, “including,” “contains”, “containing” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a”, “has . . . a”, “includes . . . a”, “contains . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms “substantially”, “essentially”, “approximately”, “about” or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term “coupled” as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed. 
     The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.