Patent Publication Number: US-2022239025-A1

Title: Connector

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-009644 filed with the Japan Patent Office on Jan. 25, 2021, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a connector. 
     2. Related Art 
     A connector is known in which an insert molded terminal is included and the direction of mating to a counterpart connector is substantially parallel to the surface of a board. For example, JP-A-2014-164884 discloses an example of a connector including insert molded terminals. In  FIGS. 5 to 7  of JP-A-2014-164884, a second embodiment is an example of a connector of which direction of mating to a counterpart connector is substantially parallel to the surface of a board. 
     The connector of JP-A-2014-164884 includes three components: a first module, a second module, and a housing that accommodates the first and second modules. The first module is formed by insert molding a plurality of first contacts arranged in a line with a first molded portion. Similarly, the second module is formed by insert molding a plurality of second contacts arranged in a line with a second molded portion. The connector is manufactured by accommodating the first and second modules in the housing in such a manner that a contact portion of the first contact with a connection target object faces a contact portion of the second contact with a connection target object. 
     As disclosed also in JP-A-2020-91950, the following is well known to those skilled in the art. When the first and second contacts are insert molded with the first and second molded portions, respectively, molds are generally placed in such a manner as to sandwich predetermined portions of the first and second contacts from opposing sides (sides facing in a direction along the mating direction). During insert molding, resin is injected also into space where the mold is not present. Hence, the contacts need to be securely fixed at the predetermined portions by the mold to prevent displacement resulting from the shaking of the contacts by the injected resin. 
     However, as disclosed in the second embodiment of JP-A-2014-164884, the connector where the direction of mating to the counterpart connector is substantially parallel to the surface of the board and the connection portion of the first contact with the connection target object on the first module and the connection portion of the second contact with the connection target object on the second module are placed in such a manner as to face each other has the following problems: The above connector has a portion where the first and second contacts overlap (which may hereinafter be referred to as the contact overlapping portion, or the overlapping portion) as viewed in a direction along the mating direction. Hence, it is impossible or difficult to place a mold for each of the first and second contacts. In other words, it is impossible or difficult to insert mold the first and second contacts with the first and second molded portions, respectively, at the same time. Hence, although not expressly stated, it is conceivable that the connector of JP-A-2014-164884 has adopted a complicated manufacturing method that accommodates the first and second modules in the housing after the first and second contacts are insert molded with the first and second modules, respectively and separately. 
     In this manner, in order to manufacture a connector having the contact overlapping portion as viewed in the direction along the mating direction, that is, the direction along the mold placement direction, such as disclosed in JP-A-2014-164884, complicated work is required, and the number of molds that are required increases. Hence, there are problems that productivity decreases and manufacturing costs increase. 
     SUMMARY 
     A connector according to embodiments of the present disclosure is configured as follows. The connector includes: a housing; and a plurality of terminals insert molded with the housing. At least one of the plurality of terminals includes a first terminal portion, and at least one of the plurality of terminals includes a second terminal portion spaced apart from the first terminal portion in a direction along a direction of mating to a counterpart connector. The first terminal portion is placed on a side nearer to a side that mates to the counterpart connector than the second terminal portion in the direction along the mating direction, and the first terminal portion includes a first surface extending along a plane crossing the mating direction on a side opposite to the side that mates to the counterpart connector in the mating direction. The first surface includes a portion that does not overlap the second terminal portion as the first and second terminal portions are viewed in the direction along the mating direction from the side opposite to the side that mates to the counterpart connector in the mating direction. At least a partial region of the portion, which does not overlap the second terminal portion, of the first surface is exposed to an outside of the housing through an opening of the housing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a connector apparatus including a connector according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the connector according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of terminals according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the terminals of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear view of the terminals of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view along line A-A in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view along line B-B in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view along line C-C in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of terminals according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a rear view of the terminals of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the terminals according to the second embodiment, corresponding to the cross-sectional view along line A-A in  FIG. 2  in the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the terminals according to the second embodiment, corresponding to the cross-sectional view along line B-B in  FIG. 6  in the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the terminals according to the second embodiment, corresponding to the cross-sectional view along line C-C in  FIG. 6  in the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of terminals according to a third embodiment. 
         FIG. 15  is a rear view of the terminals of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of the terminals according to the third embodiment, corresponding to the cross-sectional view along line A-A in  FIG. 2  in the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of the terminals according to the third embodiment, corresponding to the cross-sectional view along line B-B in  FIG. 6  in the first embodiment; and 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of the terminals according to the third embodiment, corresponding to the cross-sectional view along line C-C in  FIG. 6  in the first embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, for purpose of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically shown in order to simplify the drawing. 
     An object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector that solves the problems of the above-mentioned technologies for a connector including an insert molded terminal. In other words, an object is to provide a connector including an insert molded terminal, and a contact overlapping portion as viewed in a direction along a mating direction, the connector allowing increasing productivity and decreasing manufacturing costs as compared to before. 
     The above problems of a connector that productivity decreases and manufacturing costs increase are not limited to a case where the direction of mating to a counterpart connector is substantially parallel to the surface of a board, such as disclosed in the second embodiment of JP-A-2014-164884, but can also occur in a case where the direction of mating to a counterpart connector is substantially vertical to the surface of a board. Moreover, the above problems can occur not only in a case where there is a plurality of contacts but even in a case where there is only one contact if the contact is configured to have the above-mentioned overlapping portion. In other words, the present disclosure solves problems of all connectors where similar problems can occur, regardless of whether the direction of mating to a counterpart connector is substantially parallel or substantially vertical, and regardless of whether the number of contacts is one, or two or more. 
     In order to solve the above problems, a connector according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a housing; and a plurality of terminals insert molded with the housing. At least one of the plurality of terminals includes a first terminal portion, and at least one of the plurality of terminals includes a second terminal portion spaced apart from the first terminal portion in a direction along a direction of mating to a counterpart connector. The first terminal portion is placed on a side nearer to a side that mates to the counterpart connector than the second terminal portion in the direction along the mating direction, and the first terminal portion includes a first surface extending along a plane crossing the mating direction on a side opposite to the side that mates to the counterpart connector in the mating direction. The first surface includes a portion that does not overlap the second terminal portion as the first and second terminal portions are viewed in the direction along the mating direction from the side opposite to the side that mates to the counterpart connector in the mating direction. At least a partial region of the portion, which does not overlap the second terminal portion, of the first surface is exposed to an outside of the housing through an opening of the housing. 
     The connector according to this aspect is configured in such a manner that at least a part of the first surface of the first terminal portion does not overlap the second terminal portion as the first and second terminal portions are viewed from the side opposite to the mating side in the direction of mating to the counterpart connector, and that at least the partial region of the portion that does not overlap is exposed to the outside of the housing through the opening of the housing. Hence, the connector can be manufactured, pressing at least the exposed partial region with a mold. Therefore, even a connector having the contact overlapping portion can be easily manufactured, and the manufacturing costs of the connector can be reduced. 
     According to the present disclosure, even a type of connector having the contact overlapping portion as viewed in the direction along the mating direction can be easily manufactured, and the manufacturing costs can be reduced. 
     Illustrative embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure are described in detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings. However, for example, the dimensions, the materials, the shapes, and the relative positions of constituent elements, which are described in the following embodiments, are arbitrary, and can be modified in accordance with the configuration of an apparatus to which the present disclosure is applied, or various conditions. Moreover, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described below unless otherwise specified. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a connector apparatus  1  including a connector (receptacle connector  2 ) according to a first embodiment. The connector apparatus  1  includes a pair of the receptacle connector  2  being the connector of the present disclosure, and a plug connector (counterpart connector)  6  that can mate to the receptacle connector  2 .  FIG. 1  illustrates a state before the receptacle connector  2  and the plug connector  6  are mated together as a board-to-board connector. 
     The receptacle connector  2  is fixed to a relatively rigid resin board  8 . On the other hand, the plug connector  6  is fixed to a flexible board  9  such as an FPC. In this case, the plug connector  6  fixed to the board  9  can mate to the receptacle connector  2  fixed to the board  8  relatively easily. In this example, the receptacle connector  2  is formed as what is called a right-angle connector, and when the receptacle connector  2  and the plug connector  6  are mated together, the boards  8  and  9  are located substantially orthogonal to each other. In other words, a direction (x 1 ) in which the plug connector  6  mates to the receptacle connector  2  is set in such a manner as to be substantially parallel to a board surface  8   a  of the board  8  to which the receptacle connector  2  is fixed. However, as is clear from the following description, the receptacle connector  2  is not necessarily a right-angle connector. Moreover, the receptacle connector  2  and the plug connector  6  are not necessarily a board-to-board connector, either. 
     The plug connector  6 , which is the counterpart connector, includes a housing  60 , and a plurality of terminals  70 , which are counterpart terminals and provided to the housing  60 . The housing  60  includes a substantially rectangular peripheral wall  61  protruding toward a side that mates to the receptacle connector  2 , a bottom portion  65  that is fixed to the board  9  via the terminals  70  mounted on the board  9 , and a mating recess  62  formed by the peripheral wall  61  and the bottom portion  65 . The plug connector  6  is simply required to have a shape that can mate to the receptacle connector  2 , and may have, for example, a shape similar to a plug connector that is conventionally used. The housing  60  is fixed to the board  9  by, for example, soldering the terminals  70  to the board  9 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a front view of the receptacle connector  2 . The receptacle connector  2  includes a housing  10  and a plurality of terminals insert molded with the housing  10 . In the example illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the receptacle connector  2  includes two types of terminals  20  and  30 , two per each type. However, as is clear from the following description, the number of terminals is not limited to the number mentioned above upon carrying out the present disclosure. The receptacle connector  2  may include one, or three or more, per each type of terminals  20  and  30 , or include one or more terminals  20  alone. The housing  10  is fixed to the board  8  by, for example, soldering the terminals  20  and  30  to the board  8 . 
     The housing  10  includes an island portion  11  protruding toward a side that mates to the plug connector  6 , a frame-shaped peripheral wall  12  that surrounds the outer periphery of the island portion  11 , and a support wall  15  that supports the bottom portions of the island portion  11  and the peripheral wall  12 . A mating recess  16  is formed in a space between the island portion  11  and the peripheral wall  12 . A portion of the mating recess  16  on a side opposite to the mating side is closed by the support wall  15 . When the receptacle connector  2  and the plug connector  6  are mated together, the island portion  11  of the receptacle connector  2  fits in the mating recess  62  of the plug connector  6  while the peripheral wall  61  of the plug connector  6  fits in the mating recess  16  of the receptacle connector  2 . 
       FIGS. 3, 4, and 5  illustrate a side view, a front view, and a rear view of the terminals  20  and  30 , respectively.  FIGS. 3 to 5  illustrate an arranged state of the terminals  20  and  30  that have been fixed to the housing  10 . 
     The terminal  20  includes a substantially U-shaped portion  21 , a board mounted portion  23  that is mounted on the board  8 , and a middle portion  25  extending between the substantially U-shaped portion  21  and the board mounted portion  23 . A part of the peripheral wall  61  of the terminals  70  of the plug connector  6  is inserted into the substantially U-shaped portion  21  when the receptacle connector  2  and the plug connector  6  are mated together. 
     The substantially U-shaped portion  21  includes, at one end, an elastic displacement portion  210  having a contact  21   a  that can elastically come into contact with any of portions of the terminal  70  of the plug connector  6 , and a first vertical portion  250  and a first horizontal portion  251  that support the elastic displacement portion  210  in such a manner as to be elastically displaceable. The first horizontal portion  251  extends in a horizontal direction (x) to the board  8 . On the other hand, the first vertical portion  250  extends in a vertical direction (z) to the board surface  8   a.    
     The middle portion  25  includes a second horizontal portion  253 , a second vertical portion  255 , and a bent portion  254  that has approximately a right angle in side view and links one ends of the second horizontal portion  253  and the second vertical portion  255 . The second horizontal portion  253  extends in the horizontal direction (x) to the board  8  as in the first horizontal portion  251 . The second vertical portion  255  extends in the vertical direction (z) to the board surface  8   a  as in the first vertical portion  250 . The other end of the second horizontal portion  253  is connected to the other end of the substantially U-shaped portion  21  via a curved portion  252 . The curved portion  252  is folded back approximately  180  degrees in side view. The second vertical portion  255  is placed on a side (n) farther from the side that mates to the plug connector  6  than the first vertical portion  250  in the direction (x) along the mating direction. 
     The board mounted portion  23  is provided at the other end of the second vertical portion  255 . The board mounted portion  23  is placed on the side (n) farther from the side that mates to the plug connector  6  than the second vertical portion  255  in the direction (x) along the mating direction. 
     On the other hand, the terminal  30  includes a substantially U-shaped portion  31 , a board mounted portion  33  that is mounted on the board  8 , and a middle portion  35  extending between the substantially U-shaped portion  31  and the board mounted portion  33 . A part of the peripheral wall  61  of the terminals  70  of the plug connector  6  can be inserted into the substantially U-shaped portion  31  when the receptacle connector  2  and the plug connector  6  are mated together. 
     The substantially U-shaped portion  31  includes, at one end, an elastic displacement portion  310  having a contact  31   a  that can elastically come into contact with any of portions of the terminal  70  of the plug connector  6 , and a first vertical portion  350  and a first horizontal portion  351  that support the elastic displacement portion  310  in such a manner as to be elastically displaceable. The first horizontal portion  351  extends in the horizontal direction (x) to the board  8 . On the other hand, the first vertical portion  350  extends in the vertical direction (z) to the board surface  8   a  on a side (m) nearer to the side that mates to the plug connector  6  than the second vertical portion  255  in the direction (x) along the mating direction. 
     The middle portion  35  is formed as a portion extending in the vertical direction (z) to the board surface  8   a . One end of the middle portion  35  is connected to the other end of the substantially U-shaped portion  31  via a curved portion  352 . 
     The board mounted portion  33  is provided at the other end of the middle portion  35 . The board mounted portion  33  is placed on the side (m) nearer to the side that mates to the plug connector  6  than the first vertical portion  350  in the direction (x) along the mating direction. 
     When the terminals  20  and  30  are fixed to the housing  10 , the contact  21   a  of the terminal  20  and the contact  31   a  of the terminal  30  are located in stages, spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction (z) to the board surface  8   a . In other words, the contact  21   a  is located at a position farther away from the board  8  than the contact  31   a  in the vertical direction (z) to the board surface  8   a . The island portion  11  of the housing  10  is provided with displacement spaces  11  a to accommodate the displacement of the elastic displacement portions  210  and  310  including the contacts  21   a  and  31   a.    
       FIGS. 6, 7, and 8  illustrate a cross-sectional view along line A-A in  FIG. 2 , a cross-sectional view along line B-B in  FIG. 6 , and a cross-sectional view along line C-C in  FIG. 6 , respectively. 
     The terminals  20  and  30  are fixed by being insert molded with the housing  10 . At least any of portions of each of the terminals  20  and  30  is embedded in the housing  10 . However, the terminals  20  and  30  are still exposed partially, that is, on the side (m) that mates to the plug connector  6  in a mating direction (x 1 ), to the outside of the housing  10  after the terminals  20  and  30  are insert molded with the housing  10 . For example, a portion that can come into contact with the terminal  70  of the plug connector  6  upon mating is exposed to the outside of the housing  10  as in the elastic displacement portions  210  and  310 . Moreover, parts of the terminals  20  and  30 , that is, the board mounted portions  23  and  33  that are soldered to the board  8 , and parts of the first vertical portion  250  of the terminal  20  and of the first vertical portion  350  of the terminal  30  are also exposed to the outside of the housing  10  on the side (n) opposite to the side that mates to the plug connector  6  in the mating direction (x 1 ). Especially a partial region  250   c  of a first surface  250   a  and a partial region  350   c  of a first surface  350   a , which extend along a plane (a y-z plane) crossing the mating direction (x 1 ), remain exposed to the outside of the housing  10 . 
     The exposed portions of the first vertical portions  250  and  350  are described in more detail. In the following description, in addition to the first vertical portion (a first terminal portion)  250  of the terminal  20  and the first vertical portion (a first terminal portion)  350  of the terminal  30 , the second vertical portion (a second terminal portion)  255  of the terminal  20  is described. 
     The first vertical portions  250  and  350  and the second vertical portion  255  include the first surfaces  250   a  and  350   a  and a second surface  255   a  that extend along the plane (the y-z plane) crossing the mating direction (x 1 ), respectively, on the side (n) opposite to the side that mates to the plug connector  6  in the mating direction (x 1 ). 
     At least parts ( 250   b  and  350   b ) of the first surfaces  250   a  and  350   a  do not overlap the second vertical portion  255  as the first vertical portions  250  and  350  and the second vertical portion  255  are viewed in the direction (x) along the mating direction (x 1 ) from the side (n) opposite to the side that mates the plug connector  6  in the mating direction (x 1 ) (refer to  FIG. 5 ). As a result, at least the partial regions  250   c  and  350   c  (refer to  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) of the portions  250   b  and  350   b  that do not overlap the second vertical portion  255  can be made exposed to the outside of the housing  10  through a first opening  13  (refer to  FIGS. 7 and 1 ) and a second opening  14  (refer to  FIGS. 8 and 1 ) that are provided to the housing  10 , respectively. As is clear from the drawings, at least the partial regions  250   c  and  350   c  exposed to the outside are provided by setting the areas of the first surfaces  250   a  and  350   a  larger than the area of the second vertical portion  255  on at least the plane (the y-z plane) crossing the mating direction (x 1 ). 
     In this manner, in the receptacle connector  2  with the present configuration, at least the partial regions  250   c  and  350   c  of the first surfaces  250   a  and  350   a  of the first vertical portions  250  and  350  can be made exposed to the outside of the housing  10  through the first opening  13  and the second opening  14  that are provided to the housing  10 . Hence, the terminals  20  and  30  can be pressed with a mold (not illustrated) in the predetermined regions  250   c  and  350   c  of the first surfaces  250   a  and  350   a . Consequently, it is possible to perform insert molding in a stable state without displacement of the terminals due to the injected resin. 
     A second embodiment is described with reference to  FIGS. 9 to 13 . The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment in respects that are not specified. In  FIGS. 9 to 13 , the same reference numerals with a letter “A” are assigned to members similar or corresponding to those in the first embodiment. 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate a perspective view and a rear view of terminals, respectively. Moreover,  FIGS. 11, 12, and 13  illustrate a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross-sectional view along line A-A in  FIG. 2  in the first embodiment, a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross-sectional view along line B-B in  FIG. 6  in the first embodiment, and a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross-sectional view along line C-C in  FIG. 6 , respectively. 
     A terminal  20 A includes a substantially U-shaped portion  21 A, a board mounted portion  23 A that is mounted on the board  8 , and a middle portion  25 A extending between the substantially U-shaped portion  21 A and the board mounted portion  23 A as in the terminal  20  in the first embodiment. 
     Among them, the substantially U-shaped portion  21 A and the board mounted portion  23 A in the second embodiment have the same configurations as those in the first embodiment. In contrast, the middle portion  25 A in the second embodiment includes an inclined portion  260  obtained by obliquely inclining the path on an x-y plane in the direction (x) along the mating direction. In this respect, the configuration of the second embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment. In other words, in the second embodiment, the inclined portion  260  is provided to make adjustments in such a manner as to prevent the substantially U-shaped portion  21 A and a second vertical portion  255 A from overlapping on the plane (the y-z plane) crossing the mating direction (x 1 ) as viewed in the direction (x) along the mating direction. A terminal  30 A has the same configuration as that of the terminal  30  in the first embodiment. 
     In the second embodiment, especially at least parts ( 250   b A and  350   b A) of first surfaces  250   a A and  350   a A, which extend along the plane (the y-z plane) crossing the mating direction, of a first vertical portion  250 A of the terminal  20 A and of a first vertical portion  350 A of the terminal  30 A do not overlap the second vertical portion  255 A as viewed in the direction (x) along the mating direction (refer to  FIG. 10 ). As a result, at least partial regions  250   c A (refer to, for example,  FIG. 12 ) and  350   c A (refer to, for example,  FIG. 13 ) of the portions  250   b A and  350   b A that do not overlap the second vertical portion  255 A can be used to place a mold through a first opening  13 A and a second opening  14 A, respectively. The main difference from the first embodiment is the respect that, in the second embodiment, the partial regions  250   c A and  350   c A are provided as the regions that is used to place a mold, by displacing the first vertical portions  250 A and  350 A from the second vertical portion  255 A at least on the plane (the y-z plane) crossing the mating direction (x 1 ). 
     A third embodiment is described with reference to  FIGS. 14 to 18 . The third embodiment is similar to the first embodiment in respects that are not specified. In  FIGS. 14 to 18 , the same reference numerals with a letter “B” are assigned to members similar or corresponding to those in the first embodiment. 
       FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrate a perspective view and a rear view of terminals, respectively. Moreover,  FIGS. 16, 17, and 18  illustrate a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross-sectional view along line A-A in  FIG. 2  in the first embodiment, a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross-sectional view along line B-B in  FIG. 6  in the first embodiment, and a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross-sectional view along line C-C in  FIG. 6 , respectively. 
     Terminals  20 B and  30 B in the third embodiment have the same configurations as the terminals  20  and  30  used in the first embodiment, respectively. 
     In the third embodiment, especially at least a part ( 350   b B) of a first surface  350   a B, which extends along the plane (the y-z plane) crossing the mating direction, of a first vertical portion  350 B of the terminal  30 B does not overlap a second vertical portion  255 B as viewed in the direction (x) along the mating direction (refer to  FIG. 15 ). As a result, at least a partial region  350   c B (refer to, for example,  FIG. 18 ) of the portion  350   b B that does not overlap the second vertical portion  255 B can be used to place a mold through a second opening  14 B. The main difference from the first embodiment is the respect that, in the third embodiment, the partial region  350   c B is provided as the region that is used to place a mold, by displacing the terminals  20 B and  30 B from each other at least on the plane (the y-z plane) crossing the mating direction (x 1 ). 
     The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be modified in various manners. For example, two types of the terminals  20  and  30  are used in the above-mentioned embodiments. However, the present disclosure is not limited to these two types. Especially, the terminal  20  includes the first vertical portion  250  (the first terminal portion) and the second vertical portion  255  (the second terminal portion), and therefore the present disclosure can be carried out by use of the terminals  20  alone as in, for example, the first embodiment. 
     Moreover, for example, it may be configured in such a manner that one of at least any two of a plurality of terminals includes the first terminal portion, and the other terminal includes the second terminal portion. 
     It is supposed that those skilled in the art in areas related to the present disclosure could have devised many altered modes or other embodiments of the present disclosure with the aid of the teaching illustrated in the above description. It is obvious that those skilled in the art can modify and alter the present disclosure without departing from the scope or gist of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the unique embodiments disclosed herein, and includes altered modes and other embodiments in the scope of the accompanying claims. The specific terms are used in the specification. However, the terms are not used to limit their definitions, and are simply used in general and descriptive sense. 
     The foregoing detailed description has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the subject matter described herein to the precise form disclosed. Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims appended hereto.