Patent Publication Number: US-2023155224-A1

Title: Secondary battery and fabricating method therefor

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0157780, filed on Nov. 16, 2021, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the contents of which in its entirety are herein incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a secondary battery capable of increasing welding quality. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A secondary battery is a power storage system that converts electrical energy into chemical energy and stores the converted energy to provide high energy density. Unlike primary batteries that cannot be recharged, a secondary battery is rechargeable and is being widely used in electronic devices, e.g., a smart phone, a cellular phone, a notebook computer, or a tablet PC. 
     In recent years, electric vehicles are drawing attention for prevention of environmental contamination, and a trend toward the use of high-capacity secondary batteries for electric vehicles is growing. The secondary battery needs to have high density, high output, and high stability characteristics. 
     SUMMARY 
     A secondary battery according to the present disclosure may include an electrode assembly; a current collector coupled to the electrode assembly; a case in which the electrode assembly is accommodated; a cap plate coupled to the case to seal the electrode assembly and the current collector; and a terminal plate connected to the current collector and exposed through the cap plate, wherein dual beam and wobble welding may be performed on at least one of between the electrode assembly and the current collector and between the current collector and the terminal plate. 
     The dual beam used for welding may include a first region formed at the center and a second region formed around the first region. 
     In addition, the first region of the dual beam may have a circular shape, and the second region may have a ring shape. 
     In addition, the wobble welding may be performed along the second region. 
     In addition, the wobble welding may be performed along the edge of the dual beam while forming repeated arcs. 
     In addition, the wobble welding may include wave beads having a repeated sawtooth shape. 
     In addition, in the sawtooth shape, a diameter difference between the outer sawtooth portion (A) and the inner sawtooth portion (B) may be greater than or equal to 5 μm. 
     In addition, dual beam and wobble welding may be further performed on the coupling between the case and the cap plate. 
     In addition, at least one of the electrode assembly and the current collector and the current collector and the terminal plate may be made of a dissimilar metal to perform welding. 
     A method of fabricating a secondary battery may include forming an electrode assembly, forming a current collector to be coupled to the electrode assembly, accommodating the electrode assembly and the current collector in a case, forming a cap plate sealing the case, such that the electrode assembly and the current collector are inside the case, and forming a terminal plate to be connected to the current collector, such that the terminal plate extends through the cap plate to be exposed to an exterior of the case, wherein the current collector is welded to at least one of the electrode assembly and the terminal plate by both a dual beam welding and a wobble welding. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Features will become apparent to those of skill in the art by describing in detail exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view showing a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a cross-sectional view showing a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  show a laser beam used in a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is an image showing a welding area used in a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  are enlarged images showing a welding area used in a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    is a graph showing the absorption rate of the laser beam according to materials used. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, they may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey exemplary implementations to those skilled in the art. 
     In the drawing figures, the dimensions of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity of illustration. It will also be understood that when a layer or element is referred to as being “on” another layer or substrate, it can be directly on the other layer or substrate, or intervening layers may also be present. In addition, it will also be understood that when a layer is referred to as being “between” two layers, it can be the only layer between the two layers, or one or more intervening layers may also be present. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
     As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. In addition, it will be understood that when an element A is referred to as being “connected to” an element B, the element A can be directly connected to the element B or an intervening element C may be present therebetween such that the element A and the element B are indirectly connected to each other. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms that the terms “comprise or include” and/or “comprising or including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various members, elements, regions, layers and/or sections, these members, elements, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one member, element, region, layer and/or section from another. Thus, for example, a first member, a first element, a first region, a first layer and/or a first section discussed below could be termed a second member, a second element, a second region, a second layer and/or a second section without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the element or feature in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “on” or “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective view showing an exemplary secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG.  2    is a cross-sectional view of the secondary battery in  FIG.  1   . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , a secondary battery  100  may include an electrode assembly  110 , a first terminal  120 , a second terminal  130 , a case  140 , and a cap assembly  150 . The electrode assembly  110  may be accommodated in the case  140 . 
     In detail, the first and second terminals  120  and  130  may penetrate through the cap assembly  150  and be exposed upwardly. In some examples, the first terminal  120  may include or be referred to as a negative electrode terminal, and the second terminal  130  may include or be referred to as a positive electrode terminal. 
     In some examples, an upper insulating member  162  may be interposed between the first terminal  120  and the cap assembly  150 , and a connecting member  180  may be interposed between the second terminal  130  and the cap assembly  150 . Therefore, the first terminal  120  and the cap assembly  150  may be electrically insulated, e.g., separated, from each other. In addition, when the connecting member  180  is made of a conductive material, the second terminal  130  and the cap assembly  150  may be electrically connected, e.g., coupled, to each other, in which case, the case  140  may be charged with the polarity of the second terminal  130 , e.g., with a positive polarity 
     In some examples, the case  140  may be formed by a deep drawing process using a metal plate or a bending and welding process using a metal plate. In addition, the case  140  has a space in which the electrode assembly  110  and the cap assembly  150  to be seated are accommodated, and may be in the form of a hexahedron. In some examples, the case  140  may include a rectangular bottom portion  141  having long sides and short sides, long side portions  142  and  143  bent and extending from the long sides of the bottom portion  141  toward the cap assembly  150 , and short side portions  144  and  145  extending from the short sides of the bottom portion  141  toward the cap assembly  150 . In some examples, the case  140  may include or be referred to as a case, a housing, or an exterior material. 
     In some examples, the cap assembly  150  may include a cap plate  151 , a plug  152 , and a safety vent  153 . This will be explained in more detail below. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the electrode assembly  110  may have a winding axis in the horizontal direction (i.e., a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cap assembly  150 ). In some examples, the electrode assembly  110  may include a stack type as well as a winding type. 
     The electrode assembly  110  may be formed by winding or overlapping a stack of a first electrode plate  111 , a separator  113 , a second electrode plate  112 , which are formed in a thin plate shape or a film shape. For example, the first electrode plate  111  can act as a negative electrode, and the second electrode plate  112  can act as a positive electrode (e.g., the reverse is also possible). 
     In some examples, the first electrode plate  111  may be formed by coating a first electrode active material, e.g., graphite or carbon, on a first electrode current collector formed of a metal foil, e.g., copper, copper alloy, nickel or nickel alloy, and may include a first electrode uncoated portion  111   a  that is a region to which the first electrode active material is not applied. In some examples, the second electrode plate  112  may be formed by coating a second electrode active material, e.g., a transition metal oxide, on a second electrode current collector formed of a metal foil, e.g., aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and may include a second electrode uncoated portion  112   a  that is a region to which the second electrode active material is not applied. 
     In some examples, the separator  113  is positioned between the first electrode plate  111  and the second electrode plate  112  to prevent a short circuit and enable the movement of lithium ions, and may include, e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, or a composite film of polyethylene and polypropylene. For example, the separator  113  may include a functional film in which an inorganic material layer is coated on a porous polymer film. For example, the separator  113  may be replaced with an inorganic solid electrolyte, e.g., a sulfide-based, oxide-based or phosphate-based electrolyte, that does not require an electrolyte in a liquid or gel state. 
     The first terminal  120  and the second terminal  130  may be electrically connected to the first electrode plate  111  and the second electrode plate  112 , respectively, and may be positioned at both, e.g., opposite, ends of the electrode assembly  110 . In some examples, the electrode assembly  110  may be accommodated in the case  140  together with an electrolyte. For example, the electrolyte may include a lithium salt, e.g., LiPF 6 , in an organic solvent, e.g., ethylene carbonate (EC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), or ethyl-methyl carbonate (EMC). In addition, the electrolyte may be in liquid or gel form. In some examples, when an inorganic solid electrolyte is used, the electrolyte may be omitted. 
     The first terminal  120  may be made of a metal, and may be electrically connected to the first electrode plate  111 . In some examples, the first terminal  120  may include a first current collector plate  121 , a first terminal pillar  122 , and a first terminal plate  123 . 
     In some examples, the first current collector plate  121  may be in contact with the first electrode uncoated portion  111   a  protruding from one end of the electrode assembly  110 . Substantially, the first current collector plate  121  may be welded to the first electrode uncoated portion  111 a. In some examples, the first current collector plate  121  may be formed in an approximately “L” shape. In some examples, the first terminal pillar  122  may be integrally formed on the first current collector plate  121 , or the first terminal pillar  122  may be separately provided to be riveted and/or welded to the first current collector plate  121 . For example, the first current collector plate  121  may be made of copper or a copper alloy. In addition, as a method for welding the first current collector plate  121  to the first electrode uncoated portion  111   a,  laser welding having a dual beam structure and wobble structure may be used, which will be described later. 
     In some examples, the first terminal pillar  122  may protrude from a top of the first current collector plate  121 , and may extend upwardly a predetermined length through the cap plate  151  to be described later. The first current collector plate  121  may be electrically connected to the first current collector plate  121  from the lower portion of the cap plate  151 . In addition, in some examples, the first terminal pillar  122  may include a flange  122   a  extending along the length direction of the cap plate  151  to prevent the first terminal pillar  122  from falling out. The first terminal pillar  122  may be integrally formed with the first current collector plate  121 , or may be riveted and/or welded after being inserted into the first current collector plate  121 . In some examples, the first terminal pillar  122  may be electrically insulated from the cap plate  151 . For example, the first terminal pillar  122  may be made of copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, or an aluminum alloy. 
     The first terminal plate  123  may be coupled to a top of the first terminal pillar  122 , e.g., so the upper insulating member  162  may be interposed between a lower surface of the first terminal plate  123  and an upper surface of the cap plate  151 . The first terminal plate  123  may include a hole  123 a therethrough, to which the first terminal pillar  122  may be coupled and riveted and/or welded. In some examples, an interface between the first terminal pillar  122  exposed upward and the first terminal plate  123  may be welded to each other. In addition, a method for welding the first terminal pillar  122  to the first terminal plate  123  may include laser welding having a dual beam structure and laser welding having a wobble structure, which will be described later. 
     In addition, in some examples, a bus bar made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy may be welded to the first terminal plate  123 . Thus, a plurality of secondary batteries may be connected to one another in series or in parallel. 
     The second terminal  130  may also be made of a metal, and may be electrically connected to the second electrode plate  112 . In some examples, the second terminal  130  may include a second current collector plate  131 , a second terminal pillar  132 , and a second terminal plate  133 . The structures of the second current collector plate  131 , the second terminal pillar  132 , and the second terminal plate  133  may be substantially the same as those of the first current collector plate  121 , the first terminal pillar  122 , and the first terminal plate  123 , respectively. 
     In detail, the second current collector plate  131  may be in contact with the second electrode uncoated portion  112   a  that protrudes from one end of the electrode assembly  110 . In addition, as a method for welding the second current collector plate  131  to the second electrode uncoated portion  112   a,  laser welding having a dual beam structure sand a wobble structure may be used, which will be described later. 
     For example, the second terminal pillar  132  may be integrally formed on the second current collector plate  131 , or the second terminal pillar  132  may be separately provided to be inserted into the second current collector plate  131  and coupled thereto. The second current collector plate  131  may be made of, e.g., aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The second terminal pillar  132  may pass through the cap plate  151  to be described later to protrude and extend upward a predetermined length, and may be electrically connected to the second current collector plate  131  from the lower portion of the cap plate  151 . The second terminal pillar  132  may protrude and extend a predetermined length to the upper portion of the cap plate  151 , and, at the same time, may include a flange  132   a  that prevents the second terminal pillar  132  from falling out of the lower portion of the cap plate  151 . In the second terminal pillar  132 , a region positioned below the flange  132   a  may be inserted into the second current collector plate  131  and then riveted and/or welded. For example, the second terminal pillar  132  may be made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. 
     For example, the second terminal plate  133  may include a hole  133   a,  and the second terminal pillar  132  may be coupled to the hole  133   a.  In addition, the second terminal pillar  132  and the second terminal plate  133  may be riveted and/or welded to each other. In addition, a method for welding the second terminal plate  133  to the second terminal plate  133  may be laser welding having a dual beam structure and a wobble structure, which will be described later. 
     In addition, by welding a bus bar, e.g., made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, to the second terminal plate  133 , a plurality of secondary batteries may be connected to one another in series or in parallel. In some examples, the second terminal plate  133  may be electrically connected to the cap plate  151 , and thus the cap plate  151  and the case  140 , to be described below, have the same polarity as the second terminal  130  (e.g., a positive electrode). 
     The cap assembly  150  may be coupled to the case  140 . In some examples, the cap assembly  150  may include the cap plate  151 . The cap plate  151  seals the space of the case  140 , and may be formed of the same material as the case  140 . In some examples, the cap plate  151  may be coupled to the case  140  by laser welding. In some examples, since the cap plate  151  may have the same polarity as the second terminal  130 , the cap plate  151  and the case  140  may have the same polarity. 
     In some examples, the cap plate  151  may include a through-hole through which the first terminal pillar  122  and the second terminal pillar  132  respectively pass. In some examples, the cap plate  151  may further include an injection hole  151   c  into which the electrolyte is injected, and a vent hole  151   d  in which the safety vent  153  is installed. In some examples, the plug  152  may block the injection hole  151   c  so that the electrolyte contained inside the case  140  may not leak. In some examples, the plug  152  may be laser-welded to the cap plate  151  after being coupled to the injection hole  151   c.  In some examples, the safety vent  153  blocks the vent hole  151   d,  and when the internal pressure of the case  140  is higher than a set pressure, the internal high-pressure gas may be discharged to the outside. In some examples, the safety vent  153  may be laser-welded to the cap plate  151  after being coupled to the vent hole  151   d.    
     In some examples, an insulating seal gasket  161  may be interposed between the first terminal pillar  122  and the through-hole of the cap plate  151 . That is, the insulating seal gasket  161  may be formed inside the through-hole of the cap plate  151 , and the first terminal pillar  122  may protrude upwardly through the through-hole of the insulating seal gasket  161 . In some examples, the insulating seal gasket  161  may be extend from the through-hole of the cap plate  151  to be positioned between the first current collector plate  121  and the cap plate  151 . In addition, in some examples, the upper insulating member  162  may be interposed between the first terminal plate  123  and the cap plate  151 . Accordingly, the first terminal  120  may be electrically insulated (e.g., separated) from the cap plate  151 . 
     In some examples, an insulating seal gasket  171  may be interposed between the second terminal pillar  132  and the through hole of the cap plate  151 . That is, the insulating seal gasket  171  may be formed inside the through-hole of the cap plate  151 , and the second terminal pillar  132  may protrude upward through the through-hole of the insulating seal gasket  171 . In addition, in some examples, the connecting member  180  may be interposed between the second terminal plate  133  and the cap plate  151 . Accordingly, the second terminal  130  may be electrically connected to the cap plate  151 . 
     Hereinafter, a welding method used in a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B .  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  show a laser beam used in the secondary battery  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       FIG.  3 A  illustrates an image of a laser beam having a dual beam structure and a top schematic representation of an area welded by the dual beam structure.  FIG.  3 B  illustrates a top schematic representation of a laser welding having a wobble structure performed after the dual beam welding. 
     In detail, the dual beam structure of  FIG.  3 A  may be primarily applied to a welding structure of a secondary battery, e.g., the above-described welding between the first current collector plate  121  and the first electrode uncoated portion  111   a,  between the first terminal pillar  122  and the first terminal plate  123 , between the second current collector plate  131  and the second electrode uncoated portion  112   a,  and between the first terminal plate  123  and the second terminal plate  133 . However, such a welding structure may also be used in welding used for coupling other components required for manufacturing a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in addition to welding between the present components. For example, the welding structure of the present disclosure may also be applied to welding between the case  140  and the cap plate  151  among the components of the secondary battery. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3 A , a dual beam structure  200  (e.g., a dual beam laser) may include a first part  200   a  having a central circular shape and a second part  200   b  surrounding the first part  200   a  in an annular shape, e.g., the first and second parts  200 a and  200   b  may be concentric. In the first part  200   a,  the laser beam is concentrated to have a relatively high energy density (e.g., the darker center in the image of  FIG.  3 A ), and in the second part  200   b,  the laser beam is formed along an annular shape to have a lower energy density than in the first part  200   a  (e.g., the lighter part surrounding the darker center in the image of  FIG.  3 A ). 
     When the dual beam structure  200  (e.g., a dual beam laser) is applied to a predetermined region, the welded region may have a first area  300   a  having a central circular shape (corresponding to the first part  200   a  of the dual beam) and a second area  300   b  surrounding the first area  300   a  in an annular shape (corresponding to the second part  200   b  of the dual beam). The dual beam structure  200  may move along the interface of the components to be welded or the welding surface in an overlapping state, thereby welding the components. For example, the dual beam structure  200  may apply two beams simultaneously, via the first and second parts  200   a  and  200   b  with their corresponding energy densities, to have the first and second areas  300   a  and  300   b,  e.g., the first and second areas  300   a  and  300   b  may be concentric and spaced apart from each other. For example, the first and second areas  300   a  and  300   b  may be formed at an interface between any two components of the secondary battery  100  that are coupled to each other by the dual beam welding, e.g., at an interface between the first current collector plate  121  and at least one of the electrode assembly  110  and the first terminal  120 . 
     Next, as shown in  FIG.  3 B , after welding via the dual beam structure  200 , welding using a wobble technique may be secondarily performed along a welded region corresponding to the second area  300   b.  In the wobble technique, welding is performed while drawing a substantially circular arc, so additional welding may be performed along, e.g., at least part of, the second area  300   b.  For example, the wobble welding may be applied only to the second area  300   b  to form a wobble area in the second area  300   b,  e.g., a wobble area (e.g., region with repeated arcs along a circumference in  FIG.  3 B ) in the second area  300   b  at the interface between the first current collector plate  121  and at least one of the electrode assembly  110  and the first terminal  120 . 
     In particular, the wobble technique is a method for performing welding while rotating a laser spot at a high speed, and has the advantage of reducing spatters formed by minute keyholes. More specifically, the wobble technique can provide a desired welding effect while varying conditions, e.g., the size of the laser spot, a wobble diameter according to circular speeds, and the speed of linear welding along the second region. In addition, in the wobble technique, reduction of the laser spot increases the power density, thereby increasing welding efficiency of metals and stable formation of keyholes, which in turn, reduces formation of spatter and a heat affected zone (HAZ), e.g., causes less deformation. 
     As such, when the dual beam as the first welding and the wobble technique as the second welding are applied, e.g., sequentially to a same area, the welding reliability is increased for the components to be welded. In particular, generation of metal foreign substances, e.g., spatter, may be reduced. Accordingly, the reliability and lifespan of the secondary battery manufactured by using the present welding may be improved. 
     Hereinafter, a welding region in a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to  FIGS.  4  to  5 B . 
       FIG.  4    is an image showing a welding area used in a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG.  4    corresponds to  FIG.  3 B . 
       FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  are enlarged images showing a welding area used in a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  str enlarged portions of  FIG.  4   , to which both the dual beam and the wobble technique were applied. 
     In detail, referring to  FIG.  5 B , the sawtooth shape generated by the wobble technique is shown as an enlarged view. Here, in the wobble technique, since the focus of the laser beam is rotated, a wave bead having a sawtooth shape may be formed along the radius of rotation. In addition, in the sawtooth shape, a diameter difference between the outer sawtooth portion (A) and the inner sawtooth portion (B) may be greater than or equal to 5 μm. When the diameter difference is greater than or equal to 5 μm, there is an advantage in that the coupling strength is increased in the welding region formed according to the wobble technique. 
     Hereinafter, a material that can be used for a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in more detail. 
       FIG.  6    is a graph showing the absorption rate of the laser beam according to materials used. 
     Referring to  FIG.  4    and  FIG.  6   , the relationship between the absorption rate of each metal material and the wavelength band of the laser beam can be confirmed, and the material of the object to be welded and the wavelength of the laser beam to be used can be determined in consideration of the absorption rate. For example, in the case of copper (Cu), the absorption rate is high at a short wavelength, but the absorption rate tends to decrease gradually as the wavelength becomes longer, and the absorption rate drops to about 5% in the infrared (IR) region. 
     In another example, in the case of aluminum (Al), there is little change in the short wavelength band, but the absorption rate gradually increases in the visible ray region, and the absorption rate in the red visible ray tends to decrease again after showing the maximum absorption rate. In addition, it can be seen that the absorption rate drops to about 5% in the infrared (IR) region. 
     In yet another example, in the case of iron (Fe), it can be seen that the absorption rate gradually decreases as the wavelength increases from infrared to visible light. The absorption rate is 35% in a wavelength band of about 1 μm. 
     Therefore, in the secondary battery according to embodiments of the present disclosure, welding between dissimilar metals, e.g., different metals, may be applied, and it is possible to select a laser beam of an appropriate wavelength band according to a material of each component. For example, in the case of welding dissimilar metals, e.g., copper (Cu) and aluminum (Al), which are often used for negative electrodes and positive electrodes respectively, it is possible to perform welding using laser beams in the red visible light and surrounding wavelengths, which have similar absorption rates. 
     In addition, in the secondary battery according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, along with the wavelength band of the optimal absorption, the dual beam and the wobble technique are applied together, e.g., to a same region, thereby increasing welding quality by reducing generation of foreign substances while increasing the coupling force during welding of various components. 
     By way of summation and review, example embodiments provide a secondary battery capable of increasing welding quality. That is, as described above, the secondary battery according to the present disclosure can increase the welding quality by reducing the generation of foreign substances while increasing the coupling force during welding of each configuration by applying dual beam and wobble technique together, e.g., sequentially to a same region of at least part of the welded area. 
     Example embodiments have been disclosed herein, and although specific terms are employed, they are used and are to be interpreted in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purpose of limitation. In some instances, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art as of the filing of the present application, features, characteristics, and/or elements described in connection with a particular embodiment may be used singly or in combination with features, characteristics, and/or elements described in connection with other embodiments unless otherwise specifically indicated. Accordingly, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.