U.S. patent application number 15/179582 was filed with the patent office on 2017-12-14 for fuse array for vehicle electrical system having multiple discrete circuits.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Brian Carnick, Bennie James Malcom.
Application Number | 20170358418 15/179582 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60516368 |
Filed Date | 2017-12-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170358418 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Carnick; Brian ; et
al. |
December 14, 2017 |
FUSE ARRAY FOR VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAVING MULTIPLE DISCRETE
CIRCUITS
Abstract
A fuse array for use in a vehicle electrical system having more
than one battery, such as in a start-stop vehicle that
automatically shuts off an engine when the vehicle comes to a stop
and automatically restarts the engine when a driver starts driving
again. The fuse array includes first and second discrete circuits,
where the discrete circuits include their own internal bus bars and
are electrically isolated from one another, even though they are
part of the same fuse array. This enables the fuse array to
independently provide battery power to different downstream
electrical components, such as a power distribution device and
various high amperage components, while still utilizing a single
compact assembly.
Inventors: |
Carnick; Brian; (New
Baltimore, MI) ; Malcom; Bennie James; (Detroit,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. |
Yokkaichi |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
60516368 |
Appl. No.: |
15/179582 |
Filed: |
June 10, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 16/0238 20130101;
H01H 2085/025 20130101; H01H 85/0241 20130101; H01H 2085/0555
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01H 85/02 20060101
H01H085/02 |
Claims
1. A fuse array for use in a vehicle electrical system having first
and second vehicle batteries, the fuse array comprises: an
insulative housing; a first discrete circuit for providing battery
power from the first vehicle battery to a first downstream
component, the first discrete circuit includes a first internal bus
bar secured on the outside of the insulative housing and a first
fuse contained within the insulative housing, the first internal
bus bar is made of a conductive metal and includes a terminal side,
a base side that opposes the terminal side, a connecting side that
connects the terminal and base sides together, and an open slot;
and a second discrete circuit for providing battery power from the
second vehicle battery to a second downstream component, the second
discrete circuit includes a second internal bus bar secured to the
outside of the insulative housing, the second internal bus bar is
accommodated in the open slot; wherein the first and second
discrete circuits are electrically isolated from one another within
the fuse array so that the first discrete circuit can provide
battery power from the first vehicle battery to the first
downstream component and the second discrete circuit can
independently provide battery power from the second vehicle battery
to the second downstream component.
2. A fuse array for use in a vehicle electrical system having first
and second vehicle batteries, the fuse array comprises: an
insulative housing; a first discrete circuit for providing battery
power from the first vehicle battery to a first downstream
component, the first discrete circuit includes a first internal bus
bar secured on the outside of the insulative housing and a first
fuse contained within the insulative housing, the first internal
bus bar is C-shaped, when viewed from a side, and at least
partially wraps around the outside of the insulative housing; and a
second discrete circuit for providing battery power from the second
vehicle battery to a second downstream component, the second
discrete circuit includes a second internal bus bar secured to the
outside of the insulative housing; wherein the first and second
discrete circuits are electrically isolated from one another within
the fuse array so that the first discrete circuit can provide
battery power from the first vehicle battery to the first
downstream component and the second discrete circuit can
independently provide battery power from the second vehicle battery
to the second downstream component.
3. (canceled)
4. The fuse array of claim 1, wherein the terminal side includes a
plurality of terminal connection portions separated from one
another by a plurality of thin slots, a first terminal connection
portion is configured to receive battery power from a battery
terminal coupled to the first vehicle battery and a second terminal
connection portion is configured to provide battery power to an
output terminal coupled to the first downstream component.
5. The fuse array of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of
terminal connection portions includes an opening that receives a
terminal stud so that a corresponding terminal can be secured to
the first internal bus bar with a terminal nut.
6. The fuse array of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of
terminal connection portions includes a turned flange that is bent
at approximately 90.degree. so as to help the first internal bus
bar grasp onto the outside of the insulative housing.
7. The fuse array of claim 1, wherein the base side includes a
plurality of turned flanges that are bent at approximately
90.degree. so as to help the first internal bus bar grasp onto the
outside of the insulative housing.
8. The fuse array of claim 7, wherein the base side includes a
missing flange that is located between the plurality of turned
flanges and cooperates with the open slot to accommodate the second
internal bus bar.
9. The fuse array of claim 1, wherein the first discrete circuit
includes a plurality of first fuses and a plurality of current
branches, each of the plurality of first fuses is contained within
the insulative housing and is part of an individually fused current
branch.
10. The fuse array of claim 9, wherein the first discrete circuit
with the plurality of current branches provides battery power from
the first vehicle battery to a plurality of downstream components,
including the first downstream component.
11. The fuse array of claim 1, wherein the first fuse includes a
fusible link.
12. A fuse array for use in a vehicle electrical system having
first and second vehicle batteries, the fuse array comprises: an
insulative housing; a first discrete circuit for providing battery
power from the first vehicle battery to a first downstream
component, the first discrete circuit includes a first internal bus
bar secured on the outside of the insulative housing and a first
fuse contained within the insulative housing; and a second discrete
circuit for providing battery power from the second vehicle battery
to a second downstream component, the second discrete circuit
includes a second internal bus bar secured to the outside of the
insulative housing, the second internal bus bar is Z-shaped, when
viewed from a side, and sits on the outside of the insulative
housing; wherein the first and second discrete circuits are
electrically isolated from one another within the fuse array so
that the first discrete circuit can provide battery power from the
first vehicle battery to the first downstream component and the
second discrete circuit can independently provide battery power
from the second vehicle battery to the second downstream
component.
13. The fuse array of claim 1, wherein the second internal bus bar
is made of a conductive metal and includes a terminal connection
portion, an intermediary portion, and an output portion.
14. The fuse array of claim 13, wherein the terminal connection
portion is configured to receive battery power from a battery
terminal coupled to the second vehicle battery and the output
portion is configured to provide battery power to an output
terminal coupled to the second downstream component.
15. The fuse array of claim 14, wherein the terminal connection
portion includes an opening that receives a terminal stud and a
corresponding terminal is secured to the second internal bus bar
with a terminal nut.
16. The fuse array of claim 13, wherein the intermediary portion is
bent at approximately 90.degree., with respect to both the terminal
connection portion and the output portion, and includes a locking
portion that secures the second internal bus bar to the insulative
housing.
17. The fuse array of claim 1, wherein the fuse array is configured
to maintain the first discrete circuit at a first voltage and to
independently maintain the second discrete circuit at a second
voltage that is different than the first voltage.
18. The fuse array of claim 1, wherein the first discrete circuit
includes a plurality of individually fused current branches and the
second discrete circuit includes a single non-fused current branch,
each of the plurality of individually fused current branches
provides battery power from the first vehicle battery to a separate
high amperage downstream component, and the single non-fused
current branch provides battery power from the second vehicle
battery to a power distribution box.
19. The fuse array of claim 1, wherein the fuse array is configured
for use in a vehicle electrical system that is part of a start-stop
vehicle that automatically shuts off an engine when the vehicle
comes to a stop and automatically restarts the engine when a driver
starts driving again.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a fusible
component for a vehicle electrical system and, more particularly,
to a fuse array with multiple discrete circuits for a vehicle
electrical system having multiple batteries, such as those used in
start-stop vehicles.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Conventional fuse arrays for vehicle electrical system
components, such as fuse array 120 illustrated in FIG. 9, typically
have a single discrete circuit for current to flow through. Battery
power, or B+ power as it is also known, is provided to the fuse
array 120 by a low voltage battery (not shown) via battery power
terminal 122. Current associated with the B+ power flows within a
conductive bus bar 124 and then branches out via individual fuses
(not shown), which are separately connected to a junction box
terminal 128 and several high current terminals 130. The junction
box terminal 128 connects the fuse array 120 to a bus bar 140,
which in turn is connected to a downstream component in the form of
a junction box (not shown). The high current terminals 130 connect
the fuse array 120 to various high current devices in the vehicle
electrical system. Skilled artisans will appreciate that the
current paths within the fuse array 120 are protected from current
surges by the different individual fuses, but that the fuse array
only has a single discrete circuit.
[0003] Some vehicles, like certain start-stop vehicles, have two
separate batteries where each battery separately provides B+ power
to the vehicle electrical system. For multiple battery applications
like this, it may be desirable to provide a single fuse array that
includes multiple discrete circuits so that B+ power can be
provided from both batteries to the components of choice through a
single fusible component.
SUMMARY
[0004] According to one aspect, there is provided a fuse array for
use in a vehicle electrical system having first and second vehicle
batteries. The fuse array may comprise: an insulative housing; a
first discrete circuit for providing battery power from the first
vehicle battery to a first downstream component, the first discrete
circuit includes a first internal bus bar secured on the outside of
the insulative housing and a first fuse contained within the
insulative housing; and a second discrete circuit for providing
battery power from the second vehicle battery to a second
downstream component, the second discrete circuit includes a second
internal bus bar secured to the outside of the insulative housing.
The first and second discrete circuits are electrically isolated
from one another within the fuse array so that the first discrete
circuit can provide battery power from the first vehicle battery to
the first downstream component and the second discrete circuit can
independently provide battery power from the second vehicle battery
to the second downstream component.
DRAWINGS
[0005] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention will
hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings,
wherein like designations denote like elements, and wherein:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary power
distribution device, in this case a power distribution center
(PDC), that includes an exemplary embodiment of a fuse array;
[0007] FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views of the fuse array of
FIG. 1, where the fuse array is shown connected to a bus bar within
the power distribution device;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the fuse array of FIGS. 2 and
3;
[0009] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the fuse array of
FIGS. 2 and 3;
[0010] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bus bar that is part of
the fuse array of FIGS. 2 and 3;
[0011] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an additional bus bar that
is part of the fuse array of FIGS. 2 and 3;
[0012] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the fuse array of FIGS. 2 and
3, where current flow through the fuse array has been illustrated
to show the multiple discrete circuits within the fuse array;
and
[0013] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a conventional fuse array
that has only a single discrete circuit.
DESCRIPTION
[0014] The fuse array described herein is a fusible component with
multiple discrete circuits and is designed for use in a vehicle
electrical system having more than one battery. The fuse array may
be incorporated within or used in conjunction with any number of
different vehicle electrical system components, such as a pre-fuse
assembly or a power distribution device like a power distribution
center (PDC), a vehicle electrical center (VEC), a power
distribution box (PDB), an electrical connection box, a junction
box assembly, etc.
[0015] According to one non-limiting example, the fuse array
described herein is connected to a power distribution device that
is part of a `start-stop vehicle` that automatically shuts off the
internal combustion engine when the vehicle comes to a stop and
automatically restarts the engine when the driver starts driving
again (e.g., when the driver lifts off of a brake pedal or engages
a clutch pedal). By shutting off the engine while the vehicle is
idling and resuming only when the driver is ready to start driving,
the start-stop vehicle is able to improve fuel economy and decrease
emissions. Some start-stop vehicles employ two batteries: a first
low voltage battery (e.g., a 12 v lead-acid or other battery for
starting the engine and providing power to certain accessories),
and a second low voltage battery (e.g., a 12 v lithium-ion battery
for storing regenerative braking charge and assisting with power
and load management). The fuse array described herein provides
multiple discrete circuits within a single assembly, where a first
discrete circuit can connect the first low voltage battery to
downstream components and a second discrete circuit can connect the
second low voltage battery to different downstream components.
[0016] It should be appreciated that while the fuse array is not
limited to use with start-stop vehicles and may be used in a number
of other applications, the multiple discrete circuits of the
present fuse array make it particularly well suited for systems
having multiple batteries, like those sometimes employed by
start-stop vehicles, electric vehicles or hybrid electric vehicles,
to cite a few possibilities. The fuse array of the present
invention is not limited to the examples described herein, as they
are simply provided to illustrate different potential embodiments
and features of the fuse array.
[0017] Beginning with FIG. 1, there is shown a non-limiting example
of a power distribution device 10 for a vehicle, in this case a
power distribution center (PDC), connected to a fuse array 30.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the power
distribution device 10 may provide for compact and efficient power
distribution within a vehicle's electrical system, including power
distribution for lower and higher amperage components. As shown in
FIG. 1, the fuse array 30 is physically and electrically connected
to a bus bar 32 which is part of the power distribution device 10
so that power may be provided from a first battery (not shown),
through the fuse array 30, and to the power distribution device 10
via bus bar 32. Other arrangements are certainly possible.
[0018] Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 3, there are shown several
enlarged perspective views of the fuse array 30, where the fuse
array is still connected to the separate bus bar 32 that is part of
the power distribution device 10. The fuse array 30 is a fusible
component that protects certain downstream electrical devices
within the vehicle electrical system from current surges and,
according to this example, includes a first battery terminal 34, a
first internal bus bar 36, a set of first fuses 38, a set of first
output terminals 40 (components 34-40 constitute a first discrete
circuit 56), a second battery terminal 44, a second internal bus
bar 46, a second output terminal 50 (components 44-50 constitute a
second discrete circuit 58), and an insulative housing 52. The
first discrete circuit 56 receives B+ power from a first vehicle
battery through the first battery terminal 34 and then distributes
that power via the first internal bus bar 36, the set of first
fuses 38, and the set of first output terminals 40. Whereas the
second discrete circuit 58 receives B+ power from a second vehicle
battery through the second battery terminal 44 and conveys that
power via the second internal bus bar 46 and the second output
terminal 50.
[0019] These two circuits 56, 58 are discrete and electrically
isolated from one another, despite the fact that they both flow
through the same fuse array 30. According to the embodiment
described below, the first discrete circuit includes four different
branches or current paths, each of which includes a different
output terminal 40 that provides a different downstream component
with B+ power. Thus, the first discrete circuit 56 is connected to
a common battery and is at a common shared voltage, but may include
a plurality of individual branches or current paths connected to
different downstream components. According to that same embodiment,
the second discrete circuit 58 only has one output terminal and,
thus, only includes one branch or current path. In the example
where the second discrete circuit 58 is connected to the power
distribution center (PDC) 10 that has its own fuses, relays, etc.,
the second discrete circuit would not need to be fused itself (this
explains why only the first discrete circuit 56 in the preceding
embodiment includes a set of fuses). It is possible for discrete
circuits 56, 58 to be at the same voltage (e.g., they could both be
part of 12 v or 42 v systems) or they could be at different
voltages (e.g., circuit 56 could be part of a 12 v system while
circuit 58 is part of a 42 v system). Other examples are also
possible.
[0020] First battery terminal 34 is an input terminal that is
connected to a first vehicle battery and corresponding battery
cable (not shown) so as to provide battery power or B+ power to the
fuse array 30, and it is bolted down on the fuse array using a
terminal stud 64 and terminal nut 66. As best illustrated in FIG.
3, the first battery terminal 34 may include a cable retaining
feature 70 at one end that crimps around and retains a terminal end
of the battery cable and a fuse relay mounting feature 72 at the
other end that wraps around and fits over top of a portion of the
first internal bus bar 36. Those skilled in the art will appreciate
that there are a number of potential battery terminal designs and
configurations and that the first battery terminal 34 is not
limited to the exemplary one shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, as that is
just one possibility.
[0021] First internal bus bar 36 conveys and/or distributes B+
power within the first discrete circuit 56 and, according to one
embodiment, provides for several different branches or current
paths. According to the embodiment best shown in FIG. 6, the first
internal bus bar 36 is made of a conductive metal, such as copper
or a copper alloy, and includes a terminal side 80 (top horizontal
side in FIG. 6), an opposing base side 82 (bottom horizontal side)
and a connecting side 84 (back vertical side) that connects the
terminal and base sides together. When viewed from the side, the
first internal bus bar 36 has a somewhat C-shaped configuration. It
is apparent from the drawings that the first internal bus bar 36
has an open slot 100 towards the middle of the bus bar so as to
accommodate the second internal bus bar 46, as will be explained in
more detail.
[0022] Terminal side 80, according to one embodiment, is a top
horizontal side of the first internal bus bar 36. The terminal side
includes a number of separate terminal connection portions 86, 88,
where terminal connection portion 86 is configured to receive the
first battery terminal 34, terminal connection portions 88 are
designed to receive the set of first output terminals 40, and the
open slot 100 has no terminal connection portion. Because of their
similarity, only the terminal connection portion 86 is described
below with the understanding that the description generally applies
to the other terminal connection portions 88 as well. Each of the
terminal connection portions 86, 88 has a hole or opening 90 that
is sized and shaped to receive a terminal stud 64 so that the stud
can be secured with a corresponding terminal nut 66, as previously
explained. Because the terminal side 80 has thin slots or spaces 94
separating the different terminal connection portions 86, 88 from
one another, electrical current cannot pass directly from one
terminal connection portion to the next. This slotted arrangement
helps form the different branches or current paths mentioned above,
as will be subsequently described in more detail. At a distal end
of each of the terminal connection portions 86, 88, there is a
turned flange 96 that is bent at approximately 90.degree. so as to
extend downwards towards the opposing base side 82. The size and
configuration of the terminal connection portions 86, 88, including
the turned flanges, are designed to help the first internal bus bar
36 fit around and grasp the insulative housing 52.
[0023] Base side 82 is a bottom side of the first internal bus bar
36 and, according to the illustrated embodiment, spans the entire
length of the bus bar. The base side 82 includes a number of turned
flanges 110, which like their counterparts that extend from the
upper terminal side 80, are bent at approximately 90.degree. and
are designed to help grasp and maintain the insulative housing 52
within the first internal bus bar. In order to better accommodate
the second internal bus bar 46, the turned flange that would
normally oppose the terminal connection portion 86 may be removed,
as seen with the missing flange 102 in FIG. 6. This is not
required, but it may be useful in providing better clearance for
the different components of the fuse array.
[0024] Connecting side 84 acts as a side wall for the first
internal bus bar 36 and physically and electrically connects the
terminal side 80 to the base side 82. Like the terminal or top side
82, the connecting side 84 includes a number of individually
slotted side connection portions 126, 128 that are separated from
one another by thin slots or spaces 120 that extend in the vertical
direction. Again, this separated or slotted arrangement helps
facilitate the individual current branches or paths that are part
of the first discrete circuit 56. Side connection portion 126 is
physically connected to terminal connection portion 86 and helps
provide B+ power to the rest of the internal bus bar 36, whereas
side connection portions 128 are physically connected to terminal
connection portions 88 and help establish the different current
paths. As is clearly illustrated in FIG. 6, the open slot 100 that
accommodates the second internal bus bar 46 creates an opening or
void in the connecting side 84. This arrangement and its purpose
will become more apparent as the fuse array is further
explained.
[0025] First set of fuses 38 are designed to protect downstream
electrical components from current surges, such as those that could
damage an alternator or a radiator fan, and are part of the first
discrete circuit 56. Skilled artisans will appreciate that a number
of different types of fusible components could be used with the
first set of fuses 38. According to an exemplary embodiment, the
first set of fuses 38 includes several individual fusible links,
one for each of the different current branches within the first
discrete circuit. As best illustrated in FIG. 5, the insulative
housing 52 includes several different chambers or compartments and
inside of each chamber is a fusible link that is part of a
different current path. For example, a first current path that
provides an alternator with B+ power would have a first fusible
link designed to handle suitable current for an alternator (e.g.,
40 amps), and a second current path that powers a radiator fan
would have a second fusible link designed to handle typical
radiator fan amperage (e.g., 30 amps). The preceding examples of
high amperage devices are merely intended to illustrate the concept
of providing a first set of fuses 38 with specifically selected
fusible links based on the downstream components that they are
intended to protect; the present invention is not limited to such
examples.
[0026] First set of output terminals 40 connect to various
downstream electrical components in order to provide them with B+
power. Referring back to FIG. 3, there are shown four separate
output terminals 40 which are somewhat similar in design to the
first battery terminal 34 described above. Each of the output
terminals 40 includes a cable retaining feature and a fuse relay
mounting feature and is secured to the first internal bus bar 36
using a terminal stud and nut; because of their similarity with
features 64, 66, 70, 72 described above, which share the same
names, the previous description applies here as well.
[0027] According to the present embodiment, the first battery
terminal 34, the first internal bus bar 36, the set of first fuses
38, and the set of first output terminals 40 constitute the first
discrete circuit 56. Within that discrete circuit, there are four
separate branches or current paths, one for each of four downstream
electrical components that require B+ power. The description now
turns to the second discrete circuit 58, which is electrically
isolated from the first discrete circuit 56 and is designed to
separately power a downstream component like a power distribution
box (not shown).
[0028] Second battery terminal 44 is very similar to the first
battery terminal 34, except that it connects a battery cable from a
second vehicle battery (not shown) to the second internal bus bar
46. The B+ power provided by the second vehicle battery may be at
the same voltage or a different voltage from that supplied by the
first battery.
[0029] Second internal bus bar 46 may distribute power within the
fuse array, similar to the first internal bus bar 36, but it is
much smaller and different in configuration. With reference to FIG.
7, the second internal bus bar 46 may be made of copper or a
copper-based alloy and includes a terminal connection portion 130,
an intermediary portion 132, and an output connection portion 134.
In the particular embodiment shown in the figures, the second
internal bus bar 46 is part of the second discrete circuit 58,
which connects to a power distribution box or some other electrical
distribution device that has its own fuses, relays, etc.; thus, the
second discrete circuit does not need to be fused, which explains
why bus bar 46 directly connects B+ power to the separate bus bar
32 without first passing through a fusible component. Of course, it
is possible for the second discrete circuit 58 to have a fusible
component.
[0030] Terminal connection portion 130 fits over top of the
insulative housing 52 and includes a hole or opening 140 for
receiving a terminal stud and nut 142, 144 (FIG. 2), and it
includes a turned flange 146 that is generally bent downwards so as
to engage and latch onto the housing 52 when the fuse array is
assembled. An illustration of an assembled fuse array is shown in
FIG. 4, where it can be seen that the second internal bus bar 46 is
installed on the insulative housing 52 in the open slot 100.
[0031] Intermediary portion 132 joins portions 130 and 134 together
and, according to one embodiment, is simply a bent side portion
with a locking portion 150 in the form of an opening or window. The
locking portion 150 is sized and shaped to receive some type of
tang or tab on the insulative housing 52 so that the bus bar 46 and
housing 52 can be mechanically secured to one another. The locking
portion 150 is optional, however, as other means for securing these
components together could be used instead.
[0032] Output connection portion 134 connects the second discrete
circuit 58 to a downstream component, like bus bar 32 of a power
distribution box, and may be configured in any number of suitable
ways. For instance, the illustrated embodiment shows the output
connection portion 134 having a hole or opening 154 for receiving
the second output terminal 50 (e.g. a threaded stud and nut). Other
embodiments are certainly possible.
[0033] Operation of the fuse array 30 is described in conjunction
with the drawing in FIG. 8, which schematically illustrates the two
discrete circuits 56, 58. Beginning with the first discrete circuit
56, B+ power is provided from a first vehicle battery, through the
first battery terminal 34, and throughout the different current
branches or paths in the first bus bar 36. As the battery power
distributes in the various current branches, current flows through
each of the fuses 38, out through the output terminals 40, and to
the different high amperage downstream components, like an
alternator or radiator fan. In this way, each current branch within
the first discrete circuit 56 is individually or separately fused
to protect against a current surge, even though all of the current
branches are part of the same discrete circuit and are maintained
at the same voltage. Turning now to the second discrete circuit 58,
B+ power is provided from the second vehicle battery to the second
battery terminal 44, from the second battery terminal to the second
internal bus bar 46, and from the second internal bus bar to the
output terminal 50, which may be connected to a power distribution
box or the like. As explained above, power distribution devices
oftentimes have their own collection of fuses, relays, etc., which
explains why the current path within the second discrete circuit 58
is not independently fused or otherwise protected from current
surges.
[0034] It is to be understood that the foregoing is a description
of one or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention.
The invention is not limited to the particular embodiment(s)
disclosed herein, but rather is defined solely by the claims below.
Furthermore, the statements contained in the foregoing description
relate to particular embodiments and are not to be construed as
limitations on the scope of the invention or on the definition of
terms used in the claims, except where a term or phrase is
expressly defined above. Various other embodiments and various
changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiment(s) will
become apparent to those skilled in the art. All such other
embodiments, changes, and modifications are intended to come within
the scope of the appended claims.
[0035] As used in this specification and claims, the terms "for
example," "e.g.," "for instance," "such as," and "like," and the
verbs "comprising," "having," "including," and their other verb
forms, when used in conjunction with a listing of one or more
components or other items, are each to be construed as open-ended,
meaning that the listing is not to be considered as excluding
other, additional components or items. Other terms are to be
construed using their broadest reasonable meaning unless they are
used in a context that requires a different interpretation.
* * * * *