Patent Application
20250202142
The subject matter herein relates generally to card edge connectors of communication systems.
Some communication systems utilize communication connectors, such as card edge connectors to interconnect various components of the system for data communication. Some known communication systems use pluggable module, such as I/O modules or circuit cards, which are electrically connected to the card edge connectors. The pluggable module has module circuit boards having card edges that are mated with the card edge connectors during the mating operation. Each card edge connector typically has an upper row of contacts and a lower row of contacts for mating with the corresponding circuit board. There is a need for connectors and circuit boards of communication systems to have greater contact density and/or data throughput. Known card edge connectors are not without disadvantages. For instance, large sections of the contacts are typically rigidly fixed within the connector housing, such as using a contact overmold to hold the contacts relative to each other and relative to the housing. The overmold is typically fixed to the housing at opposite ends thereof. However, the middle portions of the overmolds may move or pivot within the housing, such as during mating with the circuit card, leading to airgaps that negatively impact the signal integrity of the signal transmission lines leading to signal degradation.
A need remains for a reliable card edge connector to carry high speed signals.
In one embodiment, a contact assembly is provided and includes an organizer that has a central wall that extends between a first side and a second side of the organizer. The organizer includes an upper platform and a lower platform at a front of the organizer. The organizer includes an organizer slot between the upper platform and the lower platform configured to receive a card edge of a circuit card. The contact assembly includes an upper contact array coupled to the central wall. The upper contact array includes upper contacts held by an upper contact holder. The upper contacts extend along the upper platform. The upper contact holder has a first side coupled to the organizer at the first side of the organizer and a second side coupled to the organizer at the second side of the organizer. The upper contact holder includes an upper locking tab. The contact assembly includes a lower contact array coupled to the central wall. The lower contact array includes lower contacts held by a lower contact holder. The lower contacts extend along the lower platform. The lower contact holder has a first side coupled to the organizer at the first side of the organizer and a second side coupled to the organizer at the second side of the organizer. The lower contact holder includes a lower locking tab. The contact assembly includes a locking device coupled to the upper locking tab and the lower locking tab to secure the upper contact holder to the lower contact holder.
In another embodiment, a card edge connector for mating with a pluggable module is provided. The card edge connector includes a housing that includes a top and a bottom. The housing has a front and a rear. The housing has a first side and a second side. The bottom configured to be mounted to a circuit board. The housing includes a cavity at the rear. The housing includes a card slot open to the cavity at the front of the housing. The card slot is configured to receive a card edge of a module circuit board of the pluggable module. The contact assembly includes a contact assembly received in the cavity. The contact assembly includes an organizer holding an upper contact array and a lower contact array and a locking device securing the upper contact array to the lower contact array. The organizer has a central wall extending between a first side and a second side of the organizer. The organizer includes an upper platform and a lower platform at a front of the organizer. The organizer includes an organizer slot between the upper platform and the lower platform aligned with the card slot and configured to receive the card edge of the module circuit card. The upper contact array is coupled to the central wall. The upper contact array includes upper contacts held by an upper contact holder. The upper contacts extend along the upper platform. The upper contact holder has a first side coupled to the organizer at the first side of the organizer and a second side coupled to the organizer at the second side of the organizer. The upper contact holder includes an upper locking tab. The lower contact array is coupled to the central wall. The lower contact array includes lower contacts held by a lower contact holder. The lower contacts extend along the lower platform. The lower contact holder has a first side coupled to the organizer at the first side of the organizer and a second side coupled to the organizer at the second side of the organizer. The lower contact holder includes a lower locking tab. The locking device is coupled to the upper locking tab and the lower locking tab to secure the upper contact holder to the lower contact holder.
In a further embodiment, a receptacle connector assembly for connecting a pluggable module with a circuit board is provided. The receptacle connector includes a receptacle cage that has walls forming a module channel configured to receive the pluggable module and a port open to the module channel. The receptable connector assembly includes a card edge connector configured to be mounted to the circuit board. The card edge connector being received in the module channel for mating with the pluggable module. The card edge connector includes a housing and a contact assembly received in the housing. The housing includes a top and a bottom. The housing has a front and a rear. The housing has a first side and a second side. The bottom configured to be mounted to a circuit board. The housing includes a cavity at the rear. The housing includes a card slot open to the cavity at the front of the housing. The card slot is configured to receive a card edge of a module circuit board of the pluggable module. The contact assembly is received in the cavity. The contact assembly includes an organizer holding an first contact array and a second contact array and a locking device securing the first contact array to the second contact array. The organizer has a central wall that extends between a first side and a second side of the organizer. The organizer includes an first platform and a second platform at a front of the organizer. The organizer includes an organizer slot between the first platform and the second platform aligned with the card slot and configured to receive the card edge of the module circuit card. The first contact array is coupled to the central wall. The first contact array includes first contacts held by an first contact holder. The first contacts extend along the first platform. The first contact holder has a first side coupled to the organizer at the first side of the organizer and a second side coupled to the organizer at the second side of the organizer. The first contact holder includes an first locking tab. The second contact array is coupled to the central wall. The second contact array includes second contacts held by a second contact holder. The second contacts extend along the second platform. The second contact holder has a first side coupled to the organizer at the first side of the organizer and a second side coupled to the organizer at the second side of the organizer. The second contact holder includes a second locking tab. The locking device is coupled to the first locking tab and the second locking tab to secure the first contact holder to the second contact holder.
In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle connector assembly 104 includes a receptacle cage 110 and an electrical connector assembly 112 adjacent the receptacle cage 110. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector assembly 112 is received in the receptacle cage 110. In other various embodiments, the electrical connector assembly 112 may be located rearward of the receptacle cage 110. In various embodiments, the electrical connector assembly 112 is a card edge connector and may be referred to hereinafter as a card edge connector 112.
In various embodiments, the receptacle cage 110 is enclosed and provides electrical shielding for the electrical connector assembly 112. The pluggable module 106 is loaded into the receptacle cage 110 and is at least partially surrounded by the receptacle cage 110. The receptacle cage 110 includes a plurality of walls 114 that define one or more module channels for receipt of corresponding pluggable module(s) 106. The walls 114 may be walls defined by solid sheets, perforated walls to allow airflow therethrough, walls with cutouts, such as for a heatsink or heat spreader to pass therethrough, or walls defined by rails or beams with relatively large openings. In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle cage 110 is a shielding, die cast metallic cage member with the walls 114 being shielding walls 114. In other embodiments, the receptacle cage 110 may be open between frame members, such as rails or beams, to provide cooling airflow for the pluggable module 106 with the frame members of the receptacle cage 110 defining guide tracks for guiding loading of the pluggable module 106 into the receptacle cage 110.
In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle cage 110 is a single port cage configured to receive a single pluggable module 106 in a single module channel 116. However, in alternative embodiments, the receptacle cage 110 may include multiple ports to receive multiple pluggable modules, such as being a stacked cage member having upper and lower module channels 116. The module channels 116 may be arranged in a single column, however, the receptacle cage 110 may include multiple columns of ganged module channels in alternative embodiments (for example, 2×2, 3×2, 4×2, 4×3, etc.). The receptacle cage 110 includes a port 118 providing access to the module channel 116. The pluggable module 106 is plugged into the module channel 116 through the port 118. Optionally, multiple electrical connector assemblies 112 may be arranged within the receptacle cage 110 to mate with the multiple pluggable modules.
In an exemplary embodiment, the walls 114 of the receptacle cage 110 include a top wall 130, a bottom wall 132, and side walls 134 extending between the top wall 130 and the bottom wall 132. The bottom wall 132 may rest on the circuit board 102. However, in alternative embodiments, the bottom wall 132 may be elevated a distance above the circuit board 102 defining a gap below the bottom wall 132, such as for airflow. In other various embodiments, the receptacle cage 110 may be provided without the bottom wall 132. Optionally, the walls 114 of the receptacle cage 110 may include a rear wall 136 and a front wall 138 at the front of the receptacle cage 110. The module port 118 is provided in the front wall 138. The walls 114 define a cavity 140, which forms the module channel(s) 116. The cavity 140 is defined by the top wall 130, the bottom wall 132, the side walls 134, the rear wall 136 and the front wall 138. Other walls 114 may separate or divide the cavity 140 into various module channels 116. For example, the walls 114 may include a channel separator between upper and lower module channels 116. The walls 114 may include divider walls, parallel to the side walls 134, extending between the top wall 130 and the bottom wall 132 to separate adjacent module channels from each other.
In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle cage 110 may include one or more gaskets at the front wall 138 for providing electrical shielding for the module channel 116. For example, the gaskets may be configured to electrically connect with the pluggable module 106 received in the module channel 116. The gaskets may be configured to electrically connect to a panel or bezel.
In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle connector assembly 104 may include one or more heat sinks (not shown) for dissipating heat from the pluggable module 106. For example, the heat sink may be coupled to the top wall 130 and extend through an opening in the top wall 130 to engage the pluggable module 106 and dissipate heat from the pluggable module 106.
In an exemplary embodiment, the electrical connector assembly 112 is received in the cavity 140, such as proximate to the rear wall 136. However, in alternative embodiments, the electrical connector assembly 112 may be located behind the rear wall 136 exterior of the receptacle cage 110 and extend into the cavity 140 to interface with the pluggable module(s) 106. In an exemplary embodiment, a single electrical connector assembly 112 is used. However, multiple electrical connector assemblies 112 may be used in other embodiments.
In an exemplary embodiment, the pluggable module 106 is loaded through the front wall 138 to mate with the electrical connector assembly 112. The shielding walls 114 of the receptacle cage 110 provide electrical shielding around the electrical connector assembly 112 and the pluggable module 106, such as around the mating interfaces between the electrical connector assembly 112 and the pluggable module 106.
In an exemplary embodiment, the pluggable module 106 is an input/output (I/O) module, such as a transceiver module. The pluggable module 106 includes a pluggable body 180, which may be defined by one or more shells. The pluggable body 180 may be thermally conductive and/or may be electrically conductive, such as to provide EMI shielding for the pluggable module 106. The pluggable body 180 includes a mating end 182 plugged into the receptacle cage 110 and a cable end 184 opposite the mating end 182. The pluggable body 180 holds one or more module circuit boards 190 (shown in
In other various embodiments, the pluggable module 106 may be a circuit card or paddle card rather than an I/O module. For example, the pluggable module 106 may include the module circuit board 190 without the pluggable body 180 surrounding the module circuit board 190.
The housing 200 extends between a front 206 and a rear 208. The cavity 204 is open at the rear 208 to receive the contact assembly 400. The housing 200 extends between a top 210 and a bottom 212. The housing 200 extends between opposite sides 218. The housing 200 may be generally box shaped in various embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom 212 defines a mounting end configured to be mounted to the circuit board 102 (shown in
The housing 200 includes a shroud 220 at the mating end, such as at the front 206. The shroud 220 is configured to be received in the pluggable module 106 (
The contact assembly 400 is positioned in the housing 200 with contacts located at the corresponding card slot 222 to mate with the module circuit boards 190. For example, the card edge connector 112 may include a lower contact assembly positioned in the lower portion of the housing 200 and an upper contact assembly positioned in the upper portion of the housing 200. The lower contact assembly may be similar to the upper contact assembly and include similar components, which may be sized and shaped differently for fitting into the housing 200. The housing 200 includes guide features 226 to guide the contact assemblies 400 into the housing 200. For example, the guide features 226 may be guide slots 228 extending along the sides 218 for loading the contact assemblies 400 into the cavity 204 of the housing 200.
In an exemplary embodiment, the contact assembly 400 includes an organizer 430 holding a plurality of contacts 410 including upper contacts 412 arranged in a row along the upper portion of the contact assembly 400 and lower contacts 414 arranged in a row along the lower portion of the contact assembly 400. The upper contacts 412 are arranged in an upper contact array 416 and the lower contacts 414 are arranged in a lower contact array 418. The upper contacts 412 of the upper contact array 416 may be a stamped and formed leadframe. The lower contacts 414 of the lower contact array 418 may be a stamped and formed leadframe. The upper and lower contact arrays 416, 418 may include dielectric bodies or carriers holding the upper and lower contacts 412. 414, respectively.
The organizer 430 is used to position the upper and lower contacts 412, 414 (
The organizer 430 includes a central wall 432 including a rear wall 434 and a front wall 436. The rear wall 434 extends to a bottom end 435. The bottom end 435 may be configured to face the circuit board 102 (shown in
At the front end 438, the organizer 430 includes an upper platform 440 and a lower platform 450 opposite the upper platform 440. The organizer card slot is located between the upper and lower platforms 440, 450. The upper and lower platforms 440, 450 may extend forward from the central wall 432. The upper platform 440 supports the upper contacts 412. The lower platform 450 supports the lower contacts 414. The upper platform 440 includes upper separating walls 442 that define upper contact channels 444 that receive the upper contacts 412. The lower platform 450 includes lower separating walls 452 that define lower contact channels 454 that receive the lower contacts 414.
In an exemplary embodiment, the organizer 430 includes pockets 460 that receive the contact arrays. The pockets 460 may be provided in the upper portion and/or the lower portion of the central wall 432. The pockets 460 are located rearward of the platforms 440, 450. The pockets 460 may be formed in the sidewalls at the first and second sides 437, 439 of the organizer 430.
In an exemplary embodiment, the lower contact array 418 is similar to the upper contact array 416 and includes similar features, which are described below with reference to the upper contact array 416. The upper contact array 416 includes a contact leadframe forming the upper contacts 412. The upper contacts 412 may include signal contacts and/or ground contacts and/or power contacts. In an exemplary embodiment, the signal contacts of the upper contacts 412 are arranged in pairs. For example, the signal contacts may be differential pairs. The ground contacts of the upper contacts 412 may be arranged between the pairs of the signal contacts in a ground-signal-signal-ground arrangement. Other arrangements are possible in alternative embodiments.
The contact leadframe is a stamped and formed leadframe to form the upper contacts 412. The contact leadframe may be overmolded with one or more overmolded bodies to hold the relative positions of the upper contacts 412. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper contact array 416 includes a contact holder 470 holding the upper contacts 412. In various embodiments, the contact holder 470 is a dielectric body, such as an overmolded body, which is overmolded over the upper contacts 412. However, the upper contacts 412 may be stitched or otherwise loaded into the contact holder 470 in alternative embodiments. The contact holder 470 is configured to be coupled to the organizer 430 to position the upper contact array 416 relative to the organizer 430. For example, the contact holder 470 is received in the pocket 460 in the organizer 430. The contact holder 470 extends between a first side 471 and a second side 472. The contact holder 470 is coupled to the organizer 430 at the first and second sides 471, 472.
Each contact 412 includes an intermediate portion 420 extending between a mating end 422 and a terminating end 424. The intermediate portion 420 is held by the upper contact holder 470. For example, the upper contact holder 470 encapsulates sections of the intermediate portions 420. The mating end 422 is located forward of the upper contact holder 470. The terminating end 424 is located rearward of the upper contact holder 470. The mating end 422 is configured to be mated to the module circuit board 190 (
The lower contact array 418 is similar to the upper contact array 416. The lower contact array 418 includes a leadframe forming the lower contacts 414 and a lower contact holder 480, which is similar to the upper contact holder 470. The lower contact holder 480 is a dielectric body, such as an overmolded body, which is overmolded over the lower contacts 414. The lower contact holder 480 is configured to be coupled to the organizer 430 to position the lower contact array 418 relative to the organizer 430. For example, the contact holder 480 is received in the pocket 460 in the organizer 430. The contact holder 470 is coupled to the organizer 430 at first and second sides 481, 482. Each contact 414 within the lower contact array 418 includes an intermediate portion 420 extending between a mating end 422 and a terminating end 424.
In an exemplary embodiment, the contact assembly 400 includes a locking device 500 used for securing the upper contact array 416 and the lower contact array 418 together. The locking device 500 is used to prevent separation of the upper contact array 416 relative to the lower contact array 418, such as during mating with the module circuit board 190. For example, the locking device 500 is used to physically tie the upper and lower contact holders 470, 480 together to prevent separation of the upper and lower contact holders 470, 480. The locking device 500 operates as an anti-rotation feature to prevent rotation of the upper contact holder 470 and/or rotation of the lower contact holder 480 within the organizer 430. In an exemplary embodiment, the locking device 500 is located near a central region of the contact holders 470, 480 to prevent separation at such central region, which are the regions of least support. For example, because the contact holders 470, 480 are coupled to the organizer 430 at the sides of the contact holders 470, 480, the central regions of the contact holders 470, 480 may tend to separate and rotate apart from each other when mated to the module circuit board 190. The locking device 500 locks the contact holders 470, 480 together to stabilize the upper and lower contact arrays 416, 418 relative to the organizer 430 within the housing 200 of the card edge connector 112. Optionally, multiple locking devices 500 may be used spaced apart along the width of the contact arrays 416, 418.
The locking device 500 may be a molded piece, such as a plastic molded piece. The locking device 500 includes a first locking element 502 for locking to the upper contact holder 470 and a second locking element 504 for locking to the lower contact holder 480. In an exemplary embodiment, the locking device 500 is a clip configured to be clipped to the upper and lower contact holders 470, 480. In various embodiments, the locking device 500 is C-shaped.
In an exemplary embodiment, the locking device 500 includes a base wall 510, a first leg 512 extending from a first side of the base wall 510, and a second leg 514 extending from a second side of the base wall 510. The locking device 500 includes a space 516 between the first leg 512 and the second leg 514. The space is configured to receive portions of the upper and lower contact holders 470, 480. In an exemplary embodiment, the locking device 500 includes an upper surface 520 and a lower surface 522. The upper and lower surfaces 520, 522 may be planar. In other various embodiments, the locking device 500 may be stepped, such as vertically stepped to include an upper portion and a lower portion. The locking device 500 may include latching features, such as a deflectable latch or a catch or other features to latchably couple to the contact holders 470, 480.
In an exemplary embodiment, the upper contact holder 470 includes an upper locking tab 474 extending from an inner surface 473 of the upper contact holder 470. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner surface 473 is a bottom surface of the upper contact holder 470. The upper locking tab 474 extends downward from the inner surface 473. The locking device 500 is configured to be coupled to the upper locking tab 474. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper locking tab 474 includes a locking feature 475 configured to be lockably coupled to the locking device 500. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper locking tab 474 includes a hook 476 forming the locking feature 475. For example, the upper locking tab 474 includes a locking arm 477 and a locking finger 478 extending from the locking arm 477. The locking finger 478 forms the locking feature 475. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking arm 477 extends from the inner surface 473. For example, the locking arm 477 extends downward from the inner surface 473. The locking finger 478 extends from the distal end of the locking arm 477. In an exemplary embodiment, the locking finger 478 extends perpendicular to the locking arm 477. For example, the upper locking tab 474 is L-shaped in the illustrated embodiment. The upper locking tab 474 is configured to wrap around the locking device 500 to secure the upper locking tab 474 to the locking device 500. The upper locking tab 474 may have other shapes in alternative embodiments. The upper locking tab 474 may be secured to the locking device 500 by other means in alternative embodiments.
In an exemplary embodiment, the lower contact holder 480 includes a lower locking tab 484 extending from an inner surface 483 of the lower contact holder 480. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner surface 483 is a top surface of the lower contact holder 480. The lower locking tab 484 extends upward from the inner surface 483. The locking device 500 is configured to be coupled to the lower locking tab 484. In an exemplary embodiment, the lower locking tab 484 includes a locking feature 485 configured to be lockably coupled to the locking device 500. In an exemplary embodiment, the lower locking tab 484 includes a hook 486 forming the locking feature 485. For example, the lower locking tab 484 includes a locking arm 487 and a locking finger 488 extending from the locking arm 487. The locking finger 488 forms the locking feature 485. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking arm 487 extends from the inner surface 483. For example, the locking arm 487 extends downward from the inner surface 483. The locking finger 488 extends from the distal end of the locking arm 487. In an exemplary embodiment, the locking finger 488 extends perpendicular to the locking arm 487. For example, the lower locking tab 484 is L-shaped in the illustrated embodiment. The lower locking tab 484 is configured to wrap around the locking device 500 to secure the lower locking tab 484 to the locking device 500. The lower locking tab 484 may have other shapes in alternative embodiments. The lower locking tab 484 may be secured to the locking device 500 by other means in alternative embodiments.
In an exemplary embodiment, the contact arrays 416, 418 are stacked such that the upper locking tab 474 and the lower locking tab 484 are located adjacent each other. The locking device 500 is configured to engage both locking tabs 474, 484 to secure the upper contact holder 470 relative to the lower contact holder 480. The locking device 500 prevents separation and/or rotation of either of the contact holders 470, 480. In an exemplary embodiment, the locking tabs 474, 484 are received in the space 516 between the first and second legs 512, 514. For example, the locking tabs 474, 484 overlap each other. The locking tabs 474, 484 may engage each other. For example, the locking arms 477, 487 may extend along and abut against each other. The upper locking tab 474 passes through the locking device 500 to engage the lower surface 522 of the locking device 500. The upper locking tab 474 engages the lower surface 522 of the locking device 500 to lock the upper locking tab 474 to the locking device 500 and prevent upward movement of the upper locking tab 474, and thus the upper contact holder 470, relative to the locking device 500. The lower locking tab 484 passes through the locking device 500 to engage the upper surface 520 of the locking device 500. The lower locking tab 484 engages the upper surface 520 of the locking device 500 to lock the lower locking tab 484 to the locking device 500 and prevent downward movement of the lower locking tab 484, and thus the lower contact holder 480, relative to the locking device 500. The locking device 500 directly engages both of the locking tabs 474, 484 to physically connect the upper and lower contact holders 470, 480. For example, the locking device 500 may be clipped onto the locking tabs 474, 484 to physically connect the upper contact holder 470 and the lower contact holder 480. The locking tabs 474, 484 are captured between the legs 512, 514 of the locking device 500. Optionally, the legs 512, 514 may be wedge shaped to wedge the locking tabs 474, 484 into the space 516 between the legs 512, 514. The locking tabs 474, 484 may be wedged side-to-side (for example, horizontally) and/or may be wedged vertically to tightly hold the locking tabs 474, 484 relative to each other.
In an exemplary embodiment, the central wall 432 includes a pocket 431. The upper and lower locking tabs 474, 484 are received in the pocket 431. For example, the upper locking tab 474 is loaded into the pocket 431 from above, whereas the lower locking tab 484 is loaded into the pocket 431 from below. The locking device 500 is received in the pocket 431 to interface with the upper and lower locking tabs 474, 484. The pocket 431 is shaped to receive the locking device 500. Optionally, the pocket 431 may vertically and/or horizontally position the locking device 500 to ensure positioning of the locking device 500 relative to the upper and lower locking tabs 474, 484. The locking device 500 may be loaded into the pocket 431 from the front of the organizer 430. The legs 512, 514 are located on opposite sides of the locking arms 477, 487. For example, the locking arms 477, 487 are located in the space 516 between the legs 512, 514. The locking device 500 engages the locking fingers 478, 488. For example, the locking finger 478 of the upper locking tab 474 wraps around and engages the lower surface 522 of the locking device 500 to lock the upper locking tab 474 to the locking device 500 and prevent upward movement of the upper locking tab 474 relative to the locking device 500. Similarly, the locking finger 488 of the lower locking tab 484 wraps around and engages the upper surface 520 of the locking device 500 to lock the lower locking tab 484 to the locking device 500 and prevent downward movement of the lower locking tab 484 relative to the locking device 500. As such, the upper contact holder 470 is unable to separate from the lower contact holder 480, and vice versa.
The locking device 500 is shown loaded in the pocket 431 of the central wall 432. The pocket 431 may be open at the front of the central wall 432 for loading the locking device 500 into the pocket 431 through the card slot. For example, the locking device 500 may be loaded into the pocket 431 in the space between the upper and lower platforms 440, 450. The module circuit board 190 is configured to be loaded into the card slot between the upper and lower platforms 440, 450. Optionally, the module circuit board 190 may block removal of the locking device 500 from the pocket 431 when assembled. The locking device 500 prevents separation or rotation of the upper contact array 416 and/or the lower contact array 418 during mating with the module circuit board 190. For example, the upper and lower contact holders 470, 480 are physically tied together by the locking device to prevent movement of the upper and lower contact holders 470, 480 relative to each other and/or relative to the housing 200.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the number and positions of the various components described herein are intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and are merely exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.
