阅读说明：本技术 连接器 (Connector with a locking member ) 是由 刘娇勇 罗杰 赵光明 于 2020-04-20 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明公开了一种连接器,包括一对端子,每个所述端子包括：第一端子,具有第一板状固定部和从第一板状固定部延伸出的多个第一弹性臂；和第二端子,具有第二板状固定部和从第二板状固定部延伸出的多个第二弹性臂。所述第一端子的第一板状固定部层叠在所述第二端子的第二板状固定部上,所述多个第一弹性臂和所述多个第二弹性臂以交替的方式布置成一排,用于与一个汇流条同时电接触。在本发明中,端子具有上下层叠的两个端子,并且上下层叠的两个端子的弹性臂以交替的方式布置成一排,因此,极大地降低了连接器接触端的接触阻抗,并且极大提高了连接器接触端的电流通路密度。(The invention discloses a connector, comprising a pair of terminals, each of which comprises: a first terminal having a first plate-like fixing portion and a plurality of first elastic arms extending from the first plate-like fixing portion; and a second terminal having a second plate-like fixing portion and a plurality of second elastic arms extending from the second plate-like fixing portion. The first plate-shaped fixing portion of the first terminal is stacked on the second plate-shaped fixing portion of the second terminal, and the plurality of first elastic arms and the plurality of second elastic arms are arranged in a row in an alternating manner for simultaneous electrical contact with one bus bar. In the present invention, the terminal has two terminals stacked up and down, and the elastic arms of the two terminals stacked up and down are arranged in a row in an alternating manner, and therefore, the contact resistance of the connector contact end is greatly reduced, and the current path density of the connector contact end is greatly improved.)

1. A connector comprising a pair of terminals (210, 220), wherein each of said terminals (210, 220) comprises:

a first terminal (211, 221) having a first plate-like fixing portion (211b, 221b) and a plurality of first elastic arms (211a, 221a) extending from the first plate-like fixing portion (211b, 221 b); and

a second terminal (212, 222) having a second plate-like fixing portion (212b, 222b) and a plurality of second elastic arms (212a, 222a) extending from the second plate-like fixing portion (212b, 222b),

first plate-like fixing portions (211b, 221b) of the first terminals (211, 221) are laminated on second plate-like fixing portions (212b, 222b) of the second terminals (212, 222),

the plurality of first resilient arms (211a, 221a) and the plurality of second resilient arms (212a, 222a) are arranged in a row in an alternating manner for simultaneous electrical contact with one bus bar (11, 12).

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein:

the connector further includes a pair of auxiliary terminals (201, 202), the pair of auxiliary terminals (201, 202) being stacked on outer sides of the pair of terminals (210, 220), respectively;

the auxiliary terminals (201, 202) have auxiliary resilient arms (201a, 202a), and the auxiliary resilient arms (201a, 202a) of each of the auxiliary terminals (201, 202) abut against the plurality of first resilient arms (211a, 221a) and the plurality of second resilient arms (212a, 222a) of the corresponding one of the terminals (210, 220).

3. The connector of claim 2, wherein:

the connector also includes an insulating spacer (230), the insulating spacer (230) being disposed between the pair of terminals (210, 220) for electrically isolating the pair of terminals (210, 220).

4. The connector of claim 3, wherein:

the connector further includes a pair of conductive pieces (310, 320), the insulating partition body (230), the pair of terminals (210, 220), and the pair of auxiliary terminals (201, 202) being sandwiched between the pair of conductive pieces (310, 320).

5. The connector of claim 4, wherein:

the conductive block (310, 320) has a thickness greater than a thickness of the terminal (210, 220).

6. The connector of claim 4, wherein:

the auxiliary terminal (201, 202) further comprises a plate-shaped fixing portion (201b, 202b), and the auxiliary elastic arm (201a, 202a) extends from the plate-shaped fixing portion (201b, 202 b);

the plate-like fixing portion (201b, 202b) of each of the auxiliary terminals (201, 202) is sandwiched between a corresponding one of the conductive blocks (310, 320) and a corresponding one of the terminals (210, 220).

7. The connector of claim 6, wherein:

a recessed part (311, 321) adapted to position a plate-like fixing part (201b, 202b) of the auxiliary terminal (201, 202) is formed on an inner surface of the conductive block (310, 320).

8. The connector of claim 4, wherein:

each of the conductive masses (310, 320) is in simultaneous electrical contact with a corresponding one of the terminals (210, 220) and a corresponding one of the auxiliary terminals (201, 202).

9. The connector of claim 4, wherein:

the connector further includes an insulating housing (100), the insulating partition body (230), the pair of terminals (210, 220), the pair of auxiliary terminals (201, 202), and the pair of conductive pieces (310, 320) being assembled in the insulating housing (100).

10. The connector of claim 9, wherein:

the connector further includes a bolting assembly (431, 432, 433), the bolting assembly (431, 432, 433) connecting and fixing the insulating partition body (230), the pair of terminals (210, 220), the pair of auxiliary terminals (201, 202) and the pair of conductive pieces (310, 320) to the insulating housing (100).

11. The connector of claim 10, wherein:

the bolt connecting assembly (431, 432, 433) includes a bolt (431) and a nut (432), and the bolt (431) passes through the insulating separator (230), the pair of terminals (210, 220), the pair of auxiliary terminals (201, 202), the pair of conductive pieces (310, 320) and the insulating case (100) in a thickness direction and is connected with the nut (432).

12. The connector of claim 11, wherein:

the insulating separator (230) includes a block-shaped insulating body (231) and cylindrical projecting columns (232) projecting outwardly from both sides of the block-shaped insulating body (231), the cylindrical projecting columns (232) passing through the terminals (210, 220), the auxiliary terminals (201, 202) and the conductive blocks (310, 320), the bolts (431) passing through the cylindrical projecting columns (232);

the barrel-shaped protrusion column (232) electrically isolates the bolt (431) from the terminals (210, 220), the auxiliary terminals (201, 202), and the conductive blocks (310, 320) to prevent the pair of terminals (210, 220) from being electrically connected together by the bolt (431).

13. The connector of claim 9, wherein:

one of the pair of terminals (210, 220) is a positive terminal (210), and the other is a negative terminal (220);

a slot (110) is formed at one side of the insulating housing (100), and the elastic arms (210a, 220a) of the pair of terminals (210, 220) are located in the slot (110) and adapted to be in electrical contact with a first positive bus bar (11) and a first negative bus bar (12) on a bus bar plug assembly (10) inserted into the slot (110), respectively.

14. The connector of claim 13, further comprising:

a first connecting assembly (411, 412, 413) for electrically connecting the positive terminal (210) to a second positive bus bar (21); and

a second connection assembly (421, 422, 423) for electrically connecting the negative terminal (220) to a second negative bus bar (22).

15. The connector of claim 14, wherein:

the first connection assembly (411, 412, 413) includes a first bolt (411) and a first nut (412), and the first bolt (411) sequentially passes through the positive electrode terminal (210), one conductive block (310), and the second positive electrode bus bar (21) from the inside to the outside, and is screw-coupled with the first nut (412) such that the second positive electrode bus bar (21) can be electrically connected to the positive electrode terminal (210) via the one conductive block (310).

16. The connector of claim 15, wherein:

the second connection assembly (421, 422, 423) includes a second bolt (421) and a second nut (422), and the second bolt (421) passes through the negative terminal (220), another conductive block (320), and the second negative bus bar (22) from the inside to the outside and is screw-connected with the second nut (422) such that the second negative bus bar (22) can be electrically connected to the negative terminal (220) via the other conductive block (320).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a connector.

Background

In the prior art, a power connector generally includes an insulative housing and terminals (including a positive terminal and a negative terminal) disposed in the insulative housing. The terminals are adapted to make electrical contact with bus bars (including positive and negative bus bars) inserted into the power connector. In the prior art, the terminals of the power connector are generally single-layer conductive terminals composed of a single-layer metal sheet. The single-layer conductive terminal has the defects of large contact resistance, low current path density and the like.

Disclosure of Invention

An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the above problems and disadvantages in the prior art.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector including a pair of terminals, each of the terminals including: a first terminal having a first plate-like fixing portion and a plurality of first elastic arms extending from the first plate-like fixing portion; and a second terminal having a second plate-like fixing portion and a plurality of second elastic arms extending from the second plate-like fixing portion. The first plate-shaped fixing portion of the first terminal is stacked on the second plate-shaped fixing portion of the second terminal, and the plurality of first elastic arms and the plurality of second elastic arms are arranged in a row in an alternating manner for simultaneous electrical contact with one bus bar.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector further includes a pair of auxiliary terminals respectively laminated on outer sides of the pair of terminals; the auxiliary terminals have auxiliary resilient arms, and the auxiliary resilient arms of each of the auxiliary terminals abut against the plurality of first resilient arms and the plurality of second resilient arms of a corresponding one of the terminals.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector further includes an insulating spacer disposed between the pair of terminals for electrically isolating the pair of terminals.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector further includes a pair of conductive pieces between which the insulating spacer, the pair of terminals and the pair of auxiliary terminals are sandwiched.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a thickness of the conductive block is greater than a thickness of the terminal.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the auxiliary terminal further includes a plate-shaped fixing portion from which the auxiliary resilient arm extends; the plate-like fixing portion of each of the auxiliary terminals is sandwiched between a corresponding one of the conductive blocks and a corresponding one of the terminals.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a recess adapted to position the plate-shaped fixing portion of the auxiliary terminal is formed on an inner surface of the conductive block.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each of the conductive bumps is in electrical contact with a corresponding one of the terminals and a corresponding one of the auxiliary terminals at the same time.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector further includes an insulating housing in which the insulating partition, the pair of terminals, the pair of auxiliary terminals, and the pair of conductive pieces are assembled.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector further includes a bolt connection assembly connecting and fixing the insulating spacer, the pair of terminals, the pair of auxiliary terminals, and the pair of conductive blocks to the insulating housing.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the bolt connection assembly includes a bolt and a nut, the bolt passing through the insulating separator, the pair of terminals, the pair of auxiliary terminals, the pair of conductive pieces and the insulating case in a thickness direction and being connected with the nut.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the insulating separator includes a block-shaped insulating body and barrel-shaped protrusion columns protruding outward from both sides of the block-shaped insulating body, the barrel-shaped protrusion columns passing through the terminal, the auxiliary terminal and the conductive block, the bolt passing through the barrel-shaped protrusion columns; the barrel-shaped raised post electrically isolates the bolt from the terminal, the auxiliary terminal and the conductive block to prevent the pair of terminals from being electrically connected together by the bolt.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one of the pair of terminals is a positive terminal, and the other is a negative terminal; a slot is formed in one side of the insulative housing, and the resilient arms of the pair of terminals are positioned in the slot and adapted to make electrical contact with a first positive bus bar and a first negative bus bar, respectively, on a bus bar plug assembly inserted into the slot.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the connector further comprises: a first connecting assembly for electrically connecting the positive terminal to a second positive bus bar; and a second connection assembly for electrically connecting the negative terminal to a second negative bus bar.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first connection assembly includes a first bolt and a first nut, the first bolt sequentially passing through the positive electrode terminal, one conductive block and the second positive electrode bus bar from the inside to the outside and being screw-coupled with the first nut such that the second positive electrode bus bar can be electrically connected to the positive electrode terminal via the one conductive block.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second connection assembly includes a second bolt and a second nut, the second bolt passing through the negative terminal, another conductive block, and the second negative bus bar from the inside to the outside and being screw-connected with the second nut such that the second negative bus bar can be electrically connected to the negative terminal via the another conductive block.

In the foregoing respective exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the terminal has two terminals stacked up and down, and the elastic arms of the two terminals stacked up and down are arranged in a row in an alternating manner, and therefore, the contact resistance of the connector contact end is greatly reduced, and the current path density of the connector contact end is greatly improved.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings, and may assist in a comprehensive understanding of the invention.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a connector and a bus bar plug assembly connected thereto according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the connector shown in FIG. 1;

fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a terminal and an auxiliary terminal of the connector shown in fig. 2;

fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the terminal of the connector shown in fig. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the terminal, auxiliary terminal and conductive block of the connector of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the assembly of the terminal, auxiliary terminal and conductive block of the connector shown in FIG. 2;

fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the connector shown in fig. 2 with the insulating housing removed;

fig. 8 shows a perspective view of the connector of fig. 7 with the insulating spacers removed;

fig. 9 shows a perspective view of the insulating spacer of the connector shown in fig. 7.

Detailed Description

The technical scheme of the invention is further specifically described by the following embodiments and the accompanying drawings. In the specification, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar components. The following description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to explain the general inventive concept of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

Furthermore, in the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the disclosure. It may be evident, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in schematic form in order to simplify the drawing.

According to one general technical concept of the present invention, there is provided a connector including a pair of terminals, each of the terminals including: a first terminal having a first plate-like fixing portion and a plurality of first elastic arms extending from the first plate-like fixing portion; and a second terminal having a second plate-like fixing portion and a plurality of second elastic arms extending from the second plate-like fixing portion. The first plate-shaped fixing portion of the first terminal is stacked on the second plate-shaped fixing portion of the second terminal, and the plurality of first elastic arms and the plurality of second elastic arms are arranged in a row in an alternating manner for simultaneous electrical contact with one bus bar.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a power connector and a bus bar plug assembly 10 connected thereto according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the power connector shown in fig. 1.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector includes a pair of terminals 210, 220. One of the pair of terminals 210 and 220 is a positive terminal 210, and the other is a negative terminal 220. The positive terminal 210 is used to electrically connect the first positive bus bar 11 and the second positive bus bar 21, and the negative terminal 220 is used to electrically connect the first negative bus bar 12 and the second negative bus bar 22.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the terminals 210, 220 and the auxiliary terminals 201, 202 of the connector shown in fig. 2; fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the terminal of the connector shown in fig. 3; FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the terminal, auxiliary terminal and conductive block of the connector of FIG. 2; fig. 6 shows an assembly view of the terminal, the auxiliary terminal and the conductive block of the connector shown in fig. 2.

As shown in fig. 1-6, in the illustrated embodiment, each terminal 210, 220 includes a first terminal 211, 221 and a second terminal 212, 222. The first terminals 211, 221 include first plate-like fixing portions 211b, 221b and a plurality of first elastic arms 211a, 221a extending from the first plate-like fixing portions 211b, 221 b. The second terminals 212 and 222 include second plate-like fixing portions 212b and 222b and a plurality of second elastic arms 212a and 222a extending from the second plate-like fixing portions 212b and 222 b.

As shown in fig. 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the first plate-like fixing portions 211b, 221b of the first terminals 211, 221 are laminated on the second plate-like fixing portions 212b, 222b of the second terminals 212, 222. The plurality of first resilient arms 211a, 221a and the plurality of second resilient arms 212a, 222a of each terminal 210, 220 are arranged in a row in an alternating manner for simultaneous electrical contact with one bus bar 11, 12. Therefore, the invention greatly reduces the contact impedance of the contact end of the connector and greatly improves the current path density of the contact end of the connector.

As shown in fig. 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector further includes a pair of auxiliary terminals 201, 202, and the pair of auxiliary terminals 201, 202 are stacked on outer sides of the pair of terminals 210, 220, respectively. The auxiliary terminals 201, 202 have auxiliary resilient arms 201a, 202a, and the auxiliary resilient arms 201a, 202a of each of the auxiliary terminals 201, 202 abut against the plurality of first resilient arms 211a, 221a and the plurality of second resilient arms 212a, 222a of the corresponding one of the terminals 210, 220. The auxiliary elastic arm greatly improves the anti-falling capacity of the whole terminal system, and the product can still be stably and reliably contacted and transmit electric energy under the condition of great deviation or shaking.

Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the connector shown in fig. 2, with the insulating housing 100 removed; fig. 8 shows a perspective view of the connector of fig. 7 with the insulating spacer 230 removed; fig. 9 shows a perspective view of the insulating spacer 230 of the connector shown in fig. 7.

As shown in fig. 1-9, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector further includes an insulating spacer 230, the insulating spacer 230 being disposed between the pair of terminals 210, 220 for electrically isolating the pair of terminals 210, 220.

As shown in fig. 1-9, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector further includes a pair of conductive bumps 310, 320, and the insulating spacer 230, the pair of terminals 210, 220, and the pair of auxiliary terminals 201, 202 are sandwiched between the pair of conductive bumps 310, 320. The conductive block can realize separable contact connection with the terminal; and the characteristics of low bulk resistance and good heat transfer and radiation performance of the conductive block are utilized to improve the current carrying capacity and provide powerful support for the heat transfer capacity of the connector.

As shown in fig. 1-9, in the illustrated embodiment, the conductive blocks 310, 320 have a thickness greater than the thickness of the terminals 210, 220. The length and width of the conductive blocks 310, 320 are substantially equivalent to the length and width of the terminals 210, 220.

As shown in fig. 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the auxiliary terminals 201 and 202 further include plate-shaped fixing portions 201b and 202b, and the auxiliary elastic arms 201a and 202a extend from the plate-shaped fixing portions 201b and 202 b. The plate-like fixing portions 201b, 202b of each of the auxiliary terminals 201, 202 are sandwiched between the corresponding one of the conductive blocks 310, 320 and the corresponding one of the terminals 210, 220.

As shown in fig. 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, recessed portions 311, 321 adapted to position the plate-like fixing portions 201b, 202b of the auxiliary terminals 201, 202 are formed on the inner surfaces of the conductive blocks 310, 320.

As shown in fig. 1-9, in the illustrated embodiment, each conductive block 310, 320 is in simultaneous electrical contact with a corresponding one of the terminals 210, 220 and a corresponding one of the auxiliary terminals 201, 202.

As shown in fig. 1-9, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector further includes an insulative housing 100. The insulating spacer 230, the pair of terminals 210, 220, the pair of auxiliary terminals 201, 202 and the pair of conductive pieces 310, 320 are assembled in the insulating case 100.

As shown in fig. 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the insulating housing 100 may be attached and fixed to the mounting panel 1 by screws or bolts.

As shown in fig. 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector further includes bolting assemblies 431, 432, 433, the bolting assemblies 431, 432, 433 connecting and fixing the insulating spacer 230, the pair of terminals 210, 220, the pair of auxiliary terminals 201, 202 and the pair of conductive bumps 310, 320 to the insulating housing 100.

As shown in fig. 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the bolt connection assembly 431, 432, 433 includes a bolt 431 and a nut 432, and the bolt 431 passes through the insulating partition 230, the pair of terminals 210, 220, the pair of auxiliary terminals 201, 202, the pair of conductive blocks 310, 320 and the insulating housing 100 in a thickness direction and is connected with the nut 432.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in order to prevent the nut 432 from being loosened, the bolt connection assembly 431, 432, 433 further includes a lock washer 433, and the lock washer 433 may be padded between the nut 432 and the insulation case 100 and/or between the head of the bolt 431 and the insulation case 100.

As shown in fig. 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the insulating spacer 230 includes a block-shaped insulating body 231 and barrel-shaped protrusion posts 232 protruding outward from both sides of the block-shaped insulating body 231, the barrel-shaped protrusion posts 232 pass through the terminals 210, 220, the auxiliary terminals 201, 202 and the conductive blocks 310, 320, and the bolts 431 pass through the barrel-shaped protrusion posts 232. The barrel-shaped raised post 232 electrically isolates the bolt 431 from the terminals 210, 220, the auxiliary terminals 201, 202, and the conductive blocks 310, 320 to prevent the pair of terminals 210, 220 from being electrically connected together by the bolt 431.

As shown in fig. 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, a slot 110 is formed at one side of the insulating housing 100, and the elastic arms 210a, 220a of the pair of terminals 210, 220 are located in the slot 110 and adapted to electrically contact the first positive bus bar 11 and the first negative bus bar 12, respectively, on the bus bar plug assembly 10 inserted into the slot 110.

As shown in fig. 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the bus bar plug assembly 10 further includes an isolating separator 13 disposed between the first positive bus bar 11 and the first negative bus bar 12, and the first positive bus bar 11 and the first negative bus bar 12 are integrated on both sides of the isolating separator 13, and thus, are conveniently inserted into the slots 110 of the insulating case 100. The bus bar plug assembly 10 further includes an insulating housing 14, and the first positive electrode bus bar 11 and the first negative electrode bus bar 12 integrated together may be assembled in the insulating housing 14.

As shown in fig. 1-9, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector further includes a first connection assembly 411, 412, 413 and a second connection assembly 421, 422, 423. The first connection members 411, 412, 413 are used to electrically connect the positive terminal 210 to one second positive electrode bus bar 21. The second connection assemblies 421, 422, 423 are used to electrically connect the negative terminal 220 to one second negative bus bar 22.

As shown in fig. 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the first connection assembly 411, 412, 413 includes a first bolt 411 and a first nut 412, and the first bolt 411 passes through the positive electrode terminal 210, one conductive block 310, and the second positive electrode bus bar 21 in sequence from the inside to the outside, and is screw-coupled with the first nut 412, so that the second positive electrode bus bar 21 can be electrically connected to the positive electrode terminal 210 via the one conductive block 310.

As shown in fig. 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, in order to prevent the first nut 412 from being loosened, the first connection assembly 411, 412, 413 further includes a first washer 413, and the first washer 413 is padded between the first nut 412 and the second positive electrode bus bar 21.

As shown in fig. 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the second connection assembly 421, 422, 423 includes a second bolt 421 and a second nut 422, and the second bolt 421 passes through the negative terminal 220, the other conductive block 320, and the second negative bus bar 22 from the inside to the outside and is screw-connected with the second nut 422 so that the second negative bus bar 22 can be electrically connected to the negative terminal 220 via the other conductive block 320.

As shown in fig. 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, to prevent the second nut 422 from loosening, the second connection assembly 421, 422, 423 further includes a second washer 423, the second washer 423 being padded between the second nut 422 and the second negative bus bar 22.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described above are exemplary and can be modified by those skilled in the art, and that the structures described in the various embodiments can be freely combined without conflict in structure or principle.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the drawings are intended to be illustrative of preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

Although a few embodiments of the present general inventive concept have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the words "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.