阅读说明：本技术 牵引电池充电方法和充电系统 (Traction battery charging method and charging system ) 是由 克里斯多夫·迈克尔·卡瓦 谢文·凡尼坦比 洛丽·科尔斯 迈克·帕吉特 于 2020-10-09 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开提供了“牵引电池充电方法和充电系统”。一种给车辆的牵引电池充电的方法除其他项外包括将所述电动化车辆的所述牵引电池分隔成多个分区。所述分区中的每一个是可单独充电的。所述方法然后包括评估所述多个分区的至少一个特性,并且基于所述评估对从至少一个外部电源给所述多个分区进行的充电进行优先级排序。(The present disclosure provides a traction battery charging method and charging system. A method of charging a traction battery of a vehicle includes, among other things, partitioning the traction battery of the motorized vehicle into a plurality of partitions. Each of the partitions is individually chargeable. The method then includes evaluating at least one characteristic of the plurality of partitions, and prioritizing charging of the plurality of partitions from at least one external power source based on the evaluation.)

1. A method of charging a traction battery of a vehicle, comprising:

partitioning a traction battery of an electrified vehicle into a plurality of partitions, each of the partitions being individually chargeable;

evaluating at least one characteristic of the plurality of partitions; and

prioritizing charging of the plurality of partitions from at least one external power source based on the evaluation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one characteristic is a voltage imbalance of each of the partitions within the plurality of partitions, and optionally,

wherein, during the evaluating, a first partition of the plurality of partitions has a first voltage imbalance and a second partition of the plurality of partitions has a second voltage imbalance greater than the first voltage imbalance, and the method further comprises prioritizing by: because the second voltage imbalance is greater than the first voltage imbalance, the first one of the plurality of partitions is charged before the second one of the plurality of partitions is charged.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein during the evaluating, a first one of the plurality of partitions has a first voltage imbalance and a second one of the plurality of partitions has a second voltage imbalance greater than the first voltage imbalance, and the method further comprises prioritizing by rapidly charging the first one of the partitions as the second voltage imbalance is greater than the first voltage imbalance.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one characteristic is a state of charge of each of the partitions within the plurality of partitions,

wherein during the evaluating, a first partition of the plurality of partitions has a first state of charge and a second partition of the plurality of partitions has a second state of charge greater than the first state of charge, and the method further comprises prioritizing by: because the second state of charge is greater than the first state of charge, the first one of the plurality of partitions is charged prior to charging the second one of the plurality of partitions.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one characteristic is a temperature of each of the zones within the plurality of zones,

wherein during the evaluating, a first partition of the plurality of partitions has a first temperature and a second partition of the plurality of partitions has a second temperature greater than the first temperature, and the method further comprises prioritizing by: because the second temperature is greater than the first temperature, the first one of the plurality of partitions is charged prior to charging the second one of the plurality of partitions.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the prioritization comprises: charging the first partition using a first external power source and charging the second partition using a second external power source, and optionally wherein the first external power source is a DC power source and the second external power source is an AC power source.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: the first zone is charged from the first external power source through a first charging port of the motorized vehicle and, at the same time, the second zone is charged from the second external power source through a second port of the motorized vehicle.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the partitions within the plurality of partitions is a separate array of battery packs.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the partitions within the plurality of partitions is electrically isolated from the other partitions within the plurality of partitions.

10. An electrically-powered vehicle charging system, comprising:

a traction battery;

an electrical distributor capable of dividing the traction battery into a plurality of partitions that are individually chargeable and electrically isolated from each other; and

a charging control module that evaluates at least one characteristic of the plurality of partitions and, in response, prioritizes charging of the plurality of partitions from at least one external power source.

11. The motorized vehicle charging system of claim 10, wherein the at least one characteristic is a voltage imbalance of each of the zones within the plurality of zones.

12. The motorized vehicle charging system of claim 10, wherein the charging control module prioritizes by: charging the first partition using a first external power source and charging the second partition using a second external power source, and optionally wherein the first external power source is a DC power source and the second external power source is an AC power source.

13. The motorized vehicle charging system of claim 10, further comprising a first charging port of the motorized vehicle configured to transfer power from the DC power source to the motorized vehicle and a second charging port of the motorized vehicle configured to transfer power from the AC power source to the motorized vehicle.

14. The motorized vehicle charging system according to claim 10, wherein each of the zones within the plurality of zones is a separate array of battery packs.

15. The motorized vehicle charging system according to claim 10, wherein each of the zones within the plurality of zones is electrically isolated from the other zones within the plurality of zones.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to charging a traction battery of an electrified vehicle, and more particularly to segregating the traction battery to facilitate charging.

Background

An electrically powered vehicle differs from a conventional motor vehicle in that the electrically powered vehicle uses one or more electric machines that are powered by a traction battery to selectively drive. The electric machine may drive the electric-powered vehicle in place of or in addition to the internal combustion engine. Exemplary electrically powered vehicles include Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs), and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs).

The traction battery is a relatively high voltage battery that selectively powers the electric machine and other electrical loads of the electric vehicle. The traction battery may include battery arrays, each including a plurality of interconnected battery cells.

Disclosure of Invention

According to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a method of charging a traction battery of a vehicle includes, among other things, partitioning the traction battery into partitions. Each of the partitions is individually chargeable. The method then includes evaluating at least one characteristic of the partition, and prioritizing charging of the partition from at least one external power source based on the evaluation.

In another example of the foregoing method, the at least one characteristic is a voltage imbalance of each of the partitions.

In another example of any of the foregoing methods, during the evaluating, a first one of the partitions has a first voltage imbalance and a second one of the partitions has a second voltage imbalance greater than the first voltage imbalance. The method includes prioritizing by: because the second voltage imbalance is greater than the first voltage imbalance, the first one of the partitions is charged before the second one of the partitions is charged.

In another example of any of the foregoing methods, during the evaluating, a first one of the partitions has a first voltage imbalance and a second one of the partitions has a second voltage imbalance greater than the first voltage imbalance. The method includes prioritizing by: the first one of the partitions is charged quickly because the second voltage imbalance is greater than the first voltage imbalance.

In another example of any of the foregoing methods, the at least one characteristic is a state of charge of each of the partitions. During the evaluation, a first one of the partitions has a first state of charge and a second one of the partitions has a second state of charge greater than the first state of charge. The method further comprises prioritizing by: because the second state of charge is greater than the first state of charge, the first one of the bays is charged prior to charging the second one of the bays.

In another example of any of the foregoing methods, the at least one characteristic is a temperature of each of the zones. During the evaluating, a first one of the zones has a first temperature and a second one of the zones has a second temperature greater than the first temperature. The method further comprises prioritizing by: because the second temperature is greater than the first temperature, the first one of the partitions is charged prior to charging the second one of the partitions.

In another example of any of the foregoing methods, the prioritizing comprises: charging the first partition using a first external power source and charging the second partition using a second external power source.

In another example of any of the foregoing methods, the first external power source is a DC power source and the second external power source is an AC power source.

Another example of any of the foregoing methods comprises: the first zone is charged from the first external power source through a first charging port of the motorized vehicle and, at the same time, the second zone is charged from the second external power source through a second port of the motorized vehicle.

In another example of any of the foregoing methods, each of the partitions within the plurality of partitions is a separate array of battery packs.

In another example of any of the foregoing methods, each of the partitions within the plurality of partitions is electrically isolated from the other partitions within the plurality of partitions.

An electrically powered vehicle charging system according to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things: a traction battery; an electrical distributor that can divide the traction battery into a plurality of partitions that can be individually charged and electrically isolated from each other; and a charging control module that evaluates at least one characteristic of the plurality of partitions and, in response, prioritizes charging of the plurality of partitions from at least one external power source.

In another example of the foregoing system, the at least one characteristic is a voltage imbalance of each of the partitions within the plurality of partitions.

In another example of any of the foregoing systems, the charge control module prioritizes by: charging the first partition using a first external power source and charging the second partition using a second external power source.

In another example of any of the foregoing systems, the first external power source is a DC power source and the second external power source is an AC power source.

Another example of any of the foregoing systems includes a first charging port of the motorized vehicle and a second charging port of the motorized vehicle. The first charging port is configured to deliver power from the DC power source to the motorized vehicle. The second charging port is configured to transfer power from the AC power source to the motorized vehicle.

In another example of any of the foregoing systems, each of the partitions within the plurality of partitions is a separate array of battery packs.

In another example of any of the foregoing systems, each of the partitions within the plurality of partitions is electrically isolated from the other partitions within the plurality of partitions.

The embodiments, examples and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs, claims or the following description and drawings (including any of their various aspects or respective individual features) may be employed independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless such features are incompatible.

Drawings

Various features and advantages of the disclosed examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:

fig. 1 schematically shows a power train of an electric vehicle.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a system for charging a traction battery of the powertrain of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 shows a flow chart of a method used by the system of fig. 2 for charging a traction battery.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a system for charging a traction battery of the powertrain of FIG. 1, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 shows a flow chart of a method used by the system of fig. 5 for charging a traction battery.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure details a method of charging a traction battery of an electrified vehicle and an associated charging system. The method divides the traction battery into separately chargeable partitions. Characteristics of the partitions may be evaluated to prioritize charging of the partitions. This may reduce the time it takes to charge the traction battery to a desired state of charge (SOC).

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates selected portions of a powertrain 10 of an electrically powered vehicle. Although depicted as a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), it should be understood that the concepts described herein are not limited to HEVs and may be extended to other electric vehicles, including but not limited to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs), and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs).

In one embodiment, powertrain 10 is a power-split powertrain employing a first drive system and a second drive system. The first drive system includes a combination of the engine 12 and the generator 14 (i.e., a first electric machine). The second drive system includes at least a motor 16 (i.e., a second electric machine), a generator 14, and at least one traction battery 18. In this example, the secondary drive system is considered to be the electric drive system of the powertrain 10. The first and second drive systems generate torque to drive one or more sets of vehicle drive wheels 20 of the motorized vehicle.

The engine 12, which in this example is an internal combustion engine, and the generator 14 may be connected by a power transfer unit 22. In one non-limiting embodiment, power transfer unit 22 is a planetary gear set that includes a ring gear 24, a sun gear 26, and a carrier assembly 28. Of course, other types of power transfer units, including other gear sets and transmissions, may be used to connect the engine 12 to the generator 14.

The generator 14 may be driven by the engine 12 through a power transfer unit 22 to convert kinetic energy into electrical energy. The generator 14 may alternatively function as a motor to convert electrical energy into kinetic energy to output torque to a shaft 30 connected to the power transfer unit 22. Because the generator 14 is operatively connected to the engine 12, the speed of the engine 12 may be controlled by the generator 14.

The ring gear 24 of the power transfer unit 22 may be connected to a shaft 32, which shaft 32 is connected to the vehicle drive wheels 20 via a second power transfer unit 34. Second power transfer unit 34 may include a gear set having a plurality of gears 36. Other power transfer units may also be suitable. Gear 36 transfers torque from engine 12 to differential 38 to ultimately provide traction to the vehicle drive wheels 20. Differential 38 may include a plurality of gears configured to transmit torque to vehicle drive wheels 20. In this example, the second power transfer unit 34 is mechanically coupled to an axle 40 through a differential 38 to distribute torque to the vehicle drive wheels 20.

The motor 16 (i.e., the second electric machine) may also be used to drive the vehicle drive wheels 20 by outputting torque to a shaft 42 that is also connected to the second power transfer unit 34. In one embodiment, the motor 16 and the generator 14 cooperate as part of a regenerative braking system, wherein both the motor 16 and the generator 14 may act as motors to output torque. For example, the motor 16 and the generator 14 may each output electrical power to the traction battery 18.

The traction battery 18 is in the form of a high voltage battery that is capable of outputting electrical power to operate the motor 16 and generator 14. The traction battery 18 is a traction battery because the traction battery 18 can provide power to drive the vehicle drive wheels 20. In the exemplary embodiment, traction battery 18 includes a plurality of battery arrays 44 within the battery pack. Each of the battery arrays 44 includes a plurality of individual battery cells, for example, from eight to twelve battery cells.

Referring now to fig. 2, the traction battery 18 is disposed within a schematically represented motorized vehicle 60. In the exemplary embodiment, traction battery 18 includes a first battery array 44a and a second battery array 44 b. In other examples, the traction battery 18 may include other numbers of battery arrays.

The vehicle 60 includes a first charging port 64 and a second charging port 68. The first charging port 64 may be, for example, a DC charging port. The second charging port 68 may be, for example, an AC charging port. For clarity, the first charging port 64 is shown as a separate port from the second charging port 68. However, this is not essential. The first charging port 64 and the second charging port 68 may be different regions of the same charging port. Additionally, although an AC charging port and a DC charging port are shown, this is not required. Ports 64 and 68 may be any combination of two or more charge inputs. For example, there may be two 1-level ACs, 1-level AC and 1 2-level AC, two 2-level ACs, 1-level AC and 1 CCS (DC fast charge).

When it is desired to charge the traction battery 18, an electrically powered vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), such as a charger 72, may be electrically connected to the first charging port 64 to electrically couple the DC source of electrical power 80 to the electrically powered vehicle 60. When it is desired to charge the traction battery 18, the charger 76 may instead or additionally be electrically connected to the second charging port 68 to electrically couple the AC power source 84 of electrical power to the motorized vehicle 60. The DC power supply 80 may be a 240 volt class 2 charging station. The AC power source 84 may be a class 1 type charging station of 120 volts. It is well known that charging with the DC power source 80 is faster than charging with the AC power source 84. In some examples, the DC power supply 80 is considered to be a fast charge.

The motorized vehicle 60 includes a charging system having a charging control module 88, which charging control module 88 can electrically decouple the first array 44a from the second array 44b as desired. The electrical distributor (such as one or more switches 92) may be switched by a charging control module 88 that electrically decouples the first array 44a from the second array 44 b. Decoupling the first array 44a from the second array 44b separates the traction battery 18 into a plurality of partitions P1 and P2. In this example, because the partition P1 as the first array 44a is electrically decoupled from the partition P2 as the second array 44b, the partition P1 may be considered to be chargeable separately from the second partition P2_。After charging partition P1 and partition P2, switch 92 may transition back to a state that electrically couples partition P1 and partition P2 together.

In other examples, the traction battery 18 may be partitioned into separately chargeable partitions in other manners. Also, the traction battery 18 may be partitioned into more than two partitions.

In the exemplary embodiment, chargers 72 and 76 are electrically coupled to respective first and second charging ports 64 and 68 to charge traction batteries 18. In addition, the charge control module 88 switches the switch 92 to a state that separates the traction battery 18 into the partition P1 and the partition P2.

The charge control module 88 may direct charge from the DC power source 80 or the AC power source 84 to the partition P1. Additionally, the charging control module 88 may direct charge from the DC power source 80 or the AC power source 84 to the partition P2. The charge control module 88 may include contactors and isolators utilized to redirect charge from the DC power source 80 and the AC power source 84 to the partition P1 or the partition P2. Persons of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the present disclosure may understand how to redirect charge from a power source to a desired location using, for example, contactors and isolators.

After the partition is made, the charging control module 88 evaluates the characteristics of partitions P1 and P2. Characteristics may include, for example, voltage imbalance, SOC, temperature, and service time.

In the exemplary embodiment, the evaluation includes comparing the voltage imbalance of partition P1 with the voltage imbalance of partition P2. The voltage imbalance generally refers to the voltage variation of the individual cells within partitions P1 and P2. In this example, partition P1 has a first voltage imbalance and partition P2 has a second voltage imbalance that is greater than the first voltage imbalance. In other words, partition P2 has greater voltage variation among its individual cells than partition P1.

It is well known that voltage imbalances can stabilize (i.e., decrease) over time. Additionally, voltage imbalances may cause SOC readings to vary. For example, a battery array with a high voltage imbalance may reflect a 100% SOC. However, after a period of time has elapsed and the voltage imbalance has stabilized, the SOC may change to 95%. As is known, lower voltage imbalances can result in more accurate SOC readings.

In the exemplary embodiment, charging control module 88 directs power from DC power source 80 to partition P2 in response to the evaluation and charges partition P1 with power from AC power source 84. Directing charge from DC power supply 80 to partition P2, which has a lower voltage imbalance, will charge partition P2 faster than partition P1. This provides additional settling time for the voltage imbalance within partition P1.

The charging control module 88 may include a microcontroller unit (MCU). The charging control module 88 may include a single controller module or selected portions of a plurality of different controller modules. The charge control module 88 used in conjunction with the above embodiments may be, for example, a Battery Charge Control Module (BCCM), a Battery Energy Control Module (BECM), or both.

The charge control module 88 may include a processor and a memory portion, among other items. The processor may be programmed to execute programs stored in the memory portion. The processor may be a custom made or commercially available processor, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), an auxiliary processor among several processors associated with the charging control module 88, a semiconductor based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chip set), or generally any device for executing software instructions.

The memory portion may include any one or combination of volatile memory elements. A program may be stored in the memory portion as software code and used to initiate, for example, switching of the switch 92 to electrically and electrically couple and decouple the partitions P1 and P2. The programs may include one or more additional or separate programs, each of which includes an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementing logical functions associated with the charging and monitoring of partitions P1 and P2. The program may receive data from sensors or other measurement devices regarding partitions P1 and P2. The data may be analyzed using a program executing on the charge control module 88 to assess voltage imbalances, temperature, SOC, service time, and other characteristics of the partitions P1 and P2.

Referring to fig. 3, an exemplary method 100 utilized by the charging system in conjunction with the embodiment of fig. 2 begins at step 104 by partitioning the traction battery 18 to provide a plurality of partitions P1 and P2, each of which may be individually charged, at step 104. Next, at step 108, method 100 evaluates at least one characteristic of partitions P1 and P2. Then, at step 112, the method 100 prioritizes charging of partitions P1 and P2.

In an exemplary embodiment, charging of partitions P1 and P2 is prioritized based on the voltage imbalance of partitions P1 and P2. The partition P1 or P2 with the larger voltage imbalance is charged using a slower power supply than the AC power supply 84 here.

Other exemplary characteristics that may be utilized by the charging control module when assessing how to prioritize charging of partitions P1 and P2 may include the SOC of each of partitions P1 and P2. In such an example, the partition P1 or P2 having a lower SOC may be charged with the DC power source 80, the DC power source 80 charging faster than the AC power source 84. The other partition may be charged using the slower AC power supply 84. Assessing the SOC of each of partitions P1 and P2 may include an open circuit voltage test for the respective partition P1 or P2.

Yet another characteristic that may be utilized by the charge control module 88 during evaluation may include the temperature of the partitions P1 and P2. Charging may raise the temperature of partitions P1 and P2. The charge from the DC power source 80 may cause the temperature of the partitions P1 and P2 to rise faster than the charge from the AC power source 84. Based on the evaluation, the prioritization may cause the partition P1 or P2 having the higher temperature to be charged with the AC power source 84. This may help avoid stopping charging because the temperature of one of partitions P1 or P2 has exceeded a threshold temperature level.

In the example of fig. 2 and 3, two power sources 80 and 84 may be utilized to simultaneously charge the traction battery 18. In the exemplary embodiment of fig. 4, a single power supply 96 is utilized to charge the traction battery 18. The charging control module 88 prioritizes charging of the first partition P1 and the second partition P2 from the power supply 96 based on the characteristics of the partitions P1 and P2.

Referring to fig. 5, an exemplary method 200 utilized by the charging system in conjunction with the embodiment of fig. 4 begins at step 204 by partitioning the traction battery 18 to provide a plurality of partitions P1 and P2, each of which may be individually charged, at step 204. Next, at step 208, method 200 evaluates at least one characteristic of partitions P1 and P2. Then, at steps 212 a-212 k, the method 200 prioritizes charging of partitions P1 and P2.

In an exemplary embodiment, charging of partitions P1 and P2 is prioritized based on the voltage imbalance of partitions P1 and P2. At step 221a, the method 200 assesses whether the voltage imbalance of partition P1 is greater than the voltage imbalance of partition P2. If so, the method 200 moves to step 212 b. If not, the method moves to step 212 c.

At step 212b, method 200 charges partition P2. Method 200 then moves to step 212d, where charging continues until the SOC of partition P2 is rated as 100% SOC in step 212 d.

If the SOC is rated at 100% in step 212d, the method 200 moves to step 212 e. If not, partition P2 continues to be charged. When partition P2 is charging, the voltage imbalance in partition P1 stabilizes.

At step 212e, method 200 switches to charging partition P1. While partition P1 is charging, method 200 may perform an open circuit voltage evaluation of partition P2 to monitor the SOC of partition P2. This effectively resets the SOC assessment of partition P2. Over time, the SOC of partition P2 may change as the voltage imbalance stabilizes. In some examples, the SOC reading may be reduced from 100% SOC to 95% SOC due to the voltage imbalance that stabilizes as partition P1 charges.

From step 212e, method 200 moves to step 212f, where in step 212f, charging of partition P1 continues until the SOC of partition P1 is 100%. If at step 212f, the SOC is rated as 100%, the method 200 moves to step 212 g. If not, partition P1 continues to be charged.

At step 212g, method 200 transitions back to charging partition P2, if necessary. Here, if desired, method 200 fills partition P2 until SOC is 100%. If the voltage imbalance in partition P2 has stabilized and caused the SOC of partition P2 to drop while charging partition P1, it may be necessary to charge partition P2 again to "fill up" partition P2.

When the method 200 is fully charging the partition P2, the method 200 may perform an open circuit voltage evaluation of the partition P1 to monitor the SOC of the partition P1. When partition P2 is full, the SOC of partition P1 may change due to the voltage imbalance settling.

After charging partition P2 full, method 200 charges partition P1 full if necessary.

At step 212c, method 200 charges partition P1. Method 200 then moves to step 212h, where charging continues until partition P1 has an SOC of 100% in step 212 h. When partition P1 is charging, the voltage imbalance in partition P2 stabilizes. If at step 212h, the SOC is 100%, the method 200 moves to step 212 i. If not, partition P2 continues to be charged.

At step 212i, method 200 charges partition P2. Method 200 then moves to step 212j, where charging continues until partition P2 has an SOC of 100% in step 212 j. If at step 212j, the SOC is 100%, the method 200 moves to step 212 k. If not, partition P1 continues to be charged.

At step 212k, the method 200 re-assesses the SOC of partition P1 and, if necessary, fills partition P1 such that the re-assessed SOC is 100%. If the voltage imbalance in partition P1 has stabilized and the SOC of partition P1 has decreased while charging partition P2, it may be necessary to charge partition P1 again to "fill up" partition P1. After the charging of partition P1 is fully charged, method 200 similarly fully charges the charging in partition P2, if necessary.

The method 200 is described in connection with voltage imbalances. The method 200 may prioritize instead of or in addition to other characteristics. For example, partition P1 or P2, which has a lower temperature, may be charged first from the power supply, giving partition P1 or P2, which has a higher temperature, some time to cool. The SOC of partitions P1 and P2 may then be made full as needed.

In exemplary method 200, power supply 96 is the only power supply used to charge partitions P1 and P2. Method 200 may be modified if another power source is available, such as a power source that may charge partition P1 or P2 through charging port 68. In such an example, the charge controller 88 may alternate between power sources such that a slower power source charges partition P1 or P2 with a greater voltage imbalance, higher temperature, etc.

Features of the disclosed embodiments include a method and system of charging a traction battery of an electrified vehicle that may reduce a charging time of the traction battery and facilitate more complete charging. In some examples, this may increase the range of the motorized vehicle and improve user satisfaction.

Although specific component relationships are illustrated in the drawings of the present disclosure, the illustrations are not intended to limit the disclosure. In other words, the placement and orientation of the various components shown may vary within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the various drawings that accompany the present disclosure are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show certain details of particular components.

The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of legal protection given to this disclosure can only be determined by studying the following claims.