Securing system for plug connectors

Abstract

Embodiments of a securing system for plug connectors may have an adapter and a pair of housing parts, each with at least one plug place with a plug place interface for receiving the adapter whose exterior may have an adapter interface for positioning in the plug space. The adapter may have an interior geometry for receiving a plug connector. The exterior of the adapter and the plug place may form a primary securing means for securing the adapter in the respective plug place when the adapter is inserted into a defined plug position to secure the adapter in the plug place. Embodiments may include a secondary securing means, which can be plugged into the housing part up to a defined end position at which the secondary securing device to secure the plug connector in the adapter.

Claims

1. A securing system for plug connectors, said system comprising: (a) a first adapter having a first adapter internal geometry for receiving a first plug connector; (b) a second adapter having a second adapter internal geometry for receiving a second plug connector; (c) a first housing part having at least one first plug place with a first plug place interface for receiving the first adapter; (d) a second housing part having at least one second plug place with a second plug place interface for receiving the second adapter; the first adapter having a first adapter outer side with a first adapter interface for positioning the first adapter in the first plug place; the first adapter outer side of the first adapter and the first plug place of the first housing part forming a first primary securing means for fastening the first adapter in the first plug place when the first adapter is inserted into a first predefined plug position in the first plug place; the second adapter having a second adapter outer side with a second adapter interface for positioning the second adapter in the second plug place; the second adapter outer side of the second adapter and the second plug place of the second housing part forming a second primary securing means for fastening the second adapter in the second plug place when the second adapter is inserted into a second predefined plug position in the second plug place; (e) a first secondary securing means which can be plugged into the first housing part up and into a first predefined end position to fix the first plug connector in the first adapter when the first secondary securing means is in the first predefined end position; and (f) a second secondary securing means which can be plugged into the second housing part up and into a second predefined end position to secure the second plug connector in the second adapter when the second secondary securing means is in the second predefined end position.

2. A securing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first adapter plugs into the first housing part in a plug-in direction and the first secondary securing means plugs into the first housing part in a direction which is orthogonal to the plug-in direction.

3. A securing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first secondary securing means has a blocking element which blocks the first primary securing means in a locking state.

4. A securing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first secondary securing means has a plug-in preventer which prevents a connection between the first plug connector and the second plug connector when the first secondary securing means is plugged into the first housing part but is not in the first predefined end position.

5. A securing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first secondary securing means can assume at least two plug states, the at least two plug states including a state in which the first secondary securing means is at a first pre-latching position and is connected to the first adapter inside the first housing part, the at least two plug states further including a state in which the first secondary securing means is in the first predefined end position at which the first secondary securing means is completely plugged into the first housing part and fixes the first plug connector in the first adapter.

6. A securing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the secondary securing means can assume at least three plug states, the at least three plug states including a state in which the first secondary securing means is at a first basic position at which the first secondary securing means is captively connected to the first housing part but is not connected to the first adapter, the at least three plug states further including a state in which the first secondary securing means is at a first pre-latching position and is connected to the first adapter inside the first housing part, the at least three plug states further including a state in which the first secondary securing means is at the first predefined end position at which the first secondary securing means is completely plugged into the first housing part and in which the first secondary securing means fixes the first plug connector in the first adapter.

7. A securing system as claimed in claim 4, wherein when the first secondary securing means is at the first pre-latching position the plug-in preventer is positioned to prevent the first plug connector from being plugged together with a corresponding second plug connector.

8. A securing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the first secondary securing means is in the first predefined end position, the first secondary securing means is connected to the first housing part in a form-fitting manner and is connected to the first adapter in a form-fitting manner to channel axial forces acting on the first plug connector to the first housing part via the first secondary securing means.

9. A securing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first secondary securing means embraces the first plug connector in the first adapter in an at least partially form-fitting manner.

10. A securing system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first adapter includes a receptacle and wherein the first secondary securing means has a latching element which, when the first secondary securing means is in the first predetermined end position, latches the latching receptacle to prevent a movement of the first secondary securing means in a direction counter to the plug-in direction.

11. A securing system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first secondary securing means includes one of: (i) a securing clamp, (ii) a snap connection, (iii) a receptacle and (iv) a partially circular spring element; and wherein the latching element is formed on at least one free end of: the securing clamp, the snap connection, the receptacle or the partially circular spring element.

12. A securing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first plug connector and the second plug connector are designed as at least one of: a plug, a coupling, a socket, a printed circuit board plug connector and a housing plug connector.

13. A securing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first plug place and the first adapter form a guide for guiding the first adapter into the first plug place.

14. A securing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first plug place has an axial end stop.

15. A securing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first primary securing means is formed by at least one latching nose and a spring arm.

16. A securing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first adapter and the first plug place are configured in such a way that plugging-in of the adapter is possible in only a single predetermined orientation.

17. A securing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first adapter is provided with a mechanical coding in such a way that only pairs of first plug connectors and second plug connectors which are functionally assigned to one another can be connected to one another.

18. A securing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second secondary securing means has a second plug-in preventer which prevents a connection between a first plug connector and a corresponding second plug connector when the first secondary securing means is plugged into the second housing part but is not in the second predefined end position.

19. A securing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second secondary securing means can assume at least two second plug states, the at least two second plug states including a state in which the second secondary securing means is at a second pre-latching position and is connected to the second adapter inside the second housing part, the at least two second plug states further including a state in which the second secondary securing means is in the second predefined end position at which the second secondary securing means is completely plugged into the second housing part and fixes the second plug connector in the second adapter.

20. A securing system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second adapter plugs into the second housing part in the plug-in direction and the second secondary securing means plugs into the second housing part in the direction which is orthogonal to the plug-in direction.

21. A securing system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second secondary securing means has a second blocking element which blocks the second primary securing means in a locking state.

22. A securing system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second secondary securing means can assume at least three second plug states, the at least three second plug states including a state in which the second secondary securing means is at a second basic position at which second basic position the second secondary securing means is captively connected to the second housing part but is not connected to the second adapter, the at least three second plug states further including state in which the second secondary securing means is at a second pre-latching position and is connected to the second adapter inside the second housing part, the at least three second plug states further including a state in which the second secondary securing means is at the second predefined end position at which second secondary securing means is completely plugged into the second housing part and in which the second secondary securing means fixes the second plug connector in the second adapter.

23. A securing system as claimed in claim 9, wherein, when the first secondary securing means is in the first predefined end position, the first secondary securing means embraces the first adapter by one of: (i) a securing clamp, (ii) a snap connection, (iii) a receptacle and (iv) a partially circular spring element.

24. A securing system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first plug connectors and the second plug connectors comprise housing plug connectors of at least one of the following types: HFM, H-MTD, AMEC, PL, BNC, TNC, SMBA, SMA, SMB, SMS, SMC, SMP, BMS, HSD, BMK, Mini-Coax and Makax.

25. A modular plug connector system for vehicles, comprising: a module housing having a first housing part having a plurality of uniform plug places with interfaces for respectively receiving a first adapter from a first adapter group, wherein the first adapter group comprises a plurality of first adapters of different type which have uniform interfaces on their outer sides for positioning in the plug places of the first housing part, and which have a different internal geometry for receiving differently configured plug connectors, and wherein the outer sides of the first adapters and the plug places of the first housing part are configured in such a way that they form a primary securing means for fastening the first adapter in the respective plug place when the first adapter is inserted into a predefined plug position in the plug place, and wherein the module housing comprises a second housing part having a plurality of uniform plug places with interfaces for respectively receiving a second adapter from a second adapter group, wherein the second adapter group comprises a plurality of second adapters of different type which have uniform interfaces on their outer sides for positioning in the plug places of the second housing part, and which have a different internal geometry for receiving differently configured mating plug connectors, and wherein the outer sides of the second adapters and the plug places of the second housing part are configured in such a way that they form a primary securing means for fastening the second adapter in the respective plug place when the second adapter is inserted into a predefined plug position in the plug place, wherein a securing system having secondary securing means is provided, wherein the secondary securing means can be plugged into the housing parts up and into a predefined end position, and wherein the secondary securing means are designed in the end position to secure the first adapters and the second adapters in the respective plug places, and the secondary securing means are further designed to secure the plug connectors in the first adapters and secure the mating plug connectors in the second adapters.

26. A modular plug connector system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the first housing part can be connected to the second housing part in order to connect the plug connectors received in the first housing part to the corresponding mating plug connectors received in the second housing part.

27. A modular plug connector system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the housing parts can be plugged one inside the other and can be latched with one another via at least one latching element pair.

28. A modular plug connector system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the first housing part has two or more rows of first plug places, the rows of first plug places being arranged parallel to one another and wherein the second housing part has two or more rows of second plug places, the rows of second plug places being arranged parallel to one another.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference signs in the figures, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 schematically shows the modular plug connector system in the unassembled state in the manner of an exploded illustration in isometric view;

(3) FIG. 2 schematically shows the modular plug connector system in the assembled state in an isometric view;

(4) FIG. 3 schematically shows the assembled plug connector system of FIG. 2 in a front view of the first housing part;

(5) FIG. 4 schematically shows the assembled plug connector system of FIG. 2 in a front view of the second housing part;

(6) FIG. 5 schematically shows an isometric, partially sectioned view of the first housing part of the unassembled plug connector system;

(7) FIG. 6 schematically shows the illustration of the plug connector system as shown in FIG. 5 during a first assembly step;

(8) FIG. 7 schematically shows an enlarged illustration of the detail VII of FIG. 6;

(9) FIG. 8 schematically shows the enlarged-detail illustration of the plug connector system as shown in FIG. 5 during a second assembly step;

(10) FIG. 9 schematically shows an enlarged illustration of the detail IX of FIG. 8; and

(11) FIG. 10 schematically shows a front view of the first housing part with a partial section through one of the plug places to illustrate a secondary securing means in the end position in the plug place.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(12) The exemplary embodiment shows the modular plug connector system 1 according to the invention for vehicles. FIG. 1 illustrates an unassembled state and FIG. 2 illustrates an assembled state.

(13) The plug connector system 1 comprises a module housing 2 having a first housing part 3 and having a second housing part 4. The housing parts 3, 4 can be plugged one inside the other and can be latched with one another via a latching element pair 5 (cf. FIG. 2). In principle, however, the module housing 2 can also be formed in one piece. Furthermore, the latching element pair 5 can be formed at any desired point and in any desired embodiment, be multiply present or be omitted.

(14) The first housing part 3 comprises a plurality of uniform plug places 6 with interfaces for respectively receiving a first adapter 7 from a first adapter group, wherein the first adapter group comprises a plurality of first adapters 7 of different type which have uniform interfaces on their outer sides for positioning, in particular for fastening, in the plug places 6 of the first housing part 3, and which have a different internal geometry for receiving differently configured plug connectors 8. Analogously, the second housing part 4 comprises a plurality of uniform plug places 9 with interfaces for respectively receiving a second adapter 10 from a second adapter group, wherein the second adapter group comprises a plurality of second adapters 10 of different type which have uniform interfaces on their outer sides for positioning, in particular for fastening, in the plug places 9 of the second housing part 4, and which have a different internal geometry for receiving differently configured mating plug connectors 11.

(15) In principle, there can be provision for the housing parts 3, 4 to each have one (as realized in the exemplary embodiment), two, three or even more rows of plug places 6, 9 arranged parallel to or offset from one another. However, the exact number of plug places 6, 9 used and the arrangement or distribution thereof within the module housing 2 is of no importance for the purposes of the invention.

(16) In the exemplary embodiment, the first housing part 3 can be connected to the second housing part 4 in order to connect the plug connectors 8 received in the first housing part 3 to the corresponding mating plug connectors 11 received in the second housing part 4. What is of essential importance here is the establishment of an electrical connection between the plug connectors 8 and the mating plug connectors 11.

(17) Particularly if the module housing 2 is formed in one piece, there can also be provision that the first adapters 7, together with the plug connectors 8 received therein, can be plugged directly into the functionally defined first housing part 3 of the module housing 2 and are connected to the corresponding mating plug connectors 11 when the second adapters 10, together with the mating plug connectors 11 received therein, are plugged into the functionally defined second housing part 4 of the module housing 2.

(18) The housing parts 3, 4 are preferably designed to securely channel away mechanical loads which act on the plug connectors 8 and the mating plug connectors 11 and/or to ensure the holding force between the plug connectors 8 and the mating plug connectors 11. It is accordingly the case that, inter alia, undesired shear forces are channelled away by the robust module housing 2, and the plug connectors 8 or the mating plug connectors 11 are less strongly loaded.

(19) In principle, the plug connectors 8 and the mating plug connectors 11 can take the form of plugs, couplings, sockets, printed circuit board plug connectors and/or housing plug connectors. For example, plug connectors 8 or mating plug connectors 11 of the HFM, H-MTD, AMEC, PL, BNC, TNC, SMBA, SMA, SMB, SMS, SMC, SMP, BMS, HSD, BMK, Mini-Coax and/or Makax types can be used. The invention is not limited to a certain type of plug connector 8 or mating plug connector 11.

(20) In the exemplary embodiment, the plug places 6, 9 and the adapters 7, 10 form guides 12. In the exemplary embodiment, the guides take the form of guide webs 12 of the plug places 6, 9 and corresponding guide elements (not illustrated in further detail) of the adapters 7, 10. The guide webs 12 serve to receive the adapters 7, 10. Furthermore, the plug places 6, 9 comprise axial end stops 13 (cf. in particular FIG. 1 and FIGS. 5 and 6).

(21) It is furthermore possible for the adapters 7, 10 and the plug places 6, 9 to be configured in such a way that plugging-in of the adapters 7, 10 is possible in only one predetermined orientation. It is possible here particularly to avoid plugging-in with the wrong polarity, for example plugging-in with a rotation through one hundred eighty degrees (180°). The anti-rotational safeguarding is achieved in the exemplary embodiment by a mechanical coding which is realized by an asymmetrical geometrical configuration of the insertion openings in the plug places 6, 9 and by a corresponding external configuration of the adapters 7, 10. This can be seen in particular in FIGS. 3 and 4, which show a front view of the first housing part 3 (FIG. 3) and of the second housing part 4 (FIG. 4). The mechanical coding serving for this purpose is in particular in the form of differently configured bevels 14.

(22) Furthermore, the first adapters 7, the second adapters 10 and the two housing parts 3, 4 are configured in such a way that the first adapters 7 can be plugged only into the plug places 6 of the first housing part 3, and the second adapters 10 can be plugged only into the plug places 9 of the second housing part 4. Also provided for this purpose is a corresponding mechanical coding which is realized by means of a corresponding geometrical configuration of the components using projections, recesses and/or bevels 14.

(23) Furthermore, there can be provision that mechanical codings are provided on the end sides of the adapters 7, 10 that are at the front in the plug-in direction A, B (cf. FIG. 1) and/or on a front end of a plug place 6, 9 of the housing parts 3, 4 in such a way that only pairs of plug connectors 8 and mating plug connectors 11 which are functionally assigned to one another can be connected.

(24) Furthermore, there is provision in the exemplary embodiment that the outer sides of the first adapters 7 and the outer sides of the second adapters 10 and also the plug places 6 of the first housing part 3 and the plug places 9 of the second housing part 4 are configured in such a way that they form a primary securing means 15 (cf. FIGS. 6-9) for fastening the respective adapter 7, 10 in the corresponding plug place 6, 9 when the respective adapter 7, 10 is inserted into its plug position in the corresponding plug place 6, 9.

(25) In particular, there can be provision that the primary securing means 15 is formed by at least one latching nose 16 and a spring arm 17, as illustrated for example in FIG. 6 and the corresponding enlargement as shown in FIG. 7. The primary securing means preferably has two pairs of latching noses 16/spring aims 17 which fix the adapter 7, 10 on opposite sides in the respective plug place 6, 9.

(26) The plug connector system 1 has secondary securing means 18 for securing the adapters 7, 10 in the respective plug places 6, 9 that can be plugged along a plug-in direction C orthogonally to the plug-in direction A, B of the adapters 7, 10 into the housing parts 3, 4 up and into a predefined end position. The end positions can be seen in particular in FIGS. 2 and 8 or 9.

(27) In particular, the secondary securing means 18 can have blocking elements 19 in order to block the primary securing means 15 in their blocking state, for example by engaging behind the spring arms 17 in order to block them in the latching noses 16 in a form-fitting manner, as is clearly evident in FIG. 8 and the enlargement as shown in FIG. 9.

(28) The blocking elements 19 prevent a situation in which the spring aims 17 can spring back into a position which releases the form fit (in the pull-out direction) between the latching nose 16 and the associated spring arm 17. The blocking elements 19 preferably take the form of flat plate-shaped or web-shaped projections whose front end engages behind the spring anus 17. Each secondary securing means preferably has two blocking elements 19 which, when the adapter 7, 10 is introduced into a plug place 6, 9, each secure a pair of the latching noses 16/spring arms 17.

(29) Apart from securing the adapters 7, 10, the secondary securing means 18 also serve for securing or for fastening the plug connectors 8 or the mating plug connectors 11 in the adapters 7, 10. There is preferably provided for this purpose a form-fitting and/or force-fitting connection between the secondary securing means 18 and the associated adapter 7, 10 on the one hand and a form-fitting and/or force-fitting connection between the secondary securing means 18 and the associated plug connector 8 or the mating plug connector 11. For this purpose, as illustrated in the exemplary embodiment, the secondary securing means 18 can have, for example, a securing clamp 20 which is inserted through an opening into the associated adapter 7, 10 and embraces in a form-fitting manner the plug connector 8 or the mating plug connector 11 received in the adapter 7, 10. Furthermore, the secondary securing means 18 can be configured in such a way that it is inserted into the associated adapter 7, 10 in a form-fitting manner.

(30) FIG. 8 and FIG. 10, in respect of which reference is made to the plug place 6 illustrated in section on the right in the drawing plane, illustrate a particularly advantageous embodiment for securing the secondary securing means 18 in the plugged-in end position. FIGS. 8 and 10 show a particularly advantageous end latching of the secondary securing means 18. The latching is preferably realized by virtue of the fact that the secondary securing means 18 has one, two or more latching elements 23. Preferably, only one latching element 23 is provided. The latching element 23 is preferably formed by virtue of the fact that the securing clamp 20 preferably has one, but possibly also more than one, snap hook 23.

(31) The adapter 7, with which the secondary securing means 18 latches in the end position by means of the latching element, preferably the snap hook 23, has a corresponding latching receptacle 24. Here, the latching receptacle 24 can preferably take the form of a depression, groove or shoulder 24. The latching receptacle 24 is preferably formed in such a way that a form-fitting connection with the latching element 23 results in such a way that the form fit acts in the pull-out direction of the secondary securing means 18. This is correspondingly illustrated in FIG. 8 and FIG. 10.

(32) If the secondary securing means 18 has more than one latching element 23, there is preferably also provided a corresponding number of latching receptacles 24.

(33) Releasing of the snap hook 23 from the shoulder 24 can preferably be effected in the exemplary embodiment by virtue of the fact that a suitable tool, preferably a special tool, is inserted such that the form-fitting connection between the snap hook 23 and the shoulder 24 is released again.

(34) As illustrated in FIG. 8 and FIG. 10, only one snap hook 23 is preferably formed on the securing clamp 20.

(35) Although FIG. 10 shows the first housing part 3, the second housing part 4 or the second adapters 10 can be formed analogously.

(36) The secondary securing means 18 is preferably configured in such a way that it can be plugged completely in its end position into the adapter 7, 10 only when both the adapter 7, 10 and the plug connector 8 or the mating plug connector 11 are situated in their predefined plug position (end position), that is to say in the assembly position. The secondary securing means 18 thus makes it possible to determine whether the adapters 7, 10 and the plug connectors 8 or the mating plug connectors 11 are correctly positioned. In the case of an incorrect position, the secondary securing means 18 cannot be plugged in up to its end position. This can preferably be achieved by the securing clamp 20 being configured in such a way that it can embrace the plug connector 8 or the mating plug connector 11 on the outside only when the securing clamp 20 strikes an outer region of the plug connector 8 or mating plug connector 11 that is suitably configured, preferably having a part-annular or annular depression, a groove, a recess, a taper 25 or a shoulder into which the securing clamp 20 can engage. This is illustrated in principle in FIGS. 5, 6 and 8.

(37) The engagement preferably occurs in a form-fitting manner With further preference, there is provision here, as can be seen in particular from FIG. 8, that a form fit results at least in the pull-out direction such that the plug connector 8 (or analogously the mating plug connector 11) is prevented from being pulled out. Where appropriate, in addition or alternatively to the end stop 13, there can also be provided a form fit in the plug-in direction of the plug connector 8 (or analogously of the mating plug connector 11). In the exemplary embodiment, the plug connector 8 has a shoulder such that a taper 25 results. Alternatively, a form fit can also be produced in and counter to the plug-in direction, for example by means of a groove. FIG. 8 illustrates a stop region 26 by way of example to symbolize the form fit.

(38) It is preferable that for each adapter type of the two adapter groups there is provided a corresponding secondary securing means 18.

(39) The secondary securing means 18, the housing parts 3, 4 and/or the adapters 7, 10 are preferably formed in such a way that the secondary securing means 18 can assume at least two, preferably at least three, plug states along their plug-in direction C, wherein a first plug state relates to a basic position in which the secondary securing means 18 is captively connected to the housing part 3, 4 but not yet connected to the corresponding adapter 7, 10, and wherein a second plug state relates to a pre-latching position in which the secondary securing means 18 is connected to the corresponding adapter 7, 10 inside the housing part 3, 4, and wherein a third plug state relates to the end position in which the secondary securing means 18 is completely plugged into the housing part 3, 4.

(40) In a particularly advantageous manner, as can be seen in the FIGS., the secondary securing means 18 channels axial forces acting on the plug connector 8/mating plug connector 11 into the associated housing part 3, 4. This is also achieved by the form-fitting connection of the secondary securing means 18 to the associated plug connector 8/mating plug connector 11 or the adapter 7, 10 and the form-fitting connection of the secondary securing means 18 to the associated housing part 3, 4.

(41) As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment, the secondary securing means 18 can have plug-in preventers 21, wherein the plug-in preventers 21 can be designed to prevent two corresponding adapters 7, 10 from being plugged together when the secondary securing means 18 is not situated in its end position in the housing part 3, 4. The plug-in preventer 21 of the secondary securing means 18 preferably blocks the plugging together of the corresponding adapters 7, 10 of the plug connector 8 with a mating plug connector 11 when the secondary securing means 18 is situated in its pre-latching position.

(42) The plug-in preventer 21 can be designed in such a way that, during the plugging-in of the secondary securing means 18, it is situated first of all in the displacement path of the adapter 10, 7 corresponding to the adapter 7, 10 assigned to the secondary securing means 18 and frees up the displacement path only in the completely plugged end state.

(43) The interfaces, which are configured uniformly for the adapters 7, 10, are configured in such a way that they form at least one, preferably a plurality of, particularly preferably all, the interface(s) stated as follows: an interface for the primary securing means, for example the latching noses 16; an interface for the secondary securing means 18; an interface for guiding, for example a corresponding guide which interacts with the guide webs 12; an interface for the end stops 13; and an interface for positioning the adapters 7, 10 in as play-free a manner as possible in the plug places 6, 9 in the plug position, for which purpose the adapters 7, 10 preferably have a suitable external geometry.

(44) Finally, there can be provision for the module housing 2 or its housing parts 3, 4 to be mechanically coded such that only housing parts 3, 4 of a common module housing type can be plugged one inside the other. Purely by way of example, a region 22 in which corresponding mechanical codings can be provided on the first housing part 3 is highlighted in FIG. 3 using dashed lines.

(45) While the invention has been described with reference to various preferred embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt to a particular situation or application of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed but rather, that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims, either literally or under the Doctrine of Equivalents.