DE102021119777A1 - FILTER WITH FILTER EFFICIENCY IMPROVING VALVE DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

Filter arrangement for the purification of water in a motor vehicle comprising a filter housing, the filter housing comprising an inlet (3) and an outlet, a filter medium arranged between the inlet (3) and the outlet in the filter housing, a pre-filter chamber arranged between the inlet (3) and the filter medium a pre-filter chamber opening, a valve device connected to the pre-filter chamber opening, the pre-filter chamber opening being located in the region of the wall of the filter housing which encloses the pre-filter chamber, and the valve device preventing water from escaping from the pre-filter chamber.

Description

field of invention

The invention is in the field of filters or filter arrangements for purifying water in vehicles.

Background of the Invention

There is also a need in vehicles, such as motor vehicles, to make water, in particular drinkable water, available to users of the vehicle or other devices for consuming water in the vehicle. This can be achieved by extracting water directly from the atmosphere surrounding the vehicle or the humidity contained therein. This can be achieved, for example, via devices for condensing water from the atmosphere. An example of such devices are air conditioners, which remove (condensation) water from the atmosphere when cooling the air. Before this condensed water can be used in further processes, or simply made available in drinkable form, this water can be further purified using filters.

However, there is the problem that vehicles are exposed to very different temperatures, in particular temperatures below 0°C. If the vehicle is exposed to such temperatures and is not actively operated, the temperature of all materials and devices in the vehicle may drop below the freezing point of water. If there is water in a water purification filter at the time of this cool down, ice may form inside the filter housing of the filter. Ice damage can occur as a result of the expanding ice on the filter housing. To avoid such ice damage, the water can be flushed from the filter using gaseous fluids, usually atmospheric air, until the filter housing is essentially free of water.

In order to be able to use the filter again for water treatment afterwards, the water to be purified is fed back into the filter.

However, it was unexpectedly found that even after reintroduction of water, the water treatment filters only purify water with reduced efficiency, e.g. increased pressure by a pump is required. It was found that even after prolonged reintroduction of water, there is still air in the filter housing, which is responsible for the reduction in efficiency. This is particularly true of the pre-filter chamber located between the inlet of the filter housing and the filter media. The air in the pre-filter chamber prevents the filter from coming into contact with water over its entire surface.

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a filter arrangement which allows a previously essentially dry rinsed pre-filter chamber or a dry pre-filter chamber and a still damp filter to be put back into operation efficiently.

Summary

The solution to the problem is defined by the appended claims.

1. a. einen Einlass und einem Auslass,
2. b. ein zwischen Einlass und Auslass im Filtergehäuse angeordnetes Filtermedium,
3. c. eine Vorfilterkammer, die zwischen Einlass und Filtermedium angeordnet ist,
4. d. eine Vorfilterkammeröffnung,
5. e. eine Ventilvorrichtung, die mit der Vorfilterkammeröffnung verbunden ist,

wobei die Vorfilterkammeröffnung in dem Bereich der Wand des Filtergehäuses angeordnet ist, die die Vorfilterkammer umschließt, und die Ventilvorrichtung den Austritt von Wasser aus der Vorfilterkammer verhindert.A filter arrangement for the purification of water in a vehicle is disclosed, comprising a filter housing, the filter housing comprising:

1. a. an inlet and an outlet,
2. b. a filter medium arranged between the inlet and outlet in the filter housing,
3. c. a pre-filter chamber located between the inlet and filter media,
4. i.e. a pre-filter chamber opening,
5. e. a valve device connected to the pre-filter chamber opening,

wherein the pre-filter chamber opening is arranged in the region of the wall of the filter housing which encloses the pre-filter chamber, and the valve device prevents the escape of water from the pre-filter chamber.

The valve device connected to the pre-filter chamber allows gaseous fluid, e.g. air or nitrogen, to escape via the inlet when the filter is being filled. This allows the pre-filter chamber to be refilled with water. It was shown that the filter is again in contact with water over its entire surface, so that the pump pressure can be significantly reduced and the entire surface of the filter medium can be used again for filtration.

The valve device can be any valve suitable for preventing the escape of water from the pre-filter chamber and allowing the escape of air from the pre-filter chamber.

It can be a valve that can be opened and closed. For example, it can be a valve with a float, such as a cylinder, ball, flapper, etc. The valve can be controlled mechanically or electronically to be opened when water enters the filter housing or to close again when submitting a desired water level in the pre-filter chamber or the entire filter housing.

The valve device can also be a membrane, which allows the selective passage of only air but not water through the membrane. For example, it can be a ventilation element from the manufacturer Gore or a membrane comprising polytetrafluoroethylene.

Such a membrane also has the advantage that contamination by dust, dirt or infectious material from the outside into the filter housing is prevented at the same time.

The valve device can be attached directly to or in the pre-filter chamber opening, i.e. in direct contact with it. Alternatively, the valve device can be fluidly connected to the pre-filter chamber opening via a line and the valve device can be spaced from the pre-filter chamber opening.

The latter arrangement has the additional advantage that maintenance can be simplified.

An open line can also be connected, which, as soon as the liquid medium rises in it, builds up a pressure that is above the typical filter back pressure due to the geodetic height. An advantage of this arrangement can be that a connection can be made to a potentially already existing air pre-filter and thus potential contamination can be avoided.

The vehicle can be a land vehicle, watercraft, or aircraft. What all these vehicles have in common is that they can be exposed to temperatures below 0°C at certain times. The filter arrangement would therefore not be frost-proof and damage could occur to the filter arrangement, in particular the housing, during the freezing of the liquid without draining the liquid in the filter. In general, a filter assembly is disclosed which is suitable for installation in locations or devices that are not frost proof.

The vehicle can be a motor vehicle, in particular an automobile, a camper, a mobile home. The vehicle can also be a mobile home, a ship/boat or an airplane.

The distance between the pre-filter chamber opening and the outlet can be less than or equal to the distance between the pre-filter chamber opening and the inlet.

The closer the pre-filter chamber opening is to the outlet, the more air can be flushed out of the filter housing by the entering water.

The filter housing may have a side wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall opposite the top wall. In the installation position, e.g. in a vehicle, the top wall can be at the top and the bottom wall can be at the bottom. It is generally advantageous to attach the pre-filter chamber opening in the filter arrangement at a position which, when the filter arrangement is installed, is at an upper or uppermost position in the pre-filter chamber. This allows the air to escape optimally.

The filter medium can be a homogeneous medium or consist of at least two, three or four different layers.

The homogeneous medium can be a sediment filter, e.g. polypropylene foam.

In a multi-layer filter, the first layer always faces the pre-filter chamber, with the second layer being oriented further towards the outlet, the third layer being oriented even further towards the outlet, and the fourth layer being oriented even further towards the outlet. The layers can connect directly to each other. The first layer can be a sediment filter, e.g. polypropylene foam. The second layer can be a ceramic filter. The third layer can be an activated carbon filter. The fourth layer can be a resin.

The filter media may protrude into the pre-filter chamber as a protuberance or cylinder (e.g., starting from the top wall of the filter). The length of the protuberance (or cylinder) can be 90-98% of the inside length of the filter housing and the width of the protuberance can be 90-98% of the inside width of the filter housing.

In the case of a multi-layer structure, a concentric structure of the filter medium therefore results for the bulge in cross section, with the first layer forming the outer layer and the last layer forming the innermost layer. The innermost layer is the only layer that has access to the outlet. And the outer layer is the only layer that has access to the inlet or pre-filter chamber.

The outlet may be in or near the top wall, the inlet in or near the bottom wall, and the pre-filter chamber opening may be arranged in the vicinity of the outlet, in particular be arranged in the side wall.

This arrangement also allows the air to escape optimally.

A holder for the filter medium can be arranged in the filter housing, which is connected to (and can terminate with) the top wall (from the inside of the filter housing) and is spaced from the side wall. Alternatively, the filter medium can also be connected directly to the top wall (from inside the filter housing).

The support may annularly enclose the filter media in an area such that there is an area/surface near the top wall where the filter media cannot contact water.

The pre-filter chamber opening can be arranged in the area of the side wall which is opposite the holder and can be as close as possible to or in the top wall.

As a result, the pre-filter chamber opening is located in an area of the filter medium that can no longer come into contact with water, and thus above the filter medium exposed in the pre-filter chamber. This ensures optimal wetting of the exposed filter medium.

The valve device may comprise an air decontamination device.

When the valve is open, gas exchange inside the pre-filter chamber cannot be ruled out. Therefore, a valve device with an air decontamination device offers the advantage that intrusion of dust, dirt or infectious material can be prevented.

The air decontamination device can be an air filter medium and/or a radiation source.

The air filter medium can, for example, be a HEPA filter, high-performance HEPA filter, or high-performance particle filter.

The radiation source can be a UV radiation source.

Furthermore, a water treatment arrangement is disclosed, which comprises a filter arrangement as described and a mineralization device for water purified by the filter arrangement.

Since the purified condensation water contains very few minerals, minerals can be added to the purified water by the mineralization device.

This can improve the digestibility and taste of the water obtained. For example, the mineralization device may add calcium, magnesium and/or potassium ions in salt form, e.g., in the form of calcium carbonate, trimagnesium dicitrate and potassium bicarbonate.

Water treatment assembly may be constructed so that purified water exits from the outlet mounted at the top of the filter assembly. The mineralizer is connected to this outlet via a pipe and consists of a housing containing salts, e.g. in granular form, through which the purified water passes (entering via the mineralizer inlet and exiting via the mineralizer outlet), thereby dissolving mineral ions into the water can. The mineralization device may be laterally connected to the filter assembly, with the inlet attached to the top of the mineralization device and the outlet attached to the bottom of the mineralization device. The water treatment arrangement can be in one piece.

Also disclosed is a water extraction system for extracting water from the humidity in a vehicle, comprising a water-producing device, collecting devices for this water, and the filter arrangement as described above for purifying the water.

The water-producing device may be an air conditioner, a device using water-absorbing minerals such as silicates or zeolites, or a device for condensing water from the exhaust gases of internal combustion engines.

The air conditioner recovers water from the atmosphere by condensing the water contained in the atmosphere. Silicates, especially zeolites, can reversibly absorb water from the atmosphere.

The internal combustion engine can be any engine that produces water in the combustion process, such as a gasoline, diesel, gas, or hydrogen internal combustion engine. Also disclosed is a vehicle comprising the filter arrangement, water treatment arrangement, or water production system described above. The vehicle can be a motor vehicle, rail vehicle, or ship.

1. a. Bereitstellen einer Filteranordnung wie oben beschrieben, wobei im Gehäuse Wasser vorliegt,
2. b. Einleiten eines gasförmigen Fluids in den Einlass, um die im Filtergehäuse vorliegende Menge an Wasser zu reduzieren oder ganz zu entfernen und damit potenzielle Frostschäden zu verhindern.

A first method is also disclosed, comprising the steps:

1. a. providing a filter arrangement as described above, wherein water is present in the housing,
2. b. Introducing a gaseous fluid into the inlet to reduce or eliminate the amount of water present in the filter housing, thereby preventing potential freeze damage.

• Verfahren gemäß erstem Verfahren ferner umfassend:
  • Bereitstellen einer Filteranordnung wie oben beschrieben, wobei im Gehäuse kein oder nur unwesentliche Wasser vorliegt,
  • Falls die Ventilvorrichtung den Austritt von gasförmigen Fluid aus der Vorfilterkammer verhindert, Öffnen der Ventilvorrichtung, um eine fluide Verbindung über die Vorfilterkammeröffnung der Vorfilterkammer zur Atmosphäre zu ermöglichen,
  • Einleiten von zu reinigendem Wasser in den Einlass,
  • Verdrängen von gasförmigen Fluid aus der Vorfilterkammer über die Vorfilterkammeröffnung durch das zu reinigende Wasser, um die im Filtergehäuse vorliegende Menge an Wasser zu erhöhen.

Furthermore, a second method comprising the following steps is disclosed:

• Method according to the first method further comprising:
  • providing a filter arrangement as described above, wherein there is no or only insignificant water in the housing,
  • If the valve device prevents the escape of gaseous fluid from the pre-filter chamber, opening the valve device to allow fluid communication via the pre-filter chamber opening of the pre-filter chamber to the atmosphere,
  • introducing water to be cleaned into the inlet,
  • Gaseous fluid is displaced from the pre-filter chamber via the pre-filter chamber opening by the water to be cleaned in order to increase the amount of water present in the filter housing.

The above methods can be performed alone or in combination (the second method follows the first method).

The second aforesaid method may further include recovering purified water from the outlet.

With the above methods, the water can be pushed into the filter assembly at less than 10 kPa (100 mbar) or 1-kPa.

character list

• 1 schematically illustrates the structure of a filter arrangement in longitudinal section.
• 2 schematically illustrates in longitudinal section the structure of a filter arrangement with a multi-layer filter medium.
• 3 schematically illustrates in cross section the structure of a filter arrangement with a multi-layer filter medium.
• 4 schematically illustrates in longitudinal section the structure of a filter arrangement in which the valve device is connected to the antechamber opening via a line.
• 5 FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the structure of a filter arrangement with a mineralization device in a longitudinal section.

examples

The following examples and figures illustrate but do not limit the disclosure. The naming of an object in the singular also includes a plural of this object.

1 schematically illustrates the structure of a filter arrangement (1) in longitudinal section.

• einen Einlass (3) und einem Auslass (4),
• ein zwischen Einlass (3) und Auslass (4) im Filtergehäuse (2) angeordnetes Filtermedium (11),
• eine Vorfilterkammer (5), die zwischen Einlass (3) und Filtermedium (11) angeordnet ist,
• eine Vorfilterkammeröffnung (12),
• eine Ventilvorrichtung (6), die mit der Vorfilterkammeröffnung (12) verbunden ist,
• wobei die Vorfilterkammeröffnung (12) in dem Bereich der Wand des Filtergehäuse (2)s angeordnet ist, die die Vorfilterkammer (5) umschließt, und die Ventilvorrichtung (6) den Austritt von Wasser (16) aus der Vorfilterkammer (5) verhindert.

1 illustrates a filter arrangement (1) for the purification of water (16) in a motor vehicle, comprising a filter housing (2), the filter housing (2) comprising:

• an inlet (3) and an outlet (4),
• a filter medium (11) arranged between the inlet (3) and outlet (4) in the filter housing (2),
• a pre-filter chamber (5), which is arranged between the inlet (3) and the filter medium (11),
• a pre-filter chamber opening (12),
• a valve device (6) connected to the pre-filter chamber opening (12),
• wherein the pre-filter chamber opening (12) is arranged in the region of the wall of the filter housing (2) that encloses the pre-filter chamber (5), and the valve device (6) prevents the escape of water (16) from the pre-filter chamber (5).

In 1 a holder (10) for the filter medium (11) is arranged in the filter housing (2), which is connected to (and closes with) the top wall (7) (from the inside of the filter housing (2)) and to the side wall (8) is spaced. Alternatively, the filter medium (11) can also be connected directly to the top wall (7) (from inside the filter housing (2)).

The holder (10) can enclose the filter medium (11) so that an area/surface is created where the filter medium (11) cannot come into contact with water (16).

The pre-filter chamber opening (12) is arranged in the area of the side wall (8) opposite the holder (10) and as close as possible to the top wall (7).

The filter medium (11) protrudes here as a protuberance into the pre-filter chamber (5) (starting from the top wall (7) of the filter). The length of the protuberance is approximately 98% of the inside length of the filter housing (2) and the width of the protuberance is approximately 98% of the inside width of the filter housing (2).

1 shows the filter arrangement (1) in the installed position, ie the outlet (4) is oriented upwards and the inlet (3) downwards, so that the direction of flow in the filter housing (2) is from bottom to top.

The filter medium (11) is a homogeneous unitary medium. The homogeneous medium is a sediment filter, e.g. polypropylene foam.

2 schematically illustrates the structure of a filter arrangement (1) also in longitudinal section, with the only difference that the filter medium (11) is a multilayer filter medium (11).

In the present case, the filter medium (11) has four layers, but other multi-layer filter media with at least two different layers are also possible.

In a multi-layer filter, the first layer always faces the pre-filter chamber (5), with the second layer oriented further towards the outlet (4), the third layer oriented even further towards the outlet (4), and the fourth layer even further in Is oriented towards the outlet (4). The layers can connect directly to each other. The first layer can be a sediment filter, e.g. polypropylene foam. The second layer can be a ceramic filter. The third layer can be an activated carbon filter. The fourth layer can be a resin.

The filter medium (11) can protrude into the pre-filter chamber (5) as a protuberance or cylinder (e.g. starting from the top wall (7) of the filter). The length of the protuberance (or the cylinder) can be 90-98% of the inside length of the filter housing (2)s and the width of the protuberance can be 90-98% of the inside width of the filter housing (2)s.

3 schematically illustrates the structure of the filter arrangement (1) in cross section 2 with a multi-layer filter medium (11). The cross section was made at line A 2 taken.

In the case of the multi-layer structure, a concentric structure of the filter medium (11) therefore results for the protuberance in cross section, with the first layer forming the outer layer and the last layer forming the innermost layer. The innermost layer is the only layer that has access to the outlet (4), which is shown here as a dashed line because it is above the plane of the paper. And the outer layer is the only layer that has access to the inlet (3) or the pre-filter chamber (5). The first and outermost layer is a sediment filter, e.g. polypropylene foam. The second layer is a ceramic filter. The third layer is an activated carbon filter. The fourth and innermost layer is a resin (e.g. an ion exchange resin for removing ions from the water to be purified). The first and outermost layer is enclosed by the holder (10). The space between the holder (10) and the side wall (8) can also be seen. In the side wall (8), the valve device (6) can be seen, which has been symbolically represented here. The holder covers the surface of the filter medium by 0.1-20%, 0.5-10% or 1-5%.

4 schematically illustrates the structure of a filter arrangement (1) in longitudinal section, which extends from the filter arrangement (1). 1 differs only in that the valve device (6) is connected to the antechamber opening via a line.

5 schematically illustrates the structure of a filter arrangement (1) in longitudinal section, which extends from the filter arrangement (1). 1 differs only in that the filter arrangement (1) is connected to a mineralization device. A water treatment arrangement is thus formed.

The mineralization device may contain calcium, magnesium and/or potassium ions in salt form, for example in the form of calcium carbonate, trimagnesium dicitrate and potassium bicarbonate.

The water treatment arrangement is constructed in such a way that purified water (16) emerges from the outlet (4) fitted at the top of the filter arrangement (1). The mineralization device is connected to this outlet (4) via a pipe and consists of a housing containing salts, e.g. in granular form, through which the purified water (16) passes (entering via mineralization device inlet (15) and exiting via mineralization device outlet (14)). and thereby mineral ions can dissolve into the water (16). The mineralization device can be connected laterally to the filter arrangement (1), with the inlet (3) being attached to the top of the mineralization device and the outlet (4) being attached to the underside of the mineralization device.

6 and 7 illustrate the effect of the disclosed filter arrangement (1) compared to a filter arrangement (1) from the prior art. In order to maintain clarity, the use of reference symbols has been largely dispensed with.

In 6 a conventional filter arrangement (1) before and after the introduction of water (16) into the filter arrangement (1) is illustrated (left and right part of the 6 ). Initially, the filter assembly (1) is dry (left part of the 6 ) or after a drying step. If water (16) is introduced through the inlet (3) (lower arrow), the water (16) rises only slightly in the filter housing (2), approximately until it contacts a lower area of the filter medium (11). The water (16) then passes through the filter medium (11) until it reaches the outlet (4) and exits the filter housing (2) (arrow above). However, it is not possible to pump the air out of the pre-filter chamber (5). Therefore, the water (16) must enter through the small contact area at the bottom of the filter. This effect has been observed with different filters (polymer, ceramic, resin, etc.)

In 6 a filter arrangement (1) disclosed here with a pre-filter chamber opening (12) is illustrated before and after the introduction of water (16) into the filter arrangement (1) (left and right part of the 6 ). Initially, the filter assembly (1) is dry (left part of the 6 ) or after a drying step. The valve device (6) (not shown) ensures that the pre-filter chamber opening (12) is opened. If water (16) is introduced through the inlet (3) (lower arrow), the water (16) rises in the filter housing (2) until the air is pushed out of the pre-filter chamber (5) through the pre-filter chamber opening (12) (left Arrow). The water (16) can rise up to the height of the pre-filter chamber opening (12). For the sake of clarity, the valve device (6) has not been drawn in. The valve device (6) permanently prevents the passage of water (16) or can be switched in such a way that it closes when a desired level is reached in the filter chamber
The water (16) then passes through the filter medium (11) until it reaches the outlet (4) and exits the filter housing (2) (arrow above). However, the water (16) can enter over the entire contact area at the bottom of the filter.

Reference List

1

filter assembly

2

filter housing

3

inlet

4

outlet

5

pre-filter chamber

6

valve device

7

top wall

8th

Side wall

9

bottom wall

10

Holder (10) for filter medium

11

filter medium

11a-d

first to fourth layers of the filter medium

12

pre-filter chamber opening

13

mineralization device

14

mineralizer outlet

15

mineralizer inlet

16

Water

Claims (16)

Filter arrangement (1) for the purification of water (16) in a vehicle comprising a filter housing (2), the filter housing (2) comprising a. an inlet (3) and an outlet (4), b. a filter medium (11) arranged between the inlet (3) and outlet (4) in the filter housing (2), c. a pre-filter chamber (5) arranged between inlet (3) and filter medium (11), d. a pre-filter chamber opening (12), e. a valve device (6) which is connected to the pre-filter chamber opening (12), characterized in that the pre-filter chamber opening (12) is arranged in the region of the wall of the filter housing (2) which encloses the pre-filter chamber (5), and the valve device ( 6) prevents the escape of water (16) from the pre-filter chamber (5) and can allow the escape of gaseous fluid (16) from the pre-filter chamber (5). Filter arrangement (1) according to claim 1 , wherein the distance between the pre-filter chamber opening (12) and the outlet (4) is less than or equal to the distance between the pre-filter chamber opening (12) and the inlet (3). Filter arrangement (1) according to claims 1 or 2 , wherein the filter housing (2) has a side wall (8), a top wall (7), and a bottom wall (9) opposite the top wall (7), the outlet (4) in the top wall (7), the inlet (3) in the bottom wall (9), and the opening is located near the outlet (4), in particular in the side wall (8). Filter arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter housing (2) has a side wall (8), a top wall (7), and a bottom wall (9) opposite the top wall (7), the outlet (4) in the top wall (7), and in the filter housing (2) a holder (10) for the filter medium (11) is arranged, which is connected to the top wall (7) and is spaced from the side wall (8). Filter arrangement (1) according to claim 4 , wherein the opening is arranged in the area of the side wall (8) opposite the holder (10). Filter assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve device (6) comprises an air decontamination device. Filter arrangement (1) according to claim 6 wherein the air decontamination device is an air filter medium or a radiation source. Filter arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter medium (11) consists of at least two, three or four different layers. Filter arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter medium (11) protrudes as a protuberance into the pre-filter chamber (5). Water treatment arrangement comprising a filter arrangement according to one of the preceding claims and a mineralization device for water (16) purified by the filter arrangement (1). Water extraction system for extracting water (16) from atmospheric moisture in a vehicle, comprising a water (16) producing device, collecting devices for the water (16), and the filter arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims for purifying the condensed water (16 ). Vehicle comprising the filter assembly (1) according to one of Claims 1 - 9 , according to the water treatment arrangement claim 10 or the water extraction system according to claim 11 . Method comprising the steps: a. Providing a filter arrangement (1) according to one of Claims 1 - 10 , wherein water (16) is present in the housing, b. Introducing a gaseous fluid into the inlet (3) to reduce or remove the amount of water (16) present in the filter housing (2) to prevent potential freeze damage. procedure according to Claim 13 further comprising: c. If the valve device (6) prevents the escape of gaseous fluid from the pre-filter chamber (5), opening the valve device (6) to allow fluid communication via the pre-filter chamber opening (12) of the pre-filter chamber (5) to the atmosphere, i. introducing water (16) to be cleaned into the inlet (3), e. Displacement of gaseous fluid from the pre-filter chamber (5) via the pre-filter chamber opening (12) by the water (16) to be cleaned in order to increase the amount of water (16) present in the filter housing (2). procedure according to Claim 14 further comprising f. Obtaining purified water (16) from the outlet (4). A method according to any one of the claims Claim 13 - 15 , wherein the water (16) with less 10 kPa (100 mbar) is pressed into the filter assembly (1).

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