EP2473690B2 - Closing device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an electronic locking device, in particular an electronic locking cylinder.

In such known electronic locking devices – also called "mechatronic" locking devices because the locking mechanism is electronically controlled – electromechanical coupling and/or locking devices are electronically controlled to release or lock a lock. For this purpose, an electronic circuit receives a signal from a corresponding electronic key (an access medium, e.g., a transponder). The signal is evaluated by the electronic circuit, and depending on the evaluation result, the electromechanical coupling and/or locking devices are activated to effect release or lock.

In the release state, the coupling and/or locking means can couple a rotor, which can be actuated by an actuating element or a key, to an output device, which in turn can actuate a bolt. In such cases, the release state can also be referred to as a "coupling state." If the locking device is designed as a so-called double-knob cylinder with an inside and an outside doorknob as actuating elements, the inside doorknob is often firmly coupled to the output device. Additionally or alternatively, the coupling and/or locking means can also lock the rotor against a housing (a stator) in the locked state.

The WO 2004/057137 As one example among many, it shows the principle of a locking device in which the coupling and/or locking means are arranged in the stator. When used in conjunction with knob cylinders, such solutions have a disadvantage. Generally, at least parts of the locking device's electronics are located in one or both knobs, and therefore electrical lines and thus sliding contacts or possibly means for wireless information transmission must be present between the rotating knob and the non-rotating coupling and/or locking means.

According to the WO 2004/057137 The coupling means comprise a coupling element that rotates with the rotor upon actuation and thereby moves away from the coupling and/or locking means. Alternatively, locking devices are also known that comprise a locking element movable via a spring, with which the rotor can be locked against the stator. However, these have the additional disadvantage that they cannot be used to couple the rotor to the output device.

In the DE 103 03 220 It is proposed to arrange the coupling and/or locking means largely in the rotor and to couple the electric drive to the coupling element via a magnetic field. This eliminates the disadvantages discussed above and also enables friction-free operation. However, the disadvantage is that the application of an external magnetic field opens up a new possibility for manipulation. DE 10 2007 040 356 A1 describes a generic locking device.

The object of the present invention is to create a locking device that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. Preferably, the locking device should be simple in design, not place high demands on the control system, and be tamper-proof.

This object is achieved by the invention as defined in the patent claims.

A locking device of the type described here comprises a rotor rotatably mounted in a stator. The rotor can be coupled to an output element and/or locked against the stator by an electronically controlled drive. The electronically controlled drive is arranged in the rotor and rotates with the rotor as it rotates. According to the inventive approach, the locking device comprises a spring element in the rotor which couples the electric drive to a coupling element for coupling the rotor to the output element or for locking the rotor against the stator in such a way that the coupling element is moved by the spring element when the drive is actuated as intended inside the rotor. This movement can be blocked by a corresponding counterforce against the spring force.

In coupling embodiments – i.e., when the coupling element selectively couples the rotor to an output element – the rotor can be freely rotatable in the stator in the uncoupled state without affecting the locking state, or it can be additionally locked against the stator. In locking embodiments, as an alternative to the coupling principle, the rotor can also be rigidly coupled to the output element or form the output element.

The coupling element is moved radially inside the rotor. In the engaged state, a coupling projection of the coupling element engages on the outside with a corresponding coupling recess in the output element or, in the case of locking designs, with a locking geometry of the stator or a housing surrounding it.

In one embodiment, the coupling element has mass portions on both sides of the rotor's axis of rotation. Precisely defined, this means that the coupling element extends through a plane that is perpendicular to the radial direction of movement of the coupling element and that passes through the rotor's axis of rotation. Portions of the coupling element on the side of the axis of rotation remote from the coupling projection (relative to the decoupled state) serve as balancing masses. Thus, in the decoupled state, the center of gravity of the coupling element lies approximately on the aforementioned plane through the axis of rotation or on the side of the axis of rotation remote from the coupling projection. This has the advantage that when the rotor rotates at high speed, the coupling element cannot be moved into the coupling position due to centrifugal force.

A further preferred feature of coupling embodiments of the invention relates to the design of the coupling projection and the corresponding coupling recess. The torque-transmitting surface of the coupling projection preferably has an angle to the radial direction. This ensures that a small spring force is sufficient to return the coupling element from the coupled state to the uncoupled state. However, the aforementioned angle and the surface finish of the coupling projection and the coupling recess are preferably coordinated such that the structure is self-locking, i.e., when a torque is applied, the radial component of the static friction between the coupling element and the output element is approximately equal to or greater than the radial component of the normal force. Thus, for example, with a sufficiently large torque, radial retraction of the coupling element can be prevented by the spring force. For this purpose, the angle between the aforementioned surface and the radial direction can be between 3° and 10°, preferably between 4° and 7°. This design has the advantage that the coupling element cannot be undesirably pushed inwards from the coupling position against the spring force when a large torque is applied.

Alternatively, the coupling geometry can be designed to limit the transmittable torque, thus creating an overload clutch—particularly in conjunction with the use of a stronger spring. In such embodiments, the structure is not self-locking, but rather designed so that, at a relative torque greater than a maximum value, the radial component of the normal force is sufficient to radially displace the coupling element against the spring force. In such embodiments, for example, the angle between the aforementioned surfaces can be greater than 7°.

In one embodiment, the coupling element is guided by a bearing sleeve. In special embodiments, this can be designed to deform in the event of an overload, thereby allowing the coupling element to deflect, for example, by eliminating the self-locking effect after deformation of the bearing sleeve. This targeted weak point allows for relatively simple and cost-effective repair of the locking device after excessive force has been applied, without compromising the locking device's security.

In another embodiment, the spring element is displaceable on the drive side by means of an endless spindle, which is rotated by the drive. The coupling element side is moved accordingly by the spring if there is no resistance to such a movement; otherwise, the spring is preloaded for such a movement on the coupling element side. An "endless spindle" is defined here as a spindle in which an element guided through the spindle windings does not encounter a stop on the spindle, i.e., the spindle is designed to taper at both ends.

The spring element is a leg spring (or torsion spring), one leg of which can be guided through the endless spindle, while the other leg of the leg spring is connected to the coupling element.

The endless spindle can have a globoid shape to compensate for the angle of rotation of the spring leg engaging it without requiring an excessively large thread depth. This provides an advantage in terms of compactness, which is in turn advantageous because the drive is located in the rotor according to the inventive concept.

An advantage of the inventive approach in combination with the use of an endless spindle is that the coupling mechanism functions flawlessly even when the state of the locking device is unknown and/or not precisely defined. Nevertheless, during a (rotary) movement of the drive in the opening or closing direction, the drive is never subjected to excessive load, and the problem of excessive energy consumption never arises. For example, it can be provided that the drive performs a predetermined number of revolutions with each opening or closing command from the control electronics. After completing this predetermined number of revolutions, the locking device is always in a defined and known state, even if the initial state was previously unknown – e.g., due to an interruption in the power supply.

This eliminates the need for complex means for determining the locking state. Nevertheless, the use of status sensors is not precluded. For example, the clutch element can have a permanent magnet or a magnetic field sensor that interacts with a magnetic field sensor or permanent magnet of an element stationary with respect to the rotor housing, e.g., a Hall sensor arranged on the electronics carrier (printed circuit board) of the rotor. Another possible sensor for detecting the state is a suitably arranged mechanically actuated switch in the rotor.

Particularly preferably, the rotor also includes the safety-relevant electronic components in addition to the drive. For example, the entire evaluation electronics is preferably mounted in the rotor, specifically behind the mechanical protection. Regarding the possible division of electronic components between standardized components such as an RFID chip on the one hand and a safety-relevant evaluation unit on the other, reference is made to the teaching of Swiss patent application 1177/09 of July 29, 2009.

A further embodiment concerns mechanical protection. It is known per se to provide a locking device with a drill guard. This is a plate or similar device made of a very hard material, which is intended to prevent drills on commercially available power drills from creating an opening from the outside to the safety-relevant components - e.g., the drive control. According to this further embodiment of the locking device, the drill guard now has a bore protection element that is freely rotating in the rotor. On the one hand, this has the advantage of making an attack with a rotating instrument even more difficult, as the drill guard can simply rotate with the rotating instrument. On the other hand, the freely rotating drill guard is also advantageous in terms of manufacturing.

Furthermore, the rotor has a predetermined breaking point, which is located outside the safe area, i.e. preferably outside the mechanical protection, and which gives way when the rotor or the entire locking device is pulled, thus ensuring that an abuser cannot reach the safety-relevant components by pulling, a bending attack or applying an excessive torque.

The locking device can, for example, be designed as a locking cylinder, whereby the outer contour (generally the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the rotor's axis of rotation) and, if necessary, other elements such as a cam of the output element can correspond to a standardized design. At least one doorknob can be provided to actuate the locking device; alternatively, actuation by means of a key is also conceivable, in which case mechanical locking devices can optionally be present. Furthermore, it is possible for the electronic components of the locking device to be arranged in a door fitting and actuated via a door handle. Other configurations are conceivable.

• Figur 1 eine Übersichtsdarstellung einer Schliesseinrichtung, wobei das RotorGehäuse und der Stator geschnitten gezeichnet sind;
• Figur 2 eine Ansicht von Elementen des Rotors, ohne eine der beiden Rotor-Gehäuseschalen;
• Figur 3 eine Detaildarstellung, welche die Führung des Kupplungselements hervorhebt;
• Figur 4 eine Darstellung des Kupplungselements;
• Figur 5 eine Detaildarstellung, welche die Ausgestaltung der Endlosspindel gut sichtbar macht;
• Figuren 6-9 je eine Detaildarstellung, welche die Verschiebung des Kupplungselements durch die Endlosspindel illustriert, in verschiedenen Zuständen der Schliesseinrichtung;
• Figur 10 eine Darstellung des Abtriebselements;
• Figur 11 eine Schnittdarstellung der Kupplung zwischen Rotor und Abtriebselement;
• Figur 11a eine schematische Zeichnung, welche die Drehmomentübertragung zwischen dem Kupplungselement und dem Abtriebselement illustriert;
• Figur 12 eine Detaildarstellung, die den Bohrschutz im Rotor und die Sollbruchstelle sichtbar macht;
• Figur 13 eine Darstellung des Rotors, in welcher auch die Lagerringe sichtbar sind.

Embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Like reference numerals in the various figures denote like or similar elements. They show:

• Figure 1 an overview of a locking device, with the rotor housing and the stator shown in section;
• Figure 2 a view of elements of the rotor, without one of the two rotor housing shells;
• Figure 3 a detailed view highlighting the guide of the coupling element;
• Figure 4 a representation of the coupling element;
• Figure 5 a detailed view which clearly shows the design of the endless spindle;
• Figures 6-9 a detailed view illustrating the displacement of the coupling element by the endless spindle in different states of the closing device;
• Figure 10 a representation of the output element;
• Figure 11 a sectional view of the coupling between the rotor and the output element;
• Figure 11a a schematic drawing illustrating the torque transmission between the clutch element and the output element;
• Figure 12 is a detailed view showing the drill protection in the rotor and the predetermined breaking point;
• Figure 13 is a view of the rotor in which the bearing rings are also visible.

The locking device 1 according to Figure 1 is a locking cylinder and has an outer doorknob 2 with an integrated RFID receiver (not shown) and an inner doorknob 3. The outer doorknob is rotationally fixedly coupled to a rotor 4, which is rotatably guided in a stator 5. The inner doorknob 3 is rotationally fixedly coupled to an output element via a spacer sleeve 7. The extension of the spacer sleeve 7 depends on the thickness of the door in which the locking cylinder is installed; depending on the situation, the spacer sleeve can also be omitted. The locking cylinder can also be designed as a half cylinder, in which case there is no inner doorknob. Other types of actuation than via a doorknob can also be provided, for example, turning the rotor with a handle or with a key, in which latter case the drilling protection 21, described in more detail below, is designed differently than shown in the figures. A further alternative to the illustrated embodiment is a dual cylinder, in which a knob with RFID receiver and antenna - in the style of the outer doorknob 2 - as well as a battery are present on both sides and a complete coupling module is present on both the outside and inside, so that either the outside or the inside doorknob can be coupled with the output element. can.

The output element comprises an output sleeve 8 and a driver 9. The latter is configured in a manner known per se to actuate a latch or a pawl by means of a cam 9.1. The output sleeve is configured to be coupled, depending on the state, in a rotationally fixed manner to the rotor 4 via a coupling element 15, for which purpose the coupling element has torque transmission surfaces 15.1. As can be seen in Figure 2 As can be seen even better, for the purpose of optional coupling, an electric drive is provided inside the rotor 4. This drive comprises a motor 11 which is fixed in the rotor by an optional motor holder 12 and drives an endless spindle 13 via a gearing or optionally directly. The gearing here consists of the motor pinion 11.1 and a larger gear 13.1 formed on the endless spindle 13. One leg of a leg spring 14, which is rotatably attached (by a bearing pin 18 of the rotor housing), engages the windings of the endless spindle, while the other leg is coupled to the coupling element 15, whereby the latter is radially displaceable when the leg spring rotates around the axis of the spring windings and, in this case, the bearing pin, guided in a bearing sleeve 16. In the Figure 2 shown coupling position - the coupling element is in the orientation according to Figure 2 "top" - a coupling projection of the coupling element engages with the torque transmission surfaces in the corresponding coupling recess of the output sleeve 8.

The electric drive is controlled by control electronics located on an electronics carrier 17 (printed circuit board). This is connected via a flex-print-like connection 17.1 or a flat cable to a connector socket 22, through which the components located on the electronics carrier 17 can communicate with the electronic components of the external doorknob and can also be powered.

Figure 3 shows a detail on which features of the coupling element 15 are particularly clearly visible, and Figure 4 shows a view of only the coupling element 15. The coupling element 15 is one-piece and, in addition to the coupling projection with the torque transmission surface 15.1, has a shaft section 15.2 and a counterweight 15.3. This causes the center of gravity S of the coupling element to lie beyond the rotational axis 20 of the rotor with respect to the coupling projection. Therefore, when the rotor is rotated at very high speeds, the coupling element is never brought into a coupling position (in Figures 3 and 4 upwards).

The wall thickness of the bearing sleeve 16 is selected such that when a large, increasing torque is exerted on the coupling element - which acts as a shear force on the coupling element - the bearing sleeve is deformed first.

In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling element 15, in addition to the recess for the leg 14.2 of the leg spring, also has a recess for a permanent magnet 31. This can interact with a Hall sensor (not shown) on the electronics carrier, allowing the locking state to be determined. As explained at the beginning, however, this is an optional feature due to the procedure described here: the functional principle of the locking device does not require knowledge of the locking state.

According to Figure 5 The endless spindle 13 is globoid, with an outer and an inner contour that deviates from the cylindrical shape and is curved outwardly. This allows the first leg 14.1 of the torsion spring to engage the coils and follow the contour line during a rotational movement around the axis of the bearing pin 18. This in turn means that the thread depth does not have to significantly exceed the thickness of the spring leg, while still ensuring reliable guidance along the entire path along the spindle. The globoid spindle thus saves space; a very compact design is possible.

Figure 6 illustrates the state in which the drive has received a coupling signal and has moved the first leg accordingly by means of the endless spindle 13. However, the coupling element is blocked and cannot move into the coupling state because the rotor is not aligned with the coupling recesses of the output element in the illustrated state. The spring 14 is consequently tensioned by moving the leg 14.1 into the state according to Figure 6 is moved.

When the rotor rotates, it will at some point be in an orientation in which the coupling projection of the coupling element 15 can engage in a corresponding coupling recess, whereupon, due to the tension of the spring, the coupling element automatically moves into the Figure 7 The rotor is then coupled to the output element, and rotation of the rotor—by turning the outer doorknob—causes rotation of the output element and a corresponding movement of the latch or handle.

If the coupling element is not blocked, the locking device can also be moved directly from the uncoupled state to the state according to Figure 7 skip.

Once in the coupled state according to Figure 7 the control electronics sends a corresponding signal, the electric drive will reverse the coupling. The endless spindle 13 will move the first leg 14.1 axially into the Figures 8 and 9 However, if in an exceptional situation a substantial torque is exerted on the rotor at this time and the output element experiences a corresponding resistance, the coupling element can initially be blocked in its coupling position, which in Figure 8 illustrated This is again accompanied by a tension of the leg spring 14, so that the coupling element moves into the uncoupled position according to Figure 9 is withdrawn as soon as this torque is removed. If the above-mentioned exceptional situation does not exist, the locking device is directly controlled by the state of Figure 7 in the state according to Figure 9 skip.

Figure 10 shows the output sleeve. It has a plurality of coupling recesses 8.1 on the inside, into which the coupling projection of the coupling element can engage.

As you can see in Figure 11 sees, the output sleeve 8 is coupled to the driver 9 via external coupling recesses 8.4 in a rotationally fixed manner. Figure 11 one can also see the principle of the coupling between the rotor with the bearing sleeve 16 on the one hand and the output sleeve 8 on the other hand: The coupling element 15 engages one of the coupling recesses 8.1 in the coupled state.

Deviating from the representation according to Figure 11 the output element can also be manufactured in one piece, ie output sleeve 8 and driver 9 are formed by a single component.

As in Figure 11 visible and in Figure 11a As shown in an exaggerated, schematic representation, the torque transmission surface 8.2 of the output sleeve 8 and the torque transmission surface 15.1 of the coupling element 15 are not parallel to the axial direction 30, but at an angle α to it that is different from 0°. This ensures that the force of the leg spring is always sufficient to pull the coupling element back into the uncoupled position when no external torque is exerted on the rotor - in other words, it ensures that the force of the leg spring is sufficient to overcome any static friction forces between the rotor and the stator and the resulting torque. On the other hand, as explained in detail, the angle is chosen to be so small that the radial component (i.e. the force component along the radial direction 30) of the normal force N is approximately the same size as the radial component of the maximum static friction force F _H or smaller than this. For better comparability, the figure shows the negative -F _H of the maximum static friction force F _H exerted on the coupling element at a given torque on the rotor. This prevents the coupling element from being pushed back into the decoupling position due to the normal force acting against the spring force when the torque on the rotor is high.

In locking embodiments, the clutch element, instead of engaging a clutch recess in the output sleeve in the engaged state, engages a locking geometry of the stator in a locked state. In such an embodiment, the angles discussed above must of course be either 0° or at least so small that the clutch element cannot be radially displaced against the spring force without causing damage, even with a large applied torque. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the center of gravity of the clutch element is preferably located on this side of the rotation axis.

Figure 12 shows the anti-drill device 21. This is designed as a disc that is rotatably inserted into a guide structure of the rotor housing. A predetermined breaking point 41 can also be seen outside the anti-drill device. The predetermined breaking point yields when the rotor is subjected to strong tension and prevents the rotor or the entire locking cylinder from being pulled out of its anchorage. It also protects against buckling attacks and the application of excessive torque. To a certain extent, it also prevents the anti-drill device from being easily levered out, preventing large pieces of the coupling module from being torn out.

Finally, Figure 13 shows the rotor as a whole. It can be seen that in the illustrated embodiment, the rotor housing is composed of two housing shells 10.1, 10.2, which are generally not identical on the inside and have structures that enable the attachment of the elements described above. The housing shells can be made of a hard and heat-resistant plastic or of a metal - e.g., die-cast zinc. The housing shells are held together by two bearing rings 51, 52 and optionally by a clamp (not shown). The bearing rings can be made of stainless steel or another suitable material and, in addition to providing mechanical stability, also serve to provide low-friction mounting of the rotor in the stator.

Many variants are conceivable. The spring element can also be designed differently than the one shown, with multiple coils and two legs, for example, as a leaf spring. An axial movement of the coupling element instead of the radial arrangement described and discussed here is also conceivable, although the radial arrangement shown is particularly simple and reliable in terms of construction and therefore advantageous.

Claims (15)

1. A locking device with a rotor (4) mounted in a stator (5), wherein the rotor (4) by way of an electronically controlled drive can be coupled to a drive element (8, 9), and wherein the electrically controlled drive is arranged in the rotor and co-rotates with the rotor given a rotational movement of this, wherein the electrical drive is coupled via a spring element (14) to a coupling element (15) for coupling the rotor to the drive element, in a manner such that a movement produced by the electric drive can be transmitted by the spring element (14) onto the coupling element (15), wherein the coupling element (15) is radially movable in the rotor by way of the spring element (14), and in a decoupled condition of the locking device has mass shares on both sides of the rotation axis (20) of the rotor (4),
   characterised in that
   the coupling element (15) comprises a coupling projection which in a coupling condition engages into a corresponding coupling recess of the drive element (8, 9), and the centre of gravity (S) of the coupling element (15) with respect to the coupling projection lies roughly on the rotation axis (20) or on the side of the rotation axis which is remote from the coupling projection.
2. A locking device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling element (15) comprises a coupling projection which in a coupling condition engages into a corresponding coupling recess of the drive element (8, 9), characterised in that a torque transmission surface (15.1) which transmits a torque between the rotor (4) and the drive element (8, 9) has an angle (α) to the movement direction of the coupling element, which is different from 0°.
3. A locking device according to claim 2, characterised in that the mentioned angle is between 3° and 10°.
4. A locking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by a bearing sleeve (16) for guiding the coupling element (15), wherein the bearing sleeve is deformable by a torque between the rotor (4) and the drive element (8, 9), said torque exceeding a certain value, wherein the other elements of the locking device remain unaffected given a torque with this value.
5. A locking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the spring element (14) is movable by a rotation spindle (13) which is drivable by the electric drive.
6. A locking device according to claim 5, characterised in that the rotation spindle is an endless spindle.
7. A locking device according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the rotation spindle has a globoid outer shape.
8. A locking device according to one of the claims 5-7, characterised in that the spring element (14) is a leg spring whose one end engages into the turns of the rotation spindle.
9. A locking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that evaluation electronics for evaluating received data signals and for making a decision with regard to the presence of an access authorisation, are arranged in the rotor (4).
10. A locking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a drill protection element (21) is rotatably attached in the rotor (4).
11. A locking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rotor (4) has a predetermined breakage location (41) which is arranged outside a secure region.
12. A locking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is designed as a locking cylinder with a standardised outer contour and for example comprises at least one door knob (2, 3).
13. A locking device with a rotor (4) mounted in a stator (5), wherein the rotor (4) by way of an electronically controlled drive can be coupled to a drive element (8, 9), and wherein the electrically controlled drive is arranged in the rotor and co-rotates with the rotor given a rotational movement of this, wherein the electrical drive is coupled via a spring element (14) to a coupling element (15) for coupling the rotor to the drive element, in a manner such that a movement produced by the electric drive can be transmitted by the spring element (14) onto the coupling element (15), characterised by a bearing sleeve (16) for guiding the coupling element (15), wherein the bearing sleeve is deformable by a torque between the rotor (4) and the drive element (8, 9), said torque exceeding a certain value, wherein the other elements of the locking device remain unaffected given a torque with this value.
14. A locking device with a rotor (4) mounted in a stator (5), wherein the rotor (4) by way of an electronically controlled drive can be coupled to a drive element (8, 9) and/or blocked with respect to the stator (5), and wherein the electrically controlled drive is arranged in the rotor and co-rotates with the rotor given a rotational movement of this, wherein the electrical drive is coupled via a spring element (14) to a coupling element (15) for coupling the rotor to the drive element or for blocking the rotor with respect to the stator, in a manner such that a movement produced by the electric drive can be transmitted by the spring element (14) onto the coupling element (15), wherein the coupling element (15) is radially movable in the rotor by way of the spring element (14), characterised in that the spring element (14) is movable by a rotation spindle (13) which is drivable by the electric drive, and the spring element (14) is a leg spring whose one end engages into the turns of the rotation spindle.
15. A locking device with a rotor (4) mounted in a stator (5), wherein the rotor (4) by way of an electronically controlled drive can be coupled to a drive element (8, 9) and/or blocked with respect to the stator (5), and wherein the electrically controlled drive is arranged in the rotor and co-rotates with the rotor given a rotational movement of this, wherein the electrical drive is coupled via a spring element (14) to a coupling element (15) for coupling the rotor to the drive element or for blocking the rotor with respect to the stator, in a manner such that a movement produced by the electric drive can be transmitted by the spring element (14) onto the coupling element (15), characterised in that a drill protection element (21) is rotatably attached in the rotor (4) and the rotor (4) has a predetermined breakage location (41) which is arranged outside a secure region.

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