JP2005176995A - Tube type camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve an earth structure to enhance earth relating to a tube type camera. <P>SOLUTION: The tube type camera 1 has a tube type casing body 3 and a plurality of substrates 5, 7 stacked and stored in the tube type casing body 3 and connected with each other. Earth fittings 11, 13 are arranged in the tube type casing body 3 and have groove portions 81, 83 or substrate contact portions contacting with the plurality of substrates 5, 7 and bent portions 73, 75 or a casing contacting portions contacting with the tube type casing body 3. Substrate holders 9 has a shape for fitting in the tube type casing body 3, and for holding the substrates 5, 7, with the earth fittings 11, 13 built in. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a cylindrical camera, and more particularly to an improvement in the grounding structure of a cylindrical camera.

  A cylindrical camera incorporates an imaging element such as a CCD and a circuit board for processing signals of the imaging element in a cylindrical casing, and is used for photographing a narrow place. For example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a dental cylindrical camera is known.

  FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of a cylindrical camera. The cylindrical camera 201 includes a cylindrical casing 203 and two substrates 205 and 207 accommodated in the cylindrical casing 203. By arranging the two substrates 205 and 207 so as to overlap each other, a small space is effectively utilized. The two substrates 205 and 207 are soldered, and the larger substrate 205 is grounded to the cylindrical housing 203 by the shield fitting 209.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the substrate 205, and the substrate 207 is hidden under the substrate 205. In the example of FIG. 6, the length of the substrate 207 in the cylinder direction is significantly smaller than that of the substrate 205. As shown in the figure, the shield fitting 209 is soldered to the end portion of the substrate 205 at three places. The shield metal fitting 209 is formed by bending a metal plate having elasticity, and is pressed against the cylindrical housing 203 in the assembled state, so that the contact between the shield metal fitting 209 and the cylindrical housing 203 is ensured.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-192240 (page 3-4, FIG. 1)

  However, the conventional cylindrical camera has a problem that the ground is electrically weak because only a specific substrate is connected to the casing by the shield metal fitting. In addition, from the viewpoint of facilitating the discovery of defective parts, it is desirable to be able to disassemble a plurality of substrates without soldering them, but to allow disassembly of the substrates without electrically weakening the ground. Is not easy.

  The present invention has been made to solve the conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a cylindrical camera having an improved ground structure.

  The cylindrical camera according to the present invention includes a cylindrical casing, a plurality of substrates that are accommodated in the cylindrical casing and are connected to each other, and are arranged in the cylindrical casing and are in contact with the plurality of substrates. A grounding metal fitting having a substrate contact portion and a housing contact portion in contact with the cylindrical housing;

  With this configuration, the grounding metal comes into contact with the plurality of substrates and the cylindrical housing, so that the grounding can be electrically strengthened. Even when a plurality of substrates are connected by connectors or the like and can be disassembled, it is possible to prevent the ground from becoming weak.

  In addition, the cylindrical camera of the present invention has a shape that fits the inner surface of the cylindrical casing, has a structure that holds the plurality of substrates, and further includes a substrate holder that includes the grounding fitting. Have.

  With this configuration, it is possible to securely hold a plurality of substrates using the substrate holder, to attach the grounding metal member without performing the soldering operation, and to mechanically strengthen the ground.

  Further, in the cylindrical camera of the present invention, the ground metal fitting is composed of a bent metal plate, and has bent portions that engage with the substrate holder at both ends of the metal plate, and And a plurality of groove portions into which the ground regions of the plurality of substrates are respectively fitted at positions corresponding to the plurality of substrates, and the substrate holder has a recess for receiving the plurality of groove portions. More specifically, the housing contact portion of the ground metal fitting has the above-described bent portion, and the bent portion protrudes from the inner space of the cylindrical housing with the ground metal fitting assembled to the substrate holder. It has a shape. Further, the substrate contact portion of the ground metal fitting has the groove portion described above, and each groove portion has a groove width smaller than the thickness of the ground region to be contacted.

  With this configuration, the ground metal fitting can be assembled to the substrate holder by the bent portions at both ends and the plurality of groove portions therebetween, and can be in contact with the housing and the plurality of substrates. Can be configured simply.

  Further, in the cylindrical camera of the present invention, the substrate holder has a split structure having mating portions on both sides of the plurality of substrates, and each mating portion is a stepped portion of the mating surface on both sides of the mating surface. And has a mating structure in which the positional relationship between the stepped portion and the protruding portion is reversed on both sides of the assembly portion of the ground metal fitting in the cylindrical direction.

  With this configuration, since the mating structures are staggered on both sides of the ground metal fitting, it is possible to improve the strength of the substrate holder in a state in which both divided pieces are combined.

  In the cylindrical camera of the present invention, the substrate holder has a cylindrical portion surrounding the plurality of substrates, and the cylindrical portion partially has a ventilation opening. Thereby, the temperature of the substrate can be lowered, which is thermally advantageous.

  In the cylindrical camera of the present invention, the ground metal fitting is integrally formed with the substrate holder. This configuration facilitates assembly work.

  In addition, the cylindrical camera of the present invention includes a plurality of the grounding metal members disposed at distant positions on the plurality of substrates. This configuration further strengthens the ground.

  The present invention can be grounded electrically by providing a ground metal fitting having a substrate contact portion that contacts a plurality of substrates and a housing contact portion that contacts the cylindrical housing, which is disposed in the cylindrical housing. It is possible to provide a cylindrical camera having the effect described above.

  Hereinafter, a cylindrical camera according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the tubular camera according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the tubular camera of FIG.

  1 and 2, a cylindrical camera 1 includes a cylindrical housing 3, substrates 5 and 7 accommodated in the cylindrical housing 3, a substrate holder 9 that holds the substrates 5 and 7, and a substrate holder 9. The shield metal fittings 11 and 13 are assembled to each other, and the shield metal fittings 11 and 13 correspond to earth metal fittings. Further, although not shown, the cylindrical camera 1 includes an imaging device such as a CCD, a video cable, a power cable, a light source, an optical fiber, and the like.

  The cylindrical housing 3 is made of stainless steel and has a cylindrical shape. The substrates 5 and 7 are substrates such as epoxy and glass and have a substantially rectangular shape. The substrates 5 and 7 have substantially the same size, are connected to each other by the connector 15, and are accommodated in the cylindrical housing 3 in an overlapped state. The substrates 5 and 7 are provided with a circuit for processing signals from the image sensor. Since the connector 15 is provided, the substrates 5 and 7 can be disassembled.

  Moreover, the board | substrates 5 and 7 have the convex parts 17, 19, 21, and 23 in four surrounding places like illustration. The convex portions 17 and 21 are provided on one long side, and the convex portions 19 and 23 are provided on the other long side. The convex portions 17 and 19 are in the same position in the cylindrical direction and face each other. The same applies to the tube portions 21 and 23. The convex portions 17 and 19 are provided with ground regions 25 and 27, that is, a ground pattern is arranged.

  The substrate holder 9 is made of synthetic resin, has a divided structure, and includes a first holder piece 29 and a second holder piece 31. The substrate holder 9 has a cylindrical portion 33, in which the first holder piece 29 has a side wall 35, an upper wall 37, and a lower wall 39, and the second holder piece 31 also has a side wall 41, an upper wall 43, and a lower portion. It has a wall 45. Then, the upper wall 37 and the lower wall 39 of the first holder piece 29 are combined with the upper walls 43 and 45 of the second holder piece 31, thereby forming the cylindrical portion 33. The mating portions 47 and 49 are located on both upper and lower sides with the substrates 5 and 7 interposed therebetween, and the substrates 5 and 7 are surrounded by the cylindrical portion 33. The side walls 35, 41 of the cylindrical portion 33 have a cylindrical outer surface having substantially the same diameter as the inner surface of the cylindrical housing 3, so that the substrate holder 9 is inserted into and fitted into the cylindrical housing 3. Have.

  The side walls 35 and 41 of the cylindrical portion 33 extend in the front-rear direction, the side wall 35 of the first holder piece 29 has arm portions 51 and 53 at the rear end, and the side wall 41 of the second holder piece 31 is The arm portions 55 and 57 are provided at the front end. Each of the arm portions 51 and 53 has an engagement claw 59 at the tip, and the engagement claw 59 engages with the engagement hole 61 of the opposing side wall 41. The same applies to the arm portions 55 and 57, and the first holder piece 29 and the second holder piece 31 are united by the four arm portions 51, 53, 55 and 57.

  The side walls 35 and 41 of the cylindrical portion 33 are provided with accommodating portions 63 at positions corresponding to the convex portions 17, 19, 21 and 23 of the substrates 5 and 7. The substrates 5 and 7 are positioned in the cylindrical direction by the accommodating portion 63. As will be described later, corresponding portions of the shield fittings 11 and 13 are accommodated in the accommodating portions 63 corresponding to the convex portions 17 and 19.

  Furthermore, the side walls 35 and 41 of the cylinder part 33 have the fiber groove 65 extended in a cylinder direction in the center part. A bundle of optical fibers for guiding light from the light source to the photographing unit is passed through the fiber groove 65.

  Further, the side walls 35 and 41 of the cylindrical portion 33 are partially provided with ventilation openings 67. The ventilation opening 67 is located at the bottom of the fiber groove 65 and penetrates the side walls 35 and 41.

  Moreover, the cylinder part 33 has the notch parts 69 and 71 from back. The notches 69 and 71 are formed by cutting out the upper wall 37 and the lower wall 39 of the first holder piece 29 and the upper wall 45 and the lower wall 47 of the second holder piece 31. The notches 69 and 71 are located at the same position in the cylinder direction. The shield fittings 11 and 13 are assembled in the notches 69 and 71.

  FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the cylindrical camera 1 at the notches 69 and 71. The shield metal fittings 11 and 13 are formed of bent and elongated metal plates (steel plates), and the metal plates have elasticity, so that the shield metal fittings 11 and 13 ensure ground contact as will be described later. It functions as a leaf spring.

  The shield fittings 11 and 13 have bent portions 73 and 75 at both ends. In the bent portions 73 and 75, the shield metal fittings 11 and 13 are bent in the opposite direction from the opposite metal fittings along the inner surface of the cylindrical housing 3 as illustrated. The side walls 35 and 41 of the substrate holder 9 have accommodating portions 77 and 79 at positions corresponding to the bent portions 73 and 75 of the shield fittings 11 and 13. The accommodating portions 77 and 79 are recessed portions of the side walls 35 and 37 and are also notched portions, and are connected to the notched portions 69 and 71 on the upper and lower walls. The bent portions 73 and 75 are accommodated in the accommodating portions 77 and 79.

  The shield fittings 11 and 13 further have groove portions 81 and 83 at positions corresponding to the substrates 5 and 7. The ground regions 27 and 29 of the convex portions 17 and 19 of the substrates 5 and 7 are fitted into the groove portions 81 and 83. The side walls 35 and 41 have an accommodating portion 63 that is a recess, and the groove portions 81 and 83 are accommodated in the accommodating portion 63. The accommodating part 63 accommodates the board | substrates 5 and 7 fitted into them with the groove parts 81 and 83, and has contributed to the assembly | attachment of a shield metal fitting, earth connection, board | substrate holding | maintenance, and positioning of a board | substrate. The accommodating part 63 is a through hole.

  FIG. 3 shows the shield metal 11 alone. The shield fitting 13 has a similar shape. In FIG. 3, the cylindrical casing 3 and the substrates 5 and 7 at the time of assembly are indicated by phantom lines. As illustrated, the bent portions 73 and 75 have a shape that protrudes from the inner space of the cylindrical housing 3 in a state where the shield metal 11 is assembled to the substrate holder 9. Therefore, when the bent portions 73 and 75 are actually assembled to the cylindrical housing 3 together with the substrate holder 9, the bent portions 73 and 75 are pressed against the inner surface of the cylindrical housing 3 and deformed, thereby ensuring a ground contact. The bent portions 73 and 75 correspond to the housing contact portion of the ground metal fitting.

  Further, the groove width is smaller than the thickness of the groove portions 81 and 83 of the shield metal 11 and the ground regions 27 and 29 of the substrates 5 and 7 to be contacted. Therefore, when the ground regions 27 and 29 are fitted into the groove portions 81 and 83, the groove portions 81 and 83 are expanded, thereby ensuring a ground contact. The groove portions 81 and 83 correspond to the substrate contact portion of the ground metal fitting.

  Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 (a) is a cross-sectional view of the tubular camera 1 of FIG. 1 cut along line AA, and FIG. 4 (b) is a cross-sectional view cut along line BB. is there. Both figures correspond to cross-sectional views of both sides of the notches 69 and 71, which are the assembly parts of the shield fittings 11 and 13, respectively. FIG. 4A shows the front side of the shield fittings 11 and 13, and FIG. 4B shows the rear side of the shield fittings 11 and 13.

  Referring to FIG. 4 (a), the upper mating portions 47 of the substrates 5 and 7 have convex portions that are received by the stepped portions of the mating surfaces on both sides of the mating surfaces. That is, the end matching surface 85 of the upper wall 37 of the first holder piece 29 has a convex portion 87 on the outer half and a step 89 on the inner half. And the end part matching surface 91 of the upper wall 43 of the 2nd holder piece 31 has the convex part 93 in an inner half part, and has the step part 95 in an outer half part. Then, the convex portion 87 of the end mating surface 85 is received by the step portion 95 of the end mating surface 91, and the step portion 89 receives the convex portion 93. As shown in FIG. 4 (a), the lower mating portion 49 of the substrates 5 and 7 has the same configuration.

  Also in FIG. 4 (b), the rear side matching structure of the shield fittings 11 and 13 is basically the same as the front side matching structure shown in FIG. 4 (a). However, as illustrated, when FIG. 4B is compared with FIG. 4A, the positional relationship between the stepped portion and the convex portion is reversed. That is, the end matching surface 85 of the upper wall 37 of the first holder piece 29 has a convex portion 97 on the inner half and a step portion 99 on the outer half. The end matching surface 91 of the upper wall 43 of the second holder piece 31 has a convex portion 101 on the outer half and a step portion 103 on the inner half. Then, the convex portion 97 of the end mating surface 85 is received by the step portion 103 of the end mating surface 91, and the step portion 99 receives the convex portion 101.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the substrate holder 9 has a staggered alignment structure. Thereby, the board | substrate holder 9 becomes difficult to deform | transform inside and outside, and high intensity | strength is acquired.

  The configuration of the cylindrical camera 1 according to the embodiment has been described above. Next, the assembly order of the cylindrical camera 1 will be described.

  The boards 5 and 7 are arranged so that the connectors 15 on both sides face each other, and are pressed together to be combined. On the other hand, the shield metal 11 is assembled to the first holder piece 29 and the shield metal 13 is assembled to the second holder piece 31. The groove portions 81 and 83 of the shield metal fitting 11 are inserted into the accommodating portion 63 of the first holder piece 29, and the bent portions 73 and 75 at both ends are accommodated in the accommodating portions 77 and 79. The same applies to the shield fitting 13.

  Next, the substrate holder 9 is assembled by combining the first holder piece 29 and the second holder piece 31 with the substrates 5 and 7 interposed therebetween. The arm portions 51 and 53 of the first holder piece 29 are inserted into the engagement holes 61 of the second holder piece 31, and the engagement claws 59 are engaged with the engagement holes 61. Similarly, the arm portions 55 and 57 of the second holder piece 31 are inserted into the engagement holes 61 of the first holder piece 29, and the engagement claws 59 are engaged with the engagement holes 61.

  When assembling the substrate holder 9, the convex portions 21 and 23 of the substrates 5 and 7 are inserted into the accommodating portions 63 of the first holder piece 29 and the second holder piece 31. Further, the convex portions 17 and 19 of the substrates 5 and 7 are inserted into the groove portions 81 and 83 of the shield fittings 11 and 13 together with the ground regions 25 and 27. Since the groove portions 81 and 83 are inserted into the accommodating portion 63, the convex portions 17 and 19 are also accommodated in the accommodating portion 63.

  Thus, the substrates 5 and 7 are positioned on the substrate holder 9. At the same time, the groove portions 81 and 83 of the shield fittings 11 and 13 come into contact with the ground regions 27 and 29 of the substrate holder 9. As described above, since the groove portions 81 and 83 are expanded, the shield fittings 11 and 13 are surely in contact with the ground regions 27 and 29.

  Next, the substrate holder 9 is inserted into the cylindrical housing 3 while holding the substrates 5 and 7 and the shield fittings 11 and 13. The cylindrical portion 33 of the substrate holder 9 is fitted into the cylindrical housing 3. At this time, the bent portions 73 and 75 of the shield fittings 11 and 13 are pressed and deformed by the inner surface of the cylindrical housing 3, so that the shield fittings 11 and 13 reliably contact the cylindrical housing 3. .

  The assembly order of the cylindrical camera 1 has been described above. Next, the disassembly order of the cylindrical camera 1 will be described.

  First, the substrate holder 9 is taken out from the cylindrical housing 3, and the arm portions 51 and 53 of the first holder piece 29 are pinched. The arm portions 51 and 53 are bent toward the substrates 5 and 7, and the engagement of the engagement claws 59 at the tips is released. Similarly, the arm portions 55 and 57 of the second holder piece 31 are pinched, the arm portions 55 and 57 are bent toward the substrates 5 and 7, and the engagement of the engagement claws 59 is released. In this state, the first holder piece 29 and the second holder piece 31 are separated from each other, and the assembly of the substrates 5 and 7 is also detached from the first holder piece 29 and the second holder piece 31. When the substrates 5 and 7 are pulled in the opposite direction, the connector 15 is detached and the substrates 5 and 7 are separated.

  For example, it is assumed that the operation of the cylindrical camera 1 is abnormal and the cause of the abnormality is in either of the substrates 5 and 7. In the assembled state, it may not be clear which of the substrates 5 and 7 has the cause of the abnormality. In this case, in the present embodiment, it is possible to investigate which of the substrates 5 and 7 is defective by disassembling the cylindrical camera 1 and further disassembling the substrates 5 and 7 as described above. This point is greatly advantageous as compared with the case where the substrates are soldered to each other in the double substrate structure of the conventional cylindrical camera. For example, when a defect is detected before shipment from the factory, appropriate measures can be taken. Appropriate measures such as parts replacement can be taken at the time of service after shipment.

  Moreover, in spite of the fact that the substrates 5 and 7 can be divided, the present embodiment employs a ground structure using the above-described shield metal fittings, and the substrates 5 and 7 are connected to the cylindrical housing 3. As a result, strong grounding can be secured.

  Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the shield fittings 11 and 13 are assembled to the substrate holder 9, but the shield fittings 11 and 13 may be integrally formed with the substrate holder 9. The shield metal 11 is cast into the first holder piece 29, and the shield metal 13 is cast into the second holder piece 31. Thereby, the operation | work which assembles the shield metal fittings 11 and 13 to the 1st holder piece 29 and the 2nd holder piece 31 becomes unnecessary. Moreover, the possibility of the shield metal fittings 11 and 13 dropping is further reduced.

  In the above-described embodiment, two ground regions are provided on each substrate, and two shield fittings are provided. Within the scope of the present invention, each substrate may have one ground area and one shield metal fitting. In addition, the ground area can be further increased, and there can be three or more shield fittings, and the grounding can be strengthened. For example, a ground region may be provided on all four convex portions of the substrate, and a shield metal fitting may be attached.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the ground metal fitting is in contact with the plurality of substrates accommodated in the cylindrical housing and the housing in contact with the cylindrical housing. With such a configuration, the grounding metal can directly connect the plurality of substrates and the cylindrical housing, and the grounding can be strengthened. As described above, even when a plurality of substrates can be disassembled, it is not necessary to weaken the ground.

  Further, in the cylindrical camera of the present embodiment, the substrate holder has a shape that fits the inner surface of the cylindrical housing, and has a structure that holds a plurality of substrates, and further, a grounding metal fitting is provided on the substrate holder. With such a configuration, it is possible to securely hold a plurality of boards using a board holder, to attach a grounding metal fitting without performing soldering work, and to strengthen the ground mechanically. .

  Further, in the cylindrical camera according to the present embodiment, the ground metal fitting is attached to the substrate holder by the bent portions at both ends corresponding to the housing contact portion and the plurality of grooves corresponding to the substrate contact portions provided therebetween. In addition to being assembled, it is possible to ensure contact with the housing and the plurality of substrates, and thus the grounding metal fitting can be made small and simple.

  Further, in the cylindrical camera according to the present embodiment, the positional relationship between the convex portion and the step portion of the mating portion of the substrate holder is opposite on both sides of the ground metal fitting, and therefore the mating structure is staggered on both sides of the ground metal fitting. The strength of the combined substrate holder can be improved.

  In addition, since the cylindrical camera according to the present embodiment includes a ventilation opening in the cylindrical portion of the substrate holder, the temperature of the substrate can be lowered, which is thermally advantageous.

  Further, in the cylindrical camera of the present embodiment, the grounding metal may be integrally formed with the substrate holder, which facilitates assembly work.

  In addition, the cylindrical camera according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of ground metal fittings at positions separated from each other on a plurality of substrates, and this configuration further strengthens the ground.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that those skilled in the art can modify the above-described embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, the cylindrical camera according to the present invention has an effect that earthing can be strengthened, and is useful as, for example, a dental camera.

1 is an exploded view of a cylindrical camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing in the position of a shield metal fitting of the cylindrical camera in the 1st Embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the shield metal fitting of the cylindrical camera in the 1st Embodiment of this invention (A) Cross-sectional view of the cylindrical camera in the first embodiment of the present invention on the front side of the shield metal fitting (b) Cross section of the cylindrical camera in the first embodiment of the present invention on the rear side of the shield metal fitting Figure Sectional drawing which shows an example of the conventional cylindrical camera The figure which shows the board | substrate in an example of the conventional cylindrical camera.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cylindrical camera 3 Cylindrical housing | casing 5,7 Board | substrate 9 Board | substrate holder 11, 13 Shield metal fitting 15 Connector 25, 27 Ground area 29 1st holder piece 31 2nd holder piece 33 Cylindrical part 47, 49 Matching part 63 Accommodation part 73 , 75 Bent part 77, 79 Housing part 81, 83 Groove part

Claims (7)

A cylindrical housing;
A plurality of substrates accommodated in a stack in the cylindrical housing and connected to each other;
A ground metal fitting that is disposed in the cylindrical housing and has a substrate contact portion that contacts the plurality of substrates and a housing contact portion that contacts the cylindrical housing;
A cylindrical camera comprising:   2. The substrate holder according to claim 1, further comprising: a substrate holder having a shape that fits to an inner surface of the cylindrical housing, a structure for holding the plurality of substrates, and a ground holder. The cylindrical camera described.   The ground metal fitting is composed of a bent metal plate, and has bent portions that engage with the substrate holder at both ends of the metal plate, and at positions corresponding to the plurality of substrates. 3. The cylindrical camera according to claim 2, wherein the ground regions of the plurality of substrates each have a plurality of grooves into which the plurality of substrates are fitted, and the substrate holder has a recess that accommodates the plurality of grooves. The substrate holder has a divided structure having mating portions on both sides across the plurality of substrates,
Each mating portion has a convex portion that is received by the stepped portion of the mating mating surface on both sides of the mating surface, and the positional relationship between the stepped portion and the convex portion is reversed on both sides in the cylindrical direction of the assembly portion of the grounding metal fitting. The cylindrical camera according to claim 2, wherein the cylindrical camera has a matching structure.   The cylindrical camera according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the substrate holder has a cylindrical portion surrounding the plurality of substrates, and the cylindrical portion partially has an opening for ventilation.   6. The cylindrical camera according to claim 2, wherein the ground metal fitting is formed integrally with the substrate holder.   The cylindrical camera according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a plurality of the grounding metal members disposed at positions separated from each other on the plurality of substrates.

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