JP2009208740A - Wiper device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wiper device downsizing a pivot holder. <P>SOLUTION: A holder fixing part 80 for fixing a pivot holder 60 by squeezing a hollow base material is formed on each end of a hollow frame 24. A fixed leg part 100 squeezing the hollow base material is provided on the outer side of the vehicle width direction of each holder fixing part 80. Thus, an insertion part need not extend toward an end of the hollow frame from the pivot holder, or the fixed leg part need not extend from the pivot holder like a conventional practice. Thus, the pivot holder is downsized thereby. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wiper device that wipes a glass surface of a windshield glass of a vehicle, for example.

  Patent Document 1 describes a so-called module-type wiper device in which a wiper motor, a link mechanism, and a pair of pivot holders are integrally assembled to a frame.

  The frame provided in the wiper device is a hollow frame having a hollow inside, and pivot holders are fixed to both ends of the hollow frame.

  Specifically, the pivot holder is formed by die-casting using an aluminum alloy material or the like, and includes an insertion portion that is inserted into the hollow portion of the hollow frame. The insertion portion is integrally formed so as to extend inward in the vehicle width direction from the cylindrical portion supporting the pivot shaft toward the end of the hollow frame.

Furthermore, the attachment leg part which fixes a wiper apparatus to a vehicle body is integrally formed so that it may extend to a vehicle width direction outer side from a cylindrical part. As a result, the wiper device is fixed to the vehicle body.
JP 2000-38117 A

  However, the pivot holder as described above is a large part because it includes the insertion portion and the mounting leg portion in addition to the cylindrical portion that supports the pivot shaft. Since the pivot holder is formed of an expensive aluminum alloy material or the like, it has been an expensive part.

  In view of the above fact, the present invention has a problem of downsizing the pivot holder.

  A wiper device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a pivot holder that rotatably supports a pivot shaft to which a wiper arm is fixed, and a hollow frame that is formed of a hollow base material and supports the pivot holder, The hollow frame is crushed to form a holder fixing portion for fixing the pivot holder and a fixing leg portion fixed to the vehicle body on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the holder fixing portion.

  According to the above configuration, the holder fixing portion that fixes the pivot holder by crushing the hollow frame and the fixing leg portion that is fixed to the vehicle body on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the holder fixing portion are formed.

  In this way, the hollow base material of the hollow frame is crushed to form the holder fixing portion and the fixing leg portion, so that the insertion portion is extended from the cylindrical portion of the pivot holder toward the end of the frame member as in the prior art. Or a fixed leg portion need not be extended. For this reason, a pivot holder can be reduced in size.

  The wiper device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the wiper device according to the first aspect, wherein the hollow frame has a vehicle width direction as a longitudinal direction, and the holder fixing portions that support the pair of pivot holders are arranged on both sides in the longitudinal direction. Are provided apart from each other.

  According to the said structure, the holder fixing | fixed part of a pair of pivot holder is mutually provided in the longitudinal direction both sides.

  Thereby, the pivot holder can be easily moved in the vehicle width direction, and the position of the pivot shaft can be adjusted in the vehicle width direction.

  The wiper device according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect, the crushing directions of the fixed leg portion of the hollow frame and the holder fixing portion are the same direction.

  According to the above configuration, since the crushing direction of the fixed leg portion of the hollow frame and the holder fixing portion is the same direction, when the fixing leg portion and the holder fixing portion are close to each other, the fixing leg portion and the holder The fixed part can be processed at a time.

  A wiper device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the wiper device according to the second or third aspect, wherein the hollow frame has a gradual transition from an annular cross-section to a non-hollow cross-section from the center in the longitudinal direction toward the holder fixing portion. It is characterized in that a deformed portion is provided.

  According to the said structure, the gradually changing part which becomes a cross-sectional non-hollow shape from a cross-sectional ring shape toward the holder fixing | fixed part from the longitudinal direction center side is provided.

  By providing the change-over portion in this way, it is possible to prevent the cross-sectional shape from changing abruptly, to reduce stress concentration, and to reduce the possibility of cracks and the like.

  A wiper device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the wiper device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the wiper motor is fixed directly or indirectly to the hollow frame, and the driving force of the wiper motor is applied to the pivot shaft. And a link mechanism for transmission.

  According to the above configuration, the wiper motor is fixed directly or indirectly to the hollow frame, and the link mechanism transmits the driving force of the wiper motor to the pivot shaft.

  Thus, the driving force of the wiper motor is transmitted from the link mechanism to the pivot shaft supported by the pivot holder. Here, since the pivot holder is fixed to a holder fixing portion formed by crushing the hollow base material, the pivot shaft can be reliably supported.

  A wiper device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the motor fixing according to the fifth aspect, wherein the wiper motor is fixed directly or indirectly between the pair of holder fixing portions formed on the hollow frame. The motor fixing portion is disposed below the pivot shaft in the axial direction by bending the hollow frame.

  According to the said structure, the motor fixing | fixed part is arrange | positioned below the axial direction of a pivot axis | shaft rather than the holder fixing | fixed part by bending a hollow frame.

  Thus, by arranging the motor fixing part below the holder fixing part in the axial direction of the pivot shaft, it is possible to sufficiently deform the vehicle body against the collision object from the outside of the vehicle and contribute to absorbing impact energy. it can.

  A wiper device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the wiper device according to the sixth aspect, wherein the bent portions of the hollow frame are provided on both sides of the motor fixing portion, and the hollow frame is bent upward in the axial direction of the pivot shaft. It is characterized by comprising a longitudinally bent portion and a laterally bent portion that bends the hollow frame bent by the vertically bent portion outward in the vehicle width direction.

  According to the above configuration, the hollow frame is bent upward in the axial direction of the pivot shaft at the vertical bent portions provided on both sides of the motor fixing portion, and further bent outward in the vehicle width direction at the horizontal bent portion.

  As described above, by providing the vertical bent portion and the horizontal bent portion, the motor fixing portion can be disposed below the pivot axis in the axial direction of the holder fixing portion.

An example of the wiper device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
(overall structure)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the wiper device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a wiper motor 12, a link mechanism 14 driven by the wiper motor 12, and a pivot portion 16 and a pivot portion 18 connected to the link mechanism 14. It is a major component.

  The pivot part 16 and the pivot part 18 are provided with pivot shafts 56 and 58 to which a wiper arm is fixed at the distal end portion, and pivot holders 60 and 62 for rotatably holding the pivot shafts 56 and 58. Further, the pivot holder 60 and the pivot holder 62 are attached to the hollow frame 24 whose longitudinal direction is the vehicle width direction (the arrow A direction shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). The mounting structure of the hollow frame 24, the pivot holder 60, and the pivot holder 62 will be described later.

  Furthermore, the output shaft 26 of the wiper motor 12 including the motor main body 20 and the gear portion 22 protrudes upward in the vehicle, and a crank arm 28 constituting the link mechanism 14 is attached to the tip thereof. In addition, a wiring member (not shown) for inputting / outputting operation signals and the like between the vehicle side and the wiper motor 12 is connected to the gear portion 22. The mounting structure of the hollow frame 24 and the wiper motor 12 will be described in detail later.

  On the other hand, the link mechanism 14 includes a crank arm 28, a link rod 40, a link rod 42, a pivot lever 44, and a pivot lever 46.

  One end of the link rod 40 is connected to the tip of the crank arm 28 via a ball joint 48, and the other end is connected to the lower surface of the pivot lever 46 via a ball joint 50. Further, the link rod 42 has one end connected to the upper surface on one end side of the pivot lever 44 via a ball joint 52 and the other end connected to the upper surface on one end side of the pivot lever 46 via a ball joint 54. Yes.

  Further, the base end portions of the pivot lever 44 and the pivot lever 46 are fixed to the lower ends of the pivot shaft 56 and the pivot shaft 58 to which the wiper arm is fixed to the distal end portion, and the pivot shaft 56 and the pivot shaft 58 are used as the rotation center. Together with these, it can swing together.

  With the above configuration, when the wiper motor 12 is operated, the crank arm 28 is rotated, and this rotational force is transmitted to the link rod 40 via the ball joint 48, and the pivot lever 46 connected to the link rod 40 swings. To do. Since the pivot shaft 58 is integrally fixed to the pivot lever 46, the pivot shaft 58 swings together with the pivot lever 46. As a result, a wiper arm (not shown) fixed to the tip of the pivot shaft 58 reciprocates the wiping surface of the windshield glass of the vehicle.

When the pivot lever 46 swings, the pivot lever 44 connected to the pivot lever 46 via the link rod 42 also swings in conjunction with it. As a result, the pivot shaft 56 integrally fixed to the pivot lever 44 also swings, and a wiper arm (not shown) fixed to the tip of the pivot shaft 56 reciprocally wipes the wiping surface of the windshield glass of the vehicle.
(Main part configuration)
The hollow frame 24 formed by processing a cylindrical hollow base material is provided with the longitudinal direction as the vehicle width direction. As shown in FIG. 1, a motor fixing portion 30 is formed at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the hollow frame 24.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the motor fixing portion 30 is formed in a U-shaped cross section that is not hollow, and the motor mounting surface 32 that is flat is arranged in the vehicle front-rear direction (the direction of arrow B shown in FIGS. 5 and 6). ).

  Further, a pair of attachment holes 34 for fixing the wiper motor 12 is formed in the motor fixing portion 30. The mounting hole 34 penetrates the front and back of the motor mounting surface 32.

  Further, gradually changing portions 36 and 38 are respectively provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the motor fixing portion 30 of the hollow frame 24. 7A to 7D show details of the gradual change state of the gradual change portions 36 and 38 in cross-sectional views. As shown in each figure, in the gradual change parts 36 and 38, the motor fixing part 30 (FIG. 7 (D) which becomes a non-hollow cross-sectional U-shape from a cross section having a cylindrical hollow part (see FIG. 7 (A)) ))) The hollow part is gradually changing.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the hollow frame 24 (the motor fixing portion 30, the gradually changing portions 36 and 38, etc.) having the above configuration is formed by pressing a hollow base material (pipe material) having an annular cross section. In particular, the above-described gradual change portions 36 and 38 are formed simultaneously with the press working for forming the motor fixing portion 30. Further, the pair of mounting holes 34 of the motor fixing portion 30 described above are formed in the same step as the press working step for forming the motor fixing portion 30.

  In addition, a plate-like attachment portion 72 is formed to protrude from the housing 70 of the gear portion 22 of the wiper motor 12 attached to the motor fixing portion 30 so as to face the motor attachment surface 32. An attachment hole 72 </ b> A is formed in the attachment portion 72 so as to correspond to the attachment hole 34 formed in the motor fixing portion 30. Then, the wiper motor 12 is fixed to the hollow frame 24 by inserting the bolt 74 through the mounting hole 34 and the mounting hole 72 </ b> A and fastening the nut 76 to the bolt 74.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the hollow frame 24 is formed by bending portions 24 </ b> A formed outside the gradually changing portions 36 and 38 provided at both ends of the motor fixing portion 30 in the axial direction of the pivot shafts 56 and 58. It is bent upward and is further bent outward in the vehicle width direction by a bent portion 24B. That is, by providing the bent portion 24A and the bent portion 24B in the hollow frame 24, the motor fixing portion 30 is disposed below the pivot shafts 56 and 58 in the axial direction from the holder fixing portion 80 described later.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a holder fixing portion 80 that fixes the pivot holder 60 of the pivot portion 16 is provided outside the hollow frame 24 in the vehicle width direction. Since the configuration of the pivot portion 18 provided on the opposite side of the pivot portion 16 is the same as that of the pivot portion 16, the configuration of the pivot portion 16 will be described as a representative in this embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the holder fixing portion 80 is formed in a U-shaped cross section that is not hollow, and the flat holder fixing surface 82 is directed downward in the axial direction of the pivot shaft 56. Yes.

  Further, a pair of attachment holes 84 for fixing the pivot holder 60 is formed in the holder fixing surface 82. The attachment hole 84 passes through the front and back of the holder fixing surface 82.

  Further, a gradually changing portion 86 is provided on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the holder fixing portion 80 of the hollow frame 24. Similar to the gradual change portions 36 and 38 provided on both sides of the motor fixing portion 30 described above, as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D, the gradual change portion 86 includes a cylindrical hollow portion. The hollow portion gradually changes from a cross section having a cross section (see FIG. 7A) to a holder fixing portion 80 (see FIG. 7D) having a non-hollow cross-sectional U shape.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the pivot holder 60 attached to the holder fixing portion 80 includes a cylindrical cylindrical portion 90 that supports a pivot shaft 56 (see FIG. 1), and an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 90. And a holder mounting portion 92 that faces the holder fixing surface 82.

  Specifically, the holder mounting portion 92 is provided so that the cylindrical portion 90 expands in a fan shape, and a pair of mounting holes 92 </ b> A correspond to the mounting holes 84 of the holder fixing portion 80. Is provided. Furthermore, a nut 94 is fixed to the back surface (the surface facing downward) of the holder mounting portion 92 by welding so as to correspond to the mounting hole 92A.

  The pivot holder 60 of the present embodiment is integrally formed by die casting with an aluminum alloy material.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a structure in which the pivot holder 60 is fixed to the hollow frame 24 by inserting the bolt 96 into the mounting hole 84 and the mounting hole 92 </ b> A and fastening the bolt 96 to the nut 94. It has become. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pivot holder 60 has the cylindrical portion 90 disposed on the same side as the wiper motor 12 with respect to the hollow frame 24, and accordingly the pivot shaft 56 is also disposed on the same side as the wiper motor 12. Has been. As a result, a heavy object is disposed in a region between the support pin 13 formed on the wiper motor 12 and a fixing portion of both the fixed leg portions 100 described later to the vehicle body.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a fixing leg portion 100 that fixes the wiper device 10 (see FIG. 1) to the vehicle body is provided outside the holder fixing portion 80 in the vehicle width direction.

  The fixed leg portion 100 is formed by extending a holder fixing portion 80 formed in a U-shaped cross section while maintaining a U-shaped cross section. The fixed leg portion 100 is substantially fitted with a stepped cylindrical bush member 104. A C-shaped notch 102 is formed. That is, the crushing direction (press direction) of the fixed leg portion 100 and the holder fixing portion 80 is the same direction.

  1 and 2, the bush member 104 is fitted into the notch 102, and the bolt 106 is fixed to the vehicle body bracket (not shown) through the bush member 104 from above the vehicle so that the wiper device 10 is attached to the vehicle body. It is supposed to be fixed.

The hollow frame 24 (the holder fixing portion 80, the fixed leg portion 100, the gradual change portion 86, etc.) having the above configuration is formed by pressing a hollow base material (pipe material) having an annular cross section, The gradually changing portion 86 is formed simultaneously with the press working. Further, the pair of mounting holes 84 of the holder fixing portion 80 and the notches 102 of the fixing leg portion 100 are formed in the same process as the press working process.
(Action / Effect)
Thus, by crushing the hollow base material, the holder fixing portion 80 for fixing the pivot holder 60 is formed in the hollow frame 24, so that the insertion portion is extended from the pivot holder toward the end of the frame as in the prior art. Therefore, the pivot holders 60 and 62 can be reduced in size.

  Moreover, since the pivot holders 60 and 62 can be reduced in size, the material cost of an expensive aluminum alloy material used for forming the pivot holders 60 and 62 can be reduced.

  Moreover, since the pivot holders 60 and 62 can be reduced in size, the die used for die casting can be reduced in size.

  Further, by using only the cylindrical portion 90 and the holder mounting portion 92 as the constituent elements of the pivot holders 60 and 62, the die structure of the die cast mold for molding the pivot holders 60 and 62 can be simplified.

  Moreover, the mounting position of the pivot holders 60 and 62 can be changed by moving the mounting hole 84 of the holder fixing portion 80 (changing the setting position of the mounting hole 84), and can be used for various windshield glass wiping patterns. can do.

  Further, by adjusting the mounting hole 84 of the holder fixing portion 80, the pivot holders 60 and 62 on both sides can be easily shared.

  In addition, as compared with the conventional case in which the fixed leg portion is extended from the pivot holder to the outside in the vehicle width direction, the hollow frame 24 is processed to provide the fixed leg portion 100, thereby further providing the pivot holder 60. 62 can be reduced in size, so that the molding apparatus for forming the pivot holder can also be a relatively small apparatus.

  Further, by providing the gradual change portions 36, 38, and 86 that gradually change the hollow portion from the cross section having the cylindrical hollow portion to the holder fixing portion 80 and the motor fixing portion 30 that have a U-shaped cross section, the cross-sectional shape is rapidly increased. It is possible to prevent the stress from being concentrated and to reduce the risk of cracks and the like. For this reason, it is not necessary to increase the thickness of the member in order to ensure the predetermined strength, and a lightweight and high-strength hollow frame can be obtained. Furthermore, processing can be facilitated.

  Further, by extending the holder fixing part 80 formed in a U-shaped cross section as it is and providing the fixing leg part 100, the crushing direction (pressing direction) of the fixing leg part 100 and the holder fixing part 80 can be made the same direction. When the fixed leg 100 and the holder fixing part 80 are close to each other, the fixed leg 100 and the holder fixing part 80 can be processed at a time. In addition, the sharp change portion of the cross-sectional shape can be eliminated, and the strength can be prevented from decreasing.

  Further, by providing the hollow frame 24 with the bent portion 24A and the bent portion 24B, the motor fixing portion 30 can be disposed below the holder fixing portion 80 in the axial direction of the pivot shaft 56. Thus, the vehicle body can be sufficiently deformed to contribute to absorbing impact energy.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and various other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention. It is clear to the contractor. For example, in the above embodiment, an aluminum alloy material is used as the material of the pivot holders 60 and 62, but other materials such as zinc may be used.

  Next, an example of the wiper device 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In addition, about the same member as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the holder fixing surface 204 of the holder fixing portion 202 is directed in the vehicle front-rear direction (the direction of arrow D shown in FIGS. 8 and 9). The axis of the pivot shaft 198 supported by the pivot holder 214 is parallel to the axis. The holder fixing surface 204 is formed with a pair of mounting holes 205 for fixing the pivot holder 214. The attachment hole 205 passes through the front and back of the holder fixing surface 204.

  Further, the fixed leg portion 206 provided on the outer side in the vehicle width direction from the holder fixing portion 202 is directed in the vehicle vertical direction as in the first embodiment. That is, the holder fixing portion 202 and the fixing leg portion 206 having a U-shaped cross section are provided by crushing the hollow base material of the hollow frame 24 from two different directions.

  Further, the fixed leg 206 is provided with a circular hole 210 into which the stepped cylindrical bush member 208 is fitted. The bush member 208 is fitted into the circular hole 210 and the bolt 212 is passed through the bush member 208 to a frame (not shown). The wiper device 200 can be fixed to the vehicle body by being fixed to the member.

  On the other hand, the pivot holder 214 fixed to the holder fixing portion 202 includes a cylindrical portion 216 and a plate-shaped holder mounting portion 218 fixed to the outer peripheral portion of the cylindrical portion 216.

  Specifically, the holder mounting portion 218 is provided so as to face the holder fixing surface 204, and a pair of mounting holes 218 </ b> A penetrates the front and back of the holder mounting portion 218 so as to correspond to the mounting holes 205 of the holder fixing portion 202. Is provided. Furthermore, a nut 220 is fixed to the cylindrical portion 216 side of the plate-shaped holder attachment portion 218 by welding so as to correspond to the attachment hole 218A.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the pivot holder 214 is fixed to the hollow frame 24 by inserting the bolt 222 through the mounting hole 205 and the mounting hole 218 </ b> A and fastening the bolt 222 with the nut 220. ing.

  As described above, by providing the holder fixing surface 204 in parallel with the axis of the pivot shaft 198 supported by the pivot holder 214, the position of the pivot holder 214 can be easily moved on the axis of the pivot shaft 198.

It is the perspective view which showed the whole wiper apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view showing the whole wiper device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is the disassembled perspective view which showed the holder fixing | fixed part vicinity of the wiper apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which showed the fixing method of the pivot holder and holder fixing | fixed part which were employ | adopted as the wiper apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the disassembled perspective view which showed the wiper motor vicinity employ | adopted for the wiper apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which showed the fixing method of the wiper motor employ | adopted for the wiper apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. (A) (B) (C) (D) It is sectional drawing which showed the gradual change state of the gradual change part of the hollow frame employ | adopted as the wiper apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the disassembled perspective view which showed the holder fixing | fixed part vicinity of the wiper apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which showed the fixing method of the pivot holder and holder fixing | fixed part which were employ | adopted as the wiper apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Wiper apparatus, 12 ... Wiper motor, 14 ... Link mechanism, 24A ... Bending part (vertical bending part), 24B ... Bending part (lateral bending part), 24 ... ..Hollow frame, 30 ... Motor fixing part, 56 ... Pivot shaft, 58 ... Pivot shaft, 60 ... Pivot holder, 62 ... Pivot holder, 80 ...・ Holder fixing part, 86... Gradually changing part, 100... Fixed leg part, 198... Pivot shaft, 200 ... Wiper device, 202 ... Holder fixing part, 206. Part, 214... Pivot holder

Claims (7)

A pivot holder that rotatably supports a pivot shaft to which the wiper arm is fixed;
A hollow frame formed of a hollow base material and supporting the pivot holder,
A wiper device, wherein the hollow frame is crushed to form a holder fixing portion that fixes the pivot holder, and a fixing leg portion that is fixed to a vehicle body outside the holder fixing portion in the vehicle width direction. The hollow frame has a vehicle width direction as a longitudinal direction,
The wiper device according to claim 1, wherein the holder fixing portions that support the pair of pivot holders are provided apart from each other on both sides in the longitudinal direction.   The wiper device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the crushing direction of the fixed leg portion of the hollow frame and the holder fixing portion is the same direction.   4. The hollow frame is provided with a gradually changing portion having a circular shape in cross section and a non-hollow shape in cross section from the center side in the longitudinal direction toward the holder fixing portion. Wiper device. A wiper motor fixed directly or indirectly to the hollow frame;
A link mechanism for transmitting the driving force of the wiper motor to the pivot shaft;
The wiper device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: Between the pair of holder fixing parts formed on the hollow frame, a motor fixing part to which the wiper motor is fixed directly or indirectly is provided,
The wiper device according to claim 5, wherein the motor fixing portion is disposed below the pivot shaft in the axial direction by bending the hollow frame. The bent portion of the hollow frame is
A vertical bending portion provided on both sides of the motor fixing portion and bending the hollow frame upward in the axial direction of the pivot shaft;
A laterally bent portion that bends the hollow frame bent by the vertically bent portion outward in the vehicle width direction; and
The wiper device according to claim 6, further comprising:

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