JP2010138806A - Fuel filter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel filter for actualizing the feed of fuel whose fluidity is reduced, into a fuel flow path, not via a filter material as main part of the filter, on condition that a fuel tank is placed only under such a low temperature as to greatly reduce the fluidity of the fuel. <P>SOLUTION: In the bag filter material 1 which is used with an internal space communicated with the fuel flow path P, a valve part 4 is provided which is kept in a closed condition before placed under such a predetermined low temperature as to reduce the fluidity of the fuel. The valve part 4 is constituted by at least two members different in linear expansion coefficient to cancel the closed condition at the predetermined low temperature. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement of a filter used for filtering fuel stored in a system for sucking and supplying stored fuel having a property of reducing fluidity due to temperature change.

  Place a dense filter medium on the outside (primary side / upstream side) of the bag-shaped filter that is subjected to negative pressure by the fuel pump, and place a coarse filter medium on the inner side (secondary side / downstream side). There is a filter device in which a communicating portion that is normally closed by a valve device is formed in a close filter medium that is positioned. (See Patent Document 1)

  In such a filter device, the communication by the valve device is caused by a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the filter, which occurs when the fluidity of the fuel is greatly reduced due to a temperature change and causes clogging of a close filter medium. The part is closed (valve closed) so that fuel can be sucked out even in such a case.

However, on the condition that the fuel tank is placed at a low temperature that greatly reduces the fluidity of the fuel, if the valve device is released, the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the filter due to the clogging will increase. Even without this, it is possible to suck out fuel with reduced fluidity.
US Pat. No. 6,638,423

  The main problem to be solved by the present invention is that, in this type of filter, the filter is disposed through the main filter medium constituting the filter only on the condition that the fuel tank is placed at a low temperature that greatly reduces the fluidity of the fuel. In other words, the fuel with reduced fluidity is fed into the fuel flow path.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, the fuel filter is subjected to a bag-like filter medium used by communicating the internal space with the fuel flow path at a predetermined low temperature at which the fuel fluidity is lowered. It is equipped with a valve part that is kept closed until it is placed,
The valve portion is composed of at least two members having different linear expansion rates so as to release the closed state at the predetermined low temperature. Specifically, at least one of the members constituting the valve portion contracts more than the other members due to a temperature change, and the closed state of the valve portion is released at a predetermined low temperature. .

  In this way, the valve portion is released from the closed state only on the condition that the fuel tank is placed at a predetermined low temperature that greatly reduces the fluidity of the fuel, and the fluidity is reduced through the valve portion. The lowered fuel can be taken into the bag-shaped filter medium and sent to the fuel flow path. In addition, the closed state and the open state of the valve portion can be created by configuring the valve portion with at least two members having different linear expansion rates, and the valve portion having such a function makes the structure of the filter easier. There is no complication. Therefore, such a filter is constituted by a bag-shaped filter medium in which the eyes are not widened or the diameter of the flow path is set so as to take in only the fuel without being sucked in by being wet with the fuel until the filter is placed at a predetermined low temperature. And can be used as a filter for such fuels in a wide temperature range.

A body provided with a communicating portion to the outside of the bag of the bag-shaped filter medium, the valve portion;
It is provided with a valve body that has a length and is supported in the body so as to be slidable in this length direction, and that closes the communication part on one end side,
The valve body may be a member that contracts more than the other members constituting the valve portion due to temperature change and releases the closed state at a predetermined low temperature by the sliding movement.

  In this case, by increasing the linear expansion coefficient of the valve body, the one end portion of the valve body that closes the communication portion is slid by its contraction as the predetermined low temperature is approached, and the predetermined low temperature In this case, the communication portion can be opened.

In addition, the valve portion, a body provided with a communication portion to the outside of the bag-shaped filter medium,
It is provided with a valve body having a length and having one end fixed to the body and closing the communication portion by the other end free from the body,
This valve body is contracted more than the other members constituting the valve part due to temperature change, and the dimension between the one end part and the other end part is reduced to release the valve closed state at a predetermined low temperature. Sometimes it is left.

  In this case, by increasing the linear expansion coefficient of the valve body, the other end portion of the valve body that closes the communication portion is moved by the contraction as it approaches the predetermined low temperature, and the predetermined low temperature In this case, the communication portion can be opened.

  According to the fuel filter of the present invention, the valve portion is opened only on the condition that the fuel tank is placed at a low temperature that greatly reduces the fluidity of the fuel, and the fluidity is eliminated without using a bag-like filter medium. It is possible to feed the fuel having a reduced value into the fuel flow path.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

Here, FIGS. 1 to 5 show the first example of the filter F, ie, the filter F, to which the present invention is applied, that is, FIG. 6 to FIG. Shows the third example respectively.
Specifically, FIG. 1 and FIG. 6 show the filter F in a perspective state, FIG. 2, FIG. 7 and FIG. 11 show its use state in section, and FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 and FIG. 9 show the state in which the valve unit 4 is in a closed state, and FIGS. 5 and 10 show the state in which the valve unit 4 is in an open state, respectively. ing.

  The filter F according to this embodiment is used to filter the fuel in a system for sucking and supplying stored fuel having a property of reducing fluidity due to temperature change.

  Typically, such a filter F is used for filtering fuel supplied to an internal combustion engine such as an automobile. In this case, the fuel in the fuel tank T is sucked out by the fuel pump and sent to the internal combustion engine through the fuel flow path P, and the filter F is typically disposed on the fuel tank T side of the fuel flow path P. It is used to filter the fuel that passes through the end or in the middle of the fuel flow path P.

  In the illustrated example, the filter F is attached so as to cover the fuel suction port Pa constituting the fuel flow path P located in the fuel tank T, and is located on the bottom side of the fuel tank T so as to suck the fuel. An in-tank fuel filter F (also referred to as a suction filter F or the like) that filters the fuel sucked into the mouth Pa is used. Further, in the illustrated example, the filter F performs appropriate filtration of the light oil in a situation where the fluidity of the light oil is not greatly reduced, and also applies to the fuel flow path P in a situation where the fluidity of the light oil is greatly reduced. It has a function that does not hinder the inflow of light oil. In light oil, wax crystals are formed at low temperatures, and in the winter, its fluidity is greatly reduced and gelled. The filter F having the structure shown in the drawing is configured so that when the fuel tank is placed at a low temperature at which the fluidity of the light oil is greatly reduced, the suction of the light oil is prevented by the valve portion. 4 is allowed.

  The filter F includes a bag-like filter medium 1 that becomes the main filter F. The internal space 1 a of the bag-shaped filter medium 1, that is, the internal space of the bag is configured to communicate with the fuel flow path P.

  In the illustrated example, the bag-shaped filter medium 1 is configured to communicate its internal space 1 a with the fuel flow path P via a connector 2 to the fuel flow path P. In the illustrated example, the connection connector 2 is configured to have a cylindrical shape with an outer collar 2a at one end of the cylinder. In the illustrated example, a built-in part 3 is accommodated in the bag-shaped filter medium 1. The built-in part 3 has a short cylindrical portion 3a in which the cylinder axis is along the vertical direction and the upper end and the lower end of the cylinder are both opened. In the illustrated example, the outer casing 2a and the cylinder are formed from the state in which the bag-shaped filter medium 1 is sandwiched between the outer casing 2a of the connector 2 and the upper end 3b of the short cylindrical section 3a of the built-in part 3. The connection connector 2 is connected to the bag-shaped filter medium 1 by fixing the upper end 3b by welding or the like.

  More specifically, in the illustrated example, the bag-shaped filter medium 1 is formed by applying heat seals 1c to the four sides of the upper and lower two sheet-shaped filter mediums 1b and 1b. (FIGS. 1 and 6) The built-in part 3 is a process in which a heat seal 1c is applied to the four sides of the two sheet-like filter media 1b and 1b, and the upper sheet-like filter media 1b is interposed between the two sheet-like filter media 1b and 1b. The first through-hole 1d formed on one end side of the short cylindrical portion 3a is accommodated so as to communicate with the in-cylinder space of the short cylindrical portion 3a. A plurality of interval forming projections 3c are formed at the lower end of the short cylindrical portion 3a of the built-in part 3 with an interval between adjacent interval forming projections 3c in the direction around the cylinder axis. It is possible to prevent a situation in which a part of the bag-shaped filter medium 1 located immediately below the lower end of the cylinder sticks to the cylinder lower end of the short cylindrical section 3a due to negative pressure and the entire bag-shaped filter medium 1 does not contribute to filtration. ing.

  Further, the bag-like filter medium 1 is kept in a closed state until the fuel tank T is placed at a predetermined low temperature where the fluidity of the fuel is lowered at a place different from the place where the fuel flow path P communicates. When the closed state of the valve unit 4 is released, that is, when the valve unit 4 is opened, the inside and outside of the bag of the bag-like filter medium 1 are communicated via the valve unit 4. ing.

  In the illustrated example, the valve unit 4 includes a body 40 that functions like a valve box, and a valve body 41 that is housed in the body 40. The body 40 is formed with a communication part 40a to the outside of the bag-like filter medium 1, that is, the filter F, and a communication part 40b to the bag-like filter medium 1 into the bag space. Until the valve body 41 is placed at the predetermined low temperature, the communication portion 40a outside the bag of the bag-shaped filter medium 1 is closed to keep the valve portion 4 closed, and the valve body 41 is placed at the predetermined low temperature. After this, the communicating portion 40a is opened to shift the valve portion 4 to the valve open state.

  In the illustrated example, a second through hole 1e is formed on the upper surface of the bag-shaped filter medium 1 with a space between the first through hole 1d, and a bag-like shape is formed using the second through hole 1e. The valve part 4 concerning the filter medium 1 is provided. Specifically, the body 40 constituting the valve portion 4 is composed of an outer part 401 and an inner part 402, and the outer periphery of the outer part 401 and the outer periphery of the inner part 402 are respectively external 401a and 402a are formed. In the illustrated example, in the process of applying the heat seal 1c to the two sheet-like filter media 1b and 1b to form the bag-like filter media 1 as described above, the inner part 402 is placed inside the second through-hole 1e and the internal space. The outer flange 401a of the outer part 401 is overlapped with the outer flange 402a of the inner part 402 so that the edge of the second through-hole 1e is sandwiched between the two. In this state, the bag-like filter medium 1 is provided with the valve portion 4 by fixing the outer casings 401a and 402a by welding or the like. Further, in the illustrated example, the built-in part 3 is provided with a frame portion 3d that keeps the space in the bag of the bag-shaped filter medium 1 between the valve portion 4 and the short tubular portion 3a inflated. Yes.

  The valve portion 4 is constituted by at least two members having different linear expansion rates so as to release the closed state at the predetermined low temperature. Specifically, at least one of the members constituting the valve portion 4 contracts more than the other members due to temperature changes, and the valve portion 4 is released from the closed state at a predetermined low temperature. ing. When such fuel is used as light oil, although it depends on the type of light oil, the valve unit 4 is released from the closed state when it becomes, for example, -20 degrees Celsius or less.

  In this way, the valve unit 4 is released from the closed state only on the condition that the fuel tank T is placed at a predetermined low temperature that greatly reduces the fluidity of the fuel. The fuel having lowered fluidity can be taken into the bag-shaped filter medium 1 and sent to the fuel flow path P. In addition, the closed state and the open state of the valve unit 4 can be created by configuring the valve unit 4 with at least two members having different linear expansion rates. It does not complicate the structure. Therefore, the filter F has a bag-shaped filter medium 1 that is not widened or has a channel diameter so that only the fuel is taken in without being sucked in by being wet with the fuel until the filter F is placed at a predetermined low temperature. And can be used as a filter F for such fuel in a wide temperature range. When the temperature returns to a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined low temperature, the valve portion 4 is returned to the closed state again by expansion of a member that contracts more than the remaining members, that is, a member made of a material having a large linear expansion coefficient.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the outer part 401 of the body 40 constituting the valve unit 4 has the lower surface opened and the outer edge 401 a around the open edge provided on the open edge. It is configured to form a box shape. Further, the inner part 402 of the body 40 constituting the valve portion 4 is configured to have a box shape in which the upper surface is opened and the outer edge 402a around the opening edge is provided at the opening edge. The body 40 is configured to have a width and a length. The communication part 40a to the outside of the bag-like filter medium 1 (in the fuel tank T in the illustrated example) is provided in the body 40 by forming a through hole 401c in the upper plate part 401b of the outer part 401. The communication part 40 b into the bag of the filter medium 1 is provided in the body 40 by forming a through hole 402 c on one side of the width side of the inner part 402. In the illustrated example, the through-hole 401c serving as the communication portion 40a to the outside of the bag-shaped filter medium 1 has a long groove shape along the width direction of the upper plate portion 401b of the outer part 401, and the through-hole 401c. Are provided in the central portion of the upper plate portion 401b with a space between the adjacent through holes 401c in the length direction of the upper plate portion 401b.

  On the other hand, in the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the valve body 41 has a length and is supported in the body 40 so as to be slidable in the length direction, and by the one end 411 a side. The communication portion 40a is configured to be closed. Then, the valve body 41 contracts more than the other members constituting the valve section 4 due to temperature change, in the illustrated example, the body 40 and a support body of the valve body 41 described later, and the predetermined movement is performed by the sliding movement. The valve closing state is released when the temperature is low. Typically, this can be realized by configuring the valve body 41 with a synthetic resin and configuring a support body of the later-described valve body 41 with a metal. In addition, the valve body 41 is made of synthetic resin, and a support body 42 of the valve body 41 described later can be realized by using a fiber reinforced plastic to reduce the linear expansion coefficient.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, by increasing the linear expansion coefficient of the valve body 41, one end portion of the valve body 41 that closes the communication portion 40 a as the predetermined low temperature is approached. It is possible to slide the 411a side by the contraction to open the communicating portion 40a at the predetermined low temperature.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the valve body 41 includes a belt-like upper portion 411 b that is attached to the inner surface of the upper plate portion 401 b of the outer part 401 without a gap, and a bottom plate portion 402 b of the inner part 402. A belt-like lower portion 411d attached to the inner surface, a side portion 411e extending between one end of the belt-like upper portion 411b and one end of the belt-like lower portion 411d, and a rising portion 411g rising from the other end of the belt-like lower portion 411d are integrally provided. It is configured as a strip-like long body. The valve body 41 is arranged such that the surfaces of the belt-like upper portion 411b and the belt-like lower portion 411d are laterally arranged so that the surface of the side portion 411e and the surface of the rising portion 411g face the inner surface on the width side of the body 40, and The width and thickness are made equal at each position along the length direction. A gap 411h is formed between the other end of the belt-like upper part 411b and the rising part 411g, and a gap 411i is also formed between the side part 411e and the inner surface of the body 40 facing the outer side surface of the side part 411e. It is made to do. A through hole 411c extending in the width direction is formed at the center of the belt-like upper portion 411b of the valve body 41. Three such through-holes 411c are formed in a long groove shape along the width direction of the strip-shaped upper portion 411b, and three through holes 411c are provided at intervals between adjacent through-holes 411c in the length direction of the strip-shaped upper portion 411b. Yes. In this example, the through-hole 401c of the outer part 401 serving as the communication portion 40a of the bag-shaped filter medium 1 to the outside of the bag and the belt-like shape of the valve body 41 until the bag is placed at the predetermined low temperature. The through-hole 411c of the upper part 411b is not communicated, and the through-hole 401c of the outer part 401 is blocked from the inside of the body 40 by the belt-like upper part 411b of the valve body 41, and the valve part 4 is kept closed. It has become so. (FIG. 4) At the same time, when the predetermined low temperature is reached, each of the three through holes 401c of the outer part 401 serving as the communication portion 40a of the bag-shaped filter medium 1 to the outside of the bag has a valve body 41 corresponding thereto. The through hole 411c of the belt-like upper portion 411b communicates with the valve portion 4 so as to shift to the valve open state. (Fig. 5)

  In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, a base plate portion 42 a attached to the upper surface of the belt-like lower portion 411 d of the valve body 41, and a belt-like upper portion 411 b of the valve body 41 protruding upward from the base plate portion 42 a. The belt-like upper portion 411b of the valve body 41 is attached to the inner surface of the upper plate portion 401b of the outer part 401 without a gap by the support body 42 including the support portion 42c that supports the lower portion from below. Further, the substrate portion 42a of the support 42 has a length extending between the rising portion 411g and the side portion 411e of the valve body 41, and the substrate portion 42a is moved upward by a pressing portion 401d formed on the outer part 401. The valve body 41 is prevented from being separated from the belt-like lower portion 411d.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the linear expansion coefficient of the valve body 41 is larger than the linear expansion coefficient of the support body 42, but the lower end portion 411 f of the side portion 411 e of the valve body 41 is Since the valve body 41 contracts, the side portion 411e of the valve body 41 brings its outer surface closer to the inner surface of the body 40 with the lower end portion 411f serving as a fulcrum because it is pressed down by the end portion 42b of the substrate portion 42a of the support body 42. The belt-like upper portion 411b is slid sideways by this movement, and thereby the three through holes 401c of the outer part 401 serving as the communication portion 40a of the bag-like filter medium 1 to the outside of the bag at the predetermined low temperature. The valve portion 4 shifts to the valve open state by communicating with the through hole 411c of the belt-like upper portion 411b of the valve body 41 corresponding to each of the valve portion 41. (Fig. 5)

  Moreover, in the example shown by FIGS. 6-10, while the outer part 401 of the body 40 which comprises the valve part 4 obstruct | occludes a cylinder upper end and opens a cylinder lower end, the cylinder axial direction substantially middle It is comprised so that the cylindrical shape provided with the outer casing 401a may be made at the position. The inner part 402 of the body 40 constituting the valve unit 4 includes an inner cylinder part 402d whose upper end is closed and whose lower end is opened, and an outer cylinder formed so as to go around the outer side of the inner cylinder part 402d. Part 402e. The outer cylinder portion 402e is integrated with the inner cylinder portion 402d with its lower end connected to the lower end of the inner cylinder portion 402d. Moreover, the outer cylinder part 402e has the upper end of the cylinder positioned at a position approximately in the middle of the inner cylinder part 402d in the cylinder axis direction. The outer casing 402a is formed at the upper end of the outer cylindrical portion 402e. Further, the outer cylinder part 402e has an inner diameter from a position approximately in the middle of the cylinder axis to the upper end of the cylinder substantially equal to the outer diameter of the outer part 401, and a lower inner diameter from the middle position. Accordingly, a circumferential step surface 402f facing upward is provided inside. In addition, the outer diameter of the inner cylindrical portion 402 d is smaller than the inner diameter of the outer part 401. The outer part 401 sandwiches the hole edge of the second through hole 1e between the outer casing 401a and the outer casing 402a formed on the outer cylindrical section 402e of the inner part 402, and the lower end of the cylinder is connected to the inner part 402. The lower end side of the cylinder is inserted into the outer cylinder part 402e of the inner part 402 and the inner cylinder part 402d of the inner part 402 is inserted into the inner part 402 up to the position where it abuts against the circumferential step surface 402f. The inner part 402 is combined. In this combined state, a storage space 411j of the valve body 41 is formed between the outer surface of the inner cylindrical portion 402d of the inner part 402 and the inner surface of the outer part 401 along the circumferential direction.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, the communication portion 40 a of the bag-shaped filter medium 1 to the outside of the bag is a rectangular window-like through portion on the side of the inner cylinder portion 402 d of the inner part 402 on the upper side of the cylinder. It is provided by forming a hole 402g, and the open lower end of the inner cylinder part 402d of the inner part 402 functions as a communication part 40b for the bag-like filter medium 1 into the bag. In this example, a rectangular window-like through hole 401e is formed on the side of the upper end side of the outer part 401 on the outer side of the through hole 402g of the inner part 402. The inside and outside of the bag-shaped filter medium 1 communicate with each other through the holes 401e and 402g.

  On the other hand, in the example shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, the valve body 41 has a length and is fixed to the body 40 at one end 411 k and is free from the body 40. The communication portion 40a is closed by the portion 411m. The valve body 41 contracts more than the remaining members constituting the valve section 4 due to temperature change, and contracts more than the body 40 in the illustrated example, so that the one end 411k and the other end are contracted. The dimension between 411 m is reduced and the valve-closed state is released at a predetermined low temperature. This can also be realized typically by configuring the valve body 41 from a synthetic resin and configuring the inner part 402 of the body 40 from a metal. In addition, the valve body 41 is made of a synthetic resin, and the inner part 402 is made of fiber reinforced plastic so that the linear expansion coefficient can be reduced.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, the other end of the valve body 41 that closes the communication portion 40 a as the predetermined low temperature is approached by increasing the linear expansion coefficient of the valve body 41. The part 411m is moved by the contraction, and the communication part 40a can be opened at the predetermined low temperature.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, the valve body 41 is spirally formed on the outer surface of the inner cylindrical portion 402 d of the inner part 402, with one surface facing the outer surface of the inner cylindrical portion 402 d. It is configured as a wound belt. One end portion 411k of the valve body 41 is fixed between the inner cylinder portion 402d and the outer cylinder portion 402e of the inner part 402 on the lower end side of both of them. On the other hand, the other end portion 411m of the valve body 41 is between the inner cylindrical portion 402d of the inner part 402 and the outer part 401 until the predetermined low temperature is reached, and the through hole of the inner cylindrical portion 402d of the inner part 402 is provided. Positioned outside 402g, the through-hole 402g is liquid-tightly closed. Accordingly, in this example, the valve portion 4 is kept closed until the valve portion 4 is placed at the predetermined low temperature. At the same time, when the temperature becomes lower than the predetermined temperature, the valve body 41 moves the freed other end portion 411m to the side of the through hole 402g of the inner cylinder portion 402d by the contraction, thereby opening the valve portion 4. Transition to the state. (Fig. 10)

  FIG. 11 shows an example in which the outside of the valve portion 4 in the filter F shown in FIGS. In this example, the additional filter medium 5 is also configured to have a bag shape. In this way, it is possible to chop the fuel with reduced fluidity flowing in when the valve portion 4 is opened to a certain degree, and to remove certain dust etc. from the fuel. It can be prevented from becoming a contaminant of the valve part 4.

  The bag-shaped filter medium 1 and the additional filter medium 5 constituting the filter F can be configured by an extruded mesh material, a woven mesh material, a non-woven fabric, or the like.

Perspective configuration diagram of the first example Cross-sectional configuration diagram showing the same usage state Main part fracture perspective view of valve part 4 of the first example Cross-sectional configuration diagram of the main part Cross-sectional configuration diagram of the main part Perspective configuration diagram of the second example Cross-sectional configuration diagram showing the same usage state Main part fracture perspective view of valve part 4 of the second example Cross-sectional configuration diagram of the main part Cross-sectional configuration diagram of the main part Cross-sectional configuration diagram showing the usage state of the third example

Explanation of symbols

P Fuel flow path 1 Bag-shaped filter medium 4 Valve part

Claims (4)

The bag-shaped filter medium used by communicating the internal space with the fuel flow path is provided with a valve portion that is kept in a closed state until it is placed under a predetermined low temperature where the fluidity of the fuel is lowered.
A fuel filter characterized in that the valve portion is composed of at least two members having different linear expansion rates so as to release the closed state at the predetermined low temperature.   At least one of the members constituting the valve portion contracts more than the other members due to a temperature change, and the valve portion is released from the closed state at a predetermined low temperature. Item 2. The fuel filter according to Item 1. The valve is
A body having a communication part to the outside of the bag-like filter medium;
A valve body that has a length and is supported in the body so as to be slidable in this length direction, and that closes the communicating portion on one end side,
The valve body is a member that contracts more than the other members constituting the valve portion due to a temperature change and serves as a member that releases the closed state at a predetermined low temperature by the sliding movement. Fuel filter. The valve is
A body having a communication part to the outside of the bag-like filter medium;
A valve body having a length and having one end fixed to the body and closed by the other end free from the body,
This valve body is contracted more than the other members constituting the valve part due to temperature change, and the dimension between the one end part and the other end part is reduced to release the valve closed state at a predetermined low temperature. The fuel filter according to claim 1, wherein

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