JP2011043142A - Engine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an engine, simplifying the structure. <P>SOLUTION: This engine 1 has an output shaft 3 rotatably provided in a casing 2. The engine is equipped with: a rotor 8 fixed to the output shaft 3 in the casing 2 and rotated in a body with the output shaft 3; a first fuel passage 7 formed in the interior of the output shaft 3; a second fuel passage 9 formed in the interior of the rotor 8 to communicate with the first fuel passage 7 and having a fuel injection nozzle 10 on the outer peripheral side of the rotor 8; and an ignition plug 11 for igniting fuel injected from the fuel injection nozzle 10. The fuel injection nozzle 10 opens in the direction inclining in the radial direction of the output shaft 3 as viewed in the axial direction of the output shaft 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an engine that outputs rotational power by combustion of fuel.

  Conventionally, utility model publication No. 57-71358 is known as a technical literature in such a field. This publication describes a so-called reciprocating engine that outputs rotational power by rotating a crankshaft connected to a connecting rod of a piston by linearly moving a piston in a cylinder by combustion explosive force of fuel.

Utility Model Publication No. 57-71358

  However, in principle, it is difficult to simplify the structure of such a reciprocating engine. For some products, the adoption of the reciprocating engine may lead to a complicated structure of the product, which may lead to a significant increase in production cost. There is.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an engine capable of simplifying the structure.

  The present invention is an engine having an output shaft that is rotatably provided in a casing, the rotary body being fixed to the output shaft in the casing and rotating integrally with the output shaft, and a first body formed inside the output shaft. A first fuel flow path, a second fuel flow path formed inside the rotating body so as to communicate with the first fuel flow path, and having a fuel injection port on an outer peripheral side of the rotating body, and a fuel injection port Ignition means for igniting the fuel injected from the fuel injection port, wherein the fuel injection port opens in a direction inclined with respect to the radial direction of the output shaft when viewed from the axial direction of the output shaft. .

  According to the engine of the present invention, the fuel injection port opens in a direction inclined with respect to the radial direction of the output shaft when viewed from the axial direction of the output shaft. The rotating body and the output shaft are rotated, and the output of rotational power through the output shaft can be realized. In the engine according to the present invention, since the first fuel flow path is provided inside the output shaft, it is not necessary to form the fuel flow path in the casing, thereby simplifying the casing structure, that is, the engine structure. Simplification can be achieved. In addition, since high airtightness such as the cylinder and piston of the reciprocating engine is not required, the shapes of the casing and the rotating body can be selected relatively freely, which is advantageous for simplification of the engine structure.

  In the engine of the present invention, it is preferable that the rotating body has a disk shape centered on the output shaft. According to such a configuration, the shape of the rotating body is simplified, which is advantageous for simplifying the engine structure. Furthermore, since energy loss due to eccentricity of the rotating body can be suppressed, engine efficiency can be improved.

  In the engine of the present invention, a plurality of fuel injection ports are formed on the outer peripheral side of the rotating body, and each fuel injection port opens in a direction inclined to the same side when viewed from the axial direction of the output shaft. It is preferable. Employing such a configuration is advantageous in improving the output of the engine because the rotational force applied to the rotating body by the combustion of fuel can be effectively increased.

  In the engine of the present invention, the fuel injection port is preferably formed at a position that divides the rotating body into equal angles in the circumferential direction. In this case, the rotational force applied to the rotating body can be further effectively increased.

  In the engine of the present invention, it is preferable that a thermoelectric conversion element is disposed on the outer wall of the casing. When the fuel is combusted when the engine is started, enormous heat energy is generated in the casing. Therefore, by disposing a thermoelectric conversion element that converts thermal energy into electric energy on the outer wall of the casing, it is possible to convert the generated heat into electric energy and use it, thereby effectively using energy. Moreover, in the engine of the present invention, it becomes easy to dispose the thermoelectric conversion element on the outer wall of the casing as the engine structure is simplified. This makes it possible to extract electrical energy from the engine with very high efficiency.

  In the engine of the present invention, the thermoelectric conversion element is preferably arranged in an annular shape along the outer wall so as to face the fuel injection port through the casing. In this case, since the thermoelectric conversion element can be arranged corresponding to the part that is injected from the fuel injection port and directly heated by the combustion airflow of the fuel, that is, the part that is the hottest part of the casing, the electric energy can be more efficiently generated. It can be taken out.

  According to the present invention, the engine structure can be simplified.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of an engine according to the present invention. It is a cross-sectional view along the II-II line of FIG. It is an expanded sectional view which shows the thermoelectric conversion module of FIG. It is a cross-sectional view showing an engine according to another embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an engine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an engine 1 according to the present embodiment is used as a power source of, for example, a small motorcycle or an electric cart, and includes a cylindrical casing 2 having upper and lower flat portions, , And an output shaft 3 provided so as to penetrate the casing 2 in the vertical direction. The output shaft 3 may be provided so as to penetrate in the horizontal direction instead of the vertical direction.

  The output shaft 3 is rotatably supported by bearings 4 provided on the upper and lower plane portions of the casing 2, respectively. The upper end of the output shaft 3 is connected to a rotating flange 5 outside the casing 2, and the rotating flange 5 rotatably connects the fuel supply pipe 6 and the output shaft 3. A first fuel flow path 7 is formed inside the output shaft 3, and the first fuel flow path 7 communicates with the inside of the fuel supply pipe 6 via the rotating flange 5. The fuel supply pipe 6 supplies a mixed gas of fuel gas and air to the first fuel flow path 7. As the fuel gas, there is a gas obtained by vaporizing gasoline or light oil.

  The lower end side of the output shaft 3 is connected to an outer machine element such as a clutch of the electric cart, and thereby the rotational power of the output shaft 3 is transmitted to the outer machine. A cell motor (not shown) is also provided on the lower end side of the output shaft 3. The cell motor functions as a starter that rotates the output shaft 3 in a stopped state when the engine 1 starts operation.

  A rotating body 8 having a disk shape with the output shaft 3 as the center is fixed to the output shaft 3 in the casing 2. The rotating body 8 is formed so as to expand in a direction orthogonal to the output shaft 3 and rotates integrally with the output shaft 3. The side surface of the rotator 8 faces the inner wall of the casing 2 in the radial direction of the rotator 8. A gap with a predetermined interval is formed between the side surface of the rotating body 8 and the inner wall of the casing 2. For convenience of explanation, in the drawings, the gap between the side surface of the rotating body 8 and the inner wall of the casing 2 is drawn large, but the actual gap is very small, depending on the engine output, the strength of each member, and the like. Is set appropriately.

  A plurality of second fuel flow paths 9 communicating with the first fuel flow path 7 of the output shaft 3 are formed inside the rotator 8. These second fuel flow passages 9 are arranged radially around the output shaft 3, and each one is formed so as to draw a dogleg-shaped curve when viewed from the axial direction of the output shaft 3. Has been. These second fuel flow paths 9 are all provided at the same height. Such a second fuel flow path 9 may be formed by a pipe, or may be formed by combining block bodies having grooves. Further, the shape of the rotating body 8 is not limited to the disk shape. Examples of the shape of the rotating body 8 other than the disk shape include a shape made of a pipe having the second fuel path 9 therein. In this case, the rotating body 8 may be formed from a plurality of pipes. These pipes are arranged radially around the output shaft 3, and each of them is preferably formed to draw a dogleg-shaped curve when viewed from the axial direction of the output shaft 3. . By making the rotator 8 into such a shape, the weight of the rotator 8 can be reduced, and the control of the rotation of the rotator 8 becomes easier.

  A fuel injection port 10 that is an outlet of the second fuel flow path 9 is provided on a side surface of the rotating body 8. A plurality of these fuel injection ports 10 are formed at positions that divide the rotating body 8 at equal angles in the circumferential direction, and in this embodiment, a total of eight locations are formed, one at every 45 °.

  Each fuel injection port 10 opens in a direction (in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 2) inclined with respect to the radial direction of the output shaft 3 when viewed from the axial direction of the output shaft 3. Further, the opening direction of each fuel injection port 10 is inclined to the same side in the circumferential direction of the rotating body 8 when viewed from the axial direction of the output shaft 3. From each fuel injection port 10, fuel is injected in a direction that forms an acute angle on the arrow D side with respect to the tangent to the outer periphery of the rotating body 8 when viewed from the axial direction of the output shaft 3. In the present embodiment, the radial direction of the output shaft 3 corresponds to the extending direction of a straight line connecting the output shaft 3 and the fuel injection port 10 with the shortest distance.

  The casing 2 is provided with an ignition plug (ignition means) 11 for igniting the mixed gas injected from the fuel injection port 10. The spark plug 11 is provided at the same height as the fuel injection port 10 of the rotating body 8. The ignition part of the spark plug 11 protrudes into the casing 2 and faces the side surface of the rotating body 8. Further, an exhaust pipe 2 a for exhausting exhaust gas generated by the combustion of the mixed gas is provided at the lower part of the casing 2.

  In the engine 1 configured as described above, when the operation is started, the mixed gas is supplied from the fuel supply pipe 6 as indicated by an arrow A in FIG. The mixed gas supplied from the fuel supply pipe 6 passes through the first fuel flow path 7 as shown by an arrow B in FIG. 1, and thereafter, a plurality of second fuel flow paths as shown by an arrow C in FIG. 9 The mixed gas that has entered the second fuel flow path 9 is injected from the fuel injection port 10 as indicated by an arrow D in FIG. In this state, when the rotation of the output shaft 3 is started by the cell motor and the mixed gas is blown toward the spark plug 11, the mixed gas is ignited by the spark emitted from the spark plug 11 and combustion starts. The rotating body 8 and the output shaft 3 are rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow E in FIGS. 1 and 2 by the pressure generated by the chemical reaction of combustion, and the rotational power is output to the outside through the output shaft 3.

  A thermoelectric conversion module 12 for converting heat energy into electric energy is disposed on the outer wall of the casing 2. The thermoelectric conversion module 12 is provided at the same height as the fuel injection port 10, and is disposed so as to face the fuel injection port 10 through the casing 2. The thermoelectric conversion module 12 is formed in an annular shape along the outer wall of the casing 2 except for the portion where the spark plug 11 is provided. Further, the thermoelectric conversion module 12 may be disposed on the inner wall of the casing 2.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view in which the thermoelectric conversion module 12 shown in FIG. 1 is enlarged. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the thermoelectric conversion module 12 includes a first substrate 21, a first electrode 22, a p-type thermoelectric conversion element 24 as a thermoelectric conversion element 23, an n-type thermoelectric conversion element 25, and a second electrode 26. , And a second substrate 27. The p-type thermoelectric conversion element 24 and the n-type thermoelectric conversion element 25 are alternately arranged between the first substrate 21 and the second substrate 27, and the first electrode 22 and the second electrode corresponding to both of these surfaces are arranged. The two electrodes 26 are electrically connected in series as a whole.

  The first substrate 21 has, for example, a rectangular shape, is electrically insulative and has thermal conductivity, and covers one end of the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 23. Examples of the material of the first substrate 21 include alumina, aluminum nitride, magnesia, silicon carbide, zirconia, and mullite.

  The first electrode 22 is provided on the first substrate 21 and electrically connects one end surfaces of the thermoelectric conversion elements 23 adjacent to each other. The first electrode 22 can be formed at a predetermined position on the first substrate 21 by using, for example, a thin film technique such as sputtering or vapor deposition, a method such as screen printing, plating, or thermal spraying. Further, a metal plate or the like having a predetermined shape may be bonded onto the first substrate 21 by, for example, soldering or brazing. The material of the first electrode 22 is not particularly limited as long as it has conductivity. From the viewpoint of improving the heat resistance, corrosion resistance, and adhesion to the thermoelectric conversion element of the electrode, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese A metal containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, molybdenum, silver, palladium, gold, tungsten and aluminum as a main component is preferable. Here, the main component refers to a component contained in the electrode material by 50% by volume or more.

  The second substrate 27 has a rectangular shape, for example, and covers the other end side of the thermoelectric conversion element 23. Further, the second substrate 27 is disposed to face the first substrate 21 in parallel. Similarly to the first substrate 21, the second substrate 27 is not particularly limited as long as it is electrically insulative and has thermal conductivity. For example, alumina, aluminum nitride, magnesia, carbonization, etc. Materials such as silicon, zirconia, and mullite can be used.

  The second electrode 26 is for electrically connecting the other end surfaces of the thermoelectric conversion elements 23 adjacent to each other. For example, thin film technology such as sputtering or vapor deposition, screen printing, It can be formed using a method such as plating or thermal spraying. The thermoelectric conversion element 23 is electrically connected in series by the second electrode 26 and the first electrode 22 provided on the lower end surface side of the thermoelectric conversion element 23.

  There are two types of thermoelectric conversion elements 23, a p-type thermoelectric conversion element 24 and an n-type thermoelectric conversion element 25. The material which comprises each thermoelectric conversion element 23 will not be specifically limited if it has the property of a p-type semiconductor or an n-type semiconductor, Various materials, such as a metal and a metal oxide, can be used.

  Here, examples of the material for the p-type thermoelectric conversion element and the n-type thermoelectric conversion element include the following materials.

For example, as a p-type material, a metal composite oxide such as Na _x CoO ₂ (0 <x <1), Ca ₃ Co ₄ O ₉ , MnSi _1.73 , Fe _1-x Mn _x Si ₂ , Si _{0 .8} Ge _0.2 : B (B-doped Si _0.8 Ge _0.2 ), silicide such as β-FeSi ₂ , CoSb ₃ , FeSb ₃ , RFe ₃ CoSb ₁₂ (R represents La, Ce, or Yb) Examples thereof include skutterudites such as BiTeSb, PbTeSb, alloys containing Te such as Bi ₂ Te ₃ , PbTe, Sb ₂ Te ₃ , Zn ₄ Sb _{3, and the} like.

Examples of the n-type material include metal composite oxides such as SrTiO ₃ , Zn _1-x Al _x O, CaMnO ₃ , LaNiO ₃ , BaTiO ₃ , Ti _1-x Nb _x O, Mg ₂ Si, Fe _1-x Co _x Si ₂ , Si _0.8 Ge _0.2 : P (P-doped Si _0.8 Ge _0.2 ), silicide such as β-FeSi ₂ , skutterudite such as CoSb ₃ , Ba ₈ Al _{12 Si 30, Ba 8 Al x} Si 46-x, Ba 8 Al 12 Ge 30, Ba clathrate compound such as _{8 Al x Ge 46-x,} CaB 6, SrB 6, BaB 6, CeB boron compounds such as _6, Examples include alloys containing Te, such as BiTeSb, PbTeSb, Bi ₂ Te ₃ , Sb ₂ Te ₃ , and PbTe, and Zn ₄ Sb ₃ .

Considering the case where the thermoelectric conversion module is used at 300 ° C. or higher, from the viewpoint of heat resistance and oxidation resistance, the p-type thermoelectric conversion element and the n-type thermoelectric conversion element contain a metal oxide as a main component among the above materials. It is preferable. Of the metal oxides, Ca ₃ Co ₄ O ₉ is preferable as the p-type material, and CaMnO ₃ is preferable as the n-type material. Ca ₃ Co ₄ O ₉ and CaMnO ₃ have particularly excellent oxidation resistance and high thermoelectric conversion performance in an air atmosphere at high temperatures.

  In the thermoelectric conversion module 12 configured as described above, the first substrate 21 is brought into contact with the outer wall of the casing 2 and functions as a high temperature part by obtaining thermal energy in the casing 2, and the second substrate 27 is It is cooled by outside air or cooling water and functions as a low temperature part. And the electric power generation by what is called Seebeck effect is performed from the temperature difference between these high temperature parts and low temperature parts. The electric energy obtained by the power generation of the thermoelectric conversion module 12 is stored, for example, in a charging facility and used for driving a cell motor or the like. Note that the thermoelectric conversion module 12 may be used in contact with either the outer wall or the inner wall of the casing 2. When the thermoelectric conversion module 12 is contacted with the outer wall, the temperature of the low temperature part can be lowered, and the thermoelectric conversion module 12 is applied to the inner wall. In the case of contact, the temperature of the high temperature part can be further increased. The material constituting the thermoelectric conversion module 12 is selected according to the operating temperature of the module.

  In addition, the thermoelectric conversion module 12 which concerns on this embodiment is not necessarily restricted to the thing of the structure mentioned above, The thing of various structures is employable. For example, there is no pair of substrates 21 and 27 facing each other of the thermoelectric conversion module 12 as shown in FIG. 3. Instead, the thermoelectric conversion elements 23 are interposed between a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 23 in the height direction. A so-called skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion module may be provided that includes a support frame that is held so as to surround the central portion and fixes each thermoelectric conversion element at an appropriate position.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an exhaust pipe thermoelectric conversion module 13 having the same configuration as the casing thermoelectric conversion module 12 is arranged in the exhaust pipe 2 a of the casing 2 according to the present embodiment. The thermoelectric conversion module 13 is arranged in a cylindrical shape so as to enclose the exhaust pipe 2a. In the thermoelectric conversion module 13, power generation is performed by a temperature difference between a high temperature portion that is in contact with the exhaust pipe 2 a and a low temperature portion that is cooled by outside air or the like.

  According to the engine 1 according to the present embodiment described above, since the first fuel flow path 7 is provided inside the output shaft 3, it is not necessary to form a fuel flow path in the casing 2, and thereby the casing structure. Can be simplified, that is, the engine structure can be simplified. In addition, since high airtightness such as the cylinder and piston of the reciprocating engine is not required, the shapes of the casing 2 and the rotating body 8 can be selected relatively freely, which is advantageous in simplifying the engine structure. Moreover, unlike the reciprocating engine, it is not necessary to convert linear motion into rotational motion, so that energy loss can be avoided. This contributes to improvement in engine efficiency.

  Moreover, since the disk shape centering on the output shaft 3 is employ | adopted as a shape of the rotary body 8, the shape of the rotary body 8 is simplified and it is advantageous to the simplification of an engine structure. In addition, energy loss due to the eccentricity of the rotating body 8 can be suppressed, thereby improving engine efficiency.

  Further, in this engine 1, a plurality of fuel injection ports 10 are formed at positions that divide the rotating body 8 into equal angles in the circumferential direction, and each of the fuel injection ports 10 corresponds to the radial direction of the output shaft 3. Are opened in such a way that fuel is injected in the direction of the same angle and in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the rotating body 8. By forming the fuel injection port 10 in this way, the rotational force applied to the rotating body 8 by the combustion of fuel can be effectively increased, which is advantageous for improving the output of the engine 1.

  Moreover, according to the engine 1 which concerns on this embodiment, the enormous heat which generate | occur | produced in the casing 2 by combustion of mixed gas by arrange | positioning the thermoelectric conversion element 12 which converts a thermal energy into an electrical energy in the outer wall of the casing 2 is carried out. Energy can be converted into electric energy and used, and energy can be used effectively. Moreover, in the engine 1, it becomes easy to dispose the thermoelectric conversion element 12 on the outer wall of the casing 2 as the engine structure is simplified. This makes it possible to extract electrical energy from the engine with very high efficiency.

  Further, since the thermoelectric conversion module 12 is annularly disposed along the outer wall of the casing 2 so as to face the fuel injection port 10 via the casing 2, the fuel combustion airflow is injected from the fuel injection port 10. Therefore, thermoelectric conversion is performed corresponding to the part that is heated directly, that is, the part that is the hottest part of the casing 2, and electric energy can be extracted more efficiently.

  Further, in the engine 1 according to the present embodiment, the thermoelectric conversion module 13 is arranged in a cylindrical shape so as to wrap the exhaust pipe 2a, so that the thermal energy of the exhaust gas generated by the combustion of the mixed gas is effectively converted into electric energy. And more efficient use of energy is realized.

  It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an engine 30 according to another embodiment. 4, the same components as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 4, the engine 30 according to another embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment only in the shape of the casing 31 and the arrangement of the thermoelectric conversion module 32 for the casing. The casing 31 in the engine 30 has an octagonal prism shape, and all of its side surfaces are flat surfaces. The thermoelectric conversion module 32 is formed in a plate shape, and is arranged annularly at the same height as the fuel injection port 10, that is, the spark plug 11, except for the portion of the spark plug 11.

  In the engine 30 configured as described above, the thermoelectric conversion module 32 can be arranged along a plane instead of a curved surface, so that the thermoelectric conversion module 32 can be easily attached and the assembly workability of the engine 30 is improved. Furthermore, since the thermoelectric conversion module 32 is formed in a plate shape, it becomes easy to manufacture and carry the thermoelectric conversion module 32, which is advantageous in reducing the cost of the engine 30.

  In addition, the shape of the casing 2 is not limited to the above-described one, and may be a pentagonal column or a hexagonal column, or may be a shape that spreads downward toward the bottom of a longitudinal section trapezoid or the like. In this case, by providing the exhaust pipe on the lower side of the casing 2, it is possible to realize efficient exhaust of the exhaust gas generated by the combustion of the mixed gas.

  Further, the rotating body 8 is not limited to a disk shape, and may be, for example, a quadrangular or polygonal plate. Furthermore, the fuel jet port 10 of the second fuel flow path 9 is not limited to the side surface of the rotator 8, but may be provided on the outer peripheral side of the rotator 8.

  The output shaft 3 may be connected to a brake mechanism for stopping the rotation of the output shaft 3 when the engine is stopped. As this brake mechanism, a regenerative brake mechanism that regenerates the braking energy of the output shaft 3 and converts it into electric energy can be employed.

  Further, only the fuel gas may be supplied from the fuel supply pipe 6 instead of the mixed gas in which the fuel gas and the air are mixed. In this case, a separate passage for supplying air into the casing 2 is provided. Further, the supplied fuel is not limited to gas but may be liquid.

  Further, it is not always necessary to form a plurality of fuel injection ports 10 and second fuel flow paths, and there may be one. Further, even when a plurality of the rotating bodies 8 are formed, the rotating body 8 is not limited to a position where the rotating body 8 is divided at an equal angle in the circumferential direction, and may be formed at an arbitrary position. Furthermore, each fuel injection port 10 may be opened in a direction that forms a different angle, rather than a direction that forms the same angle with respect to a tangent to the outer periphery of the rotating body 8 when viewed from the axial direction of the output shaft 3.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,30 ... Engine, 2,31 ... Casing, 3 ... Output shaft, 7 ... 1st fuel flow path, 8 ... Rotating body, 9 ... 2nd fuel flow path, 10 ... Fuel injection port, 11 ... Spark plug (Ignition means), 12, 13, 32 ... thermoelectric conversion module, 23 ... thermoelectric conversion element.

Claims (6)

An engine having an output shaft rotatably provided in a casing,
A rotating body fixed to the output shaft in the casing and rotating integrally with the output shaft;
A first fuel flow path formed inside the output shaft;
A second fuel flow path formed inside the rotating body so as to communicate with the first fuel flow path and having a fuel injection port on an outer peripheral side of the rotating body;
Ignition means for igniting the fuel injected from the fuel injection port;
With
The engine is characterized in that the fuel injection port is opened in a direction inclined with respect to the radial direction of the output shaft as viewed from the axial direction of the output shaft.   The engine according to claim 1, wherein the rotating body has a disk shape centered on the output shaft.   A plurality of the fuel injection ports are formed on the outer peripheral side of the rotating body, and each of the fuel injection ports opens in a direction inclined to the same side when viewed from the axial direction of the output shaft. The engine according to claim 1 or 2.   The engine according to claim 3, wherein the fuel injection port is formed at a position that divides the rotating body into equal angles in the circumferential direction.   The engine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a thermoelectric conversion element is disposed on an outer wall of the casing.   The engine according to claim 5, wherein the thermoelectric conversion element is annularly arranged along the outer wall so as to face the fuel injection port through the casing.

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