JP2013096364A - Gas flow rate control valve for internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas flow rate control valve in which the operation of throttle valve is hardly impaired attributable to deposits.SOLUTION: The gas flow rate control valve for the internal combustion engine includes an intake pipe 12 as a housing for demarcating a gas passage 12A for guiding gas to a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, a butterfly valve element 20 which is arranged in the gas passage and integrally and pivotably supported by a pivot 16, and an actuator for pivotably driving the butterfly valve element by rotating the pivot, and controls the flow rate of the gas passing through the gas passage. The pivot 16 passes through a long hole 22 formed in the intake pipe 12 and extends, and the pivot 16 and the intake pipe 12 are relatively displaceable in the extending direction of the gas passage. A yoke member, a reciprocating actuator or the like for changing the relative position of the pivot 16 and the intake pipe 12 are provided in the extending direction of the gas passage.

Description

  The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine, and more particularly to a gas flow control valve for an internal combustion engine such as an intake valve device.

  In an internal combustion engine of a vehicle such as an automobile, the intake air that flows into the intake pipe and is supplied to the combustion chamber contains organic matter, and the organic matter adheres and accumulates as deposits on the inner surface of the intake pipe at the position of the throttle valve. is there. When the amount of deposit increases, the operation of the throttle valve is hindered. For this reason, there has already been proposed a device that prevents the operation of the throttle valve from being disturbed even if deposits adhere to the inner surface of the intake pipe.

  For example, in the following Patent Document 1, the butterfly valve body of the throttle valve is reciprocally pivoted around the closed position of the throttle valve, and the deposit attached to the inner surface of the intake pipe is scraped off by the butterfly valve body. A gas flow control valve configured to be removed is described.

JP 2003-314377 A

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
In the conventional gas flow control valve as described in the above publication, the butterfly valve body can be pivoted only around a certain pivot axis, and the movement locus of the outer periphery of the butterfly valve body is also constant. . For this reason, the range in which the deposit attached to the inner surface of the intake pipe can be scraped off by the butterfly valve body is also constant, so the deposit cannot be removed reliably, and the throttle valve operation is hindered due to the deposit. It is impossible to effectively eliminate the fear of being carried out.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems in conventional gas flow control valves for internal combustion engines. The main problem of the present invention is that the operation of the throttle valve is hindered due to deposits. It is to provide a gas flow control valve with low fear.
[Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention]

  According to the present invention, the main problems described above are a housing that defines a gas passage that guides gas to a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, and a butterfly valve body that is disposed in the gas passage and is pivotally supported by a pivot. And an actuator for pivoting the butterfly valve body by rotating the pivot, and a gas flow control valve for an internal combustion engine for controlling the flow rate of the gas passing through the gas passage, wherein the pivot and the housing Is a gas flow rate for an internal combustion engine characterized by having a relative position changing means that is relatively displaceable in the extending direction of the gas passage and changes the relative position of the pivot and the housing in the extending direction of the gas passage. This is achieved by a control valve (structure of claim 1).

  According to the configuration of the first aspect, the pivot and the housing can be relatively displaced in the extending direction of the gas passage, and the relative position of the pivot and the housing can be changed in the extending direction of the gas passage by the relative position changing means. it can. Therefore, if deposits may adhere to the surface of the gas passage and the operation of the gas flow control valve may be hindered, the relative position of the pivot and the housing is changed in the direction in which the gas passage extends, and the pivot of the butterfly valve body is changed. The moving position can be changed in the extending direction of the gas passage. Therefore, since the butterfly valve body can be pivoted at a position where the influence of deposits attached to the surface of the gas passage is low, the gas flow control valve can be operated normally.

  Further, according to the present invention, in order to effectively achieve the above main problems, the pivot is configured to be capable of relative displacement with respect to the housing together with the actuator.

  According to this configuration, the pivot can be displaced relative to the housing together with the actuator. Therefore, if there is a possibility that deposits may adhere to the surface of the gas passage and the operation of the gas flow control valve may be hindered, the pivot can be displaced relative to the housing together with the actuator to a position where it is difficult to be affected by the deposit. it can.

  According to the present invention, in order to effectively achieve the main problems described above, the housing has a movable part defining a part of the gas passage, and the movable part relative to the extending direction of the gas passage. A stationary main portion that is displaceably supported, and the pivot shaft and the butterfly valve body are disposed on the movable portion, and the movable portion is relatively displaced with respect to the stationary main portion, the pivot shaft, and the butterfly valve body. It is configured to be possible (configuration of claim 3).

  According to this configuration, the pivot shaft and the butterfly valve body are disposed in the movable portion, and the movable portion can be relatively displaced with respect to the stationary main portion, the pivot shaft, and the butterfly valve body. Therefore, by displacing the movable part relative to the stationary main part, the pivot and the butterfly valve element can be displaced relative to the movable part without displacing the pivot axis and the butterfly valve element.

  According to the present invention, in order to effectively achieve the above main problem, the cross-sectional area of the gas passage defined by the movable portion is gradually changed along the extending direction of the gas passage, The movable portion is configured to be relatively displaced with respect to the stationary main portion so that the pivot shaft and the butterfly valve body are relatively displaced toward the side having a larger cross-sectional area of the gas passage.

  According to this configuration, the movable portion is displaced relative to the stationary main portion so that the pivot and the butterfly valve body are displaced relatively to the side having the larger cross-sectional area of the gas passage. Therefore, when the movable part is displaced relative to the stationary main part, the pivot and the butterfly valve body are moved to a position where they are not easily affected by the deposit, and the gap between the butterfly valve body and the movable part is increased. . Therefore, compared with the case where the cross-sectional area of the gas passage defined by the movable portion is constant, the influence of deposit can be effectively reduced even if the relative movement distance is short.

  Further, according to the present invention, in order to effectively achieve the main problems described above, the end of the pivot opposite to the actuator is rotatably supported by a bearing, and the bearing includes the pivot and the pivot. It is comprised so that relative displacement with respect to the said housing with an actuator is possible (structure of Claim 5).

According to this configuration, the pivot can be displaced relative to the housing at both ends. Therefore, the pivot is better together with the actuator than when the pivot is displaced relative to the housing at only one end. Can be displaced relative to the housing.
[Preferred embodiment of problem solving means]

  According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing has a long hole extending in the extending direction of the gas passage, the pivot extends through the long hole, and the pivot extends in the long hole. It is comprised so that it may move in the extending direction.

  According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the pivot is configured to be displaced relative to the housing downstream of the gas flowing through the gas passage with the actuator.

  According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the long hole is configured to be covered by the slide cover regardless of the position of the pivot in the long hole.

  According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the slide cover is configured to be movable in the extending direction of the gas passage together with the pivot.

  According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing has a long hole extending in the extending direction of the gas passage, the movable part has a shaft extending through the long hole, and the shaft is It is comprised so that it may move in the extending direction of a gas passage within a long hole.

  According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the shaft is configured to be displaced relative to the housing downstream of the gas flowing through the gas passage with the actuator.

  According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the long hole is configured to be covered by the slide cover regardless of the position of the shaft in the long hole.

  According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the slide cover is configured to be movable in the extending direction of the gas passage along with the shaft.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a first embodiment of a gas flow control valve for an internal combustion engine according to the present invention configured as an intake valve device for an internal combustion engine. It is a cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of a gas flow control valve for an internal combustion engine according to the present invention shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view showing a first embodiment of a gas flow control valve for an internal combustion engine according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows 2nd embodiment of the gas flow control valve for internal combustion engines by this invention comprised as an intake valve apparatus of an internal combustion engine. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows 3rd embodiment of the gas flow control valve for internal combustion engines by this invention comprised as a modification of 2nd embodiment.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to a few preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[First embodiment]

  FIGS. 1 to 3 are a longitudinal sectional view, a transverse sectional view, and a planar sectional view showing a first embodiment of a gas flow control valve for an internal combustion engine according to the present invention, which is configured as an intake valve device for an internal combustion engine.

  In these drawings, reference numeral 10 denotes a throttle valve as a gas flow rate control valve, and 12 denotes an intake pipe as a housing defining an intake passage 12A therein. The intake passage 12A guides the intake gas from the left to the right as viewed in FIG. 1, thereby supplying the intake gas to the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine not shown in the drawing. The throttle valve 10 is disposed in the intake pipe 12. The pivot 16 extends perpendicularly to the axis 14 of the intake pipe 12, and the butterfly valve is integral with the pivot 16 and pivots around the pivot 18 together with the pivot 16. And a body 20.

  The pivot 16 extends through the long holes 22 and 24 provided in the intake pipe 12 and extends along the axis 14, and can be displaced along the axis 14 in the long holes 22 and 24. . The pivot 16 is rotatably supported around the pivot 18 by bearing sleeves 26 and 28 outside the intake pipe 12. The bearing sleeves 26 and 28 are integrally connected to each other by a yoke member 30 having a U-shaped cross section and extending to cover the lower half of the intake pipe 12.

  Slide covers 32 and 34 that are in close contact with the outer surface of the intake pipe 12 are integrally formed at the inner ends of the bearing sleeves 26 and 28, respectively. The slide covers 32 and 34 are larger than the lengths of the long holes 22 and 24. It has a length in the direction along the axis 14. Therefore, even if the pivot 16 moves in the long holes 22 and 24 along the axis 14, the long holes 22 and 24 are covered by the slide covers 32 and 34, respectively, and the communication between the intake passage 12A and the outside of the intake pipe 12 is blocked. Maintained. The pivot 16 is normally positioned at the normal position at the most upstream end of the long holes 22 and 24 when viewed from the flow of the intake gas.

  The pivot 16 is connected at one end to a rotating shaft 40 of a rotating actuator 38 by a coupling 36, and the rotating actuator 38 rotates the rotating shaft 40 over a preset angle range. The rotary actuator 38 is supported by the yoke member 30. The rotation angle of the rotary shaft 40 of the rotary actuator 38, that is, the opening degree of the throttle valve 10 by the butterfly valve body 20 is controlled by an electronic control unit for an internal combustion engine not shown in the drawing. The rotation angle of the pivot shaft 16 or the rotation shaft 40 is detected by an encoder provided at the other end of the pivot shaft 16, and a signal indicating the detected rotation angle is output to the electronic control unit.

  The yoke member 30, the rotary actuator 38, and the like are disposed in a casing (not shown), and are supported by the casing so as to be movable along the axis 14. A reciprocating actuator 42 is disposed in the casing, and the reciprocating actuator 42 moves and positions the yoke member 30 along the axis 14 as necessary. The reciprocating actuator 42 is also controlled by an electronic control unit for an internal combustion engine.

  In the first embodiment, the electronic control unit issues a command to reciprocate the pivot 16 and the rotation shaft 40 several times over a rotation angle range set in advance during idle operation when the internal combustion engine is started. 38. At this time, it is determined whether or not the rotation angle of the pivot 16 or the rotation shaft 40 detected by the encoder changes according to the command. When the rotation angle of the pivot 16 or the rotation shaft 40 changes according to the command, even if deposits are attached to the inner surface of the intake pipe 12, there is no hindrance to the operation of the throttle valve 10. Therefore, the electronic control device is a reciprocating actuator. 42 is not activated.

  On the other hand, when the rotation angle of the pivot 16 or the rotation shaft 40 does not change according to the command, the electronic control unit determines that the deposit 44 that inhibits the opening / closing movement of the butterfly valve body 20 is attached to the inner surface of the intake pipe 12. To do. Then, the electronic control unit operates the reciprocating actuator 42 to move the yoke member 30 to the downstream side as viewed in the flow of the intake gas along the axis 14 by a predetermined distance, and to position it at the abnormal position.

  Therefore, according to the first embodiment, when the deposit 44 adheres to the inner surface of the intake pipe 12 and the pivoting of the butterfly valve body 20 is inhibited, the pivot 16 and the butterfly valve body 20 are also shown in FIG. The normal position indicated by the solid line is moved to the abnormal position indicated by the virtual line. Therefore, the butterfly valve body 20 can be pivoted at a position where the deposit 44 is not attached or a position where the deposit 44 is less attached. Therefore, even in a situation where the deposit is attached, the throttle valve 10 can be operated as usual.

  Generally, the amount of deposit 44 is greater on the upstream side than on the downstream side of the butterfly valve body 20. Therefore, in a situation where the pivot of the butterfly valve body 20 is hindered due to the adhesion of the deposit 44, the butterfly valve body 20 is moved downstream rather than moving upstream as viewed in the flow of intake gas. It is preferable.

According to the first embodiment, when it is determined that the deposit 44 is attached to the inner surface of the intake pipe 12, the pivot 16 and the butterfly valve body 20 are moved downstream as viewed in the flow of the intake gas. Therefore, the butterfly valve body 20 can be moved to a position where it is difficult to be affected by the deposit 44 as compared with the case where the pivot 16 and the butterfly valve body 20 are moved upstream. Can be operated.
[Second Embodiment]

  FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a second embodiment of the gas flow control valve for an internal combustion engine according to the present invention configured as an intake valve device for the internal combustion engine. In FIG. 4, members corresponding to those shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are assigned the same reference numerals as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. The same applies to the third embodiment described later.

  In the second embodiment, the intake pipe 12 has a region 12B having a large inner diameter, and the region extends along the axis 14. A cylindrical body 50 serving as a movable portion is disposed in the region 12B having a large inner diameter, and the cylindrical body 50 has a large inner diameter 12B that can be displaced relative to the intake pipe 12 serving as a stationary main portion along the axis 14. Is fitted. The butterfly valve body 20 is disposed in the cylindrical body 50, and the pivot 16 passes through a long hole 52 provided in the cylindrical body 50 and extending along the axis 14 and a hole 54 provided in the region 12B having a large inner diameter. It is extended. Although not shown in FIG. 4, both ends of the pivot 16 are rotatably supported around the pivot 18 by bearing sleeves fixed to the outer surface of the region 12B having a large inner diameter. Although not shown in FIG. 4, one end of the pivot 16 is connected to the rotation shaft of the rotation actuator, and the rotation actuator rotates the rotation shaft over a preset angle range.

  A pair of shafts 56 extending perpendicular to the axis 14 and the pivot 16 are fixed to the outer surface of the cylindrical body 50. The pair of shafts 56 is provided in the region 12B having a large inner diameter and extends through a long hole 58 extending along the axis 14 so that the inside of the long hole 58 can be displaced along the axis 14. . Although not shown in FIG. 4, the pair of shafts 56 are integrally connected to each other by a yoke member extending so as to cover the lateral half of the intake pipe 12 opposite to the rotary actuator.

  A slide cover 32 is formed integrally at the tip of the yoke member so as to be in close contact with the outer surface of the intake pipe 12. The slide cover 32 has a length in the direction along the axis 14 that is larger than the length of the long hole 58. ing. Therefore, even if the pair of shafts 56 moves along the axis 14 in the long hole 58, the long hole 58 is covered with the slide cover 32, and the communication between the air supply passage 12A and the outside of the intake pipe 12 is blocked. Maintained. Note that the pair of shafts 56 are normally positioned at the normal position of the end portion on the most upstream side of the long hole 58 as viewed in the flow of the intake gas, whereby the cylindrical body 50 is also positioned at the upstream end portion of the region 12B having a large inner diameter. It is positioned at the normal position where it abuts.

  As in the case of the first embodiment, the yoke member, the rotary actuator, and the like are arranged in a casing not shown in the drawing. The yoke member is movably supported along the axis 14 by the casing, but the rotary actuator does not move. A reciprocating actuator is disposed in the casing, and the reciprocating actuator moves and positions the yoke member along the axis 14 as necessary. The reciprocating actuator is controlled by an electronic control unit for an internal combustion engine.

  Also in the second embodiment, the electronic control unit gives a command to reciprocate the pivot 16 and the rotation axis of the rotary actuator several times over a preset rotation angle range during the idling operation when starting the internal combustion engine. Output to rotary actuator. In this case, it is determined whether or not the rotation angle of the pivot 16 or the rotation shaft detected by the encoder changes according to the command. When the rotation angle of the pivot 16 or the rotation shaft changes in response to the command, even if deposits are attached to the inner surface of the cylindrical body 50, there is no hindrance to the operation of the throttle valve 10, so the electronic control unit uses a reciprocating actuator. Do not operate.

  On the other hand, when the rotation angle of the pivot 16 or the rotation shaft does not change according to the command, the electronic control unit determines that the deposit 44 that inhibits the opening / closing movement of the butterfly valve body 20 is attached to the inner surface of the cylindrical body 50. . Then, the electronic control unit operates the reciprocating actuator to move the yoke member to the downstream side as viewed in the flow of the intake gas along the axis line 14 by a predetermined distance, and position the yoke member at the abnormal position.

Therefore, according to the second embodiment, when the deposit 44 adheres to the inner surface of the cylindrical body 50 and the pivotal movement of the butterfly valve body 20 is inhibited, the pivot 16 and the butterfly valve body 20 do not move. The body 50 is moved from the normal position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 4 to the abnormal position indicated by the virtual line. Therefore, the butterfly valve body 20 can pivot at a position where the deposit 44 is not attached or a position where the deposit 44 is less attached. The valve 10 can be actuated in the same way as normal.
[Third embodiment]

  FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a third embodiment of a gas flow control valve for an internal combustion engine according to the present invention, which is configured as a modification of the second embodiment.

  In the third embodiment, the inner diameter of the intake pipe 12 upstream and downstream of the area 12B having a large inner diameter is not the same, and the inner diameter of the intake pipe 12C upstream of the area 12B having a large inner diameter is the inner diameter. It is larger than the inner diameter of the intake pipe 12D on the downstream side of the large region 12B. The inner diameter of the cylindrical body 50 is not constant, and the upstream end and the downstream end of the cylindrical body 50 have the same inner diameter as that of the intake pipes 12C and 12D, respectively. Further, the inner diameter of the upper cylindrical body 50 changes in a tapered shape from the upstream end to the downstream end. Other points of the third embodiment are the same as those of the second embodiment.

  According to the third embodiment, the same effect as that of the second embodiment described above can be obtained. Therefore, even if deposits adhere to the inner surface of the cylindrical body 50, the throttle valve 10 is kept at the normal time. It can be operated similarly.

  In particular, according to the third embodiment, when the deposit 44 adheres to the inner surface of the cylindrical body 50 and the pivotal movement of the butterfly valve body 20 is inhibited, the pivot 16 and the butterfly valve body 20 do not move. The body 50 is moved from the normal position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 5 to the abnormal position indicated by the virtual line. Therefore, since the butterfly valve body 20 moves relatively to the side where the inner diameter of the cylindrical body 50 is larger, the throttle valve 10 is normally operated even if the amount of movement of the cylindrical body 50 is smaller than that of the second embodiment. It can be operated in the same way as time.

  Generally, when a cylindrical body such as the cylindrical body 50 is disposed in the intake pipe 12 and a step is formed at the upstream end thereof, deposits may also adhere to the step. Therefore, in a situation where the pivot of the butterfly valve body 20 is hindered due to the deposit 44 being attached, the cylindrical body can be moved downstream rather than moving upstream as viewed in the flow of intake gas. preferable.

  According to the second and third embodiments described above, the cylindrical body 50 is normally positioned so as to be positioned on the most upstream side of the region 12B having a large inner diameter, and the deposit 44 is attached to the inner surface of the cylindrical body 50. If it is determined, it is moved downstream. Therefore, when the cylindrical body 50 is normally positioned on the most downstream side of the region 12B having the large inner diameter and the deposit 44 is determined to be attached to the inner surface of the cylindrical body 50, the cylindrical body 50 is moved upstream. The cylindrical body 50 can be reliably displaced relative to the intake pipe 12.

  Further, according to the second and third embodiments described above, in a situation where the pivot of the butterfly valve body 20 is hindered due to the deposit 44, the throttle valve 10 can operate in the same manner as in a normal state. The objects to be moved to make it possible are the cylindrical body 50 and the yoke member 30. Therefore, the reciprocating actuator can be made smaller and the output can be made smaller than in the first embodiment in which the pivot 16, the butterfly valve body 20, and the rotary actuator 38 need to be moved.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

  For example, in the first embodiment described above, when the deposit 44 adheres to the inner surface of the intake pipe 12 and the pivoting of the butterfly valve body 20 is inhibited, the pivot 16 and the butterfly valve body 20 are in the intake pipe. 12 is moved relative to the downstream side of the intake gas. However, the pivot 16 and the butterfly valve body 20 may be modified so as to be moved relative to the intake pipe 12 toward the upstream side of the intake gas.

  Further, in the second and third embodiments described above, when the deposit 44 adheres to the inner surface of the cylindrical body 50 and the pivoting of the butterfly valve body 20 is inhibited, the cylindrical body 50 is removed from the intake pipe 12. On the other hand, it is relatively moved downstream of the intake gas. However, the cylindrical body 50 may be modified so as to be moved relative to the intake pipe 12 toward the upstream side of the intake gas. In particular, in the third embodiment, when the cylindrical body 50 is moved relative to the intake pipe 12 relative to the upstream side of the intake gas, the taper of the inner surface of the cylindrical body 50 is opposite to that in FIG. Preferably there is.

  In the third embodiment described above, the taper of the inner surface of the cylindrical body 50 is given over the entire length of the cylindrical body, but even if at least a part of the inner surface of the cylindrical body 50 has a constant inner diameter. Good. Further, the inner diameter of the intake pipe 12C on the upstream side of the region 12B having a large inner diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the intake pipe 12D on the downstream side of the region 12B having a large inner diameter. However, the inner diameters of the intake pipes 12C and 12D may be the same.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the gas flow rate control valve is configured as an intake valve device for an internal combustion engine. However, the gas flow control valve of the present invention may be configured as a control valve other than the intake valve device, such as an EGR control valve.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Throttle valve, 12 ... Intake pipe, 16 ... Axis, 20 ... Butterfly valve body, 30 ... Yoke member, 38 ... Rotary actuator, 42 ... Reciprocating actuator, 44 ... Deposit, 50 ... Cylindrical body

Claims (5)

  A housing that defines a gas passage for introducing gas to a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, a butterfly valve body that is disposed in the gas passage and is integrally supported by a pivot, and the butterfly valve body by rotating the pivot A gas flow control valve for an internal combustion engine that controls a flow rate of gas passing through the gas passage, and the pivot and the housing are relatively displaceable in the extending direction of the gas passage. A gas flow control valve for an internal combustion engine, comprising: a relative position changing means for changing a relative position of the pivot and the housing in the extending direction of the gas passage.   The gas flow control valve for an internal combustion engine according to claim 1, wherein the pivot is capable of relative displacement with respect to the housing together with the actuator.   The housing includes a movable portion that defines a part of the gas passage, and a stationary main portion that supports the movable portion so as to be relatively displaceable in the extending direction of the gas passage. The pivot shaft and the butterfly valve body 2. The gas flow control for an internal combustion engine according to claim 1, wherein the movable portion is disposed relative to the stationary main portion, the pivot, and the butterfly valve body. valve.   The cross-sectional area of the gas passage defined by the movable portion gradually changes along the extending direction of the gas passage, and the movable portion moves toward the side where the pivot shaft and the butterfly valve body are larger in cross-sectional area of the gas passage. 4. The gas flow control valve for an internal combustion engine according to claim 3, wherein the valve is displaced relative to the stationary main portion so as to be relatively displaced.   The end of the pivot opposite to the actuator is rotatably supported by a bearing, and the bearing can be displaced relative to the housing together with the pivot and the actuator. A gas flow control valve for an internal combustion engine as described.

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