JP2016154497A - Air conditioner for small animal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To uniform an overall temperature of a plate as much as possible irrespective of an area of the plate on which a small animal is placed, and achieves powering-saving by causing all thermoelectric conversion parts to effectively absorb or generate heat.SOLUTION: An air conditioner 1 for a small animal includes: a housing 10 including a plate part 11, a plurality of air outlets 13, and a suction port 12; a plurality of thermoelectric conversion parts 20 for receiving supply of electric current and heating or cooling the plate part 11 by releasing heat or absorbing heat, each of which is disposed between a fan 30 and the air outlet 13 and comes in contact with the plate part 11; and the fan 30 for discharging outside air sucked from the suction port 12 to the outside through the air outlets 13.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioning apparatus for small animals that heats or cools small animals.

  DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART Conventionally, the cooling / heating apparatus for small animals which heats or cools small animals, such as a dog and a cat, is known. As such a small animal air conditioner, there has conventionally been an apparatus that automatically performs temperature control so as to reach a predetermined set temperature.

  Patent Document 1 relates to a small animal air conditioner that automatically controls temperature so as to reach a predetermined set temperature, a bed on which a small animal can ride, a case main body that supports the bed, a heating / cooling plate disposed on the case main body, The electronic cooling member fixed to the heating / cooling plate, the heat radiation plate fixed to the electronic cooling member, the atmospheric detection sensor for detecting the atmospheric temperature, and the electronic cooling member based on the atmospheric temperature detected by the atmospheric detection sensor A control unit is disclosed.

JP-A-10-201388

  However, in Patent Document 1, since the heating / cooling plate is heated or cooled by a single electronic cooling member provided at the center of the case body, a temperature difference occurs between the central portion of the bed and the corner of the bed, It has the problem that it may give a strange feeling to small animals. In particular, when the area of the bed is increased so that a slightly larger small animal can be ridden, the above problem becomes significant.

  Further, in Patent Document 1, since the fan is arranged between the electronic cooling member and the air inlet, the air sucked into the housing from the outside through the air inlet is sufficiently supplied to the electronic cooling member. It has the problem that it cannot be sent to

  The object of the present invention is to make the overall temperature of the plate part as uniform as possible regardless of the area of the plate part on which the small animal rides, and to efficiently absorb or generate heat in all thermoelectric conversion parts. It is possible to provide an air conditioning apparatus for small animals that can save power.

  A small animal air conditioning apparatus according to the present invention is a small animal air conditioning apparatus that heats or cools a small animal, and covers a top surface and has an area on which the small animal can ride, an exhaust port, and an intake port. , A thermoelectric conversion unit that heats or cools the plate part by receiving heat supplied and radiating or absorbing heat while being housed in the housing, and housed in the housing from outside A fan that exhausts air that has been sucked into the housing through the air intake port to the outside through the air exhaust port, and the housing includes a plurality of the air exhaust ports, and the thermoelectric conversion unit. Are provided between the fan and the exhaust port, and each is connected to the plate portion.

By connecting a plurality of thermoelectric converters to the plate portion of the housing, the entire plate portion is uniformly heated or cooled regardless of the area of the plate portion on which the small animal rides. When the plate portion is cooled or heated by the thermoelectric converter, the air taken in from the outside by the fan through the intake port is exhausted to the outside through each of the plurality of thermoelectric conversion units and each of the plurality of exhaust ports. Therefore, the heat generated in the plurality of thermoelectric conversion units when the plate portion is cooled or the cold generated in the plurality of thermoelectric conversion portions when the plate portion is heated is easily escaped from each thermoelectric conversion unit, This promotes an endothermic phenomenon when the plate portion is cooled or an exothermic phenomenon when the plate portion is heated.

  According to the present invention, the overall temperature of the plate part can be made as uniform as possible regardless of the area of the plate part on which the small animal rides, and all the thermoelectric conversion parts efficiently absorb heat or generate heat. Can save power.

It is a perspective view of the air conditioning apparatus for small animals which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the air conditioning apparatus for small animals which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the air conditioning apparatus for small animals which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the thermoelectric conversion part in embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, the air conditioner for small animals according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the figure, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis form a three-axis orthogonal coordinate system. The positive direction of the y-axis is the forward direction, the negative direction of the y-axis is the backward direction, the x-axis direction is the left-right direction, and the z-axis is A description will be given assuming that the positive direction is upward and the negative direction of the z-axis is downward.

<Configuration of air conditioner for small animals>
The configuration of the small animal air conditioner 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

  The small animal air conditioner 1 includes a housing 10, a thermoelectric conversion unit 20, a fan 30, a thermo module 40, a power cord 50, a controller 60, and a temperature sensor 70.

  The housing 10 is made of an insulating material. On the bottom surface of the housing 10, a protruding portion 9 that protrudes in a hill shape is provided. The casing 10 covers a top surface and has an area where a small animal can ride, a plate portion 11 provided in the projecting portion 9 and penetrating in a plate thickness direction, and a plate thickness direction provided on a side surface. And an exhaust port 13 penetrating through the leg portion 19 and a leg portion 19. The plate portion 11 is made of a material having good thermal conductivity and is typically made of steel.

  On the side surface of the housing 10, a display unit 14, a power lamp 15, a temperature adjustment button 16, a temperature adjustment button 17, and an operation lamp 18 are provided.

  The display unit 14 can display the set temperature. The display unit 14 is typically an LCD.

  The power lamp 15 is turned on when the power is turned on and turned off when the power is turned off.

  The temperature adjustment button 16 is operated when the temperature is lowered. The temperature adjustment button 16 can typically lower the set temperature every 1 ° C., and cannot set a temperature lower than 20 ° C.

  The temperature adjustment button 17 is operated when raising the temperature. The temperature adjustment button 17 can typically increase the set temperature every 1 ° C., and cannot set a temperature higher than 35 ° C.

  The operation lamp 18 is turned on during operation, and is turned off when operation is stopped.

  The leg 19 protrudes downward at the four corners of the housing, and is provided with a non-slip at the lower end.

  The thermoelectric conversion unit 20 is housed in the housing 10. The thermoelectric conversion unit 20 faces the side surface of the housing 10, is provided above the projecting portion 9, and is provided between the side surface of the housing 10 and the projecting portion 9 in the left-right direction. The thermoelectric conversion unit 20 heats or cools the plate unit 11 via the thermo module 40 by receiving a current from a power supply (not shown in FIGS. 1 to 4) via the power cord 50 and radiating or absorbing heat. To do. Two thermoelectric converters 20 are typically provided. The details of the configuration of the thermoelectric converter 20 will be described later.

  The fan 30 is housed in the housing 10 and is provided above the protruding portion 9. The fan 30 exhausts the external air sucked from the intake port 12 from the exhaust port 13.

  The thermo module 40 is in close contact with the plate portion 11 of the housing 10 and connects the plate portion 11 and the thermoelectric conversion portion 20. The upper surface of the thermo module 40 is provided so as to be positioned below the upper surface of the plate portion 11. A packing 80 for waterproofing the inside of the housing 10 is provided between the thermo module 40 and the plate portion 11 (see FIG. 4). The packing 80 is typically made of silicon.

  The power cord 50 connects the thermoelectric converter 20 and a power source (not shown). The power source to which the power cord 50 is connected is typically a household power outlet.

  The controller 60 is mounted on a substrate (not shown) and stored in the housing 10. The controller 60 is connected to the display unit 14, the power lamp 15, the temperature adjustment button 16, the temperature adjustment button 17 and the operation lamp 18, and the display unit 14, the power lamp 15, the temperature adjustment button 16, the temperature adjustment button 17 and the operation lamp 18 are connected. To control the operation. The controller 60 is connected to the temperature sensor 70. The controller 60 compares the temperature set by the temperature adjustment button 16 or the temperature adjustment button 17 with the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 70, and supplies current from the power source to the thermoelectric conversion unit 20 according to the comparison result. Temperature control by controlling the switching between the state and the state where the supply of current to the thermoelectric conversion unit 20 from the power source is interrupted, or by changing the direction in which the current supplied from the power source to the thermoelectric conversion unit 20 flows The amount of heat absorbed or radiated by the thermoelectric converter 20 is adjusted so that the temperature set by the button 16 or the temperature adjustment button 17 matches the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 70. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 70 reaches the upper limit value, the controller 60 cuts off the current supplied from the power source to the thermoelectric conversion unit 20 and releases heat when the plate unit 11 is heated by the thermoelectric conversion unit 20. Reduce the amount of heat.

  The temperature sensor 70 detects the temperature of the plate portion 11 and outputs the detected temperature value to the controller 60.

<Configuration of thermoelectric converter>
The configuration of the thermoelectric converter 20 in the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 5A shows the flow of current to the thermoelectric conversion unit 20 when the plate unit 11 is heated, and FIG. 5B shows the thermoelectric conversion unit 20 when the plate unit 11 is cooled. The flow of current with respect to is shown.

  The thermoelectric conversion unit 20 includes a first heat absorbing / dissipating part 21, a second heat absorbing / dissipating part 22, a heat sink part 23, a P-type semiconductor 24, an N-type semiconductor 25, and a connection part 26. .

  The first heat absorbing / dissipating part 21 is made of a metal plate and connected to the connecting part 26. The first heat absorbing / dissipating part 21 is connected to the thermo module 40 via the connecting part 26. The first heat absorbing / dissipating part 21 absorbs or dissipates heat according to the direction in which the current flows.

  The second heat absorbing / dissipating part 22 is made of a metal plate and connected to the heat sink part 23. The second heat absorbing / dissipating part 22 is disposed below the first heat absorbing / dissipating part 21, thereby being provided at a position farther from the plate part 11 than the first heat absorbing / dissipating part 21. The second heat absorbing / dissipating part 22 is connected to the power source 29 via the controller 60. The second heat absorbing / dissipating part 22 radiates heat when the first heat absorbing / dissipating part 21 absorbs heat due to the Peltier effect and absorbs heat when the first heat absorbing / dissipating part 21 dissipates heat. The power source 29 is typically an AC 100V household power source.

  The heat sink part 23 is connected to the second heat absorbing / dissipating part 22 and is provided below the second heat absorbing / dissipating part 22. The heat sink portion 23 is positioned in an air flow path (flow path indicated by an arrow in FIG. 4) when air sucked from the outside by the fan 30 through the air inlet 12 is exhausted to the outside through the air outlet 13. To do.

  The P-type semiconductor 24 connects the first heat absorbing / dissipating part 21 and the second heat absorbing / dissipating part 22.

  The N-type semiconductor 25 connects the first heat absorbing / dissipating part 21 and the second heat absorbing / dissipating part 22.

  The connection part 26 is made of a metal material having good thermal conductivity, and is in contact with the thermo module 40 to connect the first heat absorbing / dissipating part 21 and the thermo module 40.

<Operation of air conditioner for small animals>
The operation of the small animal air conditioner 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below.

  First, the power cord 50 is connected to the power source 29.

  Next, when the power switch (not shown) of the small animal air conditioner 1 is turned on, the controller 60 performs control to turn on the display unit 14, the power lamp 15, the temperature adjustment button 16, and the temperature adjustment button 17.

  Next, the controller 60 detects that the temperature adjustment button 16 or the temperature adjustment button 17 has been pressed once, and performs control to blink the display unit 14.

  Next, the controller 60 detects a predetermined temperature set by the temperature adjustment button 16 or the temperature adjustment button 17 when the temperature adjustment button 16 or the temperature adjustment button 17 is operated.

  Next, the controller 60 performs control to turn on the operation lamp 18 and starts a cooling operation for cooling the thermo module 40 or a heating operation for heating the thermo module 40.

  Further, the fan 30 starts to operate, and the external air sucked from the intake port 12 is exhausted from the exhaust port 13.

  Next, the controller 60 supplies a current from the power source 29 to the thermoelectric conversion unit 20 so that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 70 becomes the set temperature set by the temperature adjustment button 16 or the temperature adjustment button 17; Control for switching between a state in which supply of current from the power source 29 to the thermoelectric conversion unit 20 is interrupted or control for changing the direction in which the current supplied from the power source 29 to the thermoelectric conversion unit 20 flows is performed.

  Specifically, when heating the plate unit 11 and the thermo module 40, the controller 60 applies the direction from the power source 29 to the second heat absorbing / dissipating unit 22 of the thermoelectric conversion unit 20 in the direction of the arrow S <b> 1 in FIG. Current is passed through.

  As a result, in the first heat absorbing / dissipating part 21, a current flows from the P-type semiconductor 24 to the N-type semiconductor 25, thereby generating a heat generation phenomenon. Current flows and an endothermic phenomenon occurs due to the Peltier effect. The first heat absorbing / dissipating part 21 heats the thermo module 40, the thermo module 40 heats the plate part 11, and the cold generated by the endothermic phenomenon in the second heat absorbing / dissipating part 22 is transmitted to the heat sink part 23.

  The cold heat transmitted to the heat sink part 23 by the endothermic phenomenon in the second heat absorbing / dissipating part 22 exhausts the air sucked by the fan 30 from the outside through the air inlet 12 to the outside through the heat sink part 23 and the air outlet 13. In doing so, it escapes to the internal space of the housing 10 and the outside. Therefore, the thermoelectric conversion unit 20 can promote the heat generation phenomenon in the first heat absorbing / dissipating unit 21 and efficiently heat the thermo module 40 and the plate unit 11.

  On the other hand, when cooling the plate part 11 and the thermo module 40, the controller 60 supplies a current from the power source 29 to the second heat absorbing / dissipating part 22 of the thermoelectric converter 20 in the direction of the arrow S2 in FIG. Shed.

  As a result, in the first heat absorbing / dissipating part 21, a current flows from the N-type semiconductor 25 to the P-type semiconductor 24 to cause an endothermic phenomenon, and in the second heat absorbing / dissipating part 22, the P-type semiconductor 24 changes to the N-type semiconductor 25. An electric current flows and a heat generation phenomenon occurs due to the Peltier effect. The first heat absorbing / dissipating part 21 cools the thermo module 40, the thermo module 40 cools the plate part 11, and the heat generated by the heat generation phenomenon in the second heat absorbing / dissipating part 22 is transmitted to the heat sink part 23.

  The heat transferred to the heat sink part 23 due to the heat generation phenomenon in the second heat absorbing / dissipating part 22 exhausts the air sucked from the outside through the air inlet 12 by the fan 30 to the outside through the heat sink part 23 and the air outlet 13. In doing so, it escapes to the internal space of the housing 10 and the outside. Therefore, the thermoelectric conversion unit 20 can promote the heat absorption phenomenon in the first heat absorption / dissipation unit 21 and efficiently cool the thermo module 40 and the plate unit 11.

  In particular, the heat of the heat sink part 23 easily escapes to the second heat absorbing / dissipating part 22 located above the heat sink part 23. Therefore, by sending air to the thermoelectric conversion unit 20 by the fan 30 so that the heat of the heat sink 23 can easily escape from the heat sink 23 to the internal space of the housing 10, the heat absorption phenomenon in the first heat absorption / dissipation unit 21. Can be promoted more. In addition, since the air inside the casing 10 heated by the heat sink portion 23 can be exhausted to the outside via the exhaust port 13 by the fan 30, the temperature of the internal space of the casing 10 can be lowered. The heat transferred to the heat sink part 23 due to the heat generation phenomenon in the heat absorbing / dissipating part 22 can be easily released by the internal space of the housing 10.

When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 70 reaches the set temperature, the controller 60 disconnects the connection between the power source 29 and the thermoelectric conversion unit 20 and heats the plate unit 11 and the thermo module 40, or The operation of cooling the plate unit 11 and the thermo module 40 is stopped. Further, the controller 60 performs control to turn off the operation lamp 18.

  After the operation is stopped, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 70 rises or falls below the set temperature, the controller 60 connects the power source 29 and the thermoelectric conversion unit 20 and moves in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. In FIG. 5B, a current is passed in the direction indicated by the arrow, and the operation of heating the plate portion 11 and the thermo module 40 or the operation of cooling the plate portion 11 and the thermo module 40 is resumed. The controller 60 typically restarts the above operation when the difference between the set temperature and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 70 is 1 ° C. or more.

  When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 70 increases due to a failure of the temperature sensor 70 and reaches the upper limit value, the controller 60 disconnects the connection between the power source 29 and the thermoelectric conversion unit 20 and heats the plate unit 11. The amount of heat released by the thermoelectric conversion unit 20 is suppressed. The upper limit at this time is typically 45 ° C. Thereby, the operation | movement which heats said plate part 11 and the thermo module 40 stops, and it can prevent that the small animal on the plate part 11 bears a burn etc.

  When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 70 is less than the upper limit value, the controller 60 does not disconnect the power supply 29 and the thermoelectric conversion unit 20 until the set temperature is reached unless the power switch is turned off. The upper limit at this time is typically 45 ° C. Thereby, it can prevent stopping the operation | movement which heats the said plate part 11 and the thermomodule 40 in the winter environment which was not intended.

  The small animal air conditioner 1 stops the cooling operation for cooling the thermo module 40 or the heating operation for heating the thermo module 40 by turning off a power switch (not shown).

  The small animals that are cooled or heated by the small animal air conditioner 1 are typically dogs or cats kept indoors or outdoors.

  When a small animal is placed on the plate part 11, the temperature at which the plate part 11 is cooled or heated is transmitted to the small animal from the contact part with the small animal in the plate part 11.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the housing 10 includes the plurality of exhaust ports 13, and the thermoelectric conversion units 20 are provided between the fan 30 and the exhaust port 13. By contacting with the plate part 11, the overall temperature of the plate can be made as uniform as possible regardless of the area of the plate on which the small animal rides, and all the thermoelectric conversion parts can efficiently absorb heat or generate heat. And can save power.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the first heat absorbing / dissipating part 21 is connected to the plate part 11, and the second heat absorbing / dissipating part 22 is located farther from the plate part 11 than the first absorbing / dissipating part 21. The cooling air transmitted to the heat sink part 23 by the heat absorption phenomenon in the second heat absorbing / dissipating part 22 by the air blown from the fan 30 to the thermoelectric conversion part 20 or the second heat absorbing / dissipating part The heat transmitted to the heat sink portion 23 due to the heat generation phenomenon at 22 can be efficiently released to the internal space of the housing 10.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the thermoelectric conversion unit 20 is opposed to the side surface of the housing 10 on which the exhaust port 13 is provided, the thermoelectric conversion unit 20 is provided above the protruding portion 9, and the side surface of the housing 10 is By providing the thermoelectric conversion unit 20 between the protrusion 9 provided with the intake port 12, the thermoelectric conversion unit 20 can be disposed in the flow path of air flowing from the intake port 12 to the exhaust port 13, and the fan Of the external air sucked from the air inlet 12 at 30, the amount of air blown toward the thermoelectric converter 20 can be increased. Accordingly, the cool heat transferred to the heat sink 23 due to the endothermic phenomenon in the second heat absorbing / dissipating part 22 or the heat transferred to the heat sink 23 due to the heat generating phenomenon in the second heat absorbing / dissipating part 22 is efficiently transferred to the casing 10. Can escape into the interior space.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, by providing the fan 30 above the protruding portion 9 having the air inlet 12, the distance between the fan 30 and the air inlet 12 can be reduced. Air can be efficiently sucked into the housing 10.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, by providing the thermo module 40 so that the upper surface of the thermo module 40 is positioned below the upper surface of the plate portion 11, small animals riding on the plate portion 11 can directly or through a rug or the like. Thus, it is possible to avoid the danger of touching the thermo module 40 and causing burns.

  Moreover, according to this embodiment, the thermoelectric conversion part 20 and the plate part 11 are connected to the shape or size of the thermoelectric conversion part 20 by connecting the thermoelectric conversion part 20 with the thermo module 40 which is a separate body. Regardless, the same plate portion 11 can be used. Therefore, when the thermoelectric conversion unit 20 breaks down or when it is desired to change the heat generation capacity or the heat absorption capacity of the thermoelectric conversion unit 20, only the thermoelectric conversion unit 20 needs to be replaced. The heat generating capacity or the heat absorbing capacity of the small animal air conditioner 1 can be changed at low cost.

  In the present invention, the type, arrangement, number, and the like of the members are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the constituent elements thereof are appropriately replaced with those having the same effects and the like, without departing from the spirit of the invention. Of course, it can be changed appropriately.

  Specifically, in the above embodiment, two thermoelectric conversion units are provided, but three or more thermoelectric conversion units may be provided according to the size of the plate part 11.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the cooling / heating apparatus 1 for small animals was used in order to cool or heat a dog or a cat, you may use it for cooling or heating small animals, such as reptiles other than a dog and a cat. .

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, when the power switch which is not shown in figure is turned off, the cooling / heating apparatus 1 for small animals shows preset temperature information which shows the preset temperature set until the power switch was turned off, such as flash memory etc. When the power switch is turned on again, the controller 60 reads the set temperature information stored in the non-volatile memory so that the set temperature of the read set temperature information is obtained. It may work.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the electric current was supplied to the thermoelectric conversion part 20 from a household power outlet, electric current was supplied to the thermoelectric conversion part 20 from power supplies other than household power outlets, such as a battery or a solar power generator. It may be supplied.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the thermoelectric conversion unit 20 is provided with the heat sink part 23. However, the thermoelectric conversion part 20 is not provided with the heat sink part 23, and the air sucked from the outside through the air inlet 12 by the fan 30 is supplied to the thermoelectric conversion part 20. The air may be exhausted to the outside via the two heat absorbing / dissipating parts 22 and the exhaust port 13.

  The small animal air conditioning apparatus according to the present invention is suitable for heating or cooling small animals.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cooling and heating apparatus for small animals 9 Protruding part 10 Housing | casing 11 Plate part 12 Intake port 13 Exhaust port 14 Display part 15 Power lamp 16 Temperature adjustment button 17 Temperature adjustment button 18 Operation lamp 20 Thermoelectric conversion part 21 1st heat absorption / dissipation part 22 1st 2 heat absorbing / dissipating part 23 heat sink part 24 P-type semiconductor 25 N-type semiconductor 26 connecting part 29 power source 30 fan 40 thermo module 50 power cord 60 controller 70 temperature sensor 80 packing

Claims (3)

A small animal air conditioner for heating or cooling a small animal,
A housing that covers an upper surface and has an area on which the small animal can ride, an exhaust port, and an intake port;
A thermoelectric conversion unit that heats or cools the plate unit by receiving heat supply and radiating or absorbing heat while being housed in the housing,
A fan that is housed in the housing and exhausts air that has been sucked into the housing from the outside through the air intake port, through the exhaust port;
Have
The housing is
A plurality of the exhaust ports;
The thermoelectric converter is
A plurality of them are arranged between the fan and the exhaust port, each connected to the plate part,
An air conditioner for small animals characterized by the above. The thermoelectric converter is
When the first heat absorbing / dissipating part dissipates heat when the first heat absorbing / dissipating part absorbs heat due to the Peltier effect, and the first heat absorbing / dissipating part dissipates heat. A second heat absorbing / dissipating part that absorbs heat,
The first heat sink / heat dissipator is
Connected to the plate part,
The second heat absorbing / dissipating part is:
It is arranged at a position farther from the plate part than the first heat absorbing and radiating part
The air conditioner for small animals according to claim 1. A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the plate part;
Based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, the controller controls the heat absorption amount or heat dissipation amount of the thermoelectric converter, and suppresses the heat dissipation amount so that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor does not become higher than the upper limit value;
The air conditioner for small animals according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

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