JP2017091754A - Protection element - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure sufficiently strong contact pressure for a long period by suppressing deformation of a movable arm or a thermally-actuated element.SOLUTION: A protection element includes: a first lead 12 having a fixed contact 11; a movable arm 14 having a movable contact 13 and pressing the movable contact 13 to the fixed contact in contact with each other; a second lead 15 electrically connected to the movable arm; a thermally-actuated element 16 for actuating the movable arm in accordance with a temperature change; a heating element 17 connected to the first lead, and when the movable contact is separated from the fixed contact, brought into contact with the second lead, and energized to control return operation of the thermally-actuated element; a housing 18 for inserting the first lead and the second lead and storing the movable arm, the thermally-actuated element, and the heating element; and a lid 19 for sealing an aperture of the housing. The lid has a stopper which when the contacts are separated from each other, presses the movable arm or the thermally-actuated element and deformation of the movable arm or the thermally-actuated element is suppressed by the stopper 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a protection element having a current interruption mechanism by reversal of a thermally responsive element.

  2. Description of the Related Art A protection element that uses a bimetal as a thermally responsive element has been conventionally used in a protection device for a power supply circuit such as an electric motor or a secondary battery. For such a protective device, a contact opening / closing type protective element is used because of the advantages that high-accuracy operation setting is possible, the operating temperature can be set relatively freely, and repeated return operations are possible. The basic configuration of the protection element includes a first lead terminal having a fixed contact, a movable contact, a movable arm that presses the movable contact against the fixed contact, and a second electrically connected to the movable arm. Lead terminals, a bimetal that operates the movable arm so as to open and close the fixed contact and the movable contact in accordance with a temperature change, and a housing that houses these members. In recent years, like the protective element described in Patent Document 1, in addition to the basic configuration described above, a PTC (positive characteristic circuit) is used as a heater that is energized when the movable contact and the fixed contact are separated and self-controls the return operation of the bimetal. Some are equipped with Mr. The protective element may be mounted in a narrow space such as a power supply unit of various electronic devices, and it is desirable that the protective element be as small and thin as possible.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a protective element (breaker 1) in which a fixed piece 3, a movable piece 2, an inversion-type thermal response element 4, and a PTC element (positive characteristic thermistor 5) are accommodated in a flat case 6. The characteristic thermistor 5 and the thermal responsive element 4 are sandwiched between the fixed piece 3 and the movable piece 2, the thermal responsive element 4 covers the upper surface 53 of the positive characteristic thermistor 5, and one side of the thermal responsive element 4 is reversed. A protective element is disclosed in which the members are stacked in contact with the positive temperature coefficient thermistor 5 and the other surface is in contact with the movable piece 2.

JP 2005-129471 A

  In general, the protective element uses a package having a small heat capacity and a high heat sensitivity. For this reason, when soldering a protective element by reflow soldering, the protective element is temporarily exposed to an overheated state. In an overheating process such as reflow soldering, the displacement amount of the bimetal becomes excessive, and the movable arm may be excessively pressed and deformed. If the movable arm is deformed, the operating temperature and the operating accuracy of the protective element are undesirably changed. In order to prevent the deformation of the movable arm, the package has conventionally been provided with a protrusion serving as a stopper to suppress the deformation of the movable arm. However, since there is only one conventional stopper projection, there has been a problem that the movable arm cannot be sufficiently dealt with in the lateral deformation, and the movable arm is likely to be twisted.

  The present invention has been proposed in order to solve the above-described problems. In a protective element having a current interrupting mechanism using a thermally responsive element such as a bimetal, a movable arm or a thermally responsive element associated with excessive displacement of the thermally responsive element is provided. An object is to stabilize the operating temperature and operating accuracy of the protection element by suppressing deformation and to reduce variations.

  According to the present invention, a first lead having a fixed contact, a movable arm having a movable contact and pressing the movable contact against the fixed contact, a second lead electrically connected to the movable arm, and a temperature change Accordingly, the thermally responsive element that operates the movable arm so as to open and close the fixed contact and the movable contact, and the second lead when the movable contact and the fixed contact are separated from the first lead are opened and are energized. A heating element that controls the return operation of the element, a housing that houses the movable arm, the thermally responsive element, and the heating element by inserting the first lead and the second lead, covers the movable arm, and seals the opening of the housing A lid is provided, and the lid has a stopper that presses at least both ends of the long side of the movable arm when the contact is opened, and a protective element that suppresses twisting deformation of the movable arm by the stopper is provided. .

  The above-described stopper only needs to be able to press both ends of the opposite sides of the movable arm so that the movable arm is not twisted and deformed in the lateral direction when the contact is released. For example, if a stopper composed of two protrusions is provided on the lid so that at least both ends on the long side of the movable arm can be pressed, and this stopper is placed toward the movable arm in the housing, the contact can be separated. At times, both protrusions support at least both ends of the movable arm which is pushed up by the inverted heat-responsive element and warps to prevent twisting of the movable arm.

  In addition, the stopper provided in the lid body may form a protrusion in a ridge line shape along the short side direction of the lid body. If a stopper consisting of a ridge-shaped projection is placed toward the movable arm in the housing, the ridge-shaped projection will be pushed up by the inverted thermal actuator when the contact is released, supporting at least both ends of the movable arm Prevents twisting of the movable arm.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a first lead having a fixed contact, a movable arm having a movable contact and pressing the movable contact against the fixed contact, and a second lead electrically connected to the movable arm And a thermally responsive element that operates the movable arm so as to open and close the fixed contact and the movable contact in accordance with a temperature change, and is connected to the first lead and is in contact with the second lead when the movable contact and the fixed contact are separated. A heating element that controls the return operation of the thermally responsive element, a housing that houses the movable arm, the thermally responsive element, and the heating element by inserting the first lead and the second lead; A lid that seals the opening is provided, and the lid has a stopper that presses both end portions of the opposite sides of the thermo-responsive element when the contact is opened, and a protective element that suppresses deformation of the thermo-responsive element by the stopper is provided. The

  The above-described stopper only needs to be able to press both end portions of the opposite sides of the thermally responsive element so that the thermally responsive element is not twisted and deformed in the lateral direction when the contact is opened. The opposite ends of the thermally responsive element are pressed using a protrusion provided on the lid, or a stopper provided with a side plate provided on the lid and bent. In other words, if the protrusions or side plates of the lid are arranged toward the heat-responsive elements in the housing, the protrusions provided on the cover or the edges of the side plates face the inverted heat-responsive elements when the contacts are opened. Supports both ends of the side to prevent twisting of the thermally responsive element.

  According to still another aspect, a first lead having a fixed contact, a movable arm having a movable contact and pressing the movable contact against the fixed contact, a second lead electrically connected to the movable arm, A thermally responsive element that operates the movable arm so as to open and close the fixed contact and the movable contact in accordance with a temperature change, and is connected to the first lead and contacted with the second lead when the movable contact and the fixed contact are separated. A heating element for controlling the return operation of the thermally responsive element, a housing for receiving the movable arm, the thermally responsive element and the heating element by inserting the first lead and the second lead, an opening of the housing covering the movable arm A lid for sealing, the lid having a first stopper that presses at least both ends of the long side of the movable arm when the contact is released, and the twist of the movable arm is suppressed by the first stopper; A second stopper which presses both end portions of the opposing side of the thermally responsive element during TenHirakiHanare, protective element that suppresses deformation of the thermally responsive device is provided by a second stopper.

  The stopper according to the present invention supports deformation and twisting of the movable arm and excess of the thermal responsive element by supporting both ends of the predetermined opposing side among the free ends of the movable arm or the thermal responsive element when the contact is opened. Suppresses displacement and stabilizes the operating temperature and operating accuracy of the protection element.

The protection element 10 which concerns on this invention is shown, (a) is the top view, (b) is front sectional exploded view, (c) is front sectional drawing, (d) shows a bottom view. In addition, the broken line of (a) shows the mounting position of a thermoresponsive element, and a dashed-dotted line shows the mounting position of a movable arm. The protection element 20 which concerns on this invention is shown, (a) is the top view, (b) is front sectional exploded view, (c) is front sectional drawing, (d) shows a bottom view. In addition, the broken line of (a) shows the mounting position of a thermoresponsive element, and a dashed-dotted line shows the mounting position of a movable arm. The protection element 30 which concerns on this invention is shown, (a) is the top view, (b) is front sectional exploded view, (c) is front sectional drawing, (d) shows a bottom view. In addition, the broken line of (a) shows the mounting position of a thermoresponsive element, and a dashed-dotted line shows the mounting position of a movable arm. The protection element 40 which concerns on this invention is shown, (a) is the top view, (b) is front sectional exploded view, (c) is front sectional drawing, (d) shows a bottom view. In addition, the broken line of (a) shows the mounting position of a thermoresponsive element, and a dashed-dotted line shows the mounting position of a movable arm.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the protection element 10 according to the present invention has a first lead 12 having a fixed contact 11 and a movable contact 13, and a movable arm that presses and contacts the movable contact 13 to the fixed contact 11. 14, a second lead 15 electrically connected to the movable arm 14, and a thermally responsive element such as a bimetal or a shape memory alloy that operates the movable arm 14 so as to open and close the fixed contact 11 and the movable contact 13 according to a temperature change. 16 and when the movable contact 13 and the fixed contact 11 are connected to the first lead 12, the second lead 15 is contacted and energized to control the return operation of the thermally responsive element 16. An element 17, a casing 18 that houses the movable arm 14, the thermally responsive element 16, and the heating element 17 by inserting the first lead 12 and the second lead 15, and the movable arm 14 The lid 19 includes a stopper 19 that presses at least both ends of the free end of the movable arm 14 when the contact is released. The protection element which suppressed 14 twist deformation | transformation is provided. The protective element 10 is provided with a stopper 100 composed of a plurality of hill-shaped protrusions near the long side of the lid 19 so that at least both ends of the movable arm 14 on the long side can be pressed, and the stopper 100 is movable within the casing. If it is arranged toward the arm 14, both protrusions of the stopper 100 are pushed up by the inverted thermal response element 16 when the contact is released, and support at least both ends of the movable arm 14 that is warped to prevent twisting of the movable arm 14. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the protection element 20 according to the present invention includes a first lead 22 having a fixed contact 21 and a movable contact 23, and a movable arm 24 that presses and contacts the movable contact 23 against the fixed contact 21. A second lead 25 electrically connected to the movable arm 24; and a thermally responsive element 26 such as a bimetal or a shape memory alloy that operates the movable arm 24 so as to open and close the fixed contact 21 and the movable contact 23 according to a temperature change. And a heating element such as a PTC element or a resistance element that is connected to the first lead 22 and that is energized by contact with the second lead 25 when the movable contact 23 and the fixed contact 21 are separated from each other, thereby controlling the return operation of the thermally responsive element 26. 27, a housing 28 for inserting the first lead 22 and the second lead 25 and housing the movable arm 24, the thermally responsive element 26 and the heating element 27, and the movable arm 24. A lid body 29 that seals the opening of the housing 28 is provided. The lid body 29 has a stopper 200 that presses at least both ends of the free end of the movable arm 24 when the contact is released. The stopper 200 twists the movable arm 24 by the stopper 200. A protective element that suppresses deformation is provided. The protective element 20 is provided with a stopper 200 made of a ridge-shaped protrusion along the short side direction of the lid 29 so that at least both ends of the movable arm 24 on the long side can be pressed. If arranged toward the movable arm 24, the protrusion of the stopper 200 supports the short side direction of the movable arm 24, which is pushed up by the inverted thermal response element 26 when the contact is released, and prevents the movable arm 24 from being twisted. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the protection element 30 according to the present invention includes a first lead 32 having a fixed contact 31 and a movable contact 33, and a movable arm 34 that presses and contacts the movable contact 33 against the fixed contact 31. A second lead 35 electrically connected to the movable arm 34, and a thermally responsive element 36 such as a bimetal or a shape memory alloy that operates the movable arm 34 so as to open and close the fixed contact 31 and the movable contact 33 according to a temperature change. And a heating element such as a PTC element or a resistance element, which is connected to the first lead 32 and contacts the second lead 35 when the movable contact 33 and the fixed contact 31 are separated and is energized to control the return operation of the thermally responsive element 36. 37, the first lead 32 and the second lead 35 are inserted and the movable arm 34, the thermally responsive element 36 and the heat generating element 37 are accommodated, and the movable arm 34 is covered. A lid body 39 that seals the opening of the housing 38 is provided, and the lid body 39 has stoppers 300 that press both ends of the opposite sides of the thermal responsive element 37 when the contact is released. A protective element that suppresses twisting deformation is provided. The protection element 30 includes a stopper 300 formed by bending a wing-shaped side plate provided on the lid 39 into a concave shape. If the stopper 300 is arranged toward the thermal response element 37 in the housing, the edge of the side plate provided on the lid 38 supports at least both ends of the opposite sides of the inverted thermal response element 37 when the contact is opened. Thus, twisting of the thermally responsive element 37 is prevented. Instead of bending the side plate portion into a concave shape, a protrusion is provided on the lid 38, and both ends of the opposite sides of the thermally responsive element 37 where the protrusion is inverted are supported to prevent twisting of the responsive element 37. The structure to do may be sufficient. The protrusion that supports the thermoresponsive element 37 includes two hill-shaped protrusions provided along the opposite sides of the thermoresponsive element 37 or ridge-like protrusions provided along a side different from the opposite side.

  The protective element 40 according to the present invention has the characteristics of both the protective element 10 and the protective element 20 and the protective element 30 described above. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the protection element 40 includes a first lead 42 having a fixed contact 41, a movable contact 43, a movable arm 44 that presses the movable contact 43 against the fixed contact 41, and this A second lead 45 electrically connected to the movable arm 44; a thermally responsive element 46 such as a bimetal or a shape memory alloy that operates the movable arm 44 so as to open and close the fixed contact 41 and the movable contact 43 according to a temperature change; A heating element 47 such as a PTC element or a resistance element that is connected to the first lead 42 and is in contact with the second lead 45 when the movable contact 43 and the fixed contact 41 are separated and is energized to control the return operation of the thermally responsive element 46; A casing 48 that houses the movable arm 44, the thermally responsive element 46, and the heating element 47 by inserting the first lead 42 and the second lead 45, and covers the movable arm 44. The lid 49 includes a first stopper 400 that presses at least both ends of the free end of the movable arm 44 when the contact is released, and a thermal responsive element 47 when the contact is opened. The second stopper 410 presses both ends of the opposite side of the first stopper 400, the first stopper 400 is a protective element that suppresses the torsional deformation of the movable arm 44, and the second stopper 410 is a deformation element that suppresses the deformation of the thermally responsive element 47. Provided.

  The first stopper 400 of the protection element 40 can select either a plurality of hill-like projections like the protection element 10 or a ridge-like projection like the protection element 20.

  Further, the second stopper 410 of the protection element 40 is formed by bending a wing-shaped side plate provided on the lid body into a concave shape or providing a projection on the lid body, as in the protection element 30. Can be selected. The protrusion can select either one of two hill-shaped protrusions provided along the opposite side of the thermoresponsive element or a ridge line-like protrusion provided along a side different from the opposite side. .

  Example 1 of the protection element 10 according to the present invention has a first lead 12 made of nickel-plated copper alloy having a silver alloy fixed contact 11 and a movable contact 13 made of silver alloy, and the movable contact 13 becomes the fixed contact 11. The movable arm 14 made of a copper alloy spring material to be pressed and contacted, the second lead 15 of nickel-plated copper alloy electrically connected to the movable arm 14, and the fixed contact 11 and the movable contact 13 are opened and closed as the temperature changes. In this way, the thermoresponsive element 16 made of a bimetal obtained by laminating a Ni—Cr—Fe alloy and a Ni—Fe alloy for operating the movable arm 14 and the movable contact 13 and the fixed contact 11 connected to the first lead 12 are separated. When the first lead 12 and the second lead 15 are inserted, the heating element 17 made of a PTC element that contacts the second lead 15 and is energized to control the return operation of the thermally responsive element 16 is inserted. A latchac housing 18 that houses the movable arm 14, the thermally responsive element 16, and the heating element 17, and a nickel-plated copper alloy lid 19 that covers the movable arm 14 and seals the opening of the housing 18. The body 19 has a stopper 100 composed of two hill-shaped projections that press at least both ends of the free end of the movable arm 14 when the contact is separated, and the two arms 100 cause the movable arm 14 to be twisted and deformed. Suppress.

  Example 2 of the protection element 20 according to the present invention has a nickel-plated copper alloy first lead 22 having a silver alloy fixed contact 21 and a silver alloy movable contact 23, and the movable contact 23 becomes a fixed contact 21. The movable arm 24 made of a copper alloy spring material to be pressed and contacted, the second lead 25 of nickel-plated copper alloy electrically connected to the movable arm 24, and the fixed contact 21 and the movable contact 23 are opened and closed as the temperature changes. In this way, the thermoresponsive element 26 made of a bimetal obtained by laminating a Ni—Cr—Fe alloy and a Ni—Fe alloy for operating the movable arm 24, and the movable contact 23 and the fixed contact 21 connected to the first lead 22 are separated. The heating element 27 made of a PTC element that contacts the second lead 25 and is energized to control the return operation of the thermally responsive element 26, and the first lead 22 and the second lead 25 are inserted. A lidack housing 28 that houses the movable arm 24, the thermally responsive element 26, and the heating element 27, and a nickel-plated copper alloy lid 29 that covers the movable arm 24 and seals the opening of the housing 28. 29 has a stopper 200 composed of a ridge-shaped projection that presses at least both ends of the free end of the movable arm 24 when the contact is released, and the stopper 200 suppresses twisting deformation of the movable arm 24.

  Example 3 of the protection element 30 according to the present invention has a first lead 32 made of nickel-plated copper alloy having a silver alloy fixed contact 31 and a movable contact 33 made of silver alloy, and the movable contact 33 becomes the fixed contact 31. The movable arm 34 made of a copper alloy spring material to be pressed and contacted, the second lead 35 of the nickel-plated copper alloy electrically connected to the movable arm 34, and the fixed contact 31 and the movable contact 33 are opened and closed as the temperature changes. In this way, the thermoresponsive element 36 made of a bimetal obtained by laminating a Ni—Cr—Fe alloy and a Ni—Fe alloy for operating the movable arm 34, and the movable contact 33 and the fixed contact 31 connected to the first lead 32 are separated. At this time, the heating element 37 made of a PTC element that controls the return operation of the thermally responsive element 36 by contacting the second lead 35 and being energized, and the first lead 32 and the second lead 35 are inserted. A lidack housing 38 that houses the movable arm 34, the thermally responsive element 36, and the heating element 37, and a nickel-plated copper alloy lid 39 that covers the movable arm 34 and seals the opening of the housing 38. 39 has a stopper 300 in which a wing-like side plate provided on the lid 39 is bent in a concave shape, and both ends of the opposite side of the thermo-responsive element 37 are pressed by the stopper 300 of both wings when the contact is released. The torsional deformation of the element 37 is suppressed.

  Embodiment 4 of the protective element 40 according to the present invention has a first lead 42 of a nickel-plated copper alloy having a silver alloy fixed contact 41 and a silver alloy movable contact 43, and the movable contact 43 becomes the fixed contact 41. A movable arm 44 made of a copper alloy spring material to be pressed and contacted, a nickel-plated copper alloy second lead 45 electrically connected to the movable arm 44, and the fixed contact 41 and the movable contact 43 are opened and closed as the temperature changes. In order to operate the movable arm 44, the thermoresponsive element 46 made of a bimetal in which a Ni—Cr—Fe alloy and a Ni—Fe alloy are laminated, and the movable contact 43 and the fixed contact 41 are connected to the first lead 42 and opened. The heating element 47, which is a PTC element that controls the return operation of the thermally responsive element 46 by contacting the second lead 45 when energized, and the first lead 42 and the second lead 45 are connected. And a nickel-plated copper alloy lid 49 that covers the movable arm 44 and seals the opening of the casing 48. The lid 48 includes a movable arm 44, a heat-responsive element 46, and a heating element 47. The body 49 includes two hill-shaped first stoppers 400 that press at least both ends of the free end of the movable arm 44 when the contact is separated, and both ends of opposite sides of the thermoresponsive element 47 when the contact is separated. The second stopper 410 has a wing-like side plate portion that presses the portion bent into a concave shape. The first stopper 400 suppresses the deformation of the movable arm 44, and the second stopper 410 suppresses the deformation of the thermally responsive element 47. .

  The protection element of the present invention can be used for protection devices for various power sources, for example, protection devices for secondary batteries such as adapter power supplies and battery packs.

11, 21, 31, 41... Fixed contact,
12, 22, 32, 42 ... first lead,
13, 23, 33, 43 ... movable contacts,
14, 24, 34, 44 ... movable arm,
15, 25, 35, 45 ... second lead,
16, 26, 36, 46... Thermal response element,
17, 27, 37, 47... Heating element,
18, 28, 38, 48 ... casing,
19, 29, 39, 49 ... lid,
100, 200, 300 ... stopper,
400: first stopper,
410 ... 2nd stopper.

Claims (17)

  A first lead having a fixed contact; a movable arm having a movable contact, the movable contact being pressed against the fixed contact; a second lead electrically connected to the movable arm; A thermally responsive element that operates the movable arm so as to open and close the fixed contact and the movable contact, and the first lead connected to the second lead when the movable contact and the fixed contact are separated from each other and energized. A heating element for controlling the return operation of the thermal responsive element, a housing for inserting the first lead and the second lead, and housing the movable arm, the thermal responsive element and the heating element, and the movable arm. And a lid that seals the opening of the housing, and the lid includes a stopper that presses at least both ends of the movable arm when the contact is released. Protection device is characterized in that suppressing deformation torsion of the movable arm I.   The protective element according to claim 1, wherein the stopper includes a protrusion provided on the lid.   The protection element according to claim 2, wherein the protrusion includes a plurality of hill-shaped protrusions provided on the lid.   The protection element according to claim 2, wherein the protrusion includes a ridge-shaped protrusion provided on the lid.   A first lead having a fixed contact; a movable arm having a movable contact, the movable contact being pressed against the fixed contact; a second lead electrically connected to the movable arm; A thermally responsive element that operates the movable arm so as to open and close the fixed contact and the movable contact, and the first lead connected to the second lead when the movable contact and the fixed contact are separated from each other and energized. A heating element for controlling the return operation of the thermal responsive element, a housing for inserting the first lead and the second lead, and housing the movable arm, the thermal responsive element and the heating element, and the movable arm. A lid that covers the opening of the housing and has a stopper that presses both ends of the opposite sides of the thermally responsive element when the contact is opened. Protection device is characterized in that to suppress torsional deformation of actuator element.   The protection element according to claim 5, wherein the stopper is formed by bending a wing-shaped side plate portion provided on the lid body into a concave shape.   The protection element according to claim 5, wherein the stopper includes a protrusion provided on the lid.   The protection element according to claim 7, wherein the protrusion includes a plurality of hill-shaped protrusions.   The protection element according to claim 7, wherein the protrusion includes a ridge-shaped protrusion.   A first lead having a fixed contact; a movable arm having a movable contact, the movable contact being pressed against the fixed contact; a second lead electrically connected to the movable arm; A thermally responsive element that operates the movable arm so as to open and close the fixed contact and the movable contact, and the first lead connected to the second lead when the movable contact and the fixed contact are separated from each other and energized. A heat generating element for controlling the return operation of the heat responsive element, a housing for inserting the first lead and the second lead and accommodating the movable arm, the heat responsive element and the heat generating element, and the movable arm. A lid that covers the opening of the housing and seals the opening, and the lid includes a first stopper that presses at least both ends of the free end of the movable arm when the contact is released, and further when the contact is released A second stopper that presses both end portions of the opposite side of the thermally responsive element, wherein the first stopper suppresses deformation of the movable arm, and the second stopper suppresses deformation of the thermally responsive element. Special protective element.   The protective element according to claim 10, wherein the first stopper includes a protrusion provided on the lid.   The protection element according to claim 11, wherein the protrusion includes a plurality of hill-shaped protrusions.   The protection element according to claim 11, wherein the protrusion includes a ridge-shaped protrusion.   11. The protection element according to claim 10, wherein the second stopper is formed by bending a wing-shaped side plate provided on the lid body into a concave shape.   The protection element according to claim 10, wherein the second stopper includes a protrusion provided on the lid.   The protection element according to claim 15, wherein the protrusion includes a plurality of hill-shaped protrusions. The protection element according to claim 15, wherein the protrusion includes a ridge-shaped protrusion.

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