JP3818133B2 - Snow melting equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a snow melting device for efficiently melting snow in a general household or store site.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In cold regions where there is a lot of snow, not only public roads but also general households and store premises, especially snow removal work from the sidewalks to general household entrances, garages, and parking spaces, is a major part of everyday life in the snowy season. It has been considered a problem.
[0003]
In order to solve this problem, there is a snow melting device that melts snow by heating a road surface by burying a heating wire, a hot water pipe, or the like as a heating element on the ground in the site. The heating wire generates heat by Joule heat when energized, and the hot water pipe generates heat by circulating hot water (actually antifreeze) heated by combustion of a kerosene boiler as a heat medium. Generally, the temperature of the road surface is increased by such heating to melt the snow on the road surface. Such a snow melting device is also called a road heating device or a road heating.
[0004]
An example thereof will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12 shows an example in which a general house 30 faces a sidewalk 31 and has an entrance 32 and a parking space 33. In the figure, a snow melting device 35 is embedded in the approach to the parking space 33 and the entrance 32, and the range is shown as a snow melting region 40.
[0005]
As shown in FIG. 13, the snow melting device 35 is embedded in the ground including a road bed portion 41, a concrete roadbed portion 42, and an asphalt pavement portion 43 in which crushed stones are spread. The road bed portion 41, the concrete roadbed portion 42, and the asphalt pavement portion 43 are formed at a depth D1 (about 300 mm as an example), D2 (about 70 mm), and D3 (about 30 mm), respectively, by civil engineering work. The heater 44 as a heating means is laid together with a metal mesh (not shown) on the upper surface of the road bed portion 41 and is embedded in the concrete roadbed portion 42 and the asphalt pavement portion 43. Some heaters 44 have a hot water pipe embedded therein, but the basic configuration of the embedded portion is the same.
[0006]
In order to detect snowfall, such a snow melting device 35 includes a snowfall sensor, an outside air temperature sensor, and a ground temperature sensor (sensors are not shown), and is automatically operated or used in response to signals from each sensor. Control means for manual operation at the discretion of the operator.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the snow melting device 35 having the above-described conventional configuration, the heater 44 and the hot water pipe, which are heating means, are embedded in the ground at a depth of D2 + D3 and about 100 mm. For this reason, even if the automatic operation is started immediately or the manual operation is started based on the detection signal of the snowfall sensor, the heater 44 as the heating means heats the ground above it for a while. From beginning to end. It takes a long operation time and a large amount of electric energy to raise the temperature of the entire snow melting device 35 and actually start the snow melting, and the snowfall that continues to accumulate on the ground cannot be melted immediately. The same is true for hot water pipes.
[0008]
In addition, snowfall rarely occurs continuously for 24 hours and often snows intermittently. Therefore, the operation of the snow melting device 35 is often intermittent, and the ground temperature of the snow melting device 35, that is, the snow melting region 40 is lowered each time. Therefore, at the next snowfall, it takes time to reheat the entire cooled road surface. Because of this cause, the consumption of electricity or kerosene increases, so the snow melting device 35 has high operating costs.
[0009]
As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, when the ground temperature reaches the predetermined temperature T20 in the automatic operation, the preliminary operation t51 is performed to increase the temperature to the predetermined temperature T10, and after the snowfall is detected, the main operation t52 is performed. In addition, after the end of snowfall, additional operation t53 is performed to prevent remaining snow melt and prevent refreezing of snow melt water. Here, in the preheating operation t51, since the heating means is buried in the ground and the responsiveness is poor, the same T10 temperature as the main operation t52 must be maintained, and the energy consumption increases.
[0010]
Several methods have been proposed to solve the above problems. One of the methods is road heating including a heating element, a ground temperature sensor, and a snowfall sensor connected to be switched in series or in parallel. When the ground temperature sensor becomes lower than the set temperature, preliminary heating (preheating) operation is started with a small amount of power when the heating elements are connected in series. After the snowfall sensor detects snowfall, the main operation is performed with the heating elements in parallel and high power. To do. Thereafter, the series and the parallel are switched at regular time intervals, and after the snowfall sensor detects the stop of snowfall, the preliminary operation is performed, and when the ground temperature sensor becomes higher than the set temperature, the preliminary operation is stopped. Thereby, it is supposed that the efficiency and energy saving of snow melting operation can be achieved.
[0011]
As another method, the outdoor brightness is also used as the heating temperature setting data, so that the remaining heat time of the road surface heating device is shortened and the road surface is efficiently preheated, melted or frozen. In particular, when the outside air temperature is low and it is sunny and bright, focusing on the fact that snow does not start in a short time, the preheating operation temperature is lowered, and it is possible to save energy for preheating power. It is what.
[0012]
However, both of the above two methods are intended to save energy, but do not control operation based on the actual operation time, and each has a problem regarding its snow melting performance and energy during actual use.
[0013]
In order to solve the problems of the conventional snow melting apparatus as described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a snow melting apparatus that exhibits snow melting performance that is optimum for snowfall characteristics and actual usage in cold regions. Is.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a snow melting device of the present invention includes a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of a snow melting panel, an outside air temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the outside air, a snowfall detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of snowfall, Control means for controlling the operation of the heating means based on the detection signal from each detection means, the control means has a time measuring means for detecting the operation time, the operation method of the heating means according to the operation time The heating means is operated at the preliminary operation temperature or the main operation temperature at which the temperature of the snow melting panel is higher than the other time periods immediately before the snow melting power stop time period based on the detection signal of the timing means . Is.
[0015]
As a result, it is possible to set an operation method that adjusts the ability of the heating means in the main operation and the preliminary operation according to the operation time, based on the detection signal from the time measuring means, and is most suitable for the snowfall characteristics and actual usage in cold regions. Snow melting performance can be demonstrated. Furthermore, it is possible to quickly melt snow during or immediately after the power is stopped.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the snow melting panel heated by the heating means, the temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the snow melting panel, the outside air temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the outside air, and the presence or absence of snowfall are detected. Snowfall detection means, and control means for controlling the operation of the heating means based on detection signals from the respective detection means, the control means has a time measuring means for detecting the operation time, according to the operation time Set the operation method of the heating means and immediately before the snow melting power stop time zone based on the detection signal of the timing means, the temperature of the snow melting panel is higher than the other time zones at the preliminary operation temperature or the main operation temperature. with snow melting device for operating the heating means, the control means on the basis of the snow detection signal, by heating the snow melting panel by the heating means, performs the operation to exert snow melting action, also, snowfall Even if there is no knowledge signal, the preliminary operation of heating the snow melting panel by the heating means can be performed based on the temperature detection signal of the snow melting panel or the outside air temperature detection signal, and the main operation based on the snowfall detection signal can be performed in a short time. . In particular, based on the detection signal from the time measuring means, it is possible to set the operation method that adjusts the heating means capacity in the main operation and preliminary operation according to the operation time, and the snow melting performance that is optimal for the snowfall characteristics and actual usage in cold regions It can be demonstrated.
[0017]
Furthermore, it is possible to quickly melt snow during or immediately after the power is stopped.
[0018]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the snow melting panel heated by the heating means, the temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the snow melting panel, the outside air temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the outside air, and the presence or absence of snowfall are detected. Snowfall detection means, and control means for controlling the operation of the heating means based on detection signals from the respective detection means, the control means has a time measuring means for detecting the operation time, according to the operation time immediately after the snow melting power stop time zone based on a detection signal of said time measuring means together for setting the method of operation heating means, a preliminary operation starts with the high preliminary operation start temperature than the time zone temperature is other snow melting panel By using the snow melting device, the snow melting panel is pre-operated at a pre-operation start temperature higher than other time zones against snowfall and snow melting water during the snow melting power stop time, and refreezing of them is prevented. is there
[0019]
The invention according to claim 3, the control means based on a detection signal of the timing means at night preliminarily operated at higher preliminary operation temperatures than the time zone temperature is other snow melting panel according to claim 1 or 2 By using the snow melting device described in the above, it is assumed that there is almost no snow melting effect due to sunlight at night, and the preliminary operation is performed at a preliminary operation temperature higher than other time zones. In the daytime, it is possible to carry out preliminary operation at a low preliminary operation temperature to perform energy-saving snow melting.
[0020]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the control means includes a delay time from the detection of the snowfall detection signal in a state where the temperature of the snow melting panel is higher than the outside air temperature to the operation of the heating means, and the delay time. The operation of the heating means is started after the temperature of the snow-melting panel becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, so that the snow-melting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is used. The temperature rises quickly and the necessary snow melting performance can be demonstrated.
[0021]
【Example】
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0022]
Example 1
The snow melting apparatus in Example 1 of this invention is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the snow melting panel 1 has a linear heating means (heater) 2 using a heating wire as a heating means for supplying the amount of heat for melting snow, and a temperature detection means 3 for detecting the temperature of the snow melting panel 1. is doing. Moreover, the protective cover 12 which covers the heating means 2 from below is provided, and the heating means 2 is configured to be pressed against the heat generating portion on the upper surface of the snow melting panel 1. The protective cover 12 protects the plurality of heating means 2 arranged in a spiral shape, and has a gap (about 5 mm in this embodiment) from the installation surface. The snow melting panel 1 has a predetermined thickness as a whole (about 20 mm in this embodiment).
[0023]
In addition, an outside air temperature detecting means 4 for detecting the temperature of the outside air, a snowfall detecting means 5 for detecting the presence or absence of snowfall, a moving object detecting means 6 for detecting an automobile, a person or the like moving on the snow melting panel 1, and each detection Control means 8 for controlling the operation of the heating means 2 based on a detection signal from the means is provided. The snowfall detection means 5 and the moving object detection means 6 are provided with detection means using an infrared sensor, but any detection method such as pressure or image may be used.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 4, the control means 8 has a time measuring means 8a for detecting the operation time, and sets the operation method of the heating means 2 based on the detection signal of the time measuring means 8a. Note that the input to the timing means 8a is performed manually or automatically.
[0025]
In addition, this snow melting device, which is generally used in cold regions, supplies power to the heating means 2 with snow melting power 9 connected exclusively for the snow melting device, as shown in FIG. Within a day, the predetermined time has a snow melting power stop time zone Q (2 to 5 hours depending on contract conditions) in which power supply stops. This snow melting power stop time zone Q is usually set including the evening, and the possibility of snowfall in this time zone, the passing of cars and people, is a time zone that can frequently occur.
[0026]
Next, a method for operating the snow melting device in the embodiment will be described. Here, it is assumed that when the automatic operation based on the detection signal of each detection unit is started, the preliminary operation and the main operation are performed, and a part of the preliminary operation overlaps the snow melting power stop time period Q ( Hereinafter, it is also referred to as a first driving method).
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 6, the control means 8 starts the preliminary operation t41 up to a predetermined temperature based on the temperature detection signal that the temperature of the snow melting panel 1 has decreased to T2. Prior to this, the preliminary operation temperature is set with reference to the output signal of the time measuring means 8a. In this first operation method, the preliminary operation t41 is performed at a relatively low temperature. Next, in order to obtain a snowfall detection signal and perform the main operation t42, the output of the heating means 2 is increased more than the preliminary operation t41, and the temperature of the snowmelt panel 1 is rapidly increased to T1 to melt snow. Even after the snowfall detection signal is stopped, an additional operation t43 is subsequently performed to surely melt the snow and prevent re-freezing of the snowmelt water.
[0028]
In the first operation method, subsequently, the control means 8 starts the preliminary operation t41 again based on the temperature detection signal that the temperature of the snow melting panel 1 has decreased to T2. Prior to this, when the preliminary operation temperature is set with reference to the output signal of the time measuring means 8a, it is determined that it overlaps with the snow melting power stop time zone Q. The heating means 2 is operated and a preliminary operation t41 is performed. Thereafter, in the snow melting power stop time zone Q, the temperature of the snow melting panel 1 decreases to dissipate heat or melt snow. When a snowfall detection signal is obtained immediately after the snowmelt power stop time period Q, in order to perform the main operation t42, the output of the heating means 2 is increased more than the preliminary operation t41, and the temperature of the snowmelt panel 1 is rapidly increased to T1. Raise and melt snow. Even after the snowfall detection signal is stopped, the additional operation t43 is subsequently performed to surely melt the snow and prevent refreezing of the melted water.
[0029]
The second operation method is as shown in FIG. The basic operation method is the same as that of the first operation method, but the control related to the snow melting power stop time zone Q will be described. The temperature of the snow melting panel 1 before the snow melting power stop time zone Q in the preliminary operation t41. Is heated to a preliminary operation temperature higher than the temperature T1 in the normal main operation t42, and the temperature is maintained. Therefore, even if there is snowfall in the snow melting power stop time zone Q, a partial Has the effect of melting snow. Therefore, the snow melting in the main operation t42 immediately after can be performed in a shorter time.
[0030]
Moreover, as a 3rd driving | running method, it has a thing as shown in FIG. This is also the same as the second operation method as a basic operation method. However, the control related to the snow melting power stop time zone Q will be described. Immediately after the snow melting power stop time zone Q, the temperature of the snow melting panel 1 Even if the temperature does not drop below T2, the preliminary operation t41 is started, and the preliminary operation temperature in this case is set to a temperature similar to the temperature T1 in the normal main operation t42. As a result, in the snow melting power stop time zone Q, it is possible to melt snow even when there is snow. The preliminary operation t41 is set based on the operation time assumed from the snow melting power stop time zone Q, and the end is determined by another detection signal.
[0031]
That is, by operating the heating means 2 based on the detection signal of the time measuring means 8a, the useless energy consumption is suppressed, and an appropriate snow melting action is exhibited in and immediately after the snow melting power stop time period Q. is there.
[0032]
Also, snowfall rarely occurs continuously for 24 hours, and often falls intermittently, such as falling from night to early morning and not during the day. Therefore, the operation of the snow melting device is often intermittent. In each case, the snow melting panel 1 is cooled once, but can be heated again in a short time. Therefore, the power consumption of the snow melting panel 1 can be small, and the running cost of the snow melting device is also low. That is, it is possible to melt snow in a short time, that is, with less power consumption, compared to a conventional snow melting device buried in the ground.
[0033]
As described above, when considering the entire snowy season, the increase in the surface temperature of the snow melting panel 1 in the snow melting device speeds up, so that the energy use efficiency in intermittent operation is high. It can be said that the snow melting device using the snow melting panel 1 exhibits a snow melting performance appropriate for the actual snowfall conditions and has high operation efficiency. That is, excellent snow melting performance is realized.
[0034]
In addition, since the space | gap between the protective cover 12 in the snow melting panel 1 and an installation surface exhibits a heat insulation effect, it is suppressed that the calorie | heat amount for snow melting by the heating means 2 is supplied to the roadbed of an installation place, and it becomes a heat loss. Efficient snow melting is performed.
[0035]
In addition, when snowmelt water or rainwater remains on the upper surface of the snowmelt panel 1, by forming a non-slip anti-slip finish layer having fine irregularities, it is possible to prevent people and cars from slipping inadvertently. Therefore, it is a snow melting device that can be used safely even throughout the year. Note that the anti-slip finish layer may be one that is applied to the surface of the snow melting panel 1 and finished with a paint containing a particulate mixture that exhibits an anti-slip effect (this impurity is also referred to as an aggregate). Further, the snow melting panel 1 itself may be provided with unevenness, or the anti-slip finishing layer itself may be a metal plate having unevenness.
[0036]
Moreover, although the anti-slip finish layer is formed on the entire surface of the snow melting panel 1, it is not limited to being formed on the entire surface, and even if it is a part, the effect can be sufficiently exhibited.
[0037]
Moreover, in the Example, although the snow melting panel 1 is formed with one metal plate, it is not limited to this. Various configurations such as a resin plate, a resin-metal multilayer plate, a metal-metal multilayer plate, etc. may be used. If the thin member is used to protect the heating means, the heating capacity of the portion is small and short. The surface can be heated in time.
[0038]
For example, if a multi-layer plate of resin and metal is used, the anti-slip effect and the flow path of snowmelt water can be easily formed with the surface shape of the resin, and the strength against the load can be secured with the lower metal plate. Further, by using at least one layer as a metal material, even if various loads, particularly sharp objects, are pressed, strength can be obtained and damage to the heating element can be prevented. Furthermore, if a metal-metal multilayer board is used, it is possible to combine a metal material with high corrosion resistance at the upper part and a high-strength metal material at the lower part, and the required heating performance and durability can be obtained while being thin. Is.
[0039]
The external size of the snow melting panel 1 used in the present embodiment is assumed to be a rectangle having a length of 50 cm and a width of 100 cm, and the thickness can be set in various ways. There are no problems even if the outer size, material, installation location, etc. are changed as appropriate. Since the external size of the snow melting panel 1 of the embodiment is 1: 2, it can be installed in a necessary region without any gaps by combining vertically and horizontally, but is not limited to this, and 1: 1, 1: It may be suitable for various external sizes such as 3. Furthermore, the outer shape of the snow melting panel 1 may be circular, polygonal, or the like.
[0040]
(Example 2)
In the second embodiment, the basic configuration as the snow melting device is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the description of the basic configuration is omitted.
[0041]
Based on the detection signal of the time measuring means 8a, the control means 8 performs the preliminary operation t21 at the preliminary operation temperature T4 where the temperature of the snow melting panel 1 is higher than the preliminary operation temperature T3 in other time zones at night as shown in FIG. The operation method which performs is performed. That is, when comparing the preliminary operation temperatures in both time zones, the nighttime preliminary operation temperature T4 is higher than the daytime preliminary operation temperature T3. In the figure, t22 indicates the main operation and t23 indicates the additional operation.
[0042]
In such an operation method, the control means 8 determines that there is almost no snow melting effect due to sunlight at night based on the detection signal of the time measuring means 8a, and at a preliminary operation temperature T4 higher than other time zones. Since the preliminary operation t21 is performed, the snow melting time can be shortened when the main operation t22 is subsequently executed based on the snowfall detection signal. Of course, during the daytime, the preliminary operation t21 is performed at the low preliminary operation temperature T3, and energy-saving snow melting can be performed.
[0043]
Example 3
In the third embodiment, the basic configuration as the snow melting device is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the description of the basic configuration is omitted.
[0044]
The control means 8 has an operation method as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, and before the automatic operation is started and the preliminary operation and the main operation are started, the temperature of the snow melting panel 1 is set in advance to the outside air temperature T11. Is to be compared.
[0045]
First, when a snowfall detection signal is detected in a state higher than the outside air temperature T11, the snowmelt detection signal is left as it is until the temperature of the snowmelt panel 1 drops to a predetermined temperature, and the snow melts in that state. That is, there is a delay time td until the heating means 2 is operated, and after the temperature of the snow melting panel 1 becomes a predetermined temperature or less at the delay time td, the operation of the heating means 2 is started and the delay time td. A driving method for performing a main operation t32 including the following operation and a subsequent additional operation t33 is executed. Here, snow melting at the delay time td can be performed with almost no energy consumption. If the temperature of the snow melting panel 1 is lower than the outside air temperature T11 and lower than the predetermined temperature, the preliminary operation is performed.
[0046]
In each of the embodiments described above, a heater is used as the heating means 2, but the heating part of the snow melting panel 1 is formed of a metal material, and a heating coil for induction heating this is used as the heating means 2. it can. If comprised in this way, since the heating part of the snow melting panel 1 is induction-heated, based on the detection signal of the time measuring means 8a, since a quick heating action is obtained by the output of the heating means 2, energy saving can be achieved in a shorter time. Preliminary operation and main operation can be performed. Of course, the control means 8 serving as the basic configuration is different from each embodiment in a specific control circuit, but it is a known technique to generate heat by induction heating, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.
[0047]
Even if the heating means 2 is not a heater or a heating coil but a hot water pipe in which a heat medium circulates, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained as long as the thin snow melting panel 1 can be realized.
[0048]
Further, in each of the above embodiments, the snow melting panel 1 of the snow melting device is installed on the upper part of the existing pavement, but after excavating the pavement by the thickness of the snow melting panel 1, the surrounding pavement and Needless to say, the heights may be the same or slightly higher. Of course, depending on the state of the installation location, it goes without saying that the snow melting panel 1 of the snow melting device may be installed after excavating the roadbed portion and leveling the pavement as the installation location of the snow melting panel 1. In any case, the upper surface of the snow melting panel 1 may be exposed and formed as a snow melting device.
[0049]
The snow melting panel of the present invention is originally intended for melting snow, but can heat the whole uniformly and quickly. It can also be used as a heating device that heats on the wall. In addition, it is obvious that it can be effectively used as a non-slip heating device on floors of food factories, kitchens, restaurants, etc. where water droplets often adhere.
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention can provide a snow melting device that exhibits snow melting performance that is optimum for the snowfall characteristics and actual usage in cold regions.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing a basic configuration of a snow melting apparatus in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part of a snow melting panel in the snow melting apparatus. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation method of the snow melting device. FIG. 5 is a temperature characteristic diagram showing supply of snow melting power in the snow melting device. FIG. 6 is a temperature characteristic diagram showing a first operation method in the snow melting device. FIG. 7 is a temperature characteristic diagram showing a second operation method in the snow melting device. FIG. 8 is a temperature characteristic diagram showing a third operation method in the snow melting device. FIG. 9 is a temperature of a snow melting panel in Example 2 of the invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation method of the snow melting device in the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a temperature characteristic diagram of the snow melting panel in the third embodiment. FIG. External perspective view showing Cross sectional view showing an installation structure of FIG. 13] the snow melting apparatus 14 is a description of the flowchart [code indicating the method of operating temperatures characteristic diagram [15] the snow melting apparatus of the snow melting apparatus]
1 Snow melting panel 2 Heating means (heater)
3 Temperature detection means 4 Outside air temperature detection means 5 Snowfall detection means 8 Control means 8a Timing means 9 Snow melting power

Claims (4)

A snow melting panel heated by a heating means, a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the snow melting panel, an outside air temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the outside air, a snowfall detection means for detecting the presence or absence of snowfall, and each of the detection means based on a detection signal from a control means for controlling the operation of the heating means, the control means includes a timer means for detecting operating time, and sets the method of driving the heating means in accordance with the operating time A snow melting device that operates the heating means at a preliminary operation temperature or a main operation temperature at which the temperature of the snow melting panel is higher than the other time periods immediately before the snow melting power stop time period based on the detection signal of the time measuring means . A snow melting panel heated by a heating means, a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the snow melting panel, an outside air temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the outside air, a snowfall detection means for detecting the presence or absence of snowfall, and each of the detection means Control means for controlling the operation of the heating means based on the detection signal from the control means, the control means has a time measuring means for detecting the operation time, and sets the operation method of the heating means according to the operation time the clock means is the detection immediately after the snow melting power stop time zone on the basis of the signal, snow melting device temperature of the snow melting panel to start a preliminary operation at high preliminary operation start temperature than the other time zones. The snow melting device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the control means performs preliminary operation at a preliminary operation temperature at which the temperature of the snow melting panel is higher than other time zones at night based on the detection signal of the time measuring means. The control means has a delay time from the detection of the snowfall detection signal in a state where the temperature of the snowmelt panel is higher than the outside air temperature to the operation of the heating means, and the temperature of the snowmelt panel is not more than a predetermined temperature in the delay time. snow melting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 for starting the operation of the heating means after a.

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