JP4860577B2 - Equipment life prediction system for passenger conveyors - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a component life prediction device for a passenger conveyor that can predict the life of a component that wears with the passage of operating time of chains, brakes, and the like provided in the passenger conveyor.

  It is necessary to periodically measure the amount of wear of parts that wear with the passage of operating time such as chains and brakes provided on the passenger conveyor and grasp the adjustment time and replacement time from the viewpoint of safety. However, in order to grasp this, it is necessary for the maintenance staff to enter the machine room of the passenger conveyor or to attach and detach a plurality of steps of the passenger conveyor. Under such circumstances, there has been a demand for the realization of a device that can automatically predict the life of a component that wears with the passage of operating time, that is, a target component.

Although the technical field is different from that of the present invention, Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus for automatically managing the tool life of a processing machine.
JP-A-4-189450

  The above-described prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1 manages the tool life of a processing machine, and wears with the passage of operating time of chains, brakes, and the like provided in the passenger conveyor targeted by the present invention. It is difficult to apply to life prediction of parts, that is, target parts provided in a passenger conveyor.

  In addition, a device that predicts the adjustment time and replacement time of the target part by automatically measuring the amount of wear of the target part provided in the passenger conveyor has been conventionally considered. A sensor for measuring the amount of wear is required. Therefore, there is a concern that the cost of the apparatus becomes high.

  The present invention was made from the actual situation in the above-described prior art, and the object thereof is to determine whether or not the target part needs to be adjusted and replaced without requiring a sensor, and to adjust and replace the target part. An object of the present invention is to provide a passenger conveyor component life prediction apparatus capable of automatically grasping the time.

  In order to achieve this object, the present invention is provided in a passenger conveyor having a part that wears over time. The worn part is a target part for life prediction, and a state change amount related to the target part is predetermined. A change amount measuring means measurable at a measurement interval; an adjustment limit value storing means for storing an adjustment limit value of the state change amount; a state change amount measured by the change amount measuring means; and the adjustment limit value storage. A change amount comparison means for comparing the adjustment limit value stored in the means and determining whether or not the adjustment of the target part is necessary, and a state change amount measured by the change amount measurement means are sequentially stored, and the latest storage A component adjustment determination unit that compares the value with the measured state change amount and determines that the target component has been adjusted when the difference exceeds a predetermined value; Has been adjusted A change amount accumulating means for sequentially adding the latest state change amounts stored in the component adjustment determining means, and a state measured by the accumulated value of the change amount accumulating means and the change amount measuring means. Change amount adding means for adding a change amount, wear limit value storing means for storing a wear limit value which is a limit value of the wear amount of the target part, addition result of the change amount adding means and storing the wear limit value An allowable cumulative change amount comparing means for comparing the wear limit value of the means and determining whether or not the target part has reached the wear limit; an initial value of the change amount adding means; and a measurement number of the change amount measuring means The difference between the stored initial value of the change amount adding means and the addition result of the change amount adding means is stored, and the stored measurement count and the predetermined measurement interval of the change amount measuring means. Divide by product and change The change rate calculating means for obtaining the change rate, the change rate obtained by the change rate calculating means, the state change amount measured by the change amount measuring means, and the adjustment limit value stored in the adjustment limit value storage means Stored in the wear limit value storage means, the part adjustment time estimation means for estimating the adjustment time of the target part, the change rate obtained by the change rate calculation means, the addition result of the change amount addition means, and the wear limit value storage means From the wear limit value, the component replacement time estimation means for estimating the replacement time of the target part, and the accumulated value of the change amount accumulation means when the target part is replaced, and the change rate calculation means It has a reset means for returning the change rate to the initial value.

  Further, the present invention provides the adjustment time of the target part estimated by the part adjustment time estimation means and the replacement time of the target part estimated by the part replacement time estimation means in the invention from the passenger conveyor. An external contact means for contacting a predetermined external location is provided.

  According to the present invention, since it is configured as described above, it is possible to determine whether or not the target part needs to be adjusted and whether or not the target part needs to be adjusted without requiring a sensor, and automatically adjust the target part's adjustment time and replacement time. As a result, it is possible to reduce the labor of maintenance personnel, which was conventionally required to determine the necessity of adjustment and replacement of the target part, and to grasp the adjustment time and replacement time of the target part. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost of the apparatus that realizes the determination of whether or not the target part needs to be adjusted and whether or not the target part needs to be replaced, and the adjustment time and replacement time of the target part.

  The best mode for carrying out a passenger conveyor component life prediction apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a passenger conveyor component life prediction apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining output values obtained in this embodiment, and FIG. The figure which shows the output value of the variation | change_quantity measuring means with which (1) is equipped, (b) A figure is a figure which shows the output value obtained with the variation | change_quantity addition means with which this embodiment is equipped.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the component life prediction apparatus according to the present embodiment is provided in a passenger conveyor 1 having components that wear with the passage of operating time, such as chains and brakes, that is, various life prediction target components. It has a change amount measuring means 2 capable of measuring a state change amount such as a wear amount, an elongation amount, and an interval related to a target part at a predetermined measurement interval.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the output of the change amount measuring means 2, that is, the measured state change amount 30 a with respect to the lapse of the operating time 30 b is the state change amount at every predetermined measurement interval 30. It increases with every measurement like 31, 32, 33. This is because the target part consists of parts that wear over time.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the adjustment limit value storage means 3 for storing the adjustment limit value 35 shown in FIG. 2A of the state change amount measured by the change amount measurement means 2 for each target part is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. If the corresponding target part is operated in a state where the adjustment limit value 35 is exceeded, the wear of the target part proceeds rapidly, and eventually damage or the like is caused.

  Further, the present embodiment compares the state change amounts 31, 32, 33,... Measured by the change amount measuring means 2 with the adjustment limit value 35 stored in the adjustment limit value storage means 3, A change amount comparison unit 4 is provided for determining whether or not adjustment of the component is necessary. When the state change amount measured by the change amount measuring means 2 exceeds the adjustment limit value 35 as in the state change amount 34 shown in FIG. Is determined to be necessary. On the other hand, when the state change amount measured by the change amount determination means 2 is smaller than the adjustment limit value 35 as in the state change amounts 31, 32, and 33 shown in FIG. It is determined that no adjustment is required by the change amount comparison means 4.

  In the present embodiment, the state change amounts measured by the change amount measuring means 2 are sequentially stored as the state change amounts 31, 32, 33,... The latest stored value n is compared with the measured state change amount, and when the difference exceeds a predetermined value, that is, the adjustment determination threshold value 36 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, it has the component adjustment determination means 6 which determines with having been carried out. For example, since the difference between the state change amount 33 and the state change amount 34 shown in FIG. 2A is smaller than the adjustment determination threshold value 36, the target component is not adjusted by the component adjustment determination means 6. Determined. Further, since the difference between the state change amount 34 and the state change amount 37 shown in FIG. 2A is larger than the adjustment threshold value 36, it is determined that the target component is adjusted by the component adjustment determination means 6. .

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the component adjustment determination unit 6 determines that the target component has been adjusted, a change amount accumulation unit 7 that sequentially adds the latest state change amounts stored in the component adjustment determination unit 6. As shown in FIG. For example, when it is determined that the target part has been adjusted with the state change amount 37 shown in FIG. 2A, the state change amount 34 which is the latest state change amount is stored in the change amount accumulating means 7. . Further, when it is determined that the target part has been adjusted after the next time, similarly, the state change amount 38 shown in FIG. 2A is stored in the change amount accumulating means 7 and the state change amount 34 stored last time is stored. The change amount accumulating means 7 carries out the process of sequentially adding to. Thereafter, similarly, the corresponding state change amounts are sequentially added according to the adjustment of the required number of times.

  Further, the present embodiment has a change amount adding means 8 for adding the accumulated value of the change amount accumulating means 7 and the state change amount measured by the change amount measuring means 2 as shown in FIG. FIG. 2B shows the output of the change amount adding means 8. By adding the accumulated value of the change amount accumulating means 7 and the state change amount measured by the change amount measuring means 2, even if the target part is adjusted once and the state change amount returns, the parts can be replaced. It is possible to measure the amount of wear of the target part from.

  Further, the present embodiment has wear limit value storage means 9 for storing the wear limit value 35a shown in FIG. 2B, which is the limit value of the wear amount of the target part, as shown in FIG. Yes. When the amount of wear of the target part exceeds the wear limit value 35a, the target part needs to be replaced.

  In the present embodiment, the addition result of the change amount adding means 8 and the wear limit value 35a of the wear limit value storage means 9 are compared, and whether or not the target part has reached the wear limit value 35a, that is, replacement of the target part. As shown in FIG. 1, an allowable cumulative change amount comparing means 10 for determining whether or not is necessary is provided. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the state change amount 34, the state change amount 38, and the state change amount 39 are added by the change amount adding means 8, the wear limit value 35a is exceeded. Replacement of target parts is required. On the other hand, for example, in a state where the state change amount 34 and the state change amount 37 are added by the change amount adding means 8, the wear limit value 35a is not reached, so that the replacement of the target part is unnecessary.

In the present embodiment, the initial value of the change amount adding unit 8 and the number of times of measurement of the change amount measuring unit 2 are stored, and the stored initial value of the change amount adding unit 8 and the addition of the change amount adding unit 8 are stored. As shown in FIG. 1, there is a change rate calculation means 2a for dividing the result difference by the product of the stored number of times of measurement and the aforementioned predetermined measurement interval 30 of the change amount measurement means 2 to obtain the change rate. ing.
Rate of change = (calculated value of change amount adding means 8−state change amount 31)
÷ (number of measurements x measurement interval 30)
As described above, since the change rate is obtained from the difference from the first change amount 31 each time, the accuracy is improved each time the measurement by the change amount measuring means 2 is repeated. That is, even if the accuracy decreases immediately after the target part is replaced with a new one, the accuracy can be improved at the time when the target part deteriorated over time is replaced with a new part.

Further, in the present embodiment, the change rate obtained by the change rate calculation unit 2a, the state change amount measured by the change amount measurement unit 2, and the adjustment limit value storage unit 3 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, a component adjustment time estimation means 25 for estimating the adjustment time of the target component from the adjustment limit value 35 shown in the figure is provided.
Remaining time until adjustment = (adjustment limit value 35−state change amount) ÷ change rate In the present embodiment, the change rate obtained by the change rate calculating means 2a, the addition result of the change amount adding means 8, and wear As shown in FIG. 1, there is part replacement time estimation means 23 for estimating the replacement time of the target part from the wear limit value 35a shown in FIG. 2B stored in the limit value storage means 9. Yes.
Remaining time until parts replacement = (wear limit value 35a−calculated value of change amount adding means 8)
÷ Change rate With only the configuration described above, the values stored in the change amount accumulation means 7 and the change rate calculation means 2a remain when a new part is replaced, and the subsequent accurate determination is performed. I can't. For this purpose, the present embodiment has a reset means 26 for returning the accumulated value of the change amount accumulating means 7 and the change rate obtained by the change rate calculating means 2a to the initial values as shown in FIG. ing.

  Among the above-described constituent elements, the constituent elements other than the change amount measuring means 2, that is, the adjustment limit value storing means 3, the change amount comparing means 4, the component adjustment determining means 6, the change amount accumulating means 7, and the change amount adding means 8 The wear limit value storage means 9, the allowable cumulative change amount comparison means 10, the change rate calculation means 2a, the parts adjustment time estimation means 25, the parts replacement time estimation means 23, and the reset means 26 are, for example, in the machine room of the passenger conveyor 1. It is included in the control device to be arranged.

  Further, in the present embodiment, for example, the target part adjustment time estimated by the part adjustment time estimation unit 25, the target part replacement time estimated by the part replacement time estimation unit 23, and the target amount adjustment by the change amount comparison unit 4 The external judgment center and the maintenance management company are informed of the judgment result of the necessity of the maintenance and the judgment result of the necessity of replacement of the target part by the allowable cumulative change amount comparison means 10 to a predetermined place such as an external monitoring center or a maintenance management company. A communication means 19 is provided.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the present embodiment, and is a diagram illustrating a first specific example in which the life prediction target component is a chain, and FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a measurement result of the amount of elongation of the chain illustrated in FIG. .

  In FIG. 3, the passenger conveyor 1 is equipped with a step 40 for carrying passengers, a speed reducer 41 having a motor and a brake, a sprocket 41a for transmitting the drive of the speed reducer 41, and a terminal for rotating the step 40. A gear 42 and a chain 43 that is a target part for life prediction for transmitting the drive of the speed reducer 41 to the terminal gear 42 are shown.

  In the step rotation mechanism having such a configuration, the state management of the chain 43 is very important. If the chain 43 extends and the slack 43a increases, the chain 43 may come off from the sprocket 41a and the terminal gear 42. If the chain 43 extends more than a certain value, the sprocket 41a and the terminal gear 42 On the other hand, the chain 43 skips over, and an unexpected tension is applied to the chain 43, which may cause the chain 43 to break. For this purpose, the chain 43 periodically measures the slack 43a and elongation, and when the limit value is reached, the tension of the chain 43 is adjusted or the chain 43 is replaced.

  Thus, even in a component such as the chain 43, there are two state change amounts for determining adjustment and replacement: “sag” and “elongation”. Until now, the chain length has been measured with a sensor, but the amount of deflection of the chain 43 cannot be measured, and regular inspections by maintenance personnel are necessary.

  However, in recent step rotation mechanisms, a step speed monitoring device 44 is provided on the rotation shaft of the speed reducer 41 to detect even a slight rotation as control information. Using this step speed monitoring device 44, the amount of state change related to the chain 43 can be measured.

  That is, the change amount measuring means 2 described above is provided in the speed reducer 41, the brake releasing means 45 for releasing the brake, the measuring means 46 for measuring the output of the step speed monitoring device 44, and the measurement result of the measuring means 46 The slack 43a of the chain 43 can be measured by including a conversion means 47 that converts the value into a physical value that can be considered.

  When measuring the slack 43a of the chain 43, the brake release means 45 releases the brake of the speed reducer 41. As a result, a part of the slack 43a of the chain 43 moves to the side where the chain 43 is stretched. At that time, the sprocket 41a also rotates slightly. Along with this, the rotation shaft of the speed reducer 41 rotates. As a result, it is possible to detect the amount of rotation of the sprocket 41a accompanying the movement of the slack 43a of the chain 43 by the step speed monitoring device 44 attached on the rotation shaft of the speed reducer 41.

The output value of the step speed monitoring device 44 at this time is displayed as a pulse as shown in FIG. 4, and the time T2 during which this pulse rises is measured and converted to this time T2 and the amount of sag of the chain 43. By multiplying the coefficient α, the sag amount A of the chain 43 can be obtained. The conversion coefficient α at this time can be obtained by experiments. Further, since the elongation change amount B of the chain 43 has a correlation with the sag amount A, the elongation change of the chain 43 can be obtained by multiplying the sag amount A of the chain 43 by a coefficient β for converting the sag amount A of the chain 43 into the extension change amount of the chain 43. The quantity B can be determined. This coefficient β can also be obtained by experiment as described above.
A = α × T2 B = β × A
When the tension of the chain 43 is properly adjusted, the time T2 described above becomes shorter as the time T21, and when the operating time has passed to some extent, the chain 43 is worn and stretched. Therefore, it becomes longer as time T22. When this time T2 exceeds the adjustment limit value 3a stored in the adjustment limit value storage means 3 described above, it is determined that the amount of sag A of the chain 43a exceeds the adjustment limit, and the adjustment of the tension of the chain 43 is instructed. Will be.

  When the output result of the step speed monitoring device 44 associated with the slack 43a of the chain 43 is measured after adjusting the tension of the chain 43, the time T2 is an appropriate value like the time T21, and the chain 43 derived from the above-described calculation formula. The elongation change amount B returns to the initial value, and the substantial elongation of the chain 43 is not known.

  Accordingly, the amount of change B in elongation of the chain 43 is sequentially stored in the above-described component adjustment determination means 6, and if the tension adjustment of the chain 43 is detected, the latest stored value n is stored in the above-described change amount accumulation means 7. By adding the accumulated value of the state change amount stored for each adjustment and the elongation change amount B of the chain 43 measured by the change amount measuring means 2 by the change amount adding means 8 described above, the entire chain 43 is added. Can be measured.

  When this calculated value, that is, the overall elongation of the chain 43 exceeds, for example, 1.5%, which is the elongation limit of the chain 43 stored in the wear limit value storage means 9 described above, the allowable cumulative change amount comparison means described above. 10, the exchange of the chain 43 is instructed.

  In the specific example 1 described above, the determination is made based on the pulse detection time T2 in the step speed detection device 44. However, the determination may be made based on the number of pulses.

  Further, the extension of the chain 43 is determined in the same manner as described above by the difference between the initial value of the change amount adding means 8, the difference between the calculated values of the change amount adding means 8 for each measurement, and the operating time derived from the measurement interval and the number of measurements. Change rate of the chain 43, the adjustment limit value 35 of the chain 43 stored in the adjustment limit value storage means 3, and the state change amount of the change amount measuring means 2 are used. Thus, the adjustment time of the chain 43 can be obtained by the component adjustment time estimation means 25 in the same manner as described above, and the rate of change in the elongation of the chain 43, the wear limit value 35a of the wear limit value storage means 9, and the amount of change are added. The replacement time of the chain 43 can be estimated by the part replacement time estimation means 23 based on the addition result of the means 8.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the present embodiment, and is a diagram illustrating a second specific example in which the life prediction target component is a brake.

  In FIG. 5, a brake 50 is shown as a life prediction target part provided in the passenger conveyor 1. The brake 50 includes a rotating shaft 50a of the speed reducer 41, a lining 51 splined to the rotating shaft 50a, a guide 52 provided on the speed reducer 41, and an amateur 53 slidable along the guide 52. A spring 54 having an end fixed to the speed reducer 41 and capable of pressing the armature 53 at the other end, an electromagnet 55 fixed to the speed reducer 41, and a reaction force receiver 56 provided at the end of the guide 52. A nut 57 that can be screwed into a threaded portion at the end of the guide 52 and that can adjust the position of the reaction force receiver 56 is included.

  In the brake 50 configured as described above, the electromagnet 55 attracts the armature 53, thereby eliminating the restraint of the lining 51 and allowing the rotation shaft 50a of the speed reducer 41 that is spline-coupled to rotate. Further, the power of the electromagnet 55 is cut off to eliminate the attraction force, so that the armature 53 is pressed against the lining 51 by the force of the spring 54, whereby the lining 51 is sandwiched and restrained by the armature 53 and the reaction force receiver 56. . Therefore, the rotating shaft 50a of the speed reducer 41 is braked.

  In the brake 50, the management of the gap 60 between the coil and the amateur 53 is very important. If the gap 60 is wide, the armature 53 cannot be sufficiently sucked by the electromagnet 55, and the lining 51 is dragged to generate smoke. It may lead to an accident. On the contrary, even when the gap 60 is small, the lining 51 is easily dragged, and there is a concern that a smoke accident may occur. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically adjust the position of the reaction force receiver 56 with the nut 57 to keep the gap 60 properly.

  Even in the brake 50, it is necessary to monitor two state change amounts, that is, adjustment of the gap 60 and wear of the lining 51. This embodiment is effective even for parts such as the brake 50 in which the adjustment of the gap 60 is repeated and the lining 51 finally reaches the wear limit and is replaced. If the amount of change in the state of the gap 60 can be measured, the wear amount of the lining 51 can be automatically measured by utilizing this embodiment.

  The amount of change in the gap 60 of the brake 50 can be measured by various methods. For example, the physical quantity of the gap 60 is calculated by measuring the time from when the brake 50 is released with the torque applied to the rotation shaft 50a of the speed reducer 41 and the electromagnet 54 being energized until the rotation shaft 50a rotates. can do. If the gap 60, which is the state change amount related to the brake 50, can be measured in this way, according to the above-described embodiment shown in FIG. It is possible to estimate whether or not to replace the brake 50 and when to replace the brake 50.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the necessity of adjustment of the target part, which is a part that causes wear of the chain 43, the brake 50, or the like without requiring a sensor, determination of necessity of replacement, adjustment time, and It is possible to automatically grasp the replacement time, reduce the need for adjustment of such target parts, determine the necessity for replacement, adjustment time, and labor required to grasp the replacement time, and It is possible to reduce the cost of the apparatus that realizes the necessity of component adjustment and the determination of the necessity of replacement, the adjustment time, and the grasp of the replacement time.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Embodiment of the component lifetime prediction apparatus of the passenger conveyor which concerns on this invention. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating output values obtained in the present embodiment, where FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating output values of a change amount measuring unit provided in the embodiment, and FIG. 5B is a change amount addition provided in the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the output value obtained by a means. It is a figure explaining the specific example of this embodiment, and is a figure which shows the 1st specific example whose lifetime prediction object component is a chain. It is a figure which shows the measurement result of the elongation amount of the chain shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the specific example of this embodiment, and is a figure which shows the 2nd specific example whose lifetime prediction object component is a brake.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Passenger conveyor 2 Change amount measurement means 2a Change rate calculation means 3 Adjustment limit value storage means 4 Change amount comparison means 6 Parts adjustment judgment means 7 Change amount accumulation means 8 Change amount addition means 9 Wear limit value storage means 10 Allowable accumulated change amount Comparison means 19 External communication means 23 Parts replacement time estimation means 25 Parts adjustment time estimation means 26 Reset means 30 Measurement interval 30a State change amount 30b Operating time 31 State change amount 32 State change amount 33 State change amount 34 State change amount 35 Adjustment limit Value 35a Wear limit value 36 Adjustment judgment threshold value 37 State change amount 38 State change amount 39 State change amount

Claims (2)

Provided on passenger conveyors with parts that wear out over time,
The worn part is a target part for life prediction,
A change amount measuring means capable of measuring the state change amount of the target part at a predetermined measurement interval;
Adjustment limit value storage means for storing an adjustment limit value of the state change amount;
A change amount comparison unit that compares the state change amount measured by the change amount measurement unit with the adjustment limit value stored in the adjustment limit value storage unit, and determines whether adjustment of the target part is necessary;
The state change amount measured by the change amount measuring means is sequentially stored, the latest stored value is compared with the measured state change amount, and the target part is adjusted when the difference exceeds a predetermined value. Component adjustment determining means for determining that
A change amount accumulating unit for sequentially adding the latest state change amounts stored in the component adjustment determination unit when it is determined that the target component has been adjusted by the component adjustment determination unit;
A change amount adding means for adding the accumulated value of the change amount accumulating means and the state change amount measured by the change amount measuring means;
Wear limit value storage means for storing a wear limit value that is a limit value of the wear amount of the target part;
Comparing the addition result of the change amount adding means with the wear limit value of the wear limit value storage means, and determining whether or not the target part has reached the wear limit;
The initial value of the change amount adding means and the number of measurements of the change amount measuring means are stored, and the difference between the stored initial value of the change amount adding means and the addition result of the change amount adding means is stored. A change rate calculating means for determining a change rate by dividing by the product of the number of times of measurement and the predetermined measurement interval of the change amount measuring means;
From the change rate obtained by the change rate calculating means, the state change amount measured by the change amount measuring means, and the adjustment limit value stored in the adjustment limit value storage means, the adjustment timing of the target part is determined. A component adjustment time estimation means to estimate;
Part replacement for estimating the replacement time of the target part from the change rate obtained by the change rate calculation means, the addition result of the change amount addition means, and the wear limit value stored in the wear limit value storage means Time estimation means;
Passenger conveyor parts characterized by having reset means for returning the accumulated value of the change amount accumulating means and the change rate obtained by the change rate calculating means to initial values when the target parts are replaced Life prediction device. In the invention of claim 1,
An external for communicating the adjustment time of the target part estimated by the part adjustment time estimation means and the replacement time of the target part estimated by the parts replacement time estimation means to a predetermined external place away from the passenger conveyor An apparatus for predicting the service life of passenger conveyor parts, comprising a communication means.

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