JP5870302B2 - shower head - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a shower head that discharges hot water mixed with fine bubbles from water spray holes.

  The fine bubbles having a diameter of 50 μm or less mixed in the hot water have a large specific surface area, and thus, for example, a large amount of dirt such as sebum of the human body can be adsorbed and removed. Since the specific surface area of the fine bubbles decreases as the diameter thereof decreases, in order to improve the cleaning function as described above, it is desirable to reduce the diameter of the fine bubbles as much as possible.

  Patent Document 1 listed below describes a liquid ejection device that can generate fine bubbles efficiently and with high density. This liquid discharge apparatus can be applied to a shower head.

  In the liquid ejection device described in Patent Document 1, a liquid flow path such as hot water is provided with a liquid introduction path, a liquid flow rotator circuit connected to the upstream side of the liquid introduction path, and an upstream side of the liquid flow circulation circuit. It is formed from a contracted channel connected to the side and an expanded channel connected to the upstream side of the contracted channel. The liquid flow swirl circuit is one in which liquid swirl vanes are arranged, and the diameter of the contracted flow path is made smaller than the diameter of the liquid flow swirl circuit. Moreover, the diameter of the expanded flow path is made larger than the diameter of the contracted flow path. This expanded flow path communicates with the liquid discharge port.

  In addition, the liquid discharge device described in Patent Document 1 includes an air flow introduction path for a gas such as air, and the air flow introduction path communicates with the outside of the liquid discharge apparatus and is in a liquid flow turning circuit or a contracted flow path. It opens at the downstream side. Moreover, in the liquid discharge apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a tapered liquid flow scattering surface that faces the expanded flow path and faces the opening range of the contracted flow path is provided.

  In such a liquid discharge device, a swirl flow is generated in the liquid introduced through the liquid introduction path by the liquid swirl blades in the liquid flow circuit, and a gas such as air is swirled through the air flow introduction path due to the decompression action generated at this time. The gas-liquid mixed fluid is generated. When the generated gas-liquid mixed fluid passes through the contracted flow path, the flow velocity and the swirl frequency increase, and fine bubbles are gradually generated in the gas-liquid mixed fluid by the shearing force. Thereafter, vortex breakdown occurs due to the dispersion of the swirling flow due to centrifugal force in the expanded flow path, the bubbles contained in the gas-liquid mixed fluid are refined, and many fine bubbles are generated. Further, a part of the gas-liquid mixed fluid collides with the liquid flow scattering surface, the vortex flow is completely destroyed, and fine bubbles are generated. The liquid containing many fine bubbles thus generated is discharged to the outside through the liquid discharge port.

JP 2009-178661 A

  Patent Document 1 discloses that the liquid discharge device as described above can reduce the cost of parts and improve the assemblability, and can suppress an increase in manufacturing cost. However, the liquid ejection device described in Patent Document 1 cannot be denied that the configuration for generating fine bubbles is somewhat complicated. For example, it is pointed out that a liquid flow circuit is required, and the liquid flow circuit must be provided with a liquid swirl blade for the formation of a swirl flow. It is also pointed out that a liquid scattering surface must be provided. In order to realize a versatile shower head, simplification of the configuration is definitely desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and provides a shower head capable of suppressing the coalescence of bubbles and promoting the generation of fine bubbles while simplifying the configuration. Is an issue.

 In order to solve the above problems, the shower head of the present invention has a hot water introduction flow path formed therein, and sucks gas by decompression when hot water is introduced upstream of the introduction flow path. A head body provided with a gas-liquid mixing part to be mixed into the hot water as bubbles and a flat part, and a plurality of sprinkling holes are formed through the flat part in the plate thickness direction. A water spray plate disposed outside the outlet of the head and attached to the head body, and hot water that is formed between the head body and the water spray plate and communicates with both the introduction flow path and the water spray holes disposed in parallel to the water spray plate. The discharge channel has a flow channel enlargement portion whose cross-sectional area gradually increases toward the outlet, and the discharge flow channel is a portion on the outlet side of the flow channel The outlet of the discharge channel is unit time Hot water volume flowing into the discharge passage per are is characterized by having a cross sectional area equal to or less than hot water volume passing per unit time in the portion excluding the enlarged flow path portion of the introduction channel.

  In this shower head, in the flow path enlarged portion of the introduction flow path, each cross section in the length direction preferably has a cross-sectional area in which the volume of hot water passing per unit time is equal for each cross section. .

  In this shower head, it is preferable that the watering holes formed in the watering plate have a pressurizing part on the inlet side and a pressure reducing part on the outlet side.

  In this shower head, it is preferable that a plurality of ribs are provided inside the discharge flow path along the flow direction of the hot water in the discharge flow path, and the discharge flow path is partitioned by the ribs.

  In this shower head, it is preferable that one rib is disposed between two adjacent sprinkling holes.

  According to the shower head of the present invention, the configuration is simplified, and the coalescence of bubbles is suppressed, and the generation of fine bubbles is promoted.

(A) and (b) are the front views which showed 1st Embodiment of the shower head of this invention, respectively, and AA sectional drawing of Fig.1 (a). It is a perspective view of the shower head shown in Drawing 1 (a) (b). It is sectional drawing similar to FIG.1 (b) which showed 2nd Embodiment of the shower head of this invention. It is the principal part expanded sectional view which showed 3rd Embodiment of the shower head of this invention. It is sectional drawing which showed 4th Embodiment of the shower head of this invention. It is sectional drawing which showed 5th Embodiment of the shower head of this invention.

  FIGS. 1A and 1B are a front view showing a first embodiment of a shower head of the present invention and a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shower head shown in FIGS.

  The shower head 1 is formed of a head body 2, a water spray plate 3, and a discharge channel 4. The head body 2 includes a base portion 5 and a superposition portion 6 that are both disk-shaped. The base portion 5 is a member having a slight thickness, and a first introduction flow path 7 having a circular cross section is formed therein, which introduces hot water and sends it to the polymerization portion 6. The first introduction flow path 7 has an inlet 8 at the side end of the base 5 and an outlet 9 at the center, and is bent substantially in an L shape. That is, the first introduction flow path 7 extends straight from the inlet 8 toward the central axis of the base 5, bends in a substantially L shape near the central axis, and has a bent portion 10. In the base portion 5, a gas-liquid mixing portion 11 is provided near the inlet 8 of the first introduction flow path 7.

  In the gas-liquid mixing part 11, a second introduction flow path 12 having a circular cross section is formed, in which hot and cold water is introduced and delivered to the inlet 8 of the base part 5. The second introduction flow path 12 has a pressurization part 14 whose inner diameter is rapidly reduced in the length direction of the second introduction flow path 12 on the inlet 13 side, and communicates with the pressurization part 14 on the outlet 15 side. The pressure reducing portion 16 has an inner diameter that gradually increases toward the outlet 15. Further, in the second introduction channel 12, the outlet 15 coincides with the inlet 8 of the first introduction channel 7 formed inside the base 5, and the second introduction channel 12 communicates with the first introduction channel 7. doing.

  Further, the gas-liquid mixing unit 11 has an air passage 17 for a gas such as air, oxygen, carbon dioxide, ozone, etc. in the vicinity of the connecting portion between the pressurization unit 14 and the decompression unit 16 in the second introduction flow channel 12. A gas introduction pipe 18 having a circular cross section is connected orthogonally to the gas-liquid mixing unit 11. The gas introduction pipe 18 extends outward of the gas-liquid mixing unit 11, has an inlet 19 at the tip thereof, and has an outlet 20 at a portion arranged closest to the gas-liquid mixing unit 11. Further, in the gas-liquid mixing unit 11, a communication path 21 having a circular cross section is formed inside between the second introduction flow path 12 and the outlet 20 of the gas introduction pipe 18. The air passage 17 of the gas introduction pipe 18 communicates with the second introduction passage 12 via the communication passage 21.

  In such a gas-liquid mixing part 11, the end part on the outlet 15 side of the second introduction flow path 12 is fitted and fixed to the concave part 22 formed on the side end part of the base part 5, and the outer side of the base part 5 is fixed. Protruding. In the concave portion 22, an O-ring 23 is interposed between the base portion 5 and the gas-liquid mixing portion 11, and water tightness between the base portion 5 and the gas-liquid mixing portion 11 is ensured. The arrangement position of the gas-liquid mixing unit 11 is not limited to the upstream side of the first introduction channel 7 of the base 5 as in the first embodiment, and the inlet 8 of the first introduction channel 7 is not limited. It is also possible to be on the way from the bent portion 10 to the bent portion 10.

  In the base portion 5, a plurality of fixing holes 24 are formed through the outer peripheral portion thereof in the thickness direction of the base portion 5. The fixing holes 24 are used for coupling the water spray plate 3 and the base portion 5, and are arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the base portion 5 at a predetermined interval.

  The overlapping portion 6 is a disk-like member that is slightly smaller in size than the base portion 5 and has a certain thickness. In the superposition | polymerization part 6, the 3rd introduction flow path 25 with a circular cross section which introduce | transduces and sends out hot water in the inside is formed. The third introduction channel 25 is located on the central axis of the overlapping portion 6 and penetrates the overlapping portion 6 in the front and back direction. The superposition part 6 superposes the base 5 with the inlet 26 of the third introduction flow path 2 aligned with the outlet 9 of the first introduction flow path 7 of the base 5, and forms the head body 2 with the base 5. In the part where the polymerization part 6 and the base part 5 are superposed, an O-ring 27 is interposed in the part where the outlet 9 of the first introduction flow path 7 and the inlet 26 of the third introduction flow path 25 are close to each other. Watertightness between the parts 6 is ensured.

  The third introduction flow path 25 formed in the superposition part 6 has a flow path expansion part 29 in which the inner diameter gradually increases toward the outlet 28 and the cross-sectional area gradually increases on the outlet 28 side. In the flow path enlargement part 29, it curves so that an inner surface may spread outside as it goes to the exit 28. FIG.

  In the head body 2, a hot water introduction flow path 30 is formed by the first introduction flow path 7, the second introduction flow path 12, and the third introduction flow path 25. Hot water introduced into the introduction flow path 30 and flowing out from the introduction flow path 30 is discharged from a water spray hole 31 formed in the water spray plate 3.

  In the watering plate 3, a plurality of watering holes 31 are formed between the central portion and the outer peripheral portion. The portion of the water spray plate 3 where at least the water spray holes 31 are formed has a thin and flat disk shape, and the water spray holes 31 penetrate the disk-shaped portion in the thickness direction. . Moreover, the water sprinkling hole 31 forms the basic pattern of arrangement | sequence by three adjacent, and in this basic pattern, the three water sprinkling holes 31 are arrange | positioned away from the center side toward the outer peripheral side at fixed intervals. This basic pattern is repeatedly arranged along the outer periphery of the water spray plate 3, and the arrangement form of the water spray holes 31 in the water spray plate 3 is substantially spiral.

  Moreover, in the water spray plate 3, the thick cylindrical trunk | drum 32 is protrudingly provided in the outer peripheral part. The trunk | drum 32 is arrange | positioned from the outer side of the water spray hole 31 arrange | positioned closest to the outer periphery in the water spray plate 3 to the outer peripheral end of the water spray plate 3. The inner diameter of the body portion 32 substantially matches the outer diameter of the overlapping portion 6 of the head body 2. Further, in the body portion 32, a plurality of attachment holes 33 are formed so as to penetrate in the length direction of the body portion 32 and in the thickness direction of the water spray plate 3. The attachment hole 33 is for attaching the water spray plate 3 to the base 5 of the head body 2. The sprinkling plate 3 is formed by aligning the mounting hole 33 with the fixing hole 24 formed in the base 5 and superposing the watering plate 3 on the base 5 and screwing a fastener such as a screw from the mounting hole 33 toward the fixing hole 24. Is combined with the base 5 and the shower head 1 is assembled. In the shower head 1, the water spray plate 3 is disposed at the outlet of the introduction flow path 30 formed in the head body 2, that is, outside the outlet 28 of the third introduction flow path 25 formed in the overlapping portion 6.

  For example, when the sprinkling plate 3 and the base portion 5 are joined, the superposition portion 6 is superposed on the inner side of the barrel portion 32 of the sprinkling plate 3 by, for example, fitting the sprinkling plate 3 and the base portion. This can be realized simultaneously with the combination of five. Of course, the superposition | polymerization part 6 can superpose | polymerize on the base 5 prior to attachment of the watering board 3, and can also be fixed using a fastener. An O-ring 34 is interposed between the trunk portion 32 and the overlapping portion 6 to ensure water tightness between the overlapping portion 6 and the trunk portion 32.

  In the shower head 1 assembled in this way, a hot water discharge passage 4 is formed between the head body 2 and the water spray plate 3. Specifically, a narrow gap between the overlapping portion 6 of the head body 2 and the water spray plate 3 serves as the discharge flow path 4. The discharge channel 4 is arranged in parallel to the water spray plate 3 and communicates with both the introduction channel 30 of the head body 2 and the water spray hole 31 of the water spray plate 3.

  Further, the discharge channel 4 is disposed substantially orthogonally to the outlet side portion of the introduction channel 30, that is, the portion from the bent portion 10 to the outlet 9 of the first introduction channel 7 and the third introduction channel 25. Has been. And in the discharge flow path 4, the inlet 35 which corresponds to the downstream end of the flow-path expansion part 29 which is an exit of the introduction flow path 30 has the cross-sectional area which has the following relationship. That is, the cross-sectional area of the inlet 35 is, for example, a unit in a portion excluding the flow path expanding portion 29 of the introduction flow path 30 where the washer-like volume of the hot water flowing into the discharge flow path 4 per unit time of about 0.1 seconds. It is set to be equal to or less than the volume of the disc-shaped hot water passing per time. This cross-sectional area is an area of a cross section perpendicular to the direction of hot water flowing through the introduction flow path 30.

  Such a shower head 1 can discharge hot water containing many fine bubbles having a diameter of 50 μm or less from the sprinkling holes 31. The shower head 1 is connected to a water pipe such as a hose through which hot water passes and an inlet 13 of the gas-liquid mixing unit 11. Hot water introduced into the second introduction flow path 12 of the gas-liquid mixing unit 11 through the water pipe is once pressurized when passing through the pressurizing unit 14 and then depressurized when passing through the decompression unit 16. Along with the decompression at this time, a gas such as air, oxygen, carbon dioxide, ozone, etc. is sucked into the air passage 17 of the gas introduction pipe 18 through the inlet 19. The sucked gas passes from the outlet 20 to the communication passage 21 and is mixed as bubbles in the hot water introduced into the second introduction flow path 12. As a result, hot and cold water is introduced into the first introduction channel 7 from the outlet 15 of the second introduction channel 12 through the inlet 8 as a gas-liquid mixed fluid.

  The hot water introduced into the first introduction flow path 7 changes the direction of flow at the bent portion 10 to a substantially perpendicular direction, flows out from the outlet 9 of the first introduction flow path 7, and passes through the inlet 26 to the third introduction flow path 25. Introduced in. When the hot water introduced into the third introduction flow channel 25 passes through the flow channel expansion portion 29, it flows outward along the inner surface of the flow channel expansion portion 29 and flows from the outlet 28 of the third introduction flow channel 25. It is introduced into the discharge channel 4 through the inlet 35. Since the flow path expanding portion 29 is curved so that the inner surface spreads outward, the occurrence of turbulent flow such as vortex in the hot water flowing out from the outlet 28 is suppressed. Collisions between the bubbles accompanying the generation of turbulent flow are suppressed, and coalescence of the bubbles is suppressed.

  In the inlet 35 of the discharge flow path 4, the volume of hot water flowing into the discharge flow path 4 per unit time is equal to or less than the volume of hot water passing per unit time in a portion of the introduction flow path 30 excluding the flow path expansion portion 29. Since it has a cross-sectional area, hot water introduced into the discharge flow path 4 is pressurized. In the discharge flow path 4, since the cross-sectional area of the portion downstream from the inlet 35 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the inlet 35, the pressure is gradually reduced. As a result of this pressurization and depressurization, the bubbles in the hot water are crushed even near the inlet 35, and most of them become fine bubbles. As described above, the hot water containing a large number of fine bubbles is suppressed from generating turbulent flow as described above, and flows almost radially from the inlet 35 toward the outer peripheral portion. Then, hot water containing a large number of fine bubbles is discharged to the outside of the shower head 1 through the water spray holes 31. Since the diameter of the fine bubbles is much smaller than the inner diameter of the water spray hole 31, it can easily pass through the water spray hole 31. Hot water containing many fine bubbles discharged from the shower head 1 has a high cleaning function and the like because the fine bubbles have a large specific surface area.

  As described above, the shower head 1 basically includes the head body 2 in which the introduction flow path 30 is formed inside and the gas-liquid mixing unit 11 is provided on the upstream side of the introduction flow path 30, and the plurality of water spray holes 31. And a discharge channel 4 formed between the head main body 2 and the water spray plate 3. Therefore, the shower head 1 has a simplified configuration while promoting the production of hot water containing a large number of fine bubbles. The shower head 1 is considered promising as being versatile.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 1B, showing a second embodiment of the shower head of the present invention.

  With respect to the shower head 1a, parts common to the shower head 1 shown in FIG. 1B are denoted by the same reference numerals in FIG. 3, and description thereof is omitted below.

  In the shower head 1 a, the flow path enlarged portion 29 a of the introduction flow path 30 is different from the flow path enlarged portion 29 of the shower head 1. That is, in the flow path expanding portion 29a, each cross section in the length direction, that is, a cross section perpendicular to the flowing direction of the hot water has an area where the volume of hot water passing per unit time is equal for each cross section. Yes. In the shower head 1a having such a flow passage expanding portion 29a, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the flow rate when hot water passes through the flow passage expanding portion 29a, and as a result, the collision between bubbles in the hot water is further suppressed. And the coalescence of bubbles is further suppressed. The expansion of bubbles and the accompanying decrease in the number of bubbles are suppressed.

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a main part of a third embodiment of the shower head according to the present invention.

  With respect to the shower head 1b, portions common to the shower head 1 shown in FIG. 1B are denoted by the same reference numerals in FIG. 4, and description thereof is omitted below. In FIG. 4, the periphery of the watering hole 31a formed in the watering board 3 with which the shower head 1b is provided is shown.

  In the shower head 1b, the water sprinkling hole 31a has a pressurizing part 37 whose inner diameter abruptly decreases on the inlet 36 side facing the discharge flow path 4 shown in FIG. 1 (b), and hot water is used in the shower head 1b. On the side of the outlet 38 for discharging to the outside, there is a pressure reducing part 39 whose inner diameter gradually increases. The pressurization part 37 and the pressure reduction part 39 are connected in the middle of the length direction of the watering hole 31a, and are mutually connected.

  In the shower head 1b including the water spray plate 3 in which such water sprinkling holes 31a are formed, hot water containing a large number of fine bubbles is once pressurized in the pressurizing unit 37 when passing through the water sprinkling holes 31a. The pressure is reduced by the pressure reducing unit 39. Due to such pressure fluctuation, when passing through the sprinkling holes 31a, the fine bubbles contained in the hot water are further crushed and become very small in diameter. The specific surface area of the fine bubbles is further increased, and the function of cleaning hot water containing many fine bubbles discharged from the shower head 1b is improved.

  The angle α formed by the inner surfaces facing each other in the decompression section 39 is preferably in the range of 10 ° to 20 ° from the viewpoint of the pulverization efficiency of the fine bubbles, and generally about 15 ° is exemplified.

  FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of the shower head of the present invention.

  FIG. 5 illustrates the shower head 1c as corresponding to the BB cross section of the shower head 1 illustrated in FIG. With respect to the shower head 1c, parts common to the shower head 1 shown in FIG. 1B are denoted by the same reference numerals in FIG. 5 and description thereof is omitted below.

  In the shower head 1c, along the hot water flow direction in the discharge flow path 4 provided in the same manner as the shower head 1 shown in FIG. 1B, that is, in the direction from the central portion of the water spray plate 3 toward the outer peripheral portion. A plurality of ribs 40 are provided along. The ribs 40 project from the water spray plate 3, extend from the water spray plate 3 in the length direction of the body portion 32, and are arranged radially at regular intervals. When the water spray plate 3 provided with such a plurality of ribs 40 is attached to the head main body 2, the ribs 40 are inserted into the discharge flow paths 4, and the discharge flow paths 4 are partitioned by the ribs 40.

  The shower head 1 c easily forms a radial flow from the inlet 35 of the discharge flow channel 4 toward the outer peripheral portion in the hot water introduced into the discharge flow channel 4 from the inlet 35. It is suppressed that the flow of the circumferential direction of the discharge flow path 4 generate | occur | produces in hot water, and generation | occurrence | production of a turbulent flow is suppressed. For this reason, the coalescence of the bubbles accompanying the collision between the bubbles contained in the hot water and the collision is further suppressed. It is possible to discharge hot water containing a large number of fine bubbles with improved cleaning functions.

  In the shower head 1c, the rib 40 is arrange | positioned for every basic pattern in the arrangement | sequence form as mentioned above of the watering hole 31 formed in the watering board 3. As shown in FIG. However, the arrangement of the ribs 40 is not particularly limited to the arrangement of each basic pattern in the arrangement form of the water spray holes 31.

  FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a fifth embodiment of the shower head of the present invention.

  FIG. 6 illustrates the shower head 1d in the same manner as FIG. With respect to the shower head 1d, portions common to the shower head 1 shown in FIG. 1B are denoted by the same reference numerals in FIG. 6, and description thereof is omitted below.

  In the shower head 1 d, the ribs 40 shown in FIG. 5 are arranged one by one between two adjacent water spray holes 31. Such an arrangement of the ribs 40 is directed from the inlet 35 of the discharge flow channel 4 toward the outer peripheral portion to the hot water introduced into the discharge flow channel 4 provided in the same manner as the shower head 1 shown in FIG. It becomes easier to form a radial flow. Generation of the circumferential flow of the discharge flow path 4 in the hot water is further suppressed, and generation of turbulence is further suppressed. For this reason, collision of bubbles contained in hot water and coalescence of bubbles accompanying the collision are further suppressed. It is possible to discharge hot water containing a large number of fine bubbles with a further improved cleaning function and the like.

  The shower head of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Various modes are possible for details such as the shape and configuration of the head main body, the water spray plate, and the discharge flow path, and the configuration and arrangement position of the gas-liquid mixing unit.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d Shower head 2 Head main body 3 Sprinkling plate 4 Discharge flow path 11 Gas-liquid mixing part 29, 29a Flow path expansion part 30 Introduction flow path 31, 31a Sprinkling hole 35 Discharge flow path inlet 36 Sprinkling Hole inlet 37 Pressurizing section 38 Sprinkling hole outlet 39 Depressurizing section 40 Rib

Claims (5)

A hot water introduction channel is formed inside, and a gas-liquid mixing unit is provided on the upstream side of the introduction channel to suck gas by decompression when hot water is introduced and mix the sucked gas into the hot water as bubbles. The head body,
A water spray plate having a flat plate-like portion, wherein a plurality of water spray holes are formed through the flat plate portion in the thickness direction, and are arranged outside the outlet of the introduction flow path and attached to the head body. When,
A hot water discharge passage formed between the head body and the watering plate and disposed in parallel with the watering plate, and communicated with both the introduction passage and the watering hole;
The introduction flow path has a flow path expansion portion whose cross-sectional area gradually expands toward the outlet on the outlet side thereof,
The discharge channel is disposed substantially orthogonal to the outlet side portion of the introduction channel, and the inlet of the discharge channel has a volume of hot water flowing into the discharge channel per unit time. A shower head having a cross-sectional area equal to or less than the volume of hot water passing per unit time in a portion of the passage excluding the flow passage enlarged portion.   Each of the cross-sections in the length direction of the introduction channel has a cross-sectional area in which the volume of hot water passing per unit time is equal for each cross-section. Item 10. A shower head according to item 1.   The shower head according to claim 1, wherein the water spray hole formed in the water spray plate has a pressurizing part on the inlet side and a pressure reducing part on the outlet side.   The discharge channel is provided with a plurality of ribs along a flow direction of hot water in the discharge channel, and the discharge channel is partitioned by the ribs. 4. The shower head according to any one of 3. The shower head according to claim 4, wherein the ribs are arranged one by one between two adjacent water spray holes.

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