KR101323251B1 - Vegitable and fruit cooling system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fruit and vegetable cooling system of the present invention, comprising: a fruit and vegetable precooler for lowering the temperature of a fruit or vegetable by cold air produced by a first thermoelectric semiconductor; A cold water produced by a second thermoelectric semiconductor and disposed on one side of the fruit and vegetable precooler, and a fruit and vegetable refrigerator to keep the fruits and vegetables fresh through a mixed gas supplied from a gas supply unit, wherein the fruit and vegetable precooler comprises: a precooling casing; A fruit and vegetable box disposed in a center region of the pre-cooling casing, each having a cold air inlet and a cold air outlet, through which cold air flows in and out, and accommodates fruits and vegetables therein; A precooling heat exchange module coupled to one side of the precooling casing and supplying cold air generated in the first thermoelectric semiconductor to the fruits and vegetables box; And a pressure reducing module coupled to the other side of the casing to lower the pressure in the pre-cooling casing to circulate the air in the pre-cooling casing, wherein the cold air generated by the pre-cooling heat exchange module is moved to the decompression module via the pre-cooling casing. The precooling is performed through a second path between the decompression module and the precooling casing, a lower path formed in the precooling casing and a lower region of the fruit and vegetable box, and a first path between the precooling heat exchange module and the precooling casing. Is moved to the heat exchange module is characterized in that for circulating the precooling casing.

Description

Fruit and vegetable cooling system {VEGITABLE AND FRUIT COOLING SYSTEM}

The present invention relates to a fruit and vegetable cooling system, and more particularly, to a fruit and vegetable cooling system including a fruit and vegetable precooler and a fruit and vegetable refrigerator.

Fruits and vegetables have a high moisture content, which is quickly decayed when exposed to the outside air, so it is difficult to keep fresh after harvest. At home and restaurants, only a small amount of the required amount is purchased, the fruits and vegetables are mainly stored in the fruit and vegetable room provided inside the refrigerator.

However, since a typical refrigerator is not designed for fruits and vegetables, there is a limit to keeping fresh fruits and vegetables fresh for a long time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and to provide a fruit and vegetable cooling system including a fruit and vegetable pre-cooler and a fruit and vegetable refrigerator that are optimized for fruits and vegetables for long-term storage.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a fruit and vegetable cooling system that can lower the manufacturing cost and maintenance cost because the fruit and vegetables are stored using the cold air generated through the thermoelectric semiconductor.

One aspect of the present invention for achieving the above technical problem relates to a fruit and vegetable cooling system. The fruit or vegetable cooling system of the present invention includes a fruit and vegetable precooler for lowering the product temperature of the fruit or vegetable by cold air produced by the first thermoelectric semiconductor; A cold water produced by a second thermoelectric semiconductor and disposed on one side of the fruit and vegetable precooler, and a fruit and vegetable refrigerator to keep the fruits and vegetables fresh through a mixed gas supplied from a gas supply unit, wherein the fruit and vegetable precooler comprises: a precooling casing; A fruit and vegetable box disposed in a center region of the pre-cooling casing, each having a cold air inlet and a cold air outlet, through which cold air flows in and out, and accommodates fruits and vegetables therein; A precooling heat exchange module coupled to one side of the precooling casing and supplying cold air generated in the first thermoelectric semiconductor to the fruits and vegetables box; And a pressure reducing module coupled to the other side of the casing to lower the pressure in the pre-cooling casing to circulate the air in the pre-cooling casing, wherein the cold air generated by the pre-cooling heat exchange module is moved to the decompression module via the pre-cooling casing. The precooling is performed through a second path between the decompression module and the precooling casing, a lower path formed in the precooling casing and a lower region of the fruit and vegetable box, and a first path between the precooling heat exchange module and the precooling casing. Is moved to the heat exchange module is characterized in that for circulating the precooling casing.

According to an embodiment, the precooling heat exchange module may include: a precooling heat exchange body disposed to be spaced apart from an inner wall surface of the precooling casing so as to form the first path and supporting the first thermoelectric conductor; A precooling fin and a precooling fin disposed between the first thermoelectric semiconductor; And a plurality of precooling heat dissipation fans disposed in an edge region of the precooling heat exchange body to discharge heat generated in the first thermoelectric semiconductor to the outside.

According to one embodiment, the decompression module, and a decompression fan to rotate and lower the pressure; And a fan support frame disposed to be spaced apart from the other inner wall surface of the precooling casing to form the second path and supporting the decompression fan with respect to the precooling heat exchange body.

According to one embodiment, the fruit and vegetable refrigerator includes a refrigeration casing; A storage box disposed in the lower region of the refrigerated casing and accommodating fruits and vegetables therein; A refrigeration heat exchange module provided on one side of the refrigeration casing and supplying the cool air generated by the second thermoelectric semiconductor to the storage box side; And a gas supply module for depressurizing the inside of the refrigerated casing and supplying a mixed gas to the storage box.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fruit and vegetable pre-cooler and the fruit and vegetable refrigerator are accommodated together in an outer casing in which a door is opened and closed, and supplies the mixed gas by interlocking the gas supply module to the opening and closing of the door.

According to the fruit and vegetable cooling system of the present invention, the fruit and vegetable pre-cooling to lower the temperature of the fruit and vegetables after harvesting, and the fruit and vegetable by providing a cold and mixed gas can be stored for a long time by supplying cold and mixed gas to the fruits and vegetables having a low temperature through the pre-cooling Can be kept fresh.

In addition, the fruit and vegetable cooling system of the present invention can be produced and circulated cold air by the thermoelectric phenomenon of the thermoelectric semiconductor without the circulation of the refrigerant, the maintenance cost is low and the manufacturing cost can be lowered.

1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a fruit and vegetable cooling system of the present invention,
Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the fruit and vegetable pre-cooler of the fruit and vegetable cooling system of the present invention,
3a to 3c is a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a precooling heat exchange module of the fruit and vegetable precooler,
4 is an exemplary view showing a cold air circulation path of the fruit and vegetable precooler of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a fruit and vegetable refrigerator of the fruit and vegetable cooling system of the present invention,
Figure 6 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the configuration of a fruit or vegetable refrigerator of the present invention,
7 is an exemplary view showing a cold air circulation path of the fruit or vegetable refrigerator of the present invention.

In order to fully understand the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments of the present invention may be modified into various forms, and the scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described in detail below. This embodiment is provided to more completely explain the present invention to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the shapes and the like of the elements in the drawings can be exaggeratedly expressed to emphasize a clearer description. It should be noted that in the drawings, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals. Detailed descriptions of well-known functions and constructions which may be unnecessarily obscured by the gist of the present invention are omitted.

1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the configuration of a fruit or vegetable cooling system 1 according to the present invention. As shown, the fruit or vegetable cooling system 1 according to the present invention includes an outer casing 100, a fruit and vegetable pre-cooler 200 that is accommodated inside the outer casing 100 to lower the temperature of the fruit and vegetable, and a fruit and vegetable pre-cooler 200. It is provided independently) and includes a fruit and vegetable refrigerator 300 for supplying and storing cold air to the fruit and vegetable products stored in the cold through the fruit and vegetable pre-cooler (200).

The outer casing 100 accommodates the fruits and vegetables pre-cooler 200 and the fruits and vegetables refrigerator 300 together. The outer casing 100 has an accommodation space formed therein to independently accommodate the fruit or vegetable pre-cooler 200 and the fruit or vegetable refrigerator 300. The inner casing is provided inside the outer casing 100, and the inner casing is custom designed to correspond to the shapes of the fruits and vegetables pre-cooler 200 and the fruits and vegetables refrigerator 300. Since the fruits and vegetables precooler 200 and the fruits and vegetables refrigerator 300 are differently controlled from each other, the inner box is provided such that the fruits and vegetables precooler 200 and the fruits and vegetables refrigerator 300 are independently disposed by partition walls.

The outer casing 100 is provided with a door 110 to be opened and closed. The door 110 is provided so that the user can easily access the pre-cooling box 220 of the fruits and vegetables pre-cooler 200 and the storage box 320 of the fruits and vegetables refrigerator 300 when the user opens and closes.

An outer side of the outer casing 100 may be provided with an input panel (not shown) for receiving a temperature from a user, and a display unit (not shown) for displaying the temperatures of the present fruits and vegetables pre-cooler 200 and the fruits and vegetables refrigerator 300. . Through the input panel (not shown), the user may change the set temperature according to the kind of fruits and vegetables stored in the fruits and vegetables pre-cooler 200 and the fruits and vegetables refrigerator 300.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the fruit and vegetable pre-cooler 200 of the present invention.

The fruit or vegetable pre-cooler 200 quickly drops the product temperature of the fruits and vegetables stored therein, so that the fruits and vegetables can be stored for a long time. The fruit and vegetable pre-cooler 200 is a pre-cooling casing 210 accommodated in the outer casing 100, a pre-cooling box 220 detachably coupled to the pre-cooling casing 210 and accommodates the fruits and vegetables, and generates a cold air pre-cooling box It includes a pre-cooling heat exchange module 230 to supply to the 220, and a pressure reduction module 240 to drop the pressure in the pre-cooling casing 210 to circulate the cold air.

The precooling casing 210 is coupled to the inner phase of the outer casing 100. The precooling casing 210 serves as a frame for supporting the precooling box 220, the precooling heat exchange module, and the decompression module 240. In addition, the pre-cooling casing 210 forms a spaced interval with each component to generate a path through which cold air is circulated.

The precooling box 220 accommodates fruits and vegetables therein. The precooling box 220 is detachably coupled to the precooling casing 210 to allow the user to easily receive and separate the fruits and vegetables. The precooling box 220 may be coupled to the precooling casing 210 in a drawer type, or may be coupled in a stacking manner, or may be combined in various ways known in the art. A sealing member (not shown) is provided at a coupling region of the precooling box 220 and the precooling casing 210 to prevent leakage of cold air.

The pre-cooling box 220 is formed through the cold air inlet 221 and the cold air outlet 223 through which cold air flows into and out of the plate surface. The cold air supplied from the precooling heat exchange module 230 is introduced into the precooling box 220 through the cold air inlet 221, and the cold air is discharged out of the precooling box 220 through the cold air outlet 223. The cold air inlet 221 and the cold air outlet 223 may be provided in plural in a direction facing each other.

Figure 3a is a perspective view showing the configuration of the pre-cooling heat exchange module 230, Figure 3b is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross-sectional configuration along the line AA of Figure 3a, Figure 3c is a cross-sectional configuration along the line BB of Figure 3a A cross-sectional view schematically.

The precooling heat exchange module 230 generates cold air that lowers the product temperature of the fruits and vegetables. The precooling heat exchange module 230 includes a heat exchange body 231, a first thermoelectric semiconductor 233 coupled to the heat exchange body 231, and generating cold air, and a plurality of precoolings disposed adjacent to the first thermal semiconductor 233. It includes a heat dissipation fin 235, a pre-cooling heat fin 237 to cool the heat of the pre-cooling heat dissipation fin 235, and a pre-cooling heat dissipation fan 239 for dissipating heat generated from the pre-cooling heat dissipation fin 235 to the outside.

The first thermoconductor 233 uses a thermoelectric phenomenon that generates and absorbs heat other than Joule heat when a current flows through the junction surface of the semiconductor and the metal. In the first thermoconductor 233, the amount and direction of the endothermic and the heat generation are controlled by the magnitude and direction of the current. The first thermoconductor 233 is used for heating or cooling because there is no mechanically acting part and the installation position or direction does not affect its operation. The first thermoconductor 233 is disposed by combining a plurality of thermoelectric semiconductor modules having a predetermined size.

The first thermoelectric semiconductor 233 adjusts the amount of cold air generated by selectively supplying current through the controller 350 according to the temperature set by the user.

The preheating fins 235 release the heat absorbed by the action of the first thermoconductor 233 to the outside. The precooling radiating fan 239 and the precooling fins 237 serve to cool the precooling radiating fins 235 quickly.

The first thermoelectric semiconductor 233, the precooling fins 235, the precooling fins 237, and the precooling fins 235 are fixedly disposed on the heat exchange body 231, respectively. The first thermoelectric semiconductor 233 is disposed along the horizontal direction or the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange body 231, and the precooling heat radiation fins 235 and the precooling cooling fins 237 are respectively disposed inside and outside the first thermoelectric semiconductor 233. Is placed. In addition, a plurality of precooling heat fans 235 are arranged at predetermined intervals along the edge region of the heat exchange body 231.

Here, the heat exchange main body 231 is disposed in one side wall of the pre-cooling casing 210 in a predetermined interval inside the first path 232 through which cold air is circulated, and the first lower path 234 connected to the lower path 211. To form.

The decompression module 240 temporarily lowers the pressure in the precooling casing 210 to allow the cold air of the precooling heat exchange module 230 located at a relatively high pressure to move toward the decompression module 240.

The decompression module 240 includes a decompression fan 241 for temporarily reducing the pressure by the rotational drive, and a fan support frame 243 for supporting the decompression fan 241 in the precooling casing 210. The pan support frame 243 is disposed inward from a wall surface of the precooling casing 210 to form a second path 245 through which air moves. The decompression fan 241 is rotated by the drive of a driving source (not shown) to reduce the pressure.

Operation of the fruit or vegetable precooler 200 according to the present invention having such a configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

After the user receives the fruits and vegetables in the precooling box 220, and sets the product temperature corresponding to the types of fruits and vegetables through the input unit (not shown), the controller 350 determines the amount of current supplied to the first thermoconductor 233. By adjusting, the cold air is generated in the first thermoconductor 233.

On the other hand, the pressure of the place where the decompression module 240 is located in the precooling casing 210 is temporarily lowered by the operation of the decompression fan 241, and the air of the precooling box 220 side having a relatively high pressure is reduced in the decompression module ( 240) to the side. Accordingly, the cold air generated by the precooling heat exchange module 230 is supplied to the precooling box 220. The cold air whose temperature is increased by the heat exchange with the fruits and vegetables in the pre-cooling box 220 is moved to the decompression module 240 by the relative pressure difference by the decompression module 240, and the second path 245 and the lower path 211. The first lower path 234 and the first path 232 are sequentially returned to the precooling heat exchange module 230. Through the cold air circulation path, cold air comes into contact with the fruits and vegetables, and the temperature of the fruits and vegetables can be lowered quickly.

5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a fruit or vegetable refrigerator 300 according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the fruit and vegetable refrigerator 300.

As shown, the fruit or vegetable refrigerator 300 according to the present invention includes a refrigeration casing 310, a storage box 320 in which the fruits and vegetables are accommodated, and a cold heat exchange that generates cold air by the thermoelectric phenomenon of the second thermoelectric semiconductor 333. The module 330, a controller for controlling the inside of the refrigeration casing 310 and controlling the gas supply module 340 for supplying the mixed gas to the storage box 320, the fruit and vegetable precooler 200 and the fruit and vegetable refrigerator 300. And 350.

The refrigerated casing 310 is accommodated inside the outer casing 100. The refrigeration casing 310 accommodates the refrigeration heat exchange module 330 and the storage box 320 therein, and forms cold air movement paths 311 and 313 therebetween. The cold air generated in the refrigeration heat exchange module 330 through the cold air movement paths 311 and 313 circulates inside the refrigerated casing 310 via the storage box 320.

The storage box 320 is coupled to the refrigerated casing 310 and the fruits and vegetables are accommodated therein. The storage box 320 is provided in a box shape and is detachably formed in the refrigeration casing 310. The storage box 320 is provided with an upper surface to open the cold air. At this time, the bottom surface of the storage box 320 is formed with a plurality of water discharge holes 323 through. As a result, the water leaked from the fruits and vegetables may be discharged to the outside, and cold air circulating through the storage box 320 may be returned to the cold air movement paths 311 and 313.

The second thermoelectric semiconductor 333 generates cold air by a thermoelectric phenomenon and supplies it to the storage box 320. The second thermoconductor 333 is disposed to be in line with the partition box 315 that divides the refrigeration casing 310 up and down. The heat dissipation fin 336 and the cooling fin 338 are provided around the second thermoelectric semiconductor 333, and a plurality of heat dissipation fans 335 are disposed on the upper surface of the refrigeration casing 310.

In addition, a cold air fan 337 is provided in an upper middle region of the refrigerated casing 310 to supply cold air to the storage box 320.

The gas supply module 340 supplies the mixed gas into the storage box 320 so that the fruits and vegetables can be kept fresh for a long time. The gas supply module 340 supplies the mixed gas stored in the gas cylinder 347 disposed outside or inside the outer casing 100 to the storage box 320 through the gas supply pipe 349. In addition, the vacuum pump 345 is coupled to the gas supply module 340. The pressure inside the refrigerating casing 310 is adjusted by the operation of the vacuum pump 345. As a result, cold air generated in the refrigeration heat exchange module 330 circulates inside the refrigeration casing 310.

A plurality of valves 341, 342, and 343 are provided in a supply path of the gas supply pipe 349. The first valve 341 is operated by opening and closing the door 110. That is, the first valve 341 is opened and closed when the operation signal is applied by the controller 350 detecting the opening and closing of the door 110. The first valve 341 is operated to supply the mixed gas when the door 110 is closed.

The second valve 342 serves to stop the vacuum pump 345 so that a predetermined pressure is formed in the storage box 320 after the first valve 341 is operated. The second valve 342 is such that the pressure inside the storage box 320 is -0.75 bar, -570 mmHg. Accordingly, the second valve 342 opens and closes with a signal from the controller 350 until the pressure inside the refrigerating casing 310 reaches a set pressure.

The third valve 343 is configured to supply 10% of carbon dioxide compared to the gas supplied after the operation of the second valve 342 is stopped. When the second valve 342 is blocked, the third valve 343 is opened and closed so that an appropriate amount of carbon dioxide may be supplied as a signal from the controller 350.

The third valve 343 supplies nitrogen and carbon dioxide to allow the fruits and vegetables inside the storage box 320 to breathe to maintain freshness of the fruits and vegetables.

The controller 350 controls the first thermoelectric semiconductor 233 and the second thermoelectric semiconductor 333 to supply the cold air to the set temperature of the fruits and vegetables pre-cooler 200 and the fruits and vegetables refrigerator 300. In addition, the gas supply module 340 is controlled to interlock with the opening and closing of the door 110 to allow the mixed gas to flow into the storage box 320.

The operation of the fruit or vegetable refrigerator 300 according to the present invention having such a configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7.

First, when the door 110 is closed, the open button (not shown) to cooperate by opening and closing the door is off (Off). Accordingly, the controller 350 operates the gas supply module 340 after determining the signal of the open button.

When the first valve 341 is closed while the open button is turned off in the gas supply module 340, air introduced into the storage box 320 is blocked.

At this time, the controller 350 closes the first valve 341, opens the second valve 342, and then operates the vacuum pump 345 to form pressures of -0.75 bar and -570 mmHg in the storage box 320. Be sure to

When the inside of the storage box 320 becomes a set pressure, the controller 350 stops the vacuum pump 345 and closes the second valve 342 to maintain the pressure of the storage box 320.

The controller 350 opens the third valve 343 so that nitrogen and carbon dioxide in the gas cylinder 347 are supplied through the gas supply pipe 349. At this time, the supply amount of carbon dioxide is 10%.

By maintaining the carbon dioxide at 10%, the fruits and vegetables stored in the storage box 320 to breathe, it is possible to maintain a long-term freshness.

After the gas is supplied to the storage box 320, the controller 350 closes the third valve 343 to prevent the gas from the gas cylinder 347 from being supplied. Then, the controller 350 opens and closes the first valve 341 for 2 seconds so that air flows into the storage box 320 again so that the fruits and vegetables are freshly stored.

After the door is opened again, the door is opened and the above process is repeated, and the fruits and vegetables are kept fresh.

On the other hand, the cold air generated in the second thermoelectric semiconductor 333 throughout the above-described process is introduced into the storage box 320 and then circulated through the cold air movement paths (311, 313) and the fruits and vegetables are kept fresh while maintaining a constant temperature To help.

Embodiments of the fruit or vegetable cooling system of the present invention described above are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. Could be. Therefore, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, the true scope of the present invention should be determined by the technical idea of the appended claims. It is also to be understood that the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

1: greengrocer refrigeration system 100: outer casing
200: fruit and vegetable precooler 210: precool casing
211: lower path 220: precooling box
221: cold air inlet 223: cold air inlet
230: precooling heat exchange module 231: heat exchange main body
232: first path 233: first thermoelectric semiconductor
234: first lower path 235: preheating fin
237: precooling fan 239: precooling fan
240: decompression module 241: decompression fan
243: pan support frame 245: second path
300: fruit and vegetable refrigerator 310: refrigerated casing
311: cold air movement path 313: side cold air movement path
320: fruit and vegetable storage box 330: refrigeration heat exchange module
331: heat exchange main body 333: second thermoelectric semiconductor
335: heat dissipation fan 336: heat dissipation fin
337: cold air fan 338: cooling fin
340: gas supply unit 341: first valve
342: second valve 343: third valve
345: vacuum pump 347: gas cylinder
349: gas supply pipe 350: controller

Claims (5)

In a fruit and vegetable cooling system,
A fruit and vegetable precooler for lowering the temperature of the fruit and vegetable by cold air produced by the first thermoelectric semiconductor;
It is disposed on one side of the fruit and vegetable pre-cooler and comprises a cold produced by the second thermoelectric semiconductor, a fruit and vegetable refrigerator to keep the fruit and vegetables fresh through the mixed gas supplied from the gas supply,
The fruit and vegetable pre-cooler,
Precooling casing;
A pre-cooling box disposed in a center region of the pre-cooling casing, each having a cold air inlet and a cold air outlet, through which cold air flows in and out, and receives fruits and vegetables therein;
A precooling heat exchange module coupled to one side of the precooling casing and supplying cold air generated by the first thermoelectric semiconductor to the precooling box;
It is coupled to the other side of the casing and includes a pressure reduction module for circulating the air in the pre-cooling casing by lowering the pressure in the pre-cooling casing,
After the cold air generated by the precooling heat exchange module is moved to the decompression module via the precooling casing, a second path between the decompression module and the precooling casing, a lower path formed in the precooling casing and the lower region of the precooling box, And moving to the precooling heat exchange module via the first path between the precooling heat exchange module and the precooling casing sequentially and circulating the inside of the precooling casing.
The method of claim 1,
The precooling heat exchange module,
A precooling heat exchange body disposed to be spaced apart from the inner wall surface of the precooling casing so as to form the first path and supporting the first thermoelectric conductor;
A precooling fin and a precooling fin disposed between the first thermoelectric semiconductor;
And a plurality of precooling heat dissipation fans disposed in an edge region of the precooling heat exchange body to discharge heat generated in the first thermoelectric semiconductor to the outside. 3. The method of claim 2,
The decompression module,
A decompression fan that rotates and decreases pressure;
And a fan support frame disposed to be spaced apart from the other inner wall surface of the precooling casing to form the second path and supporting the decompression fan with respect to the precooling heat exchange body. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The fruit and vegetable refrigerator,
Refrigeration casing;
A storage box disposed in the lower region of the refrigerated casing and accommodating fruits and vegetables therein;
A refrigeration heat exchange module provided on one side of the refrigeration casing and supplying the cool air generated by the second thermoelectric semiconductor to the storage box side;
And a gas supply module for depressurizing the inside of the refrigerating casing and supplying a mixed gas to the storage box. 5. The method of claim 4,
The fruit and vegetable precooler and the fruit and vegetable refrigerator are accommodated together in an outer casing in which a door is opened and closed.
The gas supply module is a fruit and vegetable cooling system, characterized in that for supplying the mixed gas in conjunction with the opening and closing of the door.

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