KR20120026743A - Plant cultivating device and plant cultivating system using thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A plant cultivating apparatus capable of maximizing productivity, and plant cultivating system using thereof are provided to enable users to control the environment condition of the apparatus by the growth of plants. CONSTITUTION: A plant cultivating apparatus comprises the following: plural storing units(12) with different sizes by the growth of plants, including a first storing unit(12a) for a first growth stage(P1) of the plants, a second storing unit(12b) for a second growth stage(P2) of the plants, and a third storing unit(12c) for a third growth stage(P3) of the plants; a cultivation box(14) located among the storing units; a piping unit supplying a nutrient solution or soil into the cultivation box; a lighting unit(16) supplying light to the plants by being installed on the upper side of the storing units; a temperature controller controlling the temperature inside the cultivating apparatus; and a gas supplier controlling the CO2 condition inside the cultivation apparatus.

Description

PLANT CULTIVATING DEVICE AND PLANT CULTIVATING SYSTEM USING THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a plant cultivation apparatus and a plant cultivation system using the same.

In a conventional plant cultivation system, in order to cultivate a plant in a greenhouse, two or more shelves are provided in a predetermined space, a box for plant cultivation is placed on the shelf, and nutrient solution and soil are provided in the box. The upper areas of the shelves were illuminated to grow plants in boxes.

In such a plant cultivation system, the control of lighting intensity (light amount), temperature, and nutrient solution required for a plant must be performed by a person who is an operator, thus reducing productivity and creating an environment required for a plant for 24 hours. Difficulties followed, and space utilization was also inefficient because people had to secure space for movement.

The present invention provides a plant cultivation apparatus and a plant cultivation system using the same.

The plant cultivation apparatus and the plant cultivation system using the same according to the embodiment cultivate the plants in suitable environmental conditions according to the growth stage, while efficiently utilizing the internal space of the cultivation apparatus.

In addition, the plant cultivation apparatus according to the embodiment and the plant cultivation system using the same increase productivity and reduce operating costs.

Plant cultivation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of housings formed so as to differ in size according to the growth stage of the plant; And a cultivation box disposed on at least a portion of the plurality of storage units and including a soil for cultivating the plant therein and a plant to be grown.

The plant cultivation system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cultivation apparatus for cultivating a plant, and transfer means for moving a cultivation box including soil for cultivating the plant and a plant to be grown to the cultivation apparatus. The cultivation apparatus includes: a plurality of storage parts formed to have different specifications according to the growth stage of the plant; And a cultivation box disposed on at least a portion of the plurality of storage units and including a soil for cultivating the plant therein and a plant to be grown.

The present invention can provide a plant cultivation apparatus and a plant cultivation system using the same.

Plant cultivation apparatus according to the embodiment and the plant cultivation system using the same by cultivating the plant in the storage unit of different specifications according to the growth stage of the plant, while cultivating the plant effectively in different environmental conditions in each growth stage, Can be used efficiently.

In addition, the plant cultivation device and the plant cultivation system using the same according to the embodiment is mechanical control of the loading and unloading device and the transport means by the control unit, and the cultivation environment conditions such as temperature, light, CO ₂ , nutrient solution and soil of the cultivation device By performing control over the plant, the plant cultivation system can be operated with unmanned automation to increase productivity and reduce operating costs.

1 is a perspective view of a plant cultivation system according to an embodiment
Figure 2 is a view from above of the plant cultivation system according to the embodiment
3 is a side view of a cultivation apparatus of a plant cultivation system according to an embodiment
4 is a side view showing a transport means of the plant cultivation system according to the embodiment
5 and 6 are views for explaining the structure of a plurality of storage portions of the cultivation apparatus according to the embodiment
7 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the control unit for integrally controlling the plant cultivation system according to an embodiment
8 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processes for cultivating plants by the plant cultivation system according to the embodiment

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be described in detail with respect to the plant cultivation apparatus and the plant cultivation system using the same.

In the description of an embodiment, where each layer, region or structure is described as being formed “on” or “under” of each layer, region or structure, “up / up” (on) and "under" include both "directly" or "indirectly" formed. In addition, the reference to the above / above or below each layer, area or structure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the thickness, size, or the like of each layer, region, or structure may be exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for convenience and clarity of description. That is, the size of each component does not fully reflect the actual size.

1 is a perspective view of a plant cultivation system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a view of the plant cultivation system 1 from above, and FIG. 3 is a cultivation apparatus of the plant cultivation system 1. 10 is a side view.

1 to 3, the plant cultivation system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cultivation apparatus 10 and a cultivation apparatus 10 for cultivating plants in order to grow plants in a greenhouse. It may include a conveying means 30 for moving the cultivation box 14 containing plants, and a rail 20 for moving the conveying means 30.

The cultivation apparatus 10 according to the embodiment may provide an environment effective for cultivating the plant at each stage of plant growth. In order to grow plants effectively, it is desirable to vary the environment such as light, carbon dioxide, nutrient solution and soil supply, temperature, etc. at each stage of plant growth.

To this end, the cultivation apparatus 10 includes a plurality of storage units 12 formed so as to have a different size for each stage of plant growth, a cultivation box 14 disposed in each of the plurality of storage units 12, and the cultivation. A piping unit (not shown) for providing at least one of nutrient solution or soil to the box 14, an illumination unit 16 disposed above each of the plurality of storage units 12 to provide illumination to the plant, and The plant cultivation system includes a temperature control device (not shown) for controlling temperature conditions in the cultivation apparatus 10, a gas supply pipe (not shown) for controlling CO ₂ conditions in the cultivation apparatus 10, and a cultivation box 14. (1) A storage device 18 may be included in and out.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the plurality of storage units 12 may include, for example, a plant of the first growing box 14a and the second growing stage P2 including the plant of the first growing stage P1. The first accommodating part 12a and the second accommodating part 12 having different specifications for accommodating each of the second growing box 14b and the third growing box 14c including the plants of the third growing step P3. 12b) and the third accommodating part 12c.

The cultivation apparatus 10 provides different amounts of light, carbon dioxide, soil, nutrient solution, etc. according to the first accommodating part 12a, the second accommodating part 12b, and the third accommodating part 12c. Conditions can also be designed to be adjustable differently, as a result, the plants included in each of the first, second and third receiving portion (12a, 12b, 12c) is provided with an environment suitable for the growth stage and effectively cultivated Can be.

In more detail, when the plant to be cultivated is a flower, the plant of the first growth stage P1 may be, for example, an embryonic stage flower or a flower at an early stage of growth. In addition, the plant of the second growth stage (P2) may be, for example, a flower of the intermediate stage of growth of the stem and leaves. In addition, the plant of the third growth stage (P3) may be, for example, a flower at the stage where buds are formed or flowers bloom and growth is completed.

However, as the plant growth proceeds from the first growth stage P1 to the third growth stage P3, it is common that the length and volume of the plant gradually grow due to length growth and volume growth.

Therefore, even if the plant of the first growth stage (P1) is accommodated in the relatively small size of the first receiving portion 12a, there is no problem in the growth, but the plant is the second growth stage (P2) or the third growth stage (P3) In the case of accommodating the plants of) in the first storage unit 12a, the space may be narrow and may interfere with the length or volume growth of the plants.

On the contrary, in the case where the plants of the first growth stage P1 are accommodated in the second or third storage units 12b and 12c having a larger size than the first storage unit 12a, even if there is no big problem in the growth of the plants, There is a problem that space utilization of the cultivation device 10 is inefficient.

In addition, the plant of the first growth stage (P1), the plant of the second growth stage (P2) and the plant of the third growth stage (P3) are suitable for their growth, for example, the amount of light, the amount of carbon dioxide and The amount of nutrient solution may be different, and the temperature conditions suitable for growth may also be different.

Therefore, the cultivation apparatus 10 according to the embodiment grows the plants in the storage unit 12 of different specifications according to the growth stage of the plant, that is, the storage unit of the growth stage as the growth stage of the plant goes from the early stage to the late stage. By increasing the size of the plant, the plant can be effectively cultivated under different environmental conditions at each growth stage, while efficiently utilizing the space of the cultivation apparatus 10.

On the other hand, the plurality of housing portion 12 is formed of a frame structure forming a frame of the cultivation device 10, the frame structure is formed of a metal or alloy material including aluminum, tin, or the like, or formed of a resin material Can be.

In addition, although the plurality of accommodating parts 12 are illustrated as being formed in one frame structure, this is merely an example, and the plurality of accommodating parts 12 may be provided separately and stacked. . In this case, the object moved by the conveying means 30 (or the loading / unloading device 18) may be the growing device 10 itself, not the growing box 14.

In addition, a structure in which the first accommodating part 12a, the second accommodating part 12b, and the third accommodating part 12c of the plurality of accommodating parts 12 are not communicated with each other may be provided. It can be designed to have. For example, the first, second, and third accommodating parts 12a, 12b, and 12c have opening and closing openings that are opened only when the cultivation box 14 is transferred by the transfer means 30. It may be designed so that they do not communicate with each other except when they are open.

The cultivation box 14 may be provided in plural pieces in each of the plurality of storage units 12, and the cultivation box 14 may include a plant to be grown and soil in which the plant is planted. The cultivation box 14 may be transported by the transport means 30 to the housing 12 which provides an environment and storage space suitable for the growth stage of the plant. Each of the cultivation boxes 14 may have a rectangular box shape, or may have a circular, elliptical, or polygonal box shape as shown, but is not limited to the shape of the cultivation box 14.

The pipe unit (not shown) may provide nutrient solution or soil to the cultivation box 14 disposed on the cultivation apparatus 10.

The lighting unit 16 may provide illumination (light) to plants disposed in the cultivation apparatus 10. The lighting unit 16 may include, for example, at least one of various light emitting devices such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), a fluorescent lamp, an incandescent lamp, and the like. The brightness of the illumination unit 16 can be adjusted to suit the growth stage of the plant.

The temperature control device (not shown) may control temperature conditions in the cultivation device 10. The temperature control device (not shown) may be, for example, a heating ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system having a heater such as a heater, an air conditioner such as an air conditioner, and a ventilation port, but is not limited thereto.

CO ₂ in the gas supply pipe (not shown) provided or by discharging the CO ₂ in the culture apparatus 10, the planting device 10 You can control the conditions.

The loading and unloading device 18 can load and unload the cultivation box 14 into the plant cultivation system 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the loading and receiving device 18 may include, for example, a loading hole 18a and a shipping hole 18b separately, or simultaneously carry out loading and shipping in one hole. The loading and unloading device 18 may be provided as a kind of conveyor system, but is not limited thereto.

4 is a side view showing the transfer means 30 according to the embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, the transfer means 30 is installed in the body 32 and at least one of an upper region and a lower region of the body 32 to move the body 32 along the rail 20. It may include a driving unit 34 to support, the fork unit 36 for supporting the cultivation box 14 to move in the horizontal direction, and the lifting unit 38 for raising and lowering the fork 36.

Thus, the transfer means 30 arranges the cultivation box 14, which has been loaded and unloaded through the loading and unloading device 18, into the storage unit 12, and stores the cultivation box 14 according to the stage of plant growth. Can be moved to (12).

Specifically, the body 32 is a basic body constituting the conveying means 30, and may include a guide hole 32a for guiding the elevating portion 38 when the elevating portion 38 is elevated. have.

The traveling part 34 may be installed in at least one of an upper area and a lower area of the body 32, and the transport means along the rail 20 provided in the greenhouse to correspond to the running part 34. 30 can be moved. As shown in FIG. 4, the driving part 34 may include an area extending from the body 32 and a wheel 34a for moving the body 32 along the rail 20. It is not limited to.

The fork 36 may support the growing box 14 and move in the horizontal direction. Specifically, the fork part 36 supports the growing box 14 received through the loading / unloading device 18 to be placed in any one of the plurality of storage parts 12 or to be shipped out of the growing box ( 14 may be supported and placed in the loading / unloading device 18, or the growing box 14 may be moved to another storage 12 according to the growth stage.

The lifting unit 38 may serve to move the cultivation box 14 in the vertical direction by raising and lowering the fork unit 36. The lifting portion 38 may include, for example, a pulley 38a disposed in an upper region of the guide hole 32a of the body 32, a winding member 38b wound around the pulley 38a, and It may include a support member 38c connected to the winding member 38b and lowered between the guide holes 32a according to the extent of the winding member 38b being wound on the pulley 38a. The support member 38c may support the fork part 36 and as a result, the fork part 36 may be raised and lowered. However, the lifting unit 38 is not limited to this configuration.

5 and 6 are views for explaining the structure of the plurality of storage portions 12 of the cultivation apparatus 10 according to the embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, in the structure of the plurality of storage portions 12 of the cultivation apparatus 10, the number of the first storage portion 12a, the second storage portion 12b, and the third storage portion 12c is different. It may be provided.

For example, the first growth stage P1 of the plant proceeds during the first period, the second growth stage P2 of the plant proceeds during the second period, and the third growth stage P3 of the plant goes through the third period. In the case of the first period> the second period> the third period, as shown in FIG. 5, the plurality of housings 12 may be divided into the number of the first housings 12a> the second housings ( The number of 12b)> can be provided with the number of 3rd accommodating parts 12c. That is, the plurality of accommodating parts 12 are designed to have a larger number of accommodating parts 12 corresponding to a longer growth period of the plurality of growth stages P1, P2, and P3 of plants, so that the accommodating part ( Efficient use of the storage space of 12) can be achieved.

6, in the structure of the some accommodating part 12 of the cultivation apparatus 10, when 1st period = 2nd period = 3rd period, the 1st accommodating part 12a and 2nd The number of the accommodating part 12b and the third accommodating part 12c may be the same. In this case, as illustrated, the width of the first accommodating part 12a <width of the second accommodating part 12b <the width of the third accommodating part 12c may be used.

However, the structure of the cultivation apparatus 10 may be variously modified according to the design of the plant cultivation system 1 according to the embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

On the other hand, in order to maximize the space utilization in the cultivation apparatus 20, the number of the storage unit 12 corresponding to each growth stage of the plant is selected as the minimum amount of the value obtained by dividing by the period of each growth stage, and the arrival It is preferable to manage the amount of stock of the cultivation box 14 based on a reference amount.

For example, the number of the first, second and third accommodating portions 12a, 12b, and 12c is X1, X2 and X3, respectively, and the first growth stage P1 of the plant proceeds during the first period T1. When the second growth stage P2 of the plant proceeds for the second period T2, and the third growth stage P3 of the plant proceeds for the third period T3,

The number of the growing boxes 14 transferred from the first growth stage P1 to the second growth stage P2 is at most X1 / T1 per unit period, and the third growth stage P3 at the second growth stage P2. The number of cultivation boxes 14 passed to the maximum is X2 / T2 pieces per unit period, and the number of cultivation boxes 14 shipped through the third growth stage P3 is a maximum of X3 / T3 pieces per unit period.

Therefore, the smallest value of X1 / T1, X2 / T2, and X3 / T3 should be taken as the entry amount and the cultivation box 14 should be received into the plant cultivation system 1 based on this. The space in the cultivation apparatus 20 can be utilized efficiently, preventing the phenomenon that space of 12) runs short.

7 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the control unit 50 for integrally controlling the plant cultivation system 1 according to the embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7, the controller 50 includes a first sub controller 52 that performs mechanical control of the loading and unloading device 18 and the conveying means 30, the temperature, the light, The second sub controller 54 may control the cultivation environmental conditions such as CO ₂ , nutrient solution and soil.

The controller 50 may be, for example, a server, and the first sub controller 52 and the second sub controller 54 may be client computers that are dependent on the server. At this time, the client computer may be provided so as to operate the plant cultivation system 1 using software stored in a server, without including software for performing control of the plant cultivation system 1.

The first sub controller 52 mechanically controls the loading / unloading device 18 and the conveying means 30 so as to be received from the loading and unloading device 18, shipped to the loading and unloading device 18, or a cultivation device ( 10) Performs an Automated Storage / Retrieval System (ASRS) control to retrieve the cultivation box 14 to be transferred to another storage unit 12 within the container, and to transport and store it. can do. At this time, the search for the cultivation box 14 to be loaded or unloaded may be performed using a sensor such as a camera, but is not limited thereto.

In addition, the second sub controller 54 may control the cultivation environment conditions such as temperature, light, CO ₂ , nutrient solution, and soil for the plurality of storage units 12 of the cultivation apparatus 10. . At this time, under the control of the second sub controller 54, the plurality of storage units 12 of the cultivation apparatus 10 may be designed to have different cultivation environment conditions as described above. That is, the second sub controller 54 may include, for example, a piping unit (not shown), a lighting unit 16, a temperature control device (not shown), a gas supply pipe (not shown) of the control module 10, and the like. Control the temperature conditions, the amount of light, the amount of CO _2, the amount of nutrient solution, and the soil of each of the first receiving part 12a, the second receiving part 12b, and the third receiving part 12c. can do.

Plant cultivation system 1 according to the embodiment is provided with a control unit 50 as described above, it is possible to increase the productivity and reduce operating costs by operating the plant cultivation system (1) unattended automation.

8 is a flowchart showing a series of processes for growing plants by the plant cultivation system 1 according to the embodiment. However, the following description focuses on the plant cultivation system 1 that constitutes the cultivation apparatus 10 by dividing the growth stage of the plant into the first, second and third growth stages P1, P2, and P3. It does not limit to this.

Referring to FIG. 8, first, the cultivation box 14 is received into the plant cultivation system 1 according to the embodiment (S100). The cultivation box 14 may be received into the plant cultivation system 1 through the loading and unloading device 18.

Next, the received cultivation box 14 is arrange | positioned by the transfer means 30 to the 1st accommodating part 12a of the 1st growth stage P1 (S102).

Next, a second growth is carried out by the conveying means 30 by the conveying means 30 including a plant box 14 containing the plant folded in the second growth stage P2 after the first period of time has been placed in the first accommodating portion 12a. It arrange | positions to the 2nd accommodating part 12b of step P2 (S104).

Next, the third growing unit 14 including the plant folded into the third growing stage P3 after the second period has been placed in the second storage unit 12b by the transfer means 30 is grown by the third growing unit. It arrange | positions to the 3rd accommodating part 12c of step P3 (S106).

Next, the cultivation box 14 containing the plant in which the 3rd period has passed since it was arrange | positioned in the 3rd accommodating part 12c is shipped by the transfer means 30 via the loading-and-unloading device 18 (S108). .

As described above, the plant cultivation system 1 according to the embodiment cultivates the plant in the storage unit 12 of different specifications according to the growth stage of the plant, thereby effectively cultivating the plant under different environmental conditions at each growth stage, The space of the cultivation apparatus 10 can be utilized efficiently.

In addition, the plant cultivation system 1 according to the embodiment is controlled by the control unit 50, the mechanical control of the loading and unloading device 18 and the transfer means 30, the temperature of the cultivation device 10, light, CO ₂ , By performing control on cultivation environmental conditions such as nutrient solution and soil, the plant cultivation system 1 can be operated by unmanned automation to increase productivity and reduce operating costs.

Features, structures, effects, and the like described in the above embodiments are included in at least one embodiment of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to only one embodiment. Furthermore, the features, structures, effects, and the like illustrated in each embodiment may be combined or modified with respect to other embodiments by those skilled in the art to which the embodiments belong. Therefore, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to these combinations and modifications.

In addition, the above description has been made with reference to the embodiment, which is merely an example, and is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will be illustrated as above without departing from the essential characteristics of the present embodiment. It will be appreciated that various modifications and applications are possible. For example, each component specifically shown in the embodiment can be modified. And differences relating to such modifications and applications will have to be construed as being included in the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

1: plant cultivation system 10: cultivation apparatus
12: storage 14: planting box
16 lighting unit 18 loading and unloading device
20: rail 30: transfer means
50: control unit 52: first sub control unit
54: second sub-control unit

Claims (19)

A plant cultivation apparatus provided for growing plants in a greenhouse,
A plurality of housings formed to have different specifications according to the growth stage of the plant; And
A cultivation box disposed in at least a portion of the plurality of storage units and including soil for cultivating the plant and plants to be grown;
Plant cultivation apparatus comprising a. The plant cultivation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plant is provided to the plant by varying the amount of soil, nutrient solution, light and CO ₂ according to the growth stage of the plant, and temperature conditions. The said plant cultivation apparatus of Claim 1 or 2,
A piping unit for providing at least one of nutrient solution or soil to the growing box;
An illumination unit disposed above each of the plurality of storage units to provide light to the plant;
A temperature control device for controlling temperature conditions in the cultivation device;
Plant cultivation apparatus further comprises a gas supply pipe for controlling the CO ₂ conditions in the cultivation apparatus. The plant cultivation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a loading and unloading device for loading and unloading the growing box into and out of the growing device. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of housing portion,
The plant cultivation apparatus is different in size by the growth stage of the plant, the size of the receiving portion is larger as the growth stage of the plant from the early stage to the late stage. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of housing portion,
Plant storage apparatus characterized in that the more the storage unit corresponding to the longer growth period of the plurality of growth stages of the plant, the number is designed. The method according to claim 1, wherein the number of the storage units corresponding to each growth stage of the plant is selected as the minimum entry value among the values obtained by dividing the period of each growth phase, and the quantity of the storage box is managed based on the arrival standard amount. A plant cultivation apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The plant cultivation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of storage units are divided according to growth stages, and storage units having different growth stages do not communicate with each other. A plant cultivation system provided for growing plants in a greenhouse,
A cultivation apparatus for cultivating a plant, and conveying means for moving a cultivation box including soil for cultivating the plant and a plant of interest to the cultivation apparatus,
The cultivation apparatus,
A plurality of housings formed to have different specifications according to the growth stage of the plant; And
A cultivation box disposed in at least a portion of the plurality of storage units and including soil for cultivating the plant and plants to be grown;
Plant cultivation system comprising a. 10. The plant cultivation system of claim 9, wherein the plant cultivation system is provided for the plant by varying the amount of soil, nutrient solution, light and CO ₂ according to the stage of growth of the plant, and the temperature conditions. The said plant cultivation apparatus of Claim 9 or 10,
A piping unit for providing at least one of nutrient solution or soil to the growing box;
An illumination unit disposed above each of the plurality of storage units to provide light to the plant;
A temperature control device for controlling temperature conditions in the cultivation device;
And a gas supply pipe for controlling the CO ₂ condition in the cultivation apparatus. The plant cultivation system of claim 9, further comprising a loading and unloading device for loading and unloading the growing box into and out of the growing device. The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of housing portion,
The plant cultivation system is different in size by the growth stage of the plant, the size of the receiving portion is larger as the growth stage of the plant from the early to late stage. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the number of storage units corresponding to each growth stage of the plant is selected as the minimum entry value among the values obtained by dividing the period of each growth phase, and the amount of the storage box is managed based on the arrival threshold. Characterized by a plant cultivation system. The plant cultivation system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of storage units are divided according to growth stages, and storage units having different growth stages do not communicate with each other. 10. A plant cultivation system according to claim 9, comprising a rail for moving said transport means in said greenhouse. The method of claim 16, wherein the conveying means is installed in at least one of the body, the upper region and the lower region of the body, the traveling portion for moving the body along the rail, and supporting the cultivation box in the horizontal direction Plant cultivation system comprising a fork for moving and a lifting unit for lifting the fork. The method of claim 12, wherein the plant cultivation system having a control unit,
The controller may include a first sub controller configured to perform mechanical control of the loading and unloading device and the transfer means;
And a second sub-control unit for controlling the cultivation environmental conditions such as temperature, light, CO ₂ , nutrient solution, and soil of the cultivation apparatus. 10. The plant cultivation system of claim 9, wherein the plant cultivation system further comprises a sensor for searching for a cultivation box to be loaded or unloaded.

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