JP2021172276A - Vehicle air blowout device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a vehicle air blowout device which can independently adjust a volume of air blown and an air blowing direction for each seat.SOLUTION: A vehicle air blowout device includes: an air outlet formed on an upper surface of an instrument panel of a vehicle and a duct for guiding air (blown air) which has been subjected to temperature adjustment by a vehicle air conditioner to the air outlet; and flaps which are disposed at the air outlet and arranged in a width direction of the vehicle, and enable opening/closing angles to be adjusted independently of each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle air blowing device.

Conventionally, in vehicles such as automobiles, it has been common to arrange the air outlet of the air conditioner in front of the instrument panel. On the other hand, in recent years, there have been an increasing number of cases in which other in-vehicle devices including, for example, a touch panel are arranged in front of the instrument panel. In this case, it is desirable that the air conditioner outlet is arranged on the upper surface (that is, the surface facing the ceiling) rather than the front surface of the instrument panel. As an example of an apparatus having such a configuration, the one described in Patent Document 1 below is known. In the device of Patent Document 1, the air blown air is distributed to the driver's seat side and the passenger's seat side by arranging the air outlets extending in an arc shape on the upper surface of the instrument panel.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-2016128

However, when a single air outlet is arranged on the upper surface, it becomes difficult to independently adjust the strength and direction of the air blown distributed from the air outlet to the driver's seat side and the passenger seat side.

The present disclosure has been made in order to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner for a vehicle capable of independently adjusting the amount of air blown and the direction of air blown for each seat.

In order to solve the above problems, the vehicle air blower according to the present disclosure guides the air outlet formed on the upper surface of the instrument panel of the vehicle and the air temperature-controlled by the vehicle air conditioner to the air outlet. It includes a duct and a plurality of flaps arranged at the air outlet, arranged in the width direction of the vehicle, and capable of adjusting the opening / closing angle independently of each other.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a vehicle air blowing device capable of independently adjusting the air blowing amount and the blowing direction for each seat.

It is a top view which shows typically the inside of the vehicle which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a top view which shows the structure of the air blowing device for a vehicle which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this disclosure. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the shape of the partition member which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a hardware block diagram of the control part which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a functional block diagram of the control part which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation of the control part which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a table which shows the operation mode of the air blowing device for a vehicle which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this disclosure, and shows the operation mode when a flap is fixed. It is a table which shows the operation mode of the air blowing device for a vehicle which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this disclosure, and shows the operation mode when a flap can swing. It is a top view which shows the modification of the flap which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a top view which shows the structure of the air blowing device for a vehicle which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a figure which shows the structure of the drive part of the blowout device for a vehicle which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this disclosure.

<First Embodiment>
(Vehicle configuration)
Hereinafter, the vehicle 10 provided with the vehicle air blowing device 20 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. In the following description, the front side of the vehicle 10 in the traveling direction is simply referred to as the "front side", and the opposite side thereof is referred to as the "rear side". Further, the width direction of the vehicle 10 is simply referred to as a "width direction".

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 includes an instrument panel 11, a steering wheel 12, a front seat 13 including a driver's seat 13A and a passenger seat 13B, a rear seat 15, a vehicle air conditioner 19, and a vehicle. The air blowing device 20 and the like are provided.

The instrument panel 11 is arranged on the front side of the vehicle 10. The instrument panel 11 has an upper surface 11a facing the ceiling of the vehicle 10. An outlet 22 (described later) of the vehicle air blowing device 20 is opened on the upper surface 11a. Air is supplied from the air outlet 22 to each seat inside the vehicle 10.

(Configuration of vehicle air conditioner)
The vehicle air conditioner 19 is a refrigerant circuit that utilizes a refrigeration cycle. The vehicle air conditioner 19 generates temperature-controlled air by exchanging heat between the air taken in from the outside and the refrigerant. This air is supplied to the inside of the vehicle 10 through the vehicle air blowing device 20.

(Structure of air blowing device for vehicles)
The vehicle air blowing device 20 includes an outlet 22 and a duct 31 (see FIG. 2), a partition member 23, a flap 24 (right flap 24A, left flap 24B), a pair of actuators 25, an occupant sensor 70, and the like. It has a control unit 90 and.

The air outlet 22 is a trapezoidal opening formed on the upper surface 11a. The front edge of the air outlet 22 is shorter than the rear edge. As shown in FIG. 2, a duct 31 extending upward from the vehicle air conditioner 19 communicates with the air outlet 22. A partition member 23 is provided at the center of the air outlet 22 in the width direction. The outlet 22 is divided into a plurality (two as an example) by the partition member 23. In the following description, the region on the right side of the partition member 23 at the outlet 22 is referred to as the right outlet 22A, and the region on the left side is referred to as the left outlet 22B.

(Structure of partition member)
The pair of surfaces of the partition member 23 facing both sides in the width direction are the side surfaces 23S, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, the pair of side surfaces 23S spread in a direction in which they are separated from each other from the front side to the rear side in a plan view. That is, the partition member 23 has a triangular shape in a plan view. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, when viewed from the traveling direction of the vehicle 10, the pair of side surfaces 23S spread in a direction in which they are separated from each other from the lower side to the upper side. That is, the partition member 23 has a triangular shape even when viewed from the traveling direction. FIG. 4 shows the overall shape of the partition member 23. As a result, the right outlet 22A and the left outlet 22B have a parallel quadrilateral shape. More specifically, the right outlet 22A and the left outlet 22B are widened in a direction in which they are separated from each other from the front side to the rear side.

As shown in FIG. 3, the side surface 23S of the partition member 23 faces the inner surface of the duct 31 (the duct inner side surface 31S and the duct guide surface 31R) from the width direction, respectively. The duct inner side surface 31S and the duct guide surface 31R form wall surfaces on both sides of the duct 31 in the width direction. The duct inner side surface 31S and the duct guide surface 31R are connected in order from the bottom to the top. The pair of duct inner side surfaces 31S spread in a direction in which they are separated from each other from the lower side to the upper side. In the example of FIG. 3, the upper edge of the duct inner side surface 31S is located slightly below the lower end of the partition member 23. The duct guide surface 31R extends upward from the upper edge of the duct inner side surface 31S. That is, the duct guide surface 31R is angled with respect to the duct inner side surface 31S. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which only the duct inner side surface 31S extends to the air outlet 22 without forming the duct guide surface 31R.

(Flap configuration)
As shown in FIG. 2, the right outlet 22A is provided with a plurality (two) right flaps 24A. The two right flaps 24A are arranged in the traveling direction of the vehicle 10. The right flap 24A has a parallel quadrilateral shape so as to correspond to the shape of the right outlet 22A. Each right flap 24A is rotatably supported around a rotation axis extending in the width direction. The opening / closing angle of the right flap 24A is changed by rotating the right flap 24A around the rotation axis by the actuator 25. As a result, the amount of air supplied from the right outlet 22A and the direction of air supplied to the right flap 24A are adjusted. The actuator 25 is driven based on a drive signal transmitted from the control unit 90, which will be described later.

The left outlet 22B is provided with a plurality (two) left flaps 24B. The two left flaps 24B are arranged in the traveling direction of the vehicle 10. The left flap 24B has a parallel quadrilateral shape so as to correspond to the shape of the left outlet 22B. Each left flap 24B is rotatably supported around a rotation axis extending in the width direction. The opening / closing angle of the left flap 24B is changed by rotating the left flap 24B around the rotation axis by the actuator 25. As a result, the amount of air supplied from the left outlet 22B and the direction of air supplied to the left flap 24B are adjusted. The actuator 25 is driven based on a drive signal transmitted from the control unit 90, which will be described later.

(Composition of occupant sensor)
The occupant sensor 70 detects the seating position of the occupant inside the vehicle 10 (that is, the position of the seat on which the occupant is sitting). As the occupant sensor 70, for example, a motion sensor may be used, or a configuration may be adopted in which the occupant is detected based on image analysis by a camera. The occupant sensor 70 transmits the detected seating position as an electric signal to the control unit 90.

(Structure of control unit)
The control unit 90 transmits a drive signal to the actuator 25 so as to adjust the opening / closing angle of the flap 24 described above based on the detection result of the occupant sensor 70. As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 90 includes a CPU 91 (Central Processing Unit), a ROM 92 (Read Only Memory), a RAM 93 (Random Access Memory), an HDD 94 (Hard Disk Drive), and a signal transmission / reception module 95 (I / O: Input). / Output). The signal transmission / reception module 95 receives the information on the seating position detected by the occupant sensor 70 as an electric signal. Further, the signal transmission / reception module 95 transmits an electric signal for changing the opening / closing angle of the flap 24 to the actuator 25. The signal transmission / reception module 95 may transmit / receive an amplified signal via, for example, a charge amplifier or the like.

As shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 91 of the control unit 90 executes a program stored in the own device in advance to obtain the position acquisition unit 81, the storage unit 82, the determination unit 83, and the drive command unit 84. Have. The position acquisition unit 81 receives the seating position detected by the occupant sensor 70. The storage unit 82 stores in advance the relationship between the seating position and the opening / closing angle of the flap 24. The determination unit 83 determines the opening / closing angle of the flap 24 corresponding to the seating position acquired by the position acquisition unit 81 with reference to the storage unit 82. The drive command unit 84 transmits a drive signal for driving the flap 24 to the actuator 25 so that the opening / closing angle is determined by the determination unit 83.

The control unit 90 operates based on the control method shown in FIG. 7 as an example. This control method includes a step S1 for determining the seating position (determining the presence or absence of an occupant), a step S2 for precooling, and a step S3 for blowing air to a specific location. In step S1, the determination unit 83 determines the presence / absence of an occupant and the seating position thereof. When it is determined in step S1 that there are no occupants (step S1: No), air is blown to all seats for precooling (step S2). On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1 that an occupant is present (step S1: Yes), the opening / closing angle of the flap 24 is changed so as to blow air toward the seat in which the occupant is sitting.

FIG. 8 shows the correspondence relationship (operation mode) between the seating position of the occupant and the opening / closing angles of the right flap 24A and the left flap 24B. In the figure, the flap angle can be switched in three stages of "0", "small", and "large". “0” indicates a state in which the air outlet is blocked by the flap (a state in which air is not blown). "Small" indicates the state of blowing air to the front seat side. "Large" indicates the state of blowing air to the back seat. For example, in mode 1A, the occupant is sitting only in the driver's seat (right front seat). In this mode 1A, the angle of the right flap 24A is set to "small" and the angle of the left flap 24B is set to "0" to intensively blow air to the driver's seat. Hereinafter, from mode 1A to mode 8A, the seat to be blown is switched based on the presence or absence of an occupant.

Although not shown in detail, the flap 24 may have a swing function. The swing function referred to here is a function that automatically changes the opening / closing angle with time. That is, when the swing function is turned on, air is blown over a wide range over the front and rear seats. FIG. 9 shows an example of an operation mode when the swing function is provided. For example, mode 3B corresponds to a state in which an occupant is sitting in the driver's seat (right front seat), the right rear seat, and the passenger seat (left front seat). In this mode 3B, the right flap 24A is swung to blow air to both the right front seat and the right rear seat. On the other hand, the left flap 24B blows air only to the left front seat by setting the opening / closing angle to "small". Since it is harder for the rear seats to receive air than the front seats, in modes 6B to 8B (when the occupants are sitting in the rear seats), the opening / closing angle of the left flap 24B is set to "large" and the right. The flap 24A is in a swing state. As a result, the air blown from the right air outlet 22A and the left air outlet 22B are also supplied to the rear seats.

(Action effect)
According to the above configuration, since the opening / closing angles of the plurality of flaps 24 can be adjusted independently of each other, the amount of air blown from one air outlet 22 and the direction of air blown can be changed for each seat. As a result, the comfort and comfort of the occupants in each seat can be improved.

According to the above configuration, by being guided along the pair of side surfaces 23S of the partition member 23, the blown air flows in a direction away from each other as it goes upward. As a result, for example, when the air outlet 22 is arranged at the center of the instrument panel 11 in the width direction, the air blown air can be distributed toward both sides in the width direction.

According to the above configuration, by being guided along the pair of side surfaces 23S of the partition member 23, the blown air flows in a direction away from each other toward the rear side. As a result, for example, when the air outlet 22 is arranged at the center of the instrument panel 11 in the width direction, the air blown air can be smoothly distributed toward both sides in the width direction.

According to the above configuration, by being guided along the pair of duct inner side surfaces 31S, the blown air flows in a direction away from each other as it goes upward. As a result, for example, when the air outlet 22 is arranged at the center of the instrument panel 11 in the width direction, the air blown air can be distributed more smoothly toward both sides in the width direction.

According to the above configuration, by being guided along the pair of duct inner side surfaces 31S, the blown air flows in a direction away from each other toward the rear side. As a result, for example, when the air outlet 22 is arranged at the center of the instrument panel 11 in the width direction, the air blow can be distributed more smoothly toward both sides in the width direction.

According to the above configuration, by adjusting the opening / closing angle of the flap 24 based on the seating position of the occupant detected by the occupant sensor 70, it is possible to preferentially supply air to the place where the occupant is actually seated. ..

The first embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above. It is possible to make various changes and modifications to the above configuration as long as it does not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure. For example, as shown as a modification in FIG. 10, the flap 24 can be composed of a plate-shaped flap main body 24H and a plurality of ribs R. The flap main body 24H has a plate shape, and a plurality of ribs are provided on one surface in the thickness direction (the surface facing the outlet 22 side: the guide surface 24S). These ribs R project from the guide surface 24S and extend from the central portion in the width direction toward either the left or right side. That is, in the right flap 24A, the rib R extends from the central portion in the width direction toward the right side. In the left flap 24B, the rib R extends from the central portion in the width direction toward the left side.

According to this configuration, by providing the rib R, it is possible to more positively guide the blowing direction by each flap 24.

<Second embodiment>
Next, the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As shown in the figure, in the vehicle air blowing device 20 ′ according to the present embodiment, the right outlet 22A ′ and the left outlet 22B ′ are separated from each other from the central portion from the front side to the rear side. It has a rectangular shape that spreads out. Further, the right flap 24A'and the left flap 24B'are arranged so as to face a direction in which they are separated from each other from the front side to the rear side, corresponding to the shape of the air outlet 22'. That is, the rotation axes of the right flap 24A'and the left flap 24B' have an angle with respect to the width direction.

According to the above configuration, the plurality of flaps 24'are oriented in a direction away from the central portion in the width direction. Therefore, by opening and closing the flap 24', the air blown from the air outlet 22'can be more positively distributed from the central portion toward both sides in the width direction. As a result, the comfort and comfort of the occupants in each seat can be further improved.

The second embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above. It is possible to make various changes and modifications to the above configuration as long as it does not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those in the above embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, the right flap 24A and the left flap 24B in the first embodiment described above are driven by a single actuator 25'coaxially provided.

Specifically, the right flap 24A is supported by a rod-shaped first shaft 28S. The left flap 24B is supported by a cylindrical second shaft 29S that covers the first shaft 28S from the outer peripheral side. That is, the first shaft 28S is inserted inside the second shaft 29S so as to be coaxial. In FIG. 12, the flaps 24 are not shown for the sake of simplification. A first follower 27A is provided at the end of the first shaft 28S, and a second follower 27B is provided at the end of the second shaft 29S. The first follower 27A and the second follower 27B are in a state of being engaged with the guide groove Rg of the cam plate 26 provided adjacent to the first follower 27A and the second follower 27B. The cam plate 26 is rotated around the axis Ac by the actuator 25'. That is, by rotating the cam plate 26, the first follower 27A and the second follower 27B are guided along the guide groove Rg. As a result, the postures of the first shaft 28S and the right flap 24A supported by the first shaft 28S change. Similarly, the posture of the second shaft 29S and the left flap 24B supported by the second shaft 29S changes.

As described above, according to the above configuration, the posture of the flap 24 can be adjusted inexpensively and simply by using only a single actuator.

<Additional notes>
The vehicle air blowing device 20 described in each embodiment is grasped as follows, for example.

(1) The vehicle air blowing device 20 according to the first aspect blows the air temperature-controlled by the air outlet 22 formed on the upper surface 11a of the instrument panel 11 of the vehicle 10 and the vehicle air conditioner 19. A duct 31 leading to the outlet 22 and a plurality of flaps 24 arranged at the outlet 22 and arranged in the width direction of the vehicle 10 and capable of adjusting the opening / closing angle independently of each other are provided.

According to the above configuration, since the opening / closing angles of the plurality of flaps 24 can be adjusted independently of each other, the amount of air blown from one air outlet 22 and the direction of air blown can be changed for each seat.

(2) The vehicle air blowing device 20 according to the second aspect further includes a partition member 23 arranged at the center of the outlet 22, and a pair of side surfaces 23S of the partition member 23 facing the width direction are provided. , Spreads away from each other from the bottom to the top.

According to the above configuration, by being guided along the pair of side surfaces 23S of the partition member 23, the blown air flows in a direction away from each other as it goes upward. As a result, for example, when the air outlet 22 is arranged at the center of the instrument panel 11 in the width direction, the air blown air can be distributed toward both sides in the width direction.

(3) In the vehicle air blowing device 20 according to the third aspect, the pair of side surfaces 23S expand in a direction in which they are separated from each other from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle 10.

According to the above configuration, by being guided along the pair of side surfaces 23S of the partition member 23, the blown air flows in a direction away from each other toward the rear side. As a result, for example, when the air outlet 22 is arranged at the center of the instrument panel 11 in the width direction, the air blown air can be distributed toward both sides in the width direction.

(4) In the vehicle air blowing device 20 according to the fourth aspect, the pair of duct inner side surfaces 31S facing each of the pair of side surfaces 23S in the duct 31 spread in a direction away from each other from the lower side to the upper side. ing.

According to the above configuration, by being guided along the pair of duct inner side surfaces 31S, the blown air flows in a direction away from each other as it goes upward. As a result, for example, when the air outlet 22 is arranged at the center of the instrument panel 11 in the width direction, the air blown air can be distributed toward both sides in the width direction.

(5) In the vehicle air blowing device 20 according to the fifth aspect, the pair of duct inner side surfaces 31S expand in a direction in which they are separated from each other from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle 10.

According to the above configuration, by being guided along the pair of duct inner side surfaces 31S, the blown air flows in a direction away from each other toward the rear side. As a result, for example, when the air outlet 22 is arranged at the center of the instrument panel 11 in the width direction, the air blown air can be distributed toward both sides in the width direction.

(6) In the vehicle air blowing device 20 according to the sixth aspect, the flap 24 protrudes from the flap main body 24H having the guide surface 24S covering the air outlet and the guide surface 24S, and protrudes from the guide surface 24S in the width direction of the vehicle 10. It has a rib R extending from the central portion of the above to either the left or right side.

According to the above configuration, the rib R is provided on the guide surface 24S of the flap main body 24H. The rib R extends from the central portion in the width direction toward either the left or right side. As a result, for example, when the air outlet 22 is arranged at the center of the instrument panel 11 in the width direction, the air blown air can be distributed toward both sides in the width direction.

(7) The vehicle air blowing device 20 according to the seventh aspect is provided at a plurality of shafts (first shaft 28S, second shaft 29S) supporting the plurality of flaps 24, respectively, and at the ends of the shafts. The followers (first follower 27A, second follower 27B), the cam plate 26 on which the guide groove Rg with which the follower engages is formed, and the actuator 25'that rotates the cam plate 26 around the axis Ac. And further prepare.

According to the above configuration, the posture of the flap 24 can be adjusted inexpensively and simply by using only a single actuator 25'.

(8) In the vehicle air blowing device 20 ′ according to the eighth aspect, the plurality of flaps 24 ′ are arranged so as to face directions away from the central portion in the width direction of the vehicle 10.

According to the above configuration, the plurality of flaps 24'are oriented in a direction away from the central portion in the width direction. Therefore, by opening and closing the flap 24', the air blown from the air outlet 22'can be distributed from the central portion to both sides in the width direction.

(9) The vehicle air blowing device 20 according to the ninth aspect is based on the occupant sensor 70 that detects the presence or absence of an occupant inside the vehicle 10 for each seat and the seating position of the occupant detected by the occupant sensor 70. Further, a control unit 90 for adjusting the opening / closing angles of the plurality of flaps 24 is further provided.

According to the above configuration, by adjusting the opening / closing angle of the flap 24 based on the seating position of the occupant detected by the occupant sensor 70, it is possible to preferentially supply air to the place where the occupant is actually seated. ..

10 Vehicle 11 Instrument panel 11a Top surface 12 Handle 13 Front seat 13A Driver's seat 13B Passenger seat 15 Rear seat 19 Vehicle air blower 20 Vehicle air blower 22 Air outlet 22A Right outlet 22B Left outlet 23 Partition member 23S Side surface 24 Flap 24A Right flap 24B Left flap 24H Flap body 24S Guide surface 25, 25'Actuator 26 Cam plate 27A First follower 27B Second follower 28S First shaft 29S Second shaft 31 Duct 31R Duct guide surface 31S Duct inner side surface 70 Crew Sensor 81 Position acquisition unit 82 Storage unit 83 Judgment unit 84 Drive command unit 90 Control unit 91 CPU
92 ROM
93 RAM
94 HDD
95 Signal transmission / reception module Ac Axis line Rg Guide groove

Claims (9)

An air outlet formed on the upper surface of the instrument panel of the vehicle, and a duct that guides the temperature-controlled air by the vehicle air conditioner to the air outlet.
A plurality of flaps arranged at the air outlet, arranged in the width direction of the vehicle, and capable of adjusting the opening / closing angle independently of each other.
A vehicle air blower equipped with. Further provided with a partition member arranged at the center of the air outlet,
The vehicle air blowing device according to claim 1, wherein the pair of side surfaces of the partition member facing the width direction spread in a direction in which they are separated from each other from the lower side to the upper side. The vehicle air blowing device according to claim 2, wherein the pair of side surfaces spreads in a direction in which they are separated from each other from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle. The vehicle air blowing device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the pair of duct inner surfaces facing the pair of side surfaces of the duct spread in a direction in which they are separated from each other from the lower side to the upper side. The vehicle air blowing device according to claim 4, wherein the inner side surfaces of the pair of ducts extend in a direction in which they are separated from each other from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle. The flap is
A flap body having a guide surface covering the air outlet and
A rib that protrudes from the guide surface and extends from the central portion in the width direction of the vehicle toward either the left or right side.
The vehicle air blowing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A plurality of shafts each supporting the plurality of flaps, and
Followers provided at the ends of the shaft, and
A cam plate on which a guide groove with which the follower engages is formed, and
An actuator that rotates the cam plate around the axis, and
The vehicle air blowing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising. The vehicle air blowing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the plurality of flaps are arranged so as to face a direction away from the central portion in the width direction of the vehicle. An occupant sensor that detects the presence or absence of an occupant inside the vehicle for each seat, and
A control unit that adjusts the opening / closing angles of the plurality of flaps based on the seating position of the occupant detected by the occupant sensor.
The vehicle air blowing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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