Cover plate assembly structure and air conditioner

Abstract

The application provides a cover plate assembly structure and an air conditioner. The cover plate assembly structure comprises a cover plate, a frame and a lock piece. The cover plate is arranged on the outer side of the frame. One end of the cover plate is movably connected with the frame. The other end of the cover plate is fixed by the lock piece. The lock piece is slidably arranged on the frame. The cover plate assembly structure adopts a hidden connection lock piece structure to tightly connect the cover plate and the frame, increase the product appearance effect and facilitate the replacement of the purification module. The structure is simple and convenient to disassemble and assemble.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of air conditioning technology, and more specifically, to a cover plate assembly structure and an air conditioner. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of the domestic economy, consumers are increasingly demanding higher air quality. Air conditioners with added fresh air modules can introduce fresh air into the room and improve indoor air quality, making them increasingly popular among users.

[0003] To ensure the cleanliness of fresh air, purification modules are typically installed in the fresh air duct. These modules require replacement or cleaning after prolonged use. Currently, air conditioners often have integrated panels or panels and frames; replacing the purification module necessitates disassembling the air conditioner's panel or even the frame, which is cumbersome and results in a poor user experience. If a corresponding access port is created on the air conditioner, a cover is required to seal it, which is equally cumbersome and aesthetically unappealing.

[0004] Therefore, designing an independently openable and closable cover for indoor air conditioners is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The problem solved by this invention is that the cover plate in existing fresh air conditioners is difficult to operate, resulting in difficult cleaning and an unsightly appearance.

[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a cover plate assembly structure, including a cover plate, a frame, and a locking fastener. The cover plate is disposed on the outside of the frame, one end of the cover plate is movably connected to the frame, and the other end of the cover plate is limited and fixed by the locking fastener. The locking fastener is slidably disposed on the frame.

[0007] This design allows users to open the cover by pressing the locking mechanism. Pressing the mechanism rotates one end of the cover, causing it to close and engage with the locking mechanism, facilitating the replacement of the purification module. The cover itself is easy to disassemble and features a new concealed connection locking structure, maintaining a smooth and aesthetically pleasing appearance for the air conditioner and providing a superior user experience.

[0008] Preferably, the frame has a receiving cavity for accommodating the locking member, and at least one side of the receiving cavity is provided with a sliding groove, and the locking member is slidably assembled with the sliding groove; the end of the locking member is elastically abutting against the receiving cavity, and a limiting structure is provided between the side of the locking member and the frame.

[0009] This design allows the locking element to move along the slide groove by applying pressure, thereby separating the locking part from the cover plate to open the cover plate, at which point the first spring is compressed; after the pressure is no longer applied, the locking element slides back to its original position in the opposite direction under the elastic force of the first spring, and is limited by the limiting structure between it and the frame to prevent it from coming off the frame; the structure is simple and easy to manufacture.

[0010] Preferably, the locking element includes a slide, with a sleeve at one end of the slide. A first spring is disposed within the sleeve, and the end of the first spring abuts against the side wall of the receiving cavity. This arrangement limits the end of the first spring, ensuring that its extension / retraction direction is consistent with the extension / retraction direction of the locking element, thereby guaranteeing operational stability and reliability.

[0011] Preferably, the carriage has a fastening part on the side near the cover plate. The fastening part includes a support base, which is disposed on the carriage. The support base has a boss on the side away from the carriage, and a buckle is provided on the boss. This arrangement is simple in structure and can take into account both the tightness and convenience of assembly.

[0012] Preferably, the buckle is provided with ribs to improve strength, and the fastening part and the slide are integrally injection molded. Preferably, the buckle is generally "V" shaped, with 45-50° large bevel guide surfaces on both sides. Preferably, the buckle adopts a 45° large bevel design, so when the cover is closed, the mating part can easily slide into the buckle through the large bevel to achieve closure and locking. In the locked state, there is surface contact between the buckle and the mating part, and the friction between the two is large, resulting in tight and reliable assembly, making it difficult for the cover to fall off; when opening, pressing the pressing part of the locking element moves it inward, realizing the disengagement of the fastening part from the cover. After the cover is opened, the first spring pushes the locking element back to its original position.

[0013] Preferably, the limiting structure includes a positioning buckle and an elastic buckle that abut against each other. The positioning buckle is located on one of the slide groove and the slide bracket, and the elastic buckle is located on the other of the slide groove and the slide bracket. This structure is simple. During assembly, the elastic buckle's deformation under force allows the locking element to be quickly inserted into the receiving cavity. Then, the elastic buckle and the positioning buckle abut against each other to fix it, thereby achieving quick assembly and disassembly, saving time and effort, and preventing the occurrence of difficult disassembly and assembly of the buckle.

[0014] Preferably, the carriage is provided with the positioning buckle, and the elastic buckle is provided on the slide groove at a position opposite to the positioning buckle. This arrangement has a simple structure and is easy to manufacture.

[0015] Preferably, the elastic buckle includes a spring piece connected to the slide groove, and the spring piece has a protrusion at one end away from the slide groove to facilitate applying force to the spring piece to disassemble the locking element.

[0016] Preferably, the carriage has a pressing part at one end away from the receiving cavity, and the frame has an avoidance groove at a position opposite to the pressing part, the avoidance groove communicating with the receiving cavity.

[0017] This design facilitates the application of force to the locking mechanism, and features a simple structure and aesthetically pleasing appearance. The pressing part and the slide can be integrally formed or separately configured. A stop is provided between the relief groove and the pressing part; when the user applies force to the pressing part, during the process of the locking mechanism sliding inward to open the cover, the stop can buffer the impact between the slide and the relief groove, improving the operational reliability of the locking mechanism.

[0018] Preferably, the frame is provided with a pivot, and at least one end of the pivot is provided with a locking component. The cover plate is provided with a positioning hole that mates with the pivot. The pivot is assembled or disassembled with the positioning hole through the locking component. This arrangement ensures that when the cover plate and the frame are assembled, the locking tongue is always engaged in the positioning hole of the cover plate, and the positioning pivot is securely assembled with the air conditioner frame through the support base.

[0019] Preferably, the locking assembly includes a locking tongue and a second spring. The frame is provided with a compression cavity, the second spring is disposed in the compression cavity, one end of the locking tongue abuts against the second spring, and the other end of the locking tongue extends outward and is limited and fitted into the positioning hole.

[0020] When the cover plate is assembled with the frame, the locking tongue, driven by the second spring, extends from the compression chamber and enters the positioning hole of the cover plate for locking, thus providing axial restraint. When the cover plate needs to be disassembled, the locking tongue is pushed back into the compression chamber by applying a reverse force, thereby releasing the lock. Preferably, there are two locking structures, symmetrically arranged on both sides of the rotating shaft. Preferably, the locking tongue is equipped with an anti-slip button, and the compression chamber is equipped with a limiting groove to avoid the anti-slip button. This arrangement allows the locking tongue to be quickly pushed back into the compression chamber by pressing the anti-slip button, thereby quickly separating the cover plate from the frame.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the cover plate assembly structure of the present invention has the following beneficial effects: 1) The present invention enables the cover plate to be opened and closed independently, and the concealed connection locking structure makes the cover plate and the frame fit tightly, increasing the aesthetic effect of the product and facilitating the replacement of the purification module; 2) During assembly, the elastic deformation of the spring sheet allows the locking component to slide quickly into the receiving cavity, saving time and effort and making it less likely to fall out; 3) By setting a locking mechanism, the locking tongue can be quickly retracted into the compression cavity, realizing the rapid separation of the cover plate and the frame.

[0022] The present invention also provides an air conditioner including the aforementioned cover plate assembly structure. The beneficial effects of the air conditioner are the same as those of the cover plate assembly structure, and will not be described in detail here. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the air conditioner described in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A magnified view of a section at point A in the middle;

[0025] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A magnified view of a section at point B in the middle;

[0026] Figure 4 This is an assembly cross-sectional view of the cover plate and locking fastener described in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a partial schematic diagram of the mounting cavity on the frame according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the locking element according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the cover plate and the frame according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the locking component according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0032] 1-Cover plate; 11-Matching part; 12-Positioning hole; 2-Frame; 21-Receiving cavity; 211-Slide groove; 212-Elastic buckle; 2121-Spring piece; 2122-Protrusion; 213-Limiting hole; 214-Reinforcing rib; 22-Allowing groove; 221-Stop part; 23-Connecting part; 231-Compression cavity; 3-Locking fastener; 31-Slide carriage; 311-Abutting part; 312-Sleeve; 313-Second rib; 314-Positioning buckle; 315-Bracket base; 32-Pressing part; 33-Snap-fit ​​part; 331-Support base; 332-Snap-fit; 333-Boss; 34-First spring; 4-Rotating shaft; 5-Locking component; 51-Lock tongue; 52-Second spring; 53-Limit groove; 54-Anti-slip button; 6-Fresh air inlet; 7-Fresh air outlet; 8-Panel; 9-Purification module; Detailed Implementation

[0033] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other.

[0034] Compared to traditional wall-mounted air conditioners, fresh air conditioners are equipped with a purification module 9. Outdoor air is delivered into the indoor environment through a fresh air duct, and the purification module 9 is located in the fresh air duct to improve indoor air quality. After long-term operation, the purification module 9 is prone to becoming clogged, leading to a decrease in effectiveness. Therefore, the purification module 9 needs to be replaced or cleaned regularly to maintain the cleanliness of the fresh air. Due to the limitations of the existing air conditioner structure, replacement usually requires removing the entire panel 8 or even the middle frame of the air conditioner to complete this operation. This is difficult, time-consuming, and laborious for ordinary users, resulting in a poor user experience.

[0035] To address this, existing technologies provide an operation hole on the frame 2 opposite to the purification module 9, with the panel 8 fitted onto the outer surface of the frame 2. When the panel 8 is closed, it can cover the operation hole, thereby improving the aesthetics of the air conditioner indoor unit, such as CN20918118U. However, there are also the following drawbacks: 1. The panel 8 itself is difficult to open, or frequent opening of the panel can lead to gaps between it and the frame 2, resulting in an unsightly appearance; 2. Opening the entire panel 8 exposes most of the indoor unit's components to the user, posing a safety hazard to other components of the air conditioner.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, this application proposes a cover plate assembly structure, including a cover plate 1, a frame 2, and a locking fastener 3. A purification module 9 is disposed within the frame 2, and the cover plate 1 is located outside the purification module 9. One end of the cover plate 1 is movably connected to the frame 2, and the locking fastener 3 is slidably disposed on the frame 2. The other end of the cover plate 1 is limited and fixed by the locking fastener 3. This design makes the cover plate 1 easy to open and close, facilitating user cleaning of the internal purification module 9 and improving user experience. The cover plate assembly structure adopts a novel concealed connection locking structure, avoiding surface defects, enhancing fit, and improving product aesthetics. The cover plate 1 and the frame 2 are connected by rotation, snap-fit, or plug-in connections. Preferably, the cover plate 1 and the frame 2 are rotatably connected. The user opens the cover plate 1 by pressing the locking fastener 3 to slide it relative to the frame 2, and then uses the locking fastener 3 to limit and fix the cover plate 1, allowing for quick and convenient replacement or cleaning of the purification module 9.

[0037] The purification module 9 is located on one side of the frame 2 and is mounted on the fresh air duct. One end of the fresh air duct is connected to the fresh air inlet 6, and the other end is connected to the fresh air outlet 7. The specific structure of the fresh air duct is existing technology and will not be described in detail here. As an example of the present invention, the purification module 9 is a filter. A panel 8 is provided at the other end of the frame 2. The panel 8 is attached to the outside of the frame 2 and together with the cover plate 1, forms the exterior surface of the indoor unit. The connection relationship between the panel 8 and the frame 2 is existing technology and will not be described in detail here. Preferably, when in the closed state, the exterior surfaces of the panel 8 and the cover plate 1 are on the same plane, resulting in a high aesthetic appeal and strong product competitiveness.

[0038] like Figure 2-6 As shown, the frame 2 is provided with a receiving cavity 21, and the receiving cavity 21 has sliding grooves 211 on both sides; the locking member 3 includes a slide 31, and the slide 31 has a snap-fit ​​member 33 on the side near the cover plate 1. The left and right sides of the slide 31 can slide along the sliding grooves 211. A first spring 34 is connected between one end of the slide 31 and the receiving cavity 21, and a limiting structure is provided between the other end of the slide 31 and the frame 2. This arrangement allows the locking member 3 to move along the sliding grooves 211 by applying pressure, thereby separating the snap-fit ​​member 33 from the cover plate 1 to open the cover plate 1. At this time, the first spring 34 is compressed; after the pressure is no longer applied, the locking member 3 slides back to its original position in the opposite direction under the elastic force of the first spring 34, and is limited by the limiting structure between it and the frame 2 to prevent it from coming off the frame 2.

[0039] The relative position between the receiving cavity 21 and the purification module 9 can be set as needed. For example, the receiving cavity 21 can be located on the side of the purification module 9, or the purification module 9 can be located at the lower part of the receiving cavity 21. As another example of the present invention, a sliding groove 211 is provided on one side of the receiving cavity 21, and a protrusion is provided on the other side of the receiving cavity 21. The locking member 3 includes a slide 31. One side of the slide 31 can slide along the sliding groove 211, and the other side of the slide 31 is provided with a groove that cooperates with the protrusion for limiting the engagement with the protrusion. The protrusion can slide relative to the groove. As another example of the present invention, the receiving cavity 21 is provided with a limiting hole 213, and the locking member 3 is provided with a sleeve 312. At least one end of the first spring 34 is embedded in or abuts against the limiting hole 213 and the sleeve 312. This setting limits the end of the first spring 34, ensuring that its extension direction is consistent with the extension direction of the locking member 3, thus ensuring the stability and reliability of operation.

[0040] Preferably, the first spring 34 is embedded in the sleeve 312, and the end of the first spring 34 away from the sleeve 312 is fixed through the limiting hole 213. The first spring 34 is used to drive the locking member 3 to press against the limiting structure between it and the frame 2, preventing the locking member 3 from failing or coming out. As another example of the present invention, the sleeve 312 is sleeved around the periphery of the limiting hole 213. This arrangement allows the sleeve 312 to slide along the outer wall surface of the limiting hole 213, preventing the first spring 34 from coming out of the limiting hole 213. Preferably, a reinforcing rib 214 is provided on the outer periphery of the limiting hole 213. The reinforcing rib 214 extends axially along the limiting hole 213, and its number can be set as needed to improve mechanical strength. Similarly, one or more second ribs 313 are provided on the outer periphery of the sleeve 312, and the second ribs 313 extend along the axis of the sleeve 312.

[0041] Preferably, the slide 31 has a pressing part 32 at the end away from the receiving cavity 21, and a relief groove 22 is provided on the frame 2 opposite to the pressing part 32, the relief groove 22 communicating with the receiving cavity 21. This arrangement facilitates the application of force to the locking member 3 and has an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The pressing part 32 and the slide 31 are integrally formed or separately configured. The other end of the slide 31 has an abutment part 311, which extends along the sliding direction of the locking member 3. This arrangement allows for pre-positioning of the locking member 3 with the slide groove 211, facilitating quick assembly. Preferably, there are two abutment parts 311, symmetrically arranged on both sides of the sleeve 312. Preferably, a stop 221 is provided between the relief groove 22 and the pressing part 32. The stop 221 is made of elastic material. When the user applies force to the pressing part 32, the locking part 3 slides inward to open the cover plate 1, which can buffer the impact between the slide 31 and the relief groove 22 and improve the reliability of the locking part 3.

[0042] The limiting structure includes a positioning buckle 314 and an elastic buckle 212 that engage in abutment. The positioning buckle 314 is located on one of the slide groove 211 and the slide bracket 31, and the elastic buckle 212 is located on the other of the slide groove 211 and the slide bracket 31. Preferably, the positioning buckle 314 is disposed on the slide bracket 31, and the elastic buckle 212 is disposed on the slide groove 211 and is disposed opposite to the positioning buckle 314. As an example of the present invention, the elastic buckle 212 includes a spring piece 2121, and a protrusion 2122 is provided on one side of the spring piece 2121. The spring piece 2121 is designed with a 30° bevel angle.

[0043] Preferably, the slide 31 has a positioning buckle 314 on the side opposite to the snap-fit ​​member 33. The slide 31 also has a support base 315, which is located on the same side of the slide 31 as the positioning buckle 314. This arrangement serves both as support and sliding, ensuring that the lower end of the slide 31 remains horizontal to guarantee stable operation. The shape of the support base 315 can be customized as needed, such as by adding a protrusion. When the locking member 3 is assembled with the receiving cavity 21, the two buckles with the same outer edge can easily slide into the assembly position at a large angle. Then, the elastic buckle 212 returns to its original shape, at which point the first spring 34 drives the locking member 3 to press the positioning buckle 314 firmly, preventing the positioning buckle 314 from failing or coming off. During disassembly, pressing down on the protrusion 2122 drives the elastic buckle 212 to move downward, causing the buckle to disengage and achieving quick release of the lock.

[0044] As an example of the present invention, the snap-fit ​​component 33 includes a support base 331, which is disposed on the slide 31. The support base 331 has a boss 333 on the side away from the slide 31, and a buckle 332 is provided on the boss 333. A mating part 11 is provided on the cover plate 1 for fastening and fixing with the buckle 332. Preferably, the buckle 332 has ribs to improve strength, and the snap-fit ​​component 33 and the slide 31 are integrally injection molded. Preferably, the buckle 332 is generally "V"-shaped, with 45-50° angled guide surfaces on both sides. Preferably, the buckle 332 adopts a 45° angled design, so that when the cover plate 1 is closed, the mating part 11 easily slides into the buckle 332 through the large angle to achieve closure and locking. In the locked state, the buckle 332 and the mating part 11 are in surface contact, and the friction between them is large, making the assembly tight and reliable, so that the cover plate 1 is not easy to fall off. When opening, the pressing part 32 of the locking member 3 is pressed to make it move inward, so that the locking member 33 is disengaged from the cover plate 1. After the cover plate 1 is opened, the first spring 34 pushes the locking member 3 back to its original position.

[0045] like Figure 7-8 The cover plate 1 is connected to the frame 2 via a pivot 4 at one end, and the cover plate 1 is rotatably connected to the frame 2 via the pivot 4. Preferably, at least one end of the cover plate 1 is provided with a positioning hole 12, and at least one end of the pivot 4 is provided with a locking component 5 for detachable connection with the positioning hole 12. As an example of the present invention, the frame 2 is provided with a connecting part 23, and the pivot 4 is assembled with the frame 2 via the connecting part 23. The specific structure of the connecting part 23 is prior art and will not be described in detail here.

[0046] Preferably, the locking assembly 5 includes a compression chamber 231 located at the end of the connecting portion 23; the locking assembly 5 also includes a locking tongue 51 and a second spring 52, the second spring 52 being disposed within the compression chamber 231. When the cover plate 1 is assembled with the frame 2, the locking tongue 51 of the locking assembly 5 located at the end of the rotating shaft 4 extends out of the compression chamber 231 under the drive of the second spring 52 and enters the positioning hole 12 of the cover plate 1 for locking, thus playing an axial limiting role; when it is necessary to disassemble the cover plate 1, the locking tongue 51 is pushed back into the compression chamber 231 by applying a reverse force, thereby releasing the lock; preferably, there are two locking assemblies 5, symmetrically disposed on both sides of the rotating shaft 4. Preferably, the locking tongue 51 is provided with an anti-slip button 54, and the compression chamber 231 is provided with a limiting groove 53 for avoiding the anti-slip button 54; this setting allows the locking tongue 51 to be quickly pushed back into the compression chamber 231 by pressing the anti-slip button 54, thereby quickly separating the cover plate 1 from the frame 2.

[0047] By applying force to the locking components 5 on both sides of the rotating shaft 4, the locking tongue 51 is retracted into the compression chamber 231. After the cover plate 1 reaches the designated position, the locking tongue 51, driven by the second spring 52, enters the positioning hole 12 after the force is released, thereby making the cover plate 1 rotatably connected to the frame 2. By pressing the other end of the cover plate 1, it is made to engage with the snap-fit ​​part 33 of the locking fastener 3, thus completing its assembly. When the purification module 9 needs to be replaced or cleaned, the locking fastener 3 is pressed to slide along the slide groove 211 to drive the snap-fit ​​part 33 to move, so that the mating part 11 of the cover plate 1 is disengaged from the snap-fit ​​part 33, and the cover plate 1 rotates and opens along the rotating shaft 4.

[0048] The present invention also provides an air conditioner, which includes the aforementioned cover plate assembly structure. In addition to the cover plate assembly structure, the air conditioner also includes air conditioning components such as cross-flow fan blades, a motor, an air duct assembly, and a swing structure. Since the specific structures and assembly relationships of these components are existing technology, they will not be described in detail here.

[0049] While the present invention has been disclosed above, it is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention; therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope defined in the claims.

Claims

1. An air conditioner, characterized in that, The cover plate assembly structure includes a cover plate (1), a frame (2), and a locking fastener (3). The cover plate (1) is located on the outside of the frame (2). One end of the cover plate (1) is movably connected to the frame (2), and the other end of the cover plate (1) is limited and fixed by the locking fastener (3). The locking fastener (3) is slidably located on the frame (2). The frame (2) is provided with a receiving cavity (21) for accommodating the locking member (3), and a sliding groove (211) is provided on at least one side of the receiving cavity (21). The locking member (3) is slidably assembled with the sliding groove (211). The end of the locking member (3) is elastically abutted against the receiving cavity (21), and a limiting structure is provided between the side of the locking member (3) and the frame (2). The locking element (3) includes a slide (31), and a sleeve (312) is provided at the end of the slide (31). A first spring (34) is provided inside the sleeve (312), and the end of the first spring (34) abuts against the side wall of the receiving cavity (21). The slide (31) has a snap-fit ​​member (33) on the side near the cover plate (1). The snap-fit ​​member (33) includes a support base (331) on the slide (31). The support base (331) has a boss (333) on the side away from the slide (31). A buckle (332) is provided on the upper part of the boss (333). The cover plate (1) has a mating part (11) for fastening and fixing with the buckle (332). The limiting structure includes a positioning buckle (314) and an elastic buckle (212) that abut against each other. The positioning buckle (314) is located on one of the slide groove (211) and the slide frame (31), and the elastic buckle (212) is located on the other of the slide groove (211) and the slide frame (31). The slide (31) has a pressing part (32) at one end away from the receiving cavity (21), and a relief groove (22) is provided on the frame (2) at a position opposite to the pressing part (32), and the relief groove (22) communicates with the receiving cavity (21); The frame (2) is provided with a rotating shaft (4), and a locking component (5) is provided at least one end of the rotating shaft (4). The cover plate (1) is provided with a positioning hole (12) that cooperates with the rotating shaft (4). The rotating shaft (4) is assembled or separated from the positioning hole (12) through the locking component (5).

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, The slide (31) is provided with the positioning buckle (314), and the elastic buckle (212) is provided on the slide groove (211) at a position opposite to the positioning buckle (314).

3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, characterized in that, The elastic buckle (212) includes a spring piece (2121) connected to the slide groove (211), and the spring piece (2121) has a protrusion (2122) at one end away from the slide groove (211).

4. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking assembly (5) includes a locking tongue (51) and a second spring (52). The frame (2) is provided with a compression cavity (231). The second spring (52) is located in the compression cavity (231). One end of the locking tongue (51) abuts against the second spring (52). The other end of the locking tongue (51) extends outward and is limited and fitted into the positioning hole (12).

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