Clothes dryer with steam care function

Abstract

The present invention provides a clothes dryer with a steam care function, comprising a steam care device, an installation box and a water storage box, the steam care device comprising a steam generator; the installation box is formed with a water inlet of the installation box, a drain outlet of the installation box and a water passage cavity communicating with the water inlet of the installation box and the drain outlet of the installation box; the drain outlet of the installation box and the steam generator are communicated with each other through a steam water inlet pipe; the water storage box and the installation box are connected and a water adding cavity is formed in the water storage box; a water storage box drain outlet is formed on the side wall of the water storage box, and the water adding cavity drain outlet and the water storage box drain outlet are communicated with each other through a drain pipe; a blocking valve is provided at the water storage box drain outlet; when the water storage box and the installation box are connected, the blocking valve can open the water storage box drain outlet and the water storage box drain outlet is communicated with the water inlet of the installation box, water can be added to the water adding cavity from the water adding port, and water can be added to the steam generator through the water adding cavity and the installation box; when the water storage box and the installation box are separated, the blocking valve can close the water storage box drain outlet; no external water pipe is required, the appearance is good and water addition is convenient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of clothes drying, and in particular relates to a clothes dryer with a steam care function. Background Art

[0002] With the development of clothes dryers, new technologies are constantly being applied to them, especially the steam care function, which is increasingly becoming a necessary function of clothes dryers. However, conventional clothes dryers do not have a reserved water inlet device, and some users do not reserve a water inlet pipe when decorating, making the steam care function unavailable on some models. In order to add water to the steam generator, some dryers have to open an opening on the top of the dryer shell, and water must be added manually each time steam care is needed. However, this method requires an external water pipe, is unsightly, and is inconvenient to add water. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the present invention provides a clothes dryer with a steam care function to solve the problems in the prior art of having an opening at the top of the clothes dryer housing to add water to the steam generator, which requires an external water pipe, has poor aesthetics, and is inconvenient to add water.

[0004] The present invention provides a clothes dryer with a steam care function, comprising:

[0005] A steam care device, comprising a steam generator for steam care of clothes;

[0006] The installation box has a water inlet formed on one side wall thereof, a drain formed on the other side wall thereof, and a water passage cavity formed inside the installation box, communicating with the water inlet and the drain; the drain and the steam generator are connected via a steam inlet pipe.

[0007] A water storage box is connected to the installation box and is formed with a water adding chamber; the water adding chamber is formed with a water adding port and a water adding chamber drain port, a water storage box drain port is formed on a side wall of the water storage box, and the water adding chamber drain port and the water storage box drain port are connected through a drain pipe;

[0008] A blocking valve is provided at the drain outlet of the water storage box; when the water storage box and the installation box are connected, the blocking valve can open the drain outlet of the water storage box and the drain outlet of the water storage box is connected to the water inlet of the installation box, and water can be added to the steam generator through the water adding chamber and the installation box; when the water storage box and the installation box are separated, the blocking valve can close the drain outlet of the water storage box.

[0009] Further optionally, the blocking valve includes a sliding seat and a plug, the sliding seat is arranged at the drain outlet of the water storage box and is formed with a sliding hole passing through the sliding seat, the sliding hole communicating with the drain outlet of the water storage box and the drain pipe; the plug is slidably arranged in the sliding hole;

[0010] When the water storage box and the installation box are connected, the plug can open the sliding hole;

[0011] When the water storage box and the installation box are separated, the plug can close the sliding hole.

[0012] Further optionally, the sliding hole is a segmented structure and includes a first sliding hole segment, a second sliding hole segment, and a third sliding hole segment arranged in sequence, the aperture of the first sliding hole segment is smaller than the aperture of the second sliding hole segment, and the aperture of the third sliding hole segment is smaller than the aperture of the second sliding hole segment;

[0013] The plug is formed with a sliding rod and a sealing plate, the sliding rod is slidably arranged in the first sliding hole section, the second sliding hole section and the third sliding hole section; the sealing plate is arranged on the sliding rod, and the sealing plate can slide in the second sliding hole section along with the sliding rod.

[0014] Further optionally, the first sliding hole section and the second sliding hole section are connected through a communication port A, and the second sliding hole section and the third sliding hole section are connected through a communication port B;

[0015] A sealing ring is provided on the side of the blocking plate close to the communication port A, and an elastic member is provided between the side of the blocking plate close to the communication port B and the end wall of the third sliding hole section;

[0016] The elastic member releases energy to make the blocking plate slide toward the communication port A, and the blocking plate can block the communication port A through the sealing ring;

[0017] The blocking plate slides toward the communication port B to open the communication port A, and the elastic member stores energy.

[0018] Further optionally, a water inlet pipe of the installation box is provided at the water inlet of the installation box;

[0019] When the water storage box and the installation box are connected, the water inlet pipe of the installation box can be passed through the first sliding hole section and act on the sliding rod to make the blocking plate slide toward the direction close to the B communication port.

[0020] Further optionally, the side walls of the water storage box include a front side wall and a rear side wall of the water storage box; the water adding chamber is close to the front side wall of the water storage box and the top wall of the water adding chamber is formed with the water adding port, and the bottom wall of the water adding chamber forms the water adding chamber drain port; the water storage box drain port is formed at the bottom of the rear side wall of the water storage box.

[0021] Further optionally, an overflow port is formed on the bottom wall of the installation box, an overflow pipe is provided at the overflow port, and the overflow port is connected to the water flow cavity and the overflow pipe.

[0022] Further optionally, the clothes dryer further comprises a clothes drying drum, wherein the clothes drying drum is formed with a steam inlet; the installation box and the steam care device are both located on the top of the clothes drying drum, and one of the installation box and the steam care device is arranged on the left side of the clothes drying drum, and the other of the installation box and the steam care device is arranged on the right side of the clothes drying drum;

[0023] The steam generator is formed with a steam inlet and a steam outlet, and the steam care device also includes a steam pipe; the steam inlet pipe is connected between the steam inlet and the drainage outlet of the installation box, and the steam pipe is connected between the steam outlet and the steam inlet.

[0024] Further optionally, the installation box includes a base and a box body, the box body is arranged on the rear side of the base; and the water storage box is arranged on the front side of the base.

[0025] Further optionally, the water storage box is made of transparent material.

[0026] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are mainly:

[0027] The drain outlet of the installation box is connected to the steam generator through a steam inlet pipe, and the water storage box and the installation box are detachably connected. A water adding chamber is formed in the water storage box, and the drain outlet of the water adding chamber and the drain outlet of the water storage box are connected through a drain pipe; when the water storage box and the installation box are connected, the blocking valve can open the drain outlet of the water storage box and the drain outlet of the water storage box is connected to the water inlet of the installation box, water can be added to the water adding chamber through the water adding port, and water can be added to the steam generator through the water adding chamber and the installation box; when the water storage box and the installation box are separated, the blocking valve can close the drain outlet of the water storage box; no external water pipe is required, the appearance is good and water addition is convenient. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] To more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art can, without inventive effort, derive other implementation drawings based on the provided drawings.

[0029] The structures, proportions, sizes, etc. illustrated in this specification are intended only to complement the contents disclosed herein and to facilitate understanding and reading by persons familiar with the art. They are not intended to limit the conditions under which the present invention may be implemented and therefore have no substantive technical significance. Any structural modifications, changes in proportions, or adjustments in sizes, without affecting the efficacy and objectives of the present invention, shall still fall within the scope of the technical contents disclosed herein.

[0030] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a clothes dryer provided by the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a water adding chamber provided by the present invention;

[0032] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a blocking valve provided by the present invention;

[0033] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of point E in the middle;

[0034] In the picture:

[0035] 1-steam care device; 11-steam water inlet pipe; 12-steam generator; 13-steam pipe;

[0036] 2-Installation box; 21-Water chamber; 22-Installation box water inlet; 23-Installation box water inlet pipe; 24-Overflow port; 25-Overflow pipe;

[0037] 3- water storage box; 31- water filling chamber; 311- water filling port; 312- water filling chamber drain port; 32- drain pipe; 33- water storage box drain port;

[0038] 4 - blocking valve; 41 - sliding seat; 411 - first sliding hole section; 412 - second sliding hole section; 413 - third sliding hole section; 414 - A connecting port; 415 - B connecting port; 42 - plug; 421 - sliding rod; 422 - blocking plate;

[0039] 51- Drying drum; 52- Two-device box; 53- Evaporator; 54- Condenser. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The following describes the implementation of the present invention using specific embodiments. Those skilled in the art will readily understand the other advantages and benefits of the present invention from the disclosure herein. Obviously, the embodiments described are only a portion of the present invention, not all of it. All other embodiments derived by persons of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are intended to fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0041] The terms used in the embodiments of the present invention are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the present invention. The singular forms "a," "the," and "the" used in the embodiments of the present invention and the appended claims are also intended to include plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. "A plurality" generally includes at least two, but does not exclude the inclusion of at least one.

[0042] It should be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein is merely a description of the relationship between associated objects, indicating that three possible relationships exist. For example, "A and / or B" can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone. Furthermore, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the associated objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0043] It should also be noted that the terms "include," "comprises," or any other variations thereof are intended to encompass non-exclusive inclusion, such that a product or system comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not explicitly listed, or elements inherent to such product or system. In the absence of further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprises a..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the product or system comprising the element.

[0044] With the development of clothes dryers, new technologies are constantly being applied to them. In particular, the steam care function is becoming an increasingly essential function of clothes dryers. However, conventional clothes dryers do not have a reserved water inlet device, and some users do not reserve a water inlet pipe when renovating their homes, making the steam care function unavailable on some models. In order to add water to the steam generator, some clothes dryers have to open the top of the dryer shell, and water must be added manually each time steam care is needed. However, this method requires an external water pipe, is unsightly, and is inconvenient to add water.

[0045] The present invention creatively provides a clothes dryer with a steam care function, comprising a steam care device, an installation box, and a water storage box, wherein the steam care device comprises a steam generator; the installation box is formed with a water inlet and a drain outlet of the installation box, and a water passage cavity communicating with the water inlet and the drain outlet of the installation box; the drain outlet of the installation box is connected to the steam generator via a steam inlet pipe; the water storage box is connected to the installation box and is formed with a water filling cavity; a water storage box drain outlet is formed on a side wall of the water storage box, and the water filling cavity drain outlet and the water storage box drain outlet are communicated with each other via a drain pipe;

[0046] A blocking valve is provided at the drain outlet of the water storage box; when the water storage box and the installation box are connected, the blocking valve can open the drain outlet of the water storage box and the drain outlet of the water storage box is connected to the water inlet of the installation box, water can be added to the water adding chamber through the water adding port, and water can be added to the steam generator through the water adding chamber and the installation box; when the water storage box and the installation box are separated, the blocking valve can close the drain outlet of the water storage box; no external water pipe is required, the appearance is good and water adding is convenient.

[0047] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, this embodiment provides a clothes dryer with a steam care function, comprising:

[0048] A steam care device 1, comprising a steam generator 12, for steam care of clothes;

[0049] The installation box 2 has a water inlet 22 formed on one side wall thereof, and a drain outlet formed on the other side wall thereof. A water passage cavity 21 communicating with the water inlet 22 and the drain outlet is formed inside the installation box 2. The drain outlet is connected to the steam generator 12 via a steam inlet pipe 11, and the water passage cavity 21 can transport water to the steam generator 12 via the steam inlet pipe 11. The bottom wall of the installation box 2 has an overflow port 24 formed thereon, and an overflow pipe 25 is provided at the overflow port 24. The overflow port 24 connects the water passage cavity 21 and the overflow pipe 25. When there is excess water in the steam generator 12, the water can overflow through the water cavity 21 and the overflow pipe 25.

[0050] The water storage box 3 is arranged on the installation box 2 and is formed with a water adding chamber 31; the water adding chamber 31 is formed with a water adding port 311 and a water adding chamber drain port 312, and a water storage box drain port 33 is formed on the side wall of the water storage box 3, and the water adding chamber drain port 312 and the water storage box drain port 33 are connected through a drain pipe 32; water can be added to the water adding chamber 31 through the water adding port 311; specifically, the installation box 2 includes a base and a box body, the box body is arranged at the rear side of the base, and the water storage box 3 is provided with a water storage box drain port 33. The water box 3 is arranged on the front side of the base; the side walls of the water box 3 include a front side wall and a rear side wall; the water adding chamber 31 is close to the front side wall of the water box, and the top wall of the water adding chamber 31 is formed with a water adding port 311, and the bottom wall of the water adding chamber 31 forms a water adding chamber drain port 312; the water box drain port 33 is formed at the bottom of the rear side wall of the water box; the water box 3 and the installation box 2 can be fixedly connected or detachably connected; the water adding port 311 is covered with a water adding cap;

[0051] A blocking valve 4 is provided at the water storage box drain port 33; when the water storage box 3 and the installation box 2 are connected, the blocking valve 4 can open the water storage box drain port 33 and the water storage box drain port 33 is connected to the installation box water inlet 22, so that water can be added to the steam generator 12 through the water adding chamber 31 and the installation box 2; when the water storage box 3 and the installation box 2 are separated, the blocking valve 4 can close the water storage box drain port 33 to prevent water leakage from the water adding chamber 31;

[0052] Furthermore, the clothes dryer further comprises a clothes drying drum 5, in which a temperature sensing package is provided for detecting the temperature in the clothes drying drum 5; the clothes drying drum 5 is formed with a steam inlet, at which a steam nozzle is provided for spraying steam into the clothes drying drum 5; the installation box 2 and the steam care device 1 are both located at the top of the clothes drying drum 5, with the installation box 2 being arranged on the left side of the clothes drying drum 5 and the steam care device 1 being arranged on the right side of the clothes drying drum 5;

[0053] The steam generator 12 is formed with a steam inlet and a steam outlet, and a steam chamber communicating with the steam inlet and the steam outlet. A liquid level detection probe is provided in the steam chamber for detecting the liquid level of the steam chamber; or the liquid level of the steam chamber is calculated based on the weight of the steam generator 12 by detecting the weight of the steam generator 12; when the water level in the steam chamber is insufficient, the user is reminded to add water to the water adding chamber 31;

[0054] The steam care device 1 also includes a steam pipe 13; a steam inlet pipe 11 is connected between the steam inlet and the drainage outlet of the installation box, and a steam pipe 13 is connected between the steam outlet and the steam inlet; specifically, the dryer is a heat pump dryer, including an air inlet duct, an air outlet duct and a two-device assembly; an air inlet is formed at the barrel mouth of the drying drum 5, and an air outlet is formed on the barrel wall of the drying drum 5. The two-device assembly includes a two-device box 52, an evaporator 53 and a condenser 54, and the two-device box 52 forms a two-device channel, the evaporator 53 and the condenser 54 are arranged in the two-device channel and the evaporator 53 is located upstream of the condenser 54; the air outlet, the air outlet, the two-device channel, the air inlet and the air inlet are connected in sequence to form a drying flow path; a fan is provided in the air outlet duct, and under the action of the fan, the drying air flow circulates in the drying flow path.

[0055] To address the problem of the blocking valve 4 not opening or closing the sliding hole in time, this embodiment proposes that the blocking valve 4 includes a sliding seat 41 and a plug 42. The sliding seat 41 is arranged at the water storage box drain outlet 33 and has a sliding hole formed therethrough. The sliding hole connects the water storage box drain outlet 33 and the drain pipe 32; the plug 42 is slidably arranged in the sliding hole.

[0056] When the water storage box 3 and the installation box 2 are connected, the plug 42 can open the sliding hole; when the water storage box 3 and the installation box 2 are separated, the plug 42 can close the sliding hole.

[0057] Furthermore, the sliding hole has a segmented structure and includes a first sliding hole segment 411, a second sliding hole segment 412, and a third sliding hole segment 413 that are coaxial and sequentially arranged. The aperture of the first sliding hole segment 411 is smaller than that of the second sliding hole segment 412, and the aperture of the third sliding hole segment 413 is smaller than that of the second sliding hole segment 412.

[0058] The plug 42 is formed with a sliding rod 421 and a sealing plate 422. The sliding rod 421 can be slidably set in the first sliding hole section 411, the second sliding hole section 412 and the third sliding hole section 413; the sealing plate 422 is set on the sliding rod 421, and the sealing plate 422 can slide in the second sliding hole section 412 with the sliding rod 421.

[0059] To address the problem that the blocking plate 422 does not seal the sliding hole tightly due to an unreasonable structural design of the sliding hole, this embodiment proposes that the first sliding hole section 411 and the second sliding hole section 412 are connected through the A communication port 414, and the second sliding hole section 412 and the third sliding hole section 413 are connected through the B communication port 415;

[0060] A sealing ring is provided on the side of the blocking plate 422 close to the communication port A 414 , and an elastic member is provided between the side of the blocking plate 422 close to the communication port B 415 and the end wall of the third sliding hole section 413 ; specifically, the elastic member is a spring;

[0061] The elastic member releases energy to slide the blocking plate 422 toward the communication port A 414 , and the blocking plate 422 blocks the communication port A 414 through the sealing ring.

[0062] The blocking plate 422 slides toward the communication port B 415 to open the communication port A 414 , and the elastic member stores energy.

[0063] To address the problem that the blocking plate 422 fails to open the through hole in time when the water storage box 3 and the installation box 2 are connected, this embodiment proposes that an installation box water inlet pipe 23 is provided at the water inlet 22 of the installation box;

[0064] When the water storage box 3 and the installation box 2 are connected, the installation box water inlet pipe 23 can be inserted into the first sliding hole section 411 and act on the sliding rod 421 to make the blocking plate 422 slide toward the direction close to the communication port B 415 .

[0065] Preferably, the water storage box 3 is made of transparent material; the amount of water can be visualized when adding water, which facilitates the control of the amount of water added at a single time.

[0066] In summary, the clothes dryer with steam care function of the present invention does not need to be equipped with a separate water inlet pipe, is compatible with old models, and does not affect the appearance of the dryer; only a set of steam generator 12 devices is needed to realize the care function; the steam water adding box and the water storage box 3 of the dryer are designed as one, and there is no need to add an additional water inlet 311 on the housing of the dryer, so water adding is convenient, and the structure is simple and reliable.

[0067] While the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been specifically illustrated and described above, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the detailed structures, configurations, or implementations described herein; rather, the present disclosure is intended to encompass various modifications and equivalent configurations within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A clothes dryer with steam care function, characterized in that: include: A steam care device (1) comprising a steam generator (12) for steam care of clothes; The installation box (2) has a water inlet (22) formed on one side wall thereof, a water outlet formed on the other side wall of the installation box (2), and a water passage cavity (21) communicating with the water inlet (22) and the water outlet formed inside the installation box (2); the water outlet and the steam generator (12) are communicated via a steam water inlet pipe (11); A water storage box (3) is connected to the installation box (2) and the water storage box (3) is formed with a water adding chamber (31); the water adding chamber (31) is formed with a water adding port (311) and a water adding chamber drain port (312); a water storage box drain port (33) is formed on a side wall of the water storage box (3); the water adding chamber drain port (312) and the water storage box drain port (33) are in communication via a drain pipe (32); A blocking valve (4) is provided at the water storage box drain port (33); when the water storage box (3) and the installation box (2) are connected, the blocking valve (4) can open the water storage box drain port (33) and the water storage box drain port (33) and the installation box water inlet (22) are in communication, so that water can be added to the steam generator (12) through the water adding chamber (31) and the installation box (2); when the water storage box (3) and the installation box (2) are separated, the blocking valve (4) can close the water storage box drain port (33).

2. The clothes dryer with steam care function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The blocking valve (4) comprises a sliding seat (41) and a plug (42); the sliding seat (41) is arranged at the water storage box drain port (33) and the sliding seat (41) is formed with a sliding hole penetrating the sliding seat (41); the sliding hole is connected to the water storage box drain port (33) and the drain pipe (32); the plug (42) is slidably arranged in the sliding hole; When the water storage box (3) and the installation box (2) are connected, the plug (42) can open the sliding hole; When the water storage box (3) and the installation box (2) are separated, the plug (42) can close the sliding hole.

3. The clothes dryer with steam care function according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sliding hole is a segmented structure and comprises a first sliding hole segment (411), a second sliding hole segment (412) and a third sliding hole segment (413) which are sequentially arranged. The aperture of the first sliding hole segment (411) is smaller than the aperture of the second sliding hole segment (412), and the aperture of the third sliding hole segment (413) is smaller than the aperture of the second sliding hole segment (412). The plug (42) is formed with a sliding rod (421) and a blocking plate (422); the sliding rod (421) is slidably arranged in the first sliding hole section (411), the second sliding hole section (412) and the third sliding hole section (413); the blocking plate (422) is arranged on the sliding rod (421), and the blocking plate (422) can slide in the second sliding hole section (412) along with the sliding rod (421).

4. The clothes dryer with steam care function according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first sliding hole section (411) and the second sliding hole section (412) are in communication via the A communication port (414), and the second sliding hole section (412) and the third sliding hole section (413) are in communication via the B communication port (415); A sealing ring is provided on the side of the blocking plate (422) close to the communication port A (414), and an elastic member is provided between the side of the blocking plate (422) close to the communication port B (415) and the end wall of the third sliding hole section (413); The elastic member releases energy to cause the blocking plate (422) to slide in a direction close to the A communication port (414), and the blocking plate (422) can block the A communication port (414) through the sealing ring; The blocking plate (422) slides in a direction close to the B communication port (415) to open the A communication port (414), and the elastic member stores energy.

5. The clothes dryer with steam care function according to claim 4, characterized in that: The water inlet (22) of the installation box is provided with an installation box water inlet pipe (23); When the water storage box (3) and the installation box (2) are connected, the water inlet pipe (23) of the installation box can be passed through the first sliding hole section (411) and act on the sliding rod (421), so that the blocking plate (422) slides in a direction close to the B communication port (415).

6. The clothes dryer with steam care function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The side walls of the water storage box (3) include a front side wall and a rear side wall; the water adding cavity (31) is close to the front side wall of the water storage box, and the top wall of the water adding cavity (31) is formed with the water adding port (311), and the bottom wall of the water adding cavity (31) forms the water adding cavity drain port (312); the water storage box drain port (33) is formed at the bottom of the rear side wall of the water storage box.

7. The clothes dryer with steam care function according to claim 6, characterized in that: The bottom wall of the installation box (2) is formed with an overflow port (24), an overflow pipe (25) is provided at the overflow port (24), and the overflow port (24) is in communication with the water passage cavity (21) and the overflow pipe (25).

8. The clothes dryer with steam care function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clothes dryer further comprises a clothes drying drum (51), wherein the clothes drying drum (51) is formed with a steam inlet; the installation box (2) and the steam care device (1) are both located at the top of the clothes drying drum (51), and one of the installation box (2) and the steam care device (1) is arranged on the left side of the clothes drying drum (51), and the other of the installation box (2) and the steam care device (1) is arranged on the right side of the clothes drying drum (51); The steam generator (12) is formed with a steam water inlet and a steam outlet, and the steam care device (1) further comprises a steam pipe (13); the steam water inlet pipe (11) is connected between the steam water inlet and the installation box drain outlet, and the steam pipe (13) is connected between the steam outlet and the steam inlet.

9. The clothes dryer with steam care function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The installation box (2) comprises a base and a box body, wherein the box body is arranged on the rear side of the base; and the water storage box (3) is arranged on the front side of the base.

10. The clothes dryer with steam care function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water storage box (3) is made of transparent material.

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