Cutting machining mechanism for preventing deformation of ultrafiltration membrane wires
By designing a cutting and processing mechanism to prevent deformation of ultrafiltration membrane fibers, and using a gripping disc and lifting mechanism for clamping and traction, combined with vertical plate limiting and air pump cooling, the problems of deformation and micro-dust clogging during ultrafiltration membrane fiber cutting are solved, thereby improving cutting quality and efficiency.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511975581.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-06
AI Technical Summary
Ultrafiltration membrane fibers are prone to deformation due to localized high temperatures during cutting and processing, which reduces the filtration effect. Furthermore, micro-dust can easily clog the micropores after cutting, affecting the cutting quality and efficiency.
A deformation-resistant cutting mechanism for ultrafiltration membrane fibers was designed. The ultrafiltration membrane fibers are held and pulled by a gripping plate and a lifting mechanism, and limited by a vertical plate and a guide plate. An air pump is used to evacuate and cool the fibers, and the cutting is performed by a laser or blade cutting device to ensure the stability and cleanliness of the cutting position.
It enables continuous cutting of ultrafiltration membrane fibers, avoiding deformation and micro-dust clogging, improving cutting quality and efficiency, and ensuring the stability and cleanliness of the cutting position.
Smart Images

Figure CN121608228A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a cutting and processing mechanism for preventing deformation of ultrafiltration membrane fibers, belonging to the field of ultrafiltration membrane fiber processing technology. Background Technology
[0002] Ultrafiltration membrane fibers are a core component of ultrafiltration technology. They are typically made of polymeric materials (such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polysulfone (PS), and polyethersulfone (PES)) and have a microporous structure. They can retain large molecules, colloids, and bacteria in water while allowing water and small solute molecules to pass through. The pore size of ultrafiltration membrane fibers is typically between 0.01 and 0.1 micrometers, falling between microfiltration and nanofiltration. Based on the sieving effect, separation is achieved through physical retention, requiring no chemical reagents and consuming relatively little energy.
[0003] Ultrafiltration membrane fibers are the raw materials that constitute ultrafiltration technology. Their hollow microporous structure enables the filtration of media. Due to their hollow structure, the cutting location is prone to deformation due to localized high temperatures during the cutting process, which reduces the filtration efficiency of the ultrafiltration membrane fibers and affects their performance. Furthermore, the micro-dust generated after cutting remains at the cutting location and can easily enter the ultrafiltration membrane fibers, causing blockage of the micropores. When cutting a large number of ultrafiltration membrane fibers, the cutting quality is affected. After cutting, the fibers still need to be transported, which further affects the cutting efficiency. It is difficult to ensure both cutting quality and high-efficiency processing. Summary of the Invention
[0004] In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides a cutting and processing mechanism for preventing deformation of ultrafiltration membrane fibers.
[0005] The present invention solves the above-mentioned technical problems through the following technical solutions:
[0006] This invention provides a cutting and processing mechanism for preventing deformation of ultrafiltration membrane fibers, including a platform, a support plate slidably connected to one end of the platform, a fixing frame fixedly installed at the other end of the platform, the top of the fixing frame being fixedly connected to a guide plate via a connecting seat, and multiple ultrafiltration membrane fibers passing through the guide plate, a lifting mechanism being provided on the support plate, and a gripping plate being fixedly installed on the support plate, with the gripping plate and the lifting mechanism being distributed correspondingly.
[0007] One end of the platform is provided with a translation mechanism located below the fixed frame. A vertical plate is fixedly installed on the translation mechanism. The side wall of the vertical plate is provided with a plurality of clamping rods symmetrically distributed in pairs. The clamping rods contact the ultrafiltration membrane fibers located inside the vertical plate. A surrounding plate is fixedly connected to the side wall of the vertical plate. The surrounding plate contacts the surface of the connecting seat and the guide plate respectively so that the part between the guide plate and the vertical plate forms a relatively closed cavity.
[0008] In this technical solution, the platform has a U-shaped structure, and a first fixing plate is fixedly installed on one side of the top of the platform. A first lead screw is rotatably connected inside the first fixing plate. The first lead screw is threadedly connected to the guide sleeve, and the guide sleeve is fixedly installed to both sides of the bottom of the support plate.
[0009] In this technical solution, the pallet has an L-shaped structure, and a lifting mechanism is fixedly installed on the side wall of the pallet. The lifting mechanism includes an electromagnetic device, a push plate, and ejector pins. The electromagnetic device consists of an electromagnetic coil with an armature sleeved on it. The electromagnetic coil is fixed on the side wall of the pallet. One end of the armature is fixedly connected to the push plate, and the side wall of the push plate is fixedly connected to a plurality of evenly distributed ejector pins.
[0010] In this technical solution, the ejector pin consists of a cylindrical protrusion and a tip. The cylindrical protrusion of the ejector pin is movably sleeved inside the gripping disk. The side wall of the gripping disk is fixedly connected with a plurality of sleeves corresponding to the ejector pin. The tip of the ejector pin has a conical structure and extends into the inside of the sleeve. A gap for clamping ultrafiltration membrane fibers is formed between the sleeve and the ejector pin.
[0011] In this technical solution, one end of the ultrafiltration membrane fiber extends into the inside of the sleeve, the tip of the pin is sleeved inside the ultrafiltration membrane fiber, and the wall thickness of the ultrafiltration membrane fiber is less than the thickness of the gap.
[0012] In this technical solution, the fixing frame is a U-shaped structure, and a cutting device located on one side of the guide plate is fixedly installed on the fixing frame. The cutting device is one of laser cutting equipment and blade cutting equipment.
[0013] In this technical solution, the translation mechanism includes a second fixed plate, which is fixedly installed on the top surface of the platform. The second fixed plate is fixedly connected to both ends of the guide rod. A drive motor is fixedly installed on one of the second fixed plates. The output end of the drive motor is fixedly connected to a second lead screw. The second lead screw is threaded into a slide block, and both ends of the slide block are slidably connected to the surface of the guide rod. The slide block is slidably connected to the surface of the platform, and a vertical plate is fixedly installed on the top of the slide block.
[0014] In this technical solution, the clamping rod is provided with multiple evenly distributed arcs, and the multiple clamping rods with the same arc orientation are fixedly connected to the toothed rod respectively, and the arcs on the corresponding two clamping rods are located on both sides of the ultrafiltration membrane fiber respectively.
[0015] In this technical solution, a U-shaped limiting block is fixedly installed on the side wall of the upright plate, and the toothed rod is movably sleeved with the limiting block. A motor frame is also fixedly installed on the side wall of the upright plate, and an adjusting motor is fixedly installed on the motor frame. The output end of the adjusting motor is fixedly connected to the gear, and the gear is located between two toothed rods on the same side and meshes with the toothed rods.
[0016] In this technical solution, there are two enclosures, which are symmetrically distributed arc-shaped structures. An air extraction pipe is provided between the bottom of the enclosures. The air extraction pipe extends between the guide plate and the upright plate. The air extraction pipe is fixedly connected to an air pump, and the air pump is fixedly installed on the top surface of the platform.
[0017] Based on common knowledge in the field, the above-mentioned preferred conditions can be combined arbitrarily to obtain various preferred embodiments of the present invention.
[0018] The positive and progressive effects of this invention are as follows:
[0019] The aforementioned ultrafiltration membrane fiber anti-deformation cutting mechanism enables simultaneous cutting of multiple ultrafiltration membrane fibers on a platform. During cutting, the ultrafiltration membrane fibers are clamped and pulled by a gripping disc and a lifting mechanism, facilitating continuous cutting. An upright plate is provided for stabilizing the cutting position, working in conjunction with a guide disc to limit the cutting position and ensure that deformation does not occur at the cutting position. An air pump works to cool the cutting position, preventing deformation caused by high temperatures, and removes cutting dust, ensuring that dust does not adhere to the cutting position and improving cutting quality. Simultaneously, clamping rods on the upright plate clamp the fibers, working in conjunction with a translation mechanism for traction. The synchronous movement of the translation mechanism and the gripping disc effectively shortens the traction time, improving both cutting efficiency and cutting quality. Attached Figure Description
[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall three-dimensional structure of the present invention.
[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal front view of the present invention.
[0022] Figure 3 For the present invention Figure 2 A magnified schematic diagram of the structure at point A in the middle.
[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the present invention in half section.
[0024] Figure 5 For the present invention Figure 4 A magnified schematic diagram of the structure at point B in the middle.
[0025] Figure 6 This is a partial three-dimensional structural diagram of the clamping rod of the present invention.
[0026] Figure 7 This is a side view of the structure of the enclosure panel of the present invention.
[0027] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures
[0028] 11. Platform; 12. Support plate; 13. Electromagnetic device; 14. Push plate; 15. Ejector pin; 16. Guide sleeve; 17. First fixing plate; 18. First lead screw;
[0029] 21. Gripping disc; 22. Sleeve; 23. Support; 24. Ultrafiltration membrane fiber;
[0030] 31. Fixing frame; 32. Connecting seat; 33. Guide tray;
[0031] 41. Second fixed plate; 42. Guide rod; 43. Drive motor; 44. Second lead screw; 45. Slide block;
[0032] 51. Vertical plate; 52. Clamping rod; 53. Arc; 54. Gear rack; 55. Limiting block; 56. Motor frame; 57. Adjusting motor; 58. Gear; 59. Enclosure panel;
[0033] 61. Air pump; 62. Air extraction pipe. Detailed Implementation
[0034] The present invention will be further illustrated by way of embodiments below, but the present invention is not limited to the scope of the embodiments described herein.
[0035] like Figure 1-7 As shown, the ultrafiltration membrane fiber anti-deformation cutting and processing mechanism includes a platform 11, a support plate 12 is slidably connected to one end of the platform 11, and a fixing frame 31 is fixedly installed at the other end of the platform 11. The top of the fixing frame 31 is fixedly connected to the guide plate 33 through a connecting seat 32, and multiple ultrafiltration membrane fibers 24 are passed through the guide plate 33. A lifting mechanism is provided on the support plate 12, and a gripping plate 21 is also fixedly installed on the support plate 12, and the gripping plate 21 is distributed correspondingly to the lifting mechanism.
[0036] One end of the platform 11 is provided with a translation mechanism located below the fixed frame 31. A vertical plate 51 is fixedly installed on the translation mechanism. The side wall of the vertical plate 51 is provided with a plurality of clamping rods 52 symmetrically distributed in pairs. The clamping rods 52 contact the ultrafiltration membrane fibers 24 located inside the vertical plate 51. A surrounding plate 59 is fixedly connected to the side wall of the vertical plate 51. The surrounding plate 59 contacts the surfaces of the connecting seat 32 and the guide plate 33 respectively so that the part between the guide plate and the vertical plate 51 forms a relatively closed cavity.
[0037] The platform 11 has a U-shaped structure. A first fixing plate 17 is fixedly installed on one side of the top of the platform 11. A first lead screw 18 is rotatably connected inside the first fixing plate 17. The first lead screw 18 is threadedly connected to the guide sleeve 16, and the guide sleeve 16 is fixedly installed to both sides of the bottom of the support plate 12. The support plate 12 has an L-shaped structure. A lifting mechanism is fixedly installed on the side wall of the support plate 12. The lifting mechanism includes an electromagnetic device 13, a push plate 14, and ejector pins 15. The electromagnetic device 13 consists of an electromagnetic coil with an armature sleeved on it. The electromagnetic coil is fixed to the side wall of the support plate 12. One end of the armature is fixedly connected to the push plate 14, and the side wall of the push plate 14 is fixedly connected to a plurality of evenly distributed ejector pins 15.
[0038] In this technical solution, the first fixing plate 17 is used for the installation of the first lead screw 18. The first lead screw 18 is connected to the motor output end installed on the first fixing plate 17. The first lead screw 18 can drive the guide sleeve 16 and the support plate 12 to move. After the sleeve 22 on the gripping disk 21 is sleeved on the surface of the ultrafiltration membrane fiber 24, the electromagnetic device 13 is activated. The magnetic force generated by the electromagnetic device 13 after being energized pushes the push plate 14 to move. The push plate 14 drives the ejector pin 15 to move in the gripping disk 21 to achieve the clamping and fixing of the ultrafiltration membrane fiber 24.
[0039] The ejector pin 15 consists of a cylindrical protrusion and a tip. The cylindrical protrusion of the ejector pin 15 is movably sleeved inside the gripping disk 21. The side wall of the gripping disk 21 is fixedly connected with a plurality of sleeves 22 corresponding to the ejector pin 15. The tip of the ejector pin 15 has a conical structure and extends into the inside of the sleeve 22. A gap for clamping the ultrafiltration membrane fiber 24 is formed between the sleeve 22 and the ejector pin 15. One end of the ultrafiltration membrane fiber 24 extends into the inside of the sleeve 22. The tip of the ejector pin 15 is sleeved inside the ultrafiltration membrane fiber 24. The wall thickness of the ultrafiltration membrane fiber 24 is less than the thickness of the gap.
[0040] In this technical solution, the protrusion on the ejector pin 15 can be stably translated within the gripping disk 21, and when its conical tip extends forward, the surface of the tip presses the ultrafiltration membrane fiber 24 against the inner wall of the sleeve 22, using friction to achieve gripping, and moving with the support plate 12 to achieve traction of the ultrafiltration membrane fiber 24.
[0041] The fixing frame 31 has a U-shaped structure, and a cutting device located on one side of the guide plate 33 is fixedly installed on the fixing frame 31. The cutting device is one of laser cutting equipment and blade cutting equipment.
[0042] In this technical solution, a cutting device is set on the fixing frame 31 for cutting the ultrafiltration membrane fiber 24. After cutting, the ultrafiltration membrane fiber 24 is pulled by the vertical plate 51.
[0043] The translation mechanism includes a second fixed plate 41, which is fixedly installed on the top surface of the platform 11. The second fixed plate 41 is fixedly connected to both ends of the guide rod 42. A drive motor 43 is fixedly installed on one of the second fixed plates 41. The output end of the drive motor 43 is fixedly connected to a second lead screw 44. The second lead screw 44 is internally threaded into a slide block 45, and both ends of the slide block 45 are slidably connected to the surface of the guide rod 42. The slide block 45 is slidably connected to the surface of the platform 11, and a vertical plate 51 is fixedly installed on the top of the slide block 45.
[0044] In this technical solution, the guide rod 42 can be used for the stable translation of the slide 45. When the drive motor 43 is working, it drives the second lead screw 44 to rotate, so that the second lead screw 44 drives the slide 45 to translate. The slide 45 can drive the vertical plate 51 to move. When the vertical plate 51 moves, the ultrafiltration membrane filament 24 can pass through the vertical plate 51 to achieve subsequent traction.
[0045] The clamping rod 52 is provided with multiple evenly distributed arcs 53. The multiple clamping rods 52 with the arcs 53 facing the same direction are fixedly connected to the toothed rods 54 respectively. The arcs 53 on the corresponding two clamping rods 52 are located on both sides of the ultrafiltration membrane fiber 24 respectively. A U-shaped limiting block 55 is fixedly installed on the side wall of the upright plate 51. The toothed rod 54 is movably sleeved in the limiting block 55. A motor frame 56 is also fixedly installed on the side wall of the upright plate 51. An adjusting motor 57 is fixedly installed on the motor frame 56. The output end of the adjusting motor 57 is fixedly connected to a gear 58. The gear 58 is located between two toothed rods 54 on the same side and meshes with the toothed rods 54.
[0046] In this technical solution, the adjusting motor 57 on the motor frame 56 drives the gear 58 to rotate, and the gear 58 drives the rack 54 to move stably within the limit block 55, so that the rack 54 drives multiple clamping rods 52 divided into two groups to move in opposite directions at the same time, so that the clamping rods 52 clamp and fix the ultrafiltration membrane fiber 24 passing through the vertical plate 51.
[0047] Specifically, after the cutting device cuts the ultrafiltration membrane fiber 24, the unloading device located on one side of the cutting processing mechanism removes the ultrafiltration membrane fiber 24. Further, the upright plate 51 moves to the guide plate 33, allowing the cut ultrafiltration membrane fiber 24 to pass through the upright plate 51. After being clamped by the clamping rod 52, the upright plate 51 moves in the opposite direction for a certain distance, causing the clamping rod 52 to pull the ultrafiltration membrane fiber 24 forward for a certain distance. Then, the clamping rod 52 releases, and the upright plate 51 moves to the guide plate 33 again. The clamping rod 52 clamps the ultrafiltration membrane fiber 24 again and moves towards the gripping plate 21. At the same time, the gripping plate 21 moves towards the center of the platform 11, allowing the clamping rod 52 to smoothly drive the ultrafiltration membrane fiber 24 into the sleeve 22 for gripping. After gripping is completed, the gripping plate 21 and the upright plate 51 reset simultaneously. The upright plate 51 moves to the cutting position, and the surrounding plate 59 is fitted onto the surface of the connecting seat 32 and the guide plate 33, preparing for subsequent cutting processing.
[0048] Furthermore, after the resetting is completed, the cut ultrafiltration membrane fiber 24 is removed from the platform 11, and the above steps are repeated to achieve continuous cutting of the ultrafiltration membrane fiber 24.
[0049] There are two enclosure panels 59, which are symmetrically distributed arc-shaped structures. An air extraction pipe 62 is provided between the bottom of the enclosure panels 59. The air extraction pipe 62 extends between the guide plate 33 and the upright plate 51. The air extraction pipe 62 is fixedly connected to the air pump 61, and the air pump 61 is fixedly installed on the top surface of the platform 11.
[0050] In this technical solution, during the cutting process, the upright plate 51 is close to the cutting position, so that the two ends of the ultrafiltration membrane fiber 24 at the cutting position are limited by the guide plate 33 and the upright plate 51, preventing the ultrafiltration membrane fiber 24 from being too taut during cutting and causing deformation. This solves the problem that the ultrafiltration membrane fiber 24 is easily deformed when it is taut by the guide plate 33 and the gripping plate 21 in the traditional method. By setting the upright plate 51 on one side of the cutting position to tighten the ultrafiltration membrane fiber 24, it can ensure that the ultrafiltration membrane fiber 24 is taut in a local area at the cutting position, and is not easily deformed by the tension of the ultrafiltration membrane fiber 24 during cutting. At the same time as cutting, the air pump 61 is started. The air pump 61 removes the air between the guide plate 33 and the upright plate 51, allowing outside air to enter from above the upright plate 51 and be extracted by the air extraction pipe 62. This allows the gas to carry the cutting heat and dust away from the cutting position, preventing deformation at the cutting position.
[0051] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Any changes in shape or structure shall fall within the protection scope of this invention. The protection scope of this invention is defined by the appended claims. Those skilled in the art may make various changes or modifications to these embodiments without departing from the principles and essence of this invention, but all such changes and modifications shall fall within the protection scope of this invention.
Claims
1. A cutting and processing mechanism for preventing deformation of ultrafiltration membrane fibers, comprising a platform (11), wherein a support plate (12) is slidably connected to one end of the platform (11), and a fixing frame (31) is fixedly installed at the other end of the platform (11), wherein the top end of the fixing frame (31) is fixedly connected to a guide plate (33) via a connecting seat (32), and a plurality of ultrafiltration membrane fibers (24) are threaded through the guide plate (33), characterized in that, The lifting mechanism is arranged on the support plate (12), and the support plate (12) is also fixedly provided with a grabbing disc (21), and the grabbing disc (21) is correspondingly distributed with the lifting mechanism; One end of the platform (11) is provided with a translation mechanism below the fixed frame (31), the translation mechanism is fixedly provided with a vertical plate (51), the side wall of the vertical plate (51) is provided with a plurality of clamping rods (52) which are symmetrically distributed in pairs, the clamping rods (52) contact the ultrafiltration membrane filaments (24) in the vertical plate (51), and the side wall of the vertical plate (51) is fixedly connected with a surrounding plate (59), the surrounding plate (59) respectively contacts the connecting seat (32) and the surface of the material guide disc (33) to form a relatively closed cavity between the material guide plate and the vertical plate (51).
2. The mechanism for cutting the ultrafiltration membrane yarn without deformation according to claim 1, wherein: The platform (11) is a U-shaped structure, the first fixed plate (17) is fixedly installed on one side of the top of the platform (11), the first lead screw (18) is rotatably connected in the first fixed plate (17), the first lead screw (18) is threadedly connected with the guide sleeve (16), and the guide sleeve (16) is fixedly installed on the bottom of the support plate (12).
3. The mechanism for cutting the ultrafiltration membrane yarn without deformation according to claim 2, wherein: The support plate (12) is a L-shaped structure, the lifting mechanism is fixedly installed on the side wall of the support plate (12), the lifting mechanism comprises an electromagnetic device (13), a push plate (14) and a top pin (15), the electromagnetic device (13) is composed of an electromagnetic coil sleeved with an armature, the electromagnetic coil is fixed on the side wall of the support plate (12), one end of the armature is fixedly connected with the push plate (14), and the side wall of the push plate (14) is fixedly connected with a plurality of uniformly distributed top pins (15).
4. The mechanism for cutting the ultrafiltration membrane yarn without deformation according to claim 3, wherein: The top pin (15) is composed of a cylindrical protrusion and a sharp end, the cylindrical protrusion of the top pin (15) is movably sleeved in the grabbing disc (21), a plurality of sleeve pipes (22) corresponding to the top pin (15) are fixedly connected to the side wall of the grabbing disc (21), the sharp end of the top pin (15) is a conical structure and extends into the sleeve pipe (22), and a gap for clamping the ultrafiltration membrane filament (24) is formed between the sleeve pipe (22) and the top pin (15).
5. The mechanism for cutting the ultrafiltration membrane yarn without deformation according to claim 4, wherein: One end of the ultrafiltration membrane filament (24) extends into the sleeve pipe (22), the sharp end of the top pin (15) is sleeved in the ultrafiltration membrane filament (24), and the wall thickness of the ultrafiltration membrane filament (24) is smaller than the thickness of the gap.
6. The mechanism for cutting the ultrafiltration membrane yarn without deformation according to claim 1, wherein: The fixed frame (31) is a U-shaped structure, the cutting device is fixedly installed on one side of the material guide disc (33), and the cutting device is one of a laser cutting device and a blade cutting device.
7. The mechanism for cutting the ultrafiltration membrane yarn without deformation according to claim 1, wherein: The translation mechanism includes a second fixed plate (41) fixedly installed on the top surface of the platform (11), and the second fixed plate (41) is fixedly connected with both ends of the guide rod (42), one of the second fixed plates (41) is fixedly installed with a driving motor (43), the output end of the driving motor (43) is fixedly connected with a second lead screw (44), the second lead screw (44) is threadedly connected with a sliding seat (45), both ends of the sliding seat (45) are slidingly connected with the surface of the guide rod (42), the sliding seat (45) is slidingly connected with the surface of the platform (11), and the top of the sliding seat (45) is fixedly installed with a vertical plate (51).
8. The mechanism for cutting the ultrafiltration membrane yarn without deformation according to claim 1, wherein: A plurality of uniformly distributed circular arcs (53) are arranged on the clamping rods (52), the circular arcs (53) are fixedly connected with the toothed rods (54) on the same plurality of clamping rods (52), and the circular arcs (53) on the corresponding two clamping rods (52) are located on the two sides of the ultrafiltration membrane wire (24).
9. The mechanism for cutting the ultrafiltration membrane yarn without deformation according to claim 8, wherein: The vertical plate (51) is fixedly installed with a U-shaped limiting block (55) on the side wall, the toothed rod (54) is movably sleeved with the limiting block (55), the vertical plate (51) is further fixedly installed with a motor bracket (56) on the side wall, the motor bracket (56) is fixedly installed with an adjusting motor (57), the output end of the adjusting motor (57) is fixedly connected with a gear (58), and the gear (58) is located between the two toothed rods (54) on the same side and is in meshing connection with the toothed rods (54).
10. The mechanism for cutting the ultrafiltration membrane yarn without deformation according to claim 1, wherein: The number of the surrounding plates (59) is two, the two surrounding plates (59) are symmetrically distributed in an arc shape, an air exhaust pipe (62) is arranged between the bottoms of the surrounding plates (59), the air exhaust pipe (62) extends between the material guiding disc (33) and the vertical plate (51), the air exhaust pipe (62) is fixedly connected with an air pump (61), and the air pump (61) is fixedly installed on the top surface of the platform (11).