Manual piston roll-over stand

Abstract

The utility model relates to a manual piston roll-over stand which comprises a supporting frame which comprises two side supporting parts arranged in the first direction in a spaced mode. The connecting assembly is used for being connected with a piston assembly of the chromatographic column, and the connecting assembly is located between the two side supporting parts; the two rotating shafts are coaxially arranged, the two rotating shafts are connected with the two ends, in the first direction, of the connecting assembly correspondingly, and the two rotating shafts are rotationally connected with the two side supporting parts correspondingly; and the handle is connected with one rotating shaft. In this way, the piston assembly can be rotated and the rotation angle of the piston assembly can be adjusted through manual operation, so that the piston assembly can be operated in different directions conveniently, the piston assembly can be disassembled, cleaned, maintained, installed and the like conveniently, stable overturning of the piston assembly can be achieved only by rotating the operation handle, and the operation efficiency is improved. And manpower is saved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of turning devices, and in particular to a manual piston turning frame. Background Art

[0002] Chromatography technology can be used to effectively separate target products from complex mixtures, remove impurities from target products, purify final products, or replace product solutions. It has the characteristics of high separation efficiency and can separate heat-sensitive or easily inactivated products such as proteins, polysaccharides, and peptides under relatively mild conditions. Chromatographic columns are the key to achieving chromatographic separation. With the development of industry, automatic chromatography columns have gradually become the mainstream equipment in the chromatography industry with their high degree of automation, process controllability, and high chromatography efficiency.

[0003] When maintaining and cleaning the various parts of the chromatography column, it is necessary to disassemble, clean, repair, and install the various parts. The piston assembly is an important module in the chromatography column. However, since the piston assembly in the chromatography column is relatively bulky and difficult to adjust its position, it is not convenient to operate the piston assembly in different positions, resulting in inconvenience in operation when maintaining and cleaning the piston assembly. Utility Model Content

[0004] Based on this, it is necessary to provide a manual piston flip rack to address the problem that the piston assembly in the chromatography column is relatively bulky and difficult to adjust its position, making it inconvenient to operate the piston assembly in different positions, resulting in inconvenience in operating when maintaining and cleaning the piston assembly.

[0005] A manual piston turning frame, the manual piston turning frame comprising:

[0006] A support frame, comprising two side support portions spaced apart along a first direction;

[0007] A connecting assembly, the connecting assembly is used to connect to the piston assembly of the chromatography column, and the connecting assembly is located between the two side support parts;

[0008] Two coaxially arranged rotating shafts, the two rotating shafts are respectively connected to the two ends of the connecting component along the first direction, and the two rotating shafts are respectively rotatably connected to the two side supporting parts; and a handle is connected to one of the rotating shafts.

[0009] In one embodiment, the rotating shaft connected to the handle is a first rotating shaft; the manual piston flip frame also includes a handle seat, the handle seat is sleeved on the first rotating shaft and can rotate synchronously with the first rotating shaft, and the handle is connected to the handle seat.

[0010] In one embodiment, the manual piston flip frame also includes a pressure plate, which is located on the side of the first rotating shaft away from the connecting component and is fixedly connected to the first rotating shaft; the first rotating shaft has a first shoulder, and the two sides of the handle seat are respectively abutted against the first shoulder and the pressure plate.

[0011] In one embodiment, bearing seats are respectively provided on the two side support portions, and the two rotating shafts are connected to bearings in the two bearing seats respectively.

[0012] In one embodiment, the bearing seat is fixedly connected to the corresponding side support portion via a fixing plate.

[0013] In one embodiment, the connection assembly includes a crossbeam extending along the first direction and two connection plates respectively connected to two ends of the crossbeam, and the two rotating shafts are respectively connected to the two connection plates.

[0014] In one embodiment, the connecting assembly further comprises a piston connecting plate fixedly connected to the cross beam, and the piston connecting plate is used to be fixedly connected to the piston assembly.

[0015] In one embodiment, the manual piston flip frame also includes a stop pin, a positioning hole is provided on the side support portion, and a matching hole is provided on the connecting plate; the connecting assembly can be rotated relative to the supporting frame to align the matching hole with the positioning hole, and the stop pin is used to insert into the positioning hole and the matching hole.

[0016] In one embodiment, the connection disk is provided with a plurality of the matching holes, which are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the rotation axis; the matching holes can be selectively aligned with the positioning holes by rotating the connection assembly relative to the support frame.

[0017] In one embodiment, the manual piston flip frame further includes a conveying portion, and the conveying portion is used to convey the piston assembly to the connecting component.

[0018] The above-mentioned manual piston flip frame, the support frame includes two side support parts arranged at intervals along the first direction. The connecting assembly is used to connect with the piston assembly of the chromatography column, and the connecting assembly is located between the two side support parts. The space between the two side support parts provides a rotation space for the piston assembly. The two rotating shafts are coaxially arranged, and the two rotating shafts are respectively connected to the two ends of the connecting assembly along the first direction, and the two rotating shafts are respectively connected to the two side support parts, so that the two rotating shafts and the connecting assembly can rotate around the same axis relative to the side support part. When the above-mentioned manual piston flip frame is in use, the piston assembly of the chromatography column can be connected to the connecting assembly, and the operator can hold the handle and turn the handle to drive the rotation of the side support part opposite to the rotating shaft connected to the handle, thereby driving the connecting assembly connected to the rotating shaft to rotate. The rotation of the connecting assembly can drive the piston assembly to rotate. In this way, manual operation is realized to rotate the piston assembly and adjust the rotation angle of the piston assembly, so as to facilitate the operation of different orientations of the piston assembly, and then facilitate the disassembly, cleaning, maintenance, installation and other operations of the piston assembly. The piston assembly can be stably turned over by simply turning the operating handle, thus saving manpower. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 The figure is a front view of a manual piston flip frame according to an embodiment.

[0020] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partial enlarged view of area A.

[0021] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A partial enlarged view of area B in the middle.

[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Top view of the manual piston tilting frame.

[0023] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of a conveying portion of a manual piston flip rack conveying a piston assembly to a connecting component according to an embodiment.

[0024] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of a piston assembly connected to a connecting component of a manual piston flip frame according to an embodiment.

[0025] Figure 7 for Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the piston assembly being flipped 180°.

[0026] Description of the accompanying figures: 10. Piston assembly;

[0027] 100, support frame; 110, side support portion; 111, first side support portion; 112, second side support portion; 120, connection portion;

[0028] 200, connecting assembly; 210, cross beam; 220, reinforcing beam; 230, connecting plate; 231, first connecting plate; 232, second connecting plate; 233, matching hole; 240, piston connecting plate;

[0029] 300, rotation axis; 310, first rotation axis; 311, first shaft shoulder; 320, second rotation axis;

[0030] 400. Handle; 410. Handle seat;

[0031] 500, pressing plate; 510, first fixing member;

[0032] 600, bearing seat; 610, first bearing seat; 620, second bearing seat;

[0033] 700, fixing plate; 710, second fixing member;

[0034] 800, stop transfer and cancel;

[0035] 900, conveying unit; 910, hydraulic forklift; 920, piston support frame. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] In order to make the above-mentioned purposes, features and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the specific implementation methods of the present application are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the following description, many specific details are set forth to facilitate a full understanding of the present application. However, the present application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without violating the connotation of the present application, so the present application is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0037] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that if the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc. appear, the orientation or position relationship indicated by these terms is based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, which is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0038] In addition, if the terms "first" or "second" appear, these terms are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of this application, if the term "plurality" appears, the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0039] In this application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, if the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like appear, these terms should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integrated connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly defined. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0040] In the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, if there is a description that a first feature is "above" or "below" a second feature, etc., or similar descriptions appear, it may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or that the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "above" and "above" the second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. The first feature being "below", "below" and "below" the second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0041] It should be noted that if an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be a central element. If an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be a central element at the same time. If any, the terms "vertical", "horizontal", "upper", "lower", "left", "right" and similar expressions used in this application are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only implementation method.

[0042] Please combine Figures 1 to 6 An embodiment of the present application provides a manual piston flip frame, which includes: a support frame 100, a connecting assembly 200, two coaxially arranged rotating shafts 300 and a handle 400.

[0043] The support frame 100 includes two side support portions 110 spaced apart along a first direction, namely a first side support portion 111 and a second side support portion 112. The first direction is the spacing direction of the first side support portion 111 and the second side support portion 112.

[0044] The connecting assembly 200 is used to connect with the piston assembly 10 of the chromatography column, and the connecting assembly 200 is located between the two side supporting parts 110 .

[0045] The two rotating shafts 300 are respectively a first rotating shaft 310 and a second rotating shaft 320. The two rotating shafts 300 are coaxially arranged, that is, the central axes of the first rotating shaft 310 and the second rotating shaft 320 coincide with each other.

[0046] The two rotating shafts 300 are respectively connected to the two ends of the connecting assembly 200 along the first direction, and the two rotating shafts 300 are respectively rotatably connected to the two side support parts 110. Specifically, the first rotating shaft 310 is connected to one end of the connecting assembly 200 along the first direction, and the second rotating shaft 320 is connected to the other end of the connecting assembly 200 along the first direction. The first rotating shaft 310 is rotatably connected to the first side support part 111, and the second rotating shaft 320 is rotatably connected to the second side support part 112.

[0047] The handle 400 is connected to one of the rotating shafts 300 . The rotating shaft 300 connected to the handle 400 is the first rotating shaft 310 .

[0048] The above-mentioned manual piston flip frame, the support frame 100 includes two side support parts 110 arranged at intervals along the first direction. The connecting assembly 200 is used to connect with the piston assembly 10 of the chromatography column, and the connecting assembly 200 is located between the two side support parts 110. The space between the two side support parts 110 provides a rotation space for the piston assembly 10. Two rotating shafts 300 are coaxially arranged, and the two rotating shafts 300 are respectively connected to the two ends of the connecting assembly 200 along the first direction, and the two rotating shafts 300 are respectively connected to the two side support parts 110, so that the two rotating shafts 300 and the connecting assembly 200 can rotate relative to the side support part 110 around the same axis. When the above-mentioned manual piston flip frame is in use, the piston assembly 10 of the chromatography column can be connected to the connecting assembly 200, and the operator can hold the handle 400 and rotate the handle 400, thereby driving the rotating shaft 300 connected to the handle 400 to rotate relative to the side support part 110, and then driving the connecting assembly 200 connected to the rotating shaft 300 to rotate. The rotation of the connecting assembly 200 can drive the piston assembly 10 to rotate. In this way, the piston assembly 10 can be rotated manually and the rotation angle of the piston assembly 10 can be adjusted, so that the piston assembly 10 can be operated in different directions, and the piston assembly 10 can be disassembled, cleaned, repaired, installed, etc.

[0049] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 In one embodiment, the support frame 100 further includes a connecting portion 120. Both ends of the connecting portion 120 along the first direction are respectively connected to the first side supporting portion 111 and the second side supporting portion 112, so that the support frame 100 becomes a whole.

[0050] Please refer to Figure 2 In one embodiment, the manual piston flip frame further includes a handle seat 410, which is sleeved on the first rotating shaft 310 and can rotate synchronously with the first rotating shaft 310, and the handle 400 is connected to the handle seat 410. By providing the handle seat 410, the handle 400 is conveniently connected to the first rotating shaft 310.

[0051] The handle base 410 and the first rotating shaft 310 can rotate synchronously by a key connection or other connection methods. Optionally, the length direction of the handle 400 is inclined to the axial direction of the first rotating shaft 310 for easy operation. Optionally, the handle 400 and the socket on the handle base 410 are interference fit. The handle 400 and the handle base 410 can also be fixedly connected by other methods.

[0052] Please refer to Figure 2 In one embodiment, the manual piston flip frame further includes a pressing plate 500, which is located on a side of the first rotating shaft 310 away from the connecting assembly 200 and is fixedly connected to the first rotating shaft 310. Thus, one end of the first rotating shaft 310 is connected to the connecting assembly 200, and one end of the first rotating shaft 310 away from the connecting assembly 200 is connected to the pressing plate 500.

[0053] The first rotating shaft 310 has a first shaft shoulder 311, and the handle seat 410 is located between the first shaft shoulder 311 and the pressing plate 500. The two sides of the handle seat 410 are respectively in contact with the first shaft shoulder 311 and the pressing plate 500. In this way, the relative positions of the handle seat 410, the first rotating shaft 310 and the pressing plate 500 can be fixed. When the handle 400 is rotated, the first rotating shaft 310 can be prevented from axially shifting relative to the handle seat 410, thereby preventing the connecting assembly 200 and the piston assembly 10 from shifting along the first direction.

[0054] like Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment, the pressing plate 500 is fixedly connected to the first rotating shaft 310 via a first fixing member 510. Optionally, the first fixing member 510 is a bolt.

[0055] Combination Figure 3 and Figure 4In one embodiment, the two side support parts 110 are respectively provided with bearing seats 600, and the bearing seats 600 are provided with bearings (not shown). The two rotating shafts 300 are connected to the bearings in the two bearing seats 600, so that the rotating shafts 300 can rotate relative to the corresponding bearing seats 600 through the corresponding bearings, that is, relative to the corresponding side support parts 110. The bearings are provided to facilitate the smooth rotation of the rotating shafts 300. Optionally, the bearings are ball bearings.

[0056] Specifically, the bearing seat 600 on the first side support portion 111 is a first bearing seat 610, and the bearing seat 600 on the second side support portion 112 is a second bearing seat 620. The first rotating shaft 310 is connected to the bearing in the first bearing seat 610. The second rotating shaft 320 is connected to the bearing in the second bearing seat 620.

[0057] Combination Figure 3 and Figure 4 In one embodiment, the bearing seat 600 is fixedly connected to the corresponding side support portion 110 through the fixing plate 700. Specifically, the fixing plate 700 can be disposed between the bearing seat 600 and the corresponding side support portion 110. The fixing plate 700, the bearing seat 600 and the corresponding side support portion 110 are fixedly connected through the second fixing member 710. Optionally, the second fixing member 710 is a bolt.

[0058] Please combine Figure 1 , Figures 4 to 6 In one embodiment, the connecting assembly 200 includes a crossbeam 210 extending along a first direction and two connecting plates 230 respectively connected to both ends of the crossbeam 210, namely a first connecting plate 231 and a second connecting plate 232. The two rotating shafts 300 are respectively connected to the two connecting plates 230. The first rotating shaft 310 is connected to the first connecting plate 231. The second rotating shaft 320 is connected to the second connecting plate 232. The crossbeam 210 is used to provide support force for the piston assembly 10.

[0059] Please combine Figure 1 , Figures 4 to 6 In one embodiment, the connection assembly 200 further includes a piston connection plate 240, which is fixedly connected to the cross beam 210 and is used to be fixedly connected to the piston assembly 10. In the width direction of the cross beam 210, the size of the piston connection plate 240 is larger than the width of the cross beam 210, so that the piston connection plate 240 protrudes from the cross beam 210 in the width direction of the cross beam 210. By providing the piston connection plate 240, a larger connection surface can be provided for the piston assembly 10, which is convenient for connection with the piston assembly 10.

[0060] Optionally, bolt holes may be provided on the piston connecting plate 240 , and the piston connecting plate 240 may be connected to the piston assembly 10 by bolt connection.

[0061] Please combine Figure 1 , Figures 4 to 6 In one embodiment, the connection assembly 200 further includes a reinforcing beam 220. The reinforcing beam 220 is arranged perpendicular to the cross beam 210. The two sides of the cross beam 210 in the width direction are respectively connected with the reinforcing beam 220. In this way, the portion of the piston connection plate 240 protruding in the width direction of the cross beam 210 can be connected to the reinforcing beam 220. At the same time, by providing the reinforcing beam 220, a more reliable connection and support can be provided for the piston assembly 10.

[0062] Combination Figures 4 to 7 In one embodiment, the manual piston flip frame further includes a stop pin 800, a positioning hole (not shown) is provided on the side support portion 110, and a matching hole 233 is provided on the connecting plate 230. The connecting assembly 200 rotates relative to the supporting frame 100 so that the matching hole 233 is aligned with the positioning hole, and the stop pin 800 is used to be inserted into the positioning hole and the matching hole 233.

[0063] Specifically, when the piston assembly 10 is rotated by holding the handle 400, the connecting assembly 200 and the piston assembly 10 rotate synchronously. The connecting plate 230 can drive the matching hole 233 to rotate synchronously during the rotation process, so that the matching hole 233 can be rotated to align with the positioning hole, or staggered with the positioning hole.

[0064] The angle of the matching hole 233 on the connecting plate 230 can be set so that when the piston assembly 10 rotates to a specific desired angle, the matching hole 233 is aligned with the positioning hole. At this time, the stop pin 800 is inserted into the positioning hole and the matching hole 233, which can prevent the connecting plate 230 from continuing to rotate, thereby limiting the piston assembly 10 to the specific angle. In this way, when maintaining and cleaning the piston assembly, the angle of the piston assembly is stable, and no human assistance is required to stabilize the angle, saving manpower.

[0065] The specific angle may be an angle that is convenient for operating the piston assembly 10 and may be customizable.

[0066] Combination Figures 5 to 7 Optionally, after the piston assembly 10 is connected to the connecting assembly 200, at the initial angle, the piston connecting plate 240 is parallel to the horizontal plane and is located directly below the cross beam 210. When the piston assembly 10 is at a specific angle, it is flipped 180° relative to the initial angle, so that the piston connecting plate 240 is parallel to the horizontal plane and is located directly above the cross beam 210.

[0067] In one embodiment, the positioning hole is disposed on the first side supporting portion, and the matching hole 233 is disposed on the first connecting plate 231 .

[0068] In other embodiments, the positioning hole may be provided on the second side supporting portion, and the matching hole may be provided on the second connecting plate.

[0069] Combination Figures 5 to 7 In one embodiment, the connection plate 230 is provided with a plurality of matching holes 233, and the plurality of matching holes 233 are arranged at intervals around the axis of the rotating shaft 300. The matching holes 233 can be selectively aligned with the positioning holes by rotating the connection assembly 200 relative to the supporting frame 100.

[0070] Since the plurality of matching holes 233 are arranged at intervals around the axis direction of the rotating shaft 300, the plurality of matching holes 233 can be rotated around the axis direction of the rotating shaft 300 by rotating the connecting assembly 200, so that any matching hole 233 among the plurality of matching holes 233 can be aligned with the positioning hole. By inserting the stop pin 800 into the positioning hole and the matching hole 233, the connecting plate 230 can be positioned at different angles relative to the side support portion 110, so that the piston assembly 10 can be positioned at different angles, making it more convenient to operate the piston assembly 10 at various angles.

[0071] refer to Figure 5 In one embodiment, the manual piston flip frame further includes a conveying portion 900, and the conveying portion 900 is used to convey the piston assembly 10 to the connecting assembly 200. Optionally, the conveying portion 900 includes a hydraulic forklift 910. The hydraulic forklift 910 is a forklift powered by hydraulic pressure. Optionally, the conveying portion 900 includes a piston support frame 920, which is disposed on the hydraulic forklift 910. Placing the piston assembly 10 on the piston support frame 920 facilitates the lifting of the height of the piston assembly 10 on the hydraulic forklift 910, so as to facilitate the connection of the piston assembly 10 to the connecting assembly 200 at a sufficient height when the piston assembly 10 is transported to the connecting assembly 200.

[0072] The technical features of the above-described embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-described embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0073] The above-described embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present application, and the descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed, but they cannot be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be pointed out that, for a person of ordinary skill in the art, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present application, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent application shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. A manual piston tilting frame, characterized in that: The manual piston turning frame comprises: A support frame, comprising two side support portions spaced apart along a first direction; A connecting assembly, the connecting assembly is used to connect to the piston assembly of the chromatography column, and the connecting assembly is located between the two side support parts; Two coaxially arranged rotating shafts, the two rotating shafts are respectively connected to two ends of the connecting assembly along the first direction, and the two rotating shafts are respectively rotatably connected to the two side supporting parts; and A handle is connected to one of the rotating shafts.

2. The manual piston tilting frame according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating shaft connected to the handle is a first rotating shaft; the manual piston flip frame also includes a handle seat, the handle seat is sleeved on the first rotating shaft and can rotate synchronously with the first rotating shaft, and the handle is connected to the handle seat.

3. The manual piston tilting frame according to claim 2, characterized in that: It also includes a pressure plate, which is located on the side of the first rotating shaft away from the connecting component and is fixedly connected to the first rotating shaft; the first rotating shaft has a first shoulder, and the two sides of the handle seat are respectively in contact with the first shoulder and the pressure plate.

4. The manual piston tilting frame according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two side support parts are respectively provided with bearing seats, and the two rotating shafts are respectively connected to the bearings in the two bearing seats.

5. The manual piston tilting frame according to claim 4, characterized in that: The bearing seat is fixedly connected to the corresponding side support portion through a fixing plate.

6. The manual piston tilting frame according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connection assembly includes a crossbeam extending along the first direction and two connection plates respectively connected to two ends of the crossbeam, and the two rotating shafts are respectively connected to the two connection plates.

7. The manual piston tilting frame according to claim 6, characterized in that: The connecting assembly also includes a piston connecting plate fixedly connected to the cross beam, and the piston connecting plate is used to be fixedly connected to the piston assembly.

8. The manual piston tilting frame according to claim 6, characterized in that: It also includes a stop pin, a positioning hole is provided on the side support part, and a matching hole is provided on the connecting plate; the connecting component can be rotated relative to the supporting frame to align the matching hole with the positioning hole, and the stop pin is used to insert the positioning hole and the matching hole.

9. The manual piston tilting frame according to claim 8, characterized in that: The connection plate is provided with a plurality of matching holes, which are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the rotation axis; the matching holes can be selectively aligned with the positioning holes by rotating the connection assembly relative to the support frame.

10. The manual piston tilting frame according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a conveying portion, which is used to convey the piston assembly to the connecting component.

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