Synchronous mixing device and fire extinguishing equipment
By synchronous mixing device, the mixing of water, fire extinguishing agent and compressed air in a mixing chamber is solved, and the problem of the internal structure of traditional fire extinguishing equipment is not compact, and the compact design of fire extinguishing equipment is realized.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202422291870.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-09-19
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-05
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-09-19
AI Technical Summary
In traditional compressed air foam fire extinguishing systems, the mixing method requires two independent mixing devices, resulting in a long pipe length, not compact internal structure, and a large size for the entire fire extinguishing equipment.
By adopting a synchronous mixing device, by forming a first and second chambers between the built-in and the conducting chamber, sequential mixing of water, fire extinguishing agent and compressed air is achieved, and compressed air is further spoiled to improve mixing uniformity, saving a mixing device and reducing pipeline arrangement.
The mixing of water, fire extinguishing agent and compressed air is achieved in a mixing chamber, saving pipeline arrangement, making the interior of the fire extinguishing equipment more compact and reducing the overall size.
Smart Images
Figure CN223183965U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of fire emergency equipment, and specifically relates to a synchronous mixing device and fire extinguishing equipment. Background Art
[0002] Compressed air foam fire extinguishing systems produce their effects by mixing a mixture of water and foam with compressed air. The quality of the sprayed mixture is directly related to the mixer structure in the pipeline. The commonly used mixer structure is to first mix water with the foam stock solution, then mix the foam mixture with compressed air, and finally inject it after the mixture is mixed with a turbulent flow.
[0003] Therefore, the traditional mixing method requires the configuration of two mixing devices connected in series and working independently. The first mixing device mixes water and foam concentrate, and the second mixing device mixes the foam mixture with compressed air, which results in a long pipeline length and an internal structure that is not compact enough, resulting in a large size of the entire fire extinguishing equipment. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide a synchronous mixing device and fire extinguishing equipment, which is used to solve the problem that the traditional mixing method configures two sets of mixing devices, resulting in an internal structure that is not compact enough, thereby causing the entire fire extinguishing equipment to be large in size.
[0005] In order to achieve the above objectives, the present application provides a first aspect of a synchronous mixing device, comprising:
[0006] The base body is provided with a conduction chamber penetrating along a first direction, one end of the conduction chamber is a first liquid inlet, and the other end is a first liquid outlet;
[0007] An internal component is arranged in the conduction chamber, with both ends of the internal component respectively sealingly cooperating with the inner wall surface of the conduction chamber and forming a first chamber and a second chamber separated from each other between the inner wall surface, and the internal component includes a first injection port, a second injection port and a mixing chamber passing through along the first direction, the first injection port communicating with the first chamber and the mixing chamber, and the second injection port communicating with the second chamber and the mixing chamber;
[0008] Wherein, the base is provided with a first external interface communicating with the first chamber and a second external interface communicating with the second chamber.
[0009] As a further improvement of the above technical solution:
[0010] In some embodiments, the mixing chamber includes a first flow guiding section, a mixing section, and a second flow guiding section along the first direction;
[0011] The inner diameter of the first guide section gradually decreases to be consistent with the inner diameter of the mixing section;
[0012] The mixing section is provided with the first injection port and the second injection port;
[0013] The inner diameter of the second guide section gradually increases.
[0014] In some embodiments, the angle between the injection direction of the first injection port and the liquid flow direction in the mixing chamber is an acute angle; and / or the angle between the injection direction of the second injection port and the liquid flow direction in the mixing chamber is an acute angle.
[0015] In some embodiments, the outer peripheral surface of the built-in component is provided with a plurality of the first injection ports and / or a plurality of the second injection ports.
[0016] In some embodiments, the first chamber and the second chamber are distributed along the first direction;
[0017] An annular protrusion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the built-in component, and a first sealing ring is provided between the annular protrusion and the inner wall surface of the conduction chamber. The first sealing ring is used to separate the first chamber and the second chamber.
[0018] In some embodiments, a second sealing ring is provided between both ends of the built-in component and the inner wall surface of the conduction chamber.
[0019] In some embodiments, the synchronous mixing device also includes a locking ring, which is provided in the conduction chamber, and the locking ring abuts against one end of the built-in component close to the first liquid inlet, and / or the locking ring abuts against one end of the built-in component close to the first liquid outlet.
[0020] In some embodiments, the base body is further provided with a third external interface communicating with the first chamber; and / or the base body is further provided with a fourth external interface communicating with the second chamber.
[0021] In some embodiments, the synchronous mixing device further comprises a transfer mixer, wherein the transfer mixer has a flow-turbulating column cavity arranged along the second direction, and the transfer mixer is further provided with a second liquid inlet and a second liquid outlet spaced apart along the second direction;
[0022] The base is arranged on the transfer mixer and is located at the second liquid inlet, and the first liquid outlet is communicated with the flow-disturbing column cavity;
[0023] The second direction intersects or is perpendicular to the first direction.
[0024] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the second aspect of the present application provides a fire extinguishing device, including the synchronous mixing device provided by the first aspect.
[0025] Compared with the prior art, this application also has the following beneficial effects:
[0026] The present application provides a synchronous mixing device and fire extinguishing equipment, wherein the synchronous mixing device forms a first chamber and a second chamber that are separated from each other between the built-in component and the conduction chamber. When used in a fire extinguishing equipment, the first liquid inlet of the base body is externally connected to a fire water pipe, and the water in the fire water pipe directly enters the mixing chamber from the first liquid inlet. The first external interface can be connected to a fire extinguishing agent supply pipeline, such as a foam fire extinguishing agent. The fire extinguishing agent then enters the mixing chamber from the first chamber and mixes with water first. The second external interface can be connected to a compressed air pipeline, and the compressed air enters the mixing chamber from the second chamber and mixes with water and the fire extinguishing agent again. The compressed air is further turbulent to make the foaming agent further foamed and mixed more evenly with the water, thereby improving the fire extinguishing effect. In this way, the synchronous mixing device provided by the present application realizes the sequential mixing of water, fire extinguishing agent and compressed air in one mixing chamber, thereby saving a mixing device and pipeline layout compared to the double-mixing device with transmission, making the internal layout of the fire extinguishing equipment more compact and reducing the size of the entire fire extinguishing equipment.
[0027] Other features and advantages of the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail in the subsequent detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] The accompanying drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the present application and constitute a part of the specification. Together with the following specific embodiments, they are used to explain the embodiments of the present application, but do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of the present application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without inventive work. In the drawings:
[0029] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the synchronous mixing device provided in Example 1 of the present application;
[0030] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Cross-sectional view along the AA axis;
[0031] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A partial enlarged schematic diagram of point B in the middle;
[0032] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the synchronous mixing device provided in Example 2 of the present application;
[0033] Figure 5 for Figure 4 The cross-sectional view of the synchronous mixing device shows the flow of the mixed liquid.
[0034] Description of Reference Numerals
[0035] 100, base; 110, first liquid inlet; 120, first liquid outlet; 130, conduction chamber; 131, first chamber; 132, second chamber; 140, first external interface; 150, second external interface; 160, third external interface; 170, fourth external interface;
[0036] 200, internal component; 210, first injection port; 220, second injection port; 230, mixing chamber; 231, first flow guide section; 232, mixing section; 233, second flow guide section; 240, annular protrusion;
[0037] 300, locking ring;
[0038] 400, first sealing ring;
[0039] 500, second sealing ring;
[0040] 600, transfer mixer; 610, flow-disturbing column cavity; 620, second liquid inlet; 630, second liquid outlet;
[0041] X, first direction; Y, second direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0042] The following describes the specific embodiments of the present application in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to illustrate and explain the present application and are not intended to limit the present application.
[0043] The present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in conjunction with exemplary embodiments.
[0044] Example 1
[0045] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 This embodiment provides a synchronous mixing device, and more particularly, a synchronous compressed air foam mixing device. The synchronous mixing device can be used in firefighting equipment to mix a fire extinguishing agent (e.g., foam or other types of fire extinguishing agents) with water, thereby improving the mixing effect and, therefore, the fire extinguishing effect.
[0046] The synchronous mixing device provided in this embodiment includes a base 100 and an internal component 200. The base 100 is provided with a conducting chamber 130 extending along a first direction X. One end of the conducting chamber 130 is a first liquid inlet 110, and the other end is a first liquid outlet 120. Thus, the first liquid inlet 110 of the base 100 can be connected to an external fire water pipeline, allowing fire water to enter through the first liquid inlet 110 and be discharged through the first liquid outlet 120.
[0047] The internal component 200 is disposed within the conduction chamber 130. The two ends of the internal component 200 are sealed against the inner wall of the conduction chamber 130, forming a first cavity 131 and a second cavity 132 that are isolated from each other. In other words, the first cavity 131 and the second cavity 132 are formed between the internal component 200 and the base 100, and are not connected to each other.
[0048] In this embodiment, the first chamber 131 and the second chamber 132 are distributed along the first direction X, and the first chamber 131 is located on a side of the second chamber 132 close to the first liquid inlet 110 , and the second chamber 132 is arranged close to the first liquid outlet 120 .
[0049] The internal component 200 includes a first injection port 210 , a second injection port 220 , and a mixing chamber 230 extending along a first direction X. The first injection port 210 and the second injection port 220 are both located on the wall of the internal component 200 and distributed along the first direction X. The first injection port 210 connects the first chamber 131 and the mixing chamber 230 , and the second injection port 220 connects the second chamber 132 and the mixing chamber 230 .
[0050] Furthermore, the base 100 is provided with a first external port 140 communicating with the first chamber 131 and a second external port 150 communicating with the second chamber 132. In this embodiment, the first external port 140 is used to connect to an external fire extinguishing agent supply pipe, and the second external port 150 is used to connect to an external compressed air supply pipe.
[0051] The synchronous mixing device provided in this embodiment forms a first chamber 131 and a second chamber 132 that are separated from each other between the built-in component 200 and the conduction chamber 130. When used in a fire extinguishing device, the first liquid inlet 110 of the base 100 is externally connected to a fire water pipe, and the water in the fire water pipe directly enters the mixing chamber 230 through the first liquid inlet 110. The first external interface 140 can be connected to a fire extinguishing agent supply pipeline, such as a foam fire extinguishing agent. The fire extinguishing agent then enters the mixing chamber 230 from the first chamber 131 and is first mixed with water. The second external interface 150 can be connected to a compressed air supply pipe. The compressed air then enters the mixing chamber 230 from the second chamber 132 and is mixed with water and the fire extinguishing agent again. The compressed air is further turbulent to cause the foaming agent to further foam and mix more evenly with the water, thereby improving the fire extinguishing effect.
[0052] Thus, compared with the prior art, the synchronous mixing device provided in this embodiment realizes the sequential mixing of water, fire extinguishing agent and compressed air in one mixing chamber 230, thereby saving a mixing device and pipeline arrangement compared with the transmission double mixing device, making the internal layout of the fire extinguishing equipment more compact and reducing the size of the entire fire extinguishing equipment.
[0053] See also Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3 In order to more clearly describe the technical solution of this application, the synchronous mixing device provided in this embodiment is described below. The details are as follows:
[0054] The mixing chamber 230 includes a first flow guiding section 231, a mixing section 232, and a second flow guiding section 233 along the first direction X. The inner diameter of the first flow guiding section 231 gradually decreases to be consistent with the inner diameter of the mixing section 232; the mixing section 232 is provided with a first injection port 210 and a second injection port 220; and the inner diameter of the second flow guiding section 233 gradually increases.
[0055] In this way, after water is injected from the first liquid inlet 110, the water pressure will increase due to the gradual reduction of the inner diameter from the first guide section 231 to the mixing section 232. Such a large water pressure can form a negative pressure at the first injection port 210 and the second injection port 220, thereby accelerating the injection amount of the first injection port 210 and the second injection port 220, and at the same time, the mixing can be accelerated under the action of high water pressure.
[0056] In some embodiments, the injection direction of the first injection port 210 forms an acute angle with the liquid flow direction in the mixing chamber 230 , that is, the injection direction of the first injection port 210 is inclined toward the first liquid outlet 120 .
[0057] In some embodiments, the angle between the injection direction of the second injection port 220 and the liquid flow direction in the mixing chamber 230 is an acute angle. In other words, the injection direction of the second injection port 220 is inclined toward the first liquid outlet 120. Figure 3 As shown, the angle is defined as C.
[0058] It can be understood that the first injection port 210 and the second injection port 220 are both inclined, and can ensure the optimal flow rate of the injected fire extinguishing agent and the injected compressed air based on flow channel mechanics analysis and pipeline pressure matching.
[0059] In some embodiments, the first injection port 210 and the second injection port 220 are both inclined, and the angle between the injection direction of the first injection port 210 and the second injection port 220 and the liquid flow direction in the mixing chamber 230 is in the range of 30° to 60°.
[0060] Optionally, the angle between the injection direction of the first injection port 210 and the second injection port 220 and the liquid flow direction in the mixing chamber 230 may be 32°, 34°, 36°, 40°, 45°, 47°, 49°, 51°, 55°, 56°, 59°, etc. It should be understood that the above is merely an example and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application.
[0061] Furthermore, the outer circumference of the inner component 200 is provided with a plurality of first injection ports 210, thereby ensuring that the fire extinguishing agent can enter from all sides of the mixing chamber 230, thereby ensuring more uniform mixing. Optionally, the plurality of first injection ports 210 are evenly distributed along the circumference of the inner component 200, ensuring more uniform entry of the fire extinguishing agent, thereby further improving the mixing effect.
[0062] In some embodiments, multiple second injection ports 220 are provided on the outer circumference of the inner component 200. This ensures that compressed air can enter the mixing chamber 230 from all sides, resulting in more uniform mixing of the fire extinguishing agent and water. Optionally, multiple second injection ports 220 are evenly distributed along the circumference of the inner component 200 to ensure more uniform compressed air entry, further enhancing the mixing effect.
[0063] In this embodiment, the first chamber 131 and the second chamber 132 are distributed along the first direction X. Specifically, an annular protrusion 240 is provided on the outer circumference of the inner component 200, and the annular protrusion 240 is located in the middle of the inner component 200. A first sealing ring 400 is provided between the annular protrusion 240 and the inner wall of the conduction chamber 130. Second sealing rings 500 are provided between the ends of the inner component 200 and the inner wall of the conduction chamber 130.
[0064] Thus, the first chamber 131 is formed between the annular protrusion 240 and the end of the inner component 200 near the first liquid inlet 110, and the second chamber 132 is formed between the annular protrusion 240 and the end of the inner component 200 near the first liquid outlet 120. The first sealing ring 400 is used to separate the first chamber 131 and the second chamber 132. The second sealing ring 500 can prevent the first chamber 131 and the second chamber 132 from leaking toward the end.
[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the synchronous mixing device also includes a locking ring 300. The locking ring 300 is provided in both the first liquid inlet and the first liquid outlet in the conduction chamber 130. The locking ring 300 located at the first liquid inlet abuts against the end of the built-in component 200 near the first liquid inlet 110. The locking ring 300 at the first liquid outlet 120 abuts against the end of the built-in component 200 near the first liquid outlet 120. In this way, the locking ring 300 can position the built-in component 200 within the conduction chamber 130 of the base 100, preventing the built-in component 200 from moving in the first direction X and rotating about the first direction X, making the entire synchronous mixing device more stable during assembly and use.
[0066] In some embodiments, the base 100 is further provided with a third external interface 160 connected to the first chamber 131. The third external interface 160 can be used as a spare hole for adding other fire extinguishing media (which can be gas or liquid media), and can also be used as a drain port after the synchronous mixing device is used to prevent the presence of fire extinguishing agent residue in the first chamber 131.
[0067] In some embodiments, the base 100 is further provided with a fourth external port 170 communicating with the second chamber 132. The fourth external port 170 can also serve as a backup port for connecting other fire extinguishing media (which can be gas or liquid) or for draining residual liquid.
[0068] Of course, in other embodiments, the third external interface 160 and the fourth external interface 170 can also be connected to external measuring devices and other instruments.
[0069] Optionally, both the base 100 and the built-in component 200 may adopt a tubular structure.
[0070] Furthermore, this embodiment also provides a fire extinguishing device, which includes a synchronous mixing device provided according to the above embodiment.
[0071] Example 2
[0072] See also Figure 2 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 This embodiment provides a synchronous mixing device. This embodiment is an improvement based on the technology of the synchronous mixing device provided in the above embodiment. Compared with the above embodiment 1, the difference is:
[0073] In this embodiment, the synchronous mixing device further includes a transfer mixer 600, which has a flow-disturbing column cavity 610 disposed therein along the second direction Y. A second liquid inlet 620 and a second liquid outlet 630 are further spaced apart on the transfer mixer 600 along the second direction Y. In other words, the second liquid inlet 620 and the second liquid outlet 630 are located on the peripheral wall of the transfer mixer 600, and the second liquid inlet 620 and the second liquid outlet 630 are respectively connected to the flow-disturbing column cavity 610 along the axis thereof.
[0074] Furthermore, the base 100 is disposed in the transfer mixer 600 and is located at the second liquid inlet 620, and the first liquid outlet 120 is communicated with the flow-turbulating column cavity 610. The second direction Y intersects or is perpendicular to the first direction X.
[0075] In some implementations, the base 100 is threadably or snap-fitted to the adapter mixer 600 .
[0076] It can be understood that water, fire extinguishing agent and compressed air are mixed in the mixing chamber 230 to form a mixed liquid, and then enter the adapter mixer 600 from the first liquid outlet 120. The internal flow channel of the adapter mixer 600 is a non-flow-conducting turbulent column cavity 610. The mixed liquid collides with the inner wall of the turbulent column cavity 610 to form turbulence, and after being stirred and mixed evenly, it enters the subsequent injection pipeline for injection fire extinguishing.
[0077] The 600-unit adapter mixer not only enhances mixing, but also eliminates the traditional right-angle elbow structure, allowing for pipe turning with a tighter radius. This structure is ideal for compact installations or small spaces. Its use in fire-fighting equipment saves installation space, making the entire system more compact and smaller in size.
[0078] It should be noted that in this application, unless otherwise specified, the terms "middle", "length", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc. used to indicate the orientation or position relationship are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, which are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do 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 this application.
[0079] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood to indicate or imply relative importance or implicitly specify the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In the description of this application, "plurality" means at least two, for example, two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.
[0080] In this application, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "installed," "connected," "connect," "fixed," etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connection, detachable connection, or integration; mechanical connection, electrical connection, or communication; direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate medium; internal communication between two elements or interaction between two elements, unless otherwise specified. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this application based on specific circumstances.
[0081] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine and combine different embodiments or examples described in this specification and features of different embodiments or examples without contradiction.
[0082] Although the embodiments of the present application have been shown and described above, it can be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and cannot be understood as limitations on the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field can change, modify, replace and modify the above embodiments within the scope of the present application.
Claims
1. A synchronous mixing device, characterized in that: include: The base (100) is provided with a conduction chamber (130) penetrating along a first direction (X), one end of the conduction chamber (130) being a first liquid inlet (110) and the other end being a first liquid outlet (120); An internal component (200) is arranged in the conduction chamber (130), with both ends of the internal component (200) respectively sealingly cooperating with the inner wall surface of the conduction chamber (130) and forming a first chamber (131) and a second chamber (132) that are isolated from each other with the inner wall surface. The internal component (200) includes a first injection port (210), a second injection port (220) and a mixing chamber (230) that passes through along the first direction (X), wherein the first injection port (210) communicates with the first chamber (131) and the mixing chamber (230), and the second injection port (220) communicates with the second chamber (132) and the mixing chamber (230); Wherein, the base body (100) is provided with a first external interface (140) communicating with the first chamber (131) and a second external interface (150) communicating with the second chamber (132).
2. The synchronous mixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mixing chamber (230) comprises a first flow guiding section (231), a mixing section (232), and a second flow guiding section (233) along the first direction (X); The inner diameter of the first flow-guiding section (231) gradually decreases to be consistent with the inner diameter of the mixing section (232); The mixing section (232) is provided with the first injection port (210) and the second injection port (220); The inner diameter of the second guide section (233) gradually increases.
3. The synchronous mixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The angle formed between the injection direction of the first injection port (210) and the flow direction of the liquid in the mixing chamber (230) is an acute angle; and / or the angle formed between the injection direction of the second injection port (220) and the flow direction of the liquid in the mixing chamber (230) is an acute angle.
4. The synchronous mixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer peripheral surface of the built-in component (200) is provided with a plurality of the first injection ports (210) and / or a plurality of the second injection ports (220).
5. The synchronous mixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first chamber (131) and the second chamber (132) are distributed along the first direction (X); An annular protrusion (240) is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the built-in component (200), and a first sealing ring (400) is provided between the annular protrusion (240) and the inner wall surface of the conduction chamber (130). The first sealing ring (400) is used to separate the first chamber (131) and the second chamber (132).
6. The synchronous mixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A second sealing ring (500) is provided between the two ends of the built-in component (200) and the inner wall surface of the conduction chamber (130).
7. The synchronous mixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The synchronous mixing device further comprises a locking retaining ring (300), the locking retaining ring (300) being provided in the conduction chamber (130), the locking retaining ring (300) being in contact with an end of the built-in component (200) close to the first liquid inlet (110), and / or the locking retaining ring (300) being in contact with an end of the built-in component (200) close to the first liquid outlet (120).
8. The synchronous mixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base (100) is further provided with a third external interface (160) communicating with the first chamber (131); and / or the base (100) is further provided with a fourth external interface (170) communicating with the second chamber (132).
9. The synchronous mixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The synchronous mixing device further comprises a transfer mixer (600), wherein the transfer mixer (600) comprises a flow-turbulating column cavity (610) arranged along a second direction (Y), and the transfer mixer (600) is further provided with a second liquid inlet (620) and a second liquid outlet (630) spaced apart along the second direction (Y); The base (100) is arranged on the transfer mixer (600) and is located at the second liquid inlet (620), and the first liquid outlet (120) is communicated with the flow-disturbing column cavity (610); The second direction (Y) intersects or is perpendicular to the first direction (X).
10. A fire extinguishing device, characterized in that: The invention comprises a synchronous mixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.