Actuating mechanism
By designing an actuator that includes a housing, a plug assembly, and a rod, the problem of low efficiency in fire-fighting medium spraying is solved, achieving the effect of the medium directly destroying obstacles and spraying to the designated location, thus improving the efficiency of fire-fighting operations.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-31
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-03
AI Technical Summary
In firefighting operations, the efficiency of spraying fire extinguishing agents to designated locations is low, especially when fires occur inside buildings. Due to obstructions, both destructive actuators and handheld water guns need to be operated, resulting in low operational efficiency.
An actuator was designed, including a housing, a plug assembly, a rod, and an impactor. The plug assembly drives the rod and the impactor to move, and the impactor destroys distant obstructions. The medium is then sprayed directly to the designated location through the medium channel, reducing the need for manual operation of the water gun.
It improves the efficiency of firefighting operations, reduces personnel operation steps, enhances fire extinguishing effect, and enables the direct spraying of media to designated locations.
Smart Images

Figure CN224071040U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of fire protection, and in particular to an actuator. Background Technology
[0002] In the field of fire protection, fire extinguishing agents need to be sprayed onto the location of the fire. The fire source is often indoors. In some cases, such as when firefighters are carrying out firefighting operations outside a burning building, obstructions such as walls and glass between the firefighters and the fire source can prevent the fire extinguishing agents from being sprayed to the designated location.
[0003] In some technologies, a destructive actuator is used to break down an obstacle, and then a water spray gun is used to spray water to a designated location. Often, the destructive actuator and the water spray gun are two different devices. After firefighters operate the destructive actuator, other firefighters need to use handheld water spray guns to carry out firefighting operations, which reduces the efficiency of the operation. Utility Model Content
[0004] This utility model provides an actuator to solve the above problems:
[0005] An actuator includes a housing and a moving component. The moving component includes a plug assembly, a rod, and an impactor. The actuator includes a cavity, the wall of which includes a portion of the inner wall of the housing and a portion of the wall of the moving component. The plug assembly is slidable along the inner wall of the housing in the direction of movement of the plug assembly. The rod has a fifth end and a sixth end, the fifth end being closer to the plug assembly than the sixth end. The plug assembly and the fifth end are connected or integrally formed. The impactor is connected or integrally formed with the rod and is located outside the cavity. The actuator includes a medium channel, at least a portion of the wall of the medium channel is limited or fixedly disposed with the housing.
[0006] Such an actuator, through the connection or integral structure of the impact part and the rod, and the connection or integral structure of the plug assembly and the fifth end, the plug assembly can slide along the inner wall of the housing, so that the plug assembly drives the rod and the impact part to move. The impact part is located outside the cavity, so that the impact part can destroy distant obstacles. The actuator includes a medium channel, and at least a part of the wall corresponding to the medium channel is limited or fixed to the housing, thereby improving the work efficiency. Attached Figure Description
[0007] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the actuator in one embodiment;
[0008] Figure 2 for Figure 1 An enlarged view of area A in the overall schematic diagram of the actuator;
[0009] Figure 3 for Figure 1 An enlarged view of area B in the overall schematic diagram of the actuator;
[0010] Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the actuator in another embodiment.
[0011] Figure label:
[0012] The shell 1, main body 11, first end 12, fourth hole 121, mating part 122, first end face 1221, second end face 1222, second end 13, third hole 131;
[0013] Moving component 2, plug assembly 21, piston head 20, first sealing part 011, first hole 211, rod 22, fifth hole 221, fifth end 222, sixth end 223, second hole 225, impact part 226;
[0014] Cavity 3; First channel 4; Second channel 5; Medium channel 6, First port 61, Second port 62;
[0015] Conveying section 7, third channel 71, first trough 72, second trough 73, third end 74, fourth end 75;
[0016] First retaining ring 8, second retaining ring 9, support sleeve 010, hole 012. Detailed Implementation
[0017] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model.
[0018] The technical solution of the specific embodiments is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings:
[0019] In this utility model, see Figures 1-4 The actuator includes a housing 1 and a moving component 2. The moving component 2 includes a plug component 21 and a rod 22. The plug component 21 and the rod 22 are connected or are an integral structure. The actuator includes a cavity 3. The wall of the cavity 3 includes a portion of the inner wall of the housing 1 and a portion of the wall of the moving component 2. The plug component 21 can slide along the inner wall of the housing 1.
[0020] Specifically, the plug assembly includes a piston head 20 and a first sealing part 011. The first sealing part and the piston head are positioned to limit each other, and the first sealing part is located between the wall of the piston head and the inner wall of the housing. The actuator includes a first channel 4 and a second channel 5, which are respectively connected to the cavity 3. The first channel 4 and the second channel 5 can be air passages. During the movement of the plug assembly 21, the first sealing part 011 slides against the inner wall of the housing 1 to seal the gap between the piston head and the inner wall of the housing 1. The first sealing part 011 isolates the first channel connected to the cavity 3. Channel 4 and second channel 5; defined, the first direction is the direction in which the length of the rod 22 extending out of the shell 1 gradually increases during the movement of the plug assembly 21; gas enters the cavity 3 through the first channel 4, acts on one side of the plug assembly 21, and pushes the plug assembly 21 to move in the first direction, while the gas on the other side of the plug assembly 21 is discharged out of the cavity 3 through the second channel 5; gas enters the cavity 3 through the second channel 5, acts on one side of the plug assembly 21, and pushes the plug assembly 21 to move in the opposite direction of the first direction, while the gas on the other side of the plug assembly 21 is discharged out of the cavity 3 through the first channel 4.
[0021] It should be noted that: cavity 3 is a region enclosed by multiple walls. The walls corresponding to cavity 3 include the inner wall of housing 1 and the wall of moving component 2. The sealing between cavity 3 and the outside of housing is achieved by a sealing component.
[0022] Along the moving direction of the plug assembly 21, the rod has a fifth end 222 and a sixth end 223. The fifth end 222 is closer to the plug assembly than the sixth end (223). The plug assembly 21 and the fifth end 222 are connected or integrally formed. The impact part 226 is connected or integrally formed with the rod. Specifically, the sixth end 223 is connected or integrally formed. The impact part 226 is located outside the cavity 3. The actuator includes a medium channel 6. At least a portion of the wall corresponding to the medium channel 6 is limited or fixedly set with the housing 1.
[0023] Such an actuator, through the connection or integral structure of the impact part and the rod, and the connection or integral structure of the plug assembly and the fifth end, allows the plug assembly to slide along the inner wall of the housing, enabling the plug assembly to drive the rod and the impact part to move. The impact part is located outside the cavity, enabling the impact part to destroy distant obstacles. Furthermore, the actuator includes a medium channel, with at least a portion of the wall corresponding to the medium channel being limited or fixed to the housing. Compared to the prior art, this reduces the operator's work with handheld water guns, improves the personnel utilization rate at fire scene operations, and enhances fire extinguishing efficiency.
[0024] In one embodiment, reference Figures 1-3The housing 1 includes a main body 11, the inner wall of which extends along the extending direction of the plug assembly 21. The plug assembly 21 is located inside the main body 11 and is slidable along the inner wall of the housing 1. The portion of the wall corresponding to the medium channel 6 is located inside the main body 11. This facilitates the miniaturization of the actuator.
[0025] Specifically, the housing 1 includes a main body 11, the inner wall of the main body 11 extends along the moving direction of the plug assembly 21, the plug assembly 21 is located inside the main body 11, the plug assembly 21 includes a piston head and a first sealing part 011, the first sealing part and the piston head are limited and positioned, along the radial direction of the plug assembly 21, the first sealing part is located between the wall of the piston head and the inner wall of the main body 11, during the movement of the plug assembly 21, the first sealing part 011 and the inner wall of the main body 11 slide together to seal the gap between the piston head and the main body 11, the first sealing part 011 isolates the first channel 4 and the second channel 5 that are respectively connected to the cavity 3.
[0026] The housing 1 also includes a first end 12 and a second end 13, which can be covers. In the moving direction of the plug assembly 21, they are located at both ends of the main body 11, respectively. Specifically, the second end 13 is located in the first direction of the first end 12. Along the moving direction of the plug assembly 21, the plug assembly 21 can move closer to or away from the first end 12, and the plug assembly 21 can move closer to or away from the second end 13. In this embodiment, the first end 12 and the main body 11 are separate structures, and the second end 13 and the main body 11 are separate structures. The first end 12 and the main body 11 are limited or fixed, and the second end 13 and the main body 11 are limited or fixed. In other embodiments, one of the first end 12 and the second end 13 is integral with the main body 11, and the other of the first end 12 and the second end 13 is a separate mechanism from the main body 11. This will not be elaborated here.
[0027] The second end 13 has a third hole 131. Along the extension direction of the rod 22, one end of the rod 22 is connected to or integrally formed with the plug assembly 21. A portion of the rod 22 is located in the third hole 131, and the wall portion corresponding to the third hole 131 provides support for the rod 22. The wall portion corresponding to the third hole 131 and the rod 22 can be in direct contact, i.e., the wall portion corresponding to the third hole 131 provides support for the rod 22; or the wall portion corresponding to the third hole 131 and the rod 22 can be in indirect contact. For example, the actuator includes a support sleeve 010, which is located between the outer wall of the rod 22 and the inner wall of the third hole 131. In this case, the inner wall of the third hole 131 indirectly provides support for the rod 22.
[0028] Of course, the support sleeve 010 can also reduce friction and improve wear resistance. For example, in the field of fire protection, to meet performance requirements, the rod 22 needs to extend a considerable distance from the housing 1 during the movement of the plug assembly 21, resulting in a larger wear area for the rod 22 and necessitating improved wear resistance. For instance, the support sleeve 010 and the wall corresponding to the third hole 131 are designed to limit the movement of the rod 22 through the support sleeve 010. During the movement of the plug assembly 21, the inner wall of the support sleeve 010 and the rod 22 slide against each other. More specifically, the support sleeve 010 is made of wear-resistant materials, such as graphite, which contacts the outer wall of the rod 22, thus improving wear resistance.
[0029] The first end portion 12 has a fourth hole 121. The actuator includes a conveying part 7, a portion of which is located in the fourth hole 121. The wall portion corresponding to the fourth hole 121 provides support for the conveying part 7. Specifically, the first end portion 12 includes a mating part 122, with the fourth hole 121 located within it. The conveying part 7 and the mating part 122 are mutually restrictive. More specifically, the fourth hole 121 is a through hole. The mating part 122 includes a first end portion 1221. Along the moving direction of the plug assembly 21, the first end portion 1221 is located on the side of the mating part 122 away from the plug assembly 21. The conveying part 7 has a first groove 72. The actuator includes a first retaining spring 8, which is located within the first groove 72 and abuts against the first end portion 1221. This restricts the degree of freedom of the conveying part 7 in one direction of the moving direction of the plug assembly 21. More specifically, the mating part 122 includes a second end portion 1222 located on the side of the mating part 122 closer to the plug assembly 21. The conveying part 7 has a second groove 73. The actuator includes a second retaining ring 9, which is located in the second groove 73 and abuts against the second end portion 1222. Along the moving direction of the plug assembly 21, at least a portion of the mating part 122 is located between the first retaining ring 8 and the second retaining ring 9. This restricts the degree of freedom of the conveying part 7 in another direction of the moving direction of the plug assembly 21, thus achieving a limiting setting between the conveying part 7 and the first end portion 12. A seal (not shown in the figure) is provided between the conveying part 7 and the wall portion corresponding to the fourth hole 121. This achieves a static seal between the first end portion 12 and the conveying part 7, resulting in a better sealing effect between the cavity 3 and the external space of the housing.
[0030] The moving component 2 includes a hole 012, at least a portion of which corresponds to the inner wall of the hole 012 extends along the moving direction of the plug assembly 21. At least a portion of the conveying part 7 is located in the hole corresponding to the hole 012 and extends along the moving direction of the plug assembly 21. At least a portion of the conveying part 7 and the inner wall corresponding to the hole 012 provide support and cooperation. Thus, the conveying part 7 supports the inner wall of the hole 012, i.e., the conveying part 7 supports the plug assembly 21. The conveying part 7 has a third channel 71, which is connected to the hole corresponding to the hole 012. The medium channel 6 includes the portion of the third channel 71 and the hole corresponding to the hole 012. The medium in the medium channel 6 passes through the medium channel 6, i.e., at least a portion of the third channel 71 and the hole corresponding to the hole 012. Thus, at least a portion of the wall corresponding to the medium channel 6 is located inside the main body 11, which is beneficial for miniaturization of the actuator.
[0031] In the direction of movement of the plug assembly 21, there are a first stroke position and a second stroke position. The dimension of the extension direction of the rod 22 is the length dimension. It is defined that when the rod 22 is in the first stroke position, the length dimension of the part of the rod 22 outside the cavity 3 is the largest, and when the rod 22 is in the second stroke position, the length dimension of the rod 22 outside the cavity 3 is the smallest. The holes corresponding to the orifice include a first hole 211 and a second hole 225. The inner walls of the first hole 211 and the second hole 225 extend along the moving direction of the plug assembly 21. The first hole 211 is located in the plug assembly 21, and the second hole 225 is located in the rod 22. The first hole 211 and the second hole 225 are connected. More specifically, the first hole 211 is a through hole. The conveying part 7 passes through the first hole 211. When the rod 22 is in the second stroke position, part of the conveying part 7 is located in the second hole 225. Along the moving direction of the plug assembly 21, one end of the conveying part 7 is located in the second hole 225. The conveying part 7 provides support for part of the rod 22. If the length dimension of the rod 22 is too large, the rod 22 will deform under the action of gravity. The conveying part 7 provides support for the rod 22, reduces the deformation of the rod 22, and improves the smoothness of the moving assembly 2 during the movement process.
[0032] Furthermore, when the rod 22 is in the second stroke position, part of the conveying part 7 is located inside the second hole 225. Part of the rod 22 and part of the conveying part 7 are stacked in the thickness direction of the rod 22. The conveying part 7 and the housing 1 are limited. Part of the conveying part 7 is located outside the second hole 225. The conveying part 7 and the housing 1 are limited. During the movement of the rod 22 from the second stroke position to the first stroke position, the rod 22 and the conveying part 7 move relative to each other in the moving direction of the plug assembly 21. The length dimension of the rod 22 outside the cavity 3 increases, and the length dimension of the stacked part of the rod 22 and the conveying part 7 in the thickness direction of the rod 22 decreases. The length dimension of the medium channel 6 increases, and the medium has a longer medium channel. When the actuator is far from the fire source, it is more convenient to transport the medium to the designated location.
[0033] The medium channel 6 includes a first port 61 and a second port 62, which are connected. The first port 61 is located in the conveying section 7, and the second port 62 is located in the rod 22 and outside the cavity 3. Specifically, the second hole 225 is a through hole, and the wall corresponding to the second hole 225 extends along the moving direction of the plug assembly 21. The rod 22 is a hollow tube. The conveying section 7 has a third channel 71, which is a through hole. The first port 61 and the second port 62 are the ports of the medium channel 6. The medium enters the medium channel 6 from the first port 61 and flows out of the medium channel 6 from the second port 62. Along the moving direction of the plug assembly 21, the conveying section 7 has a third end 74 and a fourth end 75. The fourth end 75 is closer to the sixth end 223 than the third end 74. The sixth end 223 is located in the first direction of the fifth end 222, and the fourth end 75 is located in the first direction of the third end 74. The first port 61 is located in the third end 74, and the second port 62 is located in the sixth end 223. This ensures that the wall portion corresponding to the third channel has the highest utilization rate on rod 22.
[0034] More specifically, the fourth hole is a through hole, which enables the first port 61 to communicate with the external space of the actuator, facilitating the delivery of fire extinguishing medium from the outside of the actuator to the medium channel.
[0035] More specifically, the impact section includes a fifth hole 221, which is connected to the outside of the actuator, and the fifth hole 221 is connected to the second port 62. Thus, after the impact section 226 breaks through the obstruction, the medium passes through the medium channel 6 and the fifth hole 221 to the outside of the actuator.
[0036] Such an actuator is connected or integrated with the impact part 226 and the sixth end 223. The second port 62 is located at the sixth end 223. The second port is a port of the third channel. When the plug assembly moves from the second stroke position to the first stroke position, the impact part destroys the obstruction in the process. When the plug assembly is in the first stroke position, the impact part is closer to the fire source, and the port of the third channel is closer to the fire source. At this time, by maintaining the position of the plug assembly, the medium passes through the third channel and directly enters the space corresponding to the impact part. It then passes through the fifth hole to the outside of the actuator to carry out the operation, which can better ensure that the medium is sprayed to the designated location and realize the fire fighting operation.
[0037] In one embodiment, see Figure 4 The housing 1 includes a main body 11, the inner wall of the main body 11 extends along the moving direction of the plug assembly 21, the plug assembly 21 is located inside the main body 11 and the plug assembly 21 is slidable along the inner wall of the main body 11, and at least a portion of the wall corresponding to the medium channel 6 is located outside the main body 11.
[0038] The portion of the wall corresponding to the medium channel 6 is placed inside the main body 11. A sealing component must be provided between the wall corresponding to the medium channel 6 and the wall corresponding to the cavity 3 to achieve isolation between the medium channel 6 and the cavity 3. In this embodiment, the portion of the wall corresponding to the medium channel 6 is located outside the main body 11, eliminating the risk of leakage between the medium channel 6 and the cavity 3, and making the structure more stable.
[0039] More specifically, the wall of the medium channel 6 can be tubular, and the wall of the medium channel 6 and the outer wall of the main body 11 are limited or fixed. For example, the pipeline corresponding to the medium channel can be fixed on the shell by welding or other fixing methods.
Claims
1. An actuator, characterized in that, The actuator includes a housing (1) and a moving assembly (2). The moving assembly (2) includes a plug assembly (21), a rod (22), and an impact part (226). The actuator includes a cavity (3). The wall of the cavity (3) includes at least a portion of the inner wall of the housing (1) and a portion of the wall of the moving assembly (2). The plug assembly (21) is slidable along the inner wall of the housing (1). Along the moving direction of the plug assembly (21), the rod has a fifth end (222) and a second end (226). The sixth end (223) is closer to the plug assembly (21) than the sixth end (223). The plug assembly (21) and the fifth end (222) are connected or integral. The impact part (226) and the rod (22) are connected or integral. The impact part (226) is located outside the cavity (3). The actuator includes a medium channel (6). At least a portion of the wall of the medium channel (6) is limited or fixed to the housing (1).
2. The actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing (1) includes a main body (11), the inner wall of which extends along the moving direction of the plug assembly (21), the plug assembly (21) being located inside the main body (11) and being slidable along the inner wall of the main body (11), and at least a portion of the wall corresponding to the medium channel (6) being located inside the main body (11).
3. The actuator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The moving component (2) includes a hole (012) at least a portion of the inner wall of the hole (012) extending along the moving direction of the plug assembly (21). The actuator includes a conveying part (7) a portion of which is located in the hole corresponding to the hole (012) and extends along the moving direction of the plug assembly (21). The conveying part (7) has a third channel (71) that is connected to the hole corresponding to the hole (012). The medium channel (6) includes the portion of the third channel (71) and the portion of the hole corresponding to the hole (012).
4. The actuator according to claim 3, characterized in that, The medium channel (6) includes a first port (61) and a second port (62). The first port (61) and the second port (62) are two ports of the medium channel (6). The first port (61) is located in the conveying part (7), the second port (62) is located in the rod body (22), and the second port (62) is located outside the cavity (3).
5. The actuator according to claim 4, characterized in that, The conveying section (7) extends along the moving direction of the plug assembly (21), the conveying section (7) has a third end (74) and a fourth end (75), the fourth end (75) being close to the sixth end (223) relative to the third end (74), the first port (61) being located at the third end (74), and the second port (62) being located at the sixth end (223).
6. The actuator according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The impact part is located at the sixth end, and the impact part (226) includes a fifth hole (221), which is connected to the outside of the actuator, and the fifth hole (221) is connected to the second port (62).
7. The actuator according to claim 3, characterized in that, The housing (1) includes a first end (12) along the moving direction of the plug assembly (21), the plug assembly (21) being able to approach or move away from the first end (12), the first end (12) having a fourth hole (121), a portion of the conveying part (7) being located in the fourth hole (121), the first end (12) and the conveying part (7) being positioned in a limiting manner.
8. The actuator according to claim 4, characterized in that, The housing (1) includes a first end (12) along the moving direction of the plug assembly (21), the plug assembly (21) being able to approach or move away from the first end (12), the first end (12) having a fourth hole (121), a portion of the conveying part (7) being located in the fourth hole (121), the first end (12) and the conveying part (7) being positioned in a limiting manner.
9. The actuator according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first end portion (12) includes a mating portion (122), the fourth hole (121) is located in the mating portion (122), the conveying portion (7) and the mating portion (122) are limitedly disposed, the mating portion (122) includes a first end portion (1221), along the moving direction of the plug assembly (21), the first end portion (1221) is located on the side of the mating portion (122) away from the plug assembly (21), the conveying portion (7) has a first groove portion (72), the actuator includes a first retaining ring (8), the first retaining ring (8) is limited in the first groove portion (72), and the first retaining ring (8) abuts against the first end portion (1221).
10. The actuator according to claim 3, characterized in that, The plug assembly (21) has a first stroke position and a second stroke position along its moving direction. The moving direction of the plug assembly (21) is defined as the length direction. When the rod (22) is in the second stroke position, the length dimension of the part of the rod (22) outside the cavity (3) is the smallest. When it is in the first stroke position, the length dimension of the part of the rod (22) outside the cavity (3) is the largest. The holes corresponding to the hole (012) include a first hole (211) and a second hole (225). The inner walls corresponding to the first hole (211) and the second hole (225) extend along the moving direction of the plug assembly (21). The first hole (211) is located in the plug assembly (21), and the second hole (225) is located in the rod (22). When the rod (22) is located in the second stroke position, a portion of the conveying part (7) is located in the second hole (225). A portion of the rod (22) and a portion of the conveying part (7) are stacked in the thickness direction of the rod (22). The conveying part (7) and the housing (1) are limited.
11. The actuator according to claim 6, characterized in that, The plug assembly (21) has a first stroke position and a second stroke position along its moving direction. The moving direction of the plug assembly (21) is defined as the length direction. When the rod (22) is in the second stroke position, the length dimension of the part of the rod (22) outside the cavity (3) is the smallest. When it is in the first stroke position, the length dimension of the part of the rod (22) outside the cavity (3) is the largest. The holes corresponding to the hole (012) include a first hole (211) and a second hole (225). The inner walls corresponding to the first hole (211) and the second hole (225) extend along the moving direction of the plug assembly (21). The first hole (211) is located in the plug assembly (21), and the second hole (225) is located in the rod (22). When the rod (22) is located in the second stroke position, a portion of the conveying part (7) is located in the second hole (225). A portion of the rod (22) and a portion of the conveying part (7) are stacked in the thickness direction of the rod (22). The conveying part (7) and the housing (1) are limited.
12. The actuator according to any one of claims 4 to 5, 7 to 9, characterized in that, The plug assembly (21) has a first stroke position and a second stroke position along its moving direction. The moving direction of the plug assembly (21) is defined as the length direction. When the rod (22) is in the second stroke position, the length dimension of the part of the rod (22) outside the cavity (3) is the smallest. When it is in the first stroke position, the length dimension of the part of the rod (22) outside the cavity (3) is the largest. The holes corresponding to the hole (012) include a first hole (211) and a second hole (225). The inner walls corresponding to the first hole (211) and the second hole (225) extend along the moving direction of the plug assembly (21). The first hole (211) is located in the plug assembly (21), and the second hole (225) is located in the rod (22). When the rod (22) is located in the second stroke position, a portion of the conveying part (7) is located in the second hole (225). A portion of the rod (22) and a portion of the conveying part (7) are stacked in the thickness direction of the rod (22). The conveying part (7) and the housing (1) are limited.
13. The actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing (1) includes a main body (11), the inner wall of which extends along the extension direction of the plug assembly (21), the plug assembly (21) being located inside the main body (11) and being slidable along the inner wall of the main body (11), and the wall corresponding to the medium channel (6) being located outside the main body (11).