Air conditioning drain pump outlet assembly

Abstract

This utility model provides a water outlet assembly for an air conditioner drain pump, belonging to the field of water pump technology. It solves the problem of unstable structure in existing water outlet assemblies. In this air conditioner drain pump water outlet assembly, the drain pump includes a housing and a cover plate horizontally positioned on top of the housing. A volute is fixed inside the housing. The water outlet assembly includes a bent pipe fixed inside the housing, one end of which connects to the outlet of the volute. A pipe joint and a connecting sleeve are vertically formed on the top wall of the cover plate, and the cover plate, pipe joint, and connecting sleeve are an integral structure. The connecting sleeve is fitted over the pipe joint, with an annular gap between them. The inner hole of the pipe joint penetrates the cover plate, and the other end of the bent pipe faces the inner hole of the pipe joint. The other end of the bent pipe is sealed to the bottom wall of the cover plate by means of an annular sealing element, so that the inner hole of the bent pipe connects to the inner hole of the pipe joint. This air conditioner drain pump water outlet assembly has a stable structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of water pump technology, and relates to an air conditioner drain pump, and more particularly to an air conditioner drain pump outlet component. Background Technology

[0002] Air conditioning drain pumps are mainly used to remove condensate from air conditioning systems, ensuring the normal operation of air conditioning and a dry indoor environment.

[0003] An existing drainage pump structure, such as the drainage pump outlet connector and its air conditioning drainage pump disclosed in the Chinese Patent Database (application number: 202222436107.3), includes a connector seat connected to the drainage pump outlet; a first connector is connected to the connector seat; a second connector is arranged around the first connector; the first connector is located in the middle of the connector seat for counterweight and cooperates with the second connector for dual use with outlet pipes of different diameters; an installation block is provided on one side of the connector seat, and a locking block is provided in the middle of the top surface of the installation block; a housing, a cover is snapped onto the housing, a water inlet is provided on one side of the housing, a mounting groove is provided on the cover, and a water outlet is provided in the mounting groove; at least one positioning block is provided in the mounting groove for the water outlet, and a locking groove is provided in the positioning block for snapping onto the installation block.

[0004] The aforementioned water outlet connector is positioned by the mounting block snapping into the snap-fit ​​groove on the tank. When the water outlet connector is connected to the water pipe, if too much force is applied, the water outlet connector may rotate, which may even cause the water outlet connector to separate from the tank. In this case, it is necessary to readjust or reinstall the water outlet connector, which will affect its use. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to address the aforementioned problems in existing technologies by proposing a structurally stable air conditioning drain pump outlet assembly.

[0006] The purpose of this utility model can be achieved through the following technical solution: an air conditioner drain pump water outlet assembly, the drain pump includes a box body and a cover plate horizontally set on the top of the box body, and a volute is fixed inside the box body. The water outlet assembly includes a bent pipe fixed inside the box body, one end of the bent pipe is connected to the outlet of the volute. The feature is that a pipe joint and a connecting sleeve are vertically formed on the top wall of the cover plate, and the cover plate, the pipe joint and the connecting sleeve are an integral structure; the connecting sleeve is fitted outside the pipe joint and there is an annular gap between the two; the inner hole of the pipe joint penetrates the cover plate, the other end of the bent pipe is directly opposite the inner hole of the pipe joint, and the other end of the bent pipe is sealed with the bottom wall of the cover plate by means of an annular sealing element so that the inner hole of the bent pipe is connected to the inner hole of the pipe joint.

[0007] When in use, the drainage pump can be connected to water pipes of different sizes by means of pipe fittings, annular gaps and connecting sleeves, making it highly practical.

[0008] The cover plate, pipe fitting, and connecting sleeve are designed as a whole, and the connecting structure of the bend and pipe fitting is hidden under the cover plate. This effectively prevents the water outlet component from separating under external force, and has the advantages of structural stability and stable operation.

[0009] In the aforementioned air conditioning drain pump outlet assembly, a one-way mechanism is provided between the bend and the pipe joint to allow unidirectional flow between them. The direction of flow of the one-way mechanism is consistent with the direction in which water flows from the bend into the pipe joint. This one-way mechanism prevents high-pressure water backflow and impact, thereby improving the lifespan and operational stability of the drain pump.

[0010] In the aforementioned air conditioning drain pump outlet assembly, the elbow consists of a bent body and a connecting pipe. One end of the bent body connects to the volute outlet, and the connecting pipe is vertically positioned. The lower end of the connecting pipe is inserted into the other end of the bent body, forming a seal between them. The connecting pipe can slide up and down relative to the bent body and is locked by a positioning structure. The aforementioned sealing element is located at the upper end of the connecting pipe, and a one-way mechanism is located between the upper end of the connecting pipe and the pipe joint. The ability of the connecting pipe to slide up and down allows for adjustment of its height, facilitating debugging and reducing design and assembly complexity.

[0011] In the aforementioned air conditioning drain pump outlet assembly, the one-way mechanism is a duckbill one-way valve vertically installed inside the pipe joint, and the duckbill one-way valve is made of silicone or rubber material. The lower end of the duckbill one-way valve is the water inlet end, and the outer wall of the water inlet end has an annular sealing seat. The sealing seat and the connecting pipe are coaxially arranged, and the sealing element is the aforementioned sealing seat, which is clamped and positioned on the top wall of the connecting pipe and the bottom wall of the cover plate. The duckbill one-way valve serves both a one-way flow function and a sealing function for the connection between the connecting pipe and the cover plate, achieving a dual-purpose effect. This simplifies the structure and facilitates assembly.

[0012] In the aforementioned air conditioning drain pump outlet assembly, a guide ring is vertically formed on the top wall of the connecting pipe, which matches the inner hole of the inlet end. The guide ring is inserted into the inlet end to support the side wall of the inlet end, allowing water to flow smoothly into the duckbill check valve and outward.

[0013] In the aforementioned air conditioning drain pump outlet assembly, a retaining ring matching the sealing seat is vertically formed on the top wall of the connecting pipe. The retaining ring is coaxially arranged with the connecting pipe, and the sealing seat is located inside the retaining ring. With the cooperation of the retaining ring and the guide ring, a stable pre-connection is formed between the connecting pipe and the duckbill check valve, further facilitating assembly.

[0014] In the aforementioned air conditioning drain pump outlet assembly, an annular sealing part is formed on the outer wall of the inlet end, and the sealing part and the inlet end are coaxially arranged. The outer wall of the sealing part contacts and seals with the inner wall of the pipe joint to enhance the sealing performance between the duckbill check valve and the pipe joint, prevent water leakage, and ensure stable operation of the drain pump.

[0015] In the aforementioned air conditioning drain pump outlet assembly, the positioning structure includes an external thread formed on the outer wall of the lower end of the connecting pipe, and an internal thread correspondingly provided on the other end of the bent body. The connecting pipe is threadedly connected to the bent body to facilitate the adjustment of the connecting pipe position and further facilitate assembly.

[0016] In the above-mentioned air conditioning drain pump outlet assembly, a stop block is formed on the upper outer wall of the connecting pipe. The stop block presses against the bottom wall of the cover plate, and the stop block is fixed to the cover plate by vertically set bolts to restrict the connecting pipe in the axial direction, so as to ensure the structural stability and stable operation of the outlet assembly.

[0017] In the aforementioned air conditioning drain pump outlet assembly, the cover plate, pipe joint, and connecting sleeve are integrally molded by injection molding to facilitate processing.

[0018] In the aforementioned air conditioner drain pump outlet assembly, protrusions are formed on both opposite sides of the housing, and horizontally arranged strip grooves are provided on the protrusions; the housing body is provided with buckles made of elastic material, the number of buckles and strip grooves are the same and their positions correspond one-to-one; the buckles are L-shaped, the upper end of the buckle passes through the corresponding strip groove, and the lower end of the buckle has a vertically penetrating hoisting hole; the upper end of the buckle has a through groove that runs along the thickness direction of the buckle, a limiting strip is formed in the through groove, the upper end of the limiting strip extends to the top surface of the through groove, the lower end of the limiting strip is a free end, the lower end of the limiting strip is inclined and can press against the top surface of the protrusion to restrict the buckle from moving downward and prevent the buckle from separating from the protrusion.

[0019] Compared with existing technologies, the water outlet assembly of this air conditioning drain pump has the following advantages: 1. The cover plate, pipe fitting, and connecting sleeve are designed as a whole, and the connecting structure of the bend and pipe fitting is hidden under the cover plate. This can effectively prevent the water outlet component from separating under external force, and has the advantages of structural stability and stable operation.

[0020] 2. The duckbill check valve serves both as a one-way flow valve and a seal valve for connecting the pipe and the cover plate, achieving a dual function in one device. This simplifies the structure and facilitates assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the water outlet assembly of the air conditioner drain pump.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the installation of the clips.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the water outlet assembly of the air conditioner drain pump.

[0024] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Enlarged diagram of point A in the middle.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a 3D schematic diagram of the connecting pipe.

[0026] In the diagram, 1. Box body; 1a. Protrusion; 1b. Strip groove; 2. Cover plate; 2a. Insertion part; 2b. Pipe joint; 2c. Connecting sleeve; 2d. Annular gap; 3. Volute; 4. Bend; 4a. Bend body; 4b. Connecting pipe; 4b1. Stop block; 4b2. Guide ring; 4b3. Retaining ring; 5. Duckbill check valve; 5a. Sealing seat; 5b. Sealing part; 6. Buckle; 6a. Lifting hole; 6b. Through groove; 6c. Limiting strip. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The following are specific embodiments of the present invention, which are described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0028] Example 1: As Figure 1 As shown, in this air conditioner drain pump outlet assembly, the drain pump includes a housing 1 with its opening facing upwards, a horizontally positioned cover plate 2, and a volute 3 fixed inside the housing 1. The cover plate 2 presses against the top wall of the housing 1, and the housing 1 is secured to the cover plate 2 by vertically positioned screws on all four sides. Further, the bottom wall of the cover plate 2 extends downwards to form an annular insertion portion 2a, which is coaxially arranged with the cover plate 2. The shape and size of the insertion portion 2a match the upper end of the housing 1, and the insertion portion 2a is inserted into the upper end of the housing 1 for positioning and installation of the cover plate 2, facilitating assembly of the cover plate 2 and the housing 1.

[0029] The drain pump assembly for this air conditioner includes a bent pipe 4 fixed inside the housing 1, with one end of the bent pipe 4 connected to the outlet of the volute 3. For example... Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, a pipe joint 2b and a connecting sleeve 2c are vertically formed on the top wall of the cover plate 2. The cover plate 2, the pipe joint 2b and the connecting sleeve 2c are an integral structure. Preferably, the cover plate 2, the pipe joint 2b and the connecting sleeve 2c are integrally formed by injection molding. Of course, it is also possible to form them by machining.

[0030] like Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the connecting sleeve 2c is fitted over the pipe joint 2b, and there is an annular gap 2d between the connecting sleeve 2c and the pipe joint 2b. The annular gap 2d and the connecting sleeve 2c are coaxially arranged, and preferably the upper end of the pipe joint 2b extends out of the connecting sleeve 2c. The inner hole of the pipe joint 2b penetrates the cover plate 2, and the other end of the bend 4 is directly opposite the inner hole of the pipe joint 2b. The other end of the bend 4 is sealed to the bottom wall of the cover plate 2 by means of an annular sealing element so that the inner hole of the bend 4 communicates with the inner hole of the pipe joint 2b.

[0031] In use, with the help of pipe fitting 2b, annular gap 2d and connecting sleeve 2c, one end of the water pipe is fitted into pipe fitting 2b, or into connecting sleeve 2c or inserted into annular gap 2d. This allows the drain pump to be connected to water pipes of different sizes, making it highly practical.

[0032] The cover plate 2, pipe joint 2b and connecting sleeve 2c are designed as a whole, and the connection structure between the bend 4 and the pipe joint 2b is hidden under the cover plate 2. This can effectively prevent the water outlet component from separating under external force, and has the advantages of structural stability and stable operation.

[0033] To further explain, a one-way mechanism is provided between the bend 4 and the pipe joint 2b to allow unidirectional flow between them, and the direction of flow of the one-way mechanism is consistent with the direction in which water flows from the bend 4 into the pipe joint 2b. This one-way mechanism prevents high-pressure water backflow and impact, thereby improving the lifespan and operational stability of the drainage pump.

[0034] In this embodiment, like Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the specific structure of the bend 4 is as follows: The bend 4 consists of a bent body 4a and a connecting pipe 4b, and preferably the bend 4 is approximately L-shaped. One end of the bent body 4a is connected to the outlet of the volute 3, and the connecting pipe 4b is vertically arranged, with its lower end inserted into the other end of the bent body 4a, forming a seal between them. The connecting pipe 4b can slide up and down relative to the bent body 4a, and is locked by a positioning structure. A sealing element is located at the upper end of the connecting pipe 4b, and a one-way mechanism is located between the upper end of the connecting pipe 4b and the pipe joint 2b. The ability of the connecting pipe 4b to slide up and down allows for adjustment of its position and height, facilitating debugging and reducing design and assembly difficulty.

[0035] The connection between the curved body 4a and the connecting pipe 4b is as follows: The positioning structure includes an external thread formed on the outer wall of the lower end of the connecting pipe 4b, and a corresponding internal thread on the other end of the curved body 4a. The connecting pipe 4b is threadedly connected to the curved body 4a to facilitate position adjustment of the connecting pipe 4b and further facilitate assembly. Further, a stop block 4b1 is formed on the upper outer wall of the connecting pipe 4b. The stop block 4b1 presses against the bottom wall of the cover plate 2, and the stop block 4b1 is fixed to the cover plate 2 by vertically arranged bolts to restrict the connecting pipe 4b axially, ensuring the stability of the water outlet assembly structure and operation. Specifically, a through hole is vertically penetrating the stop block 4b1, and a corresponding threaded hole is provided on the cover plate 2. The bolt shank passes through the through hole and screws into the threaded hole, with the bolt head pressed against the bottom wall of the stop block 4b1. Preferably, there are two stop blocks 4b1 evenly distributed along the circumference of the connecting pipe 4b, and the number of bolts and threaded holes is the same as that of the stop blocks 4b1, with their positions corresponding one-to-one. In the actual product, the lower end of the connecting pipe 4b forms a seal with the bent body 4a through a sealing ring to enhance the sealing performance between the two.

[0036] Of course, the positioning structure can also consist of only the aforementioned stop 4b1 and bolts.

[0037] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the one-way mechanism is a duckbill one-way valve 5 vertically installed inside the pipe joint 2b, and the duckbill one-way valve 5 is made of silicone or rubber. The duckbill one-way valve 5 is an existing product and can be purchased on the market. The lower end of the duckbill one-way valve 5 is the water inlet end, and the outer wall of the water inlet end has an annular sealing seat 5a. The sealing seat 5a and the connecting pipe 4b are coaxially arranged, and the sealing element is the aforementioned sealing seat 5a. The sealing seat 5a is clamped and positioned on the top wall of the connecting pipe 4b and the bottom wall of the cover plate 2. That is, at this time, the two ends of the sealing seat 5a are respectively pressed against the bottom wall of the cover plate 2 and the top wall of the connecting pipe 4b, so that the duckbill one-way valve 5 can both play a one-way guiding role and be used to seal the connection between the connecting pipe 4b and the cover plate 2, achieving a dual-purpose effect. This simplifies the structure and facilitates assembly.

[0038] To further explain, a guide ring 4b2, matching the inner hole of the inlet end, is vertically formed on the top wall of the connecting pipe 4b. The guide ring 4b2 is inserted into the inlet end to support the side wall of the inlet end, allowing water to flow smoothly into the duckbill check valve 5 and outward. A retaining ring 4b3, matching the sealing seat 5a, is also vertically formed on the top wall of the connecting pipe 4b. The retaining ring 4b3 is coaxially arranged with the connecting pipe 4b, and the aforementioned sealing seat 5a is located inside the retaining ring 4b3. With the cooperation of the retaining ring 4b3 and the guide ring 4b2, a stable pre-connection is formed between the connecting pipe 4b and the duckbill check valve 5, further facilitating assembly.

[0039] In the actual product, an annular sealing part 5b is formed on the outer wall of the water inlet end, and the sealing part 5b is coaxially arranged with the water inlet end. The outer wall of the sealing part 5b contacts and seals with the inner wall of the pipe joint 2b to enhance the sealing performance between the duckbill check valve 5 and the pipe joint 2b, prevent water leakage, and ensure stable operation of the drainage pump. Preferably, the axial cross-section of the sealing part 5b is arc-shaped.

[0040] Example 2: The structure and principle of Example 2 are basically the same as those of Example 1, except that: Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, protrusions 1a are formed on both opposite sides of the box body 1, and horizontally arranged strip grooves 1b are provided on the protrusions 1a. The box body 1 is provided with buckles 6 made of elastic material. The number of buckles 6 and strip grooves 1b are the same, and their positions correspond one-to-one. The buckles 6 are L-shaped and integral. The upper end of the buckle 6 passes through the corresponding strip groove 1b, and the lower end of the buckle 6 has a vertically penetrating lifting hole 6a. The upper end of the buckle 6 has a through groove 6b extending along the thickness direction of the buckle 6. A limiting strip 6c is formed in the through groove 6b. The width of the limiting strip 6c is smaller than the width of the through groove 6b. The upper end of the limiting strip 6c extends to the top surface of the through groove 6b, and the lower end of the limiting strip 6c is a free end. The lower end of the limiting strip 6c is inclined to gradually extend out of the through groove 6b from top to bottom, and the lower end of the limiting strip 6c can press against the top surface of the protrusion 1a to restrict the buckle 6 from moving downwards and prevent the buckle 6 from separating from the protrusion 1a.

[0041] In use, the hoisting rope and the hoisting hole 6a work together to hoist the air conditioner drain pump as a whole. The buckle 6 uses the limiting strip 6c to press on the protrusion 1a to prevent the protrusion 1a from separating from the buckle 6. In actual use, the buckle 6 can be pulled out by pressing the limiting strip 6c to retract it into the through groove 6b, which can better adapt to different working conditions and has good practicality.

[0042] The preferred buckle 6 is made of plastic material, but of course, it is also possible to make buckle 6 of stainless steel, spring steel or other materials.

[0043] In the actual product, the box body 1 is a cuboid structure, and the protrusions 1a are formed on both sides of the box body 1 along the length direction. Preferably, two protrusions 1a distributed along the width direction of the box body 1 are provided on the same side to meet more hoisting positions. At this time, the lengths of the protrusions 1a and the strip grooves 1b extend along the width direction of the box body 1.

[0044] Example 3: The structure and principle of Example 3 are basically the same as those of Example 1. The difference is that the one-way mechanism is a one-way valve set in the pipe joint 2b, and a transition pipe is vertically formed on the top wall of the connecting pipe 4b, and the transition pipe is threadedly connected to the inlet of the one-way valve.

[0045] Example 4: The structure and principle of Example 4 are basically the same as those of Example 1. The difference is that the sealing element is a ring-shaped rubber gasket, and the two ends of the rubber gasket are pressed against the top wall of the connecting pipe 4b and the bottom wall of the cover plate 2, respectively.

[0046] The specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative examples illustrating the spirit of this utility model. Those skilled in the art to which this utility model pertains may make various modifications or additions to the described specific embodiments or use similar methods to substitute them, without departing from the spirit of this utility model or exceeding the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An air conditioner drain pump outlet assembly, the drain pump comprising a housing (1) and a cover plate (2) horizontally disposed on the top of the housing (1), and a volute (3) fixed inside the housing (1), the outlet assembly comprising a bent pipe (4) fixed inside the housing (1), one end of the bent pipe (4) being connected to the outlet of the volute (3), characterized in that, The top wall of the cover plate (2) has a vertically formed pipe joint (2b) and a connecting sleeve (2c), and the cover plate (2), pipe joint (2b) and connecting sleeve (2c) are an integral structure; the connecting sleeve (2c) is fitted outside the pipe joint (2b) and there is an annular gap (2d) between the two; the inner hole of the pipe joint (2b) penetrates the cover plate (2), the other end of the bend (4) is directly opposite the inner hole of the pipe joint (2b), and the other end of the bend (4) is sealed to the bottom wall of the cover plate (2) by means of an annular sealing element so that the inner hole of the bend (4) is connected to the inner hole of the pipe joint (2b).

2. The water draining pump water outlet assembly of the air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein, A one-way mechanism is provided between the aforementioned bend (4) and pipe joint (2b) to enable one-way communication between the two, and the direction of the one-way mechanism is consistent with the direction of water flowing from the bend (4) into the pipe joint (2b). 3.The water outlet assembly of the air conditioner drainage pump of claim 2, wherein, The bend (4) consists of a bend body (4a) and a connecting pipe (4b). One end of the bend body (4a) is connected to the outlet of the volute (3). The connecting pipe (4b) is vertically arranged. The lower end of the connecting pipe (4b) is inserted into the other end of the bend body (4a) and a seal is formed between the two. The connecting pipe (4b) can slide up and down relative to the bend body (4a) and is locked by a positioning structure. The above-mentioned sealing element is set at the upper end of the connecting pipe (4b), and the one-way mechanism is set between the upper end of the connecting pipe (4b) and the pipe joint (2b). 4.The water outlet assembly of the air conditioner drainage pump of claim 3, wherein, The one-way mechanism is a duckbill one-way valve (5) vertically installed in the pipe joint (2b), and the duckbill one-way valve (5) is made of silicone or rubber material; the lower end of the duckbill one-way valve (5) is the water inlet end, and the outer wall of the water inlet end has an annular sealing seat (5a). The sealing seat (5a) and the connecting pipe (4b) are coaxially arranged, and the sealing element is the aforementioned sealing seat (5a). The sealing seat (5a) is clamped and positioned on the top wall of the connecting pipe (4b) and the bottom wall of the cover plate (2).

5. The drain pump water outlet assembly of the air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein, A guide ring (4b2) matching the inner hole of the water inlet is vertically formed on the top wall of the connecting pipe (4b), and the guide ring (4b2) is inserted into the water inlet.

6. The air conditioner drain pump outlet assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, A retaining ring (4b3) matching the sealing seat (5a) is also vertically formed on the top wall of the connecting pipe (4b). The retaining ring (4b3) is coaxially arranged with the connecting pipe (4b), and the sealing seat (5a) is located inside the retaining ring (4b3). 7.The water outlet assembly of the air conditioner drainage pump of claim 4, wherein, An annular sealing part (5b) is formed on the outer wall of the water inlet end, and the sealing part (5b) and the water inlet end are coaxially arranged. The outer wall of the sealing part (5b) contacts and seals the inner wall of the pipe joint (2b). 8.The water outlet assembly of the air conditioner drainage pump of claim 3, wherein, The positioning structure includes an external thread formed on the outer wall of the lower end of the connecting pipe (4b), an internal thread corresponding to the other end of the bent body (4a), and the connecting pipe (4b) and the bent body (4a) are threadedly connected. 9.The water outlet assembly of the air conditioner drainage pump according to claim 8, wherein, A stop (4b1) is also formed on the upper outer wall of the connecting pipe (4b). The stop (4b1) presses against the bottom wall of the cover plate (2), and the stop (4b1) is fixed to the cover plate (2) by vertically set bolts. 10.The water outlet assembly of the air conditioner drainage pump of claim 1, wherein, The box body (1) has protrusions (1a) formed on both sides, and the protrusions (1a) have horizontally arranged strip grooves (1b); the box body (1) is provided with buckles (6) made of elastic material. The buckles (6) and the strip grooves (1b) are the same in number and correspond to each other in position; the buckles (6) are L-shaped, the upper end of the buckles (6) passes through the corresponding strip groove (1b), and the lower end of the buckles (6) has a vertically penetrating hoisting hole (6a); the upper end of the buckles (6) has a through groove (6b) that passes through the thickness direction of the buckles (6), and a limiting strip (6c) is formed in the through groove (6b). The upper end of the limiting strip (6c) extends to the top surface of the through groove (6b), and the lower end of the limiting strip (6c) is a free end. The lower end of the limiting strip (6c) is inclined and can press against the top surface of the protrusions (1a).

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