Vehicle seat

Abstract

To provide a vehicle seat that is able to improve an appearance design by preventing wrinkling of a joint portion, in a seat back having the joint portion in which a plurality of seat skin pieces are joined and that is disposed in a curved shape as viewed from a seat-surface side.SOLUTION: A vehicle seat 10 includes: a seat skin 26 configured including a center skin piece 30 disposed at a seat-width-direction central part on a seat back front-face side, a lower skin piece 34 disposed at a lower-end part on the seat back front-face side, and a side skin piece 32 disposed at a seat-width-direction one end part on the seat back front-face side; a joint portion 36 at which an end part of the center skin piece 30, an end part of the lower skin piece 34, and an end part of the side skin piece 32 are joined together and that is disposed in a curved shape as viewed from the seat back front-face side; and a belt-shaped member 38 connecting the joint portion 36 and a seat back frame composing a framework of the seat back 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a structure for suspending a seat skin material (seat skin) of a vehicle seat. In this technique, a suspension groove for suspending the end of the seat skin is formed in the seat pad. The end of the seat skin is suspended in the suspension groove via a clip. The suspension groove is formed linearly when viewed from the seat surface side. The clip is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is along the groove portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, the seat skin is configured to include a center skin piece arranged at the center in the seat width direction on the front side of the seat back, a lower skin piece arranged at the lower end, and a side skin piece arranged at an end on one side in the seat width direction. In some cases, there may be a curved connecting portion at the lower end and the end in the seat width direction on the front side of the seat back. Thus, when the connecting portion is arranged in a curved shape when viewed from the front side of the seat back, it is difficult to provide a clip as in Patent Document 1 in a groove portion formed in a curved shape. Therefore, since the connecting portion arranged in a curved shape when viewed from the front side of the seat back cannot be suspended by a clip, wrinkles are likely to occur in the connecting portion. In this way, the occurrence of wrinkles in the connecting portion arranged in a curved shape when viewed from the front side of the seat back may impair the appearance design of the seat back.

[0005] In view of the above facts, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle seat that can suppress the generation of wrinkles at the joint portions where a plurality of seat skin pieces are joined together and arranged in a curved shape when viewed from the front side of the seat back, thereby improving the appearance designability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The vehicle seat according to the present invention described in claim 1 includes a seat back frame that constitutes the skeleton of the seat back, a seat pad mounted on the seat back frame, a center skin piece disposed at the center of the seat width direction on the front side of the seat back, a lower skin piece disposed at the lower end on the front side of the seat back, and a side skin piece disposed at one end on the side of the seat width direction on the front side of the seat back. The seat skin is configured to include these components, and the center skin piece, the lower skin piece, and the side skin piece are joined together and have a joint portion arranged in a curved shape when viewed from the front side of the seat back, and a belt-like member that connects the seat back frame and the joint portion.

[0007] According to the present invention described in claim 1, at the end of the seat width direction and the lower end of the seat back on the front side of the seat back, the joint portion joins the center skin piece, the side skin piece, and the lower skin piece. By joining these three skin pieces in this way, the seat skin can easily follow the three-dimensional shape of the seat pad. Therefore, the designability of the seat back is improved. Further, the belt-like member that connects the joint portion and the seat back frame pulls the joint portion toward the seat back frame side, that is, into the seat back. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the generation of wrinkles on the seat skin side of the joint portion.

[0008] The vehicle seat according to the present invention described in claim 2 is the invention described in claim 1, wherein a slit penetrating in the thickness direction is formed in the seat pad on the rear side of the seat back of the joint portion, and the belt-like member is inserted through the slit.

[0009] According to the present invention described in claim 2, the belt-like member fixed to the joining portion is inserted into the slit on the rear side of the seat back of the joining portion. Therefore, the belt-like member can penetrate the seat pad and draw the joining portion toward the seat back frame over a short distance. Therefore, the joining portion is efficiently pulled to the rear side of the seat back.

[0010] The vehicle seat according to the present invention described in claim 3 is the invention described in claim 1, wherein the center skin piece, the lower skin piece, and the side skin piece are sewn to each other at the joining portion, and the belt-like member is sewn to the joining portion.

[0011] According to the present invention described in claim 3, compared with a method of fixing the belt-like member to the joining portion via another member, the belt-like member can be fixed to the joining portion with a reduced number of parts and without bulkiness. Further, since the belt-like member can be sewn to the joining portion in the process of joining a plurality of seat skin pieces or in a subsequent process, an increase in the manufacturing man-hours can be suppressed as compared with other fixing methods.

[0012] The vehicle seat according to the present invention described in claim 4 is the invention described in claim 1, wherein a reinforcing plate is fixed to an end portion of the belt-like member on the seat back frame side, and the belt-like member is fastened to the seat back frame together with the reinforcing plate.

[0013] According to the present invention described in claim 4, the portion of the belt-like member fixed to the seat back frame is reinforced by the reinforcing plate. Therefore, the belt-like member can be stably fixed to the seat back frame.

[0014] The vehicle seat according to the present invention described in claim 5 is the invention described in claim 4, wherein the reinforcing plate is sewn to the belt-like member in a state where the belt-like member sandwiches the reinforcing plate.

[0015] According to the present invention described in claim 5, when fastening the belt-like member and the reinforcing plate to the seat back frame, rotation of the reinforcing plate with respect to the belt-like member is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the load on the sewing portion that sews the reinforcing plate to the belt-like member.

[0016] The vehicle seat according to the present invention described in claim 6 is the invention described in claim 5, wherein the seat back includes a lumbar support configured to be movable in the front-rear direction of the seat back and to support the lumbar region of the seated person from the rear side of the seat back.

[0017] According to the present invention described in claim 6, when the lumbar support moves in the front-rear direction of the seat back, the lumbar region of the seated person is preferably supported according to the body shape of the seated person. Even when the lumbar support moves in the front-rear direction of the seat back in this way, since the connecting portion is pulled to the rear side of the seat back by the belt-like member, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of wrinkles in the connecting portion.

Effects of the Invention

[0018] As described above, the vehicle seat according to the present invention has an excellent effect that it is possible to suppress the occurrence of wrinkles in the connecting portion where a plurality of seat skin pieces are joined and arranged in a curved shape when viewed from the front side of the seat back, and improve the appearance design.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, the vehicle seat 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The arrows FR, UP, LH, and RH appropriately shown in each figure indicate the front side, upper side, left side in the seat width direction, and right side in the seat width direction of the vehicle seat 10, respectively. In addition, when the front-back, up-down, and left-right directions are used without special mention in the following description, the front-back in the seat front-back direction, the up-down in the seat up-down direction, and the left-right in the seat left-right direction (width direction) are respectively indicated.

[0021] (Overall Configuration) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the vehicle seat 10. The vehicle seat 10 includes a seat cushion 12 capable of supporting the buttocks and thighs of the seated person, a seat back 14 capable of supporting the back of the seated person, and a headrest 16 capable of supporting the head of the seated person. The seat back 14 is tiltably connected to the rear end portion of the seat cushion 12 via a reclining mechanism (not shown). The headrest 16 is connected to the upper end portion of the seat back 14 via a headrest stay (not shown).

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the seat back 14 includes a seat back frame 18 constituting the skeleton and a seat pad 20 attached to the seat back frame 18. The seat back frame 18 is made of metal as an example. The seat pad 20 is made of a foamed resin such as polyurethane foam, for example.

[0023] The seat back frame 18 includes a pair of left and right side frames (not shown) extending in the seat up-down direction on both sides in the seat width direction, and a lower frame 22 connecting the pair of left and right side frames in the seat width direction at the lower end portion of the seat back.

[0024] In addition, the seat back 14 is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction of the seat back and includes a lumbar support 24 configured to support the lumbar region of the seated person from the rear side of the seat back. The lumbar support 24 extends in the vertical direction and the width direction of the seat back 14.

[0025] (Seat pad 20) As shown in FIG. 1, the seat pad 20 includes a center portion 20A located at the center in the seat width direction, and a gusset portion 20B extending along both sides in the seat width direction of the center portion 20A and the lower side of the seat back. The gusset portion 20B is formed in a substantially U shape when viewed from the front side of the seat back, and protrudes forward of the seat back more than the center portion 20A.

[0026] (Seat skin 26) The seat pad 20 is covered with a seat skin 26. The seat skin 26 is three-dimensionally configured by sewing a plurality of skin pieces, and is roughly divided into a front-side skin 26A that covers the front side of the seat pad 20, a back-side skin (not shown) that covers the back side of the seat pad 20, and a pair of left and right side skins 26B that cover both side surfaces in the seat width direction of the seat pad 20. Each skin piece can adopt any material such as a cloth material, a knit material, synthetic leather, and leather.

[0027] The front-side skin 26A is composed of a center upper skin piece 28 that covers the upper part of the center portion 20A of the seat pad 20, and a center lower skin piece 30 that serves as a center skin piece covering the lower part of the center portion 20A of the seat pad 20. Further, the front-side skin 26A includes a pair of left and right side skin pieces 32 that extend in the vertical direction of the seat at both ends in the seat width direction and cover both sides in the seat width direction of the earthen part 20B of the seat pad 20. Additionally, the front-side skin 26A includes a lower-side skin piece 34 that extends in the seat width direction and covers the lower part on the back side of the seat of the earthen part 20B of the seat pad 20. As an example, the dimension of the lower-side skin piece 34 in the seat width direction is substantially the same as the dimensions of the center upper skin piece 28 and the center lower skin piece 30 in the seat width direction. Note that the lower-side skin piece is not limited to this, and for example, it may be arranged over the entire seat width direction.

[0028] The lower end of the center upper skin piece 28 is sewn to the upper end of the center lower skin piece 30. Also, the lower end of the center lower skin piece 30 is sewn to the upper end of the lower-side skin piece 34.

[0029] Furthermore, the inner ends in the seat width direction of the pair of left and right side skin pieces 32 are sewn to both ends in the seat width direction of the center upper skin piece 28, the center lower skin piece 30, and the lower-side skin piece 34 respectively. Note that the configuration of the seat skin 26 is not limited to the above.

[0030] Although illustration is omitted, between the center portion 20A and the earthen part 20B of the seat pad 20, a groove portion is formed for suspending the end of the seat skin 26 that is recessed toward the back side of the seat back. More specifically, on both sides in the seat width direction of the center portion 20A, vertical groove portions extending in the vertical direction of the seat are formed between the center portion 20A and the earthen part 20B, and on the lower side of the seat back of the center portion 20A, a horizontal groove portion extending in the seat width direction is formed between the center portion 20A and the earthen part 20B. The vertical groove portion and the horizontal groove portion are each formed linearly when viewed from the front side of the seat back.

[0031] The portions where the end portions on both sides in the sheet width direction of the center upper skin piece 28 and the center lower skin piece 30 and the end portion on the inner side in the sheet width direction of the side skin piece 32 are sewn are inserted into a longitudinal groove portion (not shown) and are suspended toward the rear side of the seat back by a J hook (not shown) formed in a substantially J shape as an example.

[0032] Further, the portion where the lower end portion of the center lower skin piece 30 and the upper end portion of the lower skin piece 34 are sewn is inserted into a lateral groove portion (not shown) and is suspended toward the rear side of the seat back by a J hook (not shown).

[0033] (Main part configuration) Hereinafter, the left connecting portion 36 where the left side skin piece 32, the center lower skin piece 30, and the lower skin piece 34 are joined to each other will be described. Note that the right connecting portion 36 where the right side skin piece 32, the center lower skin piece 30, and the lower skin piece 34 are joined to each other has a configuration symmetric to that of the left connecting portion 36, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the connecting portion 36 of the seat skin 26 and the seat back frame 18 are connected by a belt-like member 38. As shown in FIG. 3, the front end portion 38A on the seat back side of the belt-like member 38 (hereinafter referred to as "one end portion 38A") is sewn to the connecting portion 36. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the rear end portion 38B on the seat back side of the belt-like member 38 (hereinafter referred to as "the other end portion 38B") is fastened to the lower frame 22 of the seat back frame 18 together with a reinforcing plate 40.

[0035] The belt-like member 38 is constituted by, for example, a nylon-based or polyester-based cloth material. The belt-like member 38 can adopt any material such as a cloth material, a knit material, synthetic leather, and leather, but it is preferable to use a material having sufficient strength in order to pull the connecting portion 36 into the seat back. Further, the reinforcing plate 40 is, as an example, a resin plate such as polypropylene. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and other materials such as metal may be used for the reinforcing plate.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, the side skin piece 32 and the lower skin piece 34 are sewn at the first sewing part 42. Further, the side skin piece 32 and the lower skin piece 34 sewn at the first sewing part 42 are sewn to the center lumbar skin piece 30 at the second sewing part 44. Thereby, the joining part 36 is configured in a curved shape. And one end part 38A of the belt-like member 38 is sewn to the center lumbar skin piece 30, the side skin piece 32, and the lower skin piece 34 at the third sewing part 46 along the curve of the joining part 36. Note that the sewing mode in the joining part 36 is not limited to the above.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, a slit 20C penetrating in the thickness direction is formed in the seat pad 20 at a position corresponding to the joining part 36 (see FIG. 1). More specifically, the slit 20C penetrates in a substantially front-rear direction of the seat back between the left corner on the lower side of the seat back between the center part 20A and the earthen part 20B, in other words, between a longitudinal groove part (not shown) and a lateral groove part (not shown) described above. The belt-like member 38 is inserted through this slit 20C. Further, the belt-like member 38 is disposed passing between the lumbar support 24 and the lower frame 22 on the rear side of the seat back of the slit 20C.

[0038] The reinforcing plate 40 is disposed so as to overlap the rear side of the seat back of the belt-like member 38. The peripheral edge of the reinforcing plate 40 is sewn to the other end part 38B of the belt-like member 38. As an example, the reinforcing plate 40 has a shape in which the upper right corner of a substantially rectangular shape is cut out in a triangular shape according to the shape of the lower frame 22. Note that the shape of the reinforcing plate 40 is not limited to the above. Further, the reinforcing plate 40 may not be sewn to the belt-like member 38.

[0039] Figure 4 shows a developed view of the belt-like member 38 and the reinforcing plate 40. The belt-like member 38 is formed to curve inward in the sheet width direction as it extends from the other end portion 38B toward the one end portion 38A in the developed state. One end portion 38A of the belt-like member 38 has a width along the curved connecting portion 36 (see FIG. 1) as viewed from the front side of the seat back, and is formed wider than other portions. In other words, the intermediate portion 38C of the belt-like member 38 passing through the slit 20C (see FIG. 3) of the seat pad 20 is formed narrower than the one end portion 38A.

[0040] A fastening hole 38D is formed in the other end portion 38B of the belt-like member 38. Further, a fastening hole 40A is formed in the reinforcing plate 40. The reinforcing plate 40 has its peripheral edge sewn to the belt-like member 38 at the fourth sewing portion 48 (see FIG. 2) with the position of the fastening hole 40A aligned with the fastening hole 38D of the belt-like member 38.

[0041] Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the dimension of the reinforcing plate 40 in the sheet width direction is set slightly smaller than the width of the developed view of the other end portion 38B of the belt-like member 38. The reinforcing plate 40 is disposed so as to overlap the rear side of the seat back of the other end portion 38B of the belt-like member 38. Both end portions 38E of the other end portion 38B of the belt-like member 38 in the sheet width direction are folded back to the rear side of the seat back of the reinforcing plate 40. In other words, both end portions 38E of the other end portion 38B of the belt-like member 38 in the seat back width direction sandwich both end portions 40B of the reinforcing plate 40 in the seat back front-rear direction. The reinforcing plate 40 has its peripheral edge sewn to the other end portion 38B of the belt-like member 38 in a state where both end portions 40B in the sheet width direction are thus sandwiched by both end portions 38E of the other end portion 38B of the belt-like member 38.

[0042] A bolt 50 is inserted through the fastening hole 40A (see FIG. 4) of the reinforcing plate 40, the fastening hole 38D (see FIG. 4) of the belt-like member 38, and a fastening hole (not shown) of the lower frame 22. The bolt 50 is screwed to a nut (not shown) on the front side of the seat back of the lower frame 22.

[0043] (Operation of the present embodiment) Next, the operation of the vehicle seat 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0044] According to the vehicle seat 10 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, at the end portion in the seat width direction on the front side of the seat back 14 and at the lower end portion of the seat back, the joining portion 36 joins the center lumbar skin piece 30, the side skin piece 32, and the lower skin piece 34. By joining these three skin pieces in this way, the seat skin 26 can easily follow the three-dimensional shape of the seat pad 20. Therefore, the design of the seat back 14 is improved. Further, the joining portion 36 is pulled toward the seat back frame 18 side, that is, into the seat back, by the belt-like member 38 that connects the joining portion 36 and the seat back frame 18. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of wrinkles on the seat surface side of the joining portion 36.

[0045] Further, according to the vehicle seat 10 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the belt-like member 38 having one end portion 38A fixed to the joining portion 36 is inserted into the slit 20C. Therefore, the belt-like member 38 can penetrate the seat pad 20 and pull the joining portion toward the seat back frame 18 over a short distance. Therefore, the joining portion 36 is efficiently pulled toward the rear side of the seat back.

[0046] Furthermore, according to the vehicle seat 10 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, since one end portion 38A of the belt-like member 38 is sewn to the joining portion 36, compared with the method of fixing the belt-like member 38 to the joining portion 36 via a separate member, the number of parts can be reduced and the belt-like member 38 can be fixed to the joining portion 36 without bulkiness. Also, in the process of joining the center lumbar skin piece 30, the side skin piece 32, and the lower skin piece 34, or in a subsequent process, since the belt-like member 38 can be sewn to the joining portion 36, an increase in the manufacturing man-hours can be suppressed compared with other fixing methods.

[0047] Also, according to the vehicle seat 10 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the other end portion 38B of the belt-like member 38 is reinforced by the reinforcing plate 40. Therefore, the belt-like member 38 can be stably fixed to the seat back frame 18.

[0048] Furthermore, according to the vehicle seat 10 according to the present embodiment, since the reinforcing plate 40 is sewn to the belt-like member 38 with the belt-like member 38 sandwiching the reinforcing plate 40, when fastening the belt-like member 38 and the reinforcing plate 40 to the lower frame 22, rotation of the reinforcing plate 40 with respect to the belt-like member 38 is suppressed. Therefore, the load on the fourth sewing portion 48 that sews the reinforcing plate 40 to the belt-like member 38 can be suppressed.

[0049] Furthermore, according to the vehicle seat 10 according to the present embodiment, as the lumbar support 24 moves in the seat back front-rear direction, the lumbar region of the seated person is preferably supported according to the body shape of the seated person. Even when the lumbar support 24 moves in the seat back front-rear direction in this way, since the joining portion 36 is pulled rearward of the seat back by the belt-like member 38, the occurrence of wrinkles in the joining portion 36 is suppressed.

[0050] 〔Supplementary Explanation of the Above Embodiment〕 In the above embodiment, one end portion 38A of the belt-like member 38 has been described as being sewn to the joining portion 36, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the belt-like member may be fixed to the joining portion by other methods.

[0051] Also, in the above embodiment, the other end portion 38B of the belt-like member 38 has been described as being fastened to the lower frame 22, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the belt-like member may be fixed to the seat back frame at other positions such as the side frame. In order to suppress the occurrence of wrinkles, it is preferable that the belt-like member pulls the joining portion straight backward with respect to the pad. Therefore, for example, in order to pull the belt-like member straight backward, the seat back frame may include an extension portion, and the belt-like member may be fixed to the extension portion. Also, the fixing of the belt-like member to the seat back frame is not limited to fastening.

[0052] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the belt-like member 38 has been described as being fastened to the lower frame 22 together with the reinforcing plate 40. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only the belt-like member without the reinforcing plate may be fixed to the seat back frame.

[0053] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the seat back 14 has been described as including the lumbar support 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the seat back may not include the lumbar support.

[0054] Regarding the above embodiments, the following additional remarks are disclosed.

[0055] (Supplementary Note 1) A seat back frame constituting the skeleton of the seat back; A seat skin including a center skin piece disposed at the center in the seat width direction on the front side of the seat back, covering the seat pad attached to the seat back frame, a lower skin piece disposed at the lower end on the front side of the seat back, and a side skin piece disposed at one end in the seat width direction on the front side of the seat back; A connecting portion in which the center skin piece, the lower skin piece, and the side skin piece are joined to each other and are arranged in a curved shape when viewed from the front side of the seat back; A belt-like member connecting the seat back frame and the connecting portion; A vehicle seat having the above components. (Supplementary Note 2) A slit penetrating in the thickness direction is formed in the seat pad on the rear side of the seat back of the connecting portion, and the belt-like member is inserted through the slit. The vehicle seat according to Supplementary Note 1. (Supplementary Note 3) The center skin piece, the lower skin piece, and the side skin piece are sewn to each other at the connecting portion, and the belt-like member is sewn to the connecting portion. The vehicle seat according to Supplementary Note 1 or Supplementary Note 2. (Supplementary Note 4) A reinforcing plate is fixed to an end portion of the strip-shaped member on the seat back frame side, and the strip-shaped member is fastened to the seat back frame together with the reinforcing plate. The vehicle seat according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3. (Appendix 5) The reinforcing plate is sewn to the strip-shaped member in a state where the strip-shaped member sandwiches the reinforcing plate. The vehicle seat according to Appendix 4. (Appendix 6) The seat back is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction of the seat back and includes a lumbar support configured to support the lumbar region of the seated person from the rear side of the seat back. The vehicle seat according to any one of Appendices 1 to 4.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0056] 10 Vehicle seat 14 Seat back 18 Seat back frame 20 Seat pad 20C Slit 24 Lumbar support 26 Seat skin 30 Center lumbar skin piece (center skin piece) 32 Side skin piece 34 Lower skin piece 36 Joining portion 38 Strip-shaped member 40 Reinforcing plate

Claims

1. A seat back frame that constitutes the skeleton of the seat back, a seat skin that covers the seat pad attached to the seat back frame and includes a center skin piece disposed at the center in the seat width direction on the front side of the seat back, a lower skin piece disposed at the lower end on the front side of the seat back, and a side skin piece disposed at one end on the side in the seat width direction on the front side of the seat back, a joining portion where the center skin piece, the lower skin piece, and the side skin piece are joined to each other and are arranged in a curved shape when viewed from the front side of the seat back, a belt-like member that connects the seat back frame and the joining portion, A vehicle seat having the above.

2. A slit penetrating in the thickness direction is formed in the seat pad on the rear side of the seat back of the joining portion, and the belt-like member is inserted through the slit. The vehicle seat according to Claim 1.

3. The center skin piece, the lower skin piece, and the side skin piece are sewn to each other at the joining portion, and the belt-like member is sewn to the joining portion. The vehicle seat according to Claim 1.

4. A reinforcing plate is fixed to the end of the belt-like member on the seat back frame side, and the belt-like member is fastened to the seat back frame together with the reinforcing plate. The vehicle seat according to Claim 1.

5. The reinforcing plate is sewn to the belt-like member in a state where the belt-like member sandwiches the reinforcing plate. The vehicle seat according to Claim 4.

6. The seat back is provided with a lumbar support that is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction of the seat back and is configured to support the waist of the seated person from the rear side of the seat back. The vehicle seat according to Claim 1.

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