Power generation module

The power generation module converts swirling flows from rotating bodies into electricity, addressing the untapped renewable energy source and reducing environmental impact while maintaining drone functionality.

JP2025141523APending Publication Date: 2025-09-29DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024041501
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-03-15
Publication Date
2025-09-29

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The generation of swirling flows by rotating bodies, such as drone rotor blades, creates an untapped carbon-neutral renewable energy source that is not effectively harnessed, contributing to environmental impact.

Method used

A power generation module comprising a rotating body, a frame, a first stack, and a second stack with electrodes and base materials, allowing for the conversion of swirling flows into electricity through contact and separation due to the rotor's rotation, utilizing flexible laminates and controlled gaps.

Benefits of technology

The module effectively generates power from swirling flows, reducing environmental burden by utilizing carbon-neutral energy and maintaining drone performance.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a power generation module capable of reducing an environmental burden.SOLUTION: A power generation module 1 includes a rotor 11 that rotates about a rotation axial line X, a frame body 12 that surrounds the rotor 11 in a radial direction, a first laminate 20 that exists between the frame body 12 and the rotor 11 in the radial direction, and a second laminate 30 that exists between the first laminate 20 and the rotor 11 in the radial direction. The first laminate 20 includes a first base material 21 and a first electrode 22 that exists outside the first base material 21 in the radial direction. The second laminate 30 includes a second base material 31 and a second electrode 32 that exists inside the second base material 31 in the radial direction. In the radial direction, a gap G is formed between the first laminate 20 and the second laminate 30. The first laminate 20 and the second laminate 30 can be in contact with each other and be separated from each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to power generation modules. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, small unmanned helicopters (drones) have become known that are used for unmanned transport of small packages, etc. (See, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a drone port system that allows multiple drones to be installed adjacent to each other without interfering with each other, and that can reliably transport packages inside and safely store them even if the position of the packages transported by the drones changes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-109574 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a rotating body, such as a drone's rotor blades, rotates, a swirling flow is generated. This swirling flow is a so-called carbon-neutral renewable energy source. Furthermore, in recent years, there has been a demand for reducing carbon dioxide emissions by using so-called carbon-neutral renewable energy sources in order to reduce environmental impact.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of these points, and aims to provide a power generation module that can reduce the environmental load. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the following [1] to [6].

[0007] [1] a rotating body that rotates around a rotation axis; a frame body that surrounds the rotor in a radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis; a first stack attached to the frame and positioned between the frame and the rotating body in the radial direction; a second stack attached to the frame and positioned between the first stack and the rotating body in the radial direction, the first stacked body includes a first base material and a first electrode located radially outward of the first base material, the second stacked body includes a second base material and a second electrode located radially inward of the second base material, a gap is formed between the first stack and the second stack in the radial direction, The power generation module, wherein the first laminate and the second laminate are contactable and separable.

[0008] [2] The power generation module according to [1], wherein the width of the gap is 0.01 mm or more and 100 mm or less.

[0009] [3] one of the first substrate and the second substrate comprises glass; The power generation module according to [1] or [2], wherein the other of the first substrate and the second substrate contains polyvinylidene fluoride or fluorinated polyethylene propylene.

[0010] [4] The thickness of the first base material is 10 μm or more and 5000 μm or less, The power generating module according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the second base has a thickness of 10 μm or more and 5000 μm or less.

[0011] [5] The thickness of the first electrode is 100 Å or more and 5000 Å or less, 10. The power generation module according to claim 1, wherein the second electrode has a thickness of 100 Å or more and 5000 Å or less.

[0012] [6] The power generation module according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the first laminate and the second laminate have flexibility. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present disclosure, the environmental burden can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a power generation module according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view (view taken along line II in FIG. 1) showing the power generation module according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the power generation module according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 1) showing the power generation module according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 4 are diagrams illustrating one embodiment. The following figures are schematic diagrams. Therefore, the size and shape of each part are appropriately exaggerated for ease of understanding. Furthermore, appropriate modifications can be made within the scope of the technical concept. In the following figures, identical parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and some detailed descriptions may be omitted. Furthermore, the numerical values, such as dimensions, and material names of each component described in this specification are examples of an embodiment, and are not limited to these and may be selected and used as appropriate. In this specification, terms specifying shapes or geometric conditions, such as parallel, orthogonal, and perpendicular, are interpreted not only strictly but also to include substantially the same state.

[0016] (power generation module) First, an overview of a power generating module 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the power generating module 1.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, the power generation module 1 comprises a rotating body 11, a frame body 12 surrounding the rotating body 11, a first stack body 20 positioned between the frame body 12 and the rotating body 11, and a second stack body 30 positioned between the first stack body 20 and the rotating body 11.

[0018] Of these, the rotors 11 are configured to rotate around a rotation axis X. In this embodiment, the power generation module 1 includes four rotors 11 (first rotor 11a to fourth rotor 11d). In the illustrated example, each rotor 11 is configured with two rotors (propellers). The number of rotors 11 included in the power generation module 1 may be one to three, or may be five or more. The number of rotors configuring the rotors 11 may also be three or more.

[0019] The frame 12 surrounds the periphery of the rotor 11 in a radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis X. As shown in Fig. 2, the frame 12 surrounds the periphery of the rotor 11 so as to overlap the rotor blades that constitute the rotor 11 when viewed from the radial direction. In other words, the frame 12 surrounds the periphery of the rotor 11 in the direction of the rotation axis X so as to overlap the rotor blades that constitute the rotor 11.

[0020] 1 again, in this embodiment, the power generation module 1 includes four frame bodies 12 (first frame body 12a to fourth frame body 12d). In this case, the first frame body 12a surrounds the first rotating body 11a, the second frame body 12b surrounds the second rotating body 11b, the third frame body 12c surrounds the third rotating body 11c, and the fourth frame body 12d surrounds the fourth rotating body 11d. The number of frame bodies 12 included in the power generation module 1 may be one to three, or may be five or more.

[0021] Each of the rotating bodies 11 and each of the frame bodies 12 is connected to a main body 13. A control unit, a power supply, and the like (not shown) are provided inside the main body 13. In this embodiment, the rotating bodies 11, the frame bodies 12, and the main body 13 constitute the drone 10.

[0022] Next, the first laminate 20 and the second laminate 30 will be described. The first laminate 20 and the second laminate 30 are film-like members and have flexibility. In this case, the first laminate 20 and the second laminate 30 have flexibility to the extent that they can flutter in the wind.

[0023] The first stack 20 is attached to the frame 12. The first stack 20 is attached to the frame 12 so as to be able to sway due to a swirling flow, which will be described later. In the example shown, the first stack 20 is attached to the frame 12 via a jig 15. The first stack 20 may also be attached directly to the frame 12. The first stack 20 is located between the frame 12 and the rotor 11 in the radial direction.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, the first stack 20 is attached to each frame 12 at a position where the distance from the center C of the main body 13 is longer than the distance from the rotation axis X of the rotor 11 to the center C. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the first stack 20 attached to the first frame 12a is attached at a position where the distance L1 from the center C of the main body 13 is longer than the distance L2 from the rotation axis X of the first rotor 11a to the center C. This prevents the first stack 20 attached to the first frame 12a from being affected by the swirling flow generated by the rotation of the other rotors 11 (the second rotor 11b to the fourth rotor 11d). This enables stable power generation in the power generation module 1. Note that the distance L1 from the center C of the main body 13 is the distance from the center C of the main body 13 to the circumferential center of the first stack 20.

[0025] The length (circumferential distance) and width (distance in the direction of the rotation axis X) of the first stack 20 can be set appropriately depending on the size of the frame 12, etc. For example, the length of the first stack 20 may be 10 mm or more and 500 mm or less, and may be 150 mm, for example. The width of the first stack 20 may be 10 mm or more and 500 mm or less, and may be 35 mm, for example. The first stack 20 may be provided around the entire circumference of the frame 12.

[0026] 4, the first laminate 20 has a first base material 21 and a first electrode 22 located radially outward (upper side in FIG. 4) from the first base material 21. The first laminate 20 may further have a first protective film 23 that covers the first electrode 22 from the radially outer side.

[0027] The first substrate 21 is a member for supporting the first electrode 22. The material constituting the first substrate 21 may be, for example, glass, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), fluorinated polyethylene propylene (FEP), or the like. The material constituting the first substrate 21 may also be, for example, a thermoplastic material selected from the group consisting of fluorocarbons such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), and trifluoroethylene (TrFE), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketone (PEK), polyimide (PI), polyamideimide (PAI), polypropylene (PP), acrylic resin, polycarbonate (PC), polyamide (PA), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Mylar, polyethersulfone (PES), and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS).

[0028] The thickness of the first substrate 21 may be 10 μm or more and 5000 μm or less, and may be 110 μm, for example. When the thickness of the first substrate 21 is 10 μm or more, the first electrode 22 can be effectively supported, and when the thickness of the first substrate 21 is 50 μm or more, the first electrode 22 can be even more effectively supported. When the thickness of the first substrate 21 is 5000 μm or less, the flexibility of the first laminate 20 can be maintained well, and when the thickness of the first substrate 21 is 500 μm or less, the flexibility of the first laminate 20 can be even better maintained.

[0029] As will be described later, the first electrode 22 is a member for removing static electricity generated by peeling charging. The material constituting the first electrode 22 may be, for example, a material containing silver, a silver alloy (an alloy of Ag, Pd, and Cu), copper, chromium, indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), or the like. A lead wire (not shown) is connected to the first electrode 22, and the current generated by power generation is supplied to a control unit or the like in the main body 13 via the lead wire (not shown). The first electrode 22 may be formed on the first substrate 21 by, for example, sputtering, vapor deposition, or the like.

[0030] The thickness of the first electrode 22 may be 100 Å or more and 5000 Å or less, for example, 800 Å. When the thickness of the first electrode 22 is 100 Å or more, current can be obtained efficiently, and when the thickness of the first electrode 22 is 200 Å or more, current can be obtained even more efficiently. When the thickness of the first electrode 22 is 5000 Å or less, manufacturing costs can be reduced, and when the thickness of the first electrode 22 is 3000 Å or less, manufacturing costs can be further reduced.

[0031] The first protective film 23 is a film for protecting the first electrode 22. Covering the first electrode 22 from the radially outer side with the first protective film 23 can suppress oxidation and corrosion of the first electrode 22. The material for the first protective film 23 is not particularly limited as long as it is a resin capable of providing a protective function. Examples of materials for the first protective film 23 include ionizing radiation-curable resins that are cured by exposure to ionizing radiation such as ultraviolet light or electron beams, and thermosetting resins that are cured by heating. Specifically, preferred materials for the first protective film 23 include novolac resins, polyolefin resins, polyester resins, urethane resins, polyimide resins, acrylic resins, and epoxy resins. Among novolac resins, phenol novolac resins are preferred because they have excellent electrical properties and can suppress problems caused by charging. Among acrylic resins, tri- or higher-functional acrylates such as pentaerythritol tetraacrylate and dipentaerythritol tetraacrylate are preferred because they can enhance photocurability. As the epoxy-based resin, an epoxy acrylate resin having a fluorene structure is preferred because it improves heat resistance, adhesion, and chemical resistance. As the epoxy-based resin, a cardo epoxy resin is also preferred because it can impart excellent transparency, heat resistance, surface hardness, and flatness. In addition to the above resins, the material constituting the first protective film 23 may be a resin containing a polymerization initiator or various additives. The thickness of the first protective film 23 may be 0.1 μm or more and 10 μm or less. The first protective film 23 may be formed on the first electrode 22 by, for example, spin coating, bulk coating, vapor deposition, sputtering, or the like.

[0032] 1 again, the second stack 30 is attached to the frame 12. This second stack 30 is attached to the frame 12 so as to be able to sway due to a swirling flow, which will be described later. In the example shown, the second stack 30 is attached to the frame 12 via a jig 15. This second stack 30 is located between the first stack 20 and the rotating body 11 so as to face the first stack 20 in the radial direction. That is, the rotating body 11, the second stack 30, the first stack 20, and the frame 12 are arranged in this order from the radially inner side to the radially outer side.

[0033] The length (circumferential distance) and width (distance along the rotation axis X) of the second stack 30 can be set appropriately depending on the size of the frame 12, etc. In this case, the length and width of the second stack 30 may be equal to the length and width of the first stack 20. For example, the length of the second stack 30 may be 10 mm or more and 500 mm or less, and may be 150 mm, for example. The width of the second stack 30 may be 1 mm or more and 500 mm or less, and may be 35 mm, for example. The second stack 30 may be provided around the entire circumference of the frame 12.

[0034] 4, the second stack 30 has a second base material 31 and a second electrode 32 located radially inward (lower in FIG. 4) than the second base material 31. The second stack 30 may further have a second protective film 33 that covers the second electrode 32 from the radially inner side.

[0035] The second substrate 31 is a member for supporting the second electrode 32. The material constituting the second substrate 31 may be, for example, glass, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), fluorinated polyethylene propylene (FEP), or the like. The material constituting the second substrate 31 may also be, for example, a thermoplastic material selected from the group consisting of fluorocarbons such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), and trifluoroethylene (TrFE), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketone (PEK), polyimide (PI), polyamideimide (PAI), polypropylene (PP), acrylic resin, polycarbonate (PC), polyamide (PA), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Mylar, polyethersulfone (PES), and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS).

[0036] Here, one of the first substrate 21 and the second substrate 31 may include glass, and the other of the first substrate 21 and the second substrate 31 may include polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) or fluorinated polyethylene propylene (FEP). In this case, one substrate (e.g., the first substrate 21) is more likely to be positively charged, and the other substrate (e.g., the second substrate 31) is more likely to be negatively charged. This increases the amount of charge on the first substrate 21 and the second substrate 31, thereby increasing the amount of power generated by the power generation module 1.

[0037] The thickness of the second substrate 31 may be 10 μm or more and 5000 μm or less, and may be 100 μm or less, for example. When the thickness of the second substrate 31 is 10 μm or more, the second electrode 32 can be effectively supported, and when the thickness of the second substrate 31 is 50 μm or more, the second electrode 32 can be even more effectively supported. When the thickness of the second substrate 31 is 5000 μm or less, the flexibility of the second laminate 30 can be maintained well, and when the thickness of the second substrate 31 is 500 μm or less, the flexibility of the second laminate 30 can be even more effectively maintained.

[0038] As will be described later, the second electrode 32 is a member for removing static electricity generated by peeling charging. The material constituting the second electrode 32 may be, for example, a material containing silver, a silver alloy (an alloy of Ag, Pd, and Cu), copper, chromium, indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), or the like. A lead wire (not shown) is connected to the second electrode 32, and the current generated by power generation is supplied to a control unit or the like in the main body 13 via the lead wire (not shown). The second electrode 32 may be formed on the second substrate 31 by, for example, sputtering, vapor deposition, or the like.

[0039] The thickness of the second electrode 32 may be 100 Å or more and 5000 Å or less, for example, 800 Å. When the thickness of the second electrode 32 is 100 Å or more, current can be obtained efficiently, and when the thickness of the second electrode 32 is 200 Å or more, current can be obtained even more efficiently. When the thickness of the second electrode 32 is 5000 Å or less, manufacturing costs can be reduced, and when the thickness of the second electrode 32 is 3000 Å or less, manufacturing costs can be further reduced.

[0040] The second protective film 33 is a film for protecting the second electrode 32. Covering the second electrode 32 from the radially inner side with the second protective film 33 can suppress oxidation and corrosion of the second electrode 32. The material for the second protective film 33 is not particularly limited as long as it is a resin capable of providing a protective function. Examples of materials for the second protective film 33 include ionizing radiation-curable resins that are cured by exposure to ionizing radiation such as ultraviolet light or electron beams, and thermosetting resins that are cured by heating. Specifically, preferred materials for the second protective film 33 include novolac resins, polyolefin resins, polyester resins, urethane resins, polyimide resins, acrylic resins, and epoxy resins. Among novolac resins, phenol novolac resins are preferred because they have excellent electrical properties and can suppress problems caused by charging. Among acrylic resins, tri- or higher-functional acrylates such as pentaerythritol tetraacrylate and dipentaerythritol tetraacrylate are preferred because they can enhance photocurability. As the epoxy-based resin, an epoxy acrylate resin having a fluorene structure is preferred because it improves heat resistance, adhesion, and chemical resistance. As the epoxy-based resin, a cardo epoxy resin is also preferred because it can impart excellent transparency, heat resistance, surface hardness, and flatness. In addition to the above resins, the material constituting the second protective film 33 may be a resin containing a polymerization initiator or various additives. The thickness of the second protective film 33 may be 0.1 μm or more and 10 μm or less. The second protective film 33 may be formed on the second electrode 32 by, for example, spin coating, bulk coating, vapor deposition, sputtering, or the like.

[0041] In this power generation module 1, a gap G is formed between the first stack 20 and the second stack 30 in the radial direction. As a result, a circumferentially directed flow of the swirling flow generated by the rotation of the rotor 11 passes through the gap G. The first stack 20 and the second stack 30 can come into contact with each other and can also be separated from each other. As a result, the first stack 20 and the second stack 30 are swayed by the swirling flow passing through the gap G, causing the first stack 20 and the second stack 30 to repeatedly come into contact with each other and separate from each other. As a result, when the second stack 30 is separated from the first stack 20, static electricity is generated due to separation charging. In this embodiment, the generated static electricity is supplied from the first electrode 22 and the second electrode 32 to a control unit or the like in the main body 13 via lead wires (not shown).

[0042] The width W of the gap G (radial distance, see FIG. 4) may be 0.01 mm or more and 100 mm or less. When the gap G is 0.01 mm or more, the first stack 20 and the second stack 30 that come into contact with each other tend to separate. Furthermore, when the gap G is 100 mm or less, the first stack 20 and the second stack 30 tend to come into contact with each other when a swirling flow is generated as the rotor 11 rotates. Note that the width W of the gap G is the width of the gap G when the rotor 11 is not rotating. Furthermore, the width W of the gap G is the width at one end in the circumferential direction (the end on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the rotor 11).

[0043] As described above, the power generation module 1 is suitable for use as a generator that generates electricity using, for example, a swirling flow of the rotor 11. For example, when generating electricity using the power generation module 1, the rotor 11 is first rotated. This generates a swirling flow along the inner surface (the radially inner surface) of the frame 12. A portion of the generated swirling flow that travels in the circumferential direction passes through the gap G formed between the first stack 20 and the second stack 30. At this time, the first stack 20 and the second stack 30 are caused to fluctuate due to the swirling flow. As a result, the first stack 20 and the second stack 30 repeatedly come into contact with and separate from each other. Therefore, when the second stack 30 separates from the first stack 20, static electricity is generated due to separation electrification. The generated static electricity is then supplied to a control unit or the like in the main body 13 via lead wires (not shown). In this way, the power generation module 1 generates electricity using the swirling flow generated by the rotation of the rotor 11.

[0044] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the power generation module 1 includes the rotor 11 that rotates about the rotation axis X, the frame 12 that surrounds the rotor 11 in a radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis X, the first stack 20 that is attached to the frame 12 and positioned between the frame 12 and the rotor 11 in the radial direction, and the second stack 30 that is attached to the frame 12 and positioned between the first stack 20 and the rotor 11 in the radial direction. The first stack 20 includes a first base material 21 and a first electrode 22 that is positioned radially outward from the first base material 21. The second stack 30 includes a second base material 31 and a second electrode 32 that is positioned radially inward from the second base material 31. A gap G is formed between the first stack 20 and the second stack 30 in the radial direction. As a result, the first stack 20 and the second stack 30 repeatedly come into contact with and separate from each other due to the swirling flow generated by the rotation of the rotor 11. Therefore, when the second stack 30 separates from the first stack 20, static electricity is generated due to the separation electrification. As a result, the power generation module 1 can generate power using the swirling flow generated by the rotation of the rotor 11.

[0045] As described above, the power generation module 1 according to this embodiment can generate power using a swirling flow, which is a carbon-neutral renewable energy source, thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions. This reduces the environmental impact. Furthermore, the renewable energy used for power generation is a swirling flow that travels in the circumferential direction. This prevents a decrease in the performance of the drone 10, such as its speed.

[0046] In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the drone 10 is configured by the rotor 11, the frame 12, and the main body 13 has been described, but the invention is not limited to this. The power generation module 1 according to the present disclosure can be effectively applied to a rotary machine that includes a rotor capable of generating a swirling flow and a frame that surrounds the rotor.

[0047] It is also possible to combine the multiple components disclosed in the above embodiments and modifications as needed, or to delete some of the components disclosed in the above embodiments and modifications. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 Power generation module 10. Drone 11 Rotating body 12 Frame 20 First laminate 21 First base material 22 1st electrode 30 Second laminate 31 Second base material 32 2nd electrode G Gap

Claims

1. a rotating body that rotates around a rotation axis; a frame body that surrounds the rotor in a radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis; a first stack attached to the frame and positioned between the frame and the rotating body in the radial direction; a second stack attached to the frame and positioned between the first stack and the rotating body in the radial direction, the first stacked body includes a first base material and a first electrode located radially outward of the first base material, the second stacked body includes a second substrate and a second electrode located radially inward of the second substrate, a gap is formed between the first stack and the second stack in the radial direction, The power generation module, wherein the first laminate and the second laminate are contactable and separable.

2. The power generation module according to claim 1 , wherein the width of the gap is equal to or greater than 0.01 mm and equal to or less than 100 mm.

3. one of the first substrate and the second substrate comprises glass; The power generation module according to claim 1 , wherein the other of the first substrate and the second substrate comprises polyvinylidene fluoride or fluorinated polyethylene propylene.

4. The thickness of the first base material is 10 μm or more and 5000 μm or less, The power generation module according to claim 1 , wherein the second base material has a thickness of 10 μm or more and 5000 μm or less.

5. the thickness of the first electrode is 100 Å or more and 5000 Å or less; The power generating module according to claim 1 , wherein the second electrode has a thickness of 100 Å or more and 5000 Å or less.

6. The power generation module according to claim 1 , wherein the first laminate and the second laminate are flexible.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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