solenoid valve
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023007640
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-01-20
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-19
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-01-20
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a solenoid valve. [Background technology]
[0002] A solenoid valve with a differential pressure valve used in a heat pump cycle has been disclosed (see Patent Document 1). In this solenoid valve, the main valve seat is open when the solenoid is not energized, and when the solenoid is energized (ON), the movable iron core is attracted to the fixed iron core, causing the plunger to descend and the main valve body to close the main valve seat. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-152848 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control is sometimes used to control solenoid valves in order to save power, etc. PWM control controls the power applied to the load by fixing the square wave frequency and changing the proportion of time the voltage is high (duty ratio), and is also called duty control.
[0005] However, with PWM control, even when the valve is on, it actually maintains a closed state by repeatedly switching on and off at high speed. Noise is generated when the movable core contacts the fixed core, and the repeated contact and separation of the movable core at high speed is a cause of noise and vibration.
[0006] An object of the present invention is to suppress the generation of noise and vibration in a solenoid valve. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] A first aspect of the invention comprises a solenoid wound with a coil, an attractor arranged inside the solenoid, a plunger connected to a valve body and attracted to the attractor when current is passed through the solenoid, a pipe arranged inside the solenoid and accommodating the plunger, a first support part arranged overlapping one axial end of the solenoid, and a second support part arranged overlapping the other axial end of the solenoid, wherein a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole are formed in the first support part and the second support part, into which the pipe is respectively inserted, and the first mounting hole abuts against one radial side of the outer periphery of the pipe.
[0008] In this solenoid valve, the housing is formed with a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole, into which a pipe accommodating a plunger is inserted. The first mounting hole abuts one radial side of the outer periphery of the pipe. In other words, the pipe is constrained to the housing in the radial direction. This suppresses vibration of the pipe even when the plunger rapidly moves toward and away from the attractor during PWM control of the solenoid.
[0009] In a second aspect, in the solenoid valve according to the first aspect, the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole have the same diameter, and the center of the first mounting hole and the center of the second mounting hole are offset in the radial direction of the pipe.
[0010] In this solenoid valve, the centers of the first and second mounting holes, which have the same diameter, are offset from each other in the radial direction of the pipe, so that when the pipe is inserted into the first and second mounting holes, one radial side of the outer periphery of the pipe abuts against the first mounting hole. This simple configuration can suppress vibration of the pipe.
[0011] In a third aspect, in the solenoid valve according to the first or second aspect, the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole have the same diameter.
[0012] A fourth aspect is an electromagnetic valve according to the first aspect, wherein the housing has a plate-shaped connecting portion that connects the first support portion and the second support portion, and the first mounting hole abuts against the outer periphery of the pipe on one side in a direction parallel to the connecting portion.
[0013] In a fifth aspect, in the solenoid valve according to the first aspect, the second mounting hole abuts against the other radial side of the outer periphery of the pipe.
[0014] This allows the pipe to be more tightly constrained in the radial direction by the housing, thereby further suppressing vibration of the pipe. [Effects of the Invention]
[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the generation of noise and vibration in the solenoid valve. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an expansion valve including a solenoid valve according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a solenoid valve according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a partial configuration of a solenoid valve according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Components indicated by the same reference numerals in each drawing are the same or similar components. Note that duplicated descriptions and reference numerals may be omitted in the embodiments described below. Furthermore, all drawings used in the following description are schematic, and the dimensional relationships and ratios of elements shown in the drawings do not necessarily correspond to the actual ones. Furthermore, the dimensional relationships and ratios of elements between multiple drawings do not necessarily correspond to the actual ones.
[0018] (solenoid valve) 1 and 2, a solenoid valve 100 according to this embodiment is used by being attached to an expansion valve 200 of a refrigeration cycle of an air conditioner for an automobile, for example.
[0019] The solenoid valve 100 has a solenoid 70, an attractor 80, a plunger 50, a pipe 51, and a housing 70c. The solenoid 70 is a member around which a coil 70a is wound and which generates a magnetic force when energized. The coil 70a is provided with, for example, a connection terminal 72 (FIG. 3). The attractor 80 is a magnetic body, such as a movable iron core, disposed inside the solenoid 70. The plunger 50 is connected to a valve stem 60, which is an example of a valve body, and is attracted to the attractor 80 when energized to the solenoid 70. The pipe 51 is a bottomed member disposed inside the solenoid 70 and houses the plunger 50.
[0020] In Figure 2, a solenoid valve 100 controls the opening and closing of a fluid flow between an inlet (not shown) and an outlet 32 of the fluid in an expansion valve 200 by opening and closing a main valve section 10. The inlet and outlet 32 are formed in a valve main body 30 serving as a valve body, and a main valve chamber 33 is provided between the inlet and outlet 32. The main valve chamber 33 communicates with the inlet. As described below, a main valve element 40 is housed within the main valve chamber 33 so as to be slidable in the axial direction (the up and down direction in Figure 2; hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as "up and down"). The valve main body 30 is made of a metal member such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or brass.
[0021] The main valve element 40 has a main valve member 43 and a main valve packing 41. The main valve member 43 is made of a metal material such as aluminum, stainless steel, or brass. The main valve element 40 is supported inside the main valve chamber 33 of the valve body 30 so as to be slidable along the axial direction. A main valve unit 10 is disposed below the main valve element 40 in FIG. 2 , i.e., on one side in the sliding direction. The main valve unit 10 is composed of the main valve element 40 and a main valve seat 35 formed between the inlet and outlet 32 of the valve body 30. In this embodiment, a packing unit that opens and closes the main valve seat 35 is provided on the underside of the main valve packing 41 of the main valve element 40.
[0022] A pilot valve portion 20 is configured on the other side in the sliding direction of the main valve body 40 (upper side in the illustrated embodiment). In this embodiment, a pilot valve seat 42 is provided on the upper surface of the main valve packing 41. The pilot valve seat 42 is opened and closed by the pilot valve portion 20 formed at the tip end (the tip end opposite the head portion 62).
[0023] 2 where the pilot valve seat 42 is provided is not essential as long as the pilot valve seat 42 can be closed, and the pilot valve seat portion may be formed directly on the main valve member 43, and the packing portion on the lower side may be attached to the main valve member 43. Of course, the packing portion that opens and closes the lower side main valve seat 35 and the portion on the upper side where the pilot valve seat 42 is provided (pilot valve packing) may each be attached to the main valve member 43 as separate members.
[0024] A pilot passage 45 extending along the axial direction is formed in the vertical center of the main valve body 40. A pilot valve seat 42 is provided at the upper end of the pilot passage 45 in FIG.
[0025] A cylindrical main valve member 43 fits onto the outer surface of the main valve packing 41. A pilot passage 45 is formed in the main valve packing 41. The main valve body 40 also has a pressure equalizing hole (not shown), which is a through-hole extending along the axial direction. The pressure equalizing hole connects the main valve chamber 33 and the pilot valve chamber 34. The pressure equalizing hole equalizes the pressure in the main valve chamber 33 and the pilot valve chamber 34, allowing the main valve body 40 to be opened and closed easily.
[0026] A pipe 51 that is open downward is disposed in the center of the upper part of the solenoid valve 100. The pipe 51 is a cylindrical member having a ceiling and a side wall. The end of the side wall of the pipe 51 opposite the ceiling is attached to the suction element 80. Specifically, the lower end of the pipe 51 in FIG. 2 is open, and can be fixed to the suction element 80 (described later) by appropriate means such as crimping or welding. A plunger 50 is housed inside the pipe 51.
[0027] The plunger 50 is a cylindrical member having a bottom 50a and a side wall 50b. The bottom 50a of the plunger 50 is located on the side of the pilot valve seat 42. A through-hole 50c is formed in the bottom 50a. The plunger 50 of this embodiment is made of, for example, magnetic stainless steel. The material of the plunger is not limited to stainless steel, but may be a magnetic material. The plunger 50 is slidably disposed inside the pipe 51 along the axial direction by the operation of the solenoid 70.
[0028] The pilot valve seat 42 is opened and closed by a valve stem 60. The valve stem 60 has a head 62 and a shaft portion 63. The pilot valve portion 20 is provided at the tip of the shaft portion 63 (the tip portion opposite the head 62). The head 62 of the valve stem 60 is disposed inside the plunger 50. The head 62 has a larger diameter than the shaft portion 63 in the radial direction of the valve stem 60. The diameter of the shaft portion 63 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the through-hole 50c of the plunger 50. Therefore, when the shaft portion 63 is inserted into the through-hole 50c of the plunger 50, it protrudes from the bottom portion 50a outside the plunger 50 toward the valve seat.
[0029] A spring 44 is provided between the ceiling of the pipe 51 and the head 62 of the valve stem 60. The valve stem 60 is pressed against the plunger 50 by the resilient force of the spring 44 provided, for example, inside the pipe 51. As a result, the plunger 50 slides up and down inside the pipe 51 together with the valve stem 60 due to the operation of the solenoid 70.
[0030] An attractor 80 is provided as a means for driving the plunger 50 by the operation of the solenoid 70. The attractor 80 is made of, for example, a magnetic material, and when electricity is applied to the solenoid 70 by an appropriate control means (not shown), a magnetic field is generated, which overcomes the resilience of the spring 52 and attracts the magnetic plunger 50 downward.
[0031] The aspirator 80 has an overall multi-stage cylindrical shape with through holes formed at the top and bottom, and the pipe 51 is attached to it. In this state, the aspirator 80 is inserted or screwed into the upper large-diameter hole 30a formed in the valve body 30. Then, the male screw 71 is inserted into the through hole formed in the protruding portion 70d of the solenoid 70 inserted around the outer periphery of the pipe 51, and screwed into the female screw formed in the valve body 30, thereby pressing and fixing the aspirator 80 to the valve body 30. The cylindrical shape of the aspirator 80 roughly consists of an upper small-diameter portion 81 and a lower large-diameter portion 82. The lower open end of the pipe 51 is fixed to the small-diameter portion 81, and the large-diameter portion 82 is fixed to the valve body 30 as described above. The plunger 50 is housed in the pipe 51 fixed to the small-diameter portion 81 so that it can slide up and down.
[0032] A cylindrical main valve element accommodating portion (space portion) 82a is formed inside the large diameter portion 82 of the suction element 80. The main valve element 40 is accommodated in this main valve element accommodating portion 82a so that it can slide up and down. The main valve element 40 is lifted upward within the main valve chamber 33 by the elastic force of the main valve element spring 46. The space is divided into upper and lower portions by the main valve element 40, so that the lower portion of the space serves as the main valve chamber 33 and the upper portion serves as the pilot valve chamber 34. The gap between the large diameter portion 82 of the suction element 80 and the valve body 30 is sealed with an O-ring 83 as appropriate.
[0033] In the illustrated example, the small diameter portion 81 and the large diameter portion 82 of the suction element 80 are integrated into a cylindrical member with a step interposed between them. Of course, depending on the embodiment, the small diameter portion 81 and the large diameter portion 82 may be formed as separate members and fixed together by appropriate means (not shown). The key is that the suction element 80 must be able to attract and drive the plunger 50 when current is applied to the solenoid 70. In this embodiment, the member that drives the plunger 50 by attraction and accommodates the main valve body 40 so that it can slide up and down is referred to as the suction element. It does not matter whether the suction element 80 is formed from a single member or multiple members.
[0034] The solenoid 70 is fitted onto the outer circumferential surface of the pipe 51. The solenoid 70 has a coil 70a, a bobbin 70b, and a housing 70c. The coil 70a is wound around the bobbin 70b. The housing 70c is made of a magnetic material. The housing 70c surrounds the bobbin 70b. In addition, on the lower side in the figure, i.e., on the valve body 30 side of the housing 70c, a protrusion 70d is formed that protrudes outward beyond the coil 70a on the side opposite the pipe 51.
[0035] 2 to 5, the housing 70c has a first support part 91 arranged to overlap one axial end of the solenoid 70, and a second support part 92 arranged to overlap the other axial end of the solenoid 70, and surrounds the coil 70a. The housing 70c is formed, for example, into a U-shape by the first support part 91, the second support part 92, and a connecting part 93 that connects the first support part 91 and the second support part 92.
[0036] The first support portion 91 and the second support portion 92 are formed with a first mounting hole 91a and a second mounting hole 92a, into which the pipe 51 is respectively fitted. The first support portion 91 is further formed with a notch 91b for suppressing interference with the connection terminal 72. The second support portion 92 is further provided with two protrusions 70d. Each of the protrusions 70d is formed with a through hole 70e. The male screw 71 (FIG. 2) is adapted to be inserted into these through holes 70e. The second support portion 92 is also provided with two protrusions 70f for positioning the coil 70a.
[0037] The first mounting hole 91a abuts against one radial side of the outer periphery of the pipe 51. The second mounting hole 92a abuts against the other radial side of the outer periphery of the pipe 51. As an example, the first mounting hole 91a and the second mounting hole 92a are circular and have the same diameter, and the center C1 of the first mounting hole 91a and the center C2 of the second mounting hole 92a are offset in the radial direction of the pipe 51. In FIG. 2, the center C1 of the first mounting hole 91a is offset to the left of the center C2 of the second mounting hole 92a. As a result, the outer periphery of the upper right side of the pipe 51 abuts against the first mounting hole 91a, and the outer periphery of the lower left side of the pipe 51 abuts against the second mounting hole 92a. Which circumferential position of the pipe 51 abuts against the first mounting hole 91a and which position abuts against the second mounting hole 92a is determined by the relative positional relationship (deviation) between the first mounting hole 91a and the second mounting hole 92a.
[0038] In the above description, the state in which the second mounting hole 92a abuts against the other radial side of the outer periphery of the pipe 51 includes the state in which the second mounting hole 92a abuts against the suction element 80, as shown in Figure 2. Of course, the pipe 51 may be extended downward to surround the outer periphery of the suction element 80. In this case, the second mounting hole 92a abuts against the pipe 51.
[0039] Furthermore, since the second support part 92 having the second mounting hole 92a formed therein is fixed to the valve body 30 by a male screw 71 or the like, the first mounting hole 91a may abut one radial side of the outer periphery of the pipe 51, and the second mounting hole 92a may not abut the other radial side of the outer periphery of the pipe 51.
[0040] If the first mounting hole 91a and the second mounting hole 92a have the same diameter, this misalignment is 3 to 9% of the hole diameter. If the misalignment is below this range, the pipe 51 will not be sufficiently restrained by the housing 70c, making it difficult to suppress vibration. If the misalignment is above this range, it will be difficult to fit the pipe 51 into the first mounting hole 91a and the second mounting hole 92a.
[0041] (Expansion valve) 1, an expansion valve 200 is configured to have a solenoid valve 100 attached thereto. The structure of the expansion valve 200 is common, so it will be briefly explained. The expansion valve 200 has a valve body 30, a first passage 11 through which refrigerant passes from the condenser and receiver of the refrigeration cycle to the evaporator, and a second passage 12 through which refrigerant passes from the evaporator to the compressor, which are formed in the valve body 30 and spaced apart from each other above and below. The solenoid valve 100 is attached so as to be able to open and close the inlet and outlet 32 of the first passage 11.
[0042] Furthermore, there are provided an orifice 32a and a valve chamber 28 provided in the first passage 11, a spherical valve element 32b arranged upstream of the outlet 32 that controls the amount of refrigerant passing through the orifice 32a, and an adjustment screw 39 for a spring 32d that presses the valve element 32b toward the orifice 32a via a valve member 32c. An O-ring 39a is attached to the adjustment screw 39, ensuring an airtight state with the valve body 30. The adjustment screw 39 and the pressing spring 32d adjust the opening of the valve element 32b relative to the orifice 32a.
[0043] The inlet of the first passage 11 communicates with the main valve portion 10, and when the solenoid valve 100 is open, it communicates with the valve chamber 28 through a passage 26. The valve body 30 is formed with bolt holes 30b for mounting the expansion valve 200 to the installation location.
[0044] The valve body 30 is formed with a small-diameter hole 37 and a hole 38, which is larger in diameter than the hole 37 and is coaxial with the orifice 32a, penetrating the second passage 12, in order to apply a driving force to the valve element 32b to open and close the orifice 32a in accordance with the outlet temperature of the evaporator. A power element 36, which serves as a heat-sensing part, is fixed to the upper end of the valve body 30.
[0045] The power element section 36 has a heat sensing rod 36f that slides within the large-diameter hole 38 and the small-diameter hole 37 in response to the displacement of the diaphragm 36a to provide driving force. The top of the heat sensing rod 36f abuts against the underside of the diaphragm 36a, and the bottom end of the heat sensing rod 36f abuts against the valve disc 32b. The heat sensing rod 36f is a valve disc drive rod. The valve disc drive rod may be configured by arranging multiple heat sensing rods in series.
[0046] (action) This embodiment is configured as described above, and its operation will be described below. Here, we will take as an example a case where the solenoid valve 100 is applied to an expansion valve 200 of a refrigeration cycle. Figure 2 shows a state where the solenoid 70 (coil 70a) is not energized. In this case, no suction force is generated in the attractor 80, so the spring 52 causes the plunger 50 to be lifted upward within the pipe 51, and the pilot valve portion 20 is in an open state. Furthermore, the main valve element 40 is lifted upward within the main valve chamber 33 by the spring 46, and the main valve portion 10 is in an open state.
[0047] In this state, when the compressor (not shown) is operated, refrigerant flows from the inlet (not shown) through the main valve element 10 that is open in the main valve chamber 33 and through the outlet 32 (FIG. 1). Furthermore, the amount of refrigerant flowing from the pilot valve chamber 34 to the main valve chamber 33 via the pilot passage 45 is greater than the amount of refrigerant flowing from the main valve chamber 33 to the pilot valve chamber 34 via the pressure equalizing hole (not shown). Therefore, the pressure in the pilot valve chamber 34 becomes smaller than the pressure in the main valve chamber 33, and an upward force acts on the main valve element 40. Together with the elastic force of the main valve element spring 46, the main valve element 10 is kept in a sufficiently open state, and the flow from the inlet to the outlet 32 is maintained.
[0048] Next, when the solenoid 70 is energized, a magnetic field is generated, generating an electromagnetic attractive force between the attractor 80 and the plunger 50, which pulls the plunger 50 down against the resilient force of the spring 52. The valve stem 60 slides up and down within the pipe 51 in synchronization with the movement of the plunger 50. Therefore, the attractive force of the attractor 80 pulls the plunger 50 down, and at the same time, the resilient force of the spring 44 slides the valve stem 60 down as well. As a result, the pilot valve portion 61 at the lower end of the valve stem 60 abuts against the pilot valve seat 42 formed on the upper side of the main valve element 40, closing the pilot valve portion 20. In other words, the pilot passage 45 is blocked.
[0049] When the pilot passage 45 is closed, the only passage connecting the pilot valve chamber 34 and the main valve chamber 33 is the pressure equalizing hole (not shown), eliminating the pressure difference between the two valve chambers. When the spring 44 further presses the main valve element 40 downward and slides it to its lowest point, the main valve element 40 abuts against the main valve seat 35, closing the main valve unit 10. This also closes the main valve unit 10, closing the flow path and preventing the flow of refrigerant, etc. from the inlet to the outlet 32.
[0050] When the power supply to the solenoid 70 is stopped, the electromagnetic attraction force of the attractor 80 by the solenoid 70 is lost, the plunger 50 is pushed upward by the elastic force of the spring 52, and the valve stem 60 moves upward together with the plunger 50 against the elastic force of the spring 44, so that the pilot valve portion 61 of the valve stem separates from the pilot valve seat 42 provided on the upper surface side of the main valve body 40, and the pilot valve portion 20 enters an open state.
[0051] As a result, the pilot valve chamber 34 is connected to the outlet 32 via the pilot passage 45 provided in the center of the main valve body 40, and the pressure in the pilot valve chamber 34 changes from high to low.
[0052] As a result, the main valve element 40 moves upward and separates from the main valve seat 35, entering an open valve state. In addition to the operation of the solenoid valve 100, the expansion valve 200 controls the flow of the refrigerant, etc.
[0053] In the solenoid valve 100 according to this embodiment, a first mounting hole 91a and a second mounting hole 92a are formed in the housing 70c, into which the pipe 51 accommodating the plunger 50 is fitted. The first mounting hole 91a abuts against one radial side of the outer periphery of the pipe 51, and the second mounting hole 92a abuts against the other radial side of the outer periphery of the pipe 51. In other words, the pipe 51 is constrained by the housing 70c in the radial direction. This suppresses vibration of the pipe 51 even when the plunger 50 rapidly moves toward and away from the attractor 80 when the solenoid 70 is PWM controlled.
[0054] Furthermore, since the centers C1, C2 of the first mounting hole 91a and the second mounting hole 92a, which have the same diameter, are offset from each other in the radial direction of the pipe 51, when the pipe 51 is fitted into the first mounting hole 91a and the second mounting hole 92a, one radial side of the outer periphery of the pipe 51 abuts against the first mounting hole 91a, and the other radial side of the outer periphery of the pipe 51 abuts against the second mounting hole 92a. With such a simple configuration, vibration of the pipe 51 can be suppressed.
[0055] This makes it possible to suppress noise and vibration from occurring in the solenoid valve 100. Furthermore, the solenoid valve 100 can control the opening and closing of the expansion valve 200.
[0056] [Other embodiments] The above describes one example of an embodiment of the present invention, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0057] Although the first mounting hole 91a and the second mounting hole 92a are circular and have the same diameter, the shape is not limited to circular. The pipe 51 may be constrained to the housing 70c by alternately abutting against the inner peripheries of the first mounting hole 91a and the second mounting hole 92a. The ceiling portion of the pipe 51 may be formed as a separate member. In other words, the pipe 51 may be formed by combining a cylindrical portion and a ceiling portion. [Explanation of symbols]
[0058] 50 plunger 51 Pipe 60 Valve stem (valve body) 70 Solenoid 70a coil 70c housing 80 Aspirator 91 1st support part 91a First mounting hole 91b Notch 92 Second support part 92a Second mounting hole 93 Connecting part 100 Solenoid valve
Claims
1. a solenoid with a wound coil; an attractor disposed inside the solenoid; a plunger connected to the valve body and attracted to the attractor when the solenoid is energized; a pipe provided inside the solenoid and accommodating the plunger; a housing having a first support portion disposed over one axial end of the solenoid and a second support portion disposed over the other axial end of the solenoid, the first support portion and the second support portion having first and second mounting holes into which the pipe is fitted, respectively, the first mounting hole abutting one radial side of an outer periphery of the pipe; and The center of the first mounting hole and the center of the second mounting hole are misaligned in the radial direction of the pipe.
2. 2. The solenoid valve according to claim 1, wherein the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole have the same diameter.
3. the housing includes a plate-shaped connecting portion that connects the first support portion and the second support portion, The solenoid valve according to claim 1 , wherein the first mounting hole abuts against an outer periphery of the pipe on one side in a direction parallel to the connecting portion.
4. The solenoid valve according to claim 1 , wherein the second mounting hole abuts against the other radial side of the outer periphery of the pipe.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
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Solenoid valve
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Cooling device and electric apparatus using the same
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Electromagnetic valve with differential pressure valve
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