Furniture damper

Abstract

The invention relates to a furniture damper (15) for damping a movement of a movably mounted furniture part (3), comprising: - a damper housing (19), - at least one fluid chamber (19a) which is arranged in the damper housing (19), - a damping fluid which is arranged in the fluid chamber (19a), - at least one piston (20) which is movably mounted in the fluid chamber (19a), said piston (20) having at least one channel (20a) for the passage of the damping fluid, and - at least one switching element (22), wherein when a damping stroke is carried out and the pressure applied to the piston (20) falls below a specified threshold, the switching element can be moved into a first position (A), in which the at least one channel (20a) of the piston (20) is at least partly covered by the switching element (22) and a first flow rate of the damping fluid flows through the at least one channel (20a) of the piston (20), and when the damping stroke is carried out and the pressure applied to the piston (20) exceeds the specified threshold, the at least one switching element (22) can be moved from the first position (A) into a second position (B), in which the at least one channel (20a) of the piston (20) is at least partly released by the switching element (22) and a second flow rate of the damping fluid flows through the at least one channel (20a) of the piston (20), the second flow rate being greater than the first flow rate. (Figure 4b)

Description

[0001] Furniture dampers

[0002] The present invention relates to a furniture damper for damping a movement of a movably mounted furniture part, comprising:

[0003] - a damper housing,

[0004] - at least one fluid chamber arranged in the damper housing,

[0005] - a damping fluid arranged in the fluid chamber,

[0006] - at least one piston displaceably mounted in the fluid chamber, wherein the piston has at least one channel for the passage of the damping fluid,

[0007] - at least one switching element which, when a damping stroke is carried out and below a predetermined threshold value of a pressure application to the piston, is movable into a first position in which the at least one channel of the piston is at least partially covered by the switching element and wherein a first flow rate of the damping fluid flows through the at least one channel of the piston.

[0008] Furthermore, the invention relates to a furniture fitting with at least one furniture damper of the type to be described.

[0009] Such furniture dampers are used, for example, to dampen the closing movement of movable furniture parts (drawers, doors or flaps) or of movably mounted furniture fittings, so that loud slamming and damage to the furniture parts is prevented.

[0010] The damping effect of furniture dampers is generated by the flow resistance of a damping fluid contained in a damper housing. When pressure is applied, the piston is displaced within the fluid chamber, with the damping fluid flowing from the high-pressure side to the low-pressure side through piston openings and / or through a gap formed between the piston and the inner wall of the fluid chamber.

[0011] If the piston is subjected to excessive pressure, for example, due to improper use, a condition known as damper bounce can occur. In such an overload situation, the damping fluid can no longer flow sufficiently through or past the piston. The increased pressure can then no longer be dissipated by the damper, causing the piston and its attached piston rod to abruptly stop or rebound. In extreme cases, the increased pressure can cause the damper housing to burst open, and the hydraulic damping fluid can escape from the damper housing.

[0012] Overload protection devices for furniture dampers are widely known, for example from AT 12 633 U1 and DE 20 2018 103 818 U1 by the applicant. These overload protection devices usually have a ball loaded by a spring, which closes an overload opening in the piston during normal operation (i.e. below a predetermined pressure on the piston) and which opens the overload opening of the piston against the force of the spring in the event of an overload (i.e. above the predetermined pressure on the piston), thereby opening a fluid-conducting connection between the flat pressure side and the low pressure side. By opening this fluid-conducting connection, a larger quantity of damping fluid can be transported from the high pressure side to the low pressure side, so that the pressure in the furniture damper is quickly reduced and bursting of the furniture damper housing is prevented.

[0013] Such overload protection devices with a spring-loaded ball usually have an increased number of components, which also increases the costs of the furniture damper in series production.

[0014] AT 15609 U1, DE 202 21 550 U1, and CN 101672339 A each disclose furniture dampers comprising a cylinder and a piston movable within the cylinder. The piston has at least one channel for the passage of the damping fluid, wherein the piston channel can be closed by at least one bendable or deformable lamella. The piston channel is increasingly closed by the lamella as the pressure increases, thereby generating a higher braking force from the furniture damper.

[0015] AT 10 342 U1 shows a furniture damper with a cylinder and a piston 2 that can be moved within the cylinder, the piston having at least one overload opening for the passage of a damping fluid. Furthermore, a closure element that can be moved relative to the piston is provided, by means of which the overload opening of the piston can be closed at the beginning of the damping stroke. During normal operation, the damping fluid can therefore only flow through an annular gap formed between the piston and an inner wall of the cylinder. With increasing pressure, the closure element is radially expanded, reducing the size of said annular gap and thus increasing the flow resistance for the piston. In the event of an overload, the closure element is radially expanded until the overload opening of the piston is released, thus allowing rapid pressure reduction in the cylinder.The disadvantage is that the piston's overload port is immediately closed upon the onset of the damping stroke, and that during normal operation, the fluid flows exclusively through the annular gap between the piston and the cylinder, creating the risk of damper bounce. The piston's overload port, however, is only released by the locking element in the event of an overload. The furniture damper therefore tends to exhibit dual switching behavior during operation, with insufficient adaptation to the prevailing pressure conditions.

[0016] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a furniture damper of the type mentioned at the outset while avoiding the disadvantages discussed above.

[0017] This is achieved according to the invention by the features of patent claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0018] According to the invention, it is provided that the at least one switching element, during the execution of the damping stroke and above the predetermined threshold value of the pressure applied to the piston, is movable from the first position into a second position, in which the at least one channel of the piston is at least partially opened by the switching element and wherein a second flow rate of the damping fluid flows through the at least one channel of the piston, wherein the second flow rate is greater than the first flow rate. In other words, the furniture damper has at least one switching element which is movable at least between two positions. In a first position of the switching element, the at least one channel of the piston can be at least partially covered, whereby the damping effect of the furniture damper can be controlled as a function of pressure.

[0019] In a second position, however, the switching element serves as an overload protection device, wherein the switching element in the second position releases the at least one channel again in the event of excessive pressure being applied to the piston, whereby the pressure of the damping fluid occurring in the damper housing can be quickly reduced and destruction of the damper housing can be prevented.

[0020] This eliminates the need for an additional overload protection device with a spring-loaded ball, as the switching element serves both as a pressure-dependent control and as an overload protection device. This reduces the number of components of the furniture damper, simplifies its design, and enables cost-effective production.

[0021] A structurally simple design is provided if the at least one switching element can be transferred from the first position to the second position and / or from the second position to the first position by bending or deformation, preferably in a central region.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the at least one switching element can have a third position in which the switching element releases a third flow rate, wherein the at least one switching element can be moved from the first position into the third position upon a pressure reduction, preferably wherein the third flow rate is greater than the first flow rate.

[0023] In other words, at least three different positions of the switching element are realized. In the first position, the switching element at least partially covers the piston channel, thereby providing a first damping force. In the second position of the switching element, an overload situation occurs, in which a piston channel is released by the valve element, thereby enabling rapid pressure reduction in the damper housing. In the third position, the piston channel is only partially covered by the switching element, thereby providing a second damping force that is smaller than the first damping force.

[0024] During normal operation of the furniture damper, the switching element will only move between the first and third positions, providing two different damping forces. In the second position, however, an overload condition occurs, in which the switching element opens a channel in the piston, allowing the damping fluid to flow more quickly from the high-pressure side to the low-pressure side of the furniture damper.

[0025] According to one embodiment, it can be provided that the at least one switching element assumes a substantially flat neutral position in the third position and assumes a bent position in the second position, in which the at least one switching element is at least partially deformed or bent compared to the neutral position.

[0026] It is preferably provided that the at least one switching element assumes a further bending position in the first position, in which the at least one switching element is at least partially deformed or bent compared to the neutral position and is less strongly deformed or bent compared to the bending position of the second position.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the at least one switching element

[0028] - is made of a rubber material or a plastic material, and / or

[0029] - is essentially rotationally symmetrical, and / or

[0030] - is substantially cylindrical, and / or

[0031] - is essentially designed as a lamella.

[0032] Further details and advantages of the present invention will be explained with reference to the following description of the figures. Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a piece of furniture with a furniture body and furniture parts in the form of drawers that are movably mounted relative to the furniture body.

[0033] Fig. 2a, 2b show a furniture fitting in the form of a drawer pull-out guide in a perspective view as well as an enlarged detailed view of this,

[0034] Fig. 3a-3e show the furniture damper in an exploded view as well as in different views with an extended and a retracted piston rod,

[0035] Fig. 4a-4d show the furniture damper with the different positions of the switching element,

[0036] Fig. 5a, 5b show the furniture damper in a perspective section as well as an enlarged detailed view.

[0037] Fig. 1 shows a piece of furniture 1 with a cabinet-shaped furniture body 2, wherein movable furniture parts 3 in the form of drawers 3a are mounted movably relative to the furniture body 2 via furniture fittings 4 in the form of drawer extension guides 4a. The drawers 3a each have a front panel 5, a drawer bottom 6, drawer side walls 7, and a rear wall 8.

[0038] The drawer pull-out guides 4 each comprise a carcass rail 9, which is to be fastened to the furniture carcass 2 via at least one fastening section 12a, 12b, a drawer rail 10 which is displaceably mounted relative to the carcass rail 9 and which is connected or to be connected to the drawer side wall 7, and optionally a center rail 11 which is displaceably mounted between the carcass rail 9 and the drawer rail 10 in order to realize a full extension of the drawer 3a.

[0039] Fig. 2a shows a perspective view of the furniture fitting 4 designed as a drawer pull-out guide 4a. The drawer pull-out guide 4a comprises the cabinet rail 9, which is to be fastened to the furniture carcass 2 via the fastening section 12a, 12b, and the drawer rail 10, which is to be fastened to the drawer 3a, wherein the center rail 11 is movable between the cabinet rail 9 and the drawer rail 10. A preferably pin-shaped fastening element 13 is arranged at the rear end of the drawer rail 10. When the drawer 3a is mounted on the drawer pull-out guide 4a, this fastening element engages in a provided opening in the drawer 3a and thus stabilizes the rear region of the drawer 3a transversely to a longitudinal extension of the drawer rail 10.At the front end of the drawer rail 10, a coupling device 14 with a coupling part 14a designed for manual operation is arranged, by means of which the front area of ​​the drawer 3a can be detachably coupled to the drawer rail 10.

[0040] Fig. 2b shows the oval area according to Fig. 2a in an enlarged view. A driver 17 actuated by a spring device 18 is provided for retracting the drawer rail 10 into a closed end position. The driver 17 can be releasably coupled to a coupling element arranged on the cabinet rail 9, so that the drawer rail 10 can be retracted into the closed end position by the force of the spring device 18.

[0041] A furniture damper 15 with a damper housing 19 is provided to dampen the spring-assisted retraction movement of the drawer rail 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the furniture damper 15 is attached to the drawer rail 10 via a support 16.

[0042] Fig. 3a shows the furniture damper 15 in an exploded view. The furniture damper 15 comprises a preferably cylindrical damper housing 19, in which at least one fluid chamber 19a is arranged. A piston 20 with a piston rod 21 is mounted in the fluid chamber 19a for linear displacement.

[0043] The piston 20 has at least one channel 20a, preferably several channels 20a, for the passage of a damping fluid, preferably hydraulic, located in the fluid chamber 19a.

[0044] Furthermore, at least one switching element 22 is provided, which, when a damping stroke is carried out and below a predetermined threshold value of a pressure application to the piston 20, is movable into a first position in which the at least one channel 20a of the piston 20 is at least partially covered by the switching element 22 and wherein through the at least one channel 20a of the piston

[0045] 20 a first flow rate of the damping fluid flows.

[0046] The switching element 22 can have at least one hole 22a, preferably exactly two holes 22a, which is or can be brought into fluid-conducting connection with the channel 20a of the piston 20.

[0047] The piston 20 has at least one bearing point 26 on which the at least one switching element 22 is movably mounted, preferably in an axial direction of the piston 20.

[0048] The piston rod 21 can be immersed in the fluid chamber 19a, whereby the volume of the fluid chamber 19a can be varied. The additional volume of the piston rod 21 upon entry into the fluid chamber 19a can be compensated for by a compensation device 23, which can be deformed or moved to change the volume of the fluid chamber 19a. The compensation device 23 can comprise a deformable piece of material arranged in the fluid chamber 19a or a compensating element 23c displaceable in the fluid chamber 19a. The compensating element 23c can be moved against a force of an energy accumulator 23a during the execution of the damping stroke. The energy accumulator 23a presses against the compensating element 23c via a support part 23b.

[0049] The damper housing 19 can be locked by a locking element 25, wherein the piston rod 21 is guided through the locking element 25.

[0050] Fig. 3b shows the furniture damper 15 in a side view, with the piston rod

[0051] 21 is in an extended position relative to the damper housing 19. Fig. 3c shows a section along the plane AA according to Fig. 3b. The piston 20 located in the fluid chamber 19a can be seen.

[0052] Fig. 3d shows the furniture damper 15 in a side view, with the piston rod 21 and the piston 20 in a retracted end position with respect to the damper housing 19. Fig. 3e shows a section along the plane AA according to Fig. 3d. The additional volume of the piston rod 21 taken up in the fluid chamber 19a can be compensated by the compensation device 23. It can be seen that the compensating element 23c of the compensation device 23 was moved slightly to the left by the entry of the piston rod 21 against a force of the energy accumulator 23a in direct comparison with Fig. 3c, whereby the energy accumulator 23a is in a more compressed state in Fig. 3e than in Fig. 3c. However, such compensation devices 23 are sufficiently known and need not be explained further at this point.

[0053] Fig. 4a-4d show the furniture damper 15 with the various positions (A, B, C, D) of the switching element 22. Visible is the damper housing 19 with the fluid chamber 19a located therein, which has a low-pressure side (HP) and a low-pressure side (LP) separated from the high-pressure side (HP) by the piston 20. The switching element 22 is preferably arranged on the high-pressure side (HP). The piston 20 has at least one channel 20a, preferably several channels 20a, for the passage of a damping fluid arranged in the fluid chamber 19a. The piston 20 is connected to the piston rod 21 extending from the damper housing 19.

[0054] Fig. 4a shows the first position (A) of the switching element 22, in which the channel 20a of the piston 20 is at least partially covered by the switching element 22 and wherein a first flow rate of the damping fluid flows through the channel 20a of the piston 20. During a movement of the piston 20 in the direction 29 of the damping stroke, the damping fluid flows from the high-pressure side (HP) through a gap 29 formed between the switching element 22 and / or piston 20 and an inner wall 30 of the fluid chamber 19a to the low-pressure side (LP). Furthermore, the damping fluid flows from the high-pressure side (HP) through the holes 22a of the switching element 22 and through the channels 20a of the piston 20 to the low-pressure side (LP). This is symbolized by the paths W1, W2.

[0055] In the first position (A), the switching element 22 assumes a bent position in which the switching element 22 is at least partially deformed or bent compared to a flat neutral position (Fig. 4c). Fig. 4b shows the second position (B) of the switching element 22 and thus the overload situation. In the event of excessive, sudden pressure loading of the piston 20 in the direction 29 of the damping stroke, the switching element 22 can be transferred from the first position (A) to the second position (B) by bending or deformation, preferably in a central region.

[0056] The bending or deformation of the switching element 22 is facilitated by the central opening 22b of the switching element 22, which has a stepped diameter in cross-section. The diameter of the opening 22b can be increased by bending or deforming the switching element 22 in order to increase the flow rate of the damping fluid above the predetermined threshold value for the pressure applied to the piston 20. In the second position (B) shown in Fig. 4b, the switching element 22 assumes a further bending position, which is more strongly deformed or bent than the bending position of the first position (A).

[0057] The piston 20 has at least one, preferably non-rotationally symmetrical, stop 27, wherein the switching element 22 can be placed at least partially against the stop 27 in the second position (B). The annular gap formed between an outer circumference of the bearing point 20b and an inner circumference of the central opening 22b is significantly enlarged in the region of path W3, so that the damping fluid can be quickly transported to the low-pressure side (LP) via paths W3, W2 in the event of an overload. In the first position (A) of the switching element 22 (see Fig. 4a), however, the said annular gap is closed in the region of path W3.

[0058] The switching element 22 has at least one hole 22a, preferably exactly two holes 22a. Preferably, the at least one hole 22a is arranged decentrally on the switching element 22 and / or, in the second position (B) (Fig. 4b), can be closed at least partially by contact with a counter surface 31 on the piston 20, or at least partially.

[0059] Fig. 4c shows a third position (C) of the switching element 22, in which the switching element 22 releases a third flow rate. The at least one switching element 22 can be moved from the first position (A) to the third position (C) upon a pressure reduction, preferably with the third flow rate being greater than the first flow rate. The increased third flow rate is symbolized by the three paths W1, W2, W3.

[0060] The switching element 22 can be moved from the third position (C) to the first position (A) and / or from the first position (A) to the third position (C) by bending or deforming, preferably in a central region. In the third position (C), the switching element 22 assumes a flat neutral position.

[0061] Fig. 4d shows a further position (D) of the switching element 22, in which the switching element 22 releases at least one channel 20a of the piston 20, preferably all channels 20a present in the piston 20, upon movement of the at least one piston 20 in a direction opposite to the damping stroke. This is the case when the piston rod 21 is retracted from the damper housing 19 during the return stroke in a direction opposite to the direction 29 of the damping stroke. By releasing the channels 20a, a rapid return of the piston rod 21 with low fluid resistance is possible.

[0062] Fig. 5a shows the furniture damper 15 with the components already described in a perspective section.

[0063] Fig. 5b shows an enlarged view of the area circled in Fig. 5a. The piston 20 can be seen, which is movable in the fluid chamber 19a and separates the high-pressure side (HP) and the low-pressure side (LP). The switching element 22 is mounted on the bearing point 26 of the piston 20 so that it can be moved axially along the piston 20. The stepped design of the central opening 22b and the channels 20a extending within the piston 20 are clearly visible. Instead of the stepped design, the central opening 22b can also have a conical or cylindrical diameter.

[0064] The furniture damper 15 according to the invention was shown in the drawings in combination with a furniture fitting 4 in the form of a drawer pull-out guide 4a. However, it is immediately apparent that the furniture damper 15 can also be used with other furniture fittings 4. The furniture fitting 4 can have at least two components that can be moved relative to one another, wherein a relative movement of the at least two components can be damped by the furniture damper 15 and / or that the furniture fitting 4 is designed as a furniture drive for moving a movably mounted furniture part 3, as a furniture hinge for moving a movably mounted furniture part 3, or as a damping device for damping a movement of a movable furniture part 3.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Furniture damper (15) for damping a movement of a movable furniture part (3), comprising: - a damper housing (19), - at least one fluid chamber (19a) arranged in the damper housing (19), - a damping fluid arranged in the fluid chamber (19a), - at least one piston (20) slidably mounted in the fluid chamber (19a), wherein the piston (20) has at least one channel (20a) for the passage of the damping fluid, - at least one switching element (22) which, during the execution of a damping stroke and below a predetermined threshold of pressure being applied to the piston (20), is movable into a first position (A) in which the at least one channel (20a) of the piston (20) is at least partially covered by the switching element (22) and wherein a first flow rate of the damping fluid flows through the at least one channel (20a) of the piston (20), characterized in that, during the execution of the damping stroke and above the predetermined threshold of pressure being applied to the piston (20), the at least one switching element (22) is movable from the first position (A) into a second position (B) in which the at least one channel (20a) of the piston (20) is at least partially released by the switching element (22) and wherein a second flow rate of the damping fluid flows through the at least one channel (20a) of the piston (20),where the second flow rate is greater than the first flow rate.

2. Furniture damper (15) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one switching element (22) can be moved from the first position (A) to the second position (B) and / or from the second position (B) to the first position (A) by means of a bending or deformation, preferably in a central area.

3. Furniture damper (15) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one switching element has a third position (C) in which the switching element (22) releases a third flow rate, wherein the at least one The switching element (22) is movable from the first position (A) to the third position (C) during a pressure reduction, preferably wherein the third flow rate is greater than the first flow rate.

4. Furniture damper (15) according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one switching element (22) can be moved from the third position (C) to the first position (A) and / or from the first position (A) to the third position (C) by means of a bending or deformation, preferably in a central area.

5. Furniture damper (15) according to claims 2 and 4, characterized in that the at least one switching element (22) assumes a substantially flat neutral position in the third position (C) and assumes a bent position in the second position (B) in which the at least one switching element (22) is deformed or bent at least partially relative to the neutral position, preferably wherein the at least one switching element (22) assumes a further bent position in the first position in which the at least one switching element (22) is deformed or bent at least partially relative to the neutral position and is less deformed or bent compared to the bent position of the second position.

6. Furniture damper (15) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the piston (20) has at least one bearing point (26) on which the at least one switching element (22) is movably mounted, wherein the switching element (22) has a central opening (22b) and in the third position (C) releases an annular gap between an outer circumference of the at least one bearing point (26) and an inner circumference of the central opening (22b), preferably wherein the annular gap is closable in the first position (A) and / or is at least partially enlargeable in the second position (B).

7. Furniture damper (15) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the piston (20) has at least one stop (27) and the at least one switching element (22) in the second position (B) can be applied at least partially to the at least one stop (27).

8. Furniture damper (15) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least one switching element (20) has at least one hole (22a), preferably exactly two holes (22a), wherein the at least one hole (22a) is in fluid-conducting communication with the channel (20a) of the at least one piston (20) or can be brought into fluid-conducting communication, preferably wherein - that at least one hole (22a) is arranged decentrally on the switching element (22), and / or - in the second position (B) can be closed or at least partially covered by contact with a counter surface (31) on the piston (20).

9. Furniture damper (15) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the at least one switching element (22) has an opening (22b), preferably central, preferably wherein - the opening (22b) in a cross-section has a stepped, conical or cylindrical shape in diameter, and / or - the diameter of the opening (22b) can be increased by bending or deforming the switching element (22) in order to increase the flow rate of the damping fluid above the specified threshold of pressure on the piston (20).

10. Furniture damper (15) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the at least one switching element (22) - is made of a rubber or plastic material, and / or - is essentially rotationally symmetric, and / or - is essentially cylindrical in shape, and / or - is essentially formed as a lamella.

11. Furniture damper (15) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the at least one piston (20) has an axial direction, wherein the at least one switching element (22), preferably along a bearing point (26) connected with the piston (20), is displaceable in the axial direction relative to the piston (20).

12. Furniture damper (15) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the at least one fluid chamber (19a) has a high-pressure side (HP) and a low-pressure side (LP) which are separated from each other by the at least one piston (20), wherein it is preferably provided that the at least one switching element (22) is arranged on the high-pressure side (HP) of the fluid chamber (19a).

13. Furniture damper (15) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the at least one switching element (22) has a further position in which the switching element (22) releases the at least one channel (20a) of the piston (20), preferably all channels (20a) present in the piston (20), when the at least one piston (20) moves in a direction opposite to the damping stroke.

14. Furniture damper (15) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that a piston rod (21) connected to the at least one piston (20) is provided, wherein it is preferably provided that the piston rod (21) is led out of the damper housing (19) of the furniture damper (15).

15. Furniture damper (15) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a piston rod (21) is immersible in the fluid chamber (19a), whereby the volume of the fluid chamber (19a) is changeable, wherein a compensation device (23) is provided which is deformable or movable for changing the volume of the fluid chamber (19a), wherein it is preferably provided that the compensation device (23) has a deformable piece of material arranged in the fluid chamber (19a) or a compensating element (23c) which is displaceable in the fluid chamber (19a), wherein the compensating element (23c) is movable against a force of a force storage device (23a) when the damping stroke is executed.

16. Furniture fitting (4) with at least one furniture damper (15) according to one of claims 1 to 15, preferably wherein the furniture fitting (4) has at least two components movable relative to each other and wherein a relative movement which at least two components can be dampened by the furniture damper (15), and / or that the furniture fitting (4) serves as a furniture drive for moving a movable furniture part (3), as a furniture hinge for moving a movable furniture part (3), as a damping device for damping a movement of a movable furniture part (3), or as a drawer slide guide (4a) for Moving a movable piece of furniture (3) in the form of a drawer (3a).