U.S. patent application number 13/880685 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-22 for hose made from an elastic material.
This patent application is currently assigned to JOHNSON CONTROLS HYBRID AND RECYCLING GmbH. The applicant listed for this patent is Helge Brenner, Ralf Joswig, Martin Wiegmann. Invention is credited to Helge Brenner, Ralf Joswig, Martin Wiegmann.
Application Number | 20130216889 13/880685 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45531350 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130216889 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Joswig; Ralf ; et
al. |
August 22, 2013 |
HOSE MADE FROM AN ELASTIC MATERIAL
Abstract
Hose made from an elastic material, which is designed to be
fitted on a hose connection by means of a hose endpiece of the hose
being pushed over the hose connection, and which is designed to be
fastened on the hose connection by a hose clip to be arranged in a
fitting region of the hose endpiece, wherein the hose endpiece has
at least one thickened area which protrudes from the outer side of
the hose, said thickeded area protruding from the outer side of the
hose at least to such an extent that a hose clip suitable for
fastening the hose on the hose connection is held on the hose
endpiece by the thickened area, with respect to the influence of
gravity when this is effective in the longitudinal direction of the
hose endpiece. The invention further relates to a hose having at
least two branch-off points.
Inventors: |
Joswig; Ralf; (Bucholz
(Aller), DE) ; Wiegmann; Martin; (Borstel, DE)
; Brenner; Helge; (Hannover, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Joswig; Ralf
Wiegmann; Martin
Brenner; Helge |
Bucholz (Aller)
Borstel
Hannover |
|
DE
DE
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
JOHNSON CONTROLS HYBRID AND
RECYCLING GmbH
Hannover
DE
|
Family ID: |
45531350 |
Appl. No.: |
13/880685 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
October 12, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2011/005113 |
371 Date: |
April 19, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
429/120 ;
138/118; 138/177; 285/242 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 41/03 20130101;
F16L 33/025 20130101; H01M 2/1077 20130101; H01M 10/625 20150401;
H01M 10/6568 20150401; F16L 11/121 20130101; F16L 11/122 20130101;
H01M 10/486 20130101; F16L 33/02 20130101; H01M 10/633 20150401;
Y02E 60/10 20130101; H01M 10/613 20150401; F16L 33/28 20130101;
H01M 2220/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
429/120 ;
138/118; 138/177; 285/242 |
International
Class: |
F16L 11/12 20060101
F16L011/12; F16L 33/02 20060101 F16L033/02; H01M 10/50 20060101
H01M010/50 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 21, 2010 |
DE |
10 2010 049 015.6 |
Claims
1. A hose made from an elastic material for assembly on a hose
connector by pushing a hose end piece of the hose over the hose
connector and for fastening on the hose connector by a hose clip to
be arranged in an assembly region of the hose end piece, wherein
the hose end piece comprises at least one thickened portion
protruding from the outside of the hose, which protrudes from the
outside of the hose at least so far that a hose clip that is
suitable for fastening the hose on the hose connector is held on
the hose end piece by the thickened portion against the influence
of gravity, when the latter is effective in the longitudinal
direction of the hose end piece.
2. The hose as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thickened portion
runs completely about the outer circumference of the hose.
3. The hose as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thickened portion is
arranged in the assembly region for the hose clip.
4. The hose as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least two thickened
portions are provided, which each run about the outer circumference
of the hose and each have the same spacing from the face end of the
hose end piece.
5. The hose as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thickened portion,
viewed from the face end of the hose end piece, is arranged in
front of the assembly region for the hose clip.
6. The hose as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thickened portion,
viewed from the face end of the hose end piece, is arranged behind
the assembly region for the hose clip.
7. The hose as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one first
thickened portion, viewed from the face end of the hose end piece,
is arranged in front of the assembly region for the hose clip, and
at least one second thickened portion, viewed from the face end of
the hose end piece, is arranged behind the assembly region for the
hose clip, wherein the spacing between the first and the second
thickened portion is equal in size or slightly larger than the
width of the hose clip.
8. The hose as claimed in claim 3, wherein the dimension by which
the thickened portion protrudes from the outside of the hose
decreases in the direction of the face end of the hose end
piece.
9. The hose as claimed in claim 3, wherein the sum of the outer
diameter of the hose end piece and the dimension by which the
thickened portion protrudes from the outside of the hose is greater
than the inner diameter of the hose clip in the loose state.
10. The hose as claimed in claim 3, wherein the thickened portion
completely runs about the outer circumference of the hose, has a
circular outer contour viewing the face end of the hose end piece
from the top and has a diameter which is larger than the inner
diameter of the hose clip in the loose state.
11. The hose as claimed in claim 3, wherein the dimension by which
the thickened portion protrudes from the outside of the hose is in
the range from 1 to 4 mm.
12. The hose as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hose comprises at
least two branch-off points on each of which a hose section having
in each case a hose end piece is arranged.
13. A hose made from an elastic material, wherein the hose
comprises at least two branch-off points, on each of which a hose
section having in each case a hose end piece is arranged, which is
formed for assembly on a hose connector by pushing the hose end
piece over the hose connector and for fastening on the hose
connector by a hose clip to be arranged in the region of the hose
end piece.
14. The use of a hose as claimed in claim 13, for transporting a
coolant for cooling batteries, in particular for electric or hybrid
vehicles.
15. A battery arrangement for electric or hybrid vehicles with a
plurality of individual battery elements, each of which comprises a
coolant supply connection and a coolant discharge connection,
wherein the coolant supply connections are interconnected and
connected to a coolant source via a hose as claimed in any one of
the preceding claims and/or the coolant discharge connections are
interconnected and connected to a coolant sink via a hose.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The invention relates to a hose made from an elastic
material according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention
furthermore relates to a hose made from an elastic material, which
comprises at least two branch-off points, according to claim 13.
The invention furthermore relates to a use of such a hose for
transporting a coolant for cooling batteries and to a battery
arrangement for electric or hybrid vehicles.
[0002] When assembling a hose on a hose connector, a hose clip is
frequently used in order to fix the hose on the hose connector and
guarantee a secure and lasting seal. The work procedure usually
consists in that the hose clip is firstly loosely pushed over the
hose, a hose end piece then being pushed over the hose connector,
then the hose clip being positioned and held in an assembly region
in the region of the hose end piece and finally fastened. When
fastening the hose clip, the latter is contracted so that through
the hose clip the hose is pressed against the hose connector.
[0003] Such a hose clip fastening is known for example from DE 88
08 680 U1.
SUMMARY
[0004] The invention is based on the object of stating a hose with
which the assembly by means of a hose clip described before is
simplified. Furthermore, advantageous usage possibilities for such
a hose are to be stated.
[0005] This object is solved through the invention stated in the
claims 1, 13, 14 and 15. The subclaims state advantageous
configurations of the invention.
[0006] The invention facilitates the assembly of hoses with hose
clips. It is advantageous that the hose end piece is molded through
at least one thickened portion protruding from the outside of the
hose in such a manner that the hose clip prior to the final fixing,
can be captively put on. Because of this, the hose clip is held in
the position that is correct for the assembly and merely has to
still be finally fixed, for example by tightening a clamping screw
or crimping. Here, the thickened portion is formed in such a manner
that a hose clip that is suitable for fastening the hose on the
hose connector is held on the hose end piece by the thickened
portion at least against the influence of gravity, when the latter
is effective in the longitudinal direction of the hose end piece.
The thickened portion in this case allows the hose clip to be
pushed over because of the elasticity of the material of the hose
or of the thickened portion used. In this way, the hose clip is
securely held on the hose end at least with respect to the
influence of gravity and cannot fall down.
[0007] The invention has a particularly positive effect on assembly
times of hoses and the costs connected with this when a large
number of hoses or hose end pieces have to be assembled on
respective hose connectors, such as for example in the case of
cooling liquid systems, wherein a larger quantity of cooling
circuits has to be connected to the hose or a plurality of hose end
pieces via separate hose connectors.
[0008] Exemplary applications can be found in the region of
fluid-cooled battery arrangements for electric or hybrid vehicles,
in the field of air-conditioning technology, in cooling systems for
internal combustion engines of motor vehicles or in washing
machines.
[0009] The thickened portion according to the invention can be
molded highly differently in many configurations. It is significant
that the thickened portion results in a shaping of the hose end
piece such that the hose clip cannot by its own action easily leave
a desired position. The thickened portion can for example be formed
as one or a plurality of nubs or ring-shaped elevations with
regular or irregular shaping. The surface of the thickened portion
facing outward can be smooth or provided with a structure which can
be nubbed or grained. One or a plurality of thickened portions can
be provided.
[0010] Basically all elastic materials are possible as elastic
material for the hose, in particular rubber-elastic materials and
elastomers such as for example rubber or silicone. The thickened
portion can be formed from the hose material or another suitable
material. The thickened portion need not of necessity be produced
in one piece with the hose. The thickened portion can also be
inserted as an insert piece in a receiving location of the hose end
piece. Advantageous, however, is a one-piece formation of the
thickened portion with the hose in a uniform production
process.
[0011] The thickened portion can be produced by adding additional
materials to the hose end piece or by locally expanding the
existing hose material. According to an advantageous development of
the invention, the thickened portion runs completely about the
outer circumference of the hose, for example in the form of a
ring.
[0012] According to an advantageous development of the invention,
the dimension by which the thickened portion protrudes from the
outside of the hose, about the outer circumference of the hose,
remains the same.
[0013] According to an advantageous development of the invention,
the thickened portion is arranged in the assembly region of the
hose clip. This has the advantage that even with a single thickened
portion the hose clip can be held in its final assembly position.
Advantageously, the thickened portion is formed running completely
about the outer circumference of the hose, for example in ring
form. It is likewise advantageous to configure the thickened
portion in ring form, but with interruptions. Advantageous, in
particular, is the configuration of the thickened portion in the
form of a plurality of individual fins arranged about the outer
circumference along a ring form, which protrude from the outside of
the hose.
[0014] According to an advantageous development of the invention,
at least two thickened portions are provided, which each run about
the outer circumference of the hose sector-by-sector and each have
the same spacing from the face end of the hose end piece. In a
further advantageous development, the thickened portions are evenly
spaced from one another in the circumferential direction of the
hose. Advantageously, more than two thickened portions can also be
provided, for example three to eight.
[0015] According to an advantageous development of the invention,
the thickened portion, viewed from the face end of the hose end
piece, is arranged in front of the assembly region for the hose
clip. This has the advantage that the hose clip can be initially
pushed over the thickened portion and then, without there being the
risk of the hose clip falling off the hose end piece, the hose end
piece can be pushed over the hose connector. Insofar as the hose
end piece is effected with a spatial orientation in which the face
end points in the direction of gravity, the hose clip is quasi
automatically located also in the correct location of the hose end
piece, namely in the assembly region. A further manual adjustment
can thus be omitted. Because of this, a hose assembly with the face
end of the hose end piece facing downward is particularly
facilitated.
[0016] According to an advantageous development of the invention,
the thickened portion, viewed from the face end of the hose end
piece, is arranged behind the assembly region for the hose clip.
This has the advantage that through the thickened portion slipping
away of the hose clip into a hose section located further away from
the face end of the hose end piece is prevented. In particular in
the presence of a gravity component during the assembly of the hose
clip away from the face end the advantage arises that the hose clip
is held in its assembly position in the assembly region of the hose
end piece.
[0017] It is likewise advantageous to provide both a thickened
portion in front of the assembly region as well as a further
thickened portion behind the assembly region. Because of this, the
hose clip can be fixed in both directions.
[0018] According to an advantageous development of the invention,
at least one first thickened portion, viewed from the face end of
the hose end piece, is arranged in front of the assembly region for
the hose clip. At least one second thickened portion, viewed from
the face end of the hose end piece, is arranged behind the assembly
region for the hose clip. The spacing between the first and the
second thickened portion is equal in size or slightly larger than
the width of the hose clip. Because of this, the hose clip is fixed
in a certain position and has only little or no play in the
longitudinal direction of the hose end piece.
[0019] According to an advantageous development of the invention,
the dimension by which the thickened portion protrudes from the
outside of the hose decreases in the direction of the face end of
the hose end piece. The decrease can run for example linearly or in
the shape of an arc. Because of this, a certain slope of the
thickened portion in the direction of the face end is provided,
which facilitates the placing and guiding of the hose clip over the
thickened portion as far as into the assembly region.
[0020] According to an advantageous development of the invention,
the sum of the outer diameter of the hose end piece and the
dimension by which the thickened portion protrudes from the outside
of the hose is greater than the inner diameter of the hose clip in
the loose state. Loose state is understood to mean the state of the
hose clip as delivered. This has the advantage that a secure hold
of the hose clip on the hose end piece is made possible.
[0021] According to an advantageous development of the invention,
the thickened portion completely runs about the outer circumference
of the hose, has a circular outer contour viewing the face end of
the hose end piece from the top and has a diameter which is larger
than the inner diameter of the hose clip in the loose state. This
allows a simple production of the thickened portion.
[0022] According to an advantageous development of the invention,
the dimension by which the thickened portion protrudes from the
outside of the hose is in the range from 1 to 4 mm. This has the
advantage that the use of hose clips with standard diameters is
favored. For each usual hose diameter, a suitable hose clip with a
standard diameter can be selected. Said hose clip can then be
pushed over the thickened portion comfortably and without damage
and is additionally held by the thickened portion once pushed
over.
[0023] According to an advantageous development of the invention,
the hose comprises at least two branch-off points. On each of the
branch-off points, a hose section having in each case a hose end
piece is arranged. Such a hose can advantageously be used as a
distribution hose (manifold), for example for passing on and
distributing cooling fluid. The hose, in particular, can be
provided with a larger number of branch-off points, for example 6
or 10. Through the respective thickened portions provided on the
hose end pieces, the assembly of such a hose by means of hose clips
is facilitated and accelerated.
[0024] In addition, all previously described embodiments of the
hose or of the thickened portions can be advantageously
inter-combined.
[0025] The invention additionally relates to a hose made from an
elastic material, wherein the hose comprises at least two
branch-off points, on each of which a hose section having in each
case a hose end piece is arranged, which is formed for assembly on
a hose connector by pushing the hose end piece over the hose
connector and for fastening on the hose connector by a hose clip to
be arranged in the region of the hose end piece. Such a hose is
advantageously suitable as a distribution hose for coolant, e.g. a
cooling fluid, for example for cooling batteries for electric or
hybrid vehicles.
[0026] The invention therefore also relates to a use of a hose of
the type mentioned before for transporting a coolant for cooling
batteries, in particular for electric or hybrid vehicles.
[0027] The invention furthermore relates to a battery arrangement
for electric or hybrid vehicles with a plurality of individual
battery elements, each of which comprises a coolant supply
connection and a coolant discharge connection, wherein the coolant
supply connections are interconnected and to a coolant source via a
hose of the type described before and/or the coolant discharge
connections are interconnected and connected to a coolant sink via
a hose of the type described above. Each battery element can for
example comprise a plurality of cylindrical round cells or
prismatic cells.
DRAWINGS
[0028] In the following, the invention is explained in more detail
by means of exemplary embodiments making use of drawings, in
which:
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a hose and a hose clip and
[0030] FIG. 2 shows the hose according to FIG. 1 with fitted hose
clip and
[0031] FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of a hose and a hose clip
and
[0032] FIG. 4 shows the hose according to FIG. 3 with fitted hose
clip and
[0033] FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of a hose and a hose clip
and
[0034] FIG. 6 shows a hose segment in cross section and
[0035] FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of a hose and
[0036] FIG. 8 shows the hose according to FIG. 7 with fitted hose
clip and
[0037] FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of a hose and
[0038] FIG. 10 shows the hose according to FIG. 9 with fitted hose
clip and
[0039] FIG. 11 shows a further embodiment of a hose with fitted
hose clips and
[0040] FIG. 12 shows a battery arrangement for electric or hybrid
vehicles.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] In the Figures, the same reference characters are used for
corresponding elements.
[0042] FIG. 1 shows a hose 1 and a hose clip 4. The hose 1
comprises a hose end piece 3, in which the hose 1 ends on an end
face 14. In the direction facing away from the end face 14, the
hose 1, on the other side of the hose end piece 3, extends over a
hose section 24, which depending on the application can have a
different length and in the Figures is only shown as a short hose
piece for the sake of clarity. The hose end piece comprises an
assembly region 13 for a hose clip 4. The hose clip 4 is pushed
over the hose end piece 3 as far as into the assembly region 13 and
can then be fixed. In general, the hose 1 comprises a hose section
25 protruding over the assembly region 13 toward the end face 14,
since as a rule it is desirable that the hose clip is not assembled
on the outermost end of the hose end piece 3.
[0043] The hose 1 according to FIG. 1 comprises a thickened portion
5 formed from the hose material protruding on the outside of the
hose 1 in the hose section 25, which seen from the end face 14 is
located in front of the assembly section 13. The thickened portion
5 is formed radially circumferentially about the outer
circumference of the hose end piece 3. In the shown embodiment, the
thickened portion 5 is formed with a taper in the direction of the
end face 14, e.g. in the shape of a truncated cone.
[0044] The hose clip 4 likewise shown in FIG. 1 is of the crimping
type. To this end, the hose clip 4 comprises a crimping region 25,
which for fastening the hose clip 4 on the hose 1 is pressed
together with a suitable tool. This reduces the diameter of the
hose clip, which results in the hose being fixed on a hose
connector.
[0045] FIG. 2 shows the hose 1 and the hose clip 4 according to
FIG. 1 with the hose clip 4 already pushed onto the hose 1. In
addition, a hose connector 2 is shown, onto which the hose 1 with
the hose clip 4 is to be pushed.
[0046] FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of a hose 1, which
additionally to the thickened portion 5 in the hose section 25, a
further additional thickened portion 6 is arranged in a region of
the hose end piece 3 located further away from the face end 14. The
further thickened portion 6 in this case is arranged seen from the
face end 14 behind the assembly region 13 for the hose clip 4.
Here, the spacing 15 between the thickened portions 5, 6 is
selected so that it is equal in size or slightly larger than the
width 16 of the hose clip 4. Because of this, the hose clip 4 can
be easily positioned in the assembly region 13 between the two
thickened portions 5,6 and is prevented by the two thickened
portions 5, 6 from being undesirably displaced in both directions
in the longitudinal direction of the hose 1.
[0047] FIG. 4 shows the hose 1 and the hose clip 4 according to
FIG. 3 with the hose clip 4 pushed over the hose 1.
[0048] FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of a hose 1, in which a
thickened portion 7 of ring-like shape is formed on the hose end
piece 3, namely in the assembly region 13 for the hose clip 4.
[0049] The hose clip 4 in this case can be pushed over the
thickened portion 7 with a slight exertion of force and because of
the elasticity of the material of the thickened portion 7 and of
the hose 1 is held in the respective position through pressure.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 5, the thickened portion 7 can be formed as
a circumferential ring without interruptions. FIG. 6 shows an
alternative configuration of the thickened portion 7, in which a
multiplicity of small fins 8, which are arranged closely together,
protrude from the outside of the hose 1. Here, the hose 1 is shown
in a view of the end face 14 from the top, wherein FIG. 6 only
shows a sector-like detail.
[0051] FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of a hose 1, in which the
hose end piece 3 branches off the hose 1 at an angle. Furthermore,
a further embodiment of the mentioned thickened portions is shown
by means of FIG. 7, namely two thickened portions 9, 10 radially
located opposite each other, which starting out from the end face
14 are arranged in front of the assembly region 13. The thickened
portions 9, 10 are formed approximately in the manner of a circular
segment and have a profile extending tapered in the longitudinal
direction of the hose end piece 3 in such a manner that starting
out from the end face 14, an approximately ramp-like rise of the
height of the thickened portions 9, 10 is obtained.
[0052] FIG. 8 shows the hose 1 according to FIG. 7 with the hose
clip 4 pushed over the hose end piece 3.
[0053] FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of a hose. In contrast
with FIG. 7, further thickened portions 11, 12 are provided apart
from the thickened portions 9, 10 in the hose section 25 of the
hose end piece 3, which, starting out from the end face 14, are
arranged behind the assembly region 13. The thickened portions 11,
12 are substantially formed with the same shaping as the thickened
portions 9, 10, but with their sloping contour in the opposite
direction to that of the thickened portions 9, 10.
[0054] FIG. 10 shows the hose 1 according to FIG. 9 with the hose
clip 4 pushed over the hose end piece 3.
[0055] FIG. 11 shows a hose 1 with a plurality of branch-off points
17, 18, 19, 20, wherein in FIG. 11, four branch-off points are
shown, however more or fewer branch-off points can also be
advantageously realized. The branch-off points 17, 18, 19, 20 each
have a hose end piece 3, 21, 22, 23. The hose end pieces 3, 21, 22,
23 are formed with thickened portions of the type described before,
wherein in FIG. 11, the embodiment according to FIG. 8 is
exemplarily shown. However, the other described embodiments can
also be provided. Hose clips are pushed over the hose end pieces 3,
21, 22, 23 in each case.
[0056] FIG. 12 shows a battery arrangement for electric or hybrid
vehicles. The battery arrangement comprises a plurality of battery
elements 30, 31, 32, 33, wherein in FIG. 12 four battery elements
are exemplarily shown, but more or fewer battery elements are also
advantageously possible. The battery elements 30, 31, 32, 33
contain a plurality of individual battery cells, which require
cooling in operation. For this reason, each battery element 30, 31,
32, 33 has an internal coolant distribution. For supplying the
coolant, each battery element 30, 31, 32, 33 has its own coolant
supply connection 34, 35, 36, 37. For discharging the coolant which
has flowed through the respective battery element 30, 31, 32, 33,
each battery element comprises a coolant discharge connection 38,
39, 40, 41. The coolant supply connections and the coolant
discharge connections are each formed with a hose connector, which
serves for assembling a hose for the supply and discharge of the
coolant. The coolant supply connections 34, 35, 36, 37 are
connected to a coolant source 44, 47 via a hose 42 of the type
described before, in particular a hose according to FIG. 11. The
coolant source 44, 47 comprises for example a cooling fluid pump 44
and cooling fluid reservoirs 47. Here, the hose 42 is connected to
the cooling fluid pump 44. The cooling fluid pump 44 on the inlet
side is in turn connected to a cooling fluid reservoir 47 via a
further hose 46. The coolant discharge connections 38, 39, 40, 41
are connected to a coolant sink 47, 49 via a hose 43 of the type
described before, in particular a hose according to FIG. 11. The
coolant sink 47, 49 comprises for example a heat exchanger 49 and
the cooling fluid reservoir 47. The hose 43 in this case is
connected to an inlet connection of the heat exchanger 49. The heat
exchanger 49 can for example be formed as a cooler. On the outlet
side, the heat exchanger 49 is connected to the cooling fluid
reservoir 47 via a further hose 48.
[0057] The battery arrangement according to FIG. 12 additionally
comprises an electronic control unit 51, which monitors the
temperature of the battery elements 30, 31, 32, 33 and dependent on
this, controls the cooling fluid pump 44. To this end, each of the
battery elements 30, 31, 32, 33 is provided with a temperature
sensor 52, 53, 54, 55.
[0058] The temperature sensors 52, 53, 54, 55 are connected to the
electronic control unit 51 via respective electric lines 56, 57,
58, 59. In addition, the electronic control unit 51 is connected to
an electric motor 45 via an electric line 50. The electric motor 45
is connected to the cooling fluid pump 44 via a shaft. The electric
motor 45 serves for driving the cooling fluid pump 44. The
electronic control device controls the electric motor 55, e.g. via
rotational speed control in such a manner that the battery elements
30, 31, 32, 33 are adequately supplied with the cooling fluid and
the developing heat is discharged so that none of the battery
elements 30, 31, 32, 33 is impermissibly heated up.
* * * * *