The present invention relates to a solar cell structure and a method for preventing snow piling onto a solar cell structure.
A solar cell panel is usually installed outdoors while being supported by a mount in an inclined state.
Such a solar cell panel installed outdoors has a problem that the power generation efficiency is decreased when the solar cell panel is covered with snow.
Patent Literature 1: JP-A-2017-103979
In particular, when snow is accumulated (snow is piled) in the vicinity of a lower end of a solar cell panel, a frame, or a mount in an inclination direction, the snow is prevented from slipping down, and thus the power generation efficiency is reduced over a long period of time. Thus, in order to prevent a decrease in power generation efficiency due to snow, it is important to prevent snow piling in the vicinity of the lower end in the inclination direction.
Patent Literature 1 discloses a device for preventing snow piling that prevents snow piling by filling a step between a solar cell panel and a frame on a lower end side in an inclination direction. However, in Patent Literature 1, a space between a frame and a mount is not considered, and thus snow may be accumulated in this portion. In addition, the device for preventing snow piling is fixed to an inclined surface with an adhesive material, and it may be difficult to replace the device for preventing snow piling in the case of material deterioration.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a solar cell structure that can further prevent snow piling onto a solar cell panel.
The first solar cell structure according to the present invention is a solar cell structure comprising, a panel structure comprising a solar cell panel and a mount configured to support the panel structure in an inclined state, wherein the mount has a support surface that supports the panel structure, and the solar cell structure further comprising a cover configured to cover at least a region from an end portion of the support surface on a lower side in an inclination direction to a predetermined portion on the solar cell panel.
The second solar cell structure according to the present invention is a solar cell structure comprising a panel structure comprising a solar cell panel and a mount configured to support the panel structure in an inclined state, and the solar cell structure further comprising a cover configured to cover at least an end surface of the panel structure on a lower side in an inclination direction.
In one embodiment of the solar cell structure according to the present invention, the cover may further cover an end surface of the mount on a lower side in the inclination direction.
In one embodiment of the solar cell structure according to the present invention, the panel structure further comprises a frame, and the solar cell panel may be fixed to the mount with the frame.
In one embodiment of the solar cell structure according to the present invention, the frame comprises a protruding portion that protrudes more than the solar cell panel to an upper side in a direction perpendicular to an inclined surface at an end portion on a lower side in the inclination direction, and the cover may cover the protruding portion.
In one embodiment of the solar cell structure according to the present invention, the cover may be detachably attached to the solar cell structure.
In one embodiment of the solar cell structure according to the present invention, the cover further comprises a hook portion, and the hook portion may be attached by being hooked on a predetermined portion of the solar cell structure.
In one embodiment of the solar cell structure according to the present invention, the cover further comprises a fitting portion, and the fitting portion may be attached by being fitted into a predetermined portion of the solar cell structure.
In one embodiment of the solar cell structure according to the present invention, the cover may have a sheet shape.
In one embodiment of the solar cell structure according to the present invention, the cover may have oil-bleed property.
In one embodiment of the solar cell structure according to the present invention, the cover may comprise an oil-containing layer.
The first method for preventing snow piling onto a solar cell structure according to the present invention is a method for preventing snow piling onto a solar cell structure, the solar cell structure including a panel structure including a solar cell panel, and a mount configured to support the panel structure in an inclined state, the mount comprising a support surface that supports the panel structure, and the method comprising covering a region from an end portion of the support surface on a lower side in an inclination direction to a predetermined portion on the solar cell panel with a cover.
The second method for preventing snow piling onto a solar cell structure according to the present invention is a method for preventing snow piling onto a solar cell structure, the solar cell structure including a panel structure including a solar cell panel, and a mount configured to support the panel structure in an inclined state, and the method comprising covering an end surface of the panel structure on a lower side in an inclination direction with a cover.
In one embodiment of the method for preventing snow piling onto a solar cell structure according to the present invention, an end surface of the mount on a lower side in the inclination direction may be further covered with the cover.
In one embodiment of the method for preventing snow piling onto a solar cell structure according to the present invention, the panel structure further comprises a frame, and the solar cell panel may be fixed to the mount with the frame.
In one embodiment of the method for preventing snow piling onto a solar cell structure according to the present invention, the frame comprises a protruding portion that protrudes more than the solar cell panel to an upper side in a direction perpendicular to an inclined surface at an end portion on a lower side in the inclination direction, and the cover may cover the protruding portion.
In one embodiment of the method for preventing snow piling onto a solar cell structure according to the present invention, the cover may have a sheet shape.
In one embodiment of the method for preventing snow piling onto a solar cell structure according to the present invention, the cover may have oil-bleed property.
The solar cell structure according to the present invention allows for sufficiently preventing snow piling onto the solar cell panel.
(a) of
(a) of
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments to be described below. In the following drawings, members/parts that perform the same function may be described with the same reference numerals, and duplicate description may be omitted or simplified. The embodiments described in the drawings are schematized for the purpose of clearly explaining the present invention, and do not necessarily accurately represent the size or scale.
A first solar cell structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is a solar cell structure including, a panel structure comprising a solar cell panel and a mount configured to support the panel structure in an inclined state. The mount has a support surface that supports the panel structure, and the solar cell structure further includes a cover configured to cover at least a region from an end portion of the support surface on a lower side in an inclination direction to a predetermined portion on the solar cell panel Hereinafter, the first solar cell structure according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the following description, as shown in
The panel structure 2 in the present embodiment includes a solar cell panel 5. As shown in
A type and a size of the solar cell panel 5 in the present embodiment are not limited, and a known solar cell panel can be appropriately used depending on a place of installation and application. The solar cell panel 5 is disposed such that a light collecting surface that receives light and generates power faces an upper side in a direction perpendicular to the inclined surface. When the panel structure 2 includes the frame 6, only one solar cell panel 5 may be attached to one frame 6, or a plurality of solar cell panels 5 may be attached to one frame 6.
When the panel structure 2 includes the frame 6, a shape of the frame 6 is not limited, but usually the frame 6 has a surface (mounting surface) on which the solar cell panel 5 is mounted. As shown in
The mount 3 includes a support surface 3a that supports the panel structure 2. The support surface 3a is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, and thus in the present embodiment, the panel structure 2 is supported in a state of being inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. An angle of the inclination is not limited, and may be appropriately adjusted according to the place of installation, the surrounding environment, and the like. A structure of the mount 3 is not limited, and a known mount for a solar cell structure can be appropriately used depending on the place of installation and the application. The mount 3 is attached to the place of installation such as a ground or a roof by a known means as appropriate.
The support surface 3a of the mount 3 may be formed to be slightly larger than the panel structure 2 (a panel structure group including a plurality of panel structures 2 when there is a plurality of panel structures 2). In this case, when the solar cell structure 1 is viewed from the upper side in the direction perpendicular to the inclined surface, the support surface 3a of the mount 3 extends to the lower side in the inclination direction more than an end surface 6b of the frame 6 on the lower side in the inclination direction, and snow is usually likely to be accumulated on this extending portion. The snow accumulated on this portion prevents the snow accumulated on the solar cell panel 5 from slipping down, and reduces the power generation efficiency over a long period of time.
In the case of snowstorm or the like, snow may land on the end surface 6b of the frame 6 on the lower side in the inclination direction or the end surface 3b of the mount 3 on the lower side in the inclination direction, and the snow may grow along the upper side in the inclination direction, for example. As described above, such a snow accretion may occur in both cases that the support surface 3a of the mount 3 extends to the lower side in the inclination direction more than the end surface 6b of the frame 6 on the lower side in the inclination direction and that the support surface 3a of the mount 3 does not extend. The snow accretion on these end surfaces also prevents the snow accumulated on the solar cell panel 5 from slipping down, thereby reducing the power generation efficiency over a long period of time.
Further, as described above, when the frame 6 includes the protruding portion 6a at the end portion (peripheral edge portion), a step is formed between the protruding portion and the solar cell panel 5. Therefore, snow is likely to pile up particularly on the step between the solar cell panel and the protruding portion at the end portion on the lower side in the inclination direction. As described above, such snow piling on the step may occur in both cases that the support surface 3a of the mount 3 extends to the lower side in the inclination direction more than the end surface 6b of the frame 6 on the lower side in the inclination direction and that the support surface 3a of the mount 3 does not extend. The snow accumulated on the step also prevents the snow accumulated on the solar cell panel 5 from slipping down, and reduces the power generation efficiency over a long period of time.
In the present embodiment, providing the cover 4 that covers at least a region from an end portion X of the support surface 3a on the lower side in the inclination direction to a predetermined portion Y on the solar cell panel allows for preventing the snow piling on an extended portion of the support surface 3a of the mount 3, the snow accretion on the end surfaces 6b and 3b of the frame 6 and the mount 3 on the lower side in the inclination direction, and the snow piling on the step between the protruding portion of the frame 6 on the lower side in the inclination direction and the solar cell panel 5. Hereinafter, the cover 4 will be described in detail.
A shape of the cover 4 is not limited, but is preferably a sheet shape as the cover 4 in a sheet shape is easy to transport and light in weight. A material used for the cover 4 is not limited, but examples thereof include a resin material such as a film and a rubber material, a metal, and a molded product thereof.
A method of attaching the cover 4 is not limited, and any method may be selected according to the shape and material of the cover 4. Examples of the method include a bonding method with an adhesive agent or an adhesive tape, and a locking method with a screw or the like. When the cover 4 is formed of an elastic material such as a rubber material, the cover 4 can be attached so that a portion from the end portion X of the support surface 3a on the lower side in the inclination direction to the predetermined portion Y on the solar cell panel is sandwiched by using an elastic force of the cover 4.
The cover 4 is preferably detachably attached to the solar cell structure. In more preferable embodiment of the cover 4, the cover 4 can be easily attached to and easily detached from the solar cell structure. In such an embodiment, the cover 4 can be easily replaced or repaired, or an oil-containing layer to be described later can be easily replaced.
Examples of the embodiment in which the cover can be easily attached and detached include an embodiment that a cover is attached to a solar cell structure by hooking a hook portion of the cover to be described later on a predetermined portion (for example, a protruding portion of a frame) of the solar cell structure.
The embodiment allows the cover to be easily attached by simply placing the cover, since the hook portion is hooked on the predetermined portion of the solar cell structure when the cover is attached. When the cover is removed, the cover can be easily removed simply by simply lifting the cover.
Examples of another embodiment in which the cover can be easily attached and detached include an embodiment that a cover is attached to a solar cell structure by fitting a fitting portion of the cover to be described later into a predetermined portion (for example, a protruding portion of a frame) of the solar cell structure.
The embodiment allows the cover to be easily attached by only fitting the fitting portion into the predetermined portion of the solar cell structure when the cover is attached. The predetermined portion of the solar cell structure is sandwiched by the entire fitting portion, and thus the cover can be held on the solar cell structure with an appropriate force and can be easily removed.
The embodiment allows the cover to be easily attached to the solar cell structure and to be easily removed without allowing the cover to adhere to the solar cell structure with an adhesive agent or an adhesive tape or locking the cover with a screw or the like. Also, in the embodiment, the cover may be attached to the solar cell structure by adhesion with an adhesive agent or an adhesive tape, locking with a screw or the like.
In another embodiment, the cover may be attached to the solar cell structure by a releasable adhesive agent, adhesive tape, or the like even when the cover does not have the hook portion or the fitting portion. The use of the releasable adhesive agent, adhesive tape or the like allows the cover to be easily attached to the solar cell structure and to be easily removed, since the adhesive agent, the adhesive tape, or the like can be released.
In the present embodiment, the cover 4 preferably has oil-bleed property. When the cover 4 has the oil-bleed property, the effect of preventing snow piling is particularly enhanced. The oil-bleed property refers to a property of holding oil and gradually releasing the oil to a surface. The surface of the cover 4 having the oil-bleed property is always kept in a state of being covered with the oil, and thus snow and ice are less likely to adhere to the surface. Therefore, the use of such a cover 4 allows for particularly preventing snow piling.
Examples of the embodiment in which the cover 4 has the oil-bleed property include an embodiment that the cover 4 includes an oil-containing layer on the surface thereof.
The oil-containing layer is obtained, for example, by coating, on the surface of the cover 4, a coating material obtained by mixing a resin precursor and an oil component, and curing the coating material. Alternatively, the oil-containing layer may be obtained by attaching a film in which an oil-containing layer formed of the coating material is formed on a base material such as a PET film to the surface of the cover 4.
In such a cover 4, the oil component gradually exudes to the surface thereof.
Examples of the resin precursor include thermosetting rubbers such as a dimethyl polysiloxane rubber.
Examples of the oil component include silicone oil, fluorine oil, hydrocarbon oil, polyether oil, ester oil, phosphorus compound oil, and mineral oil. Among these, silicone oil is preferable from the viewpoint of the effect of preventing snow and ice accretion and the bleeding effect. As the oil component, a single type of oil may be used, or a mixture of two or more types of oils may be used.
The oil component exudes to the surface of the oil-containing layer, so that the oil component in the oil-containing layer is gradually decreased, and the oil-bleed property is deteriorated over time. Thus, it is necessary to remove the cover 4 from the solar cell structure and replace the cover 4 or the oil-containing layer at any timing such as when the oil-bleed property is deteriorated. Therefore, when the cover 4 having the oil-bleed property is used, as described above, it is preferable embodiment that the cover 4 is detachable from the solar cell structure, and it is particularly preferable embodiment that the cover 4 can be easily attached to and detached from the solar cell structure.
In the present embodiment, when the solar cell structure 1 includes a plurality of panel structures 2 in the inclination direction, that is, when the solar cell structure 1 includes a plurality of rows of panel structures 2, the predetermined portion Y on the solar cell panel means a predetermined portion on the solar cell panel of the panel structure on the lowermost side in the inclination direction.
When the solar cell structure 1 includes the plurality of panel structures 2 in the inclination direction, as shown in (a) and (b) of
As a result, snow piling between the panel structures adjacent to each other in the inclination direction can be prevented, and snow slipping properties are further improved.
When the solar cell structure 1 includes a plurality of panel structures 2 in a direction parallel to the support surface 3a and perpendicular to the direction perpendicular to the inclined surface (that is, a direction perpendicular to a plane of paper in
Hereinafter, a configuration of the cover will be described in more detail with reference to a modification according to the present embodiment.
An example shown in
When the support surface 13a of the mount 13 extends to the lower side in the inclination direction more than the end surface 16b of the frame 16 on the lower side in the inclination direction as in the present example, snow tends to pile up on this portion. However, in this example, this portion is covered with the cover 14, and the inclination of the cover 14 that covers this portion is larger than the inclination of the support surface 13a, so that snow is less likely to be accumulated on this portion.
In the present example, the end surface 16b of the frame 16 on the lower side in the inclination direction is covered by the cover 14, and thus there is no possibility that snow will land on the end surface 16b even in the case of snowstorm or the like.
Further, in this example, the step between a protruding portion 16a of the frame 16 on the lower side in the inclination direction and the solar cell panel 15 is also covered with the cover 14, and thus snow is less likely to pile up on this step.
Therefore, in the configuration according to the present example, snow accumulated on the solar cell panel 15 is likely to slip down.
An example shown in
Even when the support surface 23a of a mount 23 does not extend to the lower side in the inclination direction more than the end surface 26b of the frame 26 on the lower side in the inclination direction as in the present example, slipping down of snow accumulated on the solar cell panel 25 may be hindered by snow accretion on the end surface 26b of the frame 26 on the lower side in the inclination direction or snow piling onto the step between a protruding portion 26a of the frame 26 on the lower side in the inclination direction and the solar cell panel 25.
However, in the present example, the end surface 26b of the frame 26 on the lower side in the inclination direction is covered by the cover 24, and thus there is no risk of snow accretion on the end surface 26b even in the case of snowstorm or the like.
Further, in the present example, the step between the protruding portion 26a of the frame 26 on the lower side in the inclination direction and the solar cell panel 25 is also covered with the cover 24, and thus snow is less likely to be accumulated on this step.
Therefore, in the configuration according to the present example, snow accumulated on the solar cell panel 25 is likely to slip down.
In the example shown in
An example shown in
With such a configuration, in addition to the effects of the first modification described above, snow accretion on the end surface 3b of the mount 3 on the lower side in the inclination direction is prevented, and thus this is particularly preferable.
An example shown in
With such a configuration, in addition to the effects of the second modification described above, snow accretion on the end surface 33b of the mount 33 on the lower side in the inclination direction is prevented, and thus this is particularly preferable.
The cover does not necessarily have to have a sheet shape.
Although the embodiment in which the hook portion Ma is hooked on the protruding portion 56a of the frame 56 has been described above, an object on which the hook portion 54a is hooked is not limited to the protruding portion 56a, and the hook portion 54a may be hooked on another member provided on the solar cell structure 51 as long as the effect of the present invention is not impaired.
Although the embodiment in which the fitting portion 64a is fitted into the protruding portion 66a of the frame 66 has been described above, an object into which the fitting portion 64a is fitted is not limited to the protruding portion 66a, and the fitting portion 64a may be fitted into another member provided on the solar cell structure 61 as long as the effect of the present invention is not impaired.
[First Method for Preventing Snow Piling onto Solar Cell Structure]
A method for preventing snow piling onto a solar cell structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a “method according to the first embodiment”) is a method for preventing snow piling onto a solar cell structure, the solar cell structure including a panel structure including a solar cell panel, and a mount configured to support the panel structure in an inclined state, the mount comprising a support surface that supports the panel structure, and the method comprising covering a region from an end portion of the support surface on a lower side in an inclination direction to a predetermined portion on the solar cell panel with a cover.
The panel structure, the mount, the cover, the solar cell panel, and the frame in the method according to the first embodiment are the same as the panel structure, the mount, the cover, the solar cell panel, and the frame in the first solar cell structure according to the present embodiment described above.
A second solar cell structure according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a panel structure including a solar cell panel; and a mount configured to support the panel structure in an inclined state, and further includes a cover that covers at least an end surface of the panel structure on a lower side in an inclination direction. Hereinafter, the second solar cell structure according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
As shown in
The panel structure 72 is the same as the panel structure described in the first solar cell structure. The panel structure may or may not include a frame.
The mount 73 includes a support member 77 that supports the panel structure 72. In
The support member 77 is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane. Thus, in the present embodiment, the panel structure 72 is supported in a state of being inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. An angle of the inclination is not limited, and may be appropriately adjusted according to the place of installation, the surrounding environment, and the like. A structure of the mount 73 is not limited, and a known mount for a solar cell structure can be appropriately used depending on a place of installation and the application. The mount 73 is attached to a place of installation such as a ground or a roof by a known means as appropriate.
The cover 74 covers at least the end surface 72a of the panel structure 72 on the lower side in the inclination direction. A specific embodiment includes, for example, as shown in (b) of
A shape of the cover 74 is not limited as long as the cover 74 covers the end surface 72a. For example, the end surface 72a may be covered with the sheet-shaped cover 74 as shown in (b) of
The cover 74 covers at least the end surface 72a of the panel structure 72 on the lower side in the inclination direction, and this allows for preventing snow from landing on and growing on the end surface 72a of the panel structure 72 on the lower side in the inclination direction and the vicinity thereof. That is, even when there is no step or the like on the panel structure 72, snow is likely to accumulate on the end surface 72a on the lower side in the inclination direction and the vicinity thereof when the inclination angle of the panel structure 72 is small, but since the end surface 72a of the panel structure 72 on the lower side in the inclination direction is covered with the cover 74, the end surface 72a serves as a starting point of snow slipping, and this allows for preventing snow from landing or growing.
As the cover 74, the same cover as that described in the first solar cell structure can be used.
Hereinafter, a case where the panel structure of the second solar cell structure according to the embodiment of the present invention has a frame will be described with reference to an example.
The cover 84 is provided from the predetermined portion Z of a surface of the solar cell panel 85 on the upper side in the direction perpendicular to the inclined surface to the predetermined portion Z′ of the lower surface of the frame 86 in the direction perpendicular to the inclined surface. Thus, the end surface 82a is covered with the cover 84. For example, when the cover 84 is formed of an elastic material such as a rubber material, the end surface 82a may be covered such that an upper side of the solar cell panel 85 and/or the frame 86 in the direction perpendicular to the inclined surface and a lower side of the frame 86 in the direction perpendicular to the inclined surface are sandwiched by using the elastic force of the cover 84. The cover 84 may be hooked to a protruding portion 86a of the frame by providing a hook portion as shown in
The cover 84 covers the end surface 82a of the panel structure 82 on the lower side in the inclination direction, and this allows for preventing snow from landing on and growing on the end surface 82a of the panel structure 82 on the lower side in the inclination direction and the vicinity thereof. Further, the cover 84 has the inclined surface C having an inclination angle larger than an inclination angle of the panel structure 82, and thus the snow slipping effect is enhanced. The cover 84 has oil-bleed property as necessary, so that the effect of preventing snow piling can be further improved.
As shown in (a) of
[Method for Preventing Snow Piling onto Second Solar Cell Structure]
A method for preventing snow piling onto a solar cell structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a “method according to the second embodiment”) is a method for preventing snow piling onto a solar cell structure, the solar cell structure including a panel structure including a solar cell panel, and a mount configured to support the panel structure in an inclined state, and the method comprising covering an end surface of the panel structure on a lower side in an inclination direction with a cover.
The panel structure, the mount, the cover, and the solar cell panel in the method according to the second embodiment are the same as the panel structure, the mount, the cover, and the solar cell panel in the second solar cell structure according to the present embodiment described above.
Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to the examples.
In a solar cell structure 101 having a panel structure 102 of 4 rows×8 columns or more as shown in
A thermosetting dimethyl polysiloxane rubber (KE-1950-A/B, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) was prepared as a resin precursor, a dimethyl siloxane oil (KF-96-50CS, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) was prepared as a first oil component, and a methyl phenyl siloxane oil (TSF437, manufactured by Momentive Performance Materials Inc.) was prepared as a second oil component. These were stirred until these reached a uniform consistency to obtain a coating material.
A blending proportion of the resin precursor, the first oil component, and the second oil component was adjusted so that the resin component was 40% by mass, the first oil component was 36% by mass, and the second oil component was 24% by mass in the finally obtained oil-containing resin layer.
The obtained coating material was applied onto an ionomer film (Himilan 1855, manufactured by Du Pont-Mitsui Co., Ltd. and KURABO Co., Ltd.) and the applied one was cured by heating for 10 minutes in a 150° C. environment to obtain a sheet in which an oil-containing resin layer having a thickness of about 250 μm was formed on the film. Further, an adhesive agent (CS9862, manufactured by Nitto Denko Corporation) was attached to an ionomer film side of the sheet so as to be bondable to an adherend, whereby the sheet A was obtained.
In the solar cell structure, a panel structure in the lowermost row in the inclination direction in a second column from the right from the lower side in the inclination direction was not covered.
In the solar cell structure, a panel structure in the lowermost row in the inclination direction in a third column from the right from the lower side in the inclination direction was covered with a cover as shown in
In the solar cell structure, a panel structure in the lowermost row in the inclination direction in a fourth column from the right from the lower side in the inclination direction was covered with a cover as shown in
In the solar cell structure, a panel structure in the lowermost row in the inclination direction in a fifth column from the right from the lower side in the inclination direction was covered with a cover as shown in
In the solar cell structure, a panel structure in the lowermost row in the inclination direction in a sixth column from the right from the lower side in the inclination direction was covered with a cover as shown in
In the solar cell structure, a panel structure in the lowermost row in the inclination direction in a seventh column from the right from the lower side in the inclination direction was not covered.
The solar cell structure was installed outdoors and the state of snow sliding was observed. The snow that had fallen on the solar cell structure was sliding down in rows in Examples 1, 3 to 6. On the other hand, in columns in Examples 2 and 7, snow falling on the solar cell structure did not slip down.
The present application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-065070 filed on Mar. 28, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2019-065070 | Mar 2019 | JP | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/JP2020/014342 | 3/27/2020 | WO | 00 |