TWI614778B - Coil structure and coil device capable of generating a uniform magnetic field - Google Patents

Abstract

A coil structure and a coil device capable of generating a uniform magnetic field, the coil device comprising a plurality of coil units arranged in a matrix and detachably connected to each other, each coil unit comprising a sub-coil and a plurality of line segments, the sub-unit The coil includes an eccentric winding portion and two circuit connecting portions, and the two circuit connecting portions are respectively connected to two opposite sections of the eccentric winding portion; the line segments are arranged side by side and spaced apart from each other, and the line segments and the sub-coils are Oppositely disposed and overlapping each other, the coil connecting portions of the plurality of line segments of the coil units are connected to each other to form an auxiliary coil electrically connected to the sub-coils, and the center positions of the sub-coils correspond to the center position of the auxiliary coil, A uniform magnetic field is generated when current is supplied through the sub-coils and the auxiliary coil.

Description

Coil structure and coil device capable of generating a uniform magnetic field

The present invention relates to a coil structure and a coil device, and more particularly to a coil structure and a coil device that can generate a uniform magnetic field.

The conventional wireless charging system mainly includes a DC/DC converter, a DC/AC converter and a coil which are sequentially connected. The input of the DC/DC converter can be used to receive a constant current. The DC/AC converter converts the direct current into an output alternating current, and the output alternating current is externally generated through the coil to generate a magnetic field for wireless charging. In this way, the electronic device with the wireless charging function can receive the magnetic field of the coil, and the electronic device can convert the induced magnetic field into a charging power source for charging, thereby achieving a non-wired wireless charging action.

Among them, whether or not the magnetic field generated by the coil is uniform is related to the charging efficiency. The prior art is related to whether or not a coil having a uniform magnetic field can be generated. For example, the coil structure disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. US 2016/0164332. Through careful evaluation and multi-party considerations, and through the professional experience accumulated in this industry, the applicant has designed the coil structure and coil device that can produce a uniform magnetic field.

The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a coil structure and a coil device capable of generating a uniform magnetic field, the coil structure and the coil device being connectable to a control circuit, and when the control circuit supplies current, the coil structure and the coil device can be generated. A uniform magnetic field to increase wireless charging efficiency.

The coil structure for generating a uniform magnetic field comprises: a sub-coil comprising an eccentric winding portion and two circuit connecting portions, the eccentric winding portion having opposite two sections, the two circuit connecting portions respectively connecting the eccentric winding And the plurality of line segments are arranged side by side and spaced apart from each other, the line segments are opposite to the sub-coils and overlap each other, the line segments are relatively inclined to the sub-coils, and each of the line segments has two ends, The two ends are respectively two coil connecting portions.

The two circuit connecting portions of the sub-coil are electrically connected to a control circuit, and the control circuit can output a current to the sub-coil for generating a uniform magnetic field for wireless charging when the current passes through the sub-coil. These line segments have not yet passed, and the line segments do not affect the magnetic field generated by the sub-coils.

The coil device for generating a uniform magnetic field comprises a plurality of coil units, which are arranged in a matrix and detachably connected to each other, each of the coil units comprising: a sub-coil comprising an eccentric winding portion and two circuit connections The eccentric winding portion has two opposite sections, the two circuit connecting portions respectively connecting the two sections of the eccentric winding portion; and the plurality of line segments are arranged side by side and spaced apart from each other, the line segments and the sub-section The coils are oppositely disposed and overlap each other, and the line segments are relatively inclined to the sub-coils, wherein each of the line segments has two ends, the two ends are respectively two coil connecting portions; the coil connecting portions of the plurality of line segments of the coil units are connected to each other An auxiliary coil is formed, and the auxiliary coil is serially connected between the sub-coils of the coil units, and the center positions of the sub-coils correspond to the center position of the auxiliary coil.

In the operational context of the plurality of coil units, the sub-coils of the coil units are in series with the auxiliary coil. Thereby, when current passes through the sub-coils and the auxiliary coil, the sub-coils can each generate a magnetic field, and the center position of the sub-coils corresponds to the center position of the auxiliary coil, so that the magnetic field energy generated by the auxiliary coil At the center of the sub-coils, the coil arrangement as a whole produces a uniform magnetic field for wireless charging.

The embodiment of the coil structure that can generate a uniform magnetic field includes a sub-coil and a plurality of line segments. Referring to the first embodiment of the coil structure shown in FIG. 1, the sub-coil 10 can be disposed on a top surface of a substrate 100. The sub-coil 10 includes an eccentric winding portion 101 and two circuit connecting portions 102. The eccentric winding portion 101 is a member that is disposed on the same plane and is surrounded by the inside and the outside. The eccentric winding portion 101 has two opposite sections. The two circuit connecting portions 102 are respectively connected to the two segments of the eccentric winding portion 101. The line segments 11 may be disposed on a bottom surface of the substrate 100. The line segments 11 may be arranged side by side and spaced apart from each other. The line segments 11 are opposite to the sub-coils 10 and overlap each other. Each of the line segments 11 has two ends. The two ends are respectively two coil connecting portions 110, and the coil connecting portions 110 of the line segments 11 may be located at the edge of the top surface or the bottom surface of the substrate 100.

The top surface and the bottom surface of the substrate 100 are exemplified by an XY plane. As shown in FIG. 1 , in the first embodiment of the coil structure, the eccentric winding portion 101 of the sub-coil 10 is a rectangular winding portion. The circuit connecting portion 102 can be located on a side of the sub-coil 10 in the +Y direction, and the line spacing d1 of the eccentric winding portion 101 in the +X direction is greater than the line spacing d2 of the eccentric winding portion 101 in the -X direction, The line distance d3 of the eccentric winding portion 101 in the +Y direction is smaller than the line distance d4 of the eccentric winding portion 101 in the -Y direction. The line segments 11 can be relatively inclined to the sub-coil 10, as shown in FIG. 1, the inclination direction of the line segments 11 can be inclined from +X, +Y toward -X, -Y.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the second embodiment of the coil structure, the eccentric winding portion 101 of the sub-coil 10 is a rectangular winding portion, and the two circuit connecting portions 102 can be located in the -Y direction of the sub-coil 10. On one side, the line distance d1 of the eccentric winding portion 101 in the +X direction is larger than the line distance d2 of the eccentric winding portion 101 in the -X direction, and the line distance d3 of the eccentric winding portion 101 in the +Y direction is larger than The line distance d4 of the eccentric winding portion 101 in the -Y direction. The inclination direction of the line segments 11 can be inclined from -X, +Y toward +X, -Y directions.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the third embodiment of the coil structure, the eccentric winding portion 101 of the sub-coil 10 is a rectangular winding portion, and the two circuit connecting portions 102 can be located in the +Y direction of the sub-coil 10. On one side, the line distance d1 of the eccentric winding portion 101 in the +X direction is smaller than the line distance d2 of the eccentric winding portion 101 in the -X direction, and the line distance d3 of the eccentric winding portion 101 in the +Y direction is smaller than The line distance d4 of the eccentric winding portion 101 in the -Y direction. The inclination direction of the line segments 11 can be inclined from -X, +Y toward +X, -Y directions.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the fourth embodiment of the coil structure, the eccentric winding portion 101 of the sub-coil 10 is a rectangular winding portion, and the two circuit connecting portions 102 can be located in the -Y direction of the sub-coil 10. On one side, the line distance d1 of the eccentric winding portion 101 in the +X direction is smaller than the line distance d2 of the eccentric winding portion 101 in the -X direction, and the line distance d3 of the eccentric winding portion 101 in the +Y direction is larger than The line distance d4 of the eccentric winding portion 101 in the -Y direction. The inclination direction of the line segments 11 can be inclined from +X, +Y toward -X, -Y.

As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, a portion of the sub-coil 10 may be distributed on a top surface and a bottom surface of the substrate 100, and portions of the line segments 11 may also be distributed on a top surface and a bottom surface of the substrate 100. The substrate 100 can be provided with a conductive member 13 . The conductive member 13 is electrically connected to the sub-coil 10 distributed on the top surface and the bottom surface of the substrate 100 through the top surface and the bottom surface of the substrate 100 , or the power supply connection is distributed. The line segments of the top and bottom surfaces of the substrate.

According to the coil structure of the present invention, the two circuit connecting portions 102 of the sub-coil 10 can be electrically connected to a control circuit. When the control circuit outputs a current to the sub-coil 10, the winding of the eccentric winding portion 101 is performed. The structure can cause a uniform magnetic field for wireless charging.

Referring to FIG. 6, the coil device for generating a uniform magnetic field includes a plurality of coil units 21 to 24, which are arranged in a matrix and detachably connected to each other, and each of the coil units 21 to 24 includes In the coil structure described above, that is, each of the coil units includes a sub-coil and a line segment, wherein when the coil units 21 to 24 are connected, the coil connecting portions of the line segments of the coil units 21 to 24 are connected to each other to form a coil structure. The auxiliary coil 30 is connected in series to the sub-coils of the coil units 21 to 24.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the embodiment of the coil device of the present invention, the coil units 21-24 include a first coil unit 21, a second coil unit 22, a third coil unit 23 and a fourth coil. Unit 24. The coil structure of the first coil unit 21 corresponds to the first embodiment of the coil structure shown in FIG. 1, and includes the sub-coil 210 and the line segment 211. The coil structure of the second coil unit 22 corresponds to the second embodiment of the coil structure shown in FIG. 2, and includes the sub-coil 220 and the line segment 221. The coil structure of the third coil unit 23 corresponds to the third embodiment of the coil structure shown in FIG. 3, and includes the sub-coil 230 and the line segment 231. The coil structure of the fourth coil unit 24 corresponds to the fourth embodiment of the coil structure shown in FIG. 4, and includes the sub-coil 240 and the line segment 241. The first to fourth embodiments of the coil structure of FIGS. 1 to 4 are not described herein again.

Referring to FIG. 6 and the reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 , the two coil connecting portions 110 of the line segment 211 of the first coil unit 21 are connected to one of the coil connecting portions 110 of the line segment 221 of the second coil unit 22 and the same. Between one of the coil connecting portions 110 of the line segment 231 of the third coil unit 23; the two coil connecting portion 110 of the line segment 241 of the fourth coil unit 24 is connected to the other coil of the line segment 221 of the second coil unit 22 The connecting portion 110 is between the other coil connecting portion 110 of the line segment 231 of the third coil unit 23. Therefore, the line segment 211 of the first coil unit 21, the line segment 221 of the second coil unit 22, the line segment 231 of the third coil unit 23, and the line segment 241 of the fourth coil unit 24 are connected to each other to constitute the auxiliary coil 30. The auxiliary coil 30 is a rhombic member, and the center positions of the sub-coils 210 to 240 of the coil units 21 to 24 correspond to the center position of the auxiliary coil 30.

Referring to FIG. 6 , in particular, the sub-coil 220 of the second coil unit 22 is connected in series with the sub-coil 210 of the first coil unit 21 , and the sub-coil 210 of the first coil unit 21 is connected in series with the auxiliary coil 30 . The auxiliary coil 30 is connected in series to the sub-coil 230 of the third coil unit 23, and the sub-coil 230 of the third coil unit 23 is connected in series to the sub-coil 240 of the fourth coil unit 24. With this configuration, the auxiliary coil 30 is connected in series between the sub-coils 210-240 of the coil units 21-24, and when current passes through the sub-coils 210-240 and the auxiliary coil 30, the sub-coils 210~ The 240 can independently generate a magnetic field, and the magnetic field generated by the auxiliary coil 30 is located at the center of the sub-coils 210-240, so that the overall magnetic field of the coil device can be made uniform.

Regarding the connection structure of the coil units 21 to 24, the first coil unit 21 and the second coil unit 24 are taken as an example, and other coil units can be deduced by analogy. Referring to FIG. 7 , the first coil unit 21 is disposed in a first outer casing 31 , and the second coil unit 22 is disposed in a second outer casing 32 . The first outer casing 31 has a slot 310 . The slot 310 has a conductive contact 311. The conductive contact 311 of the slot 310 is electrically connected to the sub-coil 210 and the line segment 211 of the first coil unit 21. The second housing 32 has a plug 320. The plug 320 has a conductive contact 321 . The conductive contact 321 of the plug 320 is electrically connected to the sub-coil 220 of the second coil unit 22 and the line segment 221 . Therefore, when the first housing 31 is coupled to the second housing 32, the plug 320 is correspondingly disposed in the slot 310, and the conductive contact 321 of the plug 320 contacts the conductive contact 311 of the slot 310. The electrical connection is formed, so that the first coil unit 21 can be electrically connected to the second coil unit 22.

In the coil device, each of the coil units 21-24 can be electrically connected to a control circuit. Referring to FIG. 8, the control circuit 40 includes a DC/DC converter 41, a DC/AC converter 42, and a control unit. A switch 43, a resonant capacitor 44, a communication circuit 45 and a controller 46 are selected.

An input end of the DC/DC converter 41 is configured to receive current, and an input end of the DC/DC converter 42 is electrically connected to an output end of the DC/DC converter 41 to receive the DC power, and convert the DC power into a DC Output AC power. The output end of the DC/AC converter 42 is electrically connected to the coil unit 21-24 via the selection switch 43 and the resonant capacitor 44 to radiate electromagnetic waves to the output AC power through the coil unit 21-24. The controller 46 is electrically connected to the DC/DC converter 41, the DC/AC converter 42, the communication circuit 45 and the selection switch 43, and the controller 46 controls the DC/DC converter 41 and the DC/AC. The converter 42 generates the output alternating current, the controller 46 is electrically connected to the communication circuit 45 for external connection, and the controller 46 can control the selection switch 43 to be turned on or open.

Referring to FIG. 9 , taking the circuit of the sub-coil 210 of the first coil unit 21 and the control circuit 40 thereof, the selection switch 43 , the resonant capacitor 44 and the sub-coil 210 of the first coil unit 21 are connected in series. The output of the DC/AC converter 42. When the selection switch 43 is turned on, the output current I1 of the DC/AC converter 42 can pass through the resonant capacitor 44 and the sub-coil 210 of the first coil unit 21 for the sub-coil 210 to generate a magnetic field. It can be seen that when the first coil unit 21 is not connected to other coil units, the control circuit 40 can also drive the sub-coil 210 of the first coil unit 21 to generate a uniform magnetic field for wireless charging.

The present invention can be used to connect the second coil unit 22 with the first coil unit 21, or the second coil unit 22 is connected to the fourth coil unit 24. Referring to FIG. 10, the second coil unit 22 is connected to the first coil unit 21 as an example, and the selection switch 43 connecting the first coil unit 21 and the second coil unit 22 is in an open state, and the first coil is connected. The sub-coil 210 of the unit 21 is connected in series to the sub-coil 220 of the second coil unit 22. Thereby, the output current I2 generated by the two DC/AC converters 42 can pass through the resonant capacitor 44, the sub-coil 210 of the first coil unit 21 and the sub-coil 220 of the second coil unit 22, so that the two sub-coils The coils 210, 220 can generate magnetic fields for wireless charging, respectively.

The present invention can be connected to the first coil unit 21 to the fourth coil unit 24. Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 11, the selection switch 43 connecting the coil units 21 to 24 is in an open state, so that the coil units 21 to 24 are The sub-coils 210-240 are connected in series with the auxiliary coil 30, wherein the auxiliary coil 30 is connected in series with an auxiliary resonant capacitor 300, and the auxiliary coil 30 and the auxiliary resonant capacitor 300 are connected in series to the sub-coil 220 of the second coil unit 22. Between the sub-coil 230 of the third coil unit 23. Thereby, the output current I3 generated by the DC/AC converters 42 can pass through the resonant capacitor 44 corresponding to the first coil unit 21, the sub-coils 210-240 of the coil units 21-24, the auxiliary coil 30, and the The auxiliary resonant capacitor 300 and the resonant capacitor 44 corresponding to the fourth resonant unit 24 enable the sub-coils 210-240 of the coil units 21-24 and the auxiliary coil 30 to generate a uniform magnetic field for wireless charging.

In summary, in the operating scenario of only one coil unit, as shown in FIG. 9, the sub-coil 210 of the first coil unit 21 can separately generate a magnetic field for wireless charging of a lower power electronic device; In the operating scenario with two coil units, as shown in FIG. 10, the sub-coil 210 of the first coil unit 21 and the sub-coil 220 of the second coil unit 22, the two sub-coils 210, 220 can separately generate magnetic fields for respectively Two lower power electronic devices are wirelessly charged; in the operating environment with four coil units, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 11 , the coil units 21 to 24 are combined, the sub coils 210 to 240 and The auxiliary coil 30 is capable of generating a uniform magnetic field for wireless charging of higher power electronic devices. Therefore, this creation can provide multiple operational scenarios, and the practicality is greatly improved.

10‧‧‧Sub-coil
101‧‧‧Eccentric winding department
102‧‧‧Circuit Connection
11‧‧‧ segments
110‧‧‧ coil connection
13‧‧‧Electrical parts
100‧‧‧Substrate
21‧‧‧First coil unit
210‧‧‧Sub-coil
211‧‧‧ line segment
22‧‧‧second coil unit
220‧‧‧Sub-coil
221‧‧ ‧ line segment
23‧‧‧ Third coil unit
230‧‧‧Sub-coil
231‧‧‧ line segment
24‧‧‧fourth coil unit
240‧‧‧Sub-coil
241‧‧‧ segments
30‧‧‧Auxiliary coil
300‧‧‧Auxiliary resonant capacitor
31‧‧‧ first shell
310‧‧‧Slots
311‧‧‧Electrical contacts
32‧‧‧ second casing
320‧‧‧ plug
321‧‧‧Electrical contacts
40‧‧‧Control circuit
41‧‧‧DC/DC converter
42‧‧‧DC/AC converter
43‧‧‧Selection switch
44‧‧‧Resonance capacitor
45‧‧‧Communication circuit
46‧‧‧ Controller

Figure 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the present coil structure. Figure 2 is a plan view showing a second embodiment of the present coil structure. Figure 3 is a plan view showing a third embodiment of the present coil structure. Figure 4 is a plan view showing a fourth embodiment of the present coil structure. Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a conductive member disposed on a substrate of the present coil structure. Figure 6 is a plan view showing an embodiment of the present coil device. Fig. 7 is a schematic view showing the connection of two coil units in the coil device of the present invention. Figure 8: Schematic diagram of a coil unit connected to a control circuit of the present invention. Figure 9: Schematic diagram of the sub-coil of the first coil unit of the present invention driven by a control circuit. Fig. 10 is a schematic view showing that the sub-coils of the first coil unit and the sub-coils of the second coil unit are driven by a control circuit. Figure 11: Schematic diagram of the present coil device driven by a control circuit.

21‧‧‧First coil unit

210‧‧‧Sub-coil

211‧‧‧ line segment

22‧‧‧second coil unit

220‧‧‧Sub-coil

221‧‧ ‧ line segment

23‧‧‧ Third coil unit

230‧‧‧Sub-coil

231‧‧‧ line segment

24‧‧‧fourth coil unit

240‧‧‧Sub-coil

241‧‧‧ segments

30‧‧‧Auxiliary coil

Claims (10)

A coil structure capable of generating a uniform magnetic field, comprising: a sub-coil comprising an eccentric winding portion and two circuit connecting portions, the eccentric winding portion having opposite two sections, the two circuit connecting portions respectively connecting the eccentric winding And the plurality of line segments are arranged side by side and spaced apart from each other, the line segments are opposite to the sub-coils and overlap each other, the line segments are relatively inclined to the sub-coils, and each of the line segments has two ends, The two ends are respectively two coil connecting portions. The coil structure capable of generating a uniform magnetic field as described in claim 1, wherein the eccentric winding portion of the sub-coil is a rectangular winding portion, and the line spacing of the eccentric winding portion in the +X direction is greater than the eccentric winding portion at -X The line spacing of the direction, the line spacing of the eccentric winding portion in the +Y direction is smaller than the line spacing of the eccentric winding portion in the -Y direction; the inclination direction of the line segments is from +X, +Y to -X, -Y direction tilt. The coil structure capable of generating a uniform magnetic field as described in claim 1, wherein the eccentric winding portion of the sub-coil is a rectangular winding portion, and the line spacing of the eccentric winding portion in the +X direction is greater than the eccentric winding portion at -X The line spacing of the direction, the line spacing of the eccentric winding portion in the +Y direction is greater than the line spacing of the eccentric winding portion in the -Y direction; the inclination direction of the line segments is from -X, +Y to +X, -Y direction tilt. The coil structure capable of generating a uniform magnetic field as described in claim 1, wherein the eccentric winding portion of the sub-coil is a rectangular winding portion, and the line spacing of the eccentric winding portion in the +X direction is smaller than the eccentric winding portion at -X The line spacing of the direction, the line spacing of the eccentric winding portion in the +Y direction is smaller than the line spacing of the eccentric winding portion in the -Y direction; the inclination direction of the line segments is from -X, +Y to +X, -Y direction tilt. The coil structure capable of generating a uniform magnetic field as described in claim 1, wherein the eccentric winding portion of the sub-coil is a rectangular winding portion, and the line spacing of the eccentric winding portion in the +X direction is smaller than the eccentric winding portion at -X The line spacing of the direction, the line spacing of the eccentric winding portion in the +Y direction is greater than the line spacing of the eccentric winding portion in the -Y direction; the inclination direction of the line segments is from +X, +Y to -X, -Y direction tilt. The coil structure capable of generating a uniform magnetic field according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sub-coil is disposed on a top surface of a substrate, and the eccentric winding portion is a member that is disposed on the same plane and is surrounded by the inside and the outside. The line segments are disposed on a bottom surface of the substrate, and the coil connecting portions of the line segments are located at edges of the top or bottom surface of the substrate. A coil device capable of generating a uniform magnetic field, comprising a plurality of coil units arranged in a matrix and detachably connected to each other, each of the coil units comprising: a sub-coil comprising an eccentric winding portion and two circuit connections The eccentric winding portion has two opposite sections, the two circuit connecting portions respectively connecting the two sections of the eccentric winding portion; and the plurality of line segments are arranged side by side and spaced apart from each other, the line segments and the sub-section The coils are oppositely disposed and overlap each other, and the line segments are relatively inclined to the sub-coils, wherein each of the line segments has two ends, the two ends are respectively two coil connecting portions; the coil connecting portions of the plurality of line segments of the coil units are connected to each other An auxiliary coil is formed, and the auxiliary coil is serially connected between the sub-coils of the coil units, and the center positions of the sub-coils correspond to the center position of the auxiliary coil. A coil device capable of generating a uniform magnetic field as described in claim 7, wherein the eccentric winding portion of the sub-coil is a rectangular winding portion, and the auxiliary coil is a diamond-shaped member. The coil device for generating a uniform magnetic field according to claim 8, wherein the coil unit comprises a first coil unit, a second coil unit, a third coil unit and a fourth coil unit; The line spacing of the eccentric winding portion in the +X direction is greater than the line spacing of the eccentric winding portion in the -X direction, and the line spacing of the eccentric winding portion in the +Y direction is smaller than the line of the eccentric winding portion in the -Y direction The inclination direction of the line segments is inclined from +X, +Y toward -X, -Y direction; in the second coil unit, the line distance of the eccentric winding portion in the +X direction is greater than the eccentric winding portion - The line spacing in the X direction, the line spacing of the eccentric winding portion in the +Y direction is greater than the line spacing of the eccentric winding portion in the -Y direction, and the inclination direction of the line segments is from -X, +Y to +X, -Y In the third coil unit, the line spacing of the eccentric winding portion in the +X direction is smaller than the line spacing of the eccentric winding portion in the -X direction, and the line spacing of the eccentric winding portion in the +Y direction is smaller than the The line spacing of the eccentric winding portion in the -Y direction, the inclination direction of the line segments is inclined from -X, +Y toward the +X, -Y direction; in the fourth coil unit, the eccentric winding The line spacing of the portion in the +X direction is smaller than the line spacing of the eccentric winding portion in the -X direction, and the line spacing of the eccentric winding portion in the +Y direction is greater than the line spacing of the eccentric winding portion in the -Y direction, such The inclination direction of the line segment is inclined from +X, +Y toward -X, -Y. a coil device capable of generating a uniform magnetic field as described in claim 7, wherein the sub-coils of each of the coil units are disposed on a top surface of a substrate, and the eccentric winding portions are members that are disposed on the same plane and are surrounded by the inside and the outside; The line segments are disposed on a bottom surface of the substrate, and the coil connecting portions of the line segments are located at edges of the top or bottom surface of the substrate.