Waterproof solenoid valve

Abstract

The present invention provides a waterproof solenoid valve in which a manual button of a solenoid valve body can be reliably operated via an operating part of a waterproof cover. The waterproof cover (4) has an operating part (52) for pressing a manual button (47) of the solenoid valve body (3). The operating part (52) has: a flexible cover member (54); a pin guide (55) sandwiched between the cover member (54) and the solenoid valve body (3); and an operating pin (57) that can be freely inserted into a guide hole (56) of the pin guide (55). The cover member (54) has a soft pressing part (64) for pressing operation. One end of the operating pin (57) abuts or approaches the pressing part (64), and the other end of the operating pin (57) abuts the manual button (47).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a waterproof solenoid valve. Background Technology

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, waterproof solenoid valves are known to be waterproof. These waterproof solenoid valves are mostly installed on food processing machines for use. After the food processing machine has finished operating, it is cleaned by spraying high-temperature and high-pressure cleaning water, steam jets, etc. Therefore, in order to withstand the spraying of these cleaning water, steam jets, etc., the solenoid valve body is covered by a waterproof manifold and a waterproof cover.

[0003] Furthermore, in order to allow manual operation of the valve components during power outages, maintenance, and repairs, the solenoid valve body is equipped with a manual button. Therefore, an operating section is formed on the waterproof cover, which is used to press the manual button through the waterproof cover. This operating section typically has the following structure: a window is formed in a portion of the waterproof cover; a cover member made of a flexible material such as rubber or synthetic resin is installed in a liquid-tight state on the window; and an operating pin is sandwiched between the cover member and the manual button on the solenoid valve body. By pressing the operating pin from above the cover member, the manual button can be pressed via the operating pin.

[0004] However, it is understood that in order to stably position the operating pin between the cover member and the manual button, when one end of the operating pin can be slidably inserted into and held in the retaining hole formed in the cover member, the sliding property of the operating pin deteriorates due to friction between the operating pin and the cover member, and after the pressing operation, the cover member and the operating pin are difficult to return to their initial positions.

[0005] Prior technical documents

[0006] Patent documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-135963 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The problem to be solved by the present invention

[0009] The technical challenge of this invention is to provide a waterproof solenoid valve with a simple and reasonable structure, which can stably configure an operating pin between a cover component and a manual button, and can reliably return the cover component and the operating pin to their initial positions after a pressing operation.

[0010] Solution for solving the problem

[0011] To address the aforementioned issues, the present invention provides a waterproof solenoid valve comprising a valve component for switching flow paths, an electromagnetic drive mechanism for driving the valve component, and one or more solenoid valve bodies capable of switching the valve component via manual operation. The valve body is mounted on a manifold with a waterproof structure and covered by a waterproof cover installed in a liquid-tight state on the manifold. The waterproof cover has an operating portion for pressing the manual button along a central axis in the portion covering the solenoid valve body. The operating portion includes: a cover component installed in a liquid-tight state on the waterproof cover and having flexibility; a pin guide sandwiched between the cover component and the solenoid valve body; and one or more operating pins that can be freely inserted into guide holes of the pin guide along the central axis. The cover component has a soft pressing portion that elastically deforms during pressing operation. One end of each operating pin abuts or approaches the pressing portion of the cover component, and the other end of the operating pin abuts against the manual button.

[0012] In this invention, preferably, the cover member has a hollow main body and a head covering one end of the main body, the pressing part being formed in the head, and the pin guide fitting into the main body of the cover member and locking onto the main body.

[0013] Furthermore, preferably, the pin guide has a first guide portion that is pressed into the main body and a second guide portion integrally connected to the first guide portion. The outer diameter of the second guide portion is larger than the outer diameter of the first guide portion. The guide hole penetrates the interior of the first guide portion and the second guide portion. A locking groove is formed on the outer periphery of the first guide portion. A portion of the main body of the cover member is fitted and locked in the locking groove, thereby locking the pin guide into the cover member.

[0014] Furthermore, preferably, the main body of the cover member is fitted into the operating hole formed in the waterproof cover, and the first guide portion of the pin guide is pressed into the main body in such a way that it reaches the operating hole. By forcefully pressing the main body between the first guide portion and the inner circumference of the operating hole, the sealing performance between the cover member and the waterproof cover is improved.

[0015] In this invention, the operating pin may be inserted into the guide hole from one end of the pin guide, and a dislodgement prevention mechanism may be formed on the operating pin and the pin guide to prevent the operating pin inserted into the guide hole from falling out of the pin guide.

[0016] Preferably, the detachment prevention mechanism has: a window formed on the sidewall of the guide hole in a manner extending elongated in the direction of the central axis; a locking portion formed at one end of the window; and a locking claw formed on the side of the operating pin, which is freely displaced and fitted into the window, thereby preventing the operating pin from detaching from the guide hole by locking the locking claw against the locking portion.

[0017] Alternatively, in this invention, the solenoid valve body may have two manual buttons, the pin guide may have two first guide portions, two second guide portions, and two guide holes, the two operating pins may be inserted into the two guide holes respectively, the two first guide portions may be separated from each other, and the sides of the two second guide portions may be integrally connected to each other, and the main body of the cover member may have two fitting portions for the two first guide portions of the pin guide to fit into.

[0018] Alternatively, the solenoid valve body may have a manual button, the pin guide may have two first guide portions, two second guide portions, and two guide holes, the two operating pins may be inserted into the two guide holes respectively, the two first guide portions may be separated from each other, and the sides of the two second guide portions may be integrally connected to each other, the main body of the cover member may have two fitting portions for the two first guide portions of the pin guide to fit into, the operating pin of the two operating pins corresponding to the manual button may be freely displaced, and the other operating pin may be fixed in a state where it cannot be displaced.

[0019] The effects of the invention

[0020] According to the present invention, by allowing the operating pin to be freely supported on the pin guide, it can be stably positioned between the cover member and the manual button.

[0021] In addition, the operating pin is freely supported on the pin guide, with one end abutting against the head of the cover member and the other end abutting against the manual button, without sliding against the cover member. Therefore, the friction accompanying the sliding does not act as resistance on the operating pin and the cover member. As a result, not only is the movement of the operating pin very smooth, but the deformation and recovery of the pressing part of the cover member also proceeds very smoothly. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the first embodiment of the waterproof solenoid valve of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 It is a longitudinal section cut along the center of the width direction. Figure 1 A longitudinal sectional view of a waterproof solenoid valve.

[0024] Figure 3 It is along Figure 2 An enlarged sectional view of line III-III.

[0025] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Enlarged view of the main parts.

[0026] Figure 5 From Figure 4 The main section view when the manual button on one side is pressed.

[0027] Figure 6 From Figure 4 The main section view when the other party's manual button is pressed.

[0028] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 An exploded 3D diagram.

[0029] Figure 8 It is Figure 7 A magnified 3D image of a portion of the image.

[0030] Figure 9 This is a top view of the second embodiment of the waterproof solenoid valve of the present invention, and the waterproof cover is partially omitted.

[0031] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0032] 1. Waterproof solenoid valve; 2. Manifold; 3. Solenoid valve body; 4. Waterproof cover; 14. Electromagnetic drive mechanism; 17. Valve component; 47. Manual button; 52. Operating part; 53. Operating hole; 54. Cover component; 55. Pin guide; 56. Guide hole; 57. Operating pin; 60. Main body; 61. Head; 63. Fitting part; 64. Pressing part; 71. First guide part; 72. Second guide part; 73. Locking groove; 74. Drop prevention mechanism; 75. Window hole; 76. Locking part; 77. Locking claw; L. Central shaft. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Figures 1 to 8 This illustrates a first embodiment of the waterproof solenoid valve of the present invention. In this waterproof solenoid valve 1, a solenoid valve body 3 is mounted on a manifold 2 having a waterproof structure, and the solenoid valve body 3 is covered by a waterproof cover 4.

[0034] The aforementioned manifold 2 is a monolithic manifold made of rigid materials with excellent heat and water resistance, such as metals and synthetic resins. For example... Figure 2As shown, inside the manifold 2, a central supply flow path 5, a first output flow path 6a and a second output flow path 6b located on both sides of the supply flow path 5, and a first discharge flow path 7a and a second discharge flow path 7b located on both outer sides of the first output flow path 6a and the second output flow path 6b are formed with an opening on the upper surface of the manifold 2.

[0035] The aforementioned supply flow path 5 is connected to the supply port P of the supply connector 8 for connecting to the piping protruding to one side of the aforementioned manifold 2. The aforementioned first discharge flow path 7a is connected to the first discharge port EA of the first discharge connector 9a adjacent to the aforementioned supply connector 8. The aforementioned second discharge flow path 7b is connected to the second discharge port EB of the second discharge connector 9b adjacent to the aforementioned supply connector 8 on the opposite side of the aforementioned first discharge connector 9a. In addition, the aforementioned first output flow path 6a is connected to the first output port A that is open on the bottom surface of the aforementioned manifold 2. The aforementioned second output flow path 6b is connected to the second output port B that is open on the bottom surface of the aforementioned manifold 2. Figure 2 The part marked with reference numeral 10 in the attached drawing is the connector part for electrical wiring connection.

[0036] In addition, the pressurized fluid used in this embodiment is air, but liquids can also be used.

[0037] The aforementioned solenoid valve body 3 is a double-pilot five-port valve, such as from Figure 2 and Figure 7 As can be seen, it has a main valve section 13 and an electromagnetic drive mechanism section 14.

[0038] The main valve section 13 has a valve body 15, a valve hole 16 formed inside the valve body 15, a valve member, i.e., a valve stem 17, which is slidably received in the valve hole 16, a manual block 18 installed at one end of the valve body 15, and an end block 19 installed at the other end of the valve body 15.

[0039] The valve body 15 includes: a supply port 20, which connects the supply flow path 5 of the manifold 2 to the valve hole 16; a first output port 21a and a second output port 21b, which respectively connect the first output flow path 6a and the second output flow path 6b to the valve hole 16; and a first discharge port 22a and a second discharge port 22b, which respectively connect the first discharge flow path 7a and the second discharge flow path 7b to the valve hole 16.

[0040] The valve stem 17 has four switching shoulders 25, 26, 27, 28 for switching flow paths and two closing shoulders 29, 30 that block both ends of the valve orifice 16. Sealing members are installed on the outer periphery of each switching shoulder 25-28 and each closing shoulder 29, 30.

[0041] Of the four switching shoulders 25, 26, 27, and 28, the first switching shoulder 25, located near the center of the valve stem 17, is connected to the first supply connection 31a of the supply flow path 5 and the first output flow path 6a; the second switching shoulder 26 is connected to the second supply connection 31b of the supply flow path 5 and the second output flow path 6b; the third switching shoulder 27, located near one end of the valve stem 17, is connected to the first discharge connection 32a of the first output flow path 6a and the first discharge flow path 7a; and the fourth switching shoulder 28, located near the other end of the valve stem 17, is connected to the second discharge connection 32b of the second output flow path 6b and the second discharge flow path 7b.

[0042] A first piston chamber 35a is formed inside the aforementioned manual block 18. A first pilot piston 36a is slidably housed in the first piston chamber 35a via a sealing member 38a, and a first pilot pressure chamber 37a is formed for applying pilot fluid pressure to the first pilot piston 36a.

[0043] In addition, a second piston chamber 35b is formed inside the aforementioned end block 19. A second pilot piston 36b is slidably housed in the second piston chamber 35b via a sealing member 38b, and a second pilot pressure chamber 37b is formed for applying pilot fluid pressure to the second pilot piston 36b.

[0044] In the aforementioned electromagnetic drive mechanism 14, two pilot valves 40a and 40b, each consisting of an electromagnetically operated three-port valve, are arranged vertically.

[0045] The first pilot valve 40a is connected via a flow path (not shown) between the pilot supply path 41 branching off from the supply port 20 and the first pilot communication path 42a communicating with the first pilot pressure chamber 37a.

[0046] Furthermore, when the first pilot valve 40a is turned on, the pilot supply path 41 is connected to the first pilot communication path 42a via the first pilot valve 40a. Therefore, the pilot fluid from the supply port 20 is supplied to the first pilot pressure chamber 37a, and the valve stem 17... Figure 2 The leftward displacement thus switches to the position relative to the... Figure 2 The operation position is on the opposite side of the situation. As a result, the aforementioned supply flow path 5 and the first output flow path 6a are connected, and the aforementioned second output flow path 6b and the second discharge flow path 7b are connected, while the first discharge flow path 7a is blocked.

[0047] Furthermore, when the first pilot valve 40a is disconnected, the pilot supply path 41 is disconnected from the first pilot connection path 42a, thus the supply of pilot fluid to the first pilot pressure chamber 37a is stopped, and the pressurized fluid in the first pilot pressure chamber 37a is discharged to the outside through the first pilot connection path 42a and the first pilot valve 40a.

[0048] On the other hand, the second pilot valve 40b is connected between the pilot supply passage 41 and the second pilot communication passage 42b, which is connected to the second pilot pressure chamber 37b, via a flow path not shown.

[0049] Furthermore, when the second pilot valve 40b is turned on, the pilot supply path 41 is connected to the second pilot communication path 42b via the second pilot valve 40b. Therefore, pilot fluid from the supply port 20 is supplied to the second pilot pressure chamber 37b, and the valve stem 17 switches to... Figure 2 The operating position. As a result, the aforementioned supply flow path 5 and the second output flow path 6b are connected, and the aforementioned first output flow path 6a and the first discharge flow path 7a are connected, while the second discharge flow path 7b is blocked.

[0050] Furthermore, when the second pilot valve 40b is disconnected, the pilot supply path 41 is separated from the second pilot connection path 42b. Therefore, the supply of pilot fluid to the second pilot pressure chamber 37b is stopped, and the pressurized fluid in the second pilot pressure chamber 37b is discharged to the outside through the second pilot connection path 42b and the second pilot valve 40b.

[0051] As from Figures 2-7 As can be seen, on the aforementioned manual block 18, the two manual parts 45a and 45b that can be manually operated to switch the valve column 17 are arranged to be adjacent in the width direction of the manual block 18.

[0052] Each of the manual parts 45a and 45b has a button receiving hole 46 that opens on the upper end face of the manual block 18. The shaft-shaped manual button 47 is inserted into the button receiving hole 46 in a manner that allows it to slide freely in the direction of the central axis L of the button receiving hole 46 via a plurality of sealing members 47a for switching flow paths. A spiral return spring 48 is sandwiched between the manual button 47 and the bottom of the button receiving hole 46 to apply force to the manual button 47 toward the initial position (non-operation position).

[0053] The first manual part 45a, one of the two manual parts 45a and 45b, is substantially connected in parallel with the first pilot valve 40a between the pilot supply line 41 and the first pilot connection line 42a. Furthermore, the manual button 47 of the first manual part 45a is normally in the position... Figure 4In the initial position shown, the pilot supply path 41 and the first pilot connection path 42a are blocked at the location of the button receiving hole 46, and the first pilot connection path 42a is connected to the first pilot valve 40a. However, when the manual button 47 is pressed... Figure 5 When in the indicated operating position, the manual button 47 disconnects the first pilot connection 42a from the first pilot valve 40a and connects it to the pilot supply line 41. Therefore, pilot fluid from the supply port 20 is directly supplied from the pilot supply line 41 through the button receiving hole 46 and the first pilot connection 42a to the first pilot pressure chamber 37a.

[0054] When the manual button 47 of the first manual part 45a is released from pressing, the manual button 47 is reset to the initial position by the spring force of the reset spring 48, so that the first pilot connection 42a is separated from the pilot supply 41 and connected to the first pilot valve 40a.

[0055] Furthermore, the second manual unit 45b on the other side is substantially connected in parallel with the second pilot valve 40b between the pilot supply line 41 and the second pilot connection line 42b. Moreover, the manual button 47 of the second manual unit 45b is normally in the position... Figure 4 In the initial position shown, the pilot supply path 41 and the second pilot connection path 42b are blocked at the location of the button receiving hole 46, and the second pilot connection path 42b is connected to the second pilot valve 40b. However, when the manual button 47 is pressed... Figure 6 When in the indicated operating position, the manual button 47 disconnects the second pilot connection 42b from the second pilot valve 40b and connects it to the pilot supply line 41. Therefore, pilot fluid from the supply port 20 is directly supplied from the pilot supply line 41 through the button receiving hole 46 and the second pilot connection 42b to the second pilot pressure chamber 37b.

[0056] When the manual button 47 of the second manual part 45b is released from pressing, the manual button 47 is reset to the initial position by the spring force of the reset spring 48, so that the second pilot connection 42b is separated from the pilot supply 41 and connected to the second pilot valve 40b.

[0057] Furthermore, the structure and function of the first pilot valve 40a and the second pilot valve 40b, as well as the structure and function of the first manual part 45a and the second manual part 45b, are well known in solenoid valves. Therefore, the illustrations related to the specific configuration of the pilot supply line 41, the first pilot connection line 42a, and the second pilot connection line 42b are omitted.

[0058] The aforementioned waterproof cover 4 is made of a hard material with excellent heat and water resistance, such as metal or synthetic resin, and has an inverted U-shaped cross-section. It is installed on the upper surface of the manifold 2 in a liquid-tight state using two bolts 51, 51 via a gasket 50. When the waterproof cover 4 is made of synthetic resin, it can also be made wholly or partially transparent or translucent.

[0059] On the upper surface of the aforementioned waterproof cover 4, an operating portion 52 for pressing the aforementioned manual button 47 is formed on the portion covering the manual portions 45a and 45b of the aforementioned solenoid valve body 3. This operating portion 52, as shown in the image, allows for pressing operations on the manual button 47. Figures 3-8 As can be seen, the device has: a flexible cover member 54 installed in a liquid-tight state within the operation hole 53 of the waterproof cover 4; a pin guide member 55 sandwiched between the cover member 54 and the solenoid valve body 3; two guide holes 56, 56 formed parallel to each other along the central axis L of the two button receiving holes 46 inside the pin guide member 55; and two operating pins 57, 57 respectively inserted into the two guide holes 56, 56 in a manner that allows them to be freely displaced in the direction of the central axis L.

[0060] The aforementioned cover member 54 is formed of a material such as rubber or synthetic resin that can be softly and elastically deformed and has excellent heat resistance and sealing performance. It has a rectangular top view shape and has a hollow main body 60 that fits into the aforementioned operating hole 53 and a head 61 that covers one end (upper end) of the main body 60.

[0061] Inside the main body 60, two oblong-shaped fitting portions 63, 63 are formed adjacent to each other through a partition wall 62. The inner diameters of the fitting portions 63, 63 in the long and short directions are approximately constant in the depth direction of the fitting portions 63, 63.

[0062] On the other hand, on the head 61, soft pressing portions 64 and 64 that elastically deform during pressing are formed on the portion covering the two fitting portions 63 and 63. In addition, a groove 65 is formed on the lower surface of the head 61 around the main body 60, and a protruding wall 66 formed on the edge of the operating hole 53 of the waterproof cover 4 is fitted in a liquid-tight state within the groove 65.

[0063] The aforementioned pin guide 55 includes: two first guide portions 71, 71 with an elongated oval shape in plan view; and two second guide portions 72, 72 with an elongated oval shape in plan view, integrally connected to the lower part of each of the first guide portions 71, 71. The two first guide portions 71, 71 are parallel to each other with a gap 78 between their sides for fitting the partition wall 62 of the aforementioned cover member 54, and the sides of the two second guide portions 72, 72 are integrally connected to each other. Therefore, the outer diameter of the long side and the outer diameter of the short side of the elongated oval of the second guide portion 72 are larger than the outer diameter of the long side and the outer diameter of the short side of the elongated oval of the first guide portion 71.

[0064] The pin guide 55 is installed in the cover member 54 by pressing the two first guide portions 71, 71 into the two fitting portions 63, 63 formed in the main body 60 of the cover member 54, and is disposed between the cover member 54 and the solenoid valve body 3 by abutting the bottom surface of the pin guide 55 against the upper surface of the manual block 18.

[0065] At this time, in order to prevent the pin guide 55 from separating from the cover member 54, the outer diameter of the first guide portion 71 is formed to be slightly larger than the inner diameter of the fitting portion 63, and a locking groove 73 is formed on the outer periphery of the base end of the first guide portion 71. By pushing the main body 60 to expand it while pressing the first guide portion 71 into the fitting portion 63, the reaction force (contraction force) of the expanded main body 60 is used to make a part of the main body 60 fit and lock in the locking groove 73, thereby locking the cover member 54 and the pin guide 55 together. The lower end of the main body 60 covers a part of the upper end of the two second guide portions 72, 72.

[0066] In addition, the first guide portions 71, 71 are pressed into the fitting portions 63, 63 until they reach the position of the operating hole 53. As a result, the main body 60 is pressed between the first guide portions 71, 71 and the inner periphery of the operating hole 53 of the waterproof cover 4. Therefore, in this part, the waterproofness between the cover member 54 and the waterproof cover 4 is further improved.

[0067] The aforementioned pin guide 55 is preferably made of a material with excellent heat resistance, and an example of a preferred material is PPS (polyphenylene sulfide).

[0068] The guide hole 56 is formed by penetrating the central portion of the first guide portion 71 and the second guide portion 72 vertically. The cross-sectional shape of the guide hole 56 is not constant along its entire length. The cross-sectional shape of the first hole portion 56a in the first guide portion 71 is an elongated oval in the length direction of the first guide portion 71, and the cross-sectional shape of the second hole portion 56b in the second guide portion 72 is circular.

[0069] The aforementioned operating pin 57 has a first pin portion 57a ​​on its upper end side and a second pin portion 57b on its lower end side. The first pin portion 57a ​​has an elongated oval cross-sectional shape and engages with the first hole portion 56a of the guide hole 56 within the first guide portion 71. The second pin portion 57b is cylindrical and engages with the second hole portion 56b of the guide hole 56 within the second guide portion 72. Furthermore, the end of the first pin portion 57a ​​protrudes from the guide hole 56, and its end face abuts against or approaches the lower surface of the pressing portion 64 of the cover member 54 with a slight gap. The lower end of the second pin portion 57b abuts against the upper surface of the manual button 47. Thus, the operating pin 57 and the cover member 54 are configured such that they do not have any portion that slides against each other when the operating pin 57 is pressed via the cover member 54.

[0070] The inner diameter of the guide hole 56 is formed to allow the operating pin 57 to be inserted with sufficient clearance, so that the operating pin 57 can move smoothly without sliding resistance.

[0071] With the waterproof cover 4 removed from the manifold 2, the operating pin 57 is inserted from the bottom surface of the pin guide 55 into the guide hole 56 of the pin guide 55, which is pressed into the cover member 54. Then, the waterproof cover 4 is installed on the manifold 2. At this time, after the operating pin 57 is inserted into the guide hole 56, a detachment prevention mechanism 74 is provided to prevent the operating pin 57 from falling off the pin guide 55 during the period from when the waterproof cover 4 is installed on the manifold 2.

[0072] The aforementioned anti-detachment mechanism 74 includes: a window 75 formed on the side wall of the guide hole 56 in a manner extending elongated along the central axis L; a locking portion 76 formed at one end (lower end) of the window 75; and a locking claw 77 formed on the side of the second pin portion 57b of the operating pin 57. Furthermore, when the operating pin 57 is inserted into the guide hole 56 from the first pin portion 57a ​​side, and the locking claw 77 is elastically deformed towards the central axis L and engaged within the window 75, the locking claw 77 engages with the locking portion 76, thus preventing the operating pin 57 from detaching from the guide hole 56.

[0073] In the illustrated example, two locking claws 77 are formed on one side and the opposite side of the operating pin 57. However, it is sufficient to provide only one locking claw 77 on the side where the window 75 and the locking portion 76 are formed. Alternatively, two window 75s and locking portions 76 may be formed at opposite positions on the side of the guide hole 56, corresponding to the two locking claws 77.

[0074] In this way, by supporting the operating pin 57 on the pin guide 55, the operating pin 57 can be stably positioned between the cover member 54 and the manual button 47.

[0075] Since the aforementioned operating unit 52 is configured in this way, therefore, as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, by pressing the pressing part 64 of the head 61 of the cover member 54 with a finger or tool to deform it, the manual button 47 can be pressed via the operating pin 57. When the pressing part 64 is released, the pressing part 64, the operating pin 57, and the manual button 47 return to their initial positions by the spring force of the return spring 48 and the restoring force of the pressing part 64.

[0076] At this time, the aforementioned operating pin 57 is supported on the aforementioned pin guide 55 in a freely displaceable manner, with one end only abutting against the head 61 of the aforementioned cover member 54, and having no part that slides against the cover member 54. Therefore, the operation of the operating pin 57 is very smooth. In addition, since the pressing part 64 is not affected by the friction with the aforementioned operating pin 57, the deformation and restoration of the pressing part 64 of the aforementioned cover member 54 also proceed very smoothly.

[0077] The solenoid valve body 3 of the waterproof solenoid valve 1 of the first embodiment described above is a double-pilot type, and therefore has two manual parts 45a and 45b. However, the solenoid valve body 3 can also be a single-pilot type with a single pilot valve. In this case, since the solenoid valve body 3 has only one manual part, the operating part 52 has an operating pin 57. That is, the cover member 54 is configured to have a fitting part 63 and a pressing part 64, and the pin guide member 55 is configured to have a first guide part 71, a second guide part 72, and a guide hole 56.

[0078] Alternatively, if the manual block 18 used in the dual-pilot solenoid valve body 3 is directly used in the manual block of the single-pilot solenoid valve body, it can be constructed in the same way as the first embodiment described above: directly using a cover member 54 having two fitting parts 63, 63 and two pressing parts 64, 64, a pin guide 55 having two first guide parts 71, two second guide parts 72, 72 and two guide holes 56, 56, and two operating pins 57, 57, the other operating pin 57 is fixed in a non-displaceable state by using only one operating pin 57 corresponding to the manual button that is in effective operation.

[0079] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, a single solenoid valve body 3 is mounted on the manifold 2. However, the present invention is also applicable to waterproof solenoid valves with multiple solenoid valve bodies mounted on the manifold. In this case, the multiple solenoid valve bodies can be individually covered with waterproof covers, or all solenoid valve bodies can be uniformly covered with a single waterproof cover. Alternatively, it can be as follows... Figure 9 As shown in the second embodiment of the waterproof solenoid valve 100, multiple solenoid valve bodies 3 are divided into several groups, and each group is uniformly covered with a waterproof cover 4.

[0080] When multiple solenoid valve bodies 3 are uniformly covered by a waterproof cover 4, the aforementioned operating part 52 is formed on the waterproof cover 4 at positions corresponding to the manual parts 45a and 45b of each solenoid valve body 3.

Claims

1. A waterproof solenoid valve comprising a valve component for switching flow paths, an electromagnetic drive mechanism for driving the valve component, and one or more solenoid valve bodies with one or more manual buttons for manually switching the valve component, mounted on a manifold with a waterproof structure, and covered by a waterproof cover installed in the manifold in a liquid-tight state, characterized in that, The waterproof cover has an operating part for pressing the manual button along the central axis in the portion covering the solenoid valve body. The operating part includes: a cover member, which is installed in a liquid-tight state on the waterproof cover and is flexible; a pin guide member, which is sandwiched between the cover member and the solenoid valve body; and one or more operating pins that can be freely inserted into the guide hole of the pin guide member along the central axis. The cover member has a soft pressing part that elastically deforms during a pressing operation. One end of the operating pin abuts against or approaches the pressing portion of the cover member, and the other end of the operating pin abuts against the manual button. The cover member has a hollow main body and a head covering one end of the main body, and the pressing part is formed on the head. The pin guide is fitted into the main body of the cover member and is locked in place thereon. The pin guide has a first guide portion that is pressed into the main body and a second guide portion integrally connected to the first guide portion. The outer diameter of the second guide portion is larger than the outer diameter of the first guide portion. The guide hole passes through the interior of the first guide portion and the second guide portion. A locking groove is formed on the outer periphery of the first guide portion. A portion of the main body of the cover member is fitted and locked in the locking groove.

2. The waterproof solenoid valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main body of the cover component is fitted into the operating hole formed in the waterproof cover. The first guide portion of the pin guide is pressed into the main body in such a way that it reaches the operating hole. The main body is strongly pressed between the first guide portion and the inner circumference of the operating hole, thereby improving the sealing between the cover component and the waterproof cover.

3. The waterproof solenoid valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The operating pin is inserted into the guide hole from one end of the pin guide. A disengagement prevention mechanism is formed on the operating pin and the pin guide to prevent the operating pin inserted into the guide hole from falling out of the pin guide.

4. The waterproof solenoid valve according to claim 3, characterized in that, The detachment prevention mechanism has: a window formed on the side wall of the guide hole in a manner extending elongated in the direction of the central axis; a locking portion formed at one end of the window; and a locking claw formed on the side of the operating pin, which is freely displaced and fitted into the window, thereby preventing the operating pin from detaching from the guide hole by locking the locking claw against the locking portion.

5. The waterproof solenoid valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The solenoid valve body has two manual buttons. The pin guide has two first guide portions, two second guide portions, and two guide holes. The two operating pins are respectively inserted into the two guide holes. The two first guide portions are separate from each other, and the sides of the two second guide portions are integrally connected to each other. The main body of the cover member has two fitting portions for the two first guide portions of the pin guide to respectively engage.

6. The waterproof solenoid valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The solenoid valve body has a manual button. The pin guide has two first guide portions, two second guide portions, and two guide holes. The two operating pins are respectively inserted into the two guide holes. The two first guide portions are separate from each other, and the sides of the two second guide portions are integrally connected to each other. The main body of the cover member has two fitting portions for the two first guide portions of the pin guide to respectively engage. Of the two operating pins, the one corresponding to the manual button is freely movable, while the other operating pin is fixed in a state where it cannot be moved.

Images