Solenoid valve forced action device and action method
Through the lightweight solenoid valve forced action device, the forced and released control of the solenoid valve is achieved by rotation and push-pull operations, which solves the problems of bulky and fragile devices in the existing technology and provides a solution for convenient solenoid valve operation and long-term action.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510933340.8
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-07
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-19
AI Technical Summary
In the prior art, the forced action device of the solenoid valve is bulky and inconvenient to operate, and is easy to fall off or be damaged. It is difficult to achieve long-term forced action in an off-electricity working environment.
A lightweight solenoid valve forced action device is designed, which includes a housing, an action knob, a clamping knob and a clamping mechanism. The forced action and release control of the solenoid valve are achieved through rotation and push-pull operations, and the device is stored in combination with a storage seat.
It realizes convenient control of the solenoid valve, avoids the inconvenience and damage risk of large G-type clamps, can quickly fix and maintain the forced action of the solenoid valve for a long time, and is convenient for storing multiple devices.
Smart Images

Figure CN120667572A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electromagnetic valve maintenance of rail vehicles, and particularly discloses a electromagnetic valve forced action device and an action method. Background Art
[0002] During the manufacturing and maintenance of high-speed trains, the airtightness and rain test process requires that the valve core of the door clamping solenoid valve be pressed for a long time in an off-power environment to implement the forced tightening of the train's side sliding doors. After the door is tightened, the interior of the train is in a sealed state, and the airtightness operation and rain test can be carried out. Currently, in order to achieve forced operation of the solenoid valve, large G-type pliers are usually used to clamp the entire air valve to complete the forced action of the solenoid valve, such as Figure 1 As shown, the large G-type pliers are bulky and inconvenient to operate. If they are clamped loosely, they are easy to fall off, and if they are clamped tightly, the solenoid valve is easy to be damaged.
[0003] At present, some switch knobs for solenoid valves are disclosed in the prior art, but the existing switch knobs are mainly used to adjust the gear position of the solenoid valve and do not involve knobs for forcing the solenoid valve to move. Summary of the Invention
[0004] In order to solve the technical problems existing in the prior art, the present invention discloses a solenoid valve forced action device and action method. The present invention has a light and simple structure, a small size, and is easy to operate. The device can be quickly buckled onto the valve head of the solenoid valve, and the solenoid valve is forced to act by pressing the action knob into the valve core, and the action knob is rotated to achieve self-locking of the pressing operation, thereby easily achieving long-term forced action of the solenoid valve.
[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: In the first aspect, the present invention provides a solenoid valve forced action device, including a shell, an action knob and a clamping knob are arranged on the shell, the axes of the action knob and the clamping knob are perpendicular, the clamping knob is connected to the clamping stud, the clamping stud passes through the hole on the shell and cooperates with the nut thread fixed inside the shell; the action knob is fixedly connected to the clamping mechanism; the clamping mechanism extends into the shell through the hole in the shell, positioning teeth are provided on the clamping mechanism, and a clamping positioning groove and a release positioning groove are provided on the shell.
[0006] The present invention realizes the control of the solenoid valve through the mutual cooperation of the action knob, the clamping knob, the pressing mechanism and the housing, including forcing the solenoid valve to operate and releasing the solenoid valve operation control; As a further technical solution, along the advancing direction of the pressing mechanism, the release positioning groove is located outside the pressing positioning groove, and the curvature of the pressing positioning groove is greater than that of the release positioning groove.
[0007] As a further technical solution, an action limiting portion is further provided in the housing, and the action limiting portion limits the rotation of the positioning tooth in the compression positioning groove.
[0008] As a further technical solution, the positioning teeth include a plurality of positioning teeth, and the plurality of positioning teeth are arranged along the circumferential direction of the pressing mechanism.
[0009] As a further technical solution, a plurality of the compression positioning grooves and the release positioning grooves are also provided.
[0010] As a further technical solution, a storage seat is also included, and the storage seat is used to store multiple solenoid valve forced action devices.
[0011] As a further technical solution, the storage seat includes a bottom plate, a plurality of storage fixing seats are arranged on the bottom plate, and a fixing groove is arranged on each storage fixing seat.
[0012] As a further technical solution, an action indication mark is further provided on the outside of the shell.
[0013] In a second aspect, the present invention further provides an actuation method based on the aforementioned solenoid valve forced actuation device, as follows: The forced solenoid valve action method is as follows: Insert the solenoid valve forced action device into the solenoid valve head, rotate the clamping knob to drive the clamping stud forward to support the solenoid valve head, and complete the fixation of the solenoid valve forced action device on the solenoid valve; Press the push-in action knob, and the clamping mechanism moves forward synchronously. During the forward movement of the clamping mechanism, the valve core is forced to push in, realizing the forced action of the solenoid valve; at this time, rotate the action knob to the open position, and the positioning teeth on the clamping mechanism rotate into the clamping positioning groove to maintain the forced action of the solenoid valve; The release solenoid valve action method is as follows: Rotate the action knob to the closed position, and the positioning teeth on the clamping mechanism rotate to the release positioning groove. During the reset process of the solenoid valve core through its internal spring, the clamping mechanism is pushed out, completing the reset of the solenoid valve action; Rotate the clamping knob to drive the clamping stud backward and remove the solenoid valve forced action device.
[0014] As a further technical solution, when the solenoid valve forced action device needs to be stored, the clamping knob is rotated to drive the clamping stud forward and press it into the fixed groove of the storage seat to realize the storage of the solenoid valve forced action device.
[0015] Beneficial effects of the present invention: The present invention achieves control of the solenoid valve, including forced solenoid valve actuation and release control of the solenoid valve actuation, through the interaction of an action knob, a clamping knob, a clamping mechanism, and a housing. The present invention has a lightweight and simple structure, a small size, and is easy to operate. The device can be quickly snapped onto the solenoid valve head, and the solenoid valve actuation is forced by pressing the action knob into the valve core. Rotating the action knob achieves self-locking during the pressing operation, easily achieving long-term forced actuation of the solenoid valve. This avoids the problems of using large G-type pliers, which are bulky and heavy, requiring multiple pliers to be carried per vehicle, resulting in inconvenience, easy scratches, and rework, as well as the tendency for the solenoid valve to fall off or be damaged.
[0016] Furthermore, the present invention also provides a storage seat that can store multiple electromagnetic valve forced action devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of using a G-type clamp to clamp the entire air valve to complete the forced action of the solenoid valve in the prior art; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the electromagnetic valve forced action device proposed in the present invention installed on the electromagnetic valve; Figure 3 、 Figure 4 、 Figure 5 、 Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the forced action device of the solenoid valve; Figure 7 (a) is a schematic diagram of the solenoid valve forced action device; Figure 7(b) is a schematic diagram of the DD cross section of Figure 7(a); Figure 8 (a) is a schematic diagram of the housing; Figure 8(b) is a schematic diagram of the CC section of Figure 8(a); Figure 8 (c) is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the shell; Figure 9 (a), Figure 9 (b), and Figure 9 (c) are schematic diagrams of the pressing mechanism; Figure 10 (a) is a schematic diagram of the storage seat; Figure 10 (b) is a schematic diagram of the solenoid valve forced action device installed on the storage seat.
[0018] Figure 11 (a) shows the solenoid valve forced action device in the released state (OFF position); Figure 11 (b) shows the solenoid valve forced action device in the compressed state (ON position); Figure 12 (a) shows the solenoid valve forced action device in the released state (OFF position); Figure 12 (b) shows the solenoid valve forced action device in the compressed state (ON position); Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the overall appearance of the solenoid valve forced action device; Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the release state of the solenoid valve forced action device; Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the operating state of the solenoid valve forced action device; In the figure: 1-1, air circuit valve body; 1-2, electromagnetic coil; 1-3, electromagnetic valve head; 1-4, valve core; 2. Solenoid valve forced action device; 2-1. Housing; 2-2. Actuating knob; 2-3. Clamping knob; 2-4. Clamping mechanism; 2-5. Fixing screw; 2-6. Nut; 2-7. Clamping stud; 2-8. Actuating indicator; 2-4-1, first mating portion; 2-4-2, screw hole; 2-4-3, positioning tooth; 2-4-4, second mating portion; 2-1-1, housing body; 2-1-2, pressing positioning groove; 2-1-3, releasing positioning groove; 2-1-4, action limiter; 2-1-5, nut seat; 2-1-6, through hole; 2-1-7, through hole; 3. Storage seat; 3-1. Storage fixing seat; 3-2. Fixing slot; 3-3. Bottom plate; DETAILED DESCRIPTION It should be noted that the following detailed description is illustrative and is intended to provide further explanation of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used in the present invention have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs.
[0019] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present invention. As used herein, unless otherwise clearly indicated in the present invention, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. In addition, it should be understood that when the terms "include" and / or "comprising" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components and / or their combinations; For the convenience of description, if the words "up", "down", "left" and "right" appear in the present invention, they only indicate that they are consistent with the up, down, left and right directions of the drawings themselves, and do not limit the structure. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limiting the present invention.
[0020] Explanation of terms: The terms "install", "connect", "connect", "fix" and the like in the present invention should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral whole; it can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, an internal connection between two elements, or an interaction relationship between two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to the specific circumstances.
[0021] As introduced in the background technology, there are deficiencies in the prior art. In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention proposes a solenoid valve forced action device and action method.
[0022] In a typical embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 、 Figure 4 、 Figure 5 、 Figure 6 , Figure 7 (a), Figure 7 (b), Figure 11 (a), Figure 11 (b), Figure 12 (a), Figure 12 (b), Figure 13 、 Figure 14 、 Figure 15 As shown, this embodiment provides a solenoid valve forced action device 2, which can realize forced solenoid valve action and release solenoid valve action control; the device is mainly used to control the action of the solenoid valve, and includes a housing 2-1, an action knob 2-2, a clamping knob 2-3, a clamping mechanism 2-4, a fixing screw 2-5, a nut 2-6, a clamping stud 2-7, and an action indicator 2-8; The housing 2-1 is a hollow structure, with an action knob 2-2 at one end and the other end engaging with the valve core; a clamping knob 2-3 is provided on the side of the housing 2-1, and the action knob 2-2 is perpendicular to the axis of the clamping knob 2-3; the clamping knob 2-3 is connected to a clamping stud 2-7, and the clamping stud 2-7 is threadedly engaged with a nut 2-6, and the nut 2-6 is fixed in the housing 2-1. The rotation of the clamping stud 2-7 is achieved by rotating the clamping knob 2-3, and the clamping stud 2-7 performs linear motion while rotating; The action knob 2-2 is connected to the clamping mechanism 2-4; the clamping mechanism 2-4 is inserted into the action knob 2-2 through the through hole 2-1-7 in the shell, and the clamping mechanism 2-4 and the action knob 2-2 are fastened together by a fixing screw. When the action knob 2-2 is pushed, pulled and rotated, the clamping mechanism 2-4 moves synchronously, so that the positioning teeth 2-4-3 on the clamping mechanism 2-4 move to the clamping positioning groove on the shell 2-1 to realize the forced action of the solenoid valve, and move to the release positioning groove to realize the release action of the solenoid valve.
[0023] The above-mentioned solenoid valve forced action device 2 realizes the control of the solenoid valve, including forced solenoid valve action and release of solenoid valve action control, through the mutual cooperation of the action knob 2-2, the clamping knob 2-3, the clamping mechanism 2-4 and the shell 2-1; the entire device has a light and simple structure, a small size and is easy to operate; the device can be quickly buckled onto the valve head of the solenoid valve, and the solenoid valve is forced to act by pressing the action knob to press the valve core, and the action knob is rotated to realize self-locking of the pressing operation, thereby easily realizing long-term forced action of the solenoid valve.
[0024] Specifically, as shown in Figures 8(a), 8(b), and 8(c), the housing 2-1 in this embodiment includes a housing body 2-1-1, a pressing positioning groove 2-1-2, a releasing positioning groove 2-1-3, an action limiting portion 2-1-4, a nut seat 2-1-5, a through hole 2-1-6, and a through hole 2-1-7; The housing body 2-1-1 is an elliptical hollow structure with a certain thickness. One end of the housing body 2-1-1 is fitted with the valve core, while the other end is provided with a clamping mechanism 2-4 and an actuating knob 2-2. A clamping knob 2-3 and a clamping stud 2-7 are provided on the side of the housing body 2-1-1. A nut seat 2-1-5 is provided in the side body of the shell body 2-1-1, and a nut 2-6 is embedded in the nut seat 2-1-5. One end of the clamping stud is connected to the clamping knob 2-3, and the other end passes through the through hole 2-1-6 and rotates with the nut 2-6 to realize the movement of the clamping stud, thereby completing the clamping and release of the solenoid valve forced action device on the solenoid valve; A through hole 2-1-7, a compression positioning groove 2-1-2, a release positioning groove 2-1-3 and an action limit portion 2-1-4 are provided at one end of the shell body 2-1-1, and the release positioning groove 2-1-3 is closer to the end of the shell body 2-1-1, and the compression positioning groove 2-1-2 is closer to the inside of the shell, that is, the release positioning groove 2-1-3 is located outside the compression positioning groove 2-1-2; however, the curvature of the compression positioning groove 2-1-2 is greater than that of the release positioning groove 2-1-3, which is more than twice the curvature of the release positioning groove 2-1-3; In this embodiment, three release positioning grooves 2-1-3 are provided, and three grooves evenly provided along the inner wall surface of the shell body 2-1-1 form the release positioning groove 2-1-3; three compression positioning grooves 2-1-2 and three release positioning grooves 2-1-3 are also provided respectively, and the number of compression positioning grooves 2-1-2 and release positioning grooves 2-1-3 is equal to the number of positioning teeth 2-4-3.
[0025] The action limiting part 2-1-4 is located on the raised part corresponding to the release positioning groove 2-1-3. The action limiting part 2-1-4 is a projection of about 1 cm high, which mainly plays a certain radial limiting role on the positioning tooth 2-4-3. That is, the action limiting part 2-1-4 on the shell body plays a role in that when the positioning tooth 2-4-3 moves to the compression positioning groove 2-1-2 on the shell body to realize the forced action of the solenoid valve, the action limiting part 2-1-4 forms a damping for the action of the positioning tooth 2-4-3 toward the release positioning groove 2-1-3. When the solenoid valve needs to be released, the action knob 2-2 is pressed inward so that the positioning tooth 2-4-3 is no longer limited by the action limiting part 2-1-4, and then rotated.
[0026] As shown in Figures 9(a), 9(b) and 9(c), the clamping mechanism 2-4 in this embodiment includes a first matching portion 2-4-1, a second matching portion 2-4-4, a screw hole 2-4-2 and a positioning tooth 2-4-3; the first matching portion 2-4-1 and the second matching portion 2-4-4 are mainly for matching with the action knob 2-2, and the screw hole 2-4-2 matches with the screw to achieve a fixed connection between the clamping mechanism 2-4 and the action knob 2-2; three positioning teeth 2-4-3 are provided, and the three positioning teeth 2-4-3 are arranged along the circumferential direction of the clamping mechanism 2-4; The positioning teeth 2-4-3 are mainly used to cooperate with the pressing positioning groove 2-1-2 and the releasing positioning groove 2-1-3. When the positioning tooth 2-4-3 of the clamping mechanism 2-4 is rotated to be aligned with the clamping positioning groove 2-1-2, at this time, pulling the action knob 2-2 can make the positioning tooth 2-4-3 just inserted into the clamping positioning groove 2-1-2; moving outward along the clamping positioning groove 2-1-2 is in the released state; when pushing the action knob 2-2 so that the positioning tooth 2-4-3 is located in the release positioning groove 2-1-3 position, rotating the action knob 2-2, it is in the action state at this time; Furthermore, an action indication mark 2-8 is provided on the housing, and the action indication mark 2-8 represents the opening and closing action or OFF / ON; the function of the action indication mark 2-8 is to indicate the position of the action knob 2-2.
[0027] Furthermore, a storage base 3 is provided, as shown in Figures 10(a) and 10(b). The storage base 3 includes a base plate 3-3, on which are disposed a plurality of storage and fixing bases 3-1, each of which is provided with a fixing groove 3-2. The function of the storage base 3 is to buckle the solenoid valve forced action device onto the storage and fixing base 3-1 after use, rotate the clamping knob 2-3, and move the clamping stud 2-7 inward, pressing it against the storage base fixing groove 3-2, thereby completing the storage of the solenoid valve forced action device.
[0028] The principle of forced action of the solenoid valve in the present invention: The solenoid valve consists of a gas circuit valve body 1-1, a solenoid coil 1-2, a solenoid valve head 1-3, and a valve core 1-4; During electronic control, solenoid coil 1-2 is energized, generating a magnetic field that draws in valve core 1-4, connecting the internal linkage control air circuit. During the forced action time, valve core 1-4 is forcibly pressed in, connecting the internal linkage control air circuit. When released, the valve core rebounds due to the internal spring, disconnecting the internal linkage control air circuit.
[0029] The method of controlling the solenoid valve action using the solenoid valve forced action device in this embodiment is as follows: First, the method of forcing the solenoid valve to act through the solenoid valve forced action device is as follows: 1. Rotate the clamping knob counterclockwise to loosen the clamping stud. Remove it from the storage seat 3 and turn the rotary action knob 2-2 to OFF.
[0030] 2. Insert the solenoid valve forced action device into the solenoid valve head 1-3, rotate the clamping knob 2-3 clockwise to drive the clamping stud 2-7 forward to support the solenoid valve head 1-3, and complete the fixation of the solenoid valve forced action device on the solenoid valve; 3. Press and push the action knob 2-2, and the clamping mechanism 2-4 moves forward synchronously. During the forward movement of the clamping mechanism 2-4, the valve core 1-4 is forced to be pushed in, realizing the forced action of the solenoid valve; at this time, rotate the action knob 2-2 to the ON position, and the positioning teeth 2-4-3 on the clamping mechanism 2-4 rotate into the clamping positioning groove 2-1-2 to maintain the forced action of the solenoid valve. During the clamping process, the action limit part 2-1-4 plays a certain role in limiting the reverse rotation of the positioning teeth 2-4-3, preventing the knob from rotating to the OFF position by itself due to vibration or other circumstances.
[0031] Secondly, the method of releasing the solenoid valve action through the solenoid valve forced action device is as follows: 1. Press the action knob 2-2 inward so that the positioning tooth 2-4-3 is no longer limited by the action limit part 2-1-4, and then rotate the action knob 2-2 to the OFF position. At this time, the positioning tooth 2-4-3 on the clamping mechanism 2-4 rotates to the position corresponding to the release positioning groove 2-1-3. Then, the solenoid valve spool is reset by its internal spring, pushing the clamping mechanism 2-4 out into the release positioning groove 2-1-3. At this time, the solenoid valve action reset is completed.
[0032] 2. Rotate the clamping knob 2-3 counterclockwise to move the clamping stud 2-7 backward and remove the solenoid valve forced action device.
[0033] 3. Press the solenoid valve forced action device and rotate the clamping knob 2-3 clockwise to drive the clamping stud 2-7 forward and press it into the storage seat fixing groove 3-2 to realize the storage of the solenoid valve forced action device.
[0034] In summary, this embodiment realizes the control of the solenoid valve, including forced solenoid valve action and release of solenoid valve action control, through the mutual cooperation of the action knob, clamping knob, clamping mechanism and housing; the present invention has a light and simple structure, small size and convenient operation; the device can be quickly buckled onto the solenoid valve head, and the solenoid valve is forced to act by pressing the action knob into the valve core, and the action knob is rotated to achieve self-locking of the pressing operation, easily achieving long-term forced action of the solenoid valve. This avoids the problems of using large G-type pliers in the past, which are large in size and weight, and require multiple pliers to be carried on a vehicle, which is inconvenient to operate, prone to scratches and rework, and easy to fall off or damage the solenoid valve.
[0035] Furthermore, the present invention also provides a storage seat that can store multiple electromagnetic valve forced action devices.
[0036] Finally, it should be noted that relational terms such as first and second are merely used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between these entities or operations.
[0037] The foregoing description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and variations of the present invention are possible. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention are intended to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.
Claims
1. A solenoid valve forced action device, characterized in that: It includes a shell, on which an action knob and a clamping knob are arranged, the axes of the action knob and the clamping knob are perpendicular, the clamping knob is connected to the clamping stud, the clamping stud passes through the hole on the shell and cooperates with the nut thread fixed inside the shell; the action knob is fixedly connected to the clamping mechanism; the clamping mechanism extends into the shell through the hole in the shell, positioning teeth are arranged on the clamping mechanism, and a clamping positioning groove and a release positioning groove are arranged on the shell.
2. The electromagnetic valve forced action device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Along the advancing direction of the pressing mechanism, the release positioning groove is located outside the pressing positioning groove, and the curvature of the pressing positioning groove is greater than that of the release positioning groove.
3. The electromagnetic valve forced action device according to claim 1, characterized in that: An action limiting portion is also provided in the housing, and the action limiting portion limits the rotation of the positioning tooth in the pressing positioning groove.
4. The electromagnetic valve forced action device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positioning teeth include a plurality of positioning teeth, and the plurality of positioning teeth are arranged along the circumferential direction of the pressing mechanism.
5. The electromagnetic valve forced action device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The number of the pressing positioning grooves and the releasing positioning grooves is equal to the number of the positioning teeth.
6. The electromagnetic valve forced action device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a storage seat, which is used to store multiple solenoid valve forced action devices.
7. The electromagnetic valve forced action device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The storage seat comprises a bottom plate, a plurality of storage fixing seats are arranged on the bottom plate, and a fixing groove is arranged on each storage fixing seat.
8. The electromagnetic valve forced action device according to claim 1, characterized in that: An action indication mark is also provided on the outside of the shell.
9. The method for operating the electromagnetic valve forced actuation device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: as follows: The forced solenoid valve action method is as follows: Insert the solenoid valve forced action device into the solenoid valve head, rotate the clamping knob to drive the clamping stud forward to support the solenoid valve head, and complete the fixation of the solenoid valve forced action device on the solenoid valve; Press the push-in action knob, and the clamping mechanism moves forward synchronously. During the forward movement of the clamping mechanism, the valve core is forced to push in, realizing the forced action of the solenoid valve; at this time, rotate the action knob to the open position, and the positioning teeth on the clamping mechanism rotate into the clamping positioning groove to maintain the forced action of the solenoid valve; The release solenoid valve action method is as follows: Rotate the action knob to the closed position, and the positioning teeth on the clamping mechanism rotate to the release positioning groove. During the reset process of the solenoid valve core through its internal spring, the clamping mechanism is pushed out, completing the reset of the solenoid valve action; Rotate the clamping knob to drive the clamping stud backward and remove the solenoid valve forced action device.
10. The method for operating the electromagnetic valve forced actuation device according to claim 9, wherein: When the forced action device of the solenoid valve needs to be stored, the clamping knob is rotated to drive the clamping stud forward and press it into the fixed groove of the storage seat to realize the storage of the forced action device of the solenoid valve.