Solenoid valve and method for manufacturing solenoid valve

Abstract

To provide a solenoid valve which enables reduction of a possibility that looseness occurs, easy assembly, and downsizing, and to provide a manufacturing method of the solenoid valve.SOLUTION: A solenoid valve V according to the invention comprises: a bottomed cylindrical cap 1 that is attached to an opening of a valve hole 38b1 of a housing 38b having the valve hole 38b1 which is open from one end side; a solenoid S that is accommodated in the cap 1; a valve seat member 2 that has a port 2a, is accommodated in the valve hole 38b1, and is aligned in a radial direction of the solenoid S by the solenoid S; and a valve element 3 that can open and close the port 2a of the valve seat member 2 and that is driven by the solenoid S. The solenoid S and the valve seat member 2 are sandwiched between a bottom part 38b4 of the valve hole 38b1 of the housing 38b and the cap 1 and fixed to the housing 38b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a solenoid valve and a method for manufacturing a solenoid valve. [Background technology]

[0002] The solenoid valve is used, for example, as a damping valve for a shock absorber to adjust the damping force of the shock absorber.

[0003] Such a solenoid valve comprises, for example, a cylindrical housing, a cylindrical cap that is screwed to the inner periphery of the housing and contains a solenoid inside, a valve case that is screwed to the inner periphery of the cap, a valve seat member that is sandwiched between the valve case and the cap, and a valve body that can be seated on and removed from the valve seat member and is biased by a solenoid to open and close a port provided in the valve seat member, and the resistance applied to the flow of hydraulic oil passing through the port as the shock absorber expands and contracts is changed by adjusting the current supplied to the solenoid (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-055571 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Conventional solenoid valves employ a structure in which a valve case, which houses a valve seat member and a valve body, is screwed to a cap to apply axial force to the valve seat member to fix it within the valve case, and the cap is screwed to a housing to fix the solenoid and valve seat member.

[0006] Therefore, when assembling a solenoid valve, the screw connection work is required twice, which makes the assembly work time-consuming, and because there are two screw connection parts in the part where pressure is applied, the screw connection parts may come loose when pressure is applied during use of the solenoid valve.In addition, the shape of the screw connection parts is limited, so there is a limit to how much miniaturization can be achieved with conventional solenoid valves that have two screw connection parts.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a solenoid valve that is less likely to become loose, is easy to assemble, and can be made compact, and a method for manufacturing the solenoid valve. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the solenoid valve of the present invention comprises a bottomed cylindrical cap that is attached to the opening of a valve hole of a housing having a valve hole that opens from one end, a solenoid contained in the cap, a valve seat member that has a port and is contained in the valve hole and is centered radially of the solenoid by the solenoid, and a valve body that is capable of opening and closing the port in the valve seat member and is driven by the solenoid, and is characterized in that the solenoid and valve seat member are fixed to the housing by being sandwiched between the bottom of the valve hole of the housing and the cap.

[0009] In a solenoid valve configured in this manner, by attaching the cap to the housing, the solenoid and valve seat member can be clamped and fixed between the cap and the bottom of the valve hole in the housing, and the valve seat member is aligned with the solenoid. This makes it possible to fix the valve seat member to the cap and align the valve seat member with the solenoid without using multiple screw connections, and allows the solenoid valve to be fixed to the housing without using multiple screw connections as with conventional solenoid valves.

[0010] The solenoid valve may further include a temporary fastening member that temporarily fastens the valve seat member in a state in which axial movement of the valve seat member relative to the cap is permitted. In the solenoid valve configured in this manner, the valve seat member is temporarily fastened to the cap, thereby assembling the cap, solenoid, valve seat member and valve body, thereby improving the ease of attachment of the solenoid valve to the housing and making assembly even easier.

[0011] Furthermore, the solenoid valve may include a cylindrical case with a bottom that houses a valve seat member and a valve body inside, and a temporary fixing member that temporarily fixes the case in a state where axial movement is allowed relative to the cap, and the solenoid and valve seat member may be sandwiched between the bottom of the valve hole of the housing and the cap via the case.

[0012] In a solenoid valve configured in this manner, the case is temporarily attached to the cap, and the solenoid, valve seat member and valve body are contained in the cap and case to form an assembly, improving the ease of assembling the solenoid valve into the housing and making assembly even easier, and because the case is allowed to move axially relative to the cap, when the cap is fixed to the housing, an axial force can be applied to the solenoid, valve seat member and case to fix them in place.

[0013] Furthermore, the temporary fastening member may be a retaining ring fixed to the inner circumference of the cap. In the solenoid valve configured in this manner, the use of a retaining ring that is easy to attach to the inner circumference of the cap makes it easier to assemble the solenoid valve, and the temporary fastening by the retaining ring prevents the case or the valve seat member from falling off the cap even if a force is applied to pull the case or the valve seat member out of the cap, and since the retaining ring regulates the case or the valve seat member from falling off the cap, it does not interfere with the movement of the case or the valve seat member in the direction of penetrating into the cap, so that the case or the valve seat member and the retaining ring do not provide resistance when the cap is attached to the housing.

[0014] In addition, the method for manufacturing a solenoid valve of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a solenoid valve comprising: a bottomed, cylindrical cap that is attached to the opening of a valve hole of a housing having a valve hole that opens from one end; a solenoid housed in the cap; a valve seat member that has a port and is housed in the valve hole and is centered radially of the solenoid by the solenoid; a valve body that is capable of opening and closing the port in the valve seat member and is driven by the solenoid; and a bottomed, cylindrical case that houses the valve seat member and the valve body inside, the method comprising the steps of: accommodating the solenoid in the cap; accommodating the valve seat member and the valve body in the case; inserting the case into the cap and temporarily fixing the case to the cap; and inserting the cap with the case temporarily fixed into the valve hole and joining the cap to the housing. Furthermore, another solenoid valve manufacturing method of the present invention is a manufacturing method for a solenoid valve including a bottomed cylindrical cap attached to the opening of a valve hole of a housing having a valve hole opening from one end side, a solenoid contained in the cap, a bottomed cylindrical valve seat member having a port and housed in the valve hole and centered radially of the solenoid by the solenoid, and a valve body capable of opening and closing the port in the valve seat member and driven by the solenoid, the method including the steps of: accommodating the solenoid in the cap; accommodating the valve body in the valve seat member; inserting the valve seat member into the cap and temporarily fixing the valve seat member to the cap; and inserting the cap with the valve seat member temporarily fixed into the valve hole and joining the cap to the housing.

[0015] According to the method for manufacturing a solenoid valve configured in this manner, the solenoid valve can be manufactured simply by providing a screw connection between the cap and the housing, which reduces the possibility of loosening and makes assembly easier and more compact. In addition, each part of the solenoid valve can be assembled together, making the assembly of the solenoid valve even easier. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the solenoid valve and the method for manufacturing the solenoid valve of the present invention, the possibility of loosening can be reduced, assembly can be simplified, and miniaturization can be achieved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a shock absorber to which a solenoid valve according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a solenoid valve according to one embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a solenoid valve according to a first modified example of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] The present invention will be described below based on the embodiment shown in the drawings. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a solenoid valve V in one embodiment is configured to include a bottomed cylindrical cap 1 attached to the opening of a valve hole 38b1 of a housing 38b, a solenoid S housed in the cap 1, a valve seat member 2 having a port 2a housed in the valve hole 38b1, a valve element 3 capable of opening and closing the port 2a in the valve seat member 2 and driven by the solenoid S, and a bottomed cylindrical case 4 housing the valve seat member 2 and the valve element 3 therein, and is applied to a shock absorber D to be used as a damping valve for adjusting the compression damping force of the shock absorber D.

[0019] Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given of the configuration of the solenoid valve V of this embodiment and the shock absorber D to which the solenoid valve V is applied. First, the shock absorber D will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the shock absorber D includes a cylinder 31, a piston rod 32 inserted into the cylinder 31 so as to be axially movably, a piston 33 dividing the inside of the cylinder 31 into an extension-side chamber R1 and a compression-side chamber R2, an extension-side damping passage 33a and a compression-side damping passage 33b provided in the piston 33 and communicating the extension-side chamber R1 and the compression-side chamber R2, an extension-side damping valve 34 fixed to the piston rod 32 for opening and closing the extension-side damping passage 33a, a compression-side damping valve 35 fixed to the piston rod 32 for opening and closing the compression-side damping passage 33b, a tank 36 provided on the side of the cylinder 31, an outer tube 37 covering the outer periphery of the cylinder 31, an upper cap 38 closing the upper end of the cylinder 31 and connecting the cylinder 31 and the tank 36, a solenoid valve V attached to a housing 38b provided in the upper cap 38, and a suspension spring 39 interposed between the cylinder 31 and the piston rod 32.

[0020] Below, we will explain each part of the shock absorber D. The cylinder 31 is cylindrical and has a hole 31a at its lower end in Fig. 1 that communicates between the inside and the outside, and is inserted into the outer tube 37. Between the cylinder 31 and the outer tube 37, an annular gap is formed that is connected to the inside of the cylinder 31 by the hole 31a provided in the cylinder 31.

[0021] The upper ends of the cylinder 31 and the outer tube 37 in Fig. 1 are both closed by upper caps 38, and an annular rod guide 40 is attached to the inner periphery of the lower ends of the cylinder 31 and the outer tube 37 in Fig. 1. The outer tube 37 is provided with a screw portion 37a on the outer periphery at the upper end side in Fig. 1 into which an annular upper suspension spring bearing 41 and a nut 42 are screwed, and a hole 37b provided on the upper side in Fig. 1, which is the tip side of the screw portion 37a, and which communicates between the inside and the outside of the outer tube 37.

[0022] The upper suspension spring bearing 41 can be moved up and down relative to the outer tube 37 by rotating the screw portion 37a in the manner of a feed screw, and is fixed to the screw portion 37a by tightening a nut .

[0023] The piston rod 32 has a small diameter portion 32a at its upper end, which is smaller in diameter than the lower side, and a bracket 32b at its lower end, which can be connected to the body or wheel of a vehicle (not shown), and an annular lower suspension spring bearing 32c stacked above the bracket 32b. A cylindrical cushion 43 that abuts against the upper end of the bracket 32b is attached to the outer periphery of the lower end of the piston rod 32 in FIG.

[0024] The piston rod 32 is inserted into the cylinder 31 through the inner circumference of the rod guide 40, and its outer circumference is in sliding contact with the inner circumference of a cylindrical bush 40a fixed to the inner circumference of the rod guide 40, so that the piston rod 32 can move in the axial direction while being guided by the rod guide 40. In addition to the bush 40a, an annular seal member 40b that is in sliding contact with the outer circumference of the piston rod 32 is provided on the inner circumference of the rod guide 40, and the inside of the cylinder 31 is sealed by the seal member 40b. In this embodiment, the seal member 40b is provided on the inner circumference of the rod guide 40, but a seal member that seals between the cylinder 31 and the piston rod 32 may be provided below the rod guide 40 independently of the rod guide 40.

[0025] Between the upper suspension spring bearing 41 and the lower suspension spring bearing 32c, a suspension spring 39 made of a coil spring arranged on the outer periphery of the outer tube 37 and the piston rod 32 is interposed, and the suspension spring 39 always biases the piston rod 32 in a direction to retract outward from the cylinder 31, that is, in a direction to extend the shock absorber D. When the shock absorber D equipped with the suspension spring 39 in this manner is interposed between the body and wheels of a vehicle not shown in the figures, the vehicle body is elastically supported by the suspension spring 39.

[0026] Furthermore, when the piston rod 32 penetrates deeply into the cylinder 31 and the shock absorber D contracts to the vicinity of the stroke end on the contraction side, the cushion 43 attached to the outer periphery of the piston rod 32 comes into contact with the rod guide 40 and is compressed, generating a resilient force that suppresses the contraction of the shock absorber D. Note that, although the shock absorber D of this embodiment employs a structure in which the cushion 43 comes into contact with the rod guide 40, a structure in which an annular stopper facing the cushion 43 is provided below the rod guide 40 in FIG. 1 and the cushion 43 comes into contact with the stopper and is compressed may also be employed.

[0027] In addition, an annular piston 33 is attached to the small diameter portion 32a at the upper end of the piston rod 32. The piston 33 is annular, and is attached to the outer periphery of the small diameter portion 32a of the piston rod 32 together with an extension side damping valve 34 and a compression side damping valve 35 by a piston nut 44.

[0028] When the piston 33 is inserted into the cylinder 31, the piston 33 divides the inside of the cylinder 31 into an extension-side chamber R1 and a compression-side chamber R2 filled with liquid, and can move in the axial direction inside the cylinder 31 together with the piston rod 32. Note that the liquid filled in the extension-side chamber R1 and the compression-side chamber R2 is, for example, hydraulic oil, but may be a liquid other than hydraulic oil.

[0029] 1, the piston 33 includes an extension-side damping passage 33a and a compression-side damping passage 33b penetrating along the axial direction, and is inserted axially movably into the cylinder 31 to divide the inside of the cylinder 31 into an extension-side chamber R1 and a compression-side chamber R2. In this manner, the extension-side chamber R1 divided in the cylinder 31 by the piston 33 is communicated with the annular gap between the cylinder 31 and the outer tube 37 via a hole 31a provided in the cylinder 31.

[0030] In the shock absorber D of this embodiment, the extension side damping valve 34 is a laminated leaf valve that is configured by laminating a plurality of annular plates, and that has an inner periphery fixed to the outer periphery of the small diameter portion 32a of the piston rod 32 and laminated on the upper end of the piston 33 in FIG. 2, and the inner periphery is fixed to the piston rod 32 to allow bending of the outer periphery. Thus, the extension side damping valve 34 has an outer periphery side that is a free end and is laminated on the piston 33 to close the extension side damping passage 33a, and when the outer periphery side is bent to open the extension side damping passage 33a, the extension side damping passage 33a opens and provides resistance to the flow of liquid from the extension side chamber R1 to the compression side chamber R2.

[0031] In the shock absorber D of this embodiment, the compression side damping valve 35 is a laminated leaf valve that is configured by laminating a plurality of annular plates, and that has an inner periphery fixed to the outer periphery of the small diameter portion 32a of the piston rod 32 and laminated on the lower end of the piston 33 in FIG. 2, and the inner periphery is fixed to the piston rod 32, and the outer periphery is allowed to bend. Thus, the compression side damping valve 35 has an outer periphery side that is a free end and is laminated on the piston 33 to close the compression side damping passage 33b, and when the outer periphery side is bent to open the compression side damping passage 33b, the compression side damping passage 33b opens and provides resistance to the flow of liquid from the compression side chamber R2 to the expansion side chamber R1.

[0032] The compression side damping valve 35, the piston 33 and the extension side damping valve 34 configured in this manner are assembled in this order to the outer periphery of the small diameter portion 32a of the piston rod 32, and then fixed to the piston rod 32 by a piston nut 44 that is screwed to the tip of the small diameter portion 32a.

[0033] Next, the upper cap 38, which closes the upper part of the cylinder 31 in FIG. 1, includes a cap portion 38a attached to the upper end of the cylinder 31 in FIG. 1, a cylindrical housing 38b that accommodates the solenoid valve V, and a connection portion 38c that extends horizontally in FIG. 1 from the side of the cap portion 38a and is connected to the housing 38b.

[0034] The cap portion 38a is cylindrical with a top having a top portion 38a1 and a cylindrical portion 38a2. The cap portion 38a is provided with a step portion 38a3 formed on the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 38a2 at the top side and abutting the upper end of the cylinder 31 in FIG. 1, and a threaded portion 38a4 formed on the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 38a2 at the lower side in FIG. 1 and threadedly connected to the threaded portion 37a of the outer tube 37, thereby closing off the upper end of the cylinder 31 and the upper end of the outer tube 37. The cap portion 38a is provided with a bracket 38a5 above the top portion 38a1 in FIG. 1 that can be connected to the body of a vehicle not shown in the figures.

[0035] A flange 31b is provided on the outer periphery of the upper end of the cylinder 31, which abuts against the step portion 38a3 of the cap portion 38a, and an O-ring 31c attached to the outer periphery of the flange 31b is tightly fitted to the inner periphery of the tubular portion 38a2 of the cap portion 38a, preventing the annular gap between the cylinder 31 and the outer tube 37 from communicating with the compression side chamber R2 through the gap between the cylinder 31 and the step portion 38a3. Then, the cylinder 31 is inserted into the cap portion 38a until the upper end of the cylinder 31 abuts against the step portion 38a3, and the outer tube 37 is screwed in and inserted into the cap portion 38a so that the upper end of the outer tube 37 abuts against the flange 31b of the cylinder 31 and is tightened. The outer tube 37 is fixed to the cap portion 38a by the screw connection between the screw portion 37a and the screw portion 38a4, and the cylinder 31 is clamped between the upper end of the outer tube 37 and the step portion 38a3, and at the same time, the cylinder 31 is fixed to the cap portion 38a.

[0036] 1, a hose 45 connected to the tank 36 is attached to the cap portion 38a, and the pressure-side chamber R2 is communicated with the inside of the tank 36 through the hose 45. In this embodiment, the tank 36 includes a cylindrical main body 36a with a top, a cap 36b that closes the opening of the main body 36a, and a free piston 36c that is accommodated in the main body 36a so as to be movable in the axial direction and divides the inside of the tank 36 into a liquid chamber L and an air chamber G. In this embodiment, the inside of the tank 36 is divided into the liquid chamber L and the air chamber G by the free piston 36c, but the liquid chamber L and the air chamber G may be divided by using a flexible elastic partition such as a diaphragm or a bladder or a bellows instead of the free piston 36c. A damping passage 46 and a suction passage 47 are provided at the top of the main body 36a of the tank 36, connecting the liquid chamber L to the compression side chamber R2 in the cylinder 31 via a hose 45. A compression side main damping valve 48 is provided in the damping passage 46 to provide resistance to the flow of liquid from the compression side chamber R2 to the liquid chamber L, and a suction check valve 49 is provided in the suction passage 47 to allow only the flow of liquid from the liquid chamber L to the compression side chamber R2.

[0037] Returning to the main body, the connection portion 38c protrudes horizontally from the side of the cap portion 38a to the left in FIG. 1, and is integrally connected to the housing 38b continuing downward from the tip end thereof.

[0038] Housing 38b is cylindrical and is integrated with the lower end of connecting portion 38c, and has valve hole 38b1 that opens from the lower side in Figures 1 and 2. Valve hole 38b1 has a small diameter portion on the back side, and has large diameter portion 38b2 on the opening side and small diameter portion 38b3 on the back side. Furthermore, a screw groove is provided on the inner periphery of large diameter portion 38b2 of valve hole 38b1 of housing 38b on the small diameter portion 38b3 side.

[0039] The valve hole 38b1 is connected to the compression side chamber R2 in the cylinder 31 through a passage 38c1 provided in the connection portion 38c, opening from the upper end in FIG. 2, which is the bottom portion 38b4 of the valve hole 38b1, and opening to the inner circumference of the tubular portion 38a2 of the cap portion 38a. The valve hole 38b1 is also connected to the expansion side chamber R1 through a passage 38c2 provided in the connection portion 38c, opening from the large diameter portion 38b2 of the valve hole 38b1 and opening to the inner circumference of the tubular portion 38a2 of the cap portion 38a, the hole 37b of the outer tube 37, the annular gap between the cylinder 31 and the outer tube 37, and the hole 31a of the cylinder 31. In this way, the valve hole 38b1 is connected to the expansion side chamber R1 and the compression side chamber R2 through the passages 38c1 and 38c2.

[0040] A solenoid valve V is attached to the housing 38b. As described above, the solenoid valve V includes the cylindrical cap 1 with a bottom attached to the opening of the valve hole 38b1 of the housing 38b, the solenoid S housed in the cap 1, the valve seat member 2 having the port 2a housed in the valve hole 38b1, the valve element 3 capable of opening and closing the port 2a in the valve seat member 2 and driven by the solenoid S, and the cylindrical case 4 with a bottom housed therein the valve seat member 2 and the valve element 3.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 2, the cap 1 is a bottomed cylinder having a bottom 1a and a tubular portion 1b rising from the outer periphery of the bottom 1a, and is provided with a through hole 1a1 penetrating the center of the bottom 1a, a screw portion 1b1 formed on the outer periphery of the upper end of the tubular portion 1b in Fig. 2, and an annular groove 1b2 formed on the outer periphery of the tubular portion 1b immediately below the screw portion 1b1. An O-ring 50 is fitted in the annular groove 1b2 of the cap 1. An annular groove 1b3 in which a C-shaped retaining ring 6 is fitted is formed along the circumferential direction on the inner periphery of the tubular portion 1b of the cap 1 at the upper end side in Fig. 2.

[0042] Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the solenoid S comprises a frame 60 formed of a cylindrical magnetic material with a bottom, a cylindrical coil 61 housed in the frame 60, a cylindrical first fixed core 62 with a bottom that is inserted into the bottom side of the frame 60 within the coil 61, a cylindrical second fixed core 63 that is inserted into the coil 61 from the open end side of the frame 60, sandwiching an annular spacer 68 that forms an air gap together with the first fixed core 62, a movable core 64 that is housed inside the first fixed core 62 between the first fixed core 62 and the second fixed core 63 and is attracted toward the second fixed core 63 when current is applied to the coil 61, and a push rod 65 that is connected to the movable core 64 and movably inserted into the second fixed core 63.

[0043] The coil 61 is housed inside the frame 60 and can receive a current supply via a hole 60a provided in the bottom of the frame 60 and a cable 66 inserted into a through hole 1a1 in the bottom 1a of the cap 1 and connected to an external power source not shown in the figure.

[0044] The first fixed core 62 is cylindrical with a bottom, and is inserted into the inner periphery of the coil 61 with its bottom side facing the bottom side of the frame 60 and its cylindrical part facing the opening side of the frame 60. The second fixed core 63 is cylindrical, and is inserted closer to the opening side of the frame 60 than the first fixed core 62 in the coil 61, and its end face faces the cylindrical part of the first fixed core 62 with a gap therebetween.

[0045] The second stationary core 63 is cylindrical and includes an annular protrusion 63a axially facing the cylindrical portion of the first stationary core 62 on the outer periphery of the lower end in Fig. 2, a flange 63b provided on the outer periphery of the open end side of the frame 60 and fitted into the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion of the frame 60, and an annular recess 63c provided on the inner periphery of the upper end in Fig. 2. An annular groove 63b1 that accommodates an O-ring 67 is provided on the outer periphery of the flange 63b of the second stationary core 63, and when the second stationary core 63 is inserted into the frame 60, the O-ring 67 comes into close contact with the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion of the frame 60 to seal the gap between the second stationary core 63 and the frame 60.

[0046] The movable core 64 is slidably inserted into the cylindrical portion of the first fixed core 62 and arranged between the first fixed core 62 and the second fixed core 63. When seated on the bottom of the first fixed core 62, the outer periphery of the second fixed core side end is slightly radially opposed to the annular protrusion 63a of the second fixed core 63.

[0047] Therefore, a magnetic path is formed by the frame 60, the first fixed iron core 62, the movable iron core 64 and the second fixed iron core 63, and when current is passed through the coil 61, the movable iron core 64 is attracted to the second fixed iron core 63 and attempts to move so as to increase the opposing area with the annular protrusion 63a, thereby urging the push rod 65 in a direction to withdraw it from the frame 60.

[0048] The valve seat member 2 is cylindrical and has four ports 2a spaced apart along the circumferential direction to communicate between the inside and outside. The valve seat member 2 fits snugly into the annular recess 63c of the second fixed core 63 and is radially aligned by the solenoid S.

[0049] The valve element 3 is a cylinder with a bottom, and its outer circumference is in sliding contact with the inner circumference of the valve seat member 2. Its axial length is shorter than that of the valve seat member 2, and it is allowed to move in the axial direction within the valve seat member 2. The valve element 3 has a hole 3a at its bottom, and four ports 3b that are spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the cylinder and communicate with the inside and outside. When the valve seat member 2 and the valve element 3 are viewed from the axial direction, the ports 2a and 3b are provided at positions that are in the same phase in the circumferential direction. When the bottom of the valve element 3 abuts against the bottom surface of the annular recess 63c of the second fixed iron core 63 of the solenoid S, the port 3b is located lower in FIG. 2 than the port 2a of the valve seat member 2. When the valve element 3 moves upward in FIG. 2 from the position where its bottom abuts against the second fixed iron core 63 relative to the valve seat member 2, the port 3b eventually comes to face the port 2a, and when the two are completely at the same height, they face each other and the degree of overlap is maximized.

[0050] Therefore, by moving the valve element 3 in the axial direction within the valve seat member 2, the communication state between port 2a and port 3b can be changed from a state in which port 2a is completely closed to a state in which port 2a is fully opened. The bottom of the valve element 3 faces the second fixed iron core 63 of the solenoid S and can abut against the push rod 65, so that the valve element 3 can be pressed by supplying current to the coil 61 of the solenoid S to change the position of the valve element 3 relative to the valve seat member 2. Although four ports 2a and four ports 3b are provided each, the number of ports can be changed as long as they are the same, and the shapes of ports 2a and 3b can also be changed as desired.

[0051] The case 4 is cylindrical with a bottom and includes a hole 4b provided in the bottom 4a, a flange 4d provided on the outer periphery of the tip of the tubular portion 4c, an annular protrusion 4e provided on the outer periphery of the flange 4d at the lower end in Figure 2 and protruding radially outward, four notches 4f that radially penetrate both the flange 4d and the annular protrusion 4e and lead into the tubular portion 4c, and an annular groove 4g provided on the outer periphery of the upper end of the tubular portion 4c in Figure 2.

[0052] The inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 4c in the case 4 is larger than the outer diameter of the valve seat member 2, and when the valve seat member 2 is housed in the cylindrical portion 4c, a gap is provided between the cylindrical portion 4c and the valve seat member 2 to provide sufficient play.

[0053] In addition, the outer diameter of the annular protrusion 4e, which has the largest outer diameter of the case 4, is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 1b of the cap 1, and when the case 4 is inserted into the cap 1, the case 4 is loosely fitted within the cap 1 and is allowed to move in the axial direction.

[0054] Then, the case 4 is inserted into the cap 1 from the side of the annular protrusion 4e so that the annular protrusion 4e is positioned below the annular groove 1b3 in the cap 1, and the retaining ring 6 is then attached to the annular groove 1b3. Since the inner diameter of the retaining ring 6 is smaller than the outer diameter of the annular protrusion 4e but larger than the outer diameter of the flange 4d, the case 4 is temporarily secured by the retaining ring 6, preventing it from falling off the cap 1 while allowing it to move axially relative to the cap 1.

[0055] The valve seat member 2, the valve body 3, and the coil spring 5 are housed in the case 4, and the case 4 is temporarily assembled to the cap 1 together with the valve seat member 2, the valve body 3, and the coil spring 5 housed therein by the retaining ring 6. When the annular protrusion 4e abuts against the retaining ring 6 and the movement of the case 4 in the direction of retraction from the cap 1 is restricted, a gap is generated between the upper end of the valve seat member 2, the lower end of which in FIG. 2 abuts against the bottom of the annular recess 63c of the second fixed iron core 63 of the solenoid S, and the bottom 4a of the case 4. Furthermore, when the upper end of the valve seat member 2 in FIG. 2 abuts against the inner surface of the bottom 4a of the case 4, a gap is generated between the lower end of the flange 4d of the case 4 in FIG. 2 and the frame 60 and the second fixed iron core 63 of the solenoid S, so that the lower end of the flange 4d in FIG. 2 does not abut against the frame 60 and the second fixed iron core 63. Therefore, when the case 4 housing the valve seat member 2 is temporarily fixed to the cap 1 housing the solenoid S by the retaining ring 6, the case 4 can move slightly in the axial direction.

[0056] Furthermore, as described above, the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 4c of the case 4 is larger than the outer diameter of the valve seat member 2. When the valve seat member 2 is accommodated in the case 4 and temporarily fixed to the cap 1 with the retaining ring 6, even if there is a misalignment between the axial center of the valve seat member 2, which is radially aligned by the solenoid S, and the case 4, the case 4 does not interfere with the valve seat member 2 and does not affect the radial position of the valve seat member 2 relative to the solenoid S.

[0057] The inner diameter of the inner circumference of the cylindrical portion 4c of the case 4 facing the port 2a of the valve seat member 2 is made sufficiently larger than the outer circumference of the valve seat member 2 so as not to provide resistance when liquid passes through the annular gap between the inner circumference of the cylindrical portion 4c facing the port 2a of the valve seat member 2 and the outer circumference of the valve seat member 2.

[0058] Next, the inner diameter of the hole 4b in the bottom 4a of the case 4 is smaller than the inner diameter of the valve body 3, so that the coil spring 5 can be interposed between the bottom 4a and the valve body 3. The coil spring 5 is sandwiched in a compressed state between the upper end of the cylindrical part of the valve body 3 in FIG. 2 and the bottom 4a of the case 4, and constantly urges the valve body 3 and the movable iron core 64 downward in FIG. 2. When the solenoid S is not energized and does not apply thrust to the valve body 3, the valve body 3 abuts against the second fixed iron core 63 and the movable iron core 64 abuts against the bottom of the first fixed iron core 62. Four notches 4f are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the case 4, so that communication between the inside and outside of the case 4 can be ensured even after the case 4 is assembled to the cap 1. The number of notches 4f can be changed arbitrarily. An O-ring 70 is accommodated in an annular groove 4g provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 4c of the case 4.

[0059] The solenoid valve V configured as described above is assembled to the housing 38b as follows: First, the solenoid S is inserted into the cap 1 from the bottom side of the frame 60 with the push rod 65 facing outward. At that time, the solenoid S is housed in the cap 1 while the cable 66 is pulled out from the hole 60a.

[0060] Next, the valve seat member 2 is inserted into the case 4, and the coil spring 5 is inserted around the inner circumference of the valve seat member 2 at the rear side of the case 4. Then, the valve body 3 is inserted into the valve seat member 2 from the cylindrical portion side, so that the valve seat member 2, the coil spring 5 and the valve body 3 are accommodated in the case 4.

[0061] Then, the case 4 housing the valve seat member 2, the coil spring 5 and the valve body 3 is inserted from the cylindrical portion 4c side into the cylindrical portion 1b of the cap 1 housing the solenoid S until the annular protrusion 4e passes over the annular groove 1b3 provided on the inner circumference of the cylindrical portion 1b and enters into the cap 1.

[0062] After the case 4 is inserted into the cap 1, the retaining ring 6 is inserted into the gap between the cylindrical portion 1b of the cap 1 and the cylindrical portion 4c of the case 4, and the retaining ring 6 is inserted into the annular groove 1b3 by pushing the retaining ring 6 into the cap 1 while reducing its diameter. Then, the retaining ring 6 inserted into the annular groove 1b3 expands in diameter due to its own restoring force and is fixed in the annular groove 1b3. When the retaining ring 6 is fixed to the cap 1, the case 4 is temporarily fixed to the cap 1, and can move slightly up and down relative to the cap 1 while accommodating the valve seat member 2, the valve body 3, and the coil spring 5 inside, and does not affect the radial alignment of the valve seat member 2 by the solenoid S.

[0063] In addition, when the case 4 is temporarily fixed to the cap 1, the solenoid S, valve seat member 2, valve body 3 and coil spring 5, which are the components that make up the solenoid valve V, are integrated while being housed inside the cap 1 and case 4 without coming apart, so that all of the components that make up the solenoid valve V can be assembled together.

[0064] When the solenoid valve V assembled in this manner is inserted into the valve hole 38b1 of the housing 38b, the case 4 fits into the small diameter portion 38b3 of the valve hole 38b1. Then, when the screw portion 1b1 provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 1b of the cap 1 is screwed into the screw groove provided on the inner periphery of the large diameter portion 38b2 of the valve hole 38b1, the bottom 4a of the case 4 eventually comes into contact with the bottom 38b4 of the valve hole 38b1.

[0065] Because the case 4 and the cap 1 can move relative to each other in the axial direction and the case 4 abuts against the bottom 38b4 of the valve hole 38b1, further screwing the cap 1 moves toward the bottom 38b4 of the valve hole 38b1, and the cap 1, solenoid S, valve seat member 2 and case 4 are sandwiched between the cap 1 and the bottom 38b4 of the housing 38b and fixed to the housing 38b. Furthermore, the axial force acting on the solenoid S, valve seat member 2 and case 4 can be adjusted according to the tightening torque of the cap 1 relative to the housing 38b, making the assembly work of the solenoid valve V easier than with a structure having screw connections at two points like a conventional solenoid valve.

[0066] When the solenoid valve V is assembled to the housing 38b in this manner, the hole 4b in the bottom 4a of the case 4 faces the passage 38c1 opening to the bottom 38b4, and the inside of the valve element 3 housed in the case 4 is communicated with the pressure-side chamber R2 in the cylinder 31 through the passage 38c1. The axial length of the cylindrical portion 4c of the case 4 is longer than the axial length of the small diameter portion 38b3 of the valve hole 38b1, and the case 4 protrudes from the small diameter portion 38b3 into the large diameter portion 38b2. Even when the case 4 is inserted into the cap 1, the case 4 has a notch 4f that opens from the flange 4d and leads inward, and the annular gap between the case 4 and the outer periphery of the valve seat member 2 and facing the port 2a is communicated with the passage 38c2 that opens to the large diameter portion 38b2 of the valve hole 38b1 through the notch 4f. As described above, the passage 38c2 communicates with the expansion-side chamber R1 via the hole 37b of the outer tube 37, the annular gap between the cylinder 31 and the outer tube 37, and the hole 31a of the cylinder 31.

[0067] Therefore, when the port 2a of the valve seat member 2 and the port 3b of the valve body 3 face each other, the expansion-side chamber R1 and the compression-side chamber R2 are communicated with each other through the inside of the case 4, bypassing the expansion-side damping passage 33a and the compression-side damping passage 33b, and when the port 2a of the valve seat member 2 and the outer periphery of the valve body 3 face each other, the communication between the expansion-side chamber R1 and the compression-side chamber R2 through the inside of the case 4 is cut off.

[0068] In this way, the solenoid valve V is provided in the bypass passage that bypasses the extension side damping passage 33a and the compression side damping passage 33b, and opens the bypass passage when the port 3b of the valve element 3 faces the port 2a of the valve seat member 2, and closes the bypass passage when the port 2a of the valve seat member 2 is closed by the outer periphery of the valve element 3. Thus, in the non-energized state in which no current is supplied to the coil 61 of the solenoid S, the valve element 3 is biased by the coil spring 5 to abut against the second fixed iron core 63, causing the outer periphery to face the port 2a of the valve seat member 2, thereby blocking the bypass passage, and when a current is supplied to the coil 61 and the valve element 3 is moved by the thrust of the solenoid S against the biasing force of the coil spring 5 toward the bottom 4a of the case 4, the port 3b faces the port 2a, thereby opening the bypass passage. Furthermore, since the amount of movement of the valve element 3 toward the bottom 4a is proportional to the magnitude of the thrust that the solenoid S applies to the valve element 3, the degree to which the ports 2a and 3b oppose each other, that is, the degree to which the solenoid valve V is open, can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of current supplied to the coil 61.

[0069] When the case 4 is housed in the valve hole 38b1, the O-ring 70 provided on the outer periphery of the case 4 comes into close contact with the wall surface forming the small diameter portion 38b3 of the valve hole 38b1, so that the expansion-side chamber R1 and the contraction-side chamber R2 are not communicated with each other through the gap between the case 4 and the small diameter portion 38b3, bypassing the solenoid valve V. In addition, the O-ring 50 attached to the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 1b of the cap 1 comes into close contact with the inner periphery of the opening side of the large diameter portion 38b2 that does not have a thread groove, so that liquid does not leak from between the cap 1 and the housing 38b. The O-ring 70 provided on the outer periphery of the case 4 may be omitted when sealing is performed by butting the bottom 4a of the case 4, the housing 38a, and the bottom 38b4 of the valve hole 83b1.

[0070] The shock absorber D utilizing the solenoid valve V configured in this manner operates as follows. During the extension stroke of the shock absorber D, in which the piston 33 moves downward in FIG. 1 relative to the cylinder 31, if the solenoid valve V is closed, the liquid in the extension-side chamber R1 compressed by the piston 33 moves to the compression-side chamber R2 via the extension-side damping passage 33a. During this extension stroke, when the solenoid valve V is closed, the shock absorber D applies resistance to the flow of liquid by the extension-side damping valve 34, increasing the pressure in the extension-side chamber R1, and generating an extension-side damping force that hinders extension.

[0071] In addition, during the extension stroke of the shock absorber D, the piston rod 32 retracts from the cylinder 31, causing a shortage of liquid in the compression side chamber R2 by the volume of the piston rod 32 retracted from the cylinder 31. However, this shortage of liquid is supplied from the liquid chamber L in the tank 36 to the compression side chamber R2 by opening the suction check valve 49.

[0072] In addition, when the solenoid valve V is opened, the liquid moves from the extension-side chamber R1 to the compression-side chamber R2 through the solenoid valve V as well as the extension-side damping valve 34. Therefore, the damping force during the extension operation of the shock absorber D can be adjusted according to the opening degree of the solenoid valve V.

[0073] On the other hand, during the contraction stroke of the shock absorber D in which the piston 33 moves upward in Fig. 1 relative to the cylinder 31, the liquid in the compression side chamber R2 compressed by the piston 33 opens the compression side damping valve 35 and moves to the expansion side chamber R1 via the compression side damping passage 33b. Also, during the contraction stroke of the shock absorber D, the piston rod 32 enters the cylinder 31, so that the hydraulic oil in the cylinder 31 becomes excessive by the volume of the piston rod 32 entering the cylinder 31. This excess liquid moves from the compression side chamber R2 to the expansion side chamber R1 via the compression side main damping valve 48.

[0074] In this way, during the contraction stroke, when the solenoid valve V is closed, the shock absorber D provides flow resistance to the liquid through the compression side damping valve 35 and the compression side main damping valve 48, thereby increasing the pressure in the compression side chamber R2 and generating a compression side damping force that prevents contraction.

[0075] In addition, when the solenoid valve V is opened, the liquid moves from the compression side chamber R2 to the extension side chamber R1 through the solenoid valve V as well as the compression side damping valve 35. Therefore, the damping force during the contraction operation of the shock absorber D can be adjusted according to the opening degree of the solenoid valve V.

[0076] As described above, the solenoid valve V comprises the bottomed cylindrical cap 1 which is attached to the opening of the valve hole 38b1 of the housing 38b, which has the valve hole 38b1 opening from one end, the solenoid S housed in the cap 1, the valve seat member 2 which has the port 2a and is housed in the valve hole 38b1 and is centered in the radial direction of the solenoid S by the solenoid S, and the valve body 3 which is capable of opening and closing the port 2a in the valve seat member 2 and is driven by the solenoid S, and the solenoid S and the valve seat member 2 are sandwiched between the bottom 38b4 of the valve hole 38b1 of the housing 38b and the cap 1 and fixed to the housing 38b.

[0077] In the solenoid valve V configured in this manner, by attaching the cap 1 to the housing 38b, the solenoid S and the valve seat member 2 can be clamped and fixed between the cap 1 and the bottom 38b4 of the valve hole 38b1 in the housing 38b, and the valve seat member 2 is aligned with respect to the solenoid S. This makes it possible to fix the valve seat member 2 to the cap 1 and to align the valve seat member 2 with respect to the solenoid S without using multiple screw connections, and the solenoid valve V can be fixed to the housing 38b without using multiple screw connections as in conventional solenoid valves.

[0078] Thus, according to the solenoid valve V of this embodiment, the solenoid valve V can be fixed to the housing 38b without using screw fastenings in multiple places, making the assembly work of the solenoid valve V easier. Furthermore, if screw fastening is used, it is sufficient to use screw fastenings in only one place between the cap 1 and the housing 38b, reducing the possibility of loosening and enabling the solenoid valve to be made smaller than conventional solenoid valves.

[0079] In addition, the solenoid valve V of this embodiment is equipped with a bottomed, cylindrical case 4 that houses a valve seat member 2 and a valve body 3 inside, and a retaining ring (temporary fixing member) 6 that temporarily fixes the case 4 in a state where axial movement is permitted relative to the cap 1, and the solenoid S and the valve seat member 2 are sandwiched between the bottom 38b4 of the valve hole 38b1 of the housing 38b and the cap 1 via the case 4.

[0080] In the solenoid valve V configured in this manner, the case 4 is temporarily fixed to the cap 1, and the solenoid S, valve seat member 2, and valve body 3 are housed in the cap 1 and case 4 to form an assembly, improving the ease of assembling the solenoid valve V to the housing 38b and making assembly even easier. Because the case 4 is allowed to move axially relative to the cap 1, when the cap 1 is fixed to the housing 38b, an axial force can be applied to the solenoid S, valve seat member 2, and case 4 to fix them in place.

[0081] 1 and 2 includes a case 4, and the solenoid valve V is assembled by temporarily fixing the case 4 to the cap 1, but the case 4 may be eliminated and the solenoid valve V may not be assembled, but the valve seat member 2 may be radially aligned by the solenoid S, and the solenoid S and the valve seat member 2 housing the valve body 3 therein may be sandwiched between the cap 1 and the bottom 38b4 of the valve hole 38b1 by attaching the cap 1 to the housing 38b. If it is desired to assemble the solenoid valve V1 without eliminating the case 4, a flange 2b that is loosely fitted to the inner periphery of the cap 1 may be provided on the outer periphery of the valve seat member 2, and the valve seat member 2 may be temporarily fixed by a retaining ring 6 to prevent the valve seat member 2 from falling off the cap 1, as shown in FIG. In this case, when the valve body 3 is biased by the coil spring 5, an annular spring bearing 2c for supporting one end of the coil spring 5 may be provided on the inner periphery of the anti-solenoid end of the valve seat member 2.

[0082] In this embodiment, the valve seat member 2 and the valve element 3 in the solenoid valve V are both cylindrical and configured as a spool valve that moves relative to the valve seat member 2 in the axial direction to open and close the port 2a, but as long as the valve seat member 2 is aligned in the radial direction by the solenoid S, the valve seat member 2 does not have to be cylindrical, and the valve element 3 may also be a valve element other than a spool. Therefore, for example, when the valve seat member 2 has a port at its bottom, the valve element 3 may be a poppet that is driven in the axial direction by the solenoid S relative to the valve seat member 2 to open and close the port, and the valve seat member 2 and the valve element 3 may form a poppet valve. In this embodiment, the coil spring 5 is provided, but if the valve element 3 is connected to the push rod 65 of the solenoid S and the solenoid S itself has a spring that returns the movable iron core 64 to its non-energized position, the coil spring 5 in the valve seat member 2 may be eliminated. Also, in this case, when the case 4 is eliminated and the valve seat member 2 is temporarily fixed to the cap 1, the valve body 3 is connected to the push rod 65 and will not fall out from within the valve seat member 2, so that the valve seat member 2 can be simply cylindrical and there is no need to provide a flange on the inner circumference of the anti-solenoid end to prevent the valve body 3 from falling out.

[0083] Furthermore, in the solenoid valve V of this embodiment, the temporary fastening member is a retaining ring 6 fixed to the inner circumference of the cap 1. In the solenoid valve V configured in this manner, the use of the retaining ring 6, which is easy to attach to the inner circumference of the cap 1, makes it easier to assemble the solenoid valve V, and by temporarily fastening the case 4 with the retaining ring 6, it is possible to prevent the case 4 from falling off the cap 1 even if a force is applied to pull the case 4 out of the cap 1, and since what the retaining ring 6 regulates is the removal of the case 4 from the cap 1, it does not interfere with the movement of the case 4 in the direction of inserting into the back of the cap 1 relative to the cap 1, so the case 4 and the retaining ring 6 do not provide resistance when attaching the cap 1 to the housing 38b.

[0084] In the present invention, temporarily fixing the case 4 to the cap 1 means that the state in which the case 4 is inserted into the cap 1 can be maintained while allowing the case 4 to move in the axial direction, and the temporary fixing member is not limited to the retaining ring 6, but may be, for example, a rubber ring that is provided on one of the inner periphery of the cap 1 and the outer periphery of the case 4 and that is in close contact with the other of the inner periphery of the cap 1 and the outer periphery of the case 4. Furthermore, when the case 4 is inserted into the cap 1, friction generated between the cap 1 and the case 4 can prevent the case 4 from falling off the cap 1, but the case 4 may be temporarily fixed by fitting so that the case 4 can move in the axial direction relative to the cap 1 when a force equal to or greater than the frictional force acts on the cap 1, in which case the temporary fixing member is the case 4 itself.

[0085] Furthermore, a manufacturing method of a solenoid valve V in this embodiment is a manufacturing method of a solenoid valve V including: a bottomed, cylindrical cap 1 that is attached to the opening of a valve hole 38b1 of a housing 38b having a valve hole 38b1 that opens from one end side; a solenoid S that is accommodated in the cap 1; a valve seat member 2 that has a port 2a and is accommodated in the valve hole 38b1 and is centered in the radial direction of the solenoid S by the solenoid S; a valve element 3 that is capable of opening and closing the port 2a in the valve seat member 2 and is driven by the solenoid S; and a bottomed, cylindrical case 4 that accommodates the valve seat member 2 and the valve element 3 inside, the manufacturing method including the steps of: accommodating the solenoid S in the cap 1; accommodating the valve seat member 2 and the valve element 3 in the case 4; inserting the case 4 into the cap 1 and temporarily fixing the case 4 to the cap 1; and inserting the cap 1 with the case 4 temporarily fixed into the valve hole 38b1 to join the cap 1 to the housing 38b.

[0086] According to the method for manufacturing the solenoid valve V configured in this manner, the solenoid valve V can be manufactured simply by providing a screw connection between the cap 1 and the housing 38b, which reduces the possibility of loosening and makes assembly easy and compact. In addition, by temporarily fastening the case 4 to the cap 1, each part of the solenoid valve V can be assembled together, making the assembly work of the solenoid valve V easier.

[0087] Furthermore, in the case of the solenoid valve V1 that does not have a case 4, the step of housing the valve seat member 2 and the valve body 3 in the case 4 can be eliminated, and instead of the step of temporarily fixing the case 4 to the cap 1, a step of temporarily fixing the valve seat member 2 housing the valve body 3 to the cap 1 can be provided. According to the manufacturing method of the solenoid valve V1 configured in this manner, the solenoid valve V can be manufactured simply by providing a screw connection between the cap 1 and the housing 38b, which reduces the possibility of loosening, facilitating assembly and enabling miniaturization, and in addition, by temporarily fixing the valve seat member 2 to the cap 1, each part of the solenoid valve V1 can be assembled together, making the assembly work of the solenoid valve V1 easier.

[0088] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, modifications, variations and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1 Cap, 2 Valve seat member, 2a Port, 3 Valve body, 4 Case, 6 Retaining ring (temporary fastening member), 38b Housing, 38b1 Valve hole, 38b4 Bottom, S Solenoid, V Solenoid valve

Claims

1. a housing having a valve hole opening from one end side, and a cylindrical cap with a bottom attached to the opening of the valve hole; a solenoid housed within the cap; a valve seat member having a port, the valve seat member being accommodated in the valve hole and being radially aligned with the solenoid by the solenoid; a valve element that is capable of opening and closing the port in the valve seat member and is driven by the solenoid; a temporary fastening member that temporarily fastens the valve seat member relative to the cap in a state in which axial movement of the valve seat member is permitted; The solenoid and the valve seat member are sandwiched between the bottom of the valve hole of the housing and the cap and fixed to the housing. A solenoid valve characterized by:

2. A housing having a valve hole opening from one end side, and a bottomed cylindrical cap attached to the opening of the valve hole; a solenoid housed within the cap; a valve seat member having a port, the valve seat member being accommodated in the valve hole and being radially aligned with the solenoid by the solenoid; a valve element that is capable of opening and closing the port in the valve seat member and is driven by the solenoid; a case having a bottomed cylindrical shape and accommodating the valve seat member and the valve body therein; The solenoid and the valve seat member are sandwiched between the bottom of the valve hole of the housing and the cap via the case and fixed to the housing. A solenoid valve characterized by:

3. a temporary fastening member for temporarily fastening the valve seat member in a state in which the valve seat member is allowed to move in the axial direction relative to the cap; 3. The solenoid valve according to claim 2.

4. The temporary fastening member is a retaining ring fixed to the inner periphery of the cap.

4. The solenoid valve according to claim 1 or 3.

5. A method for manufacturing a solenoid valve comprising: a bottomed, cylindrical cap attached to an opening of a valve hole of a housing having an opening at one end of the valve hole; a solenoid housed in the cap; a valve seat member having a port housed in the valve hole and centered in a radial direction of the solenoid by the solenoid; a valve disc capable of opening and closing the port in the valve seat member and driven by the solenoid; and a bottomed, cylindrical case housed therein the valve seat member and the valve disc, housing the solenoid within the cap; a step of accommodating the valve seat member and the valve body in the case; a step of inserting the case into the cap and temporarily fastening the case to the cap; and a step of inserting the cap, to which the case is temporarily attached, into the valve hole to couple the cap to the housing. A method for manufacturing a solenoid valve.

6. A method for manufacturing a solenoid valve comprising: a housing having a valve hole that opens from one end thereof, a cylindrical cap with a bottom attached to the opening of the valve hole; a solenoid housed in the cap; a cylindrical valve seat member with a bottom having a port, housed in the valve hole, and centered in a radial direction of the solenoid by the solenoid; and a valve body that can open and close the port in the valve seat member and is driven by the solenoid, housing the solenoid within the cap; accommodating the valve body within the valve seat member; a step of inserting the valve seat member into the cap and temporarily fixing the valve seat member to the cap; and a step of inserting the cap, to which the valve seat member is temporarily attached, into the valve hole to couple the cap to the housing. A method for manufacturing a solenoid valve.

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