Waterproof solenoid valve

The waterproof solenoid valve addresses the challenge of stable pin positioning and smooth operation by using a pin guide and flexible cap member to reduce friction, resulting in reliable and efficient operation.

JP7666031B6Active Publication Date: 2025-06-06SMC CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2021039326
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-03-11
Publication Date
2025-06-06
Estimated Expiration
2041-03-11

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing waterproof solenoid valves face challenges in stably positioning and reliably returning the operating pin between the cap member and the manual button, due to friction issues and difficulty in smooth operation.

Method used

The proposed waterproof solenoid valve incorporates a pin guide with a flexible cap member and an operation pin that is supported by the pin guide, allowing for smooth displacement without sliding friction, and a cap member with a hollow body and a head portion that facilitates easy operation and sealing.

Benefits of technology

This configuration ensures smooth operation of the operating pin and cap member, reducing friction and enhancing the reliability of the solenoid valve's operation, including stable positioning and smooth return to initial positions.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To enable manual buttons of an electromagnetic valve body to be operated without fail through an operation part of a waterproof cover.SOLUTION: A waterproof cover 4 has an operation part 52 for pressing manual buttons 47 of an electromagnetic valve body 3 to operate. The operation part 52 has: a flexible cap member 54; a pin guide 55 disposed between the cap member 54 and the electromagnetic valve body 3; and operation pins 57 which are respectively inserted into guide holes 56 of the pin guide 55 in a displaceable manner. The cap member 54 has a soft pressing part 64 for a pressing operation. One end of each operation pin 57 contacts with or is located close to the pressing part 64. The other end of the operation pin 57 contacts with the manual button 47.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a waterproof solenoid valve having waterproof properties. [Background technology]

[0002] A waterproof solenoid valve having waterproof properties is publicly known, as disclosed in Patent Document 1. This waterproof solenoid valve is often attached to a food processing machine and used, and is cleaned by being sprayed with high-temperature and high-pressure cleaning water, steam jets, etc. after the food processing machine is finished operating, so that the solenoid valve has a structure in which the solenoid valve body is covered with a waterproof manifold and a waterproof cover so that it can withstand the spraying of the cleaning water, steam jets, etc.

[0003] The solenoid valve body is also provided with a manual button so that the valve member can be switched manually during a power outage, maintenance, inspection, etc. For this reason, the waterproof cover is formed with an operating portion for pressing the manual button through the waterproof cover. The operating portion is usually configured by forming a window hole in a part of the waterproof cover, attaching a cap member made of a flexible material such as rubber or synthetic resin to the window hole in a liquid-tight state, and interposing an operating pin between the cap member and the manual button of the solenoid valve body, so that the manual button can be pressed through the operating pin by pressing the operating pin from above the cap member.

[0004] However, it was found that when one end of the operating pin is slidably inserted and held in a retaining hole formed in the cap member in order to stably position the operating pin between the cap member and the manual button, friction between the operating pin and the cap member reduces the sliding properties of the operating pin, and the cap member and operating pin may have difficulty returning to their initial positions after being pressed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-135963 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The technical object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof solenoid valve with a simple and rational structure that can stably position an operating pin between a cap member and a manual button, and can reliably return the cap member and operating pin to their initial positions after a pressing operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a waterproof solenoid valve in which one or more solenoid valve bodies having a valve member for switching a flow path, an electromagnetic drive mechanism for driving the valve member, and one or more manual buttons capable of manually switching the valve member are mounted on a manifold having a waterproof structure, and are covered with a waterproof cover attached in a liquid-tight state to the manifold, the waterproof cover having an operation portion for pressing the manual button in a central axis direction at a portion of the solenoid valve body covering the manual button, the operation portion having a flexible cap member attached in a liquid-tight state to the waterproof cover, a pin guide interposed between the cap member and the solenoid valve body, and one or more operation pins inserted in a guide hole of the pin guide so as to be displaceable in the central axis direction, the cap member having a flexible pressing portion that is elastically deformed when pressed, the cap member has a hollow body and a head portion covering one end of the body portion, the pressing portion being formed on the head portion, the pin guide being fitted into the body portion of the cap member and engaged with the body portion, One end of the operation pin abuts against or is close to the pressing portion of the cap member, and the other end of the operation pin abuts against the manual button.

[0008] In the present invention 、It is desirable that the pin guide has a first guide portion pressed into the body portion and a second guide portion integrally connected to the first guide portion, the outer diameter of the second guide portion being larger than the outer diameter of the first guide portion, the guide hole penetrating the insides of the first guide portion and the second guide portion, and an engagement groove is formed on the outer periphery of the first guide portion, and a part of the body portion of the cap member fits into and engages with the engagement groove, thereby engaging the pin guide with the cap member.

[0009] Furthermore, it is desirable that the body portion of the cap member is fitted into an operating hole formed in the waterproof cover, the first guide portion of the pin guide is pressed into the body portion so as to reach the position of the operating hole, and the body portion is strongly pressed between the first guide portion and the inner circumference of the operating hole, thereby improving the sealing property between the cap member and the waterproof cover.

[0010] In the present invention, the operating pin is inserted into the guide hole from one end side of the pin guide, and the operating pin and the pin guide may be formed with a fall prevention mechanism for preventing the operating pin inserted into the guide hole from falling out of the pin guide. It is desirable that the anti-fall-out mechanism has a window hole formed in the side wall of the guide hole so as to extend in an elongated manner in the direction of the central axis, a locking portion formed at one end of the window hole, and a locking claw formed on the side of the operating pin and adapted to fit freely into the window hole, and that the locking claw is configured to engage with the locking portion to prevent the operating pin from falling out of the guide hole.

[0011] Furthermore, in the present invention, the solenoid valve body may have two manual buttons, the pin guide may have two of the first guide portions and two of the second guide portions and two of the guide holes, the two operating pins may be individually inserted into the two guide holes, the two first guide portions may be separated from each other, and the side surfaces of the two second guide portions may be integrally connected, and the body portion of the cap member may have two fitting portions into which the two first guide portions of the pin guide individually fit.

[0012] Alternatively, the solenoid valve body may have one manual button, the pin guide may have two of the first guide portions and two of the second guide portions and two of the guide holes, the two operating pins may be individually inserted into the two guide holes, the two first guide portions may be separated from each other, and the side surfaces of the two second guide portions may be integrally connected to each other, the body of the cap member may have two fitting portions into which the two first guide portions of the pin guide may be individually fitted, and of the two operating pins, one operating pin corresponding to the manual button may be freely displaced, and the other operating pin may be fixed in an undisplaceable state. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, the operation pin is supported by the pin guide so as to be freely displaceable, so that the operation pin can be stably disposed between the cap member and the manual button. In addition, the operating pin is supported by the pin guide so that it can be freely displaced, and one end abuts against the head of the cap member and the other end abuts against the manual button, and it does not slide against the cap member. Therefore, friction caused by sliding does not act as a resistance force on the operating pin and cap member. As a result, not only is the operation of the operating pin very smooth, but the deformation and restoration of the pressing portion of the cap member is also very smooth. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a waterproof solenoid valve according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the waterproof solenoid valve of FIG. 1 taken vertically at the center in the width direction. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. [Diagram 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the main part when one manual button is pressed down from the state shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6]5 is a cross-sectional view of the main part when the other manual button is pressed down from the state of FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a waterproof solenoid valve according to a second embodiment of the present invention, with a portion of the waterproof cover omitted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] 1 to 8 show a first embodiment of a waterproof solenoid valve according to the present invention. This waterproof solenoid valve 1 has one solenoid valve body 3 mounted on a manifold 2 having a waterproof structure, and this solenoid valve body 3 is covered with a waterproof cover 4.

[0016] The manifold 2 is a single-piece manifold made of a hard material having excellent heat resistance and water resistance, such as metal, synthetic resin, etc. Inside the manifold 2, as shown in Fig. 2, a central supply flow passage 5, a first output flow passage 6a and a second output flow passage 6b located on both sides of the supply flow passage 5, and a first exhaust flow passage 7a and a second exhaust flow passage 7b located on both outsides of the first output flow passage 6a and the second output flow passage 6b are formed so as to open to the upper surface of the manifold 2.

[0017] The supply flow passage 5 communicates with a supply port P of a supply joint portion 8 for piping connection that protrudes from one side surface of the manifold 2, the first exhaust flow passage 7a communicates with a first exhaust port EA of a first exhaust joint portion 9a adjacent to the supply joint portion 8, the second exhaust flow passage 7b communicates with a second exhaust port EB of a second exhaust joint portion 9b adjacent to the supply joint portion 8 at a position opposite to the first exhaust joint portion 9a, the first output flow passage 6a communicates with a first output port A that opens in the bottom surface of the manifold 2, and the second output flow passage 6b communicates with a second output port B that opens in the bottom surface of the manifold 2. The portion indicated by reference numeral 10 in FIG. 2 is a connector portion for connecting electrical wiring. Although the pressure fluid used in this embodiment is air, a liquid may also be used.

[0018] The solenoid valve body 3 is a double pilot type five-port valve, and as can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 7, has a main valve portion 13 and an electromagnetic drive mechanism portion 14. The main valve section 13 includes a valve body 15, a valve hole 16 formed inside the valve body 15, a valve member or spool 17 slidably accommodated in the valve hole 16, a manual block 18 attached to one end of the valve body 15, and an end block 19 attached to the other end of the valve body 15.

[0019] The valve body 15 has a supply port 20 connecting the supply passage 5 of the manifold 2 to the valve hole 16, a first output port 21a and a second output port 21b respectively connecting the first output passage 6a and the second output passage 6b to the valve hole 16, and a first exhaust port 22a and a second exhaust port 22b respectively connecting the first exhaust passage 7a and the second exhaust passage 7b to the valve hole 16.

[0020] The spool 17 has four switching lands 25, 26, 27, 28 for switching the flow path, and two sealing lands 29, 30 for blocking both ends of the valve hole 16, and a seal member is attached to the outer periphery of each of the switching lands 25-28 and each of the sealing lands 29, 30.

[0021] Of the four switching lands 25, 26, 27, 28, the first switching land 25 located toward the center of the spool 17 opens and closes a first supply communication passage 31a connecting the supply passage 5 and the first output passage 6a, the second switching land 26 opens and closes a second supply communication passage 31b connecting the supply passage 5 and the second output passage 6b, the third switching land 27 located toward one end of the spool 17 opens and closes a first discharge communication passage 32a connecting the first output passage 6a and the first discharge passage 7a, and the fourth switching land 28 located toward the other end of the spool 17 opens and closes a second discharge communication passage 32b connecting the second output passage 6b and the second discharge passage 7b.

[0022] A first piston chamber 35a is formed inside the manual block 18, and a first pilot piston 36a is slidably housed within the first piston chamber 35a via a seal member 38a, and a first pilot pressure chamber 37a is formed for applying pilot fluid pressure to the first pilot piston 36a.

[0023] Further, a second piston chamber 35b is formed inside the end block 19, and a second pilot piston 36b is slidably accommodated within the second piston chamber 35b via a seal member 38b, and a second pilot pressure chamber 37b is formed for applying pilot fluid pressure to the second pilot piston 36b.

[0024] The electromagnetic drive mechanism 14 is provided with a first pilot valve 40a and a second pilot valve 40b, each of which is an electromagnetically operated three-port valve, arranged vertically.

[0025] The first pilot valve 40a is connected between a pilot supply passage 41 branched off from the supply port 20 and a first pilot communication passage 42a leading to the first pilot pressure chamber 37a, via a passage (not shown).

[0026] When the first pilot valve 40a is turned on, the pilot supply passage 41 communicates with the first pilot communication passage 42a via the first pilot valve 40a, so that pilot fluid from the supply port 20 is supplied to the first pilot pressure chamber 37a, and the spool 17 is displaced to the left in Fig. 2, thereby switching to an operating position opposite to that in Fig. 2. As a result, the supply passage 5 communicates with the first output passage 6a, and the second output passage 6b communicates with the second exhaust passage 7b, and the first exhaust passage 7a is blocked.

[0027] In addition, when the first pilot valve 40a is turned off, the pilot supply path 41 is separated from the first pilot connecting passage 42a, so that 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 from the first pilot connecting passage 42a through the first pilot valve 40a to the outside.

[0028] On the other hand, the second pilot valve 40b is connected between the pilot supply passage 41 and a second pilot communication passage 42b communicating with the second pilot pressure chamber 37b via a passage (not shown).

[0029] When the second pilot valve 40b is turned on, the pilot supply passage 41 communicates with the second pilot communication passage 42b via the second pilot valve 40b, so that pilot fluid from the supply port 20 is supplied to the second pilot pressure chamber 37b and the spool 17 is switched to the operating position shown in Fig. 2. As a result, the supply passage 5 communicates with the second output passage 6b, the first output passage 6a communicates with the first exhaust passage 7a, and the second exhaust passage 7b is blocked.

[0030] In addition, when the second pilot valve 40b is turned off, the pilot supply path 41 is separated from the second pilot connecting passage 42b, so that 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 from the second pilot connecting passage 42b through the second pilot valve 40b to the outside.

[0031] As is apparent from Figures 2 to 7, the manual block 18 has two manual sections 45a, 45b that can manually switch the spool 17, which are arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction of the manual block 18. Each of the manual sections 45a and 45b has a button accommodating hole 46 that opens into the upper end surface of the manual block 18. A shaft-shaped manual button 47 is inserted into the button accommodating hole 46 so as to be able to slide freely in the direction of the central axis L of the button accommodating hole 46 via a plurality of sealing members 47a for switching the flow path. A coil-shaped return spring 48 is interposed between the manual button 47 and the bottom of the button accommodating hole 46 to urge the manual button 47 toward its initial position (non-operation position).

[0032] Of the two manual parts 45a and 45b, the first manual part 45a is connected between the pilot supply passage 41 and the first pilot communication passage 42a, and is substantially parallel to the first pilot valve 40a. The manual button 47 of the first manual part 45a is usually in the initial position shown in Fig. 4, and blocks the pilot supply passage 41 and the first pilot communication passage 42a at the position of the button receiving hole 46, and connects the first pilot communication passage 42a to the first pilot valve 40a. However, when the manual button 47 is pressed to the operation position shown in Fig. 5, the manual button 47 separates the first pilot communication passage 42a from the first pilot valve 40a and connects it to the pilot supply passage 41. Therefore, the pilot fluid from the supply port 20 is directly supplied from the pilot supply passage 41 to the first pilot pressure chamber 37a through the button receiving hole 46 and the first pilot communication passage 42a.

[0033] When the manual button 47 is released from being pressed, the manual button 47 returns to the initial position by the spring force of the return spring 48, disconnecting the first pilot communication passage 42a from the pilot supply passage 41 and connecting it to the first pilot valve 40a.

[0034] The other second manual part 45b is connected between the pilot supply passage 41 and the second pilot communication passage 42b, and is substantially parallel to the second pilot valve 40b. The manual button 47 of the second manual part 45b is usually in the initial position shown in Fig. 4, and blocks the pilot supply passage 41 and the second pilot communication passage 42b at the position of the button receiving hole 46, and connects the second pilot communication passage 42b to the second pilot valve 40b. When the manual button 47 is pushed to the operation position shown in Fig. 6, the manual button 47 separates the second pilot communication passage 42b from the second pilot valve 40b and connects it to the pilot supply passage 41. Therefore, the pilot fluid from the supply port 20 is directly supplied from the pilot supply passage 41 to the second pilot pressure chamber 37b through the button receiving hole 46 and the second pilot communication passage 42b.

[0035] When the manual button 47 is released from being pressed, the manual button 47 returns to the initial position by the spring force of the return spring 48, disconnecting the second pilot communication passage 42b from the pilot supply passage 41 and connecting it to the second pilot valve 40b.

[0036] In addition, since the configuration and function of the first pilot valve 40a and the second pilot valve 40b, and the configuration and function of the first manual section 45a and the second manual section 45b as described above are all well known in solenoid valves, illustrations of the specific arrangement of the pilot supply passage 41, the first pilot communicating passage 42a, the second pilot communicating passage 42b, etc. are omitted.

[0037] The waterproof cover 4 is made of a hard material such as metal or synthetic resin that has excellent heat and water resistance, has an inverted U-shaped cross section, and is attached in a liquid-tight manner to the upper surface of the manifold 2 with two bolts 51, 51 via a gasket 50. When the waterproof cover 4 is made of synthetic resin, it can be made entirely or partially transparent or translucent.

[0038] An operation section 52 for pressing the manual button 47 is formed on the upper surface of the waterproof cover 4 in a portion covering the manual sections 45a, 45b of the solenoid valve body 3. As can be seen from Fig. 3-8, the operation section 52 has a flexible cap member 54 attached in a liquid-tight state in the operation hole 53 of the waterproof cover 4, a pin guide 55 interposed between the cap member 54 and the solenoid valve body 3, two guide holes 56, 56 formed in the pin guide 55 in parallel to each other along the central axis L of the two button accommodating holes 46, and two operation pins 57, 57 inserted into the two guide holes 56, 56 so as to be displaceable in the direction of the central axis L.

[0039] The cap member 54 is formed from a material that is flexible and elastically deformable and has excellent heat resistance and sealing properties, such as rubber or synthetic resin, has a rectangular shape when viewed in a plan view, and has a hollow body 60 that fits into the operation hole 53, and a head 61 that covers one end (upper end) of the body 60.

[0040] Two oval fitting portions 63, 63 are formed inside the body portion 60 and adjacent to each other via a partition wall 62. The inner diameters of the fitting portions 63, 63 in the longitudinal and lateral directions are approximately constant in the depth direction of the fitting portions 63, 63.

[0041] On the other hand, the head 61 is formed with flexible pressing portions 64, 64 that are elastically deformed when pressed, in portions that cover the two fitting portions 63, 63. A groove 65 is formed on the underside of the head 61 so as to surround the body 60, and a protruding wall 66 formed on the hole edge of the operation hole 53 of the waterproof cover 4 is fitted into the groove 65 in a liquid-tight state.

[0042] The pin guide 55 has two first guide parts 71, 71 each having an elliptical shape in a plan view, and two second guide parts 72, 72 each having an elliptical shape in a plan view and integrally connected to the lower part of each of the first guide parts 71, 71. The two first guide parts 71, 71 are parallel to each other with a gap 78 between their side surfaces into which the partition wall 62 of the cap member 54 fits, and the two second guide parts 72, 72 have their side surfaces integrally connected to each other. Therefore, the outer diameter in the longitudinal direction and the outer diameter in the lateral direction of the ellipse of the second guide part 72 are larger than the outer diameter in the longitudinal direction and the outer diameter in the lateral direction of the ellipse of the first guide part 71.

[0043] The pin guide 55 is attached to the cap member 54 by pressing the two first guide portions 71, 71 into the two mating portions 63, 63 formed on the body portion 60 of the cap member 54, and is positioned between the cap 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.

[0044] At this time, in order to prevent the pin guide 55 and the cap member 54 from being separated, the outer diameter of the first guide part 71 is formed slightly larger than the inner diameter of the fitting part 63, and a locking groove 73 is formed on the outer periphery of the base end of the first guide part 71, and the first guide part 71 is press-fitted into the fitting part 63 while spreading out the body part 60, whereby a part of the body part 60 is fitted into and locked in the locking groove 73 by utilizing the reaction force (contraction force) of the spread out body part 60, thereby locking the cap member 54 and the pin guide 55 to each other. The lower end of the body part 60 covers part of the upper ends of the two second guide parts 72, 72.

[0045] In addition, the first guide portions 71, 71 are pressed into the mating portions 63, 63 so as to reach the position of the operating hole 53. As a result, the body portion 60 is strongly pressed between the first guide portions 71, 71 and the inner circumference of the operating hole 53 of the waterproof cover 4, thereby further improving the waterproofness between the cap member 54 and the waterproof cover 4 in this portion.

[0046] The pin guide 55 is desirably made of a material having excellent heat resistance, and an example of a preferable material is PPS (polyphenylene sulfide).

[0047] The guide hole 56 is formed so as to vertically penetrate central portions of the first guide portion 71 and the second guide portion 72. The cross-sectional shape of the guide hole 56 is not constant over the entire length of the guide hole 56, and the cross-sectional shape of a first hole portion 56a passing through the first guide portion 71 is an ellipse that is elongated in the longitudinal direction of the first guide portion 71, and the cross-sectional shape of a second hole portion 56b passing through the second guide portion 72 is a circle.

[0048] The operation pin 57 has a first pin portion 57a ​​on the tip (upper end) side and a second pin portion 57b on the base (lower end) side. The first pin portion 57a ​​has an oval cross-sectional shape and is fitted into the first hole portion 56a of the guide hole 56 in the first guide portion 71, and the second pin portion 57b has a cylindrical shape and is fitted into the second hole portion 56b of the guide hole 56 in the second guide portion 72. The tip of the first pin portion 57a ​​protrudes from the guide hole 56, and its tip surface abuts against the lower surface of the pressing portion 64 of the cap member 54 or is close to it with a small gap therebetween, and the base end of the second pin portion 57b abuts against the upper surface of the manual button 47.

[0049] The inner diameter of the guide hole 56 is formed to be large enough to allow the operation pin 57 to be inserted with a sufficient margin so that the operation pin 57 can be displaced smoothly without receiving sliding resistance.

[0050] With the waterproof cover 4 removed from the manifold 2, the operating pin 57 is inserted into the guide hole 56 of the pin guide 55, which is press-fitted into the cap member 54, from the bottom side of the pin guide 55, and then the waterproof cover 4 is attached to the manifold 2. At this time, in order to prevent the operating pin 57 from falling off the pin guide 55 during the period from when the operating pin 57 is inserted into the guide hole 56 until the waterproof cover 4 is attached to the manifold 2, a falling-off prevention mechanism 74 is provided.

[0051] The anti-fall-out mechanism 74 has a window hole 75 formed in a side wall of the guide hole 56 so as to extend in an elongated manner in the direction of the central axis L, a locking portion 76 formed at one end (lower end) of the window hole 75, and a locking claw 77 formed on a side surface of the second pin portion 57b of the operation pin 57. The operation pin 57 is inserted into the guide hole 56 from the first pin portion 57a ​​side, and the locking claw 77 is fitted into the window hole 75 in a state in which it is elastically deformed toward the central axis L side, whereby the locking claw 77 is locked to the locking portion 76, thereby preventing the operation pin 57 from falling out of the guide hole 56.

[0052] In the illustrated example, two locking claws 77 are formed on one side surface and the opposite side surface of the operation pin 57, but it is sufficient that one locking claw 77 is provided only on the side on which the window hole 75 and the locking portion 76 are formed. Alternatively, two window holes 75 and two locking portions 76 may be formed in opposition to each other on the side surface of the guide hole 56 in accordance with the two locking claws 77.

[0053] Thus, by supporting the operation pin 57 on the pin guide 55 , the operation pin 57 can be stably disposed between the cap member 54 and the manual button 47 .

[0054] 5 and 6, by deforming the pressing portion 64 of the head 61 of the cap member 54 by pressing it with a finger, a tool or the like, the manual button 47 can be pressed and operated via the operating pin 57. When the pressing of the pressing portion 64 is released, the spring force of the return spring 48 and the restoring force of the pressing portion 64 return the pressing portion 64, the operating pin 57 and the manual button 47 to their initial positions.

[0055] At this time, the operation pin 57 is supported by the pin guide 55 so as to be freely displaceable, and only one end of the operation pin 57 abuts against the head 61 of the cap member 54, and does not have any portion which slides against the cap member 54, so that the operation pin 57 moves very smoothly. In addition, the deformation and restoration of the pressing portion 64 of the cap member 54 is also performed very smoothly because the pressing portion 64 is not affected by friction with the operation pin 57.

[0056] The waterproof solenoid valve 1 of the first embodiment has two manual parts 45a, 45b because the solenoid valve body 3 is of a double pilot type, but the solenoid valve body 3 may be of a single pilot type equipped with one pilot valve. In this case, since the solenoid valve body 3 has only one manual part, the operation part 52 is configured to have one operation pin 57. That is, the cap member 54 is configured to have one fitting part 63 and one pressing part 64, and the pin guide 55 is configured to have one first guide part 71, one second guide part 72, and one guide hole 56.

[0057] Alternatively, in the case where the manual block 18 used in the double pilot type solenoid valve body 3 is used as is in the manual block of the single pilot type solenoid valve body, similarly to the first embodiment, the cap member 54 having the two fitting portions 63, 63 and the two pressing portions 64, 64, the pin guide 55 having the two first guide portions 71, 71 and the two second guide portions 72, 72 and the two guide holes 56, 56, and the two operating pins 57, 57 may be used as is, and only one operating pin 57 corresponding to the manual button that operates effectively may be utilized, while the other operating pin 57 may be fixed in an undisplaceable state.

[0058] In the first embodiment, one solenoid valve body 3 is mounted on the manifold 2, but the present invention can also be applied to a waterproof solenoid valve in which multiple solenoid valve bodies are mounted on the manifold. In this case, the multiple solenoid valve bodies may be covered individually with a waterproof cover, or all the solenoid valve bodies may be covered collectively with one waterproof cover. Alternatively, as in the waterproof solenoid valve 100 of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 9, the multiple solenoid valve bodies 3 may be divided into several groups, and the multiple solenoid valve bodies 3 included in each group may be covered collectively with a waterproof cover 4. When a plurality of solenoid valve bodies 3 are covered collectively with the waterproof cover 4, the waterproof cover 4 is formed with the operation portions 52 at positions corresponding to the manual portions 45a, 45b of the solenoid valve bodies 3, respectively. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1,100 Waterproof solenoid valve 2 Manifold 3 Solenoid valve body 4. Waterproof cover 14 Electromagnetic drive mechanism 17 Valve member 47 Manual button 52 Operation section 53 Operation hole 54 Cap member 55 Pin Guide 56 Guide hole 57 Operation pin 60 Torso 61 Head 63 Fitting part 64 Pressing part 71 First guide section 72 Second guide section 73 Locking groove 74 Falling prevention mechanism 75 Window Hole 76 Locking part 77 Locking claw L center axis

Claims

1. A waterproof solenoid valve in which one or more solenoid valve bodies each having a valve member for switching a flow path, an electromagnetic drive mechanism for driving the valve member, and one or more manual buttons for manually switching the valve member are mounted on a manifold having a waterproof structure and are covered with a waterproof cover attached to the manifold in a liquid-tight manner, the waterproof cover has an operating portion for pressing the manual button in a central axis direction at a portion covering the manual button of the solenoid valve body, the operating portion includes a flexible cap member attached to the waterproof cover in a liquid-tight state, a pin guide interposed between the cap member and the solenoid valve body, and one or more operating pins inserted into guide holes of the pin guide so as to be displaceable in the direction of the central axis, The cap member has a flexible pressing portion that is elastically deformed when pressed, the cap member has a hollow body and a head portion covering one end of the body, the pressing portion being formed on the head portion, the pin guide is fitted into the body portion of the cap member and engaged with the body portion, One end of the operation pin abuts against or is close to the pressing portion of the cap member, and the other end of the operation pin abuts against the manual button. A waterproof solenoid valve.

2. 2. The waterproof solenoid valve according to claim 1, wherein the pin guide has a first guide portion that is press-fitted into the body portion and a second guide portion that is 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 insides of the first guide portion and the second guide portion, and an engagement groove is formed on the outer periphery of the first guide portion, and a part of the body portion of the cap member is engaged and engaged in the engagement groove.

3. 3. The waterproof solenoid valve according to claim 2, characterized in that the body of the cap member is fitted into an operating hole formed in the waterproof cover, the first guide portion of the pin guide is pressed into the body so as to reach the operating hole, and the body is strongly pressed between the first guide portion and the inner circumference of the operating hole, thereby improving the sealing performance between the cap member and the waterproof cover.

4. 4. A waterproof solenoid valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating pin is inserted into the guide hole from one end side of the pin guide, and the operating pin and the pin guide are formed with a fall-out prevention mechanism for preventing the operating pin inserted into the guide hole from falling out of the pin guide.

5. 5. The waterproof solenoid valve according to claim 4, wherein the anti-fall-out mechanism has a window hole formed in a side wall of the guide hole so as to extend in an elongated manner in the central axis direction, a locking portion formed at one end of the window hole, and a locking claw formed on a side of the operating pin and adapted to fit displaceably into the window hole, the locking claw engaging with the locking portion to prevent the operating pin from falling out of the guide hole.

6. The solenoid valve body has two manual buttons, the pin guide has two of the first guide portions and two of the second guide portions and two of the guide holes, the two operation pins are inserted into the two guide holes respectively, the two first guide portions are separated from each other, and side surfaces of the two second guide portions are integrally connected to each other, The body portion of the cap member has two fitting portions into which the two first guide portions of the pin guide are individually fitted.

3. The waterproof solenoid valve according to claim 2.

7. The solenoid valve body has one manual button, the pin guide has two of the first guide portions and two of the second guide portions and two of the guide holes, the two operation pins are inserted into the two guide holes respectively, the two first guide portions are separated from each other, and side surfaces of the two second guide portions are integrally connected to each other, the body portion of the cap member has two fitting portions into which the two first guide portions of the pin guide are individually fitted, Of the two operation pins, one operation pin corresponding to the manual button is movable, and the other operation pin is fixed in an unmovable state.

3. The waterproof solenoid valve according to claim 2.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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