solenoid valve

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of reducing the size of an attraction element in a solenoid valve.SOLUTION: A solenoid valve 10 comprises: a valve body 12 having a through hole 14, a primary side mounting port 25 communicating with the through hole 14, and a secondary side mounting port 26; an attraction element 32 attached to the upper end of the through hole 14; a valve seat member 60 attached to the lower side of the through hole 14 and forming a valve chamber 20 together with the peripheral wall of the through hole 14 and the attraction element 32; and a main valve body 50 arranged in the valve chamber 20 so as to come into contact with and separate from the main valve seat 62 of the valve seat member 60.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to solenoid valves. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a pilot-type solenoid valve that is assembled by inserting a main valve body and a suction element from a direction opposite to a main valve seat formed in a valve body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-007572 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the pilot-operated solenoid valve of Patent Document 1, the main valve element and attractor are assembled into the valve body from the same side, and the attractor forms part of the valve chamber on the side where the main valve element is assembled, so the diameter of the attractor is larger than that of the main valve element. Since attractors made of magnetic material are often manufactured by cutting or casting, large dimensions result in increased costs due to increased machining volume and larger molds.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a technique for reducing the size of an attractor in a solenoid valve. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The solenoid valve of the first aspect comprises a valve body having a through hole and an attachment port communicating with the through hole, a suction element attached to one axial end of the through hole, a valve seat member attached to the other axial end of the through hole and forming a valve chamber together with the peripheral wall of the through hole and the suction element, and a valve body arranged in the valve chamber so as to come into contact with and separate from the valve seat of the valve seat member.

[0007] In this solenoid valve, an attractor is attached to one axial end of a through hole formed in the valve body, and a valve seat member, which is separate from the valve body, is attached to the axial opposite side of the through hole from the attractor. Therefore, with this solenoid valve, the valve disc can be assembled into the valve body from the side of the through hole opposite the axial direction from the side where the attractor is attached, eliminating restrictions on the shape of the attractor. As a result, with this solenoid valve, the size of the attractor can be reduced.

[0008] A second aspect of the solenoid valve is the solenoid valve according to the first aspect, wherein the diameter of the valve seat member is equal to or greater than the diameter of the valve body.

[0009] The solenoid valve of the third aspect is the solenoid valve described in the first or second aspect, further comprising a plunger that is attracted to the magnetized attractor, the through hole having a reduced diameter portion at one end in the axial direction whose inner diameter is smaller than the diameter of the valve seat member, and the attractor having an attracting portion that attracts the plunger and a fixing portion that is fixed to the reduced diameter portion.

[0010] According to this solenoid valve, the valve body has a reduced diameter portion at one axial end thereof whose inner diameter is smaller than that of the valve element, so that the valve element does not slip out of the one axial end of the through hole. Also, according to this solenoid valve, the attractor has a fixing portion that is fixed to the reduced diameter portion, so that the solenoid valve can be assembled by inserting the attractor from the other axial end.

[0011] A solenoid valve according to a fourth aspect is the solenoid valve according to the third aspect, wherein the diameter of the fixed portion is equal to or larger than the diameter of the attraction portion and equal to or smaller than the diameter of the valve body.

[0012] The solenoid valve of a fifth aspect is the solenoid valve according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising a compression spring that biases the valve body in a direction away from the valve seat, and a spring receiving member that is supported by the valve seat member and holds the compression spring away from the valve seat member.

[0013] With this solenoid valve, the compression spring is held away from the valve seat member, so the size of the compression spring in the valve chamber is reduced, thereby reducing flow path resistance caused by the compression spring compared to when the compression spring is in contact with the valve seat member.

[0014] The solenoid valve of the sixth aspect is a solenoid valve described in any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the valve body has a female thread formed at the other end of the through hole in the direction in which the through hole extends, and the valve seat member has a male thread formed to thread into the female thread of the through hole.

[0015] According to this solenoid valve, the valve seat member is screwed onto the valve body, making it easy to fix members made of different materials together.

[0016] The solenoid valve of a seventh aspect is the solenoid valve according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, further comprising a plunger that moves in the direction in which the through hole extends when the attractor is magnetized, and the valve body has a main valve body in which a pilot passage and a pressure equalizing passage are formed and which moves toward and away from the valve seat, and a pilot valve body connected to the plunger and which moves toward and away from a pilot valve seat formed on one side of the pilot passage in the direction in which the through hole extends.

[0017] The solenoid valve of an eighth aspect is the solenoid valve according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, further comprising an electromagnetic coil that magnetizes the attractor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present disclosure, a technique for reducing the radial size of an attractor in a solenoid valve is provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the solenoid valve according to the first embodiment, showing the state of the valve in an open state. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a spring receiving member included in the solenoid valve according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a spring bearing member included in the solenoid valve according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view of a spring receiving member included in the solenoid valve according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the solenoid valve according to the first embodiment, showing the state of the solenoid valve in a closed state. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the solenoid valve according to the first embodiment, showing a state in which the pilot valve is open in a valve-closed state. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the solenoid valve according to the first embodiment, showing a state in which the pilot valve is closed in the valve open state. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a solenoid valve according to a second embodiment, showing the state of the valve in an open state. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a solenoid valve according to a third embodiment, showing the state of the valve in an open state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] An example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or equivalent components and parts are designated by the same reference numerals. Furthermore, the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of explanation and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0021] Furthermore, the arrow A shown in each drawing indicates the up-down direction, which is the upward direction of the solenoid valve. The up-down direction of the solenoid valve coincides with the longitudinal direction of the solenoid valve, and the width direction of the solenoid valve coincides with the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Note that the solenoid valve in this embodiment is not limited to being arranged so that the up-down direction is oriented along the vertical direction and the width direction is oriented along the horizontal direction.

[0022] In addition, arrow X shown in each figure indicates the width direction of the spring bearing member, arrow Y is a direction perpendicular to the width direction of the spring bearing member and indicates the length direction of the spring bearing member, and arrow Z is a direction perpendicular to the width direction and length direction of the spring bearing member and indicates the height direction of the spring bearing member.

[0023] [First embodiment] (composition) The solenoid valve 10 according to this embodiment includes a valve body 12, a pipe 80 having one closed end, an attractor 32, a solenoid coil 84, a housing 82, a plunger 28, and a valve seat member 60. The solenoid valve 10 according to this embodiment also includes a main valve spring 58, which is an example of a compression spring that biases the valve element in a direction away from the main valve seat 62 of the valve seat member 60, and a spring receiving member 70. The valve element according to this embodiment includes a main valve element 50 and a pilot valve element 30. The specific configurations of the main valve element 50 and the pilot valve element 30 will be described later. The solenoid valve 10 according to this embodiment is a pilot-type solenoid valve used, for example, in the refrigeration cycle of an automotive air conditioner. The solenoid valve 10 according to this embodiment is a solenoid valve of a normally open type, which is in an open state when the solenoid coil 84 is not energized.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1 , the valve body 12 is a component having a through hole 14 that passes through the valve body 12 in the vertical direction, and a primary side mounting port 24 and a secondary side mounting port 26 that communicate with the through hole 14. The through hole 14 has multiple steps that gradually decrease in diameter from bottom to top. The upper end of the through hole 14 is provided with a reduced diameter section 16 where the inner diameter is smallest. That is, the vertical direction in this embodiment coincides with the axial direction of the through hole 14. The upper side of the through hole 14 is an example of one end side of the through hole 14, and the lower side of the through hole 14 is an example of the other end side of the through hole 14.

[0025] In this embodiment, a female thread 18 is formed at the lower end of the through hole 14. A valve seat member 60 (described later) is inserted from the lower side of the through hole 14, so that a part of the through hole 14 functions as a valve chamber 20.

[0026] 1, the primary side mounting port 24 in the valve body 12 is a portion formed by a hole penetrating from the left side wall of the valve body 12 to the through hole 14. The primary side mounting port 24 is formed together with the inlet flow path 25 by drilling the valve body 12 from the wall surface to the through hole 14. That is, in the solenoid valve 10 of this embodiment, the primary side mounting port 24 communicates with the through hole 14 from the side. Another pipe body (not shown) is attached to the primary side mounting port 24, and it is an inlet through which fluid flows toward the through hole 14. That is, the primary side mounting port 24 is an example of a mounting port according to this embodiment.

[0027] In this embodiment, the secondary side mounting port 26 is an opening below the through hole 14 in the valve body 12. That is, in the solenoid valve 10 of this embodiment, the secondary side mounting port 26 communicates with the through hole 14 from below. Another pipe body (not shown) or the like is attached to the secondary side mounting port 26. That is, the secondary side mounting port 26 is another example of a mounting port according to this embodiment.

[0028] The attractor 32 is a cylindrical member having a large-diameter portion 36, which is an example of a fixed portion, and a small-diameter portion 37, which is an example of a attracting portion and has a diameter smaller than that of the large-diameter portion 36. The attractor 32 is inserted into the through-hole 14 and is disposed above the through-hole 14, with the small-diameter portion 37 protruding upward from the inside of the valve body 12. That is, in this embodiment, the diameter of the small-diameter portion 37 is smaller than the inner diameter of the reduced-diameter portion 16, and the diameter of the large-diameter portion 36 is larger than the inner diameter of the reduced-diameter portion 16. As shown in FIG. 1 , the attractor 32 is disposed in a state in which the reduced-diameter portion 16 of the valve body 12 and the large-diameter portion 36 are engaged with each other. The lower edge of the large-diameter portion 36 of the attractor 32 is fixed by crimping to the upper edge of the pilot valve chamber 22, which will be described later.

[0029] 1, a groove is formed on the radially outer side of the large diameter portion 36, and an O-ring 91 is provided in the groove to close a gap that occurs between the reduced diameter portion 16 and the large diameter portion 36. The suction element 32 is a member having a hole that penetrates in the vertical direction, and a pilot valve element 30, which will be described later, is disposed in the hole.

[0030] The attractor 32 according to this embodiment is made of a soft magnetic material such as magnetic stainless steel, for example, and is formed by cutting so that the vertical direction is the longitudinal direction.

[0031] The pipe 80 is a cylindrical member with a bottom, and is a member that covers the upper end of the suction element 32. As shown in Fig. 1, when the solenoid valve 10 is assembled, the pipe 80 accommodates the plunger 28 (described later) and has its lower end (opening side) airtightly joined to the suction element 32. One example of a method for joining the pipe 80 and the suction element 32 is welding.

[0032] 1, the housing 82 is a generally U-shaped member having an upper plate 82U having a hole through which the pipe 80 passes in the vertical direction, and a lower plate 82L having a hole through which the pipe 80 passes in the vertical direction, with the upper plate 82U and the lower plate 82L being connected at the back side of the page. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the lower plate 82L of the housing 82 is attached in contact with the attractor 32, and when a magnetic field is generated by passing electricity through the electromagnetic coil 84 as described below, a magnetic path is formed through the lower plate 82L of the housing 82 and the attractor 32. The lower plate 82L of the housing 82 is attached to the valve body 12 with mounting screws 94.

[0033] 1, the electromagnetic coil 84 is attached to the outer periphery of the pipe 80 and is disposed so as to be sandwiched between an upper plate 82U and a lower plate 82L of the housing 82. Furthermore, the electromagnetic coil 84 magnetizes the attractor 32 when a current flows through the winding of the electromagnetic coil 84.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 1, the plunger 28 is a soft magnetic member housed inside the pipe 80 and located above the attractor 32. The plunger 28 is arranged alongside the attractor 32 in the vertical direction via a coil spring, and is driven vertically by switching on and off the current in the electromagnetic coil 84. As shown in Fig. 1, when the electromagnetic coil 84 is off, the plunger 28 is separated vertically from the attractor 32 by the pilot spring 38, which is a compression spring.

[0035] A pilot valve element 30, which is a part of a valve element to be described later, is connected to the lower end of the plunger 28. The pilot valve element 30 will be described later.

[0036] 1, when the solenoid valve 10 is in an open state, the plunger 28 is separated from the attractor 32 by the attractor 32 and the pilot spring 38. The pilot spring 38 is disposed between the upper side of the attractor 32 and the lower side of the plunger 28.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, the valve element in this embodiment includes a main valve element 50 and a pilot valve element 30.

[0038] The main valve element 50 has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the valve chamber 20 and larger than the large-diameter portion 36, and is a component having a pilot passage 54 penetrating vertically at its radial center. The main valve element 50 also has a pressure equalizing passage 56 penetrating vertically at a position radially separated from the pilot passage 54 (radially outward of the pilot passage 54). The upper end of the pilot passage 54 is a pilot valve seat 52, with which the pilot valve element 30 comes into and out of contact, as described below. In this description, "coming into and out of contact with" refers to both contact and separation between components, switching the contact state between the components. The main valve packing 35 is attached to the lower end of the pilot passage 54.

[0039] Additionally, a piston ring 92 is attached to the side wall of the main valve element 50 to adjust the area of ​​the gap between the main valve element 50 and the side wall of the through-hole 14. This piston ring 92 adjusts the cross-sectional area of ​​the pilot passage 54 to be larger than the sum of the cross-sectional area of ​​the gap between the main valve element 50 and the side wall of the through-hole 14 and the cross-sectional area of ​​the pressure equalizing passage 56.

[0040] 1, the pilot valve element 30 is inserted into a hole that passes through the suction element 32 in the vertical direction, and is a component that is disposed between the suction element 32 and the main valve element 50. The upper end of the pilot valve element 30 is connected to the plunger 28 above the suction element 32. A pilot valve packing 34 is provided below the pilot valve element 30, and the pilot valve element 30 moves in contact with and away from a pilot valve seat 52 via the pilot valve packing 34. When the pilot valve seat 52 and the pilot valve packing 34 come into close contact with each other, the upper side of the pilot passage 54 is closed by the pilot valve packing 34.

[0041] 1 and FIG. 5, which will be described later, the lower end of the pilot valve element 30 is disposed in a pilot valve chamber 22, which is the space above the main valve element 50 in the valve chamber 20. As shown in FIG. 5, which will be described later, the pilot valve chamber 22 has a gap formed radially outward of the pilot valve seat 52, even when the pilot valve element 30 and the main valve element 50 are in contact and the upper end of the pilot passage 54 is closed. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the upper end of the pressure equalizing passage 56 is connected to the pilot valve chamber 22, and the upper end of the pressure equalizing passage 56 remains open to the pilot valve chamber 22, even when the pilot valve seat 52 of the main valve element 50 is closed by the pilot valve element 30.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 1, the valve seat member 60 in this embodiment is a member having an outlet flow path 64 that penetrates in the vertical direction, and is inserted into the valve body 12 from the lower end of the through-hole 14. The outlet flow path 64 is an outlet through which fluid flows out from the through-hole 14. The diameter of the valve seat member 60 is larger than the diameter of the main valve body 50. The position of the lower end (lower surface portion) of the valve seat member 60 in this embodiment is approximately the same as the lower end of the through-hole 14, as shown in Fig. 1.

[0043] A main valve seat 62, which is an example of a valve seat in this embodiment and which comes into contact with and separates from the main valve packing 35, is formed above the valve seat member 60. When the main valve packing 35 is in contact with the main valve seat 62, the main valve seat 62 is closed. When inserted into the through hole 14, the valve seat member 60 seals the through hole 14, causing the through hole 14 to function as a valve chamber 20. In other words, when the valve seat member 60 is attached to the through hole 14 of the valve body 12, the valve chamber 20 is formed by the suction element 32 engaged on the upper side of the through hole 14, the valve seat member 60, and the peripheral wall of the through hole 14. In the following description, the portion of the valve chamber 20 excluding the pilot valve chamber 22 will be referred to as the main valve chamber 21. In other words, the main valve element 50 is disposed in the main valve chamber 21.

[0044] 1, in the present embodiment, the valve seat member 60 has a shape in which the main valve seat 62 protrudes upward beyond the lower end of the inlet flow path 25. The valve seat member 60 also has a slope 66 formed thereon such that the slope tapers radially inward toward the main valve seat 62. In other words, in the solenoid valve 10 of the present embodiment, in the open state, the main valve packing 35, which is the lower surface of the main valve element 50, is located above the lower end 25L of the inlet flow path 25.

[0045] In this embodiment, a male thread 68 is formed on the lower outer peripheral surface of the valve seat member 60. This allows the valve seat member 60 to be attached to the valve body 12 by threading it into a female thread 18 formed on the lower inner peripheral surface of the through hole 14 of the valve body 12.

[0046] The valve seat member 60 has an O-ring 93 on its outer circumferential surface. This O-ring 93 closes the gap between the valve body 12 and the valve seat member 60, preventing fluid from leaking out from the outer circumferential side of the valve seat member 60.

[0047] 1, the main valve spring 58 in this embodiment is a member that is incorporated inside the valve chamber 20 and urges the main valve element 50 in a direction away from the main valve seat 62. More specifically, the main valve spring 58 is a coil spring that urges the main valve element 50 upward. In this embodiment, the main valve spring 58 is disposed between the spring receiving member 70 and the main valve element 50.

[0048] 1 and 2 to 4, the spring bearing member 70 in this embodiment is a member having, for example, a base portion 72 formed in an annular shape, and three legs 74 each extending downward from the base portion 72. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, the spring bearing member 70 is assembled with the legs 74 on the lower side, and the lower sides of the legs 74 are supported by the valve seat member 60, and the upper side of the base portion 72 abuts against the main valve spring 58, thereby supporting the lower side of the main valve spring 58.

[0049] 2 to 4, each leg 74 has a cut-and-raised portion 76 that is cut and raised radially outward. As shown in FIG. 1, the cut-and-raised portion 76 is shaped to abut against the side wall of the through hole 14 when the valve is installed inside the valve chamber 20. The cut-and-raised portion 76 prevents abnormal noise caused by vibration of the leg 74.

[0050] In this embodiment, it is preferable that the leg portions 74 have their distal ends (i.e., lower ends) 78 bent radially outward as shown in Fig. 1. In this embodiment, the spring receiving member 70 has its leg ends 78 bent radially outward so that the leg ends 78 are hooked onto the step 14S in the through-hole 14 and rest on the valve seat member 60.

[0051] 2 to 4, the legs 74 of the spring receiving member 70 are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the base portion 72. In other words, in this embodiment, the legs 74 are formed spaced apart from one another by 120°. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the spring receiving member 70 is arranged such that each leg 74 is out of the path of the fluid flowing from the primary side mounting port 24 toward the valve chamber 20. In other words, the spring receiving member 70 is arranged so that the fluid passes between the two legs 74 when it flows from the primary side mounting port 24 into the valve chamber 20.

[0052] In this embodiment, the spring receiving member 70 may be formed from any material and by any method, but as an example, it is formed by pressing a stainless steel material.

[0053] In the configuration of the solenoid valve 10 of this embodiment, the diameter refers to the size of the largest point in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction. The diameter may be measured using any tool, but as an example, the outer diameter and inner diameter are measured using a vernier caliper. In this embodiment, the diameter of the valve disc refers to the outer diameter of the main valve disc 50, which is larger than the outer diameter of the pilot valve disc 30 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0054] Next, the operation of the solenoid valve 10 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 5 to 7. In the description of the operation of the solenoid valve 10 in this embodiment, the pressure on the inlet flow path 25 side is higher than the pressure on the outlet flow path 64 side.

[0055] (Drive of solenoid valve 10) In the solenoid valve 10 according to this embodiment, when a current is passed through the windings of the electromagnetic coil 84, the magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic coil 84 attracts the plunger 28, which is located above the attractor 32, downward, and as the plunger 28 moves downward, the pilot valve element 30, which is connected to the plunger 28, moves downward as shown in Fig. 5. Then, as the pilot valve seat 52 is closed by the pilot valve element 30, the main valve element 50 moves downward, and the main valve seat 62 is closed by the main valve element 50, and the solenoid valve 10 enters a closed state.

[0056] 5, the internal pressure of the main valve chamber 21 is higher than the internal pressure of the outlet flow path 64. In the closed valve state, the pilot valve chamber 22 is connected to the valve chamber 20 via a pressure equalizing passage 56 (more precisely, refrigerant also passes through the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the main valve element 50 and the inner peripheral surface of the main valve chamber 21; this also applies to the following explanation), so the internal pressure of the pilot valve chamber 22 is equal to that of the main valve chamber 21. In addition, the internal pressure acting on the pilot valve chamber 22 presses the main valve element 50 downward, causing strong contact between the main valve seat 62 and the main valve element 50, and the solenoid valve 10 remains in the closed valve state.

[0057] Next, when the electromagnetic coil 84 is de-energized, the plunger 28 is lifted upward by the spring, as shown in Fig. 6. Furthermore, the pilot valve element 30 also moves upward together with the plunger 28, so that the pilot valve packing 34 and the pilot valve seat 52 separate, and the pilot valve enters an open state.

[0058] 6, the fluid that flows in from the inlet passage 25 passes through the main valve chamber 21 and the pressure equalizing passage 56, flows into the pilot valve chamber 22, and then flows through the pilot passage 54 into the outlet passage 64. Because the amount of refrigerant flowing out of the outlet passage 64 through the pilot passage 54 is greater than the amount of refrigerant flowing into the pilot valve chamber 22, the internal pressure of the pilot valve chamber 22 becomes lower than the internal pressure of the main valve chamber 21. This pressure difference causes the main valve element 50 to move into the pilot valve chamber 22.

[0059] If the pressure difference between the inlet flow path 25 side and the outlet flow path 64 side is small, the pressure difference between the pilot valve chamber 22 and the main valve chamber 21 will also be low, and in this case, the main valve element 50 will be pushed upward by the main valve spring 58. As a result, as shown in Figure 1, the main valve element 50 and the main valve seat 62 will separate, and the solenoid valve 10 will be in an open state.

[0060] 1, when current flows again to the electromagnetic coil 84, first the attractor 32 attracts the plunger 28 downward, bringing the pilot valve element 30 into contact with the pilot valve seat 52 as shown in FIG. 7, and the pilot valve enters the closed state. Because refrigerant no longer flows out of the pilot valve chamber 22, the internal pressure of the pilot valve chamber 22 becomes higher than the internal pressure of the main valve chamber 21, and this pressure difference moves the main valve element 50 downward, pressing it against the main valve seat 62. As a result, the solenoid valve 10 enters the closed state again as shown in FIG. 5.

[0061] In this way, the main valve element 50 and the pilot valve element 30 move vertically inside the valve chamber 20 of the through hole 14. In other words, the main valve element 50 moves in a direction in which it abuts against the main valve seat 62 or moves away from the main valve seat 62, and the pilot valve element 30 moves in a direction in which it abuts against the pilot valve seat 52 or moves away from the main valve seat 62.

[0062] Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0063] (Action and effect) According to the solenoid valve 10 of this embodiment, the attractor 32 is attached to one axial end of the through hole 14 formed in the valve body 12, and the valve seat member 60, which is separate from the valve body 12, is attached to the axial side of the through hole 14 opposite the attractor 32. Furthermore, in the solenoid valve 10 of this embodiment, the diameter of the valve seat member 60 is equal to or larger than the diameter of the main valve element 50. Furthermore, in the solenoid valve 10 of this embodiment, the diameter of the large diameter portion 36 is larger than the diameter of the small diameter portion 37, and the diameter of the large diameter portion 36 is equal to or smaller than the diameter of the main valve element 50.

[0064] According to the solenoid valve 10 of this embodiment, the main valve element 50 can be assembled into the valve body 12 from the side of the through-hole 14 opposite to the axial direction of the attractor 32, so there are no restrictions on the shape of the attractor 32. In other words, according to the solenoid valve 10 of this embodiment, there are no restrictions on the diameter of the attractor 32. As a result, according to this solenoid valve 10, the diameter of the attractor 32, i.e., the size of the attractor 32, can be made small.

[0065] Furthermore, since the attractor 32 made of a magnetic material is often manufactured by cutting or casting, if the dimensions are large, the amount of cutting required increases, the mold size increases, and other costs increase.

[0066] Here, in the solenoid valve 10 according to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the size of the attractor 32. Therefore, according to the solenoid valve 10 according to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the solenoid valve 10.

[0067] Furthermore, according to the solenoid valve 10 of this embodiment, the valve body 12 has a reduced diameter section 16 at one axial end side whose inner diameter is smaller than that of the main valve body 50, so the main valve body 50 does not slip out from one axial side of the through-hole 14. Furthermore, according to this solenoid valve 10, the attractor 32 has a fixing section that is fixed to the reduced diameter section 16, so assembly can be performed by inserting the attractor 32 from the other axial end side.

[0068] Furthermore, according to the solenoid valve 10 of this embodiment, the valve seat member 60 is screwed onto the valve body 12, making it easy to fix components made of different materials together. Note that the valve body 12 of this embodiment is made of an aluminum alloy, and the valve seat member 60 is made of, for example, stainless steel. Sealing is ensured by an O-ring 93.

[0069] Furthermore, in the solenoid valve 10 of this embodiment, in the open state, the main valve packing 35, which is the lower end of the main valve element 50, is positioned above the lower end of the inlet flow path 25. As a result, with the solenoid valve 10 of this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the flow path resistance to the liquid flowing from the inlet flow path 25 into the main valve chamber 21, compared to when the main valve chamber 21 side of the valve seat member 60 is positioned at approximately the same position as the lower end of the inlet flow path 25. Furthermore, with the solenoid valve 10 of this embodiment, teeth An inclined surface 66 that tapers upward is formed on the upper part of the valve seat member 60. Therefore, according to the solenoid valve 10 of this embodiment, the flow path resistance to the liquid flowing from the inlet flow path 25 into the main valve chamber 21 can be reduced compared to when the valve seat member 60 is not tapered on the side of the main valve chamber 21.

[0070] In addition, the solenoid valve 10 of this embodiment further includes a main valve spring 58 that urges the main valve body 50 in a direction away from the main valve seat 62, and a spring support member 70 that holds the main valve spring 58 away from the valve seat member 60.

[0071] According to this solenoid valve 10, the main valve spring 58 is held away from the valve seat member 60, thereby reducing the size of the valve chamber 20 that the main valve spring 58 occupies. As a result, according to this solenoid valve 10, it is possible to reduce the flow path resistance caused by the main valve spring 58 compared to when the main valve spring 58 is in contact with the valve seat member 60.

[0072] Furthermore, in this embodiment, each leg portion 74 of the spring receiving member 70 is positioned so as to be out of the path of the fluid that flows from the primary side mounting port 24 toward the valve chamber 20. As a result, with the spring receiving member 70 in this embodiment, flow path resistance can be reduced compared to when the legs 74 are positioned so as to face the primary side mounting port 24.

[0073] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the spring receiving member 70 is shaped so that the cut-and-raised portion 76 comes into close contact with the side wall of the through-hole 14 when the spring receiving member 70 is installed inside the valve chamber 20. This prevents the spring receiving member 70 from being displaced in the radial direction of the main valve chamber 21 due to the fluid flowing into the main valve chamber 21 and vibrations caused by the driving of the main valve element 50.

[0074] Next, a solenoid valve 110 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Note that, among the components of the solenoid valve 110 according to the second embodiment, components similar to those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0075] [Second embodiment] As shown in FIG. 8, a solenoid valve 110 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure differs from the solenoid valve 10 according to the first embodiment in the following respects.

[0076] (composition) The solenoid valve 110 according to this embodiment includes a pipe 180 that is open at both top and bottom ends, instead of the pipe 80 of the solenoid valve 10 according to the first embodiment. Like the pipe 80, the lower end of this pipe 180 is joined to the small diameter portion 37 of the attractor 32. A guide member 182 is joined to the upper end of the pipe 180. The guide member 182 closes the upper end of the pipe 180, and has a female thread 184 formed on the upper side. One example of a method for joining the guide member 182 and the pipe 180 is welding.

[0077] In this embodiment, the housing 82 is attached by threading the mounting screws 94 into the female threads 184 of the guide member 182.

[0078] The plunger 128, like the solenoid valve 110 according to the first embodiment, is a soft magnetic member housed inside the pipe 180 and positioned above the attractor 32, with the pilot valve body 30 connected to its lower end.

[0079] The valve body 112 according to this embodiment is similar to the solenoid valve 10 according to the first embodiment, except that it does not have a female thread for attaching the housing 82. The other configurations are similar to those of the solenoid valve 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0080] (Action and effect) The solenoid valve 110 according to this embodiment can also achieve the same functions and effects as the solenoid valve 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0081] Next, a solenoid valve 210 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Note that, among the components of the solenoid valve 210 according to the third embodiment, components similar to those of the first or second embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first or second embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0082] [Third embodiment] As shown in FIG. 9, a solenoid valve 210 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure differs from the solenoid valve 110 according to the second embodiment in the following respects.

[0083] (composition) The valve body 212 of the solenoid valve 210 of this embodiment has a crimped portion 268 formed at the lower end of the through hole 14 without a female thread 18, instead of the valve body 112 of the solenoid valve 210 of the second embodiment.

[0084] Furthermore, the valve seat member 260 according to this embodiment does not have a male thread 68 on the lower end side, but has a crimped portion 218 formed thereon, instead of the valve seat member 60 of the solenoid valve 110 according to the second embodiment.

[0085] The valve seat member 260 according to this embodiment is inserted into the through-hole 14 from below, and then crimped to the crimping portion 268 by a crimping device (not shown). As a result, the valve seat member 260 according to this embodiment is fixed to the through-hole 14.

[0086] The other configurations are the same as those of the solenoid valve 110 according to the second embodiment.

[0087] (Action and effect) The solenoid valve 210 according to this embodiment can also achieve the same functions and effects as the solenoid valves 10 and 110 according to the first and second embodiments.

[0088] [Other embodiments] In the above description, the solenoid valves 10, 110, 210 are arranged with the main valve spring 58 separated from the valve seat member 60 by the spring receiving member 70, but the solenoid valves 10, 110, 210 according to the present embodiment are not limited to this. In other words, the spring receiving member 70 may not be provided, and the main valve spring 58 may press the main valve element 50 upward while in contact with the valve seat member 60.

[0089] Furthermore, in the above description, the diameter of the small diameter portion 37 of the aspirator 32 is smaller than the diameter of the large diameter portion 36, but the aspirator 32 is not limited to this and may be a member whose diameter does not change in the vertical direction. In other words, the aspirator 32 does not need to be locked and fixed as long as it can be attached to the upper end of the through-hole 14. In this case, a method of fixing by screwing may be used in which a female thread 18 is formed at the upper end of the through-hole 14 and a male thread 68 is formed on the aspirator 32.

[0090] In the above description, the diameter of the valve seat member 60 is larger than the diameter of the valve disc, but the valve seat member 60 according to this embodiment is not limited to this. That is, the valve seat member 60 may be a member whose diameter does not change in the vertical direction as long as a desired flow rate of the fluid flowing through the outlet flow path 64 can be obtained.

[0091] Furthermore, in the above description, the outlet flow path 64 of the valve seat member 60 faces downward, but the solenoid valves 10, 110, 210 according to the present embodiment are not limited to this. That is, the outlet flow path 64 may be formed so as to face in a direction other than downward by drilling a hole from the side wall of the valve body 12 toward the through hole 14 at the position where the valve seat member 60 is inserted. In this case, the valve seat member 60 is formed with the outlet flow path 64 that opens radially outward from the through hole 14, and the secondary-side mounting port 26 is formed in the side wall of the valve body 12.

[0092] Furthermore, in the above explanation, the solenoid valves 10, 110, 210 are pilot-type solenoid valves 10, 110, 210 having a valve element including the main valve element 50 and the pilot valve element 30 connected to the plunger 28, but the solenoid valves to which the technology according to the present disclosure can be applied are not limited to this. That is, instead of the pilot-type solenoid valves 10, 110, 210 having a valve element including the pilot valve element 30 and the main valve element 50, a direct-acting solenoid valve in which the plunger 28 directly drives the main valve element 50 may also be applied.

[0093] In the above description, the solenoid valves 10, 110, and 210 are so-called normally open solenoid valves that are closed when the solenoid coil 84 is not energized. Valve and However, the solenoid valve to which the technology according to the present embodiment can be applied is not limited to this. That is, the technology described above may also be applied to a so-called normally closed solenoid valve that is in a closed state when the electromagnetic coil 84 is not energized.

[0094] In the above description, the through-hole 14 in the solenoid valves 10, 110, 210 has the primary-side mounting port 24 on the side as the inlet through which the fluid flows, and the lower end as the secondary-side mounting port 26, but the solenoid valves to which the technology according to the present embodiment can be applied are not limited to this. For example, in a direct-acting solenoid valve, the direction of fluid flow is not limited to the above description, and the secondary-side mounting port 26 may be set as the inlet through which the fluid flows, and the primary-side mounting port 24 as the outlet through which the fluid flows out.

[0095] Furthermore, in the above description, it has been described that pipe bodies are attached to the primary side mounting port 24 and the secondary side mounting port 26 of the valve body 12, but the solenoid valve to which the technology according to the present embodiment can be applied is not limited to this. In other words, the objects to be attached to the primary side mounting port 24 and the secondary side mounting port 26 are not limited to pipe bodies, as long as they are components that form a flow path together with the solenoid valve 10, 110, 210. For example, the solenoid valves 10, 110, 210 may have other pipe bodies attached via the valve seat member 60.

[0096] Furthermore, in the above description, the lower end of the valve seat member 60 is substantially equal to the lower end of the through hole of the valve seat member 60, but the solenoid valve to which the technology according to the present embodiment can be applied is not limited to this. That is, the valve seat member 60 may be retracted toward the inside of the through hole 14 further than the lower surface of the valve body 12, 112, 212, or may protrude from the lower surface of the valve body 12, 112, 212. When the valve seat member 60 is retracted toward the inside of the through hole 14 further than the lower surface of the valve body 12, 112, 212, the secondary-side mounting port 26 of the valve body 12, 112, 212 functions as an outlet through which the fluid flows out.

[0097] These modifications also provide the same functions and effects as the solenoid valves 10, 110, and 210 according to the first to third embodiments.

[0098] The above describes an embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is clear that a person with ordinary knowledge in the field of technology to which the present disclosure pertains can conceive of various modifications or applications within the scope of the technical ideas set forth in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 10. Solenoid valve 12 Valve body 14 Through holes 14S Step 16 Reduced diameter part 20 Valve chamber 21 Main valve chamber 22 Pilot valve chest 24 Primary side mounting port (example of mounting port) 25 Inlet channel 26 Secondary side mounting port (example of mounting port) 28 Plunger 30 Pilot valve body (part of an example of a valve body) 32 Attractor 34 Pilot valve packing 35 Main valve packing 36 Large diameter part (an example of a fixed part) 37 Small diameter part (example of suction part) 50 Main valve body (part of an example of a valve body) 52 Pilot valve seat 54 Pilot Passage 56 Pressure equalizing passage 58 Main valve spring (an example of a compression spring) 60 Valve seat member 62 Main valve seat (example of a valve seat) 64 Outlet channel 66 Slope 70 components 72 Base 74 Legs 76 Cut and raised part 78 Leg tip 82 Housing 84 Electromagnetic Coil 91 O-ring 92 Piston rings 93 O-ring 110 Solenoid valve 112 Valve body 128 Plunger 80,180 pipes 182 Guide member 210 Solenoid valve 212 Valve body 218 Crimped part 260 Valve seat member 268 Crimping part

Claims

1. a valve body having a through hole and an attachment port communicating with the through hole; a suction element attached to one end side of the through hole in the axial direction; a valve seat member attached to the other end of the through hole in the axial direction, the valve seat member forming a valve chamber together with a peripheral wall of the through hole and the suction element; a valve body disposed in the valve chamber so as to come into contact with and separate from the valve seat of the valve seat member; a plunger that is attracted to the magnetized attractor; Equipped with The diameter of the valve seat member is equal to or greater than the diameter of the valve body, the through hole gradually narrows from the other end side in the axial direction to the one end side in the axial direction, and has a reduced diameter portion at the one end side in the axial direction, the inner diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the valve seat member, the suction element has a fixing portion that is fixed by being fitted into the reduced diameter portion, and a suction portion that attracts the plunger, The diameter of the fixing portion is equal to or larger than the diameter of the suction portion and equal to or smaller than the diameter of the valve body. Solenoid valve.

2. a compression spring that biases the valve body in a direction away from the valve seat; a spring receiving member supported by the valve seat member and holding the compression spring in a spaced relationship with the valve seat member; The solenoid valve of claim 1 further comprising:

3. a valve body having a through hole and an attachment port communicating with the through hole; a suction element attached to one end side of the through hole in the axial direction; a valve seat member attached to the other end of the through hole in the axial direction, the valve seat member forming a valve chamber together with a peripheral wall of the through hole and the suction element; a valve body disposed in the valve chamber so as to come into contact with and separate from the valve seat of the valve seat member; a compression spring that biases the valve body in a direction away from the valve seat; a spring receiving member supported by the valve seat member and holding the compression spring in a spaced relationship with the valve seat member; Equipped with The diameter of the valve seat member is equal to or greater than the diameter of the valve body. Solenoid valve.

4. a valve body having a through hole and an attachment port communicating with the through hole; a suction element attached to one end side of the through hole in the axial direction; a valve seat member attached to the other end of the through hole in the axial direction, the valve seat member forming a valve chamber together with a peripheral wall of the through hole and the suction element; a valve body disposed in the valve chamber so as to come into contact with and separate from the valve seat of the valve seat member; a compression spring that biases the valve body in a direction away from the valve seat; a spring receiving member supported by the valve seat member and holding the compression spring in a spaced relationship with the valve seat member; A solenoid valve comprising:

5. A valve body having a through hole and an attachment port communicating with the through hole; a suction element attached to one end side of the through hole in the axial direction; a valve seat member attached to the other end of the through hole in the axial direction, the valve seat member forming a valve chamber together with a peripheral wall of the through hole and the suction element; a valve body disposed in the valve chamber so as to come into contact with and separate from the valve seat of the valve seat member; a compression spring that biases the valve body in a direction away from the valve seat; a spring receiving member supported by the valve seat member and holding the compression spring in a spaced relationship with the valve seat member; Equipped with The diameter of the valve seat member is equal to or greater than the diameter of the valve body, the through hole gradually narrows from the other end side in the axial direction to the one end side in the axial direction, and has a reduced diameter portion at the one end side in the axial direction, the inner diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the valve seat member, The suction element has a fixing portion that is fixed by being fitted into the reduced diameter portion. Solenoid valve.

6. The valve body has a female screw formed at the other end of the through hole in the direction in which the through hole extends, The valve seat member is formed with a male thread that screws into the female thread of the through hole. The solenoid valve according to claim 1 .

7. The magnet further includes a plunger that moves in a direction in which the through hole extends when the attractor is magnetized. The valve body includes a main valve body having a pilot passage and a pressure equalizing passage formed therein and moving toward and away from the valve seat; and a pilot valve body connected to the plunger and moving toward and away from a pilot valve seat formed on one side of the pilot passage in a direction in which the through hole extends. The solenoid valve of claim 1 , wherein

8. Further, an electromagnetic coil is provided to magnetize the attractor. A solenoid valve according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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