Solenoid valve, vacuum booster diaphragm subassembly, and vacuum booster assembly

A solenoid valve comprising:

• a) a solenoid valve housing including first, second, and third valve ports;
• b) a solenoid actuation rod having first and second ends;
• c) a first tip valve actuated by the first end of the solenoid actuation rod to allow or block fluid passage through the first valve port, wherein fluid can flow between the first and third valve ports when the first tip valve is open, wherein the first tip valve has an elongated, rounded first edge, and wherein the first end of the solenoid actuation rod pivots the first tip valve about the first edge;
• d) a second tip valve actuated by the second end of the solenoid actuation rod to allow or block fluid passage through the second valve port, wherein fluid can flow between the second and third valve ports when the second tip valve is open, wherein the second tip valve has an elongated, rounded second edge, and wherein the second end of the solenoid actuation rod pivots the second tip valve about the second edge;
• and
• e) a linearized-magnetics solenoid having an armature attached to the solenoid actuation rod and having a solenoid coil surrounding the armature.

A vacuum booster diaphragm subassembly comprising:

• a) a vacuum booster diaphragm;
• and
• b) a grommet attached to the vacuum booster diaphragm,
• wherein the vacuum booster diaphragm is disposable in a vacuum booster assembly having primary and secondary working chambers such that the grommet allows fluid flow between the secondary working chamber and a region outside the vacuum booster assembly,
• wherein the vacuum booster diaphragm includes a diaphragm longitudinal axis and a central opening coaxially aligned with the diaphragm longitudinal axis,
• wherein the grommet includes a grommet opening aligned substantially perpendicular to the diaphragm longitudinal axis,
• wherein the grommet includes a radially-recessed air-flow slot extending outward from the grommet opening and substantially parallel to the diaphragm longitudinal axis, and
• wherein the grommet includes a vacuum-booster-housing attachment groove.

A vacuum booster assembly comprising:

• a) a vacuum booster including:
• 1) a primary working chamber with a primary outside port;
• 2) a primary vacuum chamber;
• 3) a primary diaphragm dividing the primary working and vacuum chambers;
• 4) a secondary working chamber with a secondary outside port;
• 5) a secondary vacuum chamber;
• 6) a secondary diaphragm dividing the secondary working and vacuum chambers;
• and
• 7) a grommet attached to the secondary diaphragm;
• and
• b) solenoid valve including:
• 1) a solenoid valve housing including first, second, and third valve ports, wherein the solenoid valve housing is attached to the vacuum booster with the first valve port in fluid communication with the primary port, with the second valve port in fluid communication with the atmosphere, and with the third valve port in fluid communication with the secondary port through the grommet;
• 2) a solenoid actuation rod having first and second ends;
• 3) a first tip valve actuated by the first end of the solenoid actuation rod to allow or block fluid passage through the first valve port, wherein fluid can flow between the first and third valve ports when the first tip valve is open;
• and
• 4) a second tip valve actuated by the second end of the solenoid actuation rod to allow or block fluid passage through the second valve port, wherein fluid can flow between the second and third valve ports when the second tip valve is open.