Multi-port solenoid valve and its assembly

A valve comprising a bobbin/valve body, a solenoid, and a plunger;

• the bobbin/valve body defining a plurality of ports, a longitudinal bore, and respective passageways between the longitudinal bore and the ports;
• the plurality of ports including a first port and a second port which both extend radially outward from the longitudinal bore in the same direction;
• the bobbin/valve body having a central section positioned between the first port and the second port and at least partially defining the longitudinal bore;
• the plunger including a plunger body which moves within the bore in response to energization/deenergization of the solenoid to convert the valve between an open state and a closed state;
• the solenoid including a pole piece positioned within the longitudinal bore and a solenoid coil wound around the central section of the bobbin/valve body;
• and
• the solenoid coil surrounding both the plunger body and the pole piece for a majority of their axial length.

A valve comprising:

• a bobbin/valve body formed in one piece and defining a common port, a normally closed port, a normally open port, a longitudinal bore, and respective passageways between the longitudinal bore and the three ports;
• a solenoid which is selectively energizable to produce a magnetic field;
• a plunger including a plunger body which moves within the bore in response to energization/deenergization of the solenoid between a first position whereat the passageway to the normally closed port is sealed from the longitudinal bore and the passageway to the normally open port communicates with the longitudinal bore and a second position whereat the passageway to the normally closed port communicates with the longitudinal bore and the passageway to the normally open port is sealed from the longitudinal bore;
• wherein the bobbin/valve body defines a chamber and wherein the solenoid includes a coil positioned within the chamber;
• wherein the bobbin/valve body includes an end portion defining the normally open port, an end portion defining the common port and the normally closed port, and a central portion therebetween;
• wherein bottom walls of these end portions define a mounting surface of the valve which is flat except for port nipples extending perpendicularly therefrom;
• and
• wherein the chamber is located around the central portion.

A valve comprising a bobbin/valve body, a solenoid, and a plunger;

• wherein:
• the bobbin/valve body is formed in one piece and defines a plurality of ports, a longitudinal bore, and respective passageways between the longitudinal bore and the ports;
• the plurality of ports including a first port and a second port which both extend radially outward from the longitudinal bore in the same direction;
• the bobbin/valve body having a central section positioned between the first port and the second port and at least partially defining the longitudinal bore;
• the solenoid being selectively energizable to produce a magnetic field and including a coil wrapped around the central section of the bobbin/valve body;
• the plunger includes a plunger body which moves within the bore in response to energization/deenergization of the solenoid between a first position whereat the passageway to the first port is sealed from the longitudinal bore and a second position whereat the passageway to the first port communicates with the longitudinal bore.

A method of making a valve comprising the steps of:

• forming a bobbin/valve body including ports, a longitudinal bore, and passageways between the longitudinal bore and the ports;
• inserting a plunger body through an end opening in the bobbin/valve body into the longitudinal bore;
• inserting a pole piece through the end opening in the bobbin/valve body into the longitudinal bore;
• press-fit coupling the pole piece to the bobbin/valve body;
• attaching electrical contacts to the bobbin/valve body;
• winding a solenoid coil around a central section of the bobbin/valve body;
• and
• attaching a flux conductor to the bobbin/valve body and the pole piece;
• wherein said forming step comprises forming the bobbin/valve body so that the central section is positioned between a first of the plurality of ports and a second of the plurality of ports.