Coupling solenoid valve

#The present invention relates to a coupling solenoid valve, and more specifically relates to a coupling solenoid valve to be used in a solenoid valve assembly form by mutually connecting multiple solenoid valves.

#A technique using multiple solenoid valves mutually connected in a solenoid valve assembly form has been conventionally known as disclosed in Patent Document No. 1 for example. This kind of solenoid valve assembly generally comprises multiple solenoid valves including coupling communication holes to be mutually connected by coupling, a port block including integrated air-supply/discharge ports, a connector block including an integrated power-supply electrical connector, and an end block to be disposed as necessary, which are mounted on a rail in array, and are fixed in a coupled state. Methods for fixing these include various types such as fixing each of the solenoid valves and other blocks or the like with screws, integrally binding an array of solenoid valves and another array of other blocks with a tie rod, fixing these arrays so as to be sandwiched by end blocks positioned on both ends, and so forth.

#However, in the event of fixing each solenoid valve and other blocks in a coupled state, the aforementioned conventional solenoid valve assembly has problems in that work is troublesome since a great number of screws must be handled, and the entire coupled state and airtightness of coupling communication holes are easily influenced due to the fastened state of the one tie rod or the fixed state of the end blocks, and accordingly, a simpler and more reliable technique for coupling has been in demand. In particular, with solenoid valves having coupling communication holes to be mutually connected by coupling, the adjacent solenoid valves need to be securely coupled so as not to allow deterioration in airtightness of the coupling communication holes.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coupling solenoid valve according to the present invention as viewed from a first coupling face side.

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the solenoid valve in FIG. 1 as viewed from a second coupling face side.

#FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the solenoid valve in FIG. 1.

#FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate an embodiment of a coupling solenoid valve according to the present invention. This solenoid valve 1 includes, as can be understood from FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a main valve unit 3 configured so as to switch an air channel using a spool 6, and a pilot-type solenoid operating unit 4 connected to one end side of this main valve unit 3 in the axial direction (longitudinal direction), and is a double-pilot-type solenoid valve for controlling pilot air using two pilot valves 7a and 7b of this solenoid operating unit 4 to drive the spool 6. Also, both side faces of this solenoid valve 1 in the valve-width direction (horizontal-width direction) correspond to a practically flat first coupling face 8a and a practically flat second coupling face 8b for coupling another solenoid valve 1.

#The main valve unit 3 having a 5-port-type valve configuration comprises a valve hole 10 extending in the axial direction, five air openings 11, 12A, 12B, 13A, and 13B for supply, output, and discharge, each of which mutually opens at a position different from the valve hole 10, the spool 6, which is slidably inserted in the valve hole 10, for switching a channel between these air openings, two pistons 14a and 14b, which are in contact with both ends of the spool 6 in the axial direction and are driven by pilot air supplied from the solenoid operating for switching the spool 6, multiple coupling communication holes 15 and 16 passing through the main valve unit 3 in the valve-width direction, two output ports 17A and 17B provided on the end face of the opposite side of the side where the solenoid operating unit 4 of the main valve unit 3 is connected, and a manual operating portion 18 including two manual buttons 18a and 18b capable of switching the spool 6.

#The example illustrated in the drawings is provided with the two coupling communication holes 15 and 16, wherein one, i.e., the coupling communication hole 15, is for main air supply and the other, i.e., the coupling communication hole 16, is for main air discharge. The coupling communication hole 15 for supply is connected to the air opening 11 for supply via a branch hole 11a, and the coupling communication hole 16 for discharge is connected to the two air openings 13A and 13B for discharge via branches 13a and 13b in common. However, an arrangement may be made wherein the two coupling communication holes 16 for discharge are provided, and one is connected to the air opening 13A for discharge and the other is connected to the air opening 13B for discharge. Also, the output port 17A is connected to the air opening 12A for output via an output communication hole 12a, and the output port 17B is connected to the air opening 12B for output via an output communication hole 12b.