A solenoid valve assembly, comprising: a valve housing to which a fluid source and an inflatable are connectable; an actuator housing coupled to the valve housing and having an actuator housing plunger configured when actuated to open a normally-closed valve element in the valve housing whereby pressurized fluid is permitted to flow from the fluid source to the inflatable; and a solenoid valve coupled to the actuator housing and comprising: a solenoid valve housing; a valve seat supported by the solenoid valve housing; a plunger-type armature-valve element supported by and moveable relative to the solenoid valve housing, and fluidly communicative with the fluid source and normally pressure balanced to remain in a closed position relative to the valve seat; and an electromagnet, supported by the solenoid valve housing, which generates magnetic flux that moves the plunger-type armature-valve element into an open position relative to the valve seat such that at least a portion of the pressurized fluid flows into the actuator housing through the valve seat to actuate the actuator; wherein the plunger-type armature-valve element comprises: a body; a valve seal at a first end of the body to form a seal with the valve seat with the plunger-type armature-valve element in the closed position; and an armature responsive to the magnetic flux generated by the electromagnet at a second end of the body, characterized in that the armature comprises a central sliding guide, a flat disk from which the central sliding guide extends in a first direction, and a conical surface opposite the flat disk from which the valve seal extends in a second direction opposite the first direction, wherein said flat disk is disposed to define first and second air gaps (G1 and G2) with the core of the solenoid valve housing body when the plunger-type armature-valve element is disposed in the closed position, wherein the magnetic flux crosses said first and second air gaps (G1 and G2) to reach the flat disk and applies additive electromagnetic forces thereto. a valve housing to which a fluid source and an inflatable are connectable; an actuator housing coupled to the valve housing and having an actuator housing plunger configured when actuated to open a normally-closed valve element in the valve housing whereby pressurized fluid is permitted to flow from the fluid source to the inflatable; and a solenoid valve coupled to the actuator housing and comprising: a solenoid valve housing; a valve seat supported by the solenoid valve housing; a plunger-type armature-valve element supported by and moveable relative to the solenoid valve housing, and fluidly communicative with the fluid source and normally pressure balanced to remain in a closed position relative to the valve seat; and an electromagnet, supported by the solenoid valve housing, which generates magnetic flux that moves the plunger-type armature-valve element into an open position relative to the valve seat such that at least a portion of the pressurized fluid flows into the actuator housing through the valve seat to actuate the actuator; wherein the plunger-type armature-valve element comprises: a solenoid valve housing; a valve seat supported by the solenoid valve housing; a plunger-type armature-valve element supported by and moveable relative to the solenoid valve housing, and fluidly communicative with the fluid source and normally pressure balanced to remain in a closed position relative to the valve seat; and an electromagnet, supported by the solenoid valve housing, which generates magnetic flux that moves the plunger-type armature-valve element into an open position relative to the valve seat such that at least a portion of the pressurized fluid flows into the actuator housing through the valve seat to actuate the actuator; wherein the plunger-type armature-valve element comprises: a body; a valve seal at a first end of the body to form a seal with the valve seat with the plunger-type armature-valve element in the closed position; and an armature responsive to the magnetic flux generated by the electromagnet at a second end of the body, characterized in that the armature comprises a central sliding guide, a flat disk from which the central sliding guide extends in a first direction, and a conical surface opposite the flat disk from which the valve seal extends in a second direction opposite the first direction, wherein said flat disk is disposed to define first and second air gaps (G1 and G2) with the core of the solenoid valve housing body when the plunger-type armature-valve element is disposed in the closed position, wherein the magnetic flux crosses said first and second air gaps (G1 and G2) to reach the flat disk and applies additive electromagnetic forces thereto.