Patent Description:
Waterproof solenoid valves with a waterproofing property are well known as disclosed in Patent Literature (PTL) <NUM>. The waterproof solenoid valves are often mounted in food processing machines for use, and after the operation of the food processing machines are finished, are cleaned by a blow of high-temperature high-pressure cleaning water, steam jets, or the like. For that reason, the waterproof solenoid valves have a structure in which the solenoid valve main body is covered with a waterproof manifold and a waterproof cover to withstand the injection of the cleaning water, steam jets, or the like.

The solenoid valve main body is equipped with a manual button so that the valve member can be manually switched during power outage, maintenance and inspections, or the like. For this reason, the waterproof cover has an operation unit for pressing the manual button via the waterproof cover. The operation unit is generally configured such that a window hole is provided at part of the waterproof cover, a cap made of a flexible material, such as rubber or synthetic resin, is attached to the window hole in a liquidtight manner, an operation pin is interposed between the cap and the manual button of the solenoid valve main body, and the manual button can be pressed via the operation pin by pressing the operation pin from the top of the cap.

However, it was found that, in the case where an end of the operation pin is slidably inserted and held in a holding hole formed in the cap to stably dispose the operation pin between the cap and the manual button, the sliding performance of the operation pin is deteriorated by the friction between the operation pin and the cap, which makes it difficult for the cap and the operation pin to return to the initial positions after a pressing operation.

<CIT> discloses a waterproof manifold electromagnetic valve with a manifold that includes valve mount portions, on each of which electromagnetic valves are arranged side by side. Waterproof covers are attached to the valve mount portions to cover the electromagnetic valves. The waterproof covers include hole covers with flexible press portions and push rods to actuate manual buttons of the electromagnetic valves.

<CIT> discloses a medical gas manifold with a piston stem that is coupled to a piston diaphragm by a pusher post button that is arranged between the piston stem and the piston diaphragm.

A technical object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof solenoid valve with a simple and rational structure in which an operation pin can be stably disposed between the cap and the manual button and in which the cap and the operation pin can be reliably returned to the initial positions after a pressing operation.

This problem is solved by the waterproof solenoid valve according to claim <NUM>. Preferred embodiments of the invention are evident from the dependent claims.

To attain the above object, the present invention provides a waterproof solenoid valve in which one or more solenoid valve main bodies including a valve member that switches a channel, an electromagnetically driving mechanism that drives the valve member, and one or more manual buttons capable of manually switching the valve member are mounted on a manifold with a waterproof structure, the waterproof solenoid valve being covered with a waterproof cover attached to the manifold in a liquidtight manner, wherein the waterproof cover includes, at a portion covering the manual button of the solenoid valve main body, an operation unit for pressing the manual button in a direction of a central axis, wherein the operation unit includes a cap with flexibility attached to the waterproof cover in a liquidtight manner, a pin guide interposed between the cap and the solenoid valve main body, one or more operation pins inserted in a guide hole of the pin guide so as to be freely displaceable in the direction of the central axis, wherein the cap includes a flexible pressing portion that is elastically deformed at a pressing operation, and wherein one end of the operation pin is in contact with or close to the pressing portion of the cap, and another end of the operation pin is in contact with the manual button.

In the present invention the cap includes a hollow body and a head that covers one end of the body, the head including the pressing portion, and the pin guide is fitted in the body of the cap and engages with the body.

According to the invention, the pin guide includes a first guide that is press-fitted in the body and a second guide connecting to the first guide, wherein an outside diameter of the second guide is larger than an outside diameter of the first guide, wherein the guide hole passes through the first guide and the second guide, wherein the first guide has a locking groove around its outer periphery, and wherein part of the body of the cap is fitted and retained in the locking groove, so that the pin guide is retained by the cap.

Preferably, the body of the cap is fitted in an operation hole formed in the waterproof cover, the first guide of the pin guide is press-fitted in the body to reach a position of the operation hole, and the body is strongly pressed between the first guide and an inner periphery of the operation hole to enhance a sealing performance between the cap and waterproof cover.

In the present invention, the operation pin may be inserted into the guide hole from one end of the pin guide, and the operation pin and the pin guide may have a falling prevention mechanism for preventing the operation pin inserted in the guide hole from falling off the pin guide.

Preferably, the falling prevention mechanism includes a window hole formed at a side wall of the guide hole so as to be elongated in the direction of the central axis, a locking portion formed at one end of the window hole, and a locking claw that is formed at a side of the operation pin and is fitted in the window hole so as to be displaced freely, and the locking claw engages with the locking portion to prevent the operation pin from falling off the guide hole.

In the present invention, the solenoid valve main body may include two manual buttons, the pin guide may include two of the first guides, two of the second guides, and two of the guide holes, wherein two of the operation pins may be individually inserted in the two guide holes, the two first guides may be separated from each other, and sides of the two second guides may be connected together, and the body of the cap may include two fitting portions in which the two first guides of the pin guide are individually fitted.

Alternatively, the solenoid valve main body may include one manual button, the pin guide may include two of the first guides, two of the second guides, and two of the guide holes, wherein two of the operation pins may be individually inserted in the two guide holes, the two first guides may be separated from each other, and sides of the two second guides may be connected together, and the body of the cap may include two fitting portions in which the two first guides of the pin guide are individually fitted, and wherein, of the two operation pins, one operation pin corresponding to the manual button may be displaced freely, and another operation pin may be fixed in a non-displaceable state.

According to the present invention, the operation pins can be stably disposed between the cap and the manual buttons by supporting the operation pins with the pin guide so that it can be displaced freely.

Furthermore, the operation pins are supported by the pin guide so as to be freely displaced, one end of which is merely in contact with the head of the cap, and the other end is also in contact with the manual button, not sliding relative to the cap, which prevents the operation pins and the cap from being affected by sliding friction serving as resistance. For this reason, the operation of the operation pins is very smooth, and the deformation and restoration of the pressing portions of the cap are also very smooth.

<FIG> illustrate a first embodiment of a waterproof solenoid valve according to the present invention. The waterproof solenoid valve <NUM> is configured such that one solenoid valve main body <NUM> is mounted on a manifold <NUM> with a waterproof structure and that the solenoid valve main body <NUM> is covered with a waterproof cover <NUM>.

The manifold <NUM> is a stand-alone manifold made of a hard material with excellent heat resistance and water resistance properties, such as metal or synthetic resin. As shown in <FIG>, the manifold <NUM> houses a supply channel <NUM> at the center, a first output channel 6a and a second output channel 6b located on both sides of the supply channel <NUM>, and a first discharge channel 7a and a second discharge channel 7b located on both outsides of the first output channel 6a and the second output channel 6b, which are open to the top of the manifold <NUM>.

The supply channel <NUM> communicates with a supply port P of a supply joint <NUM> for piping connection protruding to one side of the manifold <NUM>. The first discharge channel 7a communicates with a first discharge port EA of a first discharge joint 9a next to the supply joint <NUM>. The second discharge channel 7b communicates with a second discharge port EB of a second discharge joint 9b next to the supply joint <NUM> on the opposite side of the first discharge joint 9a. The first output channel 6a communicates with a first output port A that opens to the bottom of the manifold <NUM>. The second output channel 6b communicates with a second output port B that opens to the bottom of the manifold <NUM>. The portion with reference sign <NUM> in <FIG> is a connector for connecting electrical wiring.

The pressure fluid used in this embodiment is air, but liquid may be used.

The solenoid valve main body <NUM> is a double-pilot five-port connection valve, which includes a main valve <NUM> and an electromagnetically driving mechanism <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

The main valve <NUM> includes a valve body <NUM>, a valve hole <NUM> formed in the valve body <NUM>, a valve member, that is, a spool <NUM>, which is slidably housed in the valve hole <NUM>, a manual block <NUM> attached to one end of the valve body <NUM>, and an end block <NUM> attached to the other end of the valve body <NUM>.

The valve body <NUM> includes a supply port <NUM> that connects the supply channel <NUM> of the manifold <NUM> to the valve hole <NUM>, a first output port 21a and a second output port 21b that individually connect the first output channel 6a and second output channel 6b to the valve hole <NUM>, and a first discharge port 22a and a second discharge port 22b that individually connect the first discharge channel 7a and the second discharge channel 7b to the valve hole <NUM>.

The spool <NUM> includes four switch lands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> for switching the channel and two seal lands <NUM> and <NUM> that close the opposite ends of the valve hole <NUM>. A sealing member is attached to each of the outer peripheries of the switch lands <NUM> to <NUM> and the seal lands <NUM> and <NUM>.

Of the four switch lands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the first switch land <NUM> near the center of the spool <NUM> opens and closes a first supply communication path 31a connecting the supply channel <NUM> and the first output channel 6a, the second switch land <NUM> opens and closes a second supply communication path 31b connecting the supply channel <NUM> and second output channel 6b, the third switch lands <NUM> near one end of the spool <NUM> opens and closes a first discharge communication path 32a connecting the first output channel 6a and the first discharge channel 7a, and the fourth switch land <NUM> near the other end of the spool <NUM> opens and closes a second discharge communication path 32b connecting the second output channel 6b and the second discharge channel 7b.

The manual block <NUM> has therein a first piston chamber 35a, in which a first pilot piston 36a is slidably housed via a sealing member 38a, and a first pilot pressure chamber 37a for applying pilot fluid pressure to the first pilot piston 36a.

The end block <NUM> has therein a second piston chamber 35b, in which a second pilot piston 36b is slidably housed via a sealing member 38b, and a second pilot pressure chamber 37b for applying pilot fluid pressure to the second pilot piston 36b.

The electromagnetically driving mechanism <NUM> includes a solenoid operated three-port connection first pilot valve 40a and second pilot valve 40b in parallel at vertically two positions.

The first pilot valve 40a is connected between a pilot supply path <NUM> that branches off the supply port <NUM> and a first pilot communication path 42a communicating with the first pilot pressure chamber 37a through a channel (not shown).

When the first pilot valve 40a is turned on, the pilot supply path <NUM> communicates with the first pilot communication path 42a through the first pilot valve 40a. This causes the pilot fluid from the supply port <NUM> to be supplied to the first pilot pressure chamber 37a to displace the spool <NUM> to the left in <FIG> to change to the operation position opposite to that in <FIG>. As a result, the supply channel <NUM> and the first output channel 6a communicate with each other, the second output channel 6b and the second discharge channel 7b communicate with each other, and the first discharge channel 7a is blocked.

When the first pilot valve 40a is turned off, the pilot supply path <NUM> is separated from the first pilot communication path 42a. This causes the supply of the pilot fluid to the first pilot pressure chamber 37a to be stopped, and the pressure fluid in the first pilot pressure chamber 37a to be discharged to the outside through the first pilot communication path 42a via the first pilot valve 40a.

In contrast, the second pilot valve 40b is connected between the pilot supply path <NUM> and the second pilot communication path 42b communicating with the second pilot pressure chamber 37b through a channel (not shown).

When the second pilot valve 40b is turned on, the pilot supply path <NUM> communicates with the second pilot communication path 42b via the second pilot valve 40b. This causes the pilot fluid from the supply port <NUM> to be supplied to the second pilot pressure chamber 37b to switch the spool <NUM> to the operation position in <FIG>. As a result, the supply channel <NUM> and the second output channel 6b communicate with each other, the first output channel 6a and the first discharge channel 7a communicate with each other, and the second discharge channel 7b is blocked.

When the second pilot valve 40b is turned off, the pilot supply path <NUM> is separated from the second pilot communication path 42b. This causes the supply of the pilot fluid to the second pilot pressure chamber 37b to be stopped, and the pressure fluid in the second pilot pressure chamber 37b to be discharged to the outside through the second pilot communication path 42b via the second pilot valve 40b.

As is apparent from <FIG>, the manual block <NUM> includes two manual units 45a and 45b, with which the spool <NUM> can be manually switched, next to each other in the width direction of the manual block <NUM>.

Each of the manual units 45a and 45b has a button hole <NUM> that opens to the upper end face of the manual block <NUM>. The button hole <NUM> houses a shaft-shaped manual button <NUM> so that the manual button <NUM> can freely slide in the direction of the central axis L of the button hole <NUM> via a plurality of sealing members 47a for switching the channel. Between the manual button <NUM> and the bottom of the button hole <NUM>, a coil-shaped return spring <NUM> that urges the manual button <NUM> to the initial position (non-operation position) is interposed.

Of the two manual units 45a and 45b, one first manual unit 45a is connected between the pilot supply path <NUM> and the first pilot communication path 42a substantially in parallel with the first pilot valve 40a. The manual button <NUM> of the first manual unit 45a is normally at the initial position shown in <FIG> to cut off the pilot supply path <NUM> and the first pilot communication path 42a from each other at the position of the button hole <NUM> and connect the first pilot communication path 42a to the first pilot valve 40a. When the manual button <NUM> is pressed to the operation position shown in <FIG>, the manual button <NUM> separates the first pilot communication path 42a from the first pilot valve 40a and connects it to the pilot supply path <NUM>. This causes the pilot fluid from the supply port <NUM> to be directly supplied to the first pilot pressure chamber 37a through the pilot supply path <NUM>, the button hole <NUM>, and the first pilot communication path 42a.

When the pressing of the manual button <NUM> of the first manual unit 45a is released, the manual button <NUM> is returned to the initial position by the spring force of the return spring <NUM> to separate the first pilot communication path 42a from the pilot supply path <NUM> and connect it to the first pilot valve 40a.

The other second manual unit 45b is connected between the pilot supply path <NUM> and the second pilot communication path 42b substantially in parallel with the second pilot valve 40b. The manual button <NUM> of the second manual unit 45b is normally at the initial position shown in <FIG> to cut off the pilot supply path <NUM> and the second pilot communication path 42b from each other at the position of the button hole <NUM> and connect the second pilot communication path 42b to the second pilot valve 40b. When the manual button <NUM> is pressed to the operation position shown in <FIG>, the manual button <NUM> separates the second pilot communication path 42b from the second pilot valve 40b and connects it to the pilot supply path <NUM>. This cause the pilot fluid from the supply port <NUM> to be directly supplied to the second pilot pressure chamber 37b through the pilot supply path <NUM>, the button hole <NUM>, and the second pilot communication path 42b.

When the pressing of the manual button <NUM> of the second manual unit 45b is released, the manual button <NUM> is returned to the initial position by the spring force of the return spring <NUM> to separate the second pilot communication path 42b from the pilot supply path <NUM> and connect it to the second pilot valve 40b.

Both the configuration and operation of the first pilot valve 40a and the second pilot valve 40b and the configuration and operation of the first manual unit 45a and the second manual unit 45b described above are well known in solenoid valves. Accordingly, specific arrangement of the pilot supply path <NUM>, and the first pilot communication path 42a, the second pilot communication path 42b, and so on is not shown.

The waterproof cover <NUM> is made of a hard material with excellent heat resistivity and water resistance, such as metal or synthetic resin, which has an inverted U-shaped cross section and is attached to the upper surface of the manifold <NUM> with two bolts <NUM> and <NUM> via a gasket <NUM> in a liquidtight manner. The waterproof cover <NUM>, if made of synthetic resin, may be partly transparent or translucent.

On the upper surface of the waterproof cover <NUM>, an operation unit <NUM> for pressing the manual buttons <NUM> is formed at a portion covering the manual units 45a and 45b of the solenoid valve main body <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the operation unit <NUM> includes a cap <NUM> with flexibility attached in an operation hole <NUM> of the waterproof cover <NUM> in a liquidtight manner, a pin guide <NUM> interposed between the cap <NUM> and the solenoid valve main body <NUM>, two guide holes <NUM> and <NUM> formed in the pin guide <NUM> and parallel to each other along the central axis L of the two button holes <NUM>, and two operation pins <NUM> and <NUM> individually inserted into the two guide holes <NUM> and <NUM> so as to be freely displaced in the direction of the central axis L.

The cap <NUM> is made of a material that is flexibly, elastically deformable and has high heat resistance and sealing properties, such as rubber or synthetic resin, and includes a hollow body <NUM> that is rectangular in plan view and is to be fitted in the operation hole <NUM> and a head <NUM> covering an end (upper end) of the body <NUM>.

The body <NUM> houses two elliptic fitting portions <NUM> and <NUM> next to each other with a partition wall <NUM> therebetween. The inside diameters of the fitting portions <NUM> and <NUM> in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction are almost constant in the depth direction of the fitting portions <NUM> and <NUM>.

The head <NUM> has pressing portions <NUM> and <NUM> that are elastically deformed at a pressing operation at portions covering the two fitting portions <NUM> and <NUM>. In the lower surface of the head <NUM>, a recessed groove <NUM> is formed so as to surround the body <NUM>. A protruding wall <NUM> formed around the edge of the operation hole <NUM> of the waterproof cover <NUM> is fitted in the recessed groove <NUM> in a liquidtight manner.

The pin guide <NUM> includes two first guides <NUM> and <NUM> with an elliptical shape in plan view and two second guides <NUM> and <NUM> with an elliptical shape in plan view under the individual first guides <NUM> and <NUM>. The two first guides <NUM> and <NUM> are in parallel with each other via a clearance <NUM> between the side walls in which the partition wall <NUM> of the cap <NUM> is to be fitted. The side walls of the two second guides <NUM> and <NUM> are connected together. Accordingly, the outside diameters in the longitudinal direction and in the lateral direction of the ellipse of the second guide <NUM> is larger than the outside diameters in the longitudinal direction and in the lateral direction of the first guide <NUM>.

The pin guide <NUM> is attached to the cap <NUM> by press-fitting the two first guides <NUM> and <NUM> into the two fitting portions <NUM> and <NUM> formed in the body <NUM> of the cap <NUM>, respectively, and is disposed between the cap <NUM> and the solenoid valve main body <NUM> by bringing the bottom surface of the pin guide <NUM> into contact with the upper surface of the manual block <NUM>.

To prevent the pin guide <NUM> and the cap <NUM> from separating from each other, the outside diameter of the first guide <NUM> is formed slightly larger than the inside diameter of the fitting portion <NUM>, and a locking groove <NUM> is formed around the outer periphery of the base end portion of the first guide <NUM>. The first guide <NUM> is press-fitted into the fitting portion <NUM> while press-expanding the body <NUM> so that part of the body <NUM> is fitted and engaged into the locking groove <NUM> using the reactive force (contractive force) of the press-expanded body <NUM>, thereby locking the cap <NUM> and the pin guide <NUM> to each other. The lower end of the body <NUM> covers part of the upper ends of the two second guides <NUM> and <NUM>.

The first guides <NUM> and <NUM> are press-fitted into the fitting portions <NUM> and <NUM> to reach the position of the operation hole <NUM>. This causes the body <NUM> to be strongly pressed between the first guides <NUM> and <NUM> and the inner periphery of the operation hole <NUM> of the waterproof cover <NUM>, thereby further enhancing the waterproof performance between the cap <NUM> and the waterproof cover <NUM>.

The pin guide <NUM> is desirably formed of a material with high heat-resisting properties, for example, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS).

The guide holes <NUM> are formed so as to vertically pass through the centers of the first guide <NUM> and the second guide <NUM>. The transverse cross sectional shape of the guide hole <NUM> is not constant over the entire length of the guide hole <NUM>. The transverse cross sectional shape of a first hole portion 56a passing through the first guide <NUM> is elliptical in the longitudinal direction of the first guide <NUM>. The transverse cross sectional shape of a second hole portion 56b passing through the second guide <NUM> is circular.

The operation pin <NUM> includes a first pin portion 57a at the distal end (upper end) and a second pin portion 57b at the base end (lower end). The first pin portion 57a has an elliptical cross-sectional shape and is fitted in the first hole portion 56a of the guide hole <NUM> in the first guide <NUM>. The second pin portion 57b has a columnar shape and is fitted in the second hole portion 56b of the guide hole <NUM> in the second guide <NUM>. The distal end of the first pin portion 57a protrudes from the guide hole <NUM> into contact with the lower surface of the pressing portion <NUM> of the cap <NUM> or close thereto with a slight clearance kept. The base end portion of the second pin portion 57b is in contact with the upper surface of the manual button <NUM>. Thus, the operation pin <NUM> and the cap <NUM> are configured not to have a sliding portion when the operation pin <NUM> is pressed via the cap <NUM>.

The inside diameter of the guide hole <NUM> is set to allow the operation pin <NUM> to be inserted with some margin so that the operation pin <NUM> can be smoothly displaced without sliding resistance.

The operation pin <NUM> is inserted into the guide hole <NUM> of the pin guide <NUM> pressed into the cap <NUM> from the bottom of the pin guide <NUM> in a state in which the waterproof cover <NUM> is detached from the manifold <NUM>, and thereafter, the waterproof cover <NUM> is attached to the manifold <NUM>. To prevent the operation pin <NUM> from falling off the pin guide <NUM> between the time when the operation pin <NUM> is inserted into the guide hole <NUM> and the time when the waterproof cover <NUM> is attached to the manifold <NUM>, a falling prevention mechanism <NUM> is provided.

The falling prevention mechanism <NUM> includes a window hole <NUM> formed in the side wall of the guide hole <NUM> so as to be elongated in the direction of the central axis L, a locking portion <NUM> formed at an end (lower end) of the window hole <NUM>, and a locking claw <NUM> formed at the side of the second pin portion 57b of the operation pin <NUM>. The locking claw <NUM> is engaged with the locking portion <NUM> by inserting the operation pin <NUM> into the guide hole <NUM> from the first pin portion 57a side and fitting the locking claw <NUM> into the window hole <NUM> in a state in which the locking claw <NUM> is elastically deformed to the central axis L side, so that falling of the operation pin <NUM> from the guide hole <NUM> is prevented.

In the illustrated example, the locking claw <NUM> is formed at one side and the opposite side of the operation pin <NUM>, two in total. The locking claw <NUM> may be formed only at the side on which the window hole <NUM> and the locking portion <NUM> are formed. Alternatively, two sets of the window hole <NUM> and the locking portion <NUM> may be formed at opposing positions of the side of the guide hole <NUM> in accordance with the two locking claws <NUM>.

Thus, by supporting the operation pins <NUM> with the pin guide <NUM>, the operation pins <NUM> can be stably disposed between the cap <NUM> and the manual buttons <NUM>.

With this configuration of the operation unit <NUM>, the manual button <NUM> can be pressed via the operation pin <NUM> by pressing to deform the pressing portion <NUM> of the head <NUM> of the cap <NUM> with a tool or a finger, as shown in <FIG>. When the pressing of the pressing portion <NUM> is released, the pressing portion <NUM>, the operation pin <NUM>, and the manual button <NUM> are returned to the initial positions by the spring force of the return spring <NUM> and the restoring force of the pressing portion <NUM>.

Since the operation pin <NUM> is supported by the pin guide <NUM> so as to be freely displaced, is merely in contact with the head <NUM> of the cap <NUM> at one end, and does not have a portion that slides relative to the cap <NUM>, the operation of the operation pin <NUM> is very smooth. The deformation and restoration of the pressing portion <NUM> of the cap <NUM> are also very smooth because the pressing portion <NUM> is not affected by the friction with the operation pin <NUM>.

The waterproof solenoid valve <NUM> of the first embodiment includes two manual units 45a and 45b because the solenoid valve main body <NUM> is of a double pilot type. Alternatively, the solenoid valve main body <NUM> may be of a single pilot type including one pilot valve. In this case, the operation unit <NUM> includes one operation pin <NUM> because the solenoid valve main body <NUM> includes only one manual unit. In other words, the cap <NUM> includes one fitting portion <NUM> and one pressing portion <NUM>, and the pin guide <NUM> includes one first guide <NUM>, one second guide <NUM>, and one guide hole <NUM>.

Alternatively, if the manual block <NUM> for use in the double pilot solenoid valve main body <NUM> is employed for the manual block of a single pilot solenoid valve main body, the cap <NUM> including the two fitting portions <NUM> and <NUM> and the two pressing portions <NUM> and <NUM>, the pin guide <NUM> including the two first guides <NUM> and <NUM>, the two second guides <NUM> and <NUM>, and the two guide holes <NUM> and <NUM>, and the two operation pins <NUM> and <NUM> may be used, as in the first embodiment, and only one operation pin <NUM> corresponding to a manual button that operates effectively may be utilized, with the other operation pin <NUM> fixed in a non-displaceable state.

While in the first embodiment one solenoid valve main body <NUM> is mounted on the manifold <NUM>, the present invention can also be applied to a waterproof solenoid valve in which a plurality of solenoid valve main bodies is mounted on a manifold. In this case, the plurality of solenoid valve main bodies may be individually covered with a waterproof cover or all of the solenoid valve main bodies may be covered with one waterproof cover. Alternatively, the plurality of solenoid valve main bodies <NUM> may be divided into several groups, as is a waterproof solenoid valve <NUM> of the second embodiment shown in <FIG>, and a plurality of solenoid valve main bodies <NUM> of each group may be covered with the waterproof cover <NUM> altogether.

Claim 1:
A waterproof solenoid valve in which one or more solenoid valve main bodies (<NUM>) including a valve member (<NUM>) that switches a channel, an electromagnetically driving mechanism (<NUM>) that drives the valve member (<NUM>), and one or more manual buttons (<NUM>) capable of manually switching the valve member (<NUM>) are mounted on a manifold (<NUM>) with a waterproof structure and covered with a waterproof cover (<NUM>) attached to the manifold (<NUM>) in a liquidtight manner,
wherein the waterproof cover (<NUM>) includes, at a portion covering the manual button (<NUM>) of the solenoid valve main body (<NUM>), an operation unit (<NUM>) for pressing the manual button (<NUM>) in a direction of a central axis (L),
wherein the operation unit (<NUM>) includes a cap (<NUM>) with flexibility attached to the waterproof cover (<NUM>) in a liquidtight manner, and one or more operation pins (<NUM>) inserted in a guide hole (<NUM>) of a pin guide (<NUM>) so as to be displaceable in the direction of the central axis (L),
wherein the cap (<NUM>) includes a hollow body (<NUM>) and a head (<NUM>) that covers one end of the body (<NUM>), and a flexible pressing portion (<NUM>) elastically deformed at a pressing operation is formed in the head (<NUM>), and
wherein one end of the operation pin (<NUM>) is in contact with or close to the pressing portion (<NUM>) of the cap (<NUM>), and another end of the operation pin (<NUM>) is in contact with the manual button (<NUM>),
wherein the pin guide (<NUM>) is interposed between the cap (<NUM>) and the solenoid valve main body (<NUM>), and in that the pin guide (<NUM>) is fitted in the body (<NUM>) of the cap (<NUM>) and engages with the body (<NUM>),
wherein the pin guide (<NUM>) includes a first guide (<NUM>) that is press-fitted in the body (<NUM>) and a second guide (<NUM>) connecting to the first guide (<NUM>), wherein an outside diameter of the second guide (<NUM>) is larger than an outside diameter of the first guide (<NUM>), wherein the guide hole (<NUM>) passes through the first guide (<NUM>) and the second guide (<NUM>), wherein the first guide (<NUM>) has a locking groove (<NUM>) around its outer periphery, and wherein part of the body (<NUM>) of the cap (<NUM>) is fitted and retained in the locking groove (<NUM>).