Patent Description:
Gas solenoid valves are provided to open and close channels through which gas flows; as an example, a solenoid valve such as that disclosed in Patent Literature (PTL <NUM>) is known. <CIT> discloses a magnetic valve for a slip-controlled hydraulic brake system. <CIT> discloses a solenoid valve for adjusting a fluid flow in a hydraulic vehicle braking system. <CIT> discloses a known gas solenoid valve.

For example, there are cases where a solenoid valve is provided on a gas tank, and the solenoid provided on the gas tank is used as follows. Specifically, in the case of filling the gas tank with gas, gas pressure causes a main valve to be lifted off a valve seat, thus opening a channel. At this time, chattering occurs at the main valve, etc., causing various problems such as noise, damage to a seat, and contamination attributable to wear and tear.

Thus, the present invention has an object to provide a gas solenoid valve in which the occurrence of chattering at a main valve body is minimized.

A gas solenoid valve according to the first invention includes: a housing including a first port, a second port, and a valve port leading to the first port and the second port; a main valve body capable of moving between a closed position and an open position and configured to move in an opening direction by pressure of gas supplied through the first port, the closed position being a position of the main valve body closing the valve port, the open position being a position of the main valve body opening the valve port; a guide member disposed having one end facing the valve port, the guide member including an inner hole in which the main valve body is inserted to guide the main valve body between the closed position and the open position; a first biasing member that is disposed in a housing space and biases the main valve body in the opening direction, the housing space being formed inward of the guide member to surround the main valve body; a second biasing member that provides, to the main valve body, a biasing force opposing a biasing force of the first biasing member to position the main valve body in the closed position; and an electromagnetic drive device that generates an excitation force to cause the main valve body to move to the open position, the excitation force opposing the biasing force of the second biasing member. The housing space is spaced apart from the one end of the guide member in the opening direction. A buffer groove is formed at the one end of the guide member to surround an opening end of the inner hole of the guide member.

According to the present invention, gas flowing along an outer peripheral surface of the main valve body can be released into the buffer groove, and it is possible to prevent a situation in which a large quantity of gas flows in between the main valve body and the guide member. This makes it possible to minimize abrupt fluctuations in the internal pressure in the housing space, minimizing the occurrence of chattering at the main valve body.

In the above-described invention, it is preferable that the gas solenoid valve further include a seat piston that is inserted through the main valve body, receives the biasing force of the second biasing member, and biases the main valve body to the closed position, a pilot passage connecting the first port and the second port be formed in the main valve body, the seat piston be capable of moving between a pilot closed position, which is the position of the seat piston closing the pilot passage, and a pilot open position, which is the position of the seat piston opening the pilot passage, and the electromagnetic drive device generate the excitation force to cause the seat piston to move to the pilot open position, to cause the main valve body to move to the open position.

According to the above configuration, by causing the electromagnetic drive device to generate an excitation force, it is possible to open the valve port, allowing gas to flow from the second port to the first port. Even in such a gas solenoid valve that allows bidirectional flows, the occurrence of chattering at the main valve body can be minimized.

In the above-described invention, it is preferable that a depressurization passage be formed in at least one of the main valve body and the guide member, and the depressurization passage be formed to allow the gas in the housing space to be discharged.

According to the above configuration, gas that has flown into the housing space can be discharged; in other words, the housing space can be depressurized. This makes it possible to minimize abrupt fluctuations in the internal pressure in the housing space, minimizing the occurrence of chattering at the main valve body.

In the above-described invention, it is preferable that the guide member include at least one communication channel to guide, to the second port, the gas guided through the valve port opened, and at least one communication channel be formed at the one end of the guide member and arranged to make the distribution of flow rates of the gas flowing in the at least one communication channel asymmetric at the one end of the guide member.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to exert, on the main valve body, load that presses the main valve body against the guide member when the gas flows. Thus, the sliding resistance of the main valve body can be increased. This makes it possible to minimize vibrations of the main valve body, minimizing the occurrence of chattering at the main valve body.

A gas solenoid valve according to the second invention includes: a housing including a first port, a second port, and a valve port leading to the first port and the second port; a main valve body capable of moving between a closed position and an open position and configured to move in an opening direction from the closed position toward the open position by pressure of gas supplied through the first port, the closed position being a position of the main valve body closing the valve port, the open position being a position of the main valve body opening the valve port; a guide member disposed having one end facing the valve port, the guide member including an inner hole in which the main valve body is inserted to guide the main valve body between the closed position and the open position; a first biasing member that is disposed in a housing space and biases the main valve body in the opening direction from the closed position toward the open position, the housing space being formed inward of the guide member to surround the main valve body; a second biasing member that provides, to the main valve body, a biasing force opposing a biasing force of the first biasing member to position the main valve body in the closed position; and an electromagnetic drive device that generates an excitation force to cause the main valve body to move to the open position, the excitation force opposing the biasing force of the second biasing member. The main valve body has a base end portion slidably fitting into the guide member. A depressurization passage is formed in at least one of the main valve body and the guide member. The depressurization passage is formed to depressurize the housing space by discharging the gas in the housing space.

According to the present invention, gas that has flown into the housing space can be discharged; in other words, the housing space can be depressurized. This makes it possible to minimize abrupt fluctuations in the internal pressure in the housing space, minimizing the occurrence of chattering at the main valve body.

A gas solenoid valve according to the third invention includes: a housing including a first port, a second port, and a valve port leading to the first port and the second port; a main valve body capable of moving between a closed position and an open position and configured to move in an opening direction from the closed position toward the open position by pressure of gas supplied through the first port, the closed position being a position of the main valve body closing the valve port, the open position being a position of the main valve body opening the valve port; a guide member disposed having one end facing the valve port, the guide member including an inner hole in which the main valve body is inserted to guide the main valve body between the closed position and the open position; a first biasing member that is disposed in a housing space and biases the main valve body in the opening direction from the closed position toward the open position, the housing space being formed inward of the guide member to surround the main valve body; a second biasing member that provides, to the main valve body, a biasing force opposing a biasing force of the first biasing member to position the main valve body in the closed position; and an electromagnetic drive device that generates an excitation force to cause the main valve body to move to the open position, the excitation force opposing the biasing force of the second biasing member. The guide member includes at least one communication channel to guide, to the second port, the gas guided through the valve port opened. At least one communication channel is formed at the one end of the guide member and arranged to make a distribution of flow rates of the gas flowing from the valve port to the at least one communication channel asymmetric with respect to a center axis at the one end of the guide member.

According to the present invention, it is possible to exert, on the main valve body, load that presses the main valve body against the guide member when the gas flows. Thus, the sliding resistance of the main valve body can be increased. This makes it possible to minimize vibrations of the main valve body, minimizing the occurrence of chattering at the main valve body.

A gas solenoid valve according to the fourth invention includes: a housing including a first port, a second port, and a valve port leading to the first port and the second port; a main valve body capable of moving between a closed position and an open position and configured to move in an opening direction by pressure of gas supplied through the first port, the closed position being a position of the main valve body closing the valve port, the open position being a position of the main valve body opening the valve port; a guide member disposed having one end facing the valve port, the guide member including an inner hole in which the main valve body is inserted to guide the main valve body between the closed position and the open position; a first biasing member that is disposed in a housing space and biases the main valve body in the opening direction, the housing space being formed inward of the guide member to surround the main valve body; a second biasing member that provides, to the main valve body, a biasing force opposing a biasing force of the first biasing member to position the main valve body in the closed position; and an electromagnetic drive device that generates an excitation force to cause the main valve body to move to the open position, the excitation force opposing the biasing force of the second biasing member. The housing space is spaced apart from the one end of the guide member in the opening direction. The housing includes a recess having a bottom portion in which the valve port and a valve seat are formed. The main valve body is seated on the valve seat by causing one end of the main valve body to protrude from the guide member to the recess, and closes the valve port by being seated on the valve seat. A buffer space having the shape of a circular ring and extending along an axis of the main valve body is formed in the recess to surround the one end of the main valve body.

According to the present invention, gas flowing along the outer peripheral surface of the main valve body can be released into the buffer space, and it is possible to prevent a situation in which a large quantity of gas flows in between the main valve body and the guide member. This makes it possible to minimize abrupt fluctuations in the internal pressure in the housing space, minimizing the occurrence of chattering at the main valve body.

With the present invention, it is possible to minimize the occurrence of chattering at the main valve body.

The above object, other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be made clear by the following detailed explanation of preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

Hereinafter, gas solenoid valves <NUM>, 1A-1C according to Embodiments <NUM>-<NUM> of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the concept of directions mentioned in the following description is used for the sake of explanation and is not intended to limit the orientations, etc., of elements according to the present invention to these directions. The gas solenoid valves <NUM>, 1A-1C described below are merely one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and may be subject to addition, deletion, and alteration within the scope of the essence of the present invention.

A gas solenoid valve <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is provided on a gas tank or the like that can hold a high pressure gas, and the gas solenoid valve <NUM> enables gas filling and discharge by opening and closing a channel. Note that the gas tank is one example for which the gas solenoid valve <NUM> is used, and a subject for which the gas solenoid valve <NUM> is used is not necessarily limited to the gas tank. Specifically, the gas solenoid valve <NUM> is provided in a channel required to allow gas to flow in both directions. The gas solenoid valve <NUM> having such a function is configured as follows.

Specifically, the gas solenoid valve <NUM> mainly includes a housing <NUM>, a guide member <NUM>, a main valve body <NUM>, a seat piston <NUM>, and an electromagnetic drive device <NUM>. In the housing <NUM>, a valve chamber <NUM> in the approximate shape of a circular column having a closed end is formed, and an opening part of the valve chamber <NUM> is covered by a lid body <NUM>. Furthermore, a first channel <NUM> leading to a first port <NUM> and a second channel <NUM> leading to a second port <NUM> are formed in the housing <NUM>. The first channel <NUM> is open at a bottom 21a of the valve chamber <NUM> via a valve port <NUM>, and the second channel <NUM> is open in a side surface of the valve chamber <NUM>. The housing <NUM> configured as just described houses the guide member <NUM>, the main valve body <NUM>, the seat piston <NUM>, and the electromagnetic drive device <NUM> in the valve chamber <NUM> in order to open and close the valve port <NUM>.

The guide member <NUM> is formed in the approximate shape of a circular cylinder, and at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the guide member <NUM> (in the present embodiment, two portions separated from each other by <NUM> degrees in the peripheral direction) is formed to be flat. The guide member <NUM> shaped as just described fits into the valve chamber <NUM> with one end in contact with the bottom 21a of the valve chamber <NUM>, and forms one pair of gaps <NUM>, <NUM> with the housing <NUM>. Furthermore, two communication channels <NUM>, <NUM> are formed at one end of the guide member <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. The two communication channels <NUM>, <NUM> extend in opposite directions along the radius of an inner hole 12a of the guide member <NUM> so as to be arranged in a straight line, and connect the valve port <NUM> and the gaps <NUM>, <NUM>. Similarly, two communication channels <NUM>, <NUM> are formed at the other end of the guide member <NUM>, and the gaps <NUM>, <NUM> and the inner hole 12a of the guide member <NUM> are connected by communication channels <NUM>, <NUM>. Furthermore, the main valve body <NUM> is inserted into the inner hole 12a, as illustrated in <FIG>.

The main valve body <NUM> is formed in the approximate shape of a circular cylinder having a closed end with a base end portion 13b larger in diameter than a leading end portion 13a. The base end portion 13b of the main valve body <NUM> shaped as just described fits into the inner hole 12a and can move axially along the inner hole 12a of the guide member <NUM>. Furthermore, the main valve body <NUM> can be in a closed position such as that illustrated in <FIG> and includes a seat member 13c on a leading end surface. When the main valve body <NUM> is in the closed position, the seat member 13c is seated on a valve seat <NUM>, and thus the valve port <NUM> is closed. On the other hand, when the main valve body <NUM> is placed in an open position by moving axially in the opposite direction, the seat member 13c separates from the valve seat <NUM>, and thus the valve port <NUM> is opened.

The main valve body <NUM> configured as described above forms a housing space <NUM> with the guide member <NUM> in order to house a first coil spring <NUM>. Specifically, in the guide member <NUM>, the inner hole 12a has one end portion 12b formed smaller in diameter than a remaining portion 12c, and the leading end portion 13a of the main valve body <NUM> is inserted through the one end portion 12b. Thus, the housing space <NUM> in the approximate shape of a circular ring is formed between the leading end portion 13a of the main valve body <NUM> and the guide member <NUM>, and the first coil spring <NUM> is housed in the housing space <NUM>. The first coil spring <NUM>, which is one example of the first biasing member, is what is called a compression coil spring and provides, to the main valve body <NUM>, a biasing force in an opening direction from the closed position to the open position. Note that the first coil spring <NUM> can be replaced by a leaf spring, an elastic body, a magnetic spring, a pneumatic spring, a pressing mechanism that uses an electrostatic force, or the like.

Furthermore, in the main valve body <NUM>, a pilot passage 13d is formed to allow communication between the first port <NUM> and the second port <NUM> when the main valve body <NUM> is in the closed position. The pilot passage 13d passes through the main valve body <NUM> along the axial line thereof, and when the main valve body <NUM> is seated, connects the valve port <NUM> and an inner hole 13e of the main valve body <NUM>. Moreover, in order to open and close the pilot passage 13d, the seat piston <NUM> is inserted through the inner hole 13e of the main valve body <NUM> in such a manner as to be axially movable.

The seat piston <NUM> is formed in the approximate shape of a circular column, and closes the pilot passage 13d by inserting a leading end 14a of the seat piston <NUM> into a seat portion 13f of the pilot passage 13d and causing the leading end 14a to be seated. In other words, as a result of the seat piston14 being positioned in a pilot closed position, the pilot passage 13d is closed. Furthermore, the seat piston <NUM> can move from the pilot closed position to a pilot open position along the axial line of the seat position <NUM>, and when the seat piston <NUM> moves, the leading end 14a separates from the seat portion 13f. Accordingly, the pilot passage 13d is opened, and the valve port <NUM> and the inner hole 13e of the main valve body 13e are brought into communication. Furthermore, a plurality of slits (in the present embodiments, two slits) 14b, 14b are formed in the outer peripheral surface of the seat piston <NUM>, and the slits 14b, 14b form channels connecting the pilot passage 13d and the aforementioned two communication channels <NUM>, <NUM> when the pilot passage 13d is open. The seat piston <NUM> configured as just described has a base end portion 14c protruding from the main valve body <NUM>, and the electromagnetic drive device <NUM> is provided on this protrusion.

The electromagnetic drive device <NUM> includes a plunger <NUM>, a stationary pole <NUM>, and a solenoid <NUM>. The plunger <NUM> is a member in the approximate shape of a circular cylinder that is made of a magnetic material, and the base end portion 14c of the seat piston <NUM> is inserted through an inner hole 41a of the plunger <NUM>. Furthermore, in the inner hole 41a, a leading end portion 41b is formed smaller in diameter than the base end portion 41c, and accordingly a base end 14d of the seat piston <NUM> is formed larger in diameter than the remaining portion. Thus, the plunger <NUM> engages the base end 14d of the seat piston <NUM> at the leading end portion of the inner hole 41a of the plunger <NUM> and is configured to move in conjunction with the seat piston <NUM>. The stationary pole <NUM> is provided so as to face the plunger <NUM> configured as just described.

The stationary pole <NUM> is a member in the approximate shape of a circular column that is made of a ferromagnetic material and is disposed apart from the base end of the plunger <NUM> in one axial direction. The outer diameter of a leading end portion 42b of the stationary pole <NUM> disposed as just described is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the plunger <NUM>, and a sleeve <NUM> is provided surrounding the leading end portion 42b of the stationary pole <NUM> and the plunger <NUM>. The sleeve <NUM> is a member in the approximate shape of a circular cylinder that is made of a non-magnetic material and is configured so that the plunger <NUM> can move axially in the sleeve <NUM>. The solenoid <NUM> is provided surrounding the sleeve <NUM> configured as just described.

The solenoid <NUM> is formed in the approximate shape of a circular column and can generate an excitation force for the plunger <NUM> by passing an electric current to a coil 43b wound on a bobbin 43a. Specifically, the solenoid <NUM> can excite the plunger <NUM> so that the plunger <NUM> is attracted to the stationary pole <NUM>, and thus can move the seat piston <NUM>, which moves in conjunction with the plunger <NUM>, to the pilot open position by the attraction. Furthermore, in order to provide a biasing force opposing the excitation force to the plunger <NUM> (more specifically, to the plunger <NUM> via the seat piston <NUM>), a second coil spring <NUM> is provided on the plunger <NUM>.

The second coil spring <NUM>, which is one example of the second basing member, is what is called a compression coil spring and is inserted through the plunger <NUM>. The second coil spring <NUM> has one end fitted into a spring bearing recess 42a of the stationary pole <NUM> and the other end pressed against the base end 14d of the seat piston <NUM>. Therefore, the second coil spring <NUM> biases the plunger <NUM> via the seat piston <NUM> in one axial direction and pulls the plunger <NUM> away from the stationary pole <NUM>. Furthermore, as a result of being pressed against the seat piston <NUM>, the second coil spring <NUM> enables the plunger <NUM> and the seat piston <NUM> to move in conjunction with each other, and positions the seat piston <NUM> in the pilot closed position in the state where no electric current flows through the solenoid <NUM>. Note that the second coil spring <NUM> can be replaced by a leaf spring, an elastic body, a magnetic spring, a pneumatic spring, a pressing mechanism that uses an electrostatic force, or the like.

The outer peripheral surface of the solenoid <NUM> is formed larger in diameter at the base end than at the remaining portion, and an annular channel <NUM> in the shape of a circular ring is formed between the remaining portion and the housing <NUM>. The annular channel <NUM> is connected to the second port <NUM> via the second channel <NUM>, is connected to the first port <NUM> via the gaps <NUM>, <NUM>, the communication channels <NUM>, <NUM>, and the first channel <NUM>, and forms a valve passage <NUM> together with these channels <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

In the gas solenoid valve <NUM> configured as described above, the guide member <NUM> and the main valve body <NUM> are configured as follows. Specifically, a buffer groove <NUM> is formed at one end of the guide member <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. The buffer groove <NUM> is formed so as to exteriorly surround an opening end of the inner hole 12a of the guide member <NUM> and is formed in the shape of a ring (in the present embodiment, the approximate shape of a circular ring). The depth of the buffer groove <NUM> is approximately equal to the depth of each of the two communication channels <NUM>, <NUM> in the present embodiment, meaning that gas flowing in the buffer groove <NUM> is guided to the communication channels <NUM>, <NUM> without stagnation. Note that the depth of the buffer groove <NUM> does not necessarily need to be equal and may be more than or less than the depth of each of the two communication channels <NUM>, <NUM>.

Furthermore, in the main valve body <NUM>, a plurality of depressurization passages (in the present embodiment, two depressurization passages) <NUM>, <NUM> are formed at the base end portion 13b, as illustrated in <FIG>. The depressurization passages <NUM>, <NUM>, which are slits formed in the outer peripheral surface of the base end portion 13b of the main valve body <NUM>, are formed, for example, by making the outer peripheral surface flat in at least two places. The depressurization passages <NUM>, <NUM> formed as just described extend axially in the base end portion 13b of the main valve body <NUM> and can discharge the gas in the housing space <NUM> to the two communication channels <NUM>, <NUM>.

The operation of the gas solenoid valve <NUM> will be described below. Specifically, as mentioned above, the gas solenoid valve <NUM> is provided on the gas tank and can cause the gas to flow in both directions in the valve passage <NUM> in order to fill the gas tank with the gas and discharge the gas from the gas tank, for example. For example, to cause the gas to flow from the second port <NUM> to the first port <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, an electric current flows to the coil 43b of the solenoid <NUM>. Therefore, the plunger <NUM> is lifted up, and the seat piston <NUM> moves to the pilot open position accordingly. Thus, the pilot passage 13d is opened, and the gas is guided to the first channel <NUM> through the two communication channels <NUM>, <NUM>, the slits 14b, 14b, and the pilot passage 13d. As a result, the difference in pressure between the gas in the valve chamber <NUM> and the gas flowing in the first channel <NUM> is reduced, and the main valve body <NUM> is eventually pushed up to the open position by the first coil spring <NUM>. Thus, the valve port <NUM> is opened, meaning that the valve passage <NUM> is opened, and the gas flows from the second port <NUM> to the first port <NUM> via the valve passage <NUM>. Subsequently, when the electric current stops flowing to the coil 43b, the second coil spring <NUM> pushes the main valve body <NUM> via the seat piston <NUM>, and the main valve body <NUM> moves to the closed position. Thus, the valve port <NUM> is closed, meaning that the valve passage <NUM> is closed, and the gas stops flowing.

On the other hand, to cause the gas to flow from the first port <NUM> to the second port <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, the gas solenoid valve <NUM> operates as follows. Specifically, when the gas flows from the first port <NUM> to the first channel <NUM>, the main valve body <NUM> is pushed in the opening direction by the pressure of the gas. Thus, the main valve body <NUM> moves to the open position, and the valve port <NUM> is opened, meaning that the valve passage <NUM> is opened. As a result, the gas flows mainly from the first channel <NUM> to each of the communication channels <NUM>, <NUM> through the valve port <NUM>, and is guided further to the second channel <NUM> through the gaps <NUM>, <NUM> and the annular channel <NUM>. The gas supplied to the first port <NUM> in this manner is guided to the second port <NUM> via the valve passage <NUM>. Furthermore, the gas, although small in quantity, also flows as follows. Specifically, a small quantity of the gas that has passed through the valve port <NUM> flows along the outer peripheral surface of the main valve body <NUM>, passes between the main valve body <NUM> and the guide member <NUM>, and flows into the housing space <NUM> (for example, refer to the arrow A in <FIG>). This increases the internal pressure in the housing space <NUM>, and movement of the main valve body <NUM> in this state causes abrupt fluctuations in the internal pressure in the housing space <NUM>, resulting in chattering at the main valve body <NUM>. Regarding this issue, in the gas solenoid valve <NUM>, the occurrence of chattering at the main valve body <NUM> is minimized in the following manner.

Specifically, in the gas solenoid valve <NUM>, the buffer groove <NUM> is formed at one end of the guide member <NUM> as mentioned above, and the gas flowing along the outer peripheral surface of the main valve body <NUM> can be guided to the buffer groove <NUM> and thus flow to each of the communication channels <NUM>, <NUM> (refer to the arrow in <FIG>). Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a large quantity of gas flows in between the main valve body <NUM> and the guide member <NUM> and the internal pressure in the housing space <NUM> increases. This make it possible to minimize abrupt fluctuations in the internal pressure in the housing space <NUM>, minimizing the occurrence of chattering at the main valve body <NUM>.

Furthermore, in the gas solenoid valve <NUM>, as mentioned above, the two depressurization passages <NUM>, <NUM> are formed, and gas that has flown into the housing space <NUM> can be discharged to the valve passage <NUM> via the communication channels <NUM>, <NUM>, in other words, the housing space <NUM> can be depressurized (for example, refer to the arrow B in <FIG>). This makes it possible to minimize abrupt fluctuations in the internal pressure in the housing space <NUM>, minimizing the occurrence of chattering at the main valve body <NUM>.

In the above-described manner, in the gas solenoid valve <NUM>, by supplying gas from the first port <NUM> to the first channel <NUM>, it is possible to open the valve port <NUM> and cause the gas to flow to the second port <NUM>, and at this time, the occurrence of chattering at the main valve body <NUM> can be minimized. Furthermore, by stopping the gas supply from the first port <NUM> to the first channel <NUM>, the main valve body <NUM> is pushed by the second coil spring <NUM> and moves to the closed position as in the case where the gas flows from the second port <NUM>. Thus, the valve port <NUM> is closed, meaning that the valve passage <NUM> is closed, and the gas stops flowing. In the gas solenoid valve <NUM>, it is possible to cause gas to flow from both the first port <NUM> and the second port <NUM> as described above.

A gas solenoid valve 1A according to Embodiment <NUM> is similar in configuration to the gas solenoid valve <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM>. Therefore, the configuration of the gas solenoid valve 1A according to Embodiment <NUM> will be described focusing on differences from the gas solenoid valve <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM>; elements that are the same as those of the gas solenoid valve <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM> share the same reference signs, and as such, description of the elements will be omitted. Note that the same applies to a gas solenoid valve 1B according to Embodiment <NUM> to be described later.

In the gas solenoid valve 1A according to Embodiment <NUM>, a guide member 12A is configured in the manner described below, as illustrated in <FIG>. Specifically, one communication passage 31A is formed at one end of the guide member 12A and extends radially outward from the inner hole 12a to one of the gaps <NUM>. With this, the distribution of flow rates of gas flowing at the one end of the guide member 12A is asymmetric with respect to the center axis of the guide member 12A, and it is possible to exert, on the main valve body <NUM>, load that presses the main valve body <NUM> against the guide member 12A when the gas flows. Thus, the sliding resistance of the main valve body <NUM> can be increased. This makes it possible to minimize vibrations of the main valve body <NUM>, minimizing the occurrence of chattering at the main valve body <NUM>.

Aside from this, the gas solenoid valve 1A according to Embodiment <NUM> produces substantially the same advantageous effects as the gas solenoid valve <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM>.

In a gas solenoid valve 1B according to Embodiment <NUM>, a guide member 12B is configured in the manner described below, as illustrated in <FIG>. Specifically, two communication channels 31B, 32B are formed at one end of the guide member 12B. The two communication channels 31B, 32B extend radially outward from the inner hole 12a to the gap <NUM> and are arranged to form a predetermined angle α (<NUM>° ≤ α < <NUM>°; in the present embodiment, α = <NUM>°), instead of being arranged in a straight line. Thus, as in the case of the guide member 12A, the distribution of flow rates of gas flowing at the one end of the guide member 12B is asymmetric with respect to the center axis of the guide member 12B, and it is possible to exert, on the main valve body <NUM>, load that presses the main valve body <NUM> against the guide member 12B when the gas flows. This makes it possible to minimize the occurrence of chattering at the main valve body <NUM>.

Aside from this, the gas solenoid valve 1B according to Embodiment <NUM> also produces substantially the same advantageous effects as the gas solenoid valve <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM>.

In a gas solenoid valve 1C according to Embodiment <NUM>, a guide member 12C does not include the buffer groove <NUM>, and a buffer space 36C is formed in a housing 11C, as illustrated in <FIG>. Specifically, in the housing 11C, a recess 21c is formed in the bottom 21a of the valve chamber <NUM>, and the valve port <NUM> is formed in a bottom portion of the recess 21c. The main valve body <NUM> in the closed position is seated on the valve seat <NUM> in the state of protruding from the guide member 12C into the recess 21c. The inner diameter of the recess 21c is greater than the outer diameter of the main valve body <NUM>, and the buffer space 36C is formed around the main valve body <NUM>. The buffer space 36C is formed in the approximate shape of a circular ring and is connected to the communication channels <NUM>, <NUM>. Therefore, the buffer space 36C has substantially the same functions as those of the buffer grooves <NUM> according to Embodiments <NUM>-<NUM>. Thus, the gas solenoid valve 1C according to Embodiment <NUM> also produces substantially the same advantageous effects as the gas solenoid valve <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM>.

In the gas solenoid valves <NUM>, 1A-1C according to Embodiments <NUM>-<NUM>, the depressurization passages <NUM>, <NUM> are formed by making the outer peripheral surface flat in at least two places, but do not necessarily need to be formed in such a manner. For example, the depressurization passages <NUM>, <NUM> may be thin grooves, the shape of which is not limited. Alternatively, the depressurization passages <NUM>, <NUM> may be communication holes formed in the main valve bodies <NUM>, 13A or the guide members <NUM>, 12A-12C. For example, the communication holes may be formed in the main valve bodies <NUM>, 13A so as to bring the housing space <NUM> and the pilot passage 13d into communication, or may be formed in the guide members <NUM>, 12A-12C so as to bring the housing space <NUM> and the gap <NUM> into communication. Furthermore, the depressurization passages <NUM>, <NUM> do not necessarily need to be formed; even with the buffer groove <NUM> only, it is possible to minimize the occurrence of chattering at the main valve body <NUM>. Meanwhile, the buffer groove <NUM> and the buffer space 36C do not necessarily need to be formed; even with the depressurization passages <NUM>, <NUM> only, it is possible to minimize the occurrence of chattering at the main valve body <NUM>.

Furthermore, in the gas solenoid valves <NUM>, 1A-1C according to Embodiments <NUM>-<NUM>, the same applies to the communication channel formed at one end of each of the guide members <NUM>, 12A-12C; the number of communication channels does not necessarily need to be one or two and may be three or more. Moreover, in the case of increasing the sliding resistance of the main valve body <NUM> as in the gas solenoid valves 1A, 1B according to Embodiments <NUM> and <NUM>, the communication channels may be configured as follows. Specifically, a plurality of communication channels may be asymmetrically arranged (more specifically, the plurality of communication channels are not required to be β communication channels arranged at an angle of <NUM>/β degrees (in other words, deviating by an equal angle)), each of the plurality of communication channels may have a different depth and a different width, or the plurality of communication channels may include throttles on the downstream side. In other words, it is sufficient that the plurality of communication channels be arranged to make the distribution of flow rates of gas flowing at one end of the guide member <NUM> asymmetric with respect to the center axis of the guide member <NUM>.

In each of the gas solenoid valves <NUM>, 1A-1C according to Embodiments <NUM>-<NUM>, the seat piston <NUM> is provided, but is not necessarily required; the gas solenoid valve may be configured so that the plunger <NUM> is directly pressed against the main valve body <NUM>. The main valve body <NUM> does not necessarily need to include the seat member 13c; the seat member 13c may be formed on the housing <NUM> side. The main valve body <NUM> itself may be formed of the same material as the seat member 13c. The seat member 13c is rectangular in cross-section, but may be circular in cross-section or may be shaped to have a curved surface.

Claim 1:
A gas solenoid valve (<NUM>), comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) including a first port (<NUM>), a second port (<NUM>), and a valve port (<NUM>) leading to the first port and the second port;
a main valve body (<NUM>) capable of moving between a closed position and an open position and configured to move in an opening direction by pressure of gas supplied through the first port, the closed position being a position of the main valve body closing the valve port, the open position being a position of the main valve body opening the valve port;
a guide member (<NUM>) disposed having one end facing the valve port, the guide member including an inner hole (12a) in which the main valve body is inserted to guide the main valve body between the closed position and the open position;
a first biasing member (<NUM>) that is disposed in a housing space (<NUM>) and biases the main valve body in the opening direction, the housing space being formed inward of the guide member to surround the main valve body;
a second biasing member (<NUM>) that provides, to the main valve body, a biasing force opposing a biasing force of the first biasing member to position the main valve body in the closed position; and
an electromagnetic drive device (<NUM>) that generates an excitation force to cause the main valve body to move to the open position, the excitation force opposing the biasing force of the second biasing member, wherein:
the housing space is spaced apart from the one end of the guide member in the opening direction; characterized in that
a buffer groove (<NUM>) is formed at the one end of the guide member to surround an opening end of the inner hole of the guide member.