Patent ID: 8371335

Claim:
A three-port solenoid valve assembly comprising: a solenoid valve including a valve body having a valve chamber communicating with a plurality of ports, a valve member arranged in the valve chamber that switches communication between the plurality of ports, and an electromagnetic operation unit fixed to the valve body that drives the valve member; a main directional control valve using the solenoid valve as a pilot valve; and a solenoid-valve holder that is made of a nonconductive material and is configured to mount the solenoid valve on the main directional control valve, the solenoid valve and the solenoid-valve holder being distinct components, such that the solenoid valve is removably mounted to the solenoid-valve holder, wherein the solenoid-valve holder includes a fixing plate having a first fixing face configured to mount the solenoid valve thereon, and a second fixing face configured to attach the main directional control valve thereon, a terminal block formed integrally with the fixing plate, the terminal block extending perpendicularly to the fixing plate, and an electrification system that provides electricity to an exciting coil of the solenoid valve, wherein, when the solenoid valve is mounted on the fixing plate, a pair of connection terminals, disposed on the solenoid-valve holder, is electrically connected to a pair of electrification terminals that are disposed on the solenoid valve and connected to the exciting coil, wherein the terminal block includes a pair of receiving terminals arranged to protrude outside the terminal block to connect the connection terminals to terminals of external power, and wherein the fixing plate of the solenoid-valve holder is linked to the terminal block to form an L-shape, such that a mount side of the solenoid valve and a top face of the electromagnetic operation unit are completely covered by the fixing plate and the terminal block.