Coupling solenoid valve

Patent Abstract
A coupling solenoid valve having a main valve unit and a solenoid operating unit, of which both side faces in the valve-width direction correspond to a first coupling face and a second coupling face for coupling another solenoid valve, wherein a binding member is movably attached to the main unit, this binding member is provided with an engaging hook protruding on the first coupling face side, a hook-engaging portion is formed on the second coupling face side of the main valve unit, and the hook is engaged with the engaging portion of the adjacent solenoid valve, thereby coupling the adjacent solenoid valves so as to be mutually connected.

2. A coupling solenoid valve according to claim 1, wherein said hook protrudes from said binding member to outside of the side face of said main valve unit, extends in the axial direction of said main valve unit, and said engaging portion also extends in the axial direction of said main valve unit.

3. A coupling solenoid valve according to claim 1, said main valve unit comprising: manual buttons for manually switching said spool; and a safety member detachably engaged with said manual buttons; wherein said safety member is disposed at a position adjacent to said binding member, said binding member occupies a position for locking said manual buttons in an inoperative state when said binding member is positioned at said separating position, and said binding member disengages from said manual buttons so as to be moved to a position for releasing the locked state when said binding member is positioned at said binding position.

4. A coupling solenoid valve according to claim 2, said main valve unit comprising: manual buttons for manually switching said spool; and a safety member detachably engaged with said manual buttons; wherein said safety member is disposed at a position adjacent to said binding member, said binding member occupies a position for locking said manual buttons in an inoperative state when said binding member is positioned at said separating position, and said binding member disengages from said manual buttons so as to be moved to a position for releasing the locked state when said binding member is positioned at said binding position.

5. A coupling solenoid valve according to claim 1, wherein the housing of said main valve unit is divided into multiple blocks, said hook-engaging portion is formed on a top block which is one of said multiple blocks, and also said binding member is movably assembled in said top block.

6. A coupling solenoid valve according to claim 3, wherein the housing of said main valve unit is divided into multiple blocks, said hook-engaging portion is formed on a top block which is one of said multiple blocks, and also said binding member and said safety member are movably assembled in said top block.

7. A coupling solenoid valve according to claim 4, wherein the housing of said main valve unit is divided into multiple blocks, said hook-engaging portion is formed on a top block which is one of said multiple blocks, and also said binding member and said safety member are movably assembled in said top block.

8. A coupling solenoid valve according to claim 1, coupling communication holes of said main valve unit each comprising: a connection tube protruding to one coupling face side of said main valve unit; and a circular seal member applied within said coupling communication holes on the other coupling face side; wherein said coupling communication holes are connected in an airtight state by said connection tube of the adjacent solenoid valve and said seal member are fitted each other when the multiple solenoid valves are coupled.

9. A coupling solenoid valve according to claim 2, coupling communication holes of said main valve unit each comprising: a connection tube protruding to one coupling face side of said main valve unit; and a circular seal member applied within said coupling communication holes on the other coupling face side; wherein said coupling communication holes are connected in an airtight state by said connection tube of the adjacent solenoid valve and said seal member are fitted each other when the multiple solenoid valves are coupled.

10. A coupling solenoid valve according to claim 3, coupling communication holes of said main valve unit each comprising: a connection tube protruding to one coupling face side of said main valve unit; and a circular seal member applied within said coupling communication holes on the other coupling face side; wherein said coupling communication holes are connected in an airtight state by said connection tube of the adjacent solenoid valve and said seal member are fitted each other when the multiple solenoid valves are coupled.

11. A coupling solenoid valve according to claim 4, coupling communication holes of said main valve unit each comprising: a connection tube protruding to one coupling face side of said main valve unit; and a circular seal member applied within said coupling communication holes on the other coupling face side; wherein said coupling communication holes are connected in an airtight state by said connection tube of the adjacent solenoid valve and said seal member are fitted each other when the multiple solenoid valves are coupled.

12. A coupling solenoid valve according to claim 5, coupling communication holes of said main valve unit each comprising: a connection tube protruding to one coupling face side of said main valve unit; and a circular seal member applied within said coupling communication holes on the other coupling face side; wherein said coupling communication holes are connected in an airtight state by said connection tube of the adjacent solenoid valve and said seal member are fitted each other when the multiple solenoid valves are coupled.

13. A solenoid valve assembly including multiple coupling solenoid valves according to claim 1, wherein said solenoid valves are mutually connected by said hook of said binding member being engaged with said engaging portion of said adjacent solenoid valves.

Patent Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] 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.

PRIOR ART

[0002] 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.

[0003] 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.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Publication of Japanese Application No. 10-47509

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to improve stability of the coupled state and airtightness of coupling communication holes with a coupling solenoid valve to be used in a solenoid valve assembly form by mutually connecting multiple solenoid valves, so as to mutually connect the adjacent solenoid valves.

[0006] In order to achieve the aforementioned object, according to the present invention, a coupling solenoid valve of which both side faces in the valve-width direction correspond to a first coupling face and a second coupling face for being coupled with another solenoid valve, the coupling solenoid valve comprises a main valve unit including multiple coupling communication holes passing through in the valve-width direction, a valve hole through which the coupling communication holes mutually communicate, and a spool for switching a channel accommodated within the valve hole; and a solenoid operating unit connected with the main valve unit; wherein the main valve unit includes an engaging hook on the first coupling face side, also includes a hook-engaging portion on the second coupling face side, the hook is formed on a movable binding member assembled so as to operate the main valve unit from the top face, and the binding member is capable of moving between the binding position where the hook is engaged with the engaging portion of the adjacent solenoid valve and the separating position where the hook disengages from the engaging portion.

[0007] With the present invention, the hook protrudes from the binding member to outside of the side face of the main valve unit, extends in the axial direction of the main valve unit, and the engaging portion also extends in the axial direction of the main valve unit.

[0008] Also, according to the present invention, the main valve unit comprises manual buttons for manually switching the spool; and a safety member detachably engaged with the manual buttons; wherein the safety member is disposed at a position adjacent to the binding member, the safety member occupies a position for locking the manual buttons in an inoperative state when the binding member is positioned at the separating position, and the binding member disengages from the manual buttons so as to be moved to a position for releasing the locked state when the binding member is positioned at the binding position.

[0009] With the present invention, the housing of the main valve unit is divided into multiple blocks, the hook-engaging portion is formed on a top block which is one of the multiple blocks, and also the binding member is movably assembled in the top block. In this case, the safety member is preferably assembled in the top block so as to move.

[0010] Preferably, with the present invention, coupling communication holes of the main valve unit each comprise a connection tube protruding to one coupling face side of the main valve unit; and a circular seal member applied within the coupling communication holes on the other coupling face side; wherein the coupling communication holes are connected in an airtight state by the connection tube and seal member of the adjacent solenoid valves are fitted each other when the multiple solenoid valves are coupled.

[0011] Also, according to the present invention, a solenoid valve assembly is provided including multiple coupling solenoid valves having the aforementioned configuration, of which the solenoid valves are mutually connected by engaging the hook of the binding member with the engaging portion of the adjacent solenoid valve.

[0012] Thus, the coupling solenoid valve according to the present invention allows the aforementioned respective solenoid valves to be sequentially coupled in a mutually connected state by moving the engaging member provided in the main valve unit so as to engage the hook thereof with the engaging portion of the adjacent solenoid valve at the time of sequentially coupling the multiple solenoid valves so as to form a solenoid valve assembly, and consequently, allows assembly work of the solenoid valve assembly to be facilitated, and also ensures the communicating state and high-airtightness of the coupling communication holes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coupling solenoid valve according to the present invention as viewed from a first coupling face side.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the solenoid valve in FIG. 1 as viewed from a second coupling face side.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the solenoid valve in FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a disassembled main valve unit of the solenoid valve in FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the principal components in a state in which two adjacent solenoid valves are coupled.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the principal components in a state in which a safety member locks manual buttons.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the principal components in a state in which the safety member moves toward a position where the locked manual buttons are released.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a process on the way to formation of solenoid valve assembly by mounting the solenoid valve in FIG. 1 on a rail.

[0021] FIG. 9 is a top view of an end block.

[0022] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the end block.

[0023] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the end block.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] A housing 20 of the main valve unit 3 is divided into multiple blocks. More specifically, the housing 20 includes a center block 21 positioned in the center of the housing 20, a top block 22 connected to the upper end portion of the center block 21, a bottom block 23 connected to the lower end portion of the center block 21, an output block 24 connected to a first end side of the center block 21 in the axial direction (longitudinal direction), and a manual block 25 connected to a second end side serving as the opposite side of the center block 21, and is formed by these blocks having a rectangular cross-sectional shape so as to assume a generally rectangular longitudinal cross-sectional shape as a whole.

[0028] The center block 21 includes end walls 21a and 21b vertically extending in the first end side of the axial direction, the bottom block 23 is disposed at the bottom side of the center block 21 in a state in which the bottom block 23 is positioned in the axial direction by one end of the bottom block 23 being in contact with the lower end wall 21b, and is fixed to the center block 21 with a screw 23a. The end wall 21b and the bottom block 23 are formed with essentially the same height, and accordingly, the bottom end faces of these make up a single face. The valve hole 10 extending in the axial direction is formed within the center block 21, and the coupling communication holes 15 and 16 are formed within the bottom block 23. Each of the coupling communication holes 15 and 16 includes a connection tube 26 protruding on the first coupling face 8a side, and a circular seal member 27 applied within the communication hole on the second coupling face 8b side, and in the event that the multiple solenoid valves 1 are coupled, the corresponding coupling communication holes 15 and the corresponding coupling communication holes 16 are connected in an airtight manner respectively by mutually fitting the connection tube 26 and seal member 27 of the adjacent solenoid valves 1.

[0029] A pilot supply communication hole 30 passing through in the valve-width direction is further formed within the bottom block 23, and this pilot supply communication hole 30 communicates with the two pilot valves 7a and 7b of the solenoid operating unit 4 and the manual operating portion 18 via a pilot branch hole omitted in the drawings. This pilot supply communication hole 30 includes a connection tube 31 protruding on the first coupling face 8a side, and a circular seal member 32 applied within the communication hole on the second coupling face 8b side, and in the event that the multiple solenoid valves 1 are coupled, the corresponding pilot supply communication holes 30 are connected in an airtight manner by mutually fitting the connection tube 31 and seal member 32 of the adjacent solenoid valves 1, in the same way as the case of the coupling communication holes 15 and 16.

[0030] Note that the connection tubes 26 and 31 may be formed separately from the bottom block 23, and attached within the coupling communication holes 15 and 16 and the pilot supply communication hole 30, but in the event that the bottom block 23 is made up of a synthetic resin, these may be formed integrally with this bottom block 23.

[0031] Thus, the housing 20 is divided into multiple blocks, the valve hole 10 is provided within the center block 21, and the coupling communication holes 15 and 16 and the pilot supply communication hole 30 are formed within the bottom block 23, thereby facilitating manufacturing of these respective communication holes, manufacturing of channels connecting between the respective coupling communication holes 15 and 16 and the valve hole 10, manufacturing of multiple branch holes connecting between the pilot supply communication hole 30 and the pilot valves 7a and 7b, and so forth. In addition, the connection tubes 26 and 31 and the seal members 27 and 32 are provided on both sides of the respective coupling communication holes 15 and 16 and the pilot supply communication hole 30, and the connection tube and seal member of the adjacent solenoid valves 1 are mutually fitted, thereby improving airtightness at the time of connecting the coupling communication holes 15, the coupling communication holes 16, or the pilot supply communication holes 30.

[0032] With the output block 24 and the manual block 25 each of which a piston chamber is formed, the piston chamber of the output block 24 accommodates the piston 14a, and the piston chamber of the manual block 25 accommodates the piston 14b. Also, a pilot pressure chamber 35a is provided on the back face of the piston 14a, and a pilot pressure chamber 35b is provided on the back face of the piston 14b, and these pilot pressure chambers 35a and 35b communicate with the pilot valves 7a and 7b and the pilot supply communication hole 30, which are the corresponding one side thereof, by means of individual pilot output channels omitted in the entire drawing via the manual buttons 18a and 18b, which are the corresponding other side thereof, respectively. In the example illustrated in the drawing, the diameters of the two pistons 14a and 14b are different in size, i.e., the diameter of the first piton 14a is greater than the diameter of the second piston 14b, but an arrangement may be made wherein these are the same in size.

[0033] Upon the first pilot valve 7a on one side being activated so as to supply pilot air to the first pilot pressure chamber 35a, the spool 6 moves to the first switching position in FIG. 3 due to actions of the first piston 14a, the air opening 11 for supply communicates with the second air opening 12B for output so as to abstract air output from the second output port 17B, and also the first air opening 12A for output communicates with the first air opening 13A for discharge so as to place the first output port 17A in a ventilating state. Conversely, upon the second pilot valve 7b on the other side being activated so as to supply pilot air to the second pilot pressure chamber 35b, the spool 6 moves to the position opposite from the first switching position in FIG. 3 due to actions of the second piston 14b, the air opening 11 for supply communicates with the first air opening 12A for output so as to abstract air output from the first output port 17A, and also the second air opening 12B for output communicates with the second air opening 13B for discharge so as to place the second output port 17B in a ventilating state.

[0034] A quick-connection-type tube joint 36, which can connect a piping tube in a state safe from falling out simply by inserting the tube thereto, is attached to the output ports 17A and 17B formed within the output block 24 respectively. This tube joint 36 having a locking groove 36a on the perimeter thereof is attached to the output ports 17A and 17B respectively so as to prevent the connection tube from dropping off by locking this locking groove 36a with a U-shaped clip 37 mounted in the output block 24.

[0035] The manual operating portion 18 is for reproducing a switching state with the pilot valves 7a and 7b by means of manual operations, and includes the two manual buttons 18a and 18b disposed in array on the top face of the manual block 25 in the valve-width direction, wherein the first manual button 18a corresponds to the first pilot valve 7a, and the second manual button 18b corresponds to the second pilot valve 7b. Upon the first manual button 18a being depressed, the pilot supply communication hole 30 directly communicates with the first pilot pressure chamber 35a through a pilot output channel without passing through the first pilot valve 7a, on the other hand, upon the second manual button 18b being depressed, the pilot supply communication hole 30 directly communicates with the second pilot pressure chamber 35b through a pilot output channel without passing through the second pilot valve 7b.

[0036] The top block 22 is disposed within a recessed stage portion 21d between the end wall 21a of the first end side and the end wall 21c of the second end side on the top face of the center block 21, and fixed to the center block 21 with a screw 22d. This top block 22 is a slender member in the axial direction having essentially the same horizontal width as the center block 21, and a flat rail-shaped guide 22a extending in the axial direction of the main valve unit 3 is formed on the top face thereof. A binding member 40 and safety member 41, which are adjacent to each other, are assembled on the guide 22a so as to move along the guide 22a, and can be operated from the top face of the solenoid valve 1 independently. As can be understood from FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, a hook-engaging portion 42 extending in the axial direction of the main valve unit 3 is provided on the somewhat lower position than the guide 22a on the side face of the second coupling face 8b side of the top block 22, and a hook insertion opening 42a is opened on the second coupling face 8b adjacent to the engaging portion 42.

[0037] The binding member 40 serving as a groove-shaped member is mounted on the guide 22a so as to overstride the guide 22a, and a locking protrusion 40a and a hook supporting wall 43a, which are formed inward as to the side face of the binding member 40, are engaged with locking grooves 22b and 22c of both side faces of the guide 22a. A side wall portion 40b extending downward is formed on one side face of the binding member 40, i.e., on the side face of the first coupling face 8a side, and a hook 43 for engaging is integrally formed on the lower end portion of the side wall portion 40b via the hook supporting wall 43a. This hook supporting wall 43a is formed so as to extend in the horizontal direction toward the inner side of the binding member 40 in the width direction, on the lower end portion of the side wall portion 40b, and also so as to extend to the safety member 41 side with one end thereof, the hook 43 is formed so as to protrude toward outside the side face of the housing 20 once on the end portion of the hook supporting wall 43a extending to the safety member 41 side, and then extend in the axial direction of the housing 20 along the side wall portion 40b. This hook 43 is for engaging with the engaging portion 42 of the adjacent solenoid valve 1 at the time of coupling multiple solenoid valves 1.

[0038] The binding member 40 is configured so as to control the hook 43 to move between the binding position to be engaged with the engaging portion 42 of the adjacent solenoid valve 1 (solenoid valve 1 illustrated at the upper side in FIG. 5) and the separating position to be disengaged from this engaging portion 42 (solenoid valve 1 illustrated at the lower side in FIG. 5). Multiple protrusions 40c for preventing the finger from slipping at the time of operations, and an arrow 40d indicating the operating direction toward the separating position are provided on the top face of the binding member 40.

[0039] The safety member 41 serving as a groove-shaped member is mounted on the guide 22a so as to overstride the guide 22a, and a locking protrusion 41c, which is formed inward as to both side faces of the safety member 41, is engaged with locking grooves 22b and 22e of both side faces of the guide 22a. A locking wall 41a extending in the horizontal direction is formed on one end of the safety member 41, i.e., one end portion of the solenoid operating unit 4 side, and two recessed portions 41b and 41b capable of fitting and locking the grooves 18c of the two manual buttons 18a and 18b are formed on the tip portion of the locking wall 41a. Similarly, multiple protrusions 41d for preventing the finger from slipping at the time of operations, and an arrow 41e indicating the operating direction, are provided on the top face of the safety member 41.

[0040] This safety member 41 is disposed on the position adjacent to the binding member 40, and in the event that this binding member 40 is positioned on the separating position, as illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, the two recessed portions 41b and 41b of the tip of the locking wall 41a are pressed by the binding member 40 so as to move to the position for locking the groove portions 18c of the two manual buttons 18a and 18b in an inoperable state. On the other hand, in the event that the binding member 40 is positioned on the binding position as illustrated in FIG. 3, the two manual buttons 18a and 18b are released from the binding member 40, and the two recessed portions 41b and 41b are capable of disengaging from the manual buttons 18a and 18b so as to move to the position for releasing the locked state as illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0041] Now, in the event that either one of or both the manual buttons 18a and 18b employ a self-retaining method, i.e., in the event that either one of or both the manual buttons 18a and 18b include a configuration for retaining a depressed state (operating state), an arrangement is preferably made wherein, upon at least any one of the manual buttons self-retaining the operating state, the safety member 41 cannot be advanced to the locking position by means of the locking wall 41a of the safety member 41 incapable of fitting to the grooves 18c of the manual buttons.

[0042] A recessed rail attachment portion 46 capable of fitting to a rail 45 is formed on the bottom face of the main valve unit 3. This rail attachment portion 46 includes an attachment groove 47 formed on the lower end portion of the output block 24, and a rail clip 48 provided on the lower end portion of the bottom block 23, and these attachment groove 47 and rail clip 48 are retained by flange portions 45a on both side ends of the rail 45, thereby mounting the solenoid valve 1 on the rail 45, as illustrated in FIG. 8. Note that the rail 45 is a DIN rail.

[0043] The solenoid operating unit 4 includes the housing 20 of the main valve unit 3, i.e., an adapter block 50 coupled with the manual block 25 and the bottom block 23 with a screw. This adapter block 50 includes an intermediate base 50a extending in the horizontal direction from the intermediate position thereof, and the first pilot valve 7a and the second pilot valve 7b are attached on both the upper and lower faces of the intermediate base 50a. The adapter block 50 is attached with an electrical connector 52 for coupling having multiple terminals, and part of the terminals of this electrical connector 52 and each coil terminal 53 of the pilot valves 7a and 7b are electrically connected via a printed board 54 and an electroconductive fitting 55.

[0044] The electrical connector 52 is configured so as to mutually electrically connect to the electrical connector of the adjacent solenoid valve 1 at the time of coupling multiple solenoid valves 1, and is employed for supply and for signal transmission.

[0045] The pilot valves 7a and 7b include exciting coils 57, a movable iron core 58 to be displaced due to magnetic force generated at the time of turning on the exciting coils 57, and a valve member 59 for opening/closing a pilot valve sheet, which is driven by the movable iron core 58. The output opening of the first pilot valve 7a communicates with the first pilot pressure chamber 35a, the output opening of the second pilot valve 7b communicates with the second pilot pressure chamber 35b, the input openings of both pilot valves 7a and 7b communicate with the pilot supply communication hole 30 in common, and the discharge openings of both pilot valves 7a and 7b communicate with a pilot discharge communication hole 60 in common. When the first pilot valve 7a is turned on, pilot air from the pilot supply communication hole 30 is supplied to the first pilot pressure chamber 35a so as to drive the first piston 14a, on the other hand, when the second pilot valve 7b is turned on, pilot air from the pilot supply communication hole 30 is supplied to the second pilot pressure chamber 35b so as to drive the second piston 14b.

[0046] Note that the configurations of the pilot valves 7a and 7b are known, and do not directly relate to the essence of the present invention; accordingly, further detailed description regarding the configurations thereof will be omitted.

[0047] The pilot discharge communication hole 60 is formed within the adapter block 50 so as to pass through the block in the valve-width direction, includes a connection tube 61 protruding on the first coupling face 8a side, and a circular seal member 62 applied within the communication hole on the second coupling face 8b side in the same way as with the pilot supply communication hole 30, and when multiple solenoid valves 1 are coupled, the pilot discharge communication holes 60 are connected in an airtight manner by the connection tube 61 and seal member 62 of the adjacent solenoid valves 1 mutually fitting.

[0048] The aforementioned embodiment relates to the double-pilot-type solenoid valve including the two pilot valves 7a and 7b, but the present invention may be similarly applied to a single-pilot-type solenoid valve including only the first pilot valve 7a. This single-pilot-type solenoid valve can be provided by omitting the second pilot valve 7b corresponding to the small-diameter second piston 14b and the second manual button 18b in the double-pilot-type solenoid valve, or by locking these in an inoperative state and communicating the second pilot pressure chamber 35b with the pilot supply communication hole 30 all the time. More specifically, a single-pilot-type solenoid valve including essentially the same outer shape as the double-pilot-type solenoid valve can be provided by attaching a dummy block having the same outer shape instead of the second pilot valve 7b, and locking the second manual button 18b in an operating state, thereby providing the single-pilot-type solenoid valve having essentially the same outer shape as the double-pilot-type solenoid valve.

[0049] In the event that a solenoid valve assembly is configured of the coupling solenoid valve 1 having the aforementioned configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the multiple solenoid valves 1, a port block 64 including an air supply port 64a and discharge port 64b for connection in bulk, a connector block 65 including a connection connector 66 for power supply in bulk, and an end block 67 positioned outside of the port block 64 are arrayed on the rail 45 such as shown in the drawing, and are sequentially coupled so as to be fixed on the rail 45. In FIG. 8, a state in which only a part of the solenoid valves 1 are mutually coupled, and connected with the hook 43 is illustrated, but all of the solenoid valves 1 and the aforementioned respective blocks 64, 65, and 67 are sequentially coupled, and mutually connected with the hook in the same way.

[0050] Therefore, the port block 64 positioned in the middle includes a movable binding member 70 having the same configuration as that provided in the solenoid valve 1, a hook 70a, which is formed under the binding member 70, protruding on the first coupling face side (right side in FIG. 8), and an engaging portion positioned on the second coupling face side (left side in FIG. 8), the end block 67 includes the movable binding member 70, the hook 70a, which is formed under the binding member 70, protruding on the first coupling face side, and the connector block 65 includes an engaging portion positioned on the second coupling face side. The hook 70a of the end block 67 is engaged with the engaging portion of the port block 64, the hook 70a of the port block 64 is engaged with the engaging portion 42 of the solenoid valve 1 positioned on one end of the solenoid valve array, and the hook 43 of the solenoid valve 1 positioned on the other end of the solenoid valve array is engaged with the engaging portion of the connector block.

[0051] Also, the multiple coupling communication holes 15 and 16, the pilot supply communication hole 30, and the pilot discharge communication hole 60 are formed in the aforementioned respective blocks 64, 65, and 67, in the same way as the solenoid valve 1, and the corresponding communication holes are mutually connected, but while the aforementioned respective communication holes in the case of the port block 64 are formed so as to pass through the port block 64, the end portions of the respective communication holes in the case of the end block 67 and the connector block 65 are sealed within each block.

[0052] The respective solenoid valves 1 and the respective blocks 64, 65, and 67 are attached to the rail 45 by fixing the end block 67 and the connector block 65, which are positioned on both ends of the solenoid valve array, to the rail 45. In FIG. 9 through FIG. 11, a fixing mechanism 80 for fixing the end block 67 to the rail 45 is illustrated. The same fixing mechanism as this is provided with the connector block 65, but here, description will be made regarding the fixing mechanism 80 of the end block 67, and description will be omitted regarding the fixing mechanism of the connector block 65.

[0053] The fixing mechanism 80, which is disposed within a space portion formed in the bottom of the end block 67, includes a first fixing member 81 to be locked in one side of the flange portion 45a of the rail 45, and a second fixing member 82 to be locked in the other side of the flange portion 45a. These fixing members 81 and 82 are attached within a groove-shaped holder 83, and this holder 83 is detachably attached within the space portion of the end block 67 using a screw 84.

[0054] The first fixing member 81 is made up of a pair of left and right side frame pieces 86 and 86 extending in the axial direction of the end block 67, and bottom frame pieces 87 connecting the bottoms of both side frame pieces 86 and 86. A slot 88 extending in the longitudinal direction is formed in both side frame pieces 86 and 86, on the other hand, a supporting shaft 89 passing through the slot 88 is attached to both left and right side walls 83a and 83a of the holder 83, and the first fixing member 81 is attached to the holder 83 so as to turn on this supporting shaft 89. The tips of both side frame pieces 86 and 86 serve as locking portions 86a, which extend within a recessed-stage-shaped rail attachment portion 67a of the bottom of the end block 67 so as to be capable of detachably engaging with the flange portions 45a of the rail 45 from underneath.

[0055] On the other hand, a first fixing screw 91 is attached to the position corresponding to the rear end portion of the bottom frame piece 87 in the ceiling wall 83b of the holder 83 so as to advance and retreat vertically. When this first fixing screw 91 is fastened downward, the first fixing member 81 occupies the position illustrated by a solid line in FIG. 11 by the rear end portion of the bottom frame piece 87 being depressed, and the locking portions 86a and 86a of the tips of side frame pieces 86 and 86 are locked in the flange portions 45a of the rail 45, on the other hand, when the first fixing screw 91 is unfastened, as illustrated by a dashed line in FIG. 11, the first fixing member 81 turns centered on the supporting shaft 89 such that the locking portions 86a and 86a come out of the flange portions 45a. At this time, the following devices are arranged such that the first fixing member 81 retreats to the dashed line position, and the locking portions 86a and 86a completely come out of the flange portions 45a.

[0056] That is to say, a generally U-shaped recessed groove 93 is formed at a position closer to the tip than the slot 88 on the upper edges of both side frame pieces 86 and 86, and a groove edge 93a in front of the recessed groove 93 inclines in a direction gradually expanding upward. On the other hand, guide shafts 94 are attached to the left and right side walls 83a and 83a of the holder 83, and these guide shafts 94 are fitted in the recessed groove 93. When the first fixing screw 91 is unfastened so as to come out of the rail 45, the first fixing member 81 retreats to the dashed line position such that the locking portion 86a come out of the flange portions 45a by the inclining groove edge 93a of the recessed groove 93 moving along the guide shafts 94.

[0057] Also, the second fixing member 82 is made up of a pair of left and right fishhook-shaped locking pieces 96 and 96 extending from the end portion of the rail attachment 67a of the end block 67 downward, and an upper frame piece 97 connecting the upper ends of the locking pieces 96 and 96, and this upper frame piece 97 is attached to the ceiling wall 83b of the holder 83 with a second fixing screw 92 so as to move vertically. When this second fixing screw 92 is fastened, the locking pieces 96 and 96 are locked in the flange portion 45a of the rail 45 from underneath by the upper frame piece 97 being raised, on the other hand, when the second fixing screw 92 is unfastened, the locking pieces 96 and 96 come out of the flange portion 45a by the upper frame piece 97 moving downward.

[0058] Note that both double-pilot-type solenoid valves and single-pilot-type solenoid valves may be included as the multiple solenoid valves.

[0059] The solenoid valves to which the present invention is applied are not restricted to the 5-port type; rather, a 3-port type, for example, may be employed.