Electromagnetically actuatable three-way/two-position directional control valve

Claim 1

An electromagnetically actuatable three-way/two-position directional control valve for alternatively connecting an outlet port to a first and to a second inlet port, comprising a valve chamber with which the outlet port is in direct communication, the inlet ports respectively communicate with said valve chamber through two sealing seats adapted to be alternatively closed or opened by means of a movable valve closure member, at least one electromagnet comprising a housing accommodating a magnet coil and a slidably disposed armature, said armature operatively connected to said electromagnet and valve closure member by a valve-actuating tappet such that when the electromagnet is excited, said armature actuates the valve closure member, a connection being established between the second inlet port and the outlet port in an inactive position of the valve closure member, wherein the valve closure member includes an elastic valve member having a sealing surface biased by a compression spring in a direction of the first sealing seat in the inactive position, said valve closure member being movable relative to a valve plate which cooperates with said sealing surface of said elastic valve member, said valve plate biased downwardly against said sealing surface by resilient resetting means in the inactive position of the closure member, and during actuation of said electromagnet, an intermediate position of the valve member is provided for in which intermediate position the two sealing seats are simultaneously closed.