Abstract: In engine torque control in a motor vehicle having an engine and a stepping type of transmission, input and output speeds of the transmission are constantly detected by sensors disposed in input and output portions of the transmission, thereby obtaining a gear ratio (measured value) of the transmission. If the ratio of the difference between this gear ratio and a predetermined gear ratio before the gearshift (theoretical value) to the latter gear ratio before the gearshift exceeds a predetermined value, the start of gearshift is decided. If the ratio of the difference between the gear ratio of the transmission (measured value) and a predetermined gear ratio after the gearshift (theoretical value) to the latter gear ratio after the gearshift becomes smaller than a predetermined value, the end of gearshift is decided.

Abstract: An endless transmission belt for use in continuously variable transmissions of the chain type with a number of link plates interconnected in an endless manner. The belt has blocks arranged paired pins arranged longitudinally around its length and engaging with the blocks, link plates arranged transverse to the length of the belt and engaging the pins, and pin engagement grooves formed in the blocks and engaging the pins, wherein one or a plurality of sets of the link plates are interconnected by mutual pins in an endless manner. The pin engagement grooves are formed with recesses capable of compensating for the canting of the paired pins as they rotate about their longitudinal axes in passage around a pulley.

Abstract: In a switch for detecting shift positions of an automatic transmission in which a movable contact piece is moved in a linked relationship with the shifting over of shift positions of the transmission so as to effect switching with each of stationary contact pieces corresponding to the shift positions, stationary contact pieces for monitoring are disposed in combination with the stationary contact pieces corresponding to the shift positions, thereby enabling predetermined combination signasl to be output. In the detection error checking of this invention, auxiliary contact points for monitoring are used together with a plurality of stationary contact points so that combinations of contact pieces are determined with a certain regularity which is monitored by a control unit so as to check detection results.

Abstract: In a fail-safe control device for an electronically controlled automatic transmission to be mounted on a vehicle, the oil temperature in the transmission is detected by an oil temperature sensor provided for the transmission, and if the oil temperature in the transmission exceeds an allowable level with the lockup operation always prohibited, the gear shift to the maximum gear stage is prohibited.As a result of this, slippage generated in the torque converter can be reduced and the oil temperature in the T/M can be lowered so that a fail-safe control can be performed.

Abstract: A torque converter part having a three dimensional configuration and adapted to be assembled together with a series of torque converter pump blades is formed by a process which includes forming, within a press, slits, for receiving ends of the blades, in a flat blank within a press, deburring, within the press, to remove the burrs formed during slitting, so as to form half-finished work. The half-finished work is cut from the blank and deep drawn thereby obtaining a toroidal torque converter part. Since the deburring is conducted on the work while the work is still flat, burrs are removed easily and promptly with a high degree of uniformity.

Abstract: An endless transmission belt for use in continuously variable transmissions of the chain type with a number of link plates interconnected in an endless manner. The belt has blocks spaced along the length of the belt, pins spaced along the length of the belt and engaging the blocks, and link plates arranged in sets and pins, each of the link plates having a single opening formed therein. A plurality of sets of the link plates are interconnected by the pins in an endless manner. Each link plate has horizontal portions formed in such a manner as to continue with the side end faces, thereby defining the opening, via rounded portions for contacting the pins, and first and second notches are respectively formed in the upper and lower interior edges of the horizontal portions partially defining the opening. By virtue of this arrangement, stress received by the end faces of the rounded portions of each link plate is dispersed, thereby reducing the concentration of stress in any particular portions of the link plate.

Abstract: An electronically controlled automatic transmission in which the transmission gear stage and engaging or disengaging operations of a lock-up clutch in a torque converter are determined on the basis of the number of transmission output revolutions and the throttle opening and in which a shifting solenoid and a lock-up solenoid incorporated in the transmission are controlled in. The transmission has a sensor for detecting an input rotational speed. The number of transmission input revolutions output from this sensor and the number of transmission output revolutions are compared with each other, thereby detecting malfunction of a transmission output speed sensor. If the transmission output speed sensor malfunctions, gearshift and lock-up control are performed on the basis of the number of transmission output revolutions calculated from the number of transmission input revolutions and the corresponding gear ratio.

Abstract: An endless transmission belt of the invention includes a plurality of sets of link plates and a plurality of pin pairs, each pair of pins linking one end of one set of link plates to an adjacent end of another set of link plates. A plurality of blocks are mounted on the link plates and extend around the circumference of the belt. Each of the blocks has a pin engagement groove defined by a circumferential contact surface for engaging a pin in the running direction of the belt, an opening and a pair of side walls each extending from the circumferential contact surface to the opening. One of side walls provides a radial contact surface for a pin. Each of the pins has a transverse cross-section defined in part by (1) a rocking surface for contact with its paired pin, (2) a first curved surface for radial contact with a sidewall of the pin engagement groove and (3) a second curved surface for contacting the circumferential surface of a block and the link plates.