Abstract: It is sought to simplify the arrangement of the drive power switching system for an acoustic apparatus, thus permitting immediate switching of the drive power. A drive power switching system comprises driven gears always in mesh with a main drive gear located between a first and a second gear and a rocking member rotatably supporting the driven gears. The inter-axis distance between the axes of rotation of the first and second gears, is set to a length, in which the driven gears can be meshed with both the first and second gears as they are revolved together with the revolution of the rocking member.

Abstract: A planetary differential including a differential case rotatable about an axis and a method of manufacturing thereof. The differential case includes a cover, a housing, an annulus gear, and a ring gear. The differential case defines a differential cavity having a clutch cavity and a planet cavity separated by a retainer plate coupled to the housing. The modular nature of this system allows both open and torque biasing constructions in the same packaging space. The method of manufacturing the differential includes the steps of coupling a retainer plate to the housing between the clutch cavity and the axial opening, placing a planetary gear set in the planetary cavity, and fixing the housing to the annulus gear and ring gear.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle control apparatus is provided, wherein an unpleasant sensation is not imparted to a driver depressing an accelerator pedal at the time of departure. In a hybrid vehicle control apparatus with an engine and a motor as the drive sources, and a battery for storing electrical energy from the engine or the kinetic energy of the vehicle converted by the motor, the vehicle is provided with an automatic transmission. Moreover, there is provided a discharge suppression mode which suppresses discharge from the remaining battery charge detected by a battery ECU, and a charge/discharge permit mode which permits charge/discharge of the battery. At a time of vehicle departure, departure assistance is performed only when a degree of throttle opening showing an acceleration intention of the driver exceeds a determination threshold which is larger than a determination threshold for at the time of the discharge/charge permit mode.

Abstract: A method for controlling a transmission of an engine-driven vehicle having a plurality of gears, the vehicle including a service module actuable by a driver of the vehicle to select a desired gear, the service module being connected to a transmission control system which automatically changes gears in response to actuation of the service module, the vehicle further including an engine braking system connected to the transmission control system which is actuable to brake the vehicle engine during a gear change, the method comprising: monitoring the transmission input rotational speed (NE) and the transmission output rotational speed (NA); calculating a synchronous rotational speed (NE) of the desired gear; actuating the engine braking system to reduce the rotational input speed (NE) and synchronize it with the synchronous rotational speed (NS) so that the desired gear change can be effected; and disabling the engine braking system when a predetermined switch-off threshold is reached at a point in time before a

Abstract: Apparatus for damping torsional vibrations in the power train of a motor vehicle has two coaxial flywheels one of which is driven by the engine and the other of which can transmit torque to the input shaft of a transmission by way of a friction clutch. The flywheels are rotatable relative to each other against the resistance of a damper. Certain features of the apparatus reside in the dimensioning and distribution of its parts in the radial and axial directions of the flywheels to reduce the dimensions of the apparatus. The torque transmitting connection between at least one pair of neighboring rotary parts of the apparatus employs a slip clutch which yields when the applied torque exceeds a certain value. An intermittently or continuously active hysteresis device is utilized to operate in parallel with the energy storing springs of the damper.

Abstract: A hydraulic pressure control apparatus for an automatic transmission including a microprocessor-based control unit for controlling hydraulic pressure supplied to hydraulic servos of friction engagement elements. The control apparatus calculates a target hydraulic pressure P.sub.TA for a condition at the start of the inertia phase in accordance with the input torque, and a gradient based on the target hydraulic pressure and a predetermined time t.sub.TA. A first up-sweep of hydraulic pressure is performed by the apparatus with the gradient. A relatively gradual gradient .delta.P.sub.TA is set based on a target rotation change rate for the input rotational speed to provide a predetermined change amount when the hydraulic pressure becomes the target hydraulic pressure P.sub.TA. The control apparatus performs a second up-sweep with the gradient .delta.P.sub.TA. When the rotational speed change .DELTA.N of the input rotation becomes a rotation change start-determining rotational speed dN.sub.