Abstract: A power transmission for use in a powertrain has an input shaft, an output shaft, an input planetary gearset, and an output planetary gearset. The planetary gearsets are controlled through the selective engagement of seven torque-transmitting mechanisms, three of which are rotating-type torque-transmitting mechanisms and four of which are stationary-type torque-transmitting mechanisms. By selective engagement of the torque-transmitting mechanisms in combinations of three, the input planetary gearset and the output planetary gearset are combined to establish eight forward speed ratios between the input shaft and the output shaft.

Abstract: A multiple speed power transmission is disclosed having an input, first and second input shafts, first and second clutches releasably coupling the input to the first and second input shafts, respectively, and a set of selectable power paths connecting the first and second input shafts to the output, the set of selectable power paths having at least one power path that includes both the first and second input shafts.

Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus for an automatic transmission including two frictional coupling devices of a first group and a plurality of frictional coupling devices of a second group, the control device including a second-group-engaging switching valve arranged to receive second engaging hydraulic pressures generated to engage the coupling devices of the second group and operable, upon reception of at least one of the second engaging hydraulic pressures, to generate a second-group-engaging pilot hydraulic pressure, and a fail-safe valve to receive at least one of first engaging hydraulic pressures generated to engage the two coupling devices of the first group and operable, upon simultaneous reception of the first engaging hydraulic pressure generated to engage one of the two coupling devices of the first group and the second-group-engaging pilot hydraulic pressure, to prevent application of the first engaging hydraulic pressure to the other of the two coupling devices of the first group.

Abstract: A speed change device has an input member rotatable in opposite directions to transmit higher torque as its rotation angle becomes larger, and a variable angle-ratio change mechanism including rollers and teethed wheels that are arranged in parallel to each other. The rollers and teethed wheels are respectively connected to rotate together with each other. The teeth of the wheels have a clearance on a pitch circle between their adjacent teeth so that the clearance is larger than a slip amount of the rollers in a low torque range where the rollers transmit low torque with bypassing the wheels in a normal operation. The wheels are engaged with each other to transmit high torque in a high torque range where the high torque is applied in an exceptional operation and the rollers slip larger than the slip amount in the low torque range.

Abstract: In a transmission device with switchable gear ratios, a driving gear is disposed onto an output shaft of a motor, a rocker arm is pivoted on the output shaft through an electromagnetic clutch, a rocker arm gear mounted on the rocker arm is driven by the driving gear, a first gear set is driven by the rocker arm gear when the rocker arm is at a first position, a second gear set is driven by the rocker arm gear when the rocker arm is at a second position, and the first gear set and the second gear set have different output rotating speeds. In addition, a first magnetic element attracts the rocker arm at the first position, and a second magnetic element attracts the rocker arm at the second position. Thus, the gear ratio may be switched according to interactions between the electromagnetic clutch and the magnetic elements.

Abstract: The inventive differential (57) Abstract: The inventive differential rotation speed transducer can be used for drives of general use machines and mechanisms. Said transducer relates to gears provided with intermediate members and comprises a wave generator and a transferring unit which is embodied in the form of coaxial cages (1, 3, 4, 5) mated to each other around a circle. Clutch surfaces are embodied in the form of periodical roller ways interacting with a chain of balls (2) on each clip along the trace of said circle. The cage (1) is linked to the generator and embodied in such a way that it affects rolling bodies in the direction selected from any directions on the plane of the axial section of the transducer. The unit comprising four cages is used for transferring increased power. Spaced in azimuth grooves are embodied on two cages which are oppositely disposed with respect to the chain of balls and mechanically connected to each other.

Abstract: A throttle grip apparatus has a throttle grip rotatably mounted on the leading end of a handlebar of a vehicle; a case disposed on the handlebar at a position being adjacent to the throttle grip; a throttle opening angle sensor for detecting the rotation angle of the throttle grip and disposed in the case, an energizing unit for energizing the throttle grip in a direction to return to the initial position thereof, an engine of a vehicle being controlled in accordance with the detected value of the throttle opening angle sensor wherein the energizing unit includes a spiral spring mounted on the base end side of the throttle grip and having one end fixed to the base end portion of the throttle grip and the other end fixed to the case and the spiral spring is wound up as the throttle grip is rotated from the initial state thereof.

Abstract: In lock-up capacity control apparatus and method for a torque converter, the torque converter is caused to have a converter state in which a relative revolution between input and output elements of the torque converter is free of limitation in a case where a lock-up capacity (L/Uprso) during a no-load state is equal to or larger than a shock determining lock-up capacity (?), during an acceleration slip lock up in which the lock-up capacity of the torque converter is augmented by means of a time series control which accords with a load state of an engine, and the torque converter is caused to be oriented toward a lock-up state in which the relative revolution is zeroed by continuing an augmentation of the lock-up capacity by means of the time series control in a case where the lock-up capacity during the no-load state is smaller than the shock determining lock-up capacity.

Abstract: A drive axle assembly includes first and second axleshafts connected to a pair of wheels and a drive mechanism operable to selectively couple a driven input shaft to one or both of the axleshafts. The drive mechanism includes a differential, a speed changing unit operably disposed between the differential assembly and one of the first and second axleshafts, and first and second mode clutches. The first mode clutch is operable to decrease the rotary speed of the second axleshaft which, in turn, causes a corresponding increase in the rotary speed of the first axleshaft. The second mode clutch is operable to increase the rotary speed of the second axleshaft so as to cause a decrease in the rotary speed of the first axleshaft. A control system controls actuation of both mode clutches.

Abstract: A drive unit for an automatic transmission has a hydraulic circuit changing device for changing a hydraulic circuit so that one of the hydraulic control portions (hydraulic gear change portions) is selectively communicated with an oil pressure source, a position detecting device for continuously detecting a position of one of moving members of the hydraulic circuit changing device and for outputting a detection signal corresponding to the position of the moving member, and a pressure regulating device provided between the hydraulic circuit changing device and the hydraulic control portions for regulating a control pressure to be applied to the hydraulic control portions. In the above drive unit, an electronic control unit calculates a rate of changes in the detection signals from the position detecting device and controls the pressure regulating device in accordance with the rate of the changes in the detection signals.

Abstract: The electrically variable transmission family of the present invention provides low-content, low-cost electrically variable transmission mechanisms including first and second differential gear sets, a battery, two electric machines serving interchangeably as motors or generators, and two or three selectable torque-transfer devices. The selectable torque transfer devices are engaged singly to yield an EVT with a continuously variable range of speeds (including reverse) and two or three mechanically fixed forward speed ratios. The torque transfer devices and the first and second motor/generators are operable to provide five operating modes in the electrically variable transmission, including battery reverse mode, EVT reverse mode, reverse and forward launch modes, continuously variable transmission range mode, and fixed ratio mode.

Abstract: A transfer case having an input shaft driven by a powertrain, a first output shaft adapted for connection to a first driveline and a torque transfer mechanism. The torque transfer mechanism includes a friction clutch assembly operably disposed between the first output shaft and the second output shaft and a clutch actuator assembly for generating and applying a clutch engagement force to the friction clutch assembly. The clutch actuator assembly includes an electric motor, a geared reduction unit and a clutch apply operator. A control system including vehicle sensors and a controller are provided to control actuation of the electric motor.

Abstract: Nine-speed transmissions are provided that include four planetary gear sets having six torque-transmitting mechanisms and various fixed interconnections to provide nine forward speed ratios and a reverse speed ratio. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another of the planetary gear members. The six torque-transmitting mechanisms are operated in combinations of two. Reduced component speeds and improved ratios are achieved.

Abstract: A driving device includes a power supply unit and a torque converter. The power supply unit outputs a constant power. The torque converter has a gear train that is connected to the power supply unit and interconnects a flywheel and an input shaft in order to respectively transmit a first part and a second part of the power to the flywheel and the input shaft. The input and output shafts have respectively first and second variable-diameter pulleys on which a belt member is trained. The effective diameters of the first and second pulleys are automatically varied in response to the torque exerted on the input and output shafts to maintain the rotational speed of the output shaft at a constant level while the flywheel compensates for power variation of the output shaft without changing the power of the power supply unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement for a differential apparatus that transmits torque produced by a motor to two axle shafts. A motor output shaft portion is formed coaxially and integrally with a gear case.

Abstract: Power train control unit 100 controls friction clutch 203 when shifting from one cogwheel row to the other cogwheel row, sets the target synchronous rotation speed based on the output rotation speed of a transmission and parameters indicative of the state of engine 1 or the transmission, and sets the command value to the friction clutch so that the input rotation speed can be synchronized with the target synchronous rotation speed. Control unit 100 sets the target shifting required time based on parameters indicative of the state of engine 1 or the transmission, and corrects the command value to the friction clutch so that the required shift time can approach the above target shift required time.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an automotive vehicle including an engine and an automatic transmission. The apparatus is operable upon generation of an engine-output control command requiring an output of the engine during a shift-up action of the transmission initiated in the absence of the engine-output control command, and includes a shifting-progress calculating portion operable to calculate a degree of progress of the shift-up action of the transmission after a moment of generation of the engine-output control command, on the basis of a change of a rotating speed of a rotary element which changes with the progress of the shift-up action, and a gradual-engine-torque-increase control portion operable to control the engine on the basis of the degree of progress of the shift-up action calculated by the shifting-progress calculating portion, so as to gradually increase an output torque of the engine with the progress of the shift-up action.

Abstract: A dual friction clutch assembly for a multiple-ratio transmission comprises separate friction disks of the assembly separately connected to each of two torque input shafts for the transmission. Two torque flow paths for the torque input shafts are defined in part by pre-engaged transmission clutches.

Abstract: A transmission is provided having four planetary gearsets, each having respective first, second, and third members, and a plurality of selectively engageable torque transmitting devices configured to selectively interconnect selected members of the four planetary gearsets for unitary rotation thereby to provide a plurality of forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between an input member and an output member.

Abstract: An axle assembly including a housing, a tire supporting hub mounted for rotation with respect to the housing, a drive axle and a planetary unit for coupling the drive axle to the tire supporting hub. The planetary unit includes a sun gear, at least one planet gear and a ring gear, with the planet gear being in co-meshing engagement with the sun and ring gears. Damping material is used to inhibit or reduce the transmission of vibrations produced by the gear meshes during vehicle operation to the planetary unit cover. In one construction, the planetary unit includes a cover portion and a carrier portion with damping material, such as copper, disposed between the portions. In another construction, bushings made from damping material, such as brass or bronze, are disposed between the planetary gear (or gears) and the pin member which supports the planetary gear.