Abstract: A planetary-gear-type multiple-step transmission including a stationary member, an input rotary member, an output rotary member, and first and second transmission units. The first transmission unit has first and second intermediate transmitting paths through which a rotary motion of the input rotary member is transmittable to the second transmission unit such that a speed of the rotary motion transmitted through the second intermediate transmitting path is lower than a speed of the rotary motion transmitted through the first intermediate transmitting path. The second transmission unit constitutes first, second, third and fourth rotary modules, each of which is provided by at least one of sun gears, carriers and ring gears of two planetary gear sets. The first rotary module is selectively connected to the second intermediate transmitting path, while being selectively connected to the stationary member.

Abstract: The transmission is constructed with a first ring gear and a third ring gear that are firmly connected. A second ring gear and a third carrier are also firmly connected. A second sun gear and a third sun gear are also firmly connected. An input shaft is connectable to a first carrier via a first clutch. The input shaft is connectable to a first sun gear via a second clutch. A third clutch is disposed between the first carrier and a second ring gear. The first carrier is connectable to the second ring gear and the third carrier via the third clutch. A first brake is provided between the first sun gear and a transmission case. A second brake is provided between the transmission case and the first ring gear as well as the third ring gear. A third brake and a one-way clutch are provided in parallel between the first carrier and the transmission case. A fourth brake is provided between the transmission case and the second sun gear as well as the third sun gear.

Abstract: There is provided a method of fabricating a gate electrode, including the steps of (a) forming a gate oxide film at a surface of a semiconductor substrate, (b) forming a multi-layered structure on the gate oxide film, the multi-layered structure including a polysilicon layer formed on the gate oxide film, a refractive metal silicide layer formed on the polysilicon layer, and a silicon nitride layer formed on the refractive metal silicide layer, (c) thermally annealing the multi-layered structure in a nitrogen atmosphere to thereby form a silicon nitride film on sidewalls of the polysilicon layer and the refractive metal silicide layer, and (d) oxidizing the semiconductor substrate and the multi-layered structure.

Abstract: An automatic transmission having first and second groups of successive forward-drive positions for outputting a rotary motion a speed of which is higher than the speed of a rotary motion received from an input member, the first group being established by an engaging action of a first input clutch while the second group being established by an engaging action of a second input clutch, or first and second groups of successive forward-drive positions for reducing the speed of the rotary motion received from the input member, the first group being established by an engaging action of a first input clutch while the second group being established by an engaging action of a second input clutch. The successive operating positions of the first group have respective speed ratios different from those of the second group. The automatic transmission is shiftable to a selected one of the successive operating positions of a selected one of the first and second groups.

Abstract: The transmission 10 is constructed so that, in the first transmission portion 36, the rotation of the input shaft 16 is outputted to the second transmission portion 38 via the first intermediate output path M1 and the second intermediate output path M2 accelerated and rotated with respect to the first intermediate output path M1, and, in the second transmission portion 38, the first rotary element RE1 (S2 and S3) is selectively connected to the first driven gear CG1B via the first clutch C1 and is selectively connected to the second driven gear CG2B via the third clutch C3, the second rotary element RE2 (CA1 and CA2) are selectively connected to the first driven gear CG1B via the second clutch C2 and are selectively connected to the transmission case 12 operating as a non-rotating member via the first brake B1, the third rotary element RE3 (R1, R2 and CA3) is connected to the output gear 28 operating as an output rotating member, the fourth rotary element RE4 (S1) is selectively connected to the transmission

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an automotive vehicle including an engine with an intake valve and/or an exhaust valve having a variable operating characteristic, a transmission having a plurality of operating positions that are selectively established, and a manually operable vehicle accelerating member, the apparatus including a target-drive-force setting portion operable to determine a target vehicle drive force on the basis of an operating amount of the accelerating member and a presently selected one of the operating positions of the transmission, such that the determined target vehicle drive force permits a smooth change of an actual vehicle drive force with a change of the operating amount of the vehicle accelerating member, irrespective of a shifting action of the transmission, and a drive-power-source-torque control portion (104) operable to control a torque of the engine, by controlling at least one of a lift amount, an operating period of an opening and closing action and an operating timing of the in

Abstract: With the automatic transmission 10-1 for vehicle according to the present embodiment, since multistage transmission of eight forward gear stages can be obtained by means of four sets of planetary gear sets 12, 16, 18 and 20, four clutches C1 through C4 and three brakes B1 through B3, the transmission can be fabricated to be light in weight and made compact, wherein the mountability thereof in a vehicle can be improved. Further, as has been made clear in FIG. 1(b), since speed change in the respective gear stages can be carried out only by a shifting action of any two of the clutches C1 through C4 and brakes B1 through B3, the speed change control can be facilitated and it is possible to prevent a shock to the transmission from occurring.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an automotive vehicle having a drive power source, a transmission having a plurality of operating positions that are selectively established, and a manually operable vehicle accelerating member, the apparatus including a target-drive-force setting portion operable to determine a target vehicle drive force on the basis of an operating amount of the accelerating member and a presently selected one of the positions of the transmission, such that the determined target vehicle drive force permits a smooth change of an actual vehicle drive force with a change of the operating amount of the vehicle accelerating member, irrespective of a shifting action of the transmission, a first controlling portion having a relatively high operating response and operable to effect a transient control of a torque of the drive power source so that the actual vehicle drive force coincides with the target vehicle drive force after the shifting action of the transmission, and a second controlling portion ha

Abstract: A multiple-step transmission including a first transmission portion including a first intermediate output path which transmits, at a first speed ratio, an input rotary motion of an input member, and a second intermediate output path which transmits the input rotary motion at a second speed ratio greater than the first speed ratio; and a second transmission portion including a 2-1, a 2-2, and a 2-3 planetary gear set each of which includes a sun gear, a carrier, and a ring gear, the 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3 planetary gear sets being partly connected to each other to provide a first, a second, a third, a fourth, and a fifth rotary element, the second transmission portion further including a first brake which selectively stops a rotary motion of the first rotary element, a second brake which selectively stops a rotary motion of the second rotary element, a first clutch which selectively connects the fifth rotary element to the second intermediate output path of the first transmission portion, a second clutch which sele

Abstract: A planetary-gear-type multiple-step transmission including a stationary member, an input rotary member, an output rotary member, and first and second transmission units. The first transmission unit transmits a rotary motion from an input rotary member to the second transmission unit through first and second intermediate transmitting paths such that a speed of the rotary motion transmitted through the second intermediate transmitting path is lower than that of the rotary motion transmitted through the first intermediate transmitting path. The second transmission unit constitutes first, second, third, fourth and fifth rotary elements, each of which is provided by at least one of sun gears, carriers and ring gears of three planetary gear sets. The first rotary element is selectively connected to the second intermediate transmitting path, while being selectively connected to the stationary member. The second rotary element is selectively connected to the first intermediate transmitting path.

Abstract: An automatic transmission includes a first rotating element provided by coupling a sun gear of a second planetary gear set and a carrier of a third planetary gear set to each other, a second rotating element provided by coupling a carrier of the second planetary gear set and a ring gear of the third planetary gear set to each other, a third rotating element provided by a ring gear of the second planetary gear set, and a fourth rotating element provided by a sun gear of the third planetary gear set.

Abstract: The transmission is constructed with a first ring gear and a third ring gear that are firmly connected. A second ring gear and a third carrier are also firmly connected. A second sun gear and a third sun gear are also firmly connected. An input shaft is connectable to a first carrier via a first clutch. The input shaft is connectable to a first sun gear via a second clutch. A third clutch is disposed between the first carrier and a second ring gear. The first carrier is connectable to the second ring gear and the third carrier via the third clutch. A first brake is provided between the first sun gear and a transmission case. A second brake is provided between the transmission case and the first ring gear as well as the third ring gear. A third brake and a one-way clutch are provided in parallel between the first carrier and the transmission case. A fourth brake is provided between the transmission case and the second sun gear as well as the third sun gear.

Abstract: A start control device is provided for a vehicle that is subjected to neutral control for releasing a coupling element of an automatic transmission when the vehicle is stopped with predetermined conditions satisfied while the automatic transmission is in a forward drive position. The start control device detects a braking operation performed by the driver of the vehicle or a braking condition during the neutral control, and controls the braking force of the vehicle when the vehicle returns from the neutral control, based on the detected braking operation or the braking condition during the neutral control.

Abstract: A vehicle planetary gear type multiple-step transmission wherein each of five rotary elements is constituted by sun gears, carriers and ring gears of three planetary gear sets, and speeds of the rotary elements are represented by respective straight lines in a collinear chart, and the first, second and third rotary elements are made stationary by respective first, second and third brakes, and the fifth, third and first rotary elements are connected to an input shaft by respective first, second and third clutches, while the third rotary element is brought to a disconnected state by fourth clutch, and the fourth rotary element is connected to an output rotary member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of controlling a synchronous motor having a rotor, and a stator which produces a magnetic flux for rotating the rotor about an axis thereof, the method including the steps of detecting an angular position and a rotating speed of the rotor; estimating a phase difference between a voltage and an electric current of the synchronous motor, on the basis of the detected rotating speed of the rotor; and adjusting an advance angle of the rotor upon excitation of the synchronous motor, as a result of comparison of the detected rotating speed of the rotor with a target value, to thereby control the rotating speed and direction of the rotor.

Abstract: There is provided a method of fabricating a gate electrode, including the steps of (a) forming a gate oxide film at a surface of a semiconductor substrate, (b) forming a multi-layered structure on the gate oxide film, the multi-layered structure including a polysilicon layer formed on the gate oxide film, a refractive metal silicide layer formed on the polysilicon layer, and a silicon nitride layer formed on the refractive metal silicide layer, (c) thermally annealing the multi-layered structure in a nitrogen atmosphere to thereby form a silicon nitride film on sidewalls of the polysilicon layer and the refractive metal silicide layer, and (d) oxidizing the semiconductor substrate and the multi-layered structure.

Abstract: An automatic transmission includes a first rotating element provided by coupling a sun gear of a second planetary gear set and a carrier of a third planetary gear set to each other, a second rotating element provided by coupling a carrier of the second planetary gear set and a ring gear of the third planetary gear set to each other, a third rotating element provided by a ring gear of the second planetary gear set, and a fourth rotating element provided by a sun gear of the third planetary gear set.

Abstract: An automatic transmission includes a first rotating element provided by a sun gear of a second planetary gear set, a second rotating element provided by coupling carriers of the second planetary gear set and a third planetary gear set to each other, a third rotating element provided by coupling ring gears of the second and third planetary gear sets to each other, and a fourth rotating element provided by a sun gear of the third planetary gear set. The second and third planetary gear sets are combined with a first planetary gear set so that the automatic transmission can provide seven forward gear stages by changing a combination of two engaging elements, such as clutches and brakes, for coupling or stopping the corresponding rotating elements.

Abstract: A deodorant and antimicrobial composition comprises an oxide or hydroxide of an alkaline earth metal, hydrated silica, and a cationic surfactant. A deodorant and antimicrobial resin composition can be obtained using the deodorant and antimicrobial composition and a thermoplastic resin. This deodorant and antimicrobial resin composition can be molded or otherwise formed.

Abstract: The transmission is constructed with a first ring gear and a third ring gear that are firmly connected. A second ring gear and a third carrier are also firmly connected. A second sun gear and a third sun gear are also firmly connected. An input shaft is connectable to a first carrier via a first clutch. The input shaft is connectable to a first sun gear via a second clutch. A third clutch is disposed between the first carrier and a second ring gear. The first carrier is connectable to the second ring gear and the third carrier via the third clutch. A first brake is provided between the first sun gear and a transmission case. A second brake is provided between the transmission case and the first ring gear as well as the third ring gear. A third brake and a one-way clutch are provided in parallel between the first carrier and the transmission case. A fourth brake is provided between the transmission case and the second sun gear as well as the third sun gear.