Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a throttle valve in an automatic transmission system for automobiles using a microcomputer, including the steps of: (a) detecting an accelerator position, an engine rotational speed, a clutch stroke, a change lever position, an input shaft rotational speed, and a transmission gear position by a transmission gear position sensor; (b) comparing the data determined in step (a) with a predetermined transmission map and a throttle valve operation speed map each stored in a memory of the microcomputer, and calculating the throttle valve operation speed for various driving conditions; and (c) controlling the operation of the throttle valve through a throttle actuator based on a control signal generated from the throttle valve operation speed map.

Abstract: A method of controlling a synchromesh type automatic transmission of a vehicle such as an automobile, including the steps of releasing a clutch for connecting an engine and the transmission in response to a speed change command, shifting the transmission from one speed position to a neutral position, shifting the transmission from the neutral position to a subsequent speed position, and applying the clutch. The double-clutching operation is conducted if a load upon synchronization during the speed changing operation exceeds a predetermined level, to once apply the clutch and subsequently release the clutch again while the transmission is in the neutral position. Thus, the synchronization load can be dropped to prevent any so-called "under-synchronization" in the transmission. The synchronization load is detected in terms of the difference between the r.p.m. of the input shaft of the transmission and the product of the vehicle speed or the r.p.m. of the output shaft of the transmission and the reduction ratio.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a revolution signal processing system for an electronic controller to ensure safe operation of a vehicle having an automatic transmission. The system includes: an input shaft revolution sensor for outputting an input shaft r.p.m. signal; a vehicle speed sensor for outputting a vehicle speed signal; signal processors for determining the r.p.m.'s of the two sensors in response to the two output signals of the same; a gear position sensor for outputting a gear position signal; a gear position detector for detecting the gear position of the automatic transmission; and a self-testing backup. When the gear position detector detects that the transmission is in a gear position other than the neutral position, and if one of the output signals of the two sensors exhibits an r.p.m. equal to or higher than a predetermined value, whereas the other of the same exhibits an abnormally lower value or an r.p.m.

Abstract: A method of controlling a shifting operation of a synchro mesh type automatic transmission in a vehicle, such as an automobile. The method includes the steps of (i) detecting the running state of the vehicle, (ii) determining an optimum gear position from the vehicle running condition, (iii) determining if the optimum gear position is higher than a gear position of the transmission, (iv) determining if the engine torque is greater than or equal to a predetermined value and reducing the engine torque below the predetermined value, if the optimum gear position is higher than the gear position of the transmission, (v) disengaging a clutch to disconnect an engine and the transmission, (vi) shifting the transmission to the optimum gear position, and (vii) engaging the clutch. Moreover, the engine torque is reduced before the clutch is released--by reducing the fuel supply to the engine--so that abrupt decelerations and declutching shocks caused by conventional shifting methods are not felt by the driver.

Abstract: A method of controlling the gear changing operation of an automatic transmission includes determining an optimum gear position based on a car speed and an extent of depression of an accelerator pedal to control a gear transmission to select the optimum gear position, and selecting neutral when the determined optimum gear position is lower than a selected gear position at the time the accelerator pedal is released, to interrupt the gear changing operation until the accelerator pedal is depressed.

Abstract: A diagnostic processing system for the automatic transmission of an automobile to cooperate with an instruction element for producing an actuation signal for driving the transmission gears and clutch. The system is chiefly comprised of a gear position sensor which senses the gear position of the transmission gears and a diagnostic check element which determines, based on a gear position signal from the sensor and other information regarding the automobile's operation, the validity of the actuation signal.

Abstract: A failure diagnostic processing system including a checking element for achieving a diagnostic check with respect to sensors to produce first and second diagnostic signals regarding each sensor. The first and second diagnostic signals indicate whether or not a failure condition stands, respectively. Also included are counting element for achieving a count up and a count down selectively in response to the first and second diagnostic signals, respectively; an alarm element for providing an alarm indication in accordance with the count number of the counting element; and a recording element for creating a history of failure by recording the count number of the counting element where the count number exceeds a predetermined reference number for starting the record.

Abstract: An automatic clutch control system including a clutch, a clutch actuator for controlling a clutch stroke, a plurality of solenoid valves for controlling the clutch actuator, a clutch stroke sensor for measuring the clutch stroke, a control unit for feeding back a stroke signal detected by the clutch stroke sensor and for controlling the solenoid valves to control clutch engagement and disengagement. The control unit includes a learning control section for storing a full clutch engagement point upon saturation of the stroke signal in a clutch engagement operation and storing clutch contact point upon start of rotation of an engine input shaft in a clutch engagement operation following a clutch disengagement operation. Based on the full clutch engagement point and clutch contact point, the control unit judges a clutch operation range for control of clutch engagement and disengagement.

Abstract: An electronic control method for vehicles, wherein, when exercising control to start a vehicle from rest, the vehicle engine and clutch are controlled in a very low speed control mode, if the amount by which an accelerator pedal is depressed is less than a set value. If, however, the amount of accelerator pedal depression is greater than the set value, the engine and clutch are controlled in an ordinary start control mode. When the vehicle is travelling and the speed thereof is less than a set value, the clutch is controlled in a start control mode. When the travelling speed of the vehicle is greater than the set value, the clutch is controlled in a shift mode.

Abstract: An automatic clutch control system, for use in automobiles, using a microcomputer. Included in the system are an accelerator pedal sensor for detecting accelerator position; an engine speed sensor for detecting engine speed; a clutch stroke sensor for detecting clutch stroke; and an automobile speed sensor for detecting automobile speed. The microcomputer is included in a controller for controlling opening or closing of solenoid valves, gear change of a transmission, and opening or closing of a throttle actuator, based on predetermined stored data and based on signals transmitted from the sensors. The automatic clutch control system consequently can automatically control the clutch moving time and clutch moving speed for easy driving under all driving conditions. Moreover, while the clutch control system is fully automatic, it can use dry-type single-plate clutches and sliding-mesh-type transmissions as in manual and semiautomatic transmissions.