Abstract: A control unit has an electronic control device that includes a base board on which a plurality of elements, including a microcomputer containing an automatic transmission program, are disposed. The electronic control device includes an integral neutral start switch connected to the microcomputer. The neutral start switch also includes a rotor and contact-type switches operated by rotation-of the rotor. The base board and the rotor are disposed in a case and are substantially parallel to each other at opposite sides of an intermediate wall formed in the case. The base board is separated from the contact-type switches by the intermediate wall to prevent communication of oil or metal dust from the contact-type switches to the base board.

Abstract: A compact-sized position detecting switch-combined electronic control unit disposed on the main body of an automatic transmission and used for detecting range positions chosen by a driver during a shifting operation. The control unit has a base board on which a plurality of elements are arranged, including a microcomputer containing an automatic transmission control program, and a position detecting switch whose detecting portion is connected to the microcomputer. The base board and the position detecting switch are disposed in a single case. The position detecting switch has a rotor and a plurality of non-contact sensors disposed on the base board. The microcomputer contains a learning control program for calculating and correcting any positional deviation in the rotational angle of the rotor with respect to each sensor on the basis of signals from the sensors corresponding to rotation of the rotor. Some of the elements on the base board are arranged outside the range of rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: An automatic transmission includes a casing housing a transmission mechanism and having a wall with a through-hole. A first plurality of electronic components is mounted exterior to the casing and a second plurality of electronic components is mounted on the interior of the casing. A sealed wire terminal is mounted in and closes the through-hole 21. An electronic control unit is mounted in the sealed wire terminal 22 and cables electrically connect the electronic control unit to the first and second pluralities of electronic components. The sealed wire terminal includes a seal member supporting the cables and sealing the through-hole. Thus, the automatic transmission and the electronic control unit can be combined before mounting on a vehicle.

Abstract: An electronic control unit (ECU) and a position detection unit are disposed in separate chambers formed in a case. Two switch portions are separately disposed on opposite sides of a movable member of the position detection unit, thus reducing the size of the unit. The signal-related circuit that needs to be connected to the ECU for signal transmission and the drive circuit, for starting the starter motor and turning on the reverse lamps, that does not need the connection to the ECU for signal transmission, are separately disposed on the opposite sides of the movable member, that is, on the case side and a first cover side. The drive circuit is completely separated from the signal-related circuit and the ECU, thus preventing the drive circuit from electrically interfering with the signal-related circuit or the ECU.

Abstract: A slotted rotor is fixed to a manual shaft operatable by using a shift lever. The slotted rotor is turnable in a restricted angle about the manual shaft. The rotor has a slot in arc segment a, slots in arc segment b, slots in arc segment c, slots in arc segment d, and slots in arc segment e that are arranged concentrically about the manual shaft, in that order starting from the manual shaft. As the rotor turns, the slots in arc segments d, e cause incremental pulses to be generated. Based on the number of pulses, a control unit detects deviation from the planned neutral position and establishes a correct neutral position. The position detecting apparatus and method make it easy for a worker to perform the neutral position alignment of a neutral start switch and to maintain the alignment after the switch has been mounted.