Abstract: A hydraulic control system for an automatic transmission of an automotive vehicle is provided which has a fail-safe function of preventing unsafe operation of the automatic transmission if a failure occurs in any of solenoid valves which control engagement operations of frictional elements such as clutches and brakes of the transmission. The hydraulic control system includes a hydraulic pressure flow control unit which controls hydraulic pressure flow between at least one of the frictional elements and at least one of the solenoid valves to allow the hydraulic pressure to be supplied to a predetermined combination of the frictional elements to achieve the power transmission at one of given gear ratios. The hydraulic pressure flow control unit restricts the hydraulic pressure flow to an inoperative combination of the frictional elements which provides no power transmission. With these arrangements, the power transmission is established if any of the solenoid valves malfunctions to allow the vehicle to travel.

Abstract: An automatic transmission for an automotive vehicle comprises electromagnetic valves 5A-5C activated or deactivated in accordance with a given shift schedule determined based on traveling conditions of the automotive vehicle, a plurality of planetary gear trains 4A-4C driven by an output force of an engine, a plurality of friction devices B1-B4 and C1-C3 receiving hydraulic pressure to selectively connect or fix components constituting planetary gear trains 4A-4C, and a mechanical shift valve 6A having a pair of pressure chambers 62A and 63A and plural ports 64A, 65A and 66A. Upon application of hydraulic pressure to pressure chamber 62A, a fluid communicating path is established in the shift valve 6A so as to connect brake B1 and manual shift valve 8. When hydraulic pressure is applied to both of pressure chambers 62A and 63A, pressurized oil is drained from brake B1.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system for an automatic transmission of automotive vehicles is provided. The hydraulic control system includes a pressure source, a plurality of solenoid valves, and a plurality of directional control valves. Each solenoid valve selectively supplies and release hydraulic pressure to and from one of frictional element of a power train of the automatic transmission according to a given schedule of transmission operation for establishing a given gear ratio. The directional control valves are interposed between the frictional elements of the power train and the solenoid valves, respectively.